The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About6-20-22 CEC Meeting PacketCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Community Engagement Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA June 20, 2022 at 6:30 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: B. ROLL CALL: Cooley-Kistler____ LaDouceur____ Ebbesen____ Locke_____ Campbell____ COUNCIL LIAISON: Mayor Gustafson___ STAFF PRESENT: Sorensen____ C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. February 28, 2022 Community Engagement Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 2. April 18, 2022 Community Engagement Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 3. May 2, 2022 Community Engagement Commission Joint Meeting Minutes E. AGENDA: 1. Spring Ahead Recap 2. Ideas for Outreach 3. Human Rights Day Planning 4. Ice Cream Social 5. Communications Policy Draft 6. JUSTdeeds F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT G. ADJOURNMENT: BLANK PAGE CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Community Engagement Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 28, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. NOTE: THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD BY WEB CONFERENCE* A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:05 P.M. B. ROLL CALL: Ebbesen__X__ LaDouceur_X___ Cooley-Kistler_X___ Locke_____ Campbell_X___ COUNCIL LIAISON: Mayor Gustafson___ STAFF PRESENT: Pavek__X_ C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Joint Meeting- January 3, 2022 2. Joint Meeting- February 7, 2022 Motion by Commission Member Ebbesen to approve the meeting minutes. Approved; 4-0. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Officer Position Nominations Motion by Commission Member LaDouceur to nominate Julie Ebbesen as Chair of the CEC and Laure Campbell as Vice Chair of the CEC. Approved; 4-0. 2. Adopt the Standing Rules Motion by Ebbesen to adopt the Standing Rules for 2022. Approved; 4-0. 3. 2022 Priorities The Commission members discussed event priorities; mainly the upcoming Spring Event and subsequent Annual Ice Cream Social. They directed Staff Liaison Pavek to create a write-up for the newsletter promoting the Spring Event and a save-the-date for Ice Cream Social. The Commission members also discussed communication efforts. Ebbesen suggested shortening the newsletter, posting social media the day of Council Meetings to remind residents, and creating Council Recap posts/email campaigns similar to City of Roseville. F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:03 P.M. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Community Engagement Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA April 18, 2022 at 6:30 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:35 PM B. ROLL CALL: Cooley-Kistler__X__ LaDouceur__X__ Ebbesen_X___ Locke__X___ Campbell____ COUNCIL LIAISON: Mayor Gustafson_X__ STAFF PRESENT: Pavek_X__ C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. March 21, 2022- Joint Meeting Chair Ebbesen requested minor edits. Motion by Commission Member Cooley-Kistler; Approved, 5-0. E. AGENDA: 1. Reviewing 2021 Priorities Chair Ebbesen review the existing CEC 2021 Priorities spreadsheet which listed strategies by quarter. The Commission agreed that staff should reach out to neighborhood liaison and see how active they are in the program/regenerate interest. New residents used to receive door hangers but Commission Member LaDouceur explained that they would often blow away in the wind and residents did not answer their doors. Commission agreed staff should continue to send postcards instead. Commission Member Cooley-Kistler talked about how her neighborhood had hired a musician last year and everyone brought their own chairs. This was a great opportunity for neighbors to meet and connect. She suggested the City do something similar for future goals. Ebbesen added that having signs/banners outside City Hall to promote events could be effective and help advertise. Commission Member Locke added that sending out postcards advertising events. Could also be effective. Mayor Gustafson agreed and thought there was funding in the budget for this. He suggested advertising both events (Ice Cream Social & Spring Together) on the same banner/postcards. The Commission Members had the following ideas after reviewing the 2021 priorities: • Revisit Town Hall Meetings • Breakfast with the City Council • Donuts with Deputies • Community Clean Up Days • Community Planting/Gardening Days 2. Spring Together/Ice Cream Social Updates The Commission asked staff to find out how much ice cream was purchased for last year’s Ice Cream Social. The Commission also asked to start having joint meetings to continue planning these events. The Dog Parade will take place at the Ice Cream Social. Cooley-Kistler will help staff coordinate. Pavek asked the Commission if they would like to incorporate a craft for kids at the Spring Together Event. Commission Member LaDouceur suggested Wild Flower Bombs as an easier alternative to painting clay pots. Staff will reach and try to identify seed donors to incorporate into crafts. If this cannot be done, LaDouceur suggested easy alternatives such as bubbles, chalk (use barricade to secure dead end street), hula hoops, etc. The following activities should be incorporated into the Spring Event: • Pick-up sports game. Confirm with Mike that he’s still interested • Sign-up table for summer programming • Meet the New City Administrator! • Opportunity to meet/connect with other City Officials Staff will reach out to the Lions and let them know about upcoming events to see if they want to provide tents/volunteers. Staff will also reach out to Fire Marshal/St. Paul Fire Department to see if they can attend the Ice Cream Social. If they can, the City will plan on using the fire truck bounce house. 