Are we waiting for the light? Are we recording? What are we doing? Oh, there we go. Good evening and welcome to the Chaza Human Rights Commission for Thursday, July 23rd, 2026. Elise, can we have a roll call, please? >> Certainly. Uh, Commissioner Carlson,
Commissioner McCcluskey >> here. >> Commissioner Duffy, Commissioner Han >> here, >> Commissioner Me, Commissioner Hagga >> here, >> Chair Hubard >> here. All right. Can I get a motion to adopt
today's agenda? >> I motion. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Against. All right, let's move on forward. Um, today's meeting is going to be like
a hybrid meeting. We're going to have our meeting for maybe half hour, 40 minutes, and then after that work session for anyone who needs to work on anything, any events coming up. Um, we do have a guest presentation today. I'm going to try to say this correctly. Um,
Sarah Sumukuto. >> Oh my goodness. She will say her name correctly when she gets up to the microphone. She is from ACT United. Why don't you come on up and tell us why you are here? Um hello. I'm not sure. Can you all hear
me? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Um well, hi. My name is Sarah. I'm an incoming junior this fall and I'm here with Act United, my executive director Jessica and my co-inter Audrey.
>> Welcome. >> Thank you. And um I guess I'll just begin. >> Um I want to talk to you about the fastest growing crime targeting youth online. But first, I want you to imagine you're between the ages of 9 and 17
years old online playing your favorite game or communicating with social media friends or with someone that you're interested with from school online. And as you get to know each other, the other person asks you a simple question. Would you be willing to send me a picture of
yourself, either without clothing or simply nude, and send it to me. I promise you I won't share it with anyone. Then you go back and forth. You're confused. You don't want to lose the new relationship. But then you semi-reluctantly decide to send the
private photo. And once you do, the threats start coming in. If you don't send me money, I will expose this to all of the people you know. Or I you need to send me more or I will expose this all over social media. And this situation
defines what sextor tortion is. You would change slides, please. Um, sex tortion is after sending a private image, threats are used to make a young person comply with demands like sending money or being asked to send more nude images. And this danger in
Minnesota has been called a surge by the FBI. Here are the facts. Yeah, next slide. Thank you. Um, yeah, here are the facts. Reports of online sexual exploitation of
minors to the Minnesota BCA has grown from 9,500 reports in 2023 to 22,000 reports in 2025. 40% of kids 9 to 17 will be approached online to befriend or
be manipulated. That is 265,000 kids in Minnesota targeted for online grooming. In 2025, 90% of youth who are financially sex tortion victims were male ages 14 to 17. And lastly, one in
18s know someone who has been targeted by an AI deep fake, an image that was once appropriate but then made sexual by using AI software. So, how does this crime impact youth? Well, it impacts youth by causing
anxiety, depression, fear, and hopelessness. can cause bullying in school and academic decline. Onethird will engage in self harm and the saddest impact is death by suicide. So how do we stop this crime? Next slide
please. The number one solution according to the research, survivor surveys, law enforcement and frontline organizations um is access to prevention, education, resources and support to youth and families without any barriers like
languages, economic status or the fears that have isolated some of our families recently. And this is what we do. Actun United is a nonprofit organization and since 2015 our mission has been to unite communities and ignite youth leadership
in prevention of online exploitation and trafficking. We do this by providing youthaware prevention education classes to students of all ages and grade levels. We provide support and helpline resources to youth and families in three
different languages. and we do parent awareness forums and professional workshops about these issues. And our Spanish language team provides our class programs and survivor support. But now I'm going to hand it over to Jessica to share some impact stories about our
program. >> Thank you, Jessica Bartholomew, executive director at Actun United. and with such a horrific crime with significant outcomes impacting our youth. Um it's a joy to be able to share some of the testimonials of the work that we do here in Carver County and
across the state. Uh first of all, I would like to share that we've been leading the online safety session at the Chaza Police Kids Safety Camp every summer for nine years. And of the stories, the one that stands out to me the most is uh having a fourth grade
little girl in class learning the online safety tips when we're gaming and when we're online and then running into her mom years later in Chaska just out in the community and she says, "I have to tell you something. My daughter was in your camp class when she was in fourth
grade. She's now 13 years old and she went to a friend's house last week and her friend had met a man online and through conversations was scheduled to meet him the next day in person and asked my daughter if she would go with
