07-08-2024 CC (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 proud of Mounds View for making it easy for residents to have their covenants discharged. He understood it was important to have these covenants discharged and he did not ever want this to be an issue for his property. Ben Gillespie, 7980 Fairchild Avenue, reported his home has racial covenants in place and that he was in the process of having them discharged. He thanked the Council for the manner in which they were addressing this issue. He explained this was one very important issue that was being brought to light and noted there were many other systemic or institutional oppression issues that happen in cities. He encouraged residents to watch how they speak to their neighbors and to work to better understand where their neighbors are coming from in order to spread kindness. Jacinta Moss, 2970 Mounds View Blvd., explained she moved to Mounds View to be in a community that supports change. She stated she worked to love her neighbors in this community and she appreciated how the Mayor held his head high. Murwo Mohamed , 2657 Mounds View Blvd, reported she has lived in this community for the past 11 years. She believed this was a beautiful City to live in. She indicated she would consider purchasing a home in the community and she was pleased the racial covenants were being discharged. Paula Mielke, Councilmember from Falcon Heights, explained when Philando Castile was killed in her community eight years ago, some residents were asking why their community was so white. She discussed how this led her to research deeds in search of racial covenants. She reported she found the horrible story as to why Falcon Heights was so white. She indicated she was very proud of Mounds View for passing this ordinance and she looked forward to doing the same in Falcon Heights. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, reported her family has lived in Mounds View since 1957 when her parents purchased their first home. She noted her home does not have a racial covenant in place, but she would be looking into the platting of her property. She explained she supported the City doing away with all racial covenants as she wanted systemic racism done away with. Sarah McClindon, 7710 Greenwood Drive, stated she supported the City doing away with racial covenants. She commented on how removing the covenants would not undue the harm of forced racial segregation, but she believed this would confront the racial roots the country has as well as the values of the community, which was that racism was not welcome in Mounds View. Kelly Moller, State Representative in District 48, thanked the Council for inviting her to this meeting and for t heir historic work. She explained she appreciated the great work the City of Mounds View was doing and noted she would go back to the Capitol to see how this could be done on a State-wide basis. John Marty, State Senator for District 40, thanked the Council for their strong leadership on this issue. He reported this was a great community and he appreciated how the community was acknowledging this shameful practice publicly.