3. Human Rights Day Preliminary Planning This year’s event will fall on Saturday, December 10th. Cooley-Kistler will reach out t to the International Institute for ideas. Ebbesen hoping to have solidified theme/speaker by September. F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT G. ADJOURNMENT: 7:55 PM CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Joint Meeting Parks & Recreation Commission Community Engagement Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES May 2, 2022 at 6:30 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:35 PM B. ROLL CALL: Chair Ebbesen and Chair Bradbury took roll call and determined there was no quorum to hold this meeting. Eischen___ Bradbury_X__ Yager___ Curtin___ LaCasse___ Cooley-Kistler__X__ LaDouceur____ Ebbesen__X__ Locke_____ Campbell____ COUNCIL LIAISON: Andrews___ Mayor Gustafson_X__ STAFF PRESENT: Pavek__X_ Sorensen__X__ Linehan_X__ C. PRESENTATION: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: E. AGENDA: 1. Spring Together/Ice Cream Social The Commissioners and Mayor wanted to change the name of Spring Together to Spring Ahead. The St. Paul Fire Department will attend, and the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office might attend. There will be an ice cream truck for free ice cream. Residents will be able to meet City officials and staff. In addition, there will be an aisle for residents to give feedback on the Community Park and how the City can improve its communication with residents. F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 p.m. BLANK PAGE ITEM FOR DISCUSSION City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Spring Ahead Recap Description The Community Engagement Commission is asked to review Spring Ahead. What the event did well and things it could improve upon. Budget Impact TBD Attachment(s) N/A Action(s) Requested The CEC is asked to review Spring Ahead. Meeting Date June 20, 2022 Agenda Item E1 Attachment N/A Submitted By Brennan Sorensen, Administrative & Communications Coordinator ITEM FOR DISCUSSION City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Ideas for Outreach Description The Community Engagement Commission is asked to explore/brainstorm ways to engage residents outside of events. Budget Impact TBD Attachment(s) N/A Action(s) Requested Starting having preliminary discussions about ideas for outreach. Meeting Date June 20, 2022 Agenda Item E2 Attachment N/A Submitted By Brennan Sorensen, Administrative & Communications Coordinator ITEM FOR DISCUSSION City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Human Rights Day Planning Description The CEC should start conversations on what a potential theme could be for Human Rights Day 2022. If any commissioners have interest in taking the lead on a theme they are passionate about this would give them significant time to conduct some research/seek out partnerships. Budget Impact TBD Attachment(s) N/A Action(s) Requested Starting having discussions about this year’s theme for Human Rights Day. Meeting Date June 20, 2022 Agenda Item E3 Attachment N/A Submitted By Brennan Sorensen, Administrative & Communications Coordinator ITEM FOR DISCUSSION City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Ice Cream Social Description The CEC should start conversations on Ice Cream Social and assign commissioners to tasks. Budget Impact TBD Attachment(s) Task List for Ice Cream Social Action(s) Requested Assign commission members to tasks for Ice Cream Social. Meeting Date June 20, 2022 Agenda Item E4 Attachment Task List for Ice Cream Social Submitted By Brennan Sorensen, Administrative & Communications Coordinator ICE CREAMSOCIAL CITY OF FALCO N HE IGHTS SAV E THE DATE! Thursday, July 21st at 5 pm Community Park 2050 Roselawn Ave W Free Ice Cream & Hot Dogs Kids Games & Crafts Bouncy House Live Music Dog Friendly Learn about local organizations & services at the resource fair ICE CREAMSOCIAL CITY OF FA LCON HEIGHTS Thursday, July 21st at 5 pm Community Park 2050 Roselawn Ave W TASK Person Responsible Date Needed SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS DATE COMPLETED Contact Resource Fair Organizations MP & JE May-June Ongoing- JE has reached out to the county and state fiSave the Date- Social Media & Newsletter BS May Posters June Contact/Reserve Band MP June Done Reserve Bouncy Castle BS June Work with CEC on outreach to apartments June Order craft/activity supplies- Face painting, temporary tattoos, fishing game with stuffed animals June Confirm/order porta potties, hand washing stations June Need 5 porta potties at minimum Coordinate other games: punt pass run, whiffle ball game with RCSO, dunk tank, tug of war? June Contact Saint Paul Fire Department/Ramsey County Sheriff MP June Emailed AJ & Randy Reached out via email 4/14/22 Schedule staff & volunteers July Order Ice Cream products & Bottled water July- before temp food license Temporary Food License MP July Order hand sanitizers – resource fair area, ice cream area Talk to Tim about freezer in park building Schedule walk-through of park with Tim & COVID-19 vaccine contact. July Confirm tent delivery with Lions July Lions to bring 2 tents Confirm organizations @ resource fair July Make table signs & table map for resource fair organizations July ICS 2022 Prep craft/activity supplies  Face paint  Painting rocks  Tug of war rope  Jelly bean guessing contest Inform Public Works of supplies needed/set up at Community Park July Set up tables, tents, garbage/recycling locationsPrep money boxes- Roland (Roland always takes vacation during the ICS for checks and money need to be received the third week of July) Ask Roland Trash/recycling set up near ice cream Ask Tim/PW Pick up ice cream/water Tim/PW Public Works will pick up Prep Name tag supplies for volunteers, attendees July Create volunteer sign-up July ITEM FOR DISCUSSION City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Communication Policy Draft Description The CEC should review the communications policy draft and give their input on the communications policy. Budget Impact TBD Attachment(s) Communication Policy Draft Action(s) Requested Review the communications policy draft. Meeting Date June 20, 2022 Agenda Item E5 Attachment Communication Policy Draft Submitted By Brennan Sorensen, Administrative & Communications Coordinator City of Falcon Heights Social Media Policy 4/7/2021 Page 1 City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota Social Media Policy Purpose Social networking in government serves two primary functions: to communicate and deliver messages directly to residents and to encourage resident involvement, interaction, and feedback. Information which is distributed via social networking must be accurate, consistent, and timely and meet the information needs of the City’s intended audience. Social media is used for social networking, and this policy seeks to ensure proper administration of the City of Falcon Heights’s social media sites by its representatives. The City has limited control of social media accounts with third parties (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, etc.). At the same time, there is a general expectation by the public that this City have a social media presence by which to share information about current city projects and city business. For municipal purposes, the City’s social media accounts will be used for incidental, non-vital communication and general information only. It is not the purpose of the city’s social media accounts to be a medium for transactions of city