uh to meet this new guy that she had met online. And now at 13 years old, uh remembered since fourth grade a couple of our online safety tips, which is to not accept a in the word safety, do not accept to meet somebody in person that
is starting conversation with you online. So seeing the fulfillment of what is a fun and interactive little kids safety camp have that dramatic of a prevention impact for a couple of 13-year-old girls later in our
community. The second one I want to share is our Spanish language team um is led by a mom whose daughter is a survivor uh teen survivor of the crime of sex tortion. and during a community
program um educational awareness program in Spanish language um with an interpreter is how we met this mom. She came to me afterwards and was able to get support. we were a part of her healing journey and now her give back uh
was to join the team be the lead of our Spanish language outreach team and within 10 months of coming on board she's been able to reach over 900 youth and Spanishonly speaking parents uh in our community with prevention education
and our resources that we provide in three different languages um all a result of the work that we're doing it just grows and multiplies eyes. Um the third I would like to share is after our uh prevention education
programs Youthaware that we do in middle school, high school and college campuses. We provide a post-program survey to students and there's only three questions on that survey, very short. And we consistently have found
81% of teenagers report that they changed their online and social media decisions and behaviors to be less risky after participating or hearing our presentation and participating in our discussions, which is super significant
to get an 81% turnaround um with kids. So that's amazing. And then lastly, I just wanted to share that we've been around since 2015. And over the last 10 years in our work across the state of Minnesota, we've been able to help 103 different kids and teens as young as
second grade, which actually was um a Chesca uh little guy um out of online exploitation, sex tortion, or trafficking by doing prevention and offering help and hope in a positive
conversational way. And with that building trust, we've been able to also help 103 kids in our state exit out of exploitation crimes. And recently at our Panera Bread fundraiser, a woman asked me, "What is
the most valuable lesson that I've taken out of my summer internship?" And I told her it has to be how much I didn't know. Before coming to ACT United, I didn't know that you could be of any age to be exploited online and not just a teenager. Before coming to Act United, I
didn't know that you could be sex trafficked from your bedroom and not as a result of kidnapping. I also didn't know that predators can use religion as a tool for manipulation and control. So I told her that my biggest lesson was
how I knew the bare minimum and how so many other people share the same limited information that I once did. So now that you know, here's what we can do. Next slide, please. Our ask of you is to support and partner
with ACT United for an annual countywide awareness week leading up to February 11th, which is National Online Safety Day. Specifically throughout this week with Actun United, identify other community partners for initiatives that will bring online safety classes,
extortion prevention, and multilingual resources to youth and families. The goal of this week aligns with both of our missions. Let's create a lasting message year after year that youth health and safety and equal access to
education, prevention, and resources is a priority in our county. Thank you. >> And we can open up for questions too as well from everybody. And Sarah, if you want to come up or Audrey, our other team member. And Audrey also has um a
little gift bag with materials about us and some of the gifts that we would like to leave with you today. So I don't know how you would like to receive those from Miss Audrey. We can hand them. Okay, >> that's fine. >> And for your um comrades maybe as well
or >> Yeah, sure. So one per microphone. Audrey Yeah. >> One more, I guess. >> Right. Yep. >> Thank you, by the way. Appreciate it. We'll wait till you get back and then
we'll ask questions. >> So, you two are interns for the summer? >> Yes. How is that going? >> It's been fun. >> Both of you have learned something new. And >> yes, >> uh tell us your a little bit of your background without giving too much
information out. Whoever would like to go first, like where you what brought you here or what brought you to Act United, why you were there, you know, are you in college? Are you in high school? Are you out of school? What do you got going on? >> Um I'm going I'm going into my senior
year. Um I am 17. I live in Chaska. Um, and Jessica is my mom and I volunteered with ACT United for four years and this is my first summer internship. So, I've had a lot of experience with
ACT United and what we do. Um, my story is slightly different. I um discovered ACT United on LinkedIn um because I was I was like late May and I was like, "Okay, I need to start planning my summer. What am I going to do? I know I'm interested in public
speaking and advocacy and using my voice to create positive change." Um so the best place to look for opportunities is LinkedIn. So, so I was looking and I'm like youth intern advocacy. Um, and then I saw Act
United and I saw Jessica's face. Um, so I commute the 23 minutes from Bloomington um, to come on my weekly schedule and do all the work that we do here as my as I am the communications and public speaking intern.
