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<br />Home and Garden Fair <br /> <br />( <br /> <br />Commissioner Wagner reported that he staffed the Human Rights Commission booth at the Home and <br />Garden Fair. The booth was in the west side of the building away from the exhibitors so did not see a <br />lot of foot traffic. He also raised the question about whether fairgoers are interested in learning about <br />Human Rights issues. The Commission will review whether it is worth our time to participate in next <br />year's fair. <br /> <br />HRC Procedures to Respond to Complaints <br /> <br />Carolyn Curti distributed a letter from City Attorney Jay Squires that responded to the Commission's <br />request for information about procedures that police follow when someone files a complaint. <br />Commissioner Delmore asked for clarification about state statute and City Codes. Commissioner <br />Steve Smith explained that statutes pertaining to Human Rights Commissions are permissive language <br />giving a city the option to do certain things, but it is up to the City Council to direct the Commission to <br />take specific actions. That direction is spelled out in the City Code. The Commission can propose <br />changes to the City Council if the Commission wants to amend the Human Rights Commission's <br />charge. <br /> <br />Commissioner Delmore asked for further explanation for minutes from June 2001 in which the City <br />Attorney said that the Commission should not apologize for an incident due to liability concerns. <br />Commissioner Smith also explained that there is a difference between apologizing for a bias incident <br />and apologizing for what the City has done. The Commission is a part of the City and an apology may ( <br />be perceived as an admission of guilt which may prevent the City and/or victim from receiving a fair . <br />hearing. <br /> <br />Chair McKenzie gave examples about how the Commission responded when human rights violations <br />allegations were filed in the past. <br /> <br />Commissioners discussed the Bias Hate Crime Response Plan. Some Commissioners felt that it needs <br />to be updated. Carolyn Curti will send the document to Commissioners to review and update, if <br />needed. <br /> <br />Carolyn Curti discussed the Minnesota Department of Human Rights report of the types of complaints <br />filed in Roseville in 2002 and 2003. The majority of complaints were in the area of employment. <br />Curti suggested that the Commission may want to revisit the issue of working with businesses to <br />understand Human Rights Act. <br /> <br />Council, Department Head, Commission Chair Meeting <br /> <br />Chair McKenzie said she attended a goal setting meeting with Council members, Department Heads <br />and Commission Chairs. Some ofthe issues of interest to the Commission included getting people of <br />color to purchase homes in the community and meeting needs for a diverse population. She said the <br />group also discussed permanent ways to address the budget reduction. <br /> <br />Adjonrnment <br /> <br />( <br /> <br />Phil Crump moved and Mark Chapin seconded the motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8: 10 p.m. <br />2 <br />