business. The one exception is in the case of a natural or man-made disaster, if it is determined by the City that the best means of communicating with the public is through the social media account(s). The City of Falcon Heights wishes to establish a positive and informative social media presence. City representatives have the responsibility to use the City’s social media resources in an efficient, effective, ethical, and lawful manner pursuant to all existing City policies. Policy The City of Falcon Heights will determine, at its discretion, how its web-based social media resources will be designed, implemented, and managed as part of its overall communication and information sharing strategy. City of Falcon Heights social media accounts are considered a City asset and administrator access to these accounts will be securely administered in accordance with the Internet Use policy included in the Administrative Manual. The City reserves the right to shut down any of its social media sites or accounts for any reason without notice. All social media websites created and utilized during the course and scope of an employee’s performance of his/her job duties will be identified as belonging to the City of Falcon Heights, including a link to the City’s official website. The City of Falcon Heights does not create or maintain social media accounts for its elected officials. Scope This policy applies to any existing or proposed social media websites sponsored, established, registered, or authorized by the City of Falcon Heights. The City’s social media accounts are exclusively the following: City of Falcon Heights Social Media Policy 4/7/2021 Page 2 1. City of Falcon Heights Facebook account at: https://www.facebook.com/CityofFalconHeights 2. City of Falcon Heights Twitter account at: https://twitter.com/FalconHeights 3. City of Falcon Heights LinkedIn account at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1732049/admin/ 4. City of Falcon Heights YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTsfoz85dXauegW0mzkMI5Q 5. City of Falcon Heights NextDoor account The City does not create, collect, disseminate, or regulate use of any other social media accounts, including the personal accounts of its elected officials and staff. Questions regarding the scope of this policy should be directed to the City Administrator. Definition Social media are internet and mobile-based applications, websites, and functions, other than email, for sharing and discussing information, where users can post photos, video, comments, and links to other information to create content on any imaginable topic. This may be referred to as “user-generated content” or “consumer-generated media.” Social media includes, but is not limited to: • Social networking sites and apps such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Nextdoor • Blogs • Social news sites such as Reddit and Buzzfeed • Video and photo sharing sites and apps such as YouTube, Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok, and Flickr • Wikis, or shared encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia • An ever-emerging list of new web-based platforms generally regarded as social media or having many of the same functions as those listed above As used in this policy, “employees and agents” means all City representatives, including its employees and other agents of the city, such as independent contractors or councilmembers. “Social media manager” means any city employee or agent with administrator access who, when posting or responding to a post, appears to be the City social media account owner. Rules of Use City social media managers are responsible for managing City social media accounts or websites. Facilities or departments wishing to have a new social media presence must initially submit a request to the City Administrator in order to ensure social media accounts are kept to a sustainable number and policies are followed. All approved sites will be clearly marked as the City of Falcon Heights site and will be linked with the official City website (www.falconheights.org). No one may establish social media accounts or websites on behalf of the City unless authorized in accordance with this policy. City of Falcon Heights Social Media Policy 4/7/2021 Page 3 The City’s social media page must conspicuously display or link to a public notice that informs the public of the purpose of the social media presence and the terms one agrees to in accessing, using, or posting to the City’s social media page. Administration of all City social media websites will comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies as well as proper business etiquette. City social media accounts covered by this policy will not be used by social media managers for private or personal purposes or for the purpose of expressing private or personal views on personal, political, or policy issues or to express personal views or concerns pertaining to City employment relations matters. No City social media account may be used by the City or any social media manager to disclose private or confidential information. No social media website should be used to disclose sensitive information; if there is any question as to whether information is private, confidential, or sensitive, contact the City Administrator. Outside of situations of disaster, no City social media account will be used for transactions of city business. In the event a user initiates a request, application, or question through social media that affects city business or requires another city policy or process to be followed, follow up with that user by phone, email, or other channels whenever possible. Users may also be directed to contact the City of Falcon Heights directly through the online contact form, staff email, or by phone. If comments are allowed, in the event of a question of general interest, a response may be given in comments, the initial post may be edited, or a subsequent post may be created to include the information. Comments posted by members of the public may be removed if they fall into at least one of the following categories: • Contain vulgar language • Are personal attacks of any kind • Are prejudiced or hurtful remarks made toward any person or entity, including any ethnic, racial or religious group • Obscene or pornographic content • Direct threats to persons or property • Material asserted to violate the intellectual property of another person • Private, personal information about a person published without his/her consent • Information that compromises a public safety security system • Statutorily private, confidential, or nonpublic data • Commercial promotions or spam • Hyperlinks to