>> Any questions for them >> or is there anything else you want to tell us? anyone? >> Um, just a few of the resources that we provide families just to make you aware of like what during an awareness week some of this would look like. Um, this
is what we call our online safety pack for families. This is what every camper gets. Um, we have about six different camps that we do around the state in partnership with different police departments and fire departments. And so there is a online safety tip magnet for
home. This is actually our curriculum on here. So the kids get a lot of repetition with the tips that spell the word safety and then we can slap this on the fridge at home, keep the conversation going. Uh, one for parents, which is a deeper dive into some of the tools that they can use to open up the
conversation at home in a in a more open way, especially with our teens um on the issues and then what resources are available. And then this is the little green reminder band for that age group that on the outside is like a little
commitment that says I choose safety. So they get to have a little reminder when they go hop on their games um about these tips for the schools um for the teenagers and college campuses. Um this is actually a youth leadership
team designed uh card that we've that we give out to all students in our school programs. Um on the inside it has some definitions and signs of trafficking like what actually you know is that what are relationship red flags where things
might be going a direction um that I'm not really interested in and then sex tortion. And then on the back are all the help lines and support lines that students can call, including anonymously, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which has a free confidential
online uh resource for people under the age of 18. So, our message is always there is help and hope. Um, we're up to 46 death by suicide of teenagers that have been the victim of sex tortion. When your
world crashes in an instant, it is very important that help and hope is one literally one click or step away in those moments. And then they also get our reminder band with our hashtag on
social, but also something we believe in that the students came up with years ago, which is united, we win. So you're never alone in anything you're facing. But on the inside, what nobody knows for safety reasons except for the students that we have discussion with and presentation to um because you can't see
it because it's actually debossed is the 24hour hotline on the inside for trafficking, domestic violence, and any form of relationship violence or abuse. Um so these resources are now available right in the back pocket, in the backpack, in the wallet of students.
Who's the first to know when somebody's in a situation? Another student. So, making sure that our students are uh resourced and then um our resource cards are something that we would love to see at the family resource center or anywhere where families that might have
vulnerabilities or concerns or other concerns because of the intersectionality between exploitation and homelessness, exploitation and food insecurity, um exploitation and isolation, um and other vulnerabilities. Um we would love
to see these cards um you know help us identify um places that this should be there's uh help this defines the issues and these are helplines once again in the same on the card uh some of the hotlines are available in over 200 languages our acted resources are
available in English Somali and Spanish um and then this is information and you have this in your bags about um it's a very quick synopsis we have further marketing materials But a quick synopsis on our school-based programs um as well as our faith-based programs for our
churches and faith communities um to all be aware of the issues and what role everybody in every sector in community right can play to help be a part of um positive impact and solutions. So um any
questions or comments or um we would love to partner um we believe we picked this committee. Um after discussion it was a very easy selection. um when it comes to human rights
because this is a human rights issue and accessibility not just for our different ethnicities and but our age groups, our youth um because a lot of times it's the parents or the adults that are accessing the other resources that are available in the community. But how do our youth
know there's help and hope available for the fastest growing crime that is com you know targeting them. Um, so to also make sure that youth are a part of the accessibility and the awareness of the resources of our community, especially
these uh social media, gaming and online crimes that are surging unfortunately right now. So, thank you so much for your time too and for all of us. >> I think we have a question. I >> I do have a brief question um related to the ask for to partner. Uh, I was
wondering is there already like a an awareness week that you're leading at this point in time that we would be like partnering kind of joining up or would this be a new proposal like a new event?
>> Yeah, this would be a new event, a new initiative. >> Um, we do put out a lot of social media campaigning um in February and around internet safety day. Um, so we already have initiatives that roll out with messaging and help and hope and positive
on social because that's where the majority of youth are. Um, but this would be the first time that we are asking for a collaborative proactive effort to make sure that youth are aware when help is needed, there's help in this community. and importantly
prevention. >> Mhm. >> And dedicating a week um to initiatives that will help um drive or spread that awareness and prevention impact >> in Carver County. >> So, do you see this as being um like
another online initiative or are you kind of open to any ideas? I didn't know if you had sort of a prethought or kind of a pre >> my blessing and curse is being a visionary. >> Okay. So, I'm not short on ideas. And we've
also done tons of partnerships, you know, one-time partnerships and initiatives across our whole entire state um with other organizations or law enforcement. So, we have seen some things that work, some things that are successful. But to have a proactive
partnership in Carver County, one of those things is the success that we see in our school programs in other districts. uh maybe 112, maybe one Wakonia is open um to our programs.
