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Human Rights Commission Minutes September 18, 2013 Page 4 of 9 S. Collaborate on Rosetown Playhouse events, help promote 6 Tenants ' Rights — help Karen renters know their rights 7. Hosting a Naturalization Ceremony to recognize members of the Karen community who have become US citizens 8. Translation Services 9. Forums or community meetings — helping each other understand other people's customs, culture, laws, rules 10. Arrange meetings with HRC, Police Chief, city councilmembers, others, to discuss issues or concerns, possibly at a location convenient to the Karen community. 11. Help Karen community find affordable meeting space —for small groups as well as larger groups. Specifically Mr. Vang mentioned the need for a space for an all -day training session for his staff on September] Chair Grefenberg was in favor of holding a discussion with the school district to address the concerns of the Karen community to assure there is fairness going forward. Commissioner Thao stated there was a gap in communication between students and parents in the Karen community. She supported Chair Grefenberg's recommendation #3, as this would allow the HRC to advocate for this minority group. Chair Grefenberg asked if the Commission was in favor of facilitating a conversation between the Karen community and the school district to allow the groups to air concerns and address concerns. There was a consensus of the Commission to proceed with this recommendation. Chair Grefenberg explained another concern from the Karen community was the limited number of occupants allowed within a rental unit. He discussed this matter in further detail, noting that the Karen community standards were to live in extended families in close proximity to other Karen. Ms. Curti stated the City would be assisting to assure that standard human rights were being met with housing. Commissioner Thao reported she understood that bed bugs and head lice were also concerns that needed to be addressed with the housing issues. Commissioner Singleton commented some of these issues were the responsibility of the property owners, and questioned what the HRC's role in these issues was. Chair Grefenberg responded that the Karen Community was both unfamiliar with the democratic process and the roles of local, county, and federal government, and that the HRC's role could be that of teaching and sharing with this new immigrant community on how to become engaged in their new home communities, including civic governance.