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Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Youth Commissioners: Staff: Call to Order Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes February 22, 2012 Jill Brisbois, Kristin Doneen, Chair Gary Grefenberg, Wayne Groff, Kaying Thao, Vice Chair David Singleton Thelma McKenzie Joan Dao, Kayo Kadir, Marie Siliciano Bill Malinen, Carolyn Curti, City Attorney Caroline Bell Beckman The meeting was called to order at 6:35. Rather than calling the roll, Chair Gary Grefenberg asked commissioners and staff to introduce themselves. Approve Agenda Commissioner Jill Brisbois moved and Commissioner David Singleton seconded motion to approve agenda. Motion prevailed unanimously. Approve Minutes of November 16, 2011 and January 18, 2012 Commissioner Singleton moved and Commissioner Wayne Groff seconded motion to approve minutes as amended. Motion prevailed unanimously. Minnesota Open Meeting Law City Attorney Caroline Bell Beckman attended the meeting to discuss the open meetings law and its impact on commission activities and committees. She reviewed a memo for the commission. • Open Meetings law requires all meetings that establish a quorum for the Human Rights Commission to be open, notices must be given and minutes taken. The purpose is to prohibit public actions from being taken where the public would not be able to detect improper influence and to make sure the public is informed. • All council, commission and committees of a quorum of inembers in which off'icial business is being discussed must be open and in a public/accessible venue. Ms Beckman gave her informal opinion that having a meeting at a coffee shop or restaurant may not meet these criteria if attendees would feel obligated to purchase food or drink. • Members must avoid violations which could occur through serial meetings through emails or conversations, task forces, informal before or after regular meeting discussions. • Anyone who intentionally violates the open meetings law may face fines and attorney fees, and any action taken at a meeting may be invalid. • Emails discussed at a meeting must be made available to public. • Meetings that include a quorum for the Human Rights Commission must be posted.