We've done uh the health class in Chesca High School one time. We've done Chanhassen High School a couple of times. Um we have other districts, however, that bring us in. We're actually a part of their health or their sociology curriculum every semester every year for going on about seven or
eight years now. So that would be uh North Minneapolis, Shakapei, and Burnsville. So, we're just embedded to make sure that every student coming through is um getting our uh youthaware
um prevention program. Um so, that is one idea. I know that um you know, the family resource center um you know, what kind of um collaboration could happen there. Like I said, making sure that, you know, we identify partners in this
community that serve youth um or serve families, you know, um how can we make sure that resources are available to youth? Do we have a youth um resource fair? The schools have it during the
school year. Um that will not reach our Spanish language and Somali only language families and parents and grandparents and care providers. um a lot of kids um especially that might be struggling with these issues or other issues may not be in school. So just
like the family resource center we were there we were invited by the police department and of course accepted in um during April for child abuse awareness month which was then you know put out to families. Hey families, I would love to see something that says, "Hey youth, you
know, here's a resource fair for youth and something outside of the schools to reach some of those other kids um that are not being reached within the school. So ideas, initiatives, things that have
worked other places, but to have that proactive discussion prior to that week and identify a couple of different things that we feel would really benefit the families and kids, teens in this community. Um, I think would be is is
our ask to be able to do that. Um, oh well shoot, I just messed up. I had my calendar up. Um, so February 11th is Thursday in 2027. Are you thinking about having something the entire week or just a day? I know she kind of asked that question, but
>> if you could if you could do your wildest, would it be a week? Would it be a day? >> I would picture like a week and several initiatives. So awareness can go out every single week. We're in February.
School's in session. We're not in uh spring break time, you know, yet either. So, do we dedicate um a day per school for the prevention class? Do we have or
host a parent awareness night? Um say the classes are Monday through Wednesday. Say Thursday night is a parent awareness night. Um we also do um you know with help from community partners and clubs um to be able to help
us with the funding um in the scholarship. We also do professional development classes. We have given uh certificates of completion, licensing hours to law enforcement. We've given license hours to nurses. Um all those
kind of frontline uh faces that you know serve youth. So, I would see a week where, hey, the week is coming up. We're going to be we have a we have an all community awareness night in English and Spanish. Um, our English is Wednesday or
Tuesday and our Spanish is Thursday evening. We will also have this in our classes if the schools would like to come on board um to have our youthaware classes there. Um we have a great uh
reputation success. Um our marketing packet for the curriculum and for the presentation for the schools comes with testimonials um from school uh teachers, school counselors, students, police departments. Um and our professional
development actually we did one time for Eastern Carver County 112. Um we did a professional development for uh four CEUs uh during their August workshop and uh we got five out of five stars on uh
there was 65 staff in attendance, five out of five on 64 and one was four out of five >> because I'm that person too. Like there's always room for improvement. So,
we'd love to offer anything that we believe, you know, collectively in the different positions and networks we hold would best benefit and increase the awareness and accessibility to our Carver County families.
I have a question for you, too. being in the schools. And by the way, 10 out of 10 presentation from both of you. Incredibly poised, >> beautiful. But my question is, I have three teenagers, so this is sort of from
a personal perspective. What do you guys think is the biggest piece that's missing as far as maybe awareness or advocacy for like people your age? >> All right, I guess I'll go first. Um,
I think the biggest piece that is missing is people who look like us to say it or people who are our age to say it, you know, because it's so it's great that there are so many adults out there who are invested in in youth who are
invested in in the future of our society. But I think when it comes from someone who is your age, someone who kind of understands the position that you're in, someone who's not going to offer you a lecture, but instead offer you resources, I think that's I think that would be what is missing. And I
think by by us doing this partnership, we would be able to have more youth to youth connection and more youthto youth conversations and more youth to youth sharing and collaboration, which I think is what would make this partnership both um successful. And I think that would be
what's missing. I think that there needs to be more awareness of this issue because I believe that when we partner with others like the community and parents
and other youth where there's a lot of awareness there's prevention and then where there's prevention there's there's a way to stop this issue.
