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<br />Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, March 11, 2024 <br />Page 2 <br />the future and is critical for what the City is doing and for the interests of diverse members of <br />the community. <br />Mayor Roe thanked staff for the bench handout which included the existing Code as it stands <br />right now for the HRIEC, as well as the language that was proposed by members of the HRIEC, <br />thoughtfully so and discussed at the previous joint meeting as well as some of the minutes from <br />those discussions to help refresh conversations between the Council. <br />Councilmember Schroeder explained when reviewing the minutes and reflecting on them, their <br />environment has changed quite a bit since the beginning of this Commission when two <br />Commissions were brought together. She wanted to remind people that Commissions are <br />established for citizen input and are advisory to the City Council. She thought the Council <br />needed to think about this in a bigger way because if they look at what is written, something <br />to consider would be if there is a better way to do this other than just a Commission. Maybe <br />something like the MAC would work and work on it like that. Her thought is maybe this <br />should be looked at as something a little broader than just how to redefine the Commission <br />versus what is the work the City wants to have done and what would be the most effective way <br />to do it. <br />Councilmember Schroeder thought it needs to be something that people want to get passionate <br />about but then it also needs to be beneficial for the citizens and City as well. She stated, with <br />all the feedback, how come this is not working, and there are so many changes, she was not <br />surprised so many people are confused. She liked the idea that the Council is going to clarify <br />this and come up with a way that would be very helpful for the City and Council, as well as <br />give people worthwhile work and another way to support its DEI work. She would like to see <br />the Commission go towards that direction to concentrate in that area versus going out and help <br />human rights in general. <br />Councilmember Groff indicated that he has come at this from a little different perspective <br />because he has been involved in this work since 1989. He does remember times when the <br />Commission did refer cases to the State, and it was a human rights issue. He also looks at the <br />Commission as something that declares to people that Roseville is a welcoming and inclusive <br />community. He explained if the City were to get rid of a Commission like this, the signal to <br />people that are marginalized is that the City does not care about them, now whether that is the <br />intent or not. It does not matter but that will be the message that is sent out. There are always <br />people that are marginalized. He would say with the attacks on Transgender people, the City <br />has to be very careful about making any changes that would make them feel excluded. He <br />noted when the Council is making these changes, the Council needs to look at that aspect. <br />Councilmember Strahan stated during the conversation at a previous meeting, she pulled up <br /> the State Human Rights Commission’s page and focused on the fact that it says they are <br />investigating and protecting civil rights. But part of the need or focus of why you would have <br />a local human rights commission is to promote equity and inclusion. She thought it would be <br />sad for the City to remove its name on the list of cities within Minnesota that have human <br />Qbhf!85!pg!354 <br /> <br />