HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly13AgendaCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights - Community Engagement Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA
July 20, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.
A.CALL TO ORDER:
B. ROLL CALL:
May___ Kohn___ Johnson___
Larrabee___ Cooley-Kistler_____ LaDouceur____
COUNCIL LIAISON
Wehyee___
STAFF PRESENT:
Nandkumar___
C.Presentation
D. Approval of Minutes:
•June 15, 2020 minutes
E.DISCUSSION
1.Sanctuary/Welcoming City Ordinance
2. Quarter 3 Goals/ Quarter 2 Updates
3.Human Rights Day
F.INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS
G.ADJOURNMENT:
Note: This meeting will be held via web conference
If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City
Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600.
We will be happy to help.
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights - Community Engagement Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA
June 15, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER:
B. ROLL CALL:
May_X__ Kohn_X__ Johnson_X__
Larrabee_Ab__ Cooley-Kistler_X____ LaDouceur_X___
COUNCIL LIAISON
Wehyee_X__
STAFF PRESENT:
Nandkumar_X__
C. Presentation
D. Approval of Minutes:
• May 18, 2020 minutes
Kohn 1st Moved
May 2nd Moved
Approved 5-0
E. DISCUSSION
1. CEC’s Role/Goals
• CEC is the advisory engagement group that provides ideas and feedback to the
City Council for approval.
• Communication is being improved. The liaison handbook has been updated and
a subcommittee for social media has been established.
2. Hate-Speech Resolution
• Hate-speech resolution has been passed. It happens to come at a time when
communities are facing unrest. Further discussion about the use of the resolution
will be continued at the next meeting.
3. Volunteers
• Neighborhood Liaisons have many tasks that they oversee. It would be helpful to
gain some additional volunteers that could take on simple task such as meeting
new neighbors and giving them the new resident guide.
4. Community Statement – George Floyd
• Council Member Wehyee read the community statement sent to the residents of
Falcon Heights. He expressed the importance of it and how the CEC is more
important than ever. The CEC will focus on community and empowerment.
5. Sub-committee updates
• Social media updates have been going well.
• Staff waiting to hear about sending apartment managers the new resident
handbook.
F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS
• CEC members have some concerns about Ice Cream Social with the current
COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns will be shared with Administration.
• Members asked for police contract to made public and available online. After
George Floyd’s murder there has been increase concerns about policing.
• Members would like to start a study group to start the contract and hope that
Ramsey County Sheriff will host a town hall to answer questions and take
feedback from the community.
• Ice Cream Social was scheduled for July 23rd 5-7Pm at Community Park. There
has been the shared concern from the commission that it would not be in the best
interest of the community to host the Ice Cream Social. This information will be
shared with Administration.
• Unity and Restoration Day are scheduled for July 6th and 7th. The front lawn at
City Hall will be used for the Unity Day BBQ.
• In-person meetings are expected to resume in July at City Hall.
G. ADJOURNMENT:
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
Families, Fields and Fair __________________________
The City That Soars!
Item Sanctuary/ Welcoming City Ordinance
Description
At the July 1st meeting City Council Members discussed the possibility of
having a Sanctuary City ordinance. Since 2016, the City has adopted policies
that pertain to topics that the City has control over.
Council Member Wehyee has summarized that an ordinance would establish
that people are not turned over to ICE and that people are welcome regardless
of immigration status. The ordinance could be framed as a welcoming
community.
Budget Impact NA
Attachment(s) • Sanctuary/Welcoming City Ordinance Draft
Action(s) Requested Staff requests direction from the Commission about the proposed ordinance.
Meeting Date July 20, 2020
Agenda Item E1
Attachment Sanctuary/Welcoming City Ordinance
Draft
Submitted By Nalisha Nandkumar, Assistant to the
City Administrator
210817v1 1
ORDINANCE NO. ____
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE III OF THE CITY CODE ESTABLISHING STANDARDS CONCERNING COMMUNICATION
AND ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LAWS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2 Article III of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended by adding the following provisions:
Sec 2-46 Purpose
Although the City works cooperatively with the Homeland Security, as it does with all state and federal agencies under relevant state and federal laws the City does not operate its programs for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws.
Sec 2-47 In General (a) In conformity with state and federal law, when determining eligibility for, and providing general city services, city employees and officials shall:
(1) Complete I-9 forms, question a person regarding the I-9 form and documents supporting the I-9 form, and may allow Homeland Security to audit the I-9 forms as required by law. (2) City employees shall request and inquire about immigration status only when
specifically mandated to do so by law. As a corollary, City employees shall solicit evidence of a
person's identity only when necessitated by the employee's work duties. City employees shall not discriminate against any current or potential service users based on race, sexuality, creed, religion, disabilities, immigration status, or any other identity factor.
(3) Other than complying with lawful subpoenas, city employees and representatives shall
not use city resources to detect or apprehend persons whose only violation of law is or may be being undocumented, being out of status, or illegally residing in the United States (collectively) undocumented.
(4) A Minnesota issued driver’s license and or a photo identity document issued by the
person’s nation of origin such as a driver’s license, passport, or matricula consular are each adequate evidence of identity and the possession of either shall not subject the person to higher levels of scrutiny or different treatment. This paragraph does not apply to I-9 forms.
210817v1 2
(b) General city services means all city services except services specifically listed as public safety
services in section 2-48.
2-48 Public Safety.
(a) In conformity with state and federal law, when performing public safety duties, city employees,
shall: (1) Not perform any public safety action for the purpose of detecting the presence of undocumented persons, or to verify immigration status, including but not limited to questioning
any person or persons about their immigration status.
(2) Shall not question, apprehend or detain any person for violations of federal civil immigration laws except when immigration status is an element of the crime or when enforcing 8 U.S.C. 1324(c).