So, prevention is really big for me. >> Do you you work with the city of Chaza, right? The the police department. Do you work with the sheriff's department? Carver County Sheriff's Department? Um we actually um so the short answer is
no. The long answer is we actually started the first exploitation crimes against children task force for Scott and Carver County a year and a half ago with the Scott County Attorney Ron Hosabar. Um, when this turned into a
surge and suicides were increasing, I reached out uh to Hosabar and asked him if he would like to collaborate on starting a task force to address this proactively and prevention. And he said, "Yeah, this will be the task force I go to, um, not my staff." Um, and so, um,
Carver County Sheriff's has been invited, um, for a year and a half. They have not, um, responded to that invitation. Um so they're definitely um somebody that
we're interested in partnering with um or having involved at the task force level or it meets once a month um and especially since a couple of the SRO's you know there's SRO's that are in the schools um they are also often the first
that's going to hear um you know another student will hear first and then maybe an SRO a trusted teacher and actually a youth pastor. Those are kind of the top people before the parents that youth will report to. Um so
it would be um a a great thing to have the S and this could be another part of the week or before the week when our school is starting um to make sure that the SRO's are aware uh that we're available. We provide advocacy and support in two different languages. We
have resources in three different languages and we're also available. A lot of times youth do not want to make a police report. Um but they really want to know what their options are and they really want to know how to get out of situations and they often ask you know what is it going to look like if I make
that police report. So, um, we'll walk them through that process because a lot of times their fear, their fear at home is I'm going to lose my phone and their fear with law enforcement or just the criminal justice process, not necessarily law enforcement. Um, is what
does that process look like? Am I on the stand tomorrow? Do you know all of a sudden I'm testifying and um it gets uh it feels pretty heavy. So, we explain the the process. Um, so having SRO's know that we're available um to be an
advocate to be support and we've even helped with telling uh parents uh and the families and being a support to parents that are finding out about this and kind of the you know the trauma and the questions
and the fears that it brings up for them. So we are definitely an available resource. We would love um the sheriff's department's participation and for all SRO's in Carver County to know we exist. Chaza does. Chaza, please.
Um one more question. Um so are you working with um Carver County's Health and Human Services at all? Are you doing anything with Let me rephrase. Are you doing anything with Carver
County? just the like Carver County government, not you know the whole you understand what I'm saying? >> Um like government departments and branches and and things like that. >> Um what we've continued to work on is
awareness that we exist. Um because a lot of these issues will show up with our uh foster care parents and foster licensing um human services, human rights, uh family resource center. So we have uh
Love Inc. Um right. So again, Love Inc. may be the first call, but that may not be the only concern or issue that either came before that or that is a vulnerability to this. Um so we've been working on awareness with the other uh
government agencies, departments, um organizations um to try to spread awareness that this um that we exist and that this is happening and that it affects uh kids
and teens. Um the only ongoing relationship would be with the Chesca Police Department. We are also invited by the Chanhassen Fire Department um when they want to put together some sort of family or youth uh safety day um or
bring this topic to an open house or something they do. Um trying to think if over the years um we've provided training at different uh churches and like I said um the
Eastern Carver County School District uh you know 112 we did do uh four continuing education credits for them for their workshop. Um we had an open house that did invite um everybody.
Um, so really trying to get word out. Um, and we're always open to ideas and suggestions and what any disconnect may be. I think part of it has been a lack of a lack. It's kind of I find myself in a catch 22. If I invite you to come to
learn about exploitation and sex tortion happening to children, if you don't believe it happens here, you don't come. There's no reason. But if I don't get you to come, you don't know that this is reaching kids in all communities. So, we've kind of been in that catch 22
um scenario. >> Uh, anyone else have any other questions or comments or anything? I >> go ahead. >> I was saying not right now. >> I think we would love to partner with you. I don't know what that means.
Um, a lot of things are going through my head right now. We've had a lot of speakers come through and I think some of those speakers kind of mesh with you, >> but I don't know what that means yet. >> But I think for that week in February, I
think if >> um we can do something and I put them all on the spot, they're all looking this way. What are we going to do? Um but I think we can do something for that week. Um I think we we all have connections in which we can use to help further the information >> uh and get you in touch with the people
who you need to be in touch with. >> So I think it's a fantastic uh >> thing. >> Yeah, we really appreciate that because it's you know when the when they when faces especially young people but families and especially if you're facing
other vulnerabilities there's safety. You feel safety when you see the police work with and you see, you know, commissions and you see maybe the schools or other trusted leadership or representation
uh for your community kind of have that united message that we care about this issue too. We have resources on this issue too. It really starts to build confidence. Um, you probably know this, but one of the most under reportported crimes are sexual exploitation crimes
and especially by young people. Fear, shame, embarrassment, um, threats. I'm going to expose your photo if you tell. Um, so it really is a firestorm. Um, and takes a lot of risk to actually come forward and get help. There's more risk to stay, but there's
definitely a felt risk to come forward and get help. And when you feel like there's really no wrong door in your community because we're connected and we'll get you the right resource, that creates a lot of safety for people to come forward and get help. And of course, our ultimate goal is prevention.
