Good evening and welcome to the Chesa Human Rights Commission meeting for oh gosh, Thursday, December 18th, 2025. Um, Elise, would you be so kind as to do the roll call? >> Commissioner Huard >> here. >> Commissioner Walbert >> here.
>> Commissioner Duffy >> here. >> Commissioner Sanderson. Commissioner me. Commissioner Han. Chair Carlson >> here. Thank you so much. Um the agenda was all sent out. Is there um anything
that we had to add or delete? And if not, may I have a motion to adopt the agenda? >> So second >> motion made by Jen, seconded by Martin to adopt our agenda for this evening, which is will be short. Um, and if
there's no discussion, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Great. Thank you. Oh, nays. Motion carries. Um, we do not have a guest presentation this evening. Um, the minutes
of December 18th were attached. Um, are there any changes, suggestions, deletions? I have one just is a spelling uh correction. I think this comes from the
automated Katrina festival on page three of five is spelled K A and I think it's we use a C with that small technicality. Um but having heard any other changes,
deletions, corrections? All in favor of approving the Oh, I need a motion. Sorry. May I have a motion to approve the minutes of November 20th? >> Motion to approve minutes. >> Second. Motion made by Ki. Seconded by
Jennifer. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Eyes carry. The treasures report. Can you share the status of our funds? Elise, please. >> Chair Carlson and commissioners, you'll
see since November, um there have been three additional um expenses that you've had. Uh two of them are related to the MLK day event um which was part of the approved budget that you set at the last month's
meeting. So uh of the $2,800 you approved, $800 would be from this year's budget. So the room rental and the books came to about $770. And then um the swag which was discussed at the last meeting too came to 492. So,
you end the year with a balance of $50.31. >> Any questions? >> SW and they have been ordered. They're fulfilling the order right now. Having heard no questions, then may I have a motion to approve the treasures
report. >> So second >> motion made by Jen, seconded by Martin to approve the treasures report. If there's no further questions, all in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. >> Opposed? Eyes carry. >> It's a delay. Delay. It's a delay. Okay. >> All right. So, um Ki, do you want to give us an update on the Dr. King
celebration which is coming up soon? I'd like to remind um our viewing public and our fellow commissioners. Um so, take it away, Ki. >> All right. We have received Ethellin's bio, so that is great. And then I know there was discussion last month about
her fee. So, she has finalized fee of 500. So we are good there. Um W9 I think I still owe you that at least correct. So I will get that information to or the her contact so she can get that to you. So I'll do that after the meeting. Um for the music Mr. Johnson has resigned
so we will have to pivot. Uh Steve Kelster had reached out previously and he is still interested. Um so at least is working on logistics with him but have him preparing three songs at two to three minutes each. For food, Stacy will be reaching out to Ann Jones at Jones Coffee over the next
couple weeks. Sarah received a $50 gift card to buy fruit. We've also identified getting pastries from El Pasiano, if I hopefully I said that correctly, which will coordinate after the new year. Um, books, the books are being ordered and will be put on the tables at the event.
Um, and what books were ordered? >> There's a list of about 30 books. We actually have received them all. Really? That's great. >> So, a variety of uh children's books to chapter books.
>> And coloring contest, Hana has been able to find a new coloring sheet and we'll have these available at the event. Um, one thing about that coloring contest, I know Crayola has the color me shades crayons. We should probably make sure we have those at the event. So, I will
we'll work on that because I think that's fitting if everyone's okay with that. Um, invitation, postcard invitation will be mailed out the week of December 29th. Email invitation will be sent out week of January 5th. If you have any additions to the list, please let Elise know.
Communication. The website is updated. We're working on social media postevents. Given the time of year, most of this will come after the holidays, but we'll do at least one before the holidays. Would also go out in the next Chaza today newsletter, which will be delivered prior to the holidays. So,
>> and I can provide some more on that if you would. >> Oh yeah. >> And I got a text from the city of Chesa reminding me about the Dr. Kus. So I think that was yesterday that I got it. >> So you get it when you sign the prior
year, right? You have to like how do you get on that? >> Um I signed up for city alerts. >> Yeah, there's a city alerts thing on the website and you can sign up when you decide what you want. >> Okay. uh from a social media perspective. So the Facebook event was published earlier
this week, I believe or late last week. It's on the front page of the city's website in addition to the human rights commission. Uh an email blast went out this week, which I think Jen is why you got that text. Um as Commissioner Duffy said, it'll be in the Chesca today,
which will be mailed to all Chesca addresses at the end of the month. Uh, three upcoming posts are planned. The week of the 29th, they'll do a post about the event. The week of the 5th, they'll do a post about the speaker. The week of the 12th, they'll do another email blast and maybe two additional
posts. And then, as I found out today, um, it will be mentioned in the next, is it Chata Neighbors magazine that goes out. So, um, that's a quick update on the different >> Awesome.
We're also going to memorialize revitalizing Veterans Dream and give them a platform to speak about their organization at the MLK celebration along with providing them access to have a table at the event if they so choose to do so.
So given the time of year and where we are at, let's just plan to email any updates and we will schedule another meeting after the new year, which things should be quieter for me next year. So I will be able to attend in person. So thank you for being understanding
through my transition. >> No problem. Um, any questions for Ki and the Dr. King subcommittee. Please mark your calendars. I will be there. Be prepared for it to be cold
that day. It always is. >> Yes. Right. >> Yeah, it always is. Um, is there anything that you need from us? Uh, do you want us to coordinate putting the stickers, the Human Rights Commission stickers inside the books?
>> Um, I think I think Vicki's been working on that for us. So, I think we have that covered. I think if there are folks that you want a mailed postcard or an emailed invitation, let me know. We do have a a long list that we'll we've worked off in
the past, but if you have any others, let me know. >> So, after the meeting, I can check your calendar and I can come over and do the addressing of the invitations. Great. >> As far as the day of the event, um,
if we come to help like get ready for it, would that be helpful to you? And what time would you like us there? Oh yeah. Um well um 7:15.
>> What time does it start? >> 8 o'clock. >> I will send an email reminder out to the group. >> Great. >> And do you need help addressing? No, actually I uh Elise provides me with a set of labels and I just go through if
I know the individual that's getting a postcard, I actually write a little note on them and say, "Hi, Ki. Gosh, I know you're busy, but hope to see you on January." Okay. Um but thank you. You're welcome.
Um, our new business tonight