material that falls into one of the foregoing categories Please note that comments expressed on the City’s social networking sites do not reflect the opinions or positions of the City of Falcon Heights, its employees or elected officials. A member of the public whose comment is removed may appeal the removal of the comment and seek reconsideration of its removal by contacting the City in writing and explaining how the City of Falcon Heights Social Media Policy 4/7/2021 Page 4 comment does not fall into one of the above categories for removal. A written response should be provided as soon as reasonably possible. A member of the public who disputes the legality of any portion of this policy may dispute the particular portion in writing. The City should acknowledge the claim promptly and, upon consultation of the city attorney, respond to the claim concerning legality of the policy portion as soon as reasonably possible under the circumstances. Data Ownership and Retention All communications or messages within social media accounts covered by this policy composed, sent, or received on city or personal equipment are the property of the City and will be subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This law classifies certain information as available to the public upon request. As no transactions of city business shall be conducted through social media accounts (outside of disasters), in accordance with the City’s records retention schedule, the City shall retain all social media messages only until read. City of Falcon Heights Social Media Policy 4/7/2021 Page 5 SAMPLE PUBLIC NOTICE The purpose of the City of Falcon Heights’s social media presence is to provide members of the community with information in more places and more ways than were traditionally available. All content of this site is public and is subject to disclosure pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Please be aware that anything you post may survive deletion, whether by you or others. Do not post sensitive or personally identifiable information, such as social security numbers. Following or “friending” persons or organizations is not an endorsement by the City and is only intended as a means of broadening communication. The City is not responsible for content found at links to third parties, nor the views or opinions expressed by third-party comments. Please be advised that comments falling into the following category or categories may be removed: • Obscene or pornographic content • Direct threats to persons or property • Material asserted to violate the intellectual property of another person • Private, personal information about a person published without his/her consent • Information that endangers the public by compromising a public safety security system • Statutorily private, confidential, or nonpublic data • Commercial promotions or spam • Hyperlinks to material that falls into at least one of the foregoing categories Should your comment be removed by the City and you believe it does not fall into one of the above categories, contact the City Administrator in writing to explain how the comment does not fall into one of these categories. Should you wish to challenge the legality of any portion of this notice or the City’s social media policy, you may contact the City Administrator in writing and explain the basis for the challenge in detail. If you have any other questions about the City of Falcon Heights’s social media page, contact City staff at mail@falconheights.org. By accessing, using, or posting to this City of Falcon Heights social media page, you acknowledge you have been advised of the foregoing. Thanks for stopping by! ITEM FOR DISCUSSION City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Joining JUSTdeeds Description The CEC will discuss joining JUSTdeeds. Budget Impact TBD Attachment(s) JUSTdeeds City Toolkit Action(s) Requested Discuss joining JUSTdeeds. Meeting Date June 20, 2022 Agenda Item E6 Attachment JUSTdeeds City Toolkit Submitted By Brennan Sorensen, Administrative & Communications Coordinator City Toolkit Just Deeds: City Toolkit Discriminatory covenants shaped the geographic and demographic landscape of our cities. They determined where people live, where different types of businesses are locat- ed, what type of housing is available, where highways were built, where garbage dumps were placed, how public education was funded, and more. These patterns remain today and are often reinforced by current city policies, ordinances, and planning decisions. Just Deeds invites all cities committed to the Just Deeds mission to participate in the coalition. Expectations No formal action is required to join the Just Deeds project, but most cities join by passing a resolution of support (see sample resolution in Attachment 1). All cities wishing to participate in Just Deeds must: • Commit to the Just Deeds mission statement in word and in action (see Just Deeds mission in Attachment 2) • Dedicate resources to support the Just Deeds mission. Some examples of how other cities are participating include: • devoting staff or volunteer time to connecting residents with free help from legal and title professionals to discharge discriminatory covenants (required) • discharging covenants on city-owned property • engaging in community conversations on race and housing • identifying anti-racist action your city and community can take to address hous- ing barriers • engaging your city’s Human Rights Commission and City Council (see sample memo Attachment 3 and sample presentation in Attachment 4) • joining with other Just Deeds cities to create new equity tools tailored to city government Just Deeds: City Toolkit Benefits Benefits of participating in the Just Deeds project include the following: • Your city will be featured on the Just Deeds website, along with other participating cities. • If there are restrictive covenants in your community, the Just Deeds team will con- nect you with volunteer attorneys to help your residents discharge their covenants. Your city staff will be responsible for managing the process of connecting residents to attorney volunteers. Just Deeds will provide you the tools and instruction neces- sary to carry out this portion of the project. • Your city will receive access to educational materials about discriminatory covenants in Minnesota and will be invited to collaborate with other Just Deeds members to develop policies, practices, and programs to dismantle racist systems. Thank you for your interest in participating in the Just Deeds coalition. We look forward to working together to create meaningful and lasting change in Minnesota one deed, policy, and planning decision at a