It doesn't have to happen in the first place. Um we want to get ahead of it. We want to open these conversations, have them have resources available so that that 81% um can make some safer, less risky
decisions online in the first place. So, I really appreciate that. >> Well, thank you for coming. You two did a wonderful job. >> Thank you. >> I didn't put you on the spot yet, but we will in the future.
>> Yeah. the week of February 8th through the 12th, 2027. >> Yes, we look forward. >> Yes, we'll see you again. Well, thank you so much everybody. >> Thank you. Have a wonderful evening. >> Uh let's see here. Moving on. Uh we have
the minutes up from our last meeting, June 25th. June 25, June 25th, 2026. Uh we're looking for a motion to approve those minutes or make any changes, corrections. >> I motion to approve the minutes.
>> Is there is there a second? >> A second. >> All in favor say I. >> I oppos. All right. This approved. Uh, treasurer's report, Madame Durban.
>> All right. Uh, chair and commissioners, uh, what you have before you, there has been some additional items that have been purchased um, in the month of June. Some came through in July, essentially related to the Pride event. Um, as you
will see kind of at the bottom, so back in April, you approved a $3,000 budget for Pride. A total of almost $1,400 was unspent. Um, and so that money was put back into the overall budget. So right now, um,
the balance is, uh, 4,300 what you have remaining for the rest of the year. >> Any questions? Anyone? comments. May I get a motion to approve the budget, please? >> So moved. >> Make it a second.
>> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. All right, it's approved. Excellent. Just moving right along here. All right, let's go to old business. Um, I'll have to recap on our pride
celebration, pride picnic from last month. Anyone like to do that? Oh, I'll do it. I was there. I think it was well attended. Um, it was a nice event. I heard great um great
comments, remarks. Um, what happened? We we did t-shirts again. Um, handkerchiefs, tie dying t-shirts. tie-dye handkerchiefs. Um, that was a big hit. We also had several vendors um out there as well. I don't remember
which ones because I was handing out ice cream the whole time. We did have a food truck um looked like it stayed busy and the food was very very good. Um she's more than I talked to her for a couple of minutes. She's more than happy to come back um and do that event again or any
other events for that matter. Um, we did have lawn games out there that was um, used. Well, we did have a couple of teens. I don't know if it's been posted yet, but we did get um, testimonials from a couple of I shouldn't say teens,
a couple adults or a couple of people that were there. We did videotape, so hopefully that'll show up somewhere. Um, but I think all in all was well attended and I think people had fun. >> Mr. Durban, would you like to add or subtract anything?
Yeah, I would say um out of all the locations we've been at, we've been at I think four different locations. I I think Lions Park worked really well and um it's just a nice kind of space, shade throughout the day, kind
of contained based upon the size event. Um, regarding the weekend, we actually had several comments that people liked having it the same weekend as Twin City Pride because they maybe felt like they couldn't make it down there because it
just kids or whatever might be going on, but yet they could still come to this event or they could make both. And so I think that's something to think about for next year if you want to do it the same weekend. It it didn't seem to hurt the attendance. I would say this was one
of the best if not the best attended um pride event. So it was very good and I think what I see is people just want a place to gather and we saw that happen. So it was um very well thought out by
the putting it together. >> I will throw this out there for next year. Um there and I don't know what the name of the the truck is, but there's a shaved ice truck. They're at the farmers market. At least they were once. Kona. And I know you can rent the truck and
they give out um I'm not I guess you can call it a sample, but it's a good size um shaved ice for free. I don't know how much it costs. Um but I've seen I've seen and heard that graduation parties have rented out the truck and so your attendee goes up, gets their free and it
doesn't matter how many they get, it's just non-stop. And I think that would be a great thing. I handing out ice cream. That's great. Everybody loved that. But I think that would be um more interactive and give us a chance give the commission a chance to get out and mingle a little bit more. Um that's my
two cents for for next year if we remember. >> I've seen shaved ice machines that you can rent. Do you think that the truck would be a better option because it gets you out from behind like a building or is it just the idea of
shaved ice over ice cream? >> Um it it's just it's like um um >> it's shaved ice. >> No, I know. I mean I know shaved ice is Yeah. >> Oh, you're saying give it out instead of ice cream? I think >> Well, we didn't give out ice cream this
time. We did um >> ice cream treats or something. >> Popsicles or what? Uh, Johnny Pots. >> Yeah. I guess my question was more like cuz you're saying this is a truck you can rent, but I know you can also just rent a machine. >> So, is there something is is would there be a difference between the truck and the machine in your mind?
