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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,July 13, 2015 <br /> Page 19 <br /> If the City Council does consider a change in advisory commission structure for <br /> the HRC and/or CEC, Ms. Collins suggested allowing commissions to continue <br /> their efforts for the remainder of the year, and instate that restructuring in April of <br /> 2016 as terms expire; and given the activities scheduled by the respective com- <br /> missions. <br /> In focusing discussion, Mayor Roe suggested questions to staff at this point, and <br /> holding opinions and City Council feedback until public comment was heard to <br /> include it as part of the subsequent City Council discussion. <br /> With respect to the HRC, Councilmember Willmus noted mention that they are a <br /> venue for human rights complaints or concerns; and asked for elaboration be- <br /> tween the local and state human rights league; and retaining that aspect locally. <br /> With most local human rights commissions created during the 1960's in a climate <br /> of very real human rights complaints Ms. Collins noted the local opportunities <br /> work in officially reporting those complaints to the state. However, Ms. Collins <br /> noted the State Department of Human Rights now addressed those complaints di- <br /> rectly. Ms. Collins noted the difference in the local HRC providing an entity to <br /> voice concerns versus the more formal and intimidating prospect of complaining <br /> to the State Department; and differences in voicing those concerns in a less formal <br /> atmosphere or cultural vibe. Ms. Collins noted the local HRC can provide that <br /> opportunity to allow voicing of those concerns, and attempting to resolve those is- <br /> sues without the formal complaint process. <br /> Based on her experience when serving as an HRC Commissioner, Councilmem- <br /> ber McGehee provided an example of local mediation based on cultural differ- <br /> ences between neighbors and how the HRC facilitated that understanding without <br /> it rising to the formal level of a complaint to the state department. Whether or not <br /> that was specifically in the purview of the HRC, Councilmember McGehee noted <br /> that the concern had been brought to the attention of the HRC and been resolved <br /> amicably. <br /> Specific to the annual Human Rights Essay Contest, Councilmember Willmus <br /> asked about the status and interest of Roseville schools in carrying that forward. <br /> Ms. Collins noted HRC Chair Wayne Groff's and HRC Commissioner Arlene <br /> Christiansen in tonight's audience to elaborate further if requested. Ms. Collins <br /> advised that the Human Rights League invited essay prompts annually, and this <br /> year the Roseville HRC had submitted an essay question regarding the right to <br /> vote; which had been accepted by the State League, and given the City's high in- <br /> volvement with the League, noted that Roseville's essay question was frequently <br /> selected for use in crafting that year's essay effort throughout participants across <br /> the state. <br />