HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.23.15 CEC MinutesMinutes for 2.23.15 CEC meeting
Melanie
Pete
Shirley
Clem
Gary
Helen
Dick
Gwen
Jay
Felicia
Ahmed
Tim Sandvik
Call to order: 6:09 Melanie
Clem motions for Melanie to chair new commission.
Gary motions to be nominated for chair.
Several questions about term limits, explanation by Tim Sandvik
Questions discussed:
Can we have two chairs or co-chairs? (yes)
Historically, end of terms have had two chairs to ‘train in new commissioners’
Dick – Understanding history can help us go forward
Pete – History of NHC and HRC, helps with personnel as well.
Gary – HRC would be best served by being more proactive in community.
Dick – Good combing of the two groups. In best of interest of time, it is good to understand where we
are at with the definition.
Melanie – To merge two commissions, there has been lengthy thought by council and our lawyer .We
can unpack the entire definition, it will take a couple meetings to entirely understand what we can
do/what we cannot do.
Number of commissioners stated – We need to understand what the definition means.
Melanie – there is a lot in here. The approach will be to meld the two, rather than only pursue objectives
of one or the other. It is in the best interest of us all to take our time making our way through it.
Melanie – Block parties as an example, NHC originally started block parties, HRC came to and asked
whether or not they could be involved. We can address people who are underserved get the attention,
it is in our best interest to get the information to people independent of characteristics. Will not be our
only meeting.
Shirley – Relatively new to NHC, What have HRC been meeting about?
Gary – We did not have enough input on how to reach out to underserved, it would be helpful for our
community to understand our entire community.
Jay – HRC did tabling, including a movie, Spring Together.
Clem – cant force people to a meeting, can educate.
Gary – More outreach, go to where people are rather than telling people to come to City Hall. Needs to
be done in a culturally appropriate way.
General discussion on having two chairs vs one.
Call to vote –
Melanie – Voted Chair of the commission.
Melanie – In our annual meeting, We did a focus on music. Something we would like to continue to
explore to connect the residents. Dick has been…
Dick – We played a few tunes at the annual meeting and it was received well. I had a meeting with Tim
Cheesebrow. A very nice vist at UMC on 2.9. He bought the coffee grounds and created a music studio.
He additionally works with middle school kids. Remains keeping very good musicians, entertainment of
all ages. He is ultimately on board to communicate with commissions to include himself with block
parties. How can people in the city play music. The idea is that bp’s can reach out UMC and others can
work with block parties. UMC owner/musician willing to participate himself.
Pete – Thank you Dick. People get together around food and music.
Clem – gets people talking, involved.
Melanie – Be thinking about musicians that could also contribute. Giving intergenerational
opportunities.
Tim – Communication channels – continuing upkeep.
Helen – Can we put together a list of all commissioners?
Melanie – If you have changed your email or address has changed, please let Tim know. Upcoming
events: Help us establish meeting times and frequencies. Looking at 2015, NHC held annual meeting.
Appx 25 at that event. HRC does a movie night, something educational. Historically it has happened. We
have had the … Minnesota Night to Unite – block parties. Encourage it, but parties are throughout the
summer. Getting that info out takes work. If Apts want to, we coach them. Biggest summer activity. Ice
Cream Social – both have been there historically. CEC can table as well.
Gwen – International Human Rights day 12.10.15
Melanie – LFLs were produced. Clem will follow up with LFLs. Good for us to meet in March, and again
in May. April can meet, we will see where that is.
Gary – we didn’t discuss spring together because we didn’t know CEC would be going forward…
Ahmed – Can we set those committees?
Melanie – having time to think what we can do for committees.
Ahmed – What we used to have, both should continue to focus. HRC did Spring Together, we should be
able to keep focuses. We want to keep focuses.
Melanie – We don’t want commissioners to burn out and have lull in service. We all have other
commitments so we would like to continue be respectful of people’s time.
Discussion on meeting time: Third Monday at 7pm
Melanie: We will meet in March, May and September. We can decide going forward whether or not
meet in April.
Melanie: Thank you all for participation. Adjourn at 7:25