>> I I think the truck itself has different flavors. So, you can get your ice, you know, your ice and then whatever 20 flavors they have, you can whatever on there and you can go back as many times. I think people with handing out the Johnny Pops, it was okay, I get one,
I can't get any more. Maybe I don't know. I've got to go ask type of deal and they they're kind of nervous about that because they know well how much does it cost you know where you can go up to the truck and you know only thing is it may cost you a tip if that's what you decide you want to do or whatever. Um but once you know it's free you know
you can keep going you feel comfortable. Does that make sense? Yeah type deal. At least that's what I felt. >> Okay. >> So >> yeah. Um did we do the rainbow? How did that go? the what I'm blanking on it what we
called it. >> Yeah. So, we had uh costumes available for folks to use. We didn't have enough folks there to actually run it. Okay. >> So, but we allowed folks to dress up and I know it maybe wasn't as well utilized
because we didn't have somebody encouraging that to happen. So, I think if that's something of interest again for next year, we would want somebody dedicated to encouraging that um getting folks out there and doing it. We just
couple of us were mixing tie-dye the whole time because it that's what it did. Martin was handing out ice cream and so it was just that's kind of where we ended up. >> You know, we had folks put on costumes and they dressed up and took some pictures. I was able to from behind the counter tell, "Oh, dress up, take
pictures, and you're going to have them, I was going to have them text at least their, you know, their final pictures." Um, but I will say a big hit, we we purchased flags and those flags are out there. They weren't supposed to take them, but they took them anyway. Now, that being said, everyone was looking
for their specific flag and they would come back. So, I would think about that next year >> to buy We should buy flags >> like a variety. >> Yeah. Well, every flag I didn't realize every flag means something. People were like, "Well, do you have a flag for?" I was like, "I don't know. Don't know."
>> Um, but I think that's a great idea and and people really enjoyed that. It was something they could take home. >> Yeah. >> And then we also gave out um Acis um that was a big hit as well. >> At least you were right.
Um, and the DJ >> we were not able to leave a DJ. Okay. The person that we had lined up had cancelled. >> Okay. >> Last minute. So, we put together a playlist, got a speaker out there and had music on the whole time. >> Okay.
>> Great. >> We had it all right. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I think it was great. I don't think people missed the DJ to be honest with you. I mean, there were speakers around, you know, around the building and the and the music was pumping and it was it was good. There was no delays. There was
no They people were enjoying themselves. I think maybe next year we should add I'm throwing this out there. Whatever. So, let's say we did the shaved ice truck or we moved ice cream or whatever that is outside. I think we should supply uh drinks, whatever that means.
whether it's can water or whatever just so people have something to um you know mingle with you know drink while they're playing a lot of people were playing the the cornhole game or whatever you want to call it um and uh what's connect four is out there
as well so I think it just gives people the ability to mingle just a little bit more socialize more in my opinion >> noted I would add the face painters were fantastic and they had a line. So, >> thank you. >> Which we anticipated. Yes,
>> it was a line. Yeah. Yeah. >> Um, >> did it Well, we can talk about the details later. >> I almost got my face painted. I I was going to and I had to go to work the next day, but >> like a unicorn cat. I was going to let them do their own thing, but it by the time I got over because they they were
busy up until the end and then by the time I stopped hauling stuff back, they were all packed up. It's like, well, that's too bad. >> Maybe next year. >> I had fun. I'm sorry. >> You don't need to apologize. >> Any other comments on Prime event
picnic? I was going to mention too if everyone feels like it could be useful the props and the costumes are we are willing to donate them to the city or the commissioner
um for future use too. So yeah >> guess I asked this question um how much did you lose and do we need to reimburse you? >> No no no >> you sure >> not a thing lost? No, I listen. Hey,
listen. Just >> I was there. >> If and and I'm telling you with my whole heart, if every single feather boa and headband and sunglasses got, you know, walked away, I would not even miss them
for a second. >> In fact, I might rejoice in the space that freed up for me. So, so yeah, if that isn't if if it is considered useful, then that
it's ours to keep then. >> Any other comments? >> No. All right, let's move on to our River City Days um celebration this Friday, tomorrow.