time. Just Deeds: City Toolkit Sample Resolution ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLUTION NO. 20 – RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE USE OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS, DISCHARGING DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, AND APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE JUST DEEDS COALITION WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants were tools used by real estate developers to prevent BIPOC and non-Christian individuals from buying or occupying property in certain areas, and they were common throughout the United States from the early 1900s to the 1960s; and WHEREAS, the purpose of discriminatory covenants was to racially and religiously homogenize communities by excluding BIPOC and non-Christian individuals from Golden Valley. These tools segregated the metro area and built a hidden system of apartheid; and WHEREAS, in 2016, the University of Minnesota founded Mapping Prejudice to expose the racist practices that shaped the landscape of the metro area. Mapping Prejudice researched restrictive covenants in Hennepin County and created the first-ever comprehensive map of racial covenants in an American city. The project mapped 24,131 covenants in Hennepin County, including 1,604 covenants in Golden Valley; and WHEREAS, an example of a common covenant in Golden Valley declared that “No part of said premises shall ever be used or occupied by or sold, conveyed, leased, rented or given to Negroes, or Mongolians or Hebrews or any person or persons of the negro race, or Mongolian race or Hebrew race or blood; and WHEREAS, the discriminatory covenants in Golden Valley are concentrated along its borders with Minneapolis and Robbinsdale, and in other desirable areas in the City, such as near downtown, around parks and open spaces, and near the private golf course; and WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley owns sixty-one parcels of land that contain a discriminatory covenant, including parcels located in the Golden Ridge Nature Area, Lakeview Park, Seeman Park, North Tyrol Park, and South Tyrol Park; and WHEREAS, City leaders knew about the use of discriminatory covenants and sanctioned their use. For example, meeting minutes show that in 1938 the Planning Commission and City Council required the developer of the West Tyrol Hills subdivision to impose discriminatory covenants on all lots in the development as a condition of granting the required land use approvals; and WHEREAS, restrictive covenants are no longer enforceable. Legal efforts to eliminate Discriminatory Covenants include Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948), in which the United States Supreme Court prohibited courts from enforcing Discriminatory Covenants and the Minnesota legislature in 1953 enacted statutes that prohibited new covenants, but existing covenants were still legal in Minnesota until 1962; and WHEREAS, as a result of these judicial and legislative actions, today, Minnesota law and federal law prohibit discrimination in the sale or lease of housing based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status and those state and federal prohibitions extend to the refusal to sell or to circulate, post or cause to be printed, circulated, or posted, any limitation, specification, or discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law authorizing property owners to individually discharge or renounce discriminatory covenants by recording a discharge form in the county property records; and WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants promoted and established residential racial segregation, which historically and currently has impacted property ownership, accumulation of wealth, property transfers, mortgage eligibility, rental eligibility, property values, property tax base, internet access, and more. Discriminatory covenants fortified systemic racism and compounded economic divestment in specific communities within Hennepin County; and WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants benefitted White communities. For example, homes that were racially covenanted are still predominantly owned by White people and are worth approximately 15% more today than non-covenanted properties; and WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants created demographic patterns that remain in place today. Due in part to this historical practice, the population of the City of Golden Valley is less racially diverse than the populations of all of its neighboring communities and has a lower percentage of minority owned businesses than many neighboring communities; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the City Council directed the Human Rights Commission to begin work on the Just Deeds Project, which connects residents to pro bono attorneys who can help remove discriminatory covenants from property titles in Golden Valley; and WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota, including the City of Golden Valley, recognizes the harm that Discriminatory Covenants—and the racial, religious, and other discriminatory practices that they represent—cause to society in general and to the individuals who are adversely affected by racial, religious, and other discrimination through the presence of discriminatory covenants in the public land records. BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Golden Valley that: 1. The City of Golden Valley disavows and condemns the past use of discriminatory covenants and prohibits discriminatory covenants from being used in the future. 2. The City Attorney is directed to investigate and to identify any real property owned or leased by the City that contains discriminatory covenants and to prepare and record an affidavit or request an examiner’s directive discharging such discriminatory covenants pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 507.18, subd. 5. 