(b) All public safety conduct related to the communication and enforcement of civil immigration law shall be documented and made available to (a) the City Attorney, (b) City Council, and (c) the City Administrator. The report shall include any applicable Department of Homeland Security mission statement and operational guidelines, the reason for the dispatch of personnel, the name
of the homeland security agent in charge, and the name of the officer authorizing the use of city
personnel. (c) The City shall make all efforts to contract with public safety agencies, including the police that abide by the standards and practices of Public Safety Officers in this Section.
2-49 Complaints and Discipline Violation of this Article shall be subject to disciplinary action under the appropriate union contract, civil service commission rules, or department work rules. It shall not be a violation of this chapter
to require the completion of I-9 forms or to inquire into or disclose the immigration status of the
complainant or witnesses if necessary as part of the investigation of a complaint of a violation of this chapter, or if deemed necessary by the appointing authority to administer discipline for such violations.
2-50 Subpoena
This ordinance does not prohibit city employees from responding to a properly issued subpoena.
ADOPTED this ______ day of _______________, 2020, by the City Council of Falcon
Heights, Minnesota.
210817v1 3
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
BY: _______________________________________
Randy Gustafson, Mayor ATTEST:
__________________________________________
Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator/Clerk
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
Families, Fields and Fair __________________________
The City That Soars!
Item Quarter 3 Goals and Quarter 2 Updates
Description
The CEC continues to explore opportunities to promote community needs and
issues, crime and prevention, public awareness, community involvement, and
human rights issues.
In 2019, the CEC educated the residents about the 2020 Census, revamped the
Neighborhood Liaison program, requested for a new website, and promoted
the “Cultivating a Caring Community” initiatives. The 2020 goals include
increasing volunteer opportunities for residents via city events and non-
profits, create a five year program plan, and working with Apartment
Managers within the City to provide residents with new resident packets and
conversation around Falcon Heights policing.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) • Strategic Planning Report at a Glance
Action(s) Requested Staff is looking for discussion from the Commission about 3rd Quarter goals
and updates from Quarter 2 updates.
Council Member Wehyee and Commissioner May will further discuss the
update and goal of police contracting.
Meeting Date July 22, 2020
Agenda Item E2
Attachment Strategic Planning Report
Submitted By Nalisha Nandkumar, Assistant to the
City Administrator
1st Quarter Projects Completed
Hate Speech Resolution: Create a resolution that reflects the community’s values and what Falcon Heights stands for
Georgianna, Councilmember Yakasah, and City Staff Amanda
Recruiting: Email sent to all Liaisons regarding possible interest in three open positions in CEC. Also asked them to identify others
in their neighborhood with a possible interest in acting as a liaison in some respect.
Georgiana and Kim
Neighborhood Liaison Handbook: Update the handbook as needed
Include CERTS under Neighborhood Liaison umbrella
Katie, Kim, Dena
New Resident Packet: The packet was updated and pared down to be manageable for printing.
Julie, Dena and City Staff Amanda
Goals for 2nd quarter
Events:
Tuesdays Together in April, to create a means of creating community togetherness while maintaining
physical distance. (Kim, Katie)
Work with Council and Staff to schedule community conversation(s) regarding policing in Falcon Heights.
(Yakasah and Georgiana)
Discuss best practice for Ice Cream Social during pandemic, including potential means to make it safer if
held.
Communication:
Social media sub-committee formed to make and respond to posts. They will also create a hashtag for the
City so each neighborhood can share their physical distancing events with the City. (Dena and Andrea)
Collect resident comments and concerns relating to policing.
Present Resolution Denouncing Hate Speech-Acts to City Council
3rd and 4th Quarter Plan
Hold at least one community conversation regarding public safety and policing. (Georgiana, Yakasah)
Share links to Public Safety page of City website on social media and newsletter (Dena, Andrea)
Follow up on possible fall event at Curtiss Field with Minnesota Air National Guard (staff, event sub-comittee)
Gather topic ideas with possible list of local experts for Human Rights Day Event. Hold event in December.
Recognizing that neighborhoods vary, work with residents to brainstorm possible physical distancing events for their neighborhood. Gather ideas to share with all and encourage a physically distanced Night to Unite substitute in August. (Andrea, Dena, Katie)
Hold a liaison meet-up, in part to discuss various roles and who is doing them.
Recruit volunteers to create a roster for their neighborhood if it hasn’t already been done.
Contact apartment managers about distributing new resident packets and possible ways to increase community engagement for their residents. (Staff and Kim)
Further follow-up required for community events presence on website.
Year-end evaluation
Create a 5 year focus plan
Use Strategic Directions from City plan as a guide
Continue to recruit Neighborhood Liaisons and make changes to the program as needed.
Explore interest in programming specific to youth, seniors or intergenerational groups.
Remain nimble to address community need.
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
Families, Fields and Fair __________________________
The City That Soars!
Item Human Rights Day Topics
Description
This year’s Human Rights Day will be on Thursday, December 10.
Past Topics:
• Movie Night: Trail of Tears and Selma. The guest speaker was Human
Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey
• Movie Night Eyes on the Prize: Bridge to Freedom with Civil Rights
Activist Deborah Montgomery
• Introduction to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking with Dave Pinto and
Allison Stiver
• Discrimination in House/Fair Housing with Alice Hausman and Tim
Thompson
• Food Security & Child Hunger with Stacy Koppen, Jessica Webster and
Lindsey Torkilsen
Budget Impact NA
Attachment(s) NA
Action(s) Requested Commissioners to brainstorm this year’s topic.
Meeting Date July 20, 2020
Agenda Item E3
Attachment NA
Submitted By Nalisha Nandkumar, Assistant to the
City Administrator