>> You can It's been hard to keep up >> there. >> I would tell you in the past week everything's kind of come together. Um I'm not sure we were getting there last week, last Tuesday, but I think we're there and I think we have a really good
um list going. Um so we're kind of doing two different things. So, it's tomorrow night at Lions Park from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. So, if you're able to make it down there, um the group would love to have you. I am
unable to be there tomorrow night. So, uh Wana, who was a former uh human rights commissioner, will be there helping with it, as well as Kevin Wright. So, you will see them. It is under the big white tent. You won't miss the big white tent down there because it
is big and white. Um, so that is that is the time location. So there's there's two parts. There's a tableabling part. So for groups that didn't want to necessarily do a performance, we're offering table
chairs, that sort of thing. So we have four groups participating in the tableabling, it will be Pacer Center, which um uh is a group that gears toward uh kids and families that have disabilities. Uh, Hora, which is RO a Romanian group
that um, one is um, deeply connected with. Ukrainian American Community Center will be there tableabling as well. And then Latino Voices who is in our own community. I saw them down. They were down at the parade tonight. And so they'll be making their way around.
Additionally, we have three performance participants. So Cruzie, who's a mariachi singer who's uh been around here, will be uh performing from 4:15 to 4:45 tomorrow night.
Um from 5 to 6 is Sold Tro T. They are country and Eastern European music. Google them. They have YouTube stuff online. They are fantastic. I think it'll be quite different than what you've heard before. And then from 6:15
to 6:45 is the Aztec dancers. So Latin American dancing and they were also at the parade, I noticed. So all dressed up in their their um traditional outfits and that sort of thing. So they've been a part of our Latin food and music fest
in the past. So um so maybe not as many participants as I think we went in thinking about, but like I said, it's coming together. the amount of time for each of the participants is perfect for what they are looking for. So I think it it's a great start. Um so that's
tomorrow night. So if you're able to come out join us. >> What time excuse me what time is the soul trave? >> Yeah sold uh soul tra is from 5 to 6. >> 5 to 6. So really just uh thanking Wana for
being bringing different groups to the table as well as Latino voices. Gracia was a big help in getting us connected with folks. So >> yeah, should be great. >> Any questions? Any comments?
>> All right, let's move on. Any new business? Looks like we have this uh >> DEI and Human Rights Commission annual forum set for Tuesday, September 29th from
6:00 to 8:30. >> Yes. >> What's that big? >> Oh, that's the little the separated >> 600 to 8:30. And I was like, well, 1600 S4. So 4 to 8:30 being held at Brookview in Golden
Valley, Minnesota. So it's an evening to connect, learn, and share with others DEI and human rights uh share with other DNI DEI and human rights commissioners. Sorry. It's hosted by the city of Golden Valley's DEI commission. We'll have light snacks
provided. Um I think we went two years ago, a year Wasn't wasn't last year. So two years ago >> I don't think it was in Golden Valley two years ago. I think it was up in >> Blaine.
>> More by Blaine. Why am I blinking on the name? >> I didn't go time but >> yeah it was very So yeah. Is this and is this then the same? >> I I from what I am gathering from the email I received, it's they're trying to
figure out how to do this kind of different commissions hosting it every year. I don't know what happened last year. Um but it looks like Golden Valley is is taking the reigns this year and and running with it. I would expect it would
be very similar sort of thing. Um, so I think something for you to think about. Is this something that folks want to go to? Um, do you want to do this in place of your September meeting? You want to keep your September meeting? I realize
it's not the same day, but just things for you to think about. I think I have to RSVP by August 20th, which is before our next meeting. So, want to figure out what you want to do. I did go two years ago and
I'm not one who tends to like the networking style meetings, but I found it very valuable. So, I'd highly recommend. I will unfortunately be in Germany on this date, so I will not be able to attend.
I know. I know. Um tear. But I highly recommend it. Um, it'd be I think it'd also be nice if we if we could send some contingency of folks just to have sort of a represent
representation there so that um yeah, if there's any other kind of city or metrowide initiatives that are in the works, we could possibly partner or participate or come back with knowledge on
how to improve our own commission. and etc., etc. >> Well, I would say if you're interested in going, let at least know >> and go a small group right now.
>> Well, what I do is I I'll send something out to the whole commission just asking for RSVPs. Um, who wants to go? We'll figure out we need to, you know, do a notice, that sort of thing. more than three go. Um
and yeah, so I'll just follow up with everybody after >> I think last time we did do it in lie of the meeting. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Cuz we don't have a lot scheduled around that time of year, >> right? >> I was checking my work schedule to see
if I worked that work. >> Okay. Uh, any questions on this event? Okay, sorry. Let me get the rest of my any other new business. Any other anything anyone else wants to bring up?
Going once. Going twice. All right. It's old. All right. All right, our next meeting will be August 27th, 6:30 p.m. If there's nothing else, we will adjourn
and have a short work session if need be. All right. Do I have a motion to um adjourn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> All in favor say I. I All right. >> That's the first time I've done that. Tell tell the mayor I use her.