3. City staff is directed to participate in the work of the Just Deeds Coalition to educate the community about this and other historically discriminatory practices; to identify contemporary discriminatory systems, policies, and practices; and to take action to dismantling racist systems, practices, and policies in the City of Golden Valley to create equity for all. Adopted by the City Council of Golden Valley, Minnesota this 7th day of October 2020. _____________________________ Shepard M. Harris, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk Just Deeds: City Toolkit Mission Statement ATTACHMENT 2 Mission Statement Just Deeds is a coalition of community stakeholders committed to acknowledging and addressing systemic racism in housing in Minnesota. Coalition members provide free legal and title services to help property owners find discriminatory covenants and remove them from their property titles and will provide the foundation of education and acknowledgement necessary to pursue reconciliation and anti-racist solutions. We represent organizations and entities who share responsibility for creating and correcting systemic racism in housing. We acknowledge the racist systems created and perpetuated within communities, and we will work toward dismantling these systems. Members of the Just Deeds coalition are committed to working toward meaningful and lasting change in Minnesota. Coalition members will achieve this goal by: •educating Minnesotans about the racist practices perpetrated by developers, real estate agents, lawyers, and local, state, and federal governments to establish segregated housing and keep wealth and opportunity away from communities of color •educating Minnesotans so they understand who has directly and indirectly benefitted from historically racist practices and how those practices have shaped access to property, homeownership, and wealth over time •taking action to dismantle the racist systems that perpetuate inequality and devoting resources to create equity for communities of color All members of the Just Deeds Coalition recognize the following truths and principles: •Systemic racism in housing occurs today. Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color continue to face discrimination and lack of access to affordable housing and home ownership. •Continued denial of opportunities to build generational wealth through home ownership perpetuates inequity within our communities. •We will not erase or deny history. We will acknowledge it and learn from it. •We are dedicated to honesty about institutional roles (public and private) in building and perpetuating systemic racism. •We commit to begin and participate in hard conversations within our communities and institutions about our shared history of discrimination and systemic racism. •We pledge to examine the current policies and practices of our institutions to prevent future racist actions. •When we identify racism in our institutions and processes, we will actively work to remove it. Just Deeds: City Toolkit Sample Memo ATTACHMENT 3 Golden Valley City Council Meeting October 7, 2020 Agenda Item __. Resolution condemning the use of discriminatory covenants, discharging discriminatory covenants on City-owned property, and approving participation in the Just Deeds Coalition Prepared By Kirsten Santelices, Human Resources Director/Human Rights Commission Liaison Kiarra Zackery, Equity and Inclusion Manager Maria Cisneros, City Attorney Summary Overview Staff recommends that the City Council pass a resolution to: •Condemn the past use of discriminatory covenants in Golden Valley and prohibit their future use; •Investigate and identify any real property owned or leased by the City that contains discriminatory covenants and to discharge those covenants in the Hennepin County land records; and •Participate in the Just Deeds Coalition, a group of community stakeholders committed to acknowledging and addressing systemic racism in housing in Minnesota. What is Just Deeds? Just Deeds is the name of a project launched by the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission (the “HRC”) to provide free legal assistance to homeowners who want to research and discharge discriminatory covenants from their property titles. The City has partnered with local law firms and title companies, including Hoff Barry, Dorsey and Whitney, Edina Realty Title, and Guaranty Title to accomplish this work. Just Deeds also shares the name with a coalition of cross-disciplinary organizations whose goal is to acknowledge the harm caused by discriminatory covenants and actively work to dismantle structural and institutional racism through education and action. Coalition participants include Mapping Prejudice, the Minnesota Association of City Attorneys, Edina Realty Title, the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, and the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors. Additionally, Golden Valley staff is working with staff members from Hennepin County and neighboring cities to further the work of the Just Deeds Coalition. Project Timeline In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law to allow property owners to renounce discriminatory covenants on their properties. In response, the HRC requested that the City Council approve an City Council Regular Meeting Executive Summary City of Golden Valley October 7, 2020 2 amendment to its 2019 work plan, adding the topic of discriminatory covenants. In the spring of 2020, the City launched the Just Deeds project and began working with Just Deeds Coalition member organizations. The Coalition is actively working to educate Minnesotans about: (1) historically racist practices; (2) the deliberate, pervasive damage discriminatory covenants have caused to communities of color and other traditionally marginalized groups of people; and (3) how these systems directly benefited white persons. Additionally, the Coalition aims to take an active role in identifying discriminatory systems and devote resources toward creating equity for all persons. See Just Deeds Coalition Mission Statement (attachment 1). As of the date of this summary, the City has received approximately 112 requests from homeowners to research and discharge discriminatory covenants on their property titles. Discriminatory Covenants in Golden Valley Governments, including the City of Golden Valley, played a significant role in the use of discriminatory covenants. For example, the federal government required discriminatory covenants to secure FHA mortgage financing. In some cases, cities required developers to impose covenants as a condition of subdivision approvals. Records show that Golden Valley leaders knew that developers were using discriminatory covenants in the City and either sanctioned or required the practice. For example, in 1938 the Planning Commission and the City Council required the developer of the West Tyrol Hills subdivision to impose discriminatory covenants on all lots in the development as a condition of granting the required land use approvals. See February 10, 1938 Planning Commission meeting minutes (attachment 2) and March 1, 1938 City Council meeting minutes (attachment 3). There are 1,604 discriminatory covenants in Golden Valley. Figure 1 below shows where these covenants are located. Figure 2 is an example of the language used in discriminatory covenants. This particular covenant can be found in the Tralee Addition (Meander and Paisley Road area). Figure 1. Figure 2. City Council Regular Meeting Executive Summary City of Golden Valley October 7, 2020 3 Another example of discriminatory covenant language found in Golden Valley stated “No persons of any race other than the Caucasian race should use or occupy any building or any lot, except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race domiciled with an owner or tenant.” This covenants was found in the Spring Green neighborhood. While completing title research, the City Attorney and the City’s GIS Specialist identified 61 City-owned parcels with discriminatory covenants in places such as the Golden Ridge Nature Area, Lakeview Park, Seeman Park, North Tyrol Park, and South Tyrol Park. See map of affected City-owned parcels (attachment 4). Further research is required to determine whether the City knew about the covenants at the time these properties were acquired. The City can discharge these covenants under state law and the proposed resolution contains a provision authorizing the City Attorney to prepare and record the necessary forms to complete the discharge process. While this action will discharge the covenants and affirm that they are no longer enforceable, it will not delete them from the property records. Discriminatory covenants in Golden Valley created long-lasting consequences and a legacy of inequity between White persons and Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC). Discriminatory Covenants promoted and established residential racial segregation, which continues to prevent access to property ownership, accumulation of wealth, property transfers, mortgage eligibility, rental eligibility, property values, property tax base, education, transportation, medical care, home ownership, internet access, environmentally healthy spaces, and more. Data shows that homes that were racially covenanted are still predominantly owned by White people and are worth approximately 15% more today than non- covenanted properties. Additionally, in part due to discriminatory covenants, the City of Golden Valley’s population is less racial diversity than surrounding cities. Dismantling the Legacy of Discriminatory Covenants By starting the Just Deeds project and joining the Coalition, the City of Golden Valley is taking the first step to mitigate its role in systemic racism in housing. The Just Deeds project acknowledges that discriminatory covenants are one part of a racist system that intentionally excluded Black, Indigenous and People of Color from social, economic, and political benefits associated with homeownership generally and living in Golden Valley specifically. In order to address all matters of racial inequity, the lasting impacts of racial segregation must be addressed through the public denouncement of this historical practice. The City must establish new systems to replace the old. The City of Golden Valley can become a model for racial restitution for all groups harmed by the institutional practice of discriminatory covenants by intentionally and deliberately taking the following steps: discharging the discriminatory covenants on City-owned property, continuing to actively participate in the Just Deeds Coalition, educating the community about discriminatory covenants, and identifying and overturning all policies influenced by the use of discriminatory covenants. Financial Or Budget Considerations Not applicable City Council Regular Meeting Executive Summary City of Golden Valley October 7, 2020 4 Recommended Action Motion to pass Resolution 20-___ condemning the use of discriminatory covenants, discharging discriminatory covenants on City-owned property, and approving participation in the Just Deeds Coalition Supporting Documents •Resolution No. 20-____ Condemning the Use of Discriminatory Covenants, Discharging Discriminatory Covenants on City-owned property, and Approving participation in the Just Deeds Coalition •Attachment 1: Just Deeds Coalition Mission Statement (1 page) •Attachment 2: February 10, 1938 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes (2 pages) •Attachment 3: March 1, 1938 City Council Meeting Minutes (2 pages) •Attachment 4: Map of City-Owned Parcels with Discriminatory Covenants (1 page) •Just Deeds Coalition PowerPoint Presentation Just Deeds: City Toolkit Sample Presentation ATTACHMENT 4 Council/Manager Meeting November 12, 2019 Racially Restrictive Covenants What are Racially Restrictive Covenants? Racially restrictive covenants refer to contractual agreements that prohibit the purchase, lease, or occupation of a piece of property by a particular group of people. For example: History of racially restrictive covenants Evolved in response to the 1917 court ruling (Buchanan v. Warley) that declared municipally mandated racial zoning unconstitutional. Encouraged by federal government’s practice of “redlining” in its underwriting of federally funded home loans. Became so socially acceptable that in “1937 a leading magazine of nationwide circulation awarded 10 communities a ‘shield of honor’ for an umbrella of restrictions against the ‘wrong kind of people.’ The practice was so widespread that by 1940, 80% of property in Chicago and Los Angeles carried restrictive covenants barring black families. Racially Restrictive Covenants were widespread in Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs, including Golden Valley. https://www.mappingprejudice.org/index.html Local use of Covenants Important Legal Milestones 1940s: NAACP launched a sustained legal campaign against covenants. 1948: U.S. Supreme Court to rules covenants are unenforceable in the landmark case Shelley v. Kramer. 1953: Minnesota Legislature prohibited the use of racial restrictions in real estate documents. 1968: Federal Fair Housing Act made racially restrictive covenants explicitly illegal. 2019: Minnesota Legislature passed law allowing property owners to reject racially restrictive covenants (Minn. Stat. §507.18). Why covenants matter today Covenants divided our community by race. These residential segregation patterns persist today. And this physical segregation undergirds our contemporary racial disparities. "While the covenants are there, there is still room for people to think that although it cannot be legally enforced it is nonetheless a promise that they are morally obligated to keep. And that's an argument in my view for removing them.” Evan McKenzie, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago Advocates for the removal of racially restrictive covenants reason that the restrictions, even if illegal, provide justification for subtle racism. “The owner of any interest in real property may record the statutory form…in the office of the county recorder of any county where the real property is located to discharge and release a restrictive covenant related to a protected class permanently from the title.” Hennepin County provides instructions: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/property/real-estate-recording- information Discharging restrictive covenants under Minn. Stat. § 507.18 Share information about racially restrictive covenants with the community. Tell people about the opportunity to reject racially restrictive covenants on their deeds. Make it easy for Golden Valley property owners to reject these covenants by joining Just Deeds. Just Deeds attorneys will help residents with:  Title research  Document preparation and recording   Develop new policies and practices that dismantle the legacy of restrictive covenants. Share the City's work with the Just Deeds Coalition. Document progress and change; report back to the Just Deeds Coalition. What can the City do? CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION July 13, 2022 No. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE USE OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS, DISCHARGING DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, AND APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE JUST DEEDS COALITION WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants were tools used by real estate developers to prevent BIPOC and non-Christian individuals from buying or occupying property in certain areas, and they were common throughout the United States from the early 1900s to the 1960s; and WHEREAS, the purpose of discriminatory covenants was to racially and religiously homogenize communities by excluding BIPOC and non-Christian individuals from Falcon Heights. These tools segregated the metro area and built a hidden system of apartheid; and WHEREAS, in 2016, the University of Minnesota founded Mapping Prejudice to expose the racist practices that shaped the landscape of the metro area. Mapping Prejudice researched restrictive covenants in Ramsey County and created the first-ever comprehensive map of racial covenants in an American city. The project mapped 1,830 covenants in Ramsey County, including 101 covenants in Falcon Heights; and WHEREAS, an example of a common covenant in Falcon Heights declared that “RESTRICTION AND; and that said property shall in no manner be conveyed to persons of African or Oriental descent”; and WHEREAS, the discriminatory covenants in Falcon Heights are concentrated along its borders with St. Paul and Roseville; and WHEREAS, there are parcels located in the Northeast Quadrant, Northhome, and Snelling West that contain discriminatory covenants; and WHEREAS, restrictive covenants are no longer enforceable. Legal efforts to eliminate Discriminatory Covenants include Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948), in which the United States Supreme Court prohibited courts from enforcing Discriminatory Covenants and the Minnesota legislature in 1953 enacted statutes that prohibited new covenants, but existing covenants were still legal in Minnesota until 1962; and WHEREAS, as a result of these judicial and legislative actions, today, Minnesota law and federal law prohibit discrimination in the sale or lease of housing based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status and those state and federal prohibitions extend to the refusal to sell or to circulate, post or cause to be printed, circulated, or posted, any limitation, specification, or discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, or familial status; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law authorizing property owners to individually discharge or renounce discriminatory covenants by recording a discharge form in the county property records; and WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants promoted and established residential racial segregation, which historically and currently has impacted property ownership, accumulation of wealth, property transfers, mortgage eligibility, rental eligibility, property values, property tax base, internet access, and more. Discriminatory covenants fortified systemic racism and compounded economic divestment in specific communities within Ramsey County; and WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants benefitted White communities. For example, homes that were racially covenanted are still predominantly owned by White people and are worth approximately 15% more today than non-covenanted properties; and WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants created demographic patterns that remain in place today. Due in part to this historical practice, the population of the City of Falcon Heights is less racially diverse than the populations of all of its neighboring communities and has a lower percentage of minority owned businesses than many neighboring communities; and WHEREAS, in 2022, the City Council directed the Human Rights Commission to begin work on the Just Deeds Project, which connects residents to pro bono attorneys who can help remove discriminatory covenants from property titles in Falcon Heights; and WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota, including the City of Falcon Heights, recognizes the harm that Discriminatory Covenants—and the racial, religious, and other discriminatory practices that they represent—cause to society in general and to the individuals who are adversely affected by racial, religious, and other discrimination through the presence of discriminatory covenants in the public land records. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota: 1. The City of Falcon Heights disavows and condemns the past use of discriminatory covenants and prohibits discriminatory covenants from being used in the future. 2. The City Attorney is directed to investigate and to identify any real property owned or leased by the City that contains discriminatory covenants and to prepare and record an affidavit or request an examiner’s directive discharging such discriminatory covenants pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 507.18, subd. 5. 3. City staff is directed to participate in the work of the Just Deeds Coalition to educate the community about this and other historically discriminatory practices; to identify contemporary discriminatory systems, policies, and practices; and to take action to dismantling racist systems, practices, and policies in the City of Falcon Heights to create equity for all. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Randall C. Gustafson Mayor GUSTAFSON ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ LEEHY Jack Linehan MEYER ____ Against City Administrator WEHYEE ANDREWS