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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-11 PACKET 02.Human Services /Human Rights Commission City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Meeting Minutes March 14, 2012 Members Present: Rick Johnson Christie Thompson Jena Nutzman Linda Lundstrom Suzanne Koerner Kathleen Washenberger Members Absent: Francisco Gonzalez, Chair (excused) Also Present: Kenneth L. Smith, City Liaison Jen Peterson, Council Member 1. Call to Order The meeting was held at City Hall and called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Commission Vice Chair Rick Johnson 2. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Koerner and Seconded by Commissioner Thompson to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2012 meeting. 3. Commissioner Interviews Commissioner Johnson informed the group that he and Jen Peterson had interviewed a candidate and that they would be interviewing another candidate in the coming weeks. Rick suggested we do a letter in the Bulletin and in the school newsletters for the youth seat. Kathleen said she would do it. 4. Equity and Integration in Schools Commissioner Johnson has not had a recent meeting with school officials. He will set a date when Chair Gonzales returns. Next Bulletin Letter / Newsletter Article Commissioner Koemer said she has not finished here article. She is considering changing the topic to write about respect. Commissioner Nutzman's article is in the Bulletin. Jen Peterson's article about volunteering appeared in the Bulletin as well. Rick apologized for missing his deadline and explained his mother needed attending to. Future topic: Commissioner Linda Lundstrom said she would be doing an article on bullying in September. 6. Fund Raising Commissioner Thompson said she was relying on Rick for Human Rights grants as he now is on their board. Christie brought up the idea of a spaghetti dinner at the VFW. Commissioner Lundstrom liked the idea. Commissioner Johnson said he was in the process of finalizing an application from the MN League to get grant to fund raise. MN Human Rights League has $7200 to help other Commissions. Someone from the League might come and talk to our Commission. Kathleen asked why we fundraise. Rick replied: brochures, community meetings, speakers, buttons, etc. Linda said she knew someone who would be a good speaker and that they are free. Suzanne said she might be able to get free printing at Office Max. It was suggested that Commissioner Thompson and Commissioner Lundstrom get together with Commissioner Koerner and plan a speaker event. Essay and Poster Contest Commissioner Koerner said she would like to see the contest based on Cinco de Mayo. She is asking for donations and will talk to Werner Electric. Commissioner Thompson suggested she try 3M, Merchants and Wells Fargo Bank. The Commissioners who agreed to judge the contests were Koerner, Lundstrom and Nutzman. 8. Strategic Plan Kathleen stated that she put together the plan from the old strategic plan and input from this group. She handed out the plan which also included a 2012 action plan to help guide the group with upcoming activities. Commissioner Koerner made a motion to accept the plan which was seconded by Commissioner Lindstrom. All present were in favor. Ken Smith said the plan would go before the Council at an upcoming meeting. Diversity Highlight of the Month It was mentioned that it was Woman's History Month and March 8 1h was International Woman's Day. Commissioner Thompson remarked there is a memorial to women at the State Capital Building. There was a brief discussion about the proposed marriage amendment. Whitney Houston was discussed and the KONY Video was brought up. 10. City Update Council Member Jen Peterson mentioned the Volunteer Banquet, the Charter Commission, child trafficking, six reserve officers and the homeless point in time study. 381 homeless people are in Washington County. This accounted for 181 households. This is up from last year. 59% of the homeless population was female (domestic violence was a major contributor) along with mental disability, substance abuse HIV Aids and known criminal histories. There was a brief discussion about bullying with Jen mentioning a Youth Service Bureau initiative on bullying. 11. Miscellaneous The Human Services Human Rights Commission will start future meetings at 6:30 p.m. which is a change from the 7:00 p.m. starting time. Commissioner Suzanne Koerner made a motion to initiate the new starting time and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Lundstrom. All present were in favor. 12. Adjournment A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Washenberger and seconded by Commissioner Koerner. The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m. Presented by: Kenneth L. Smith, Community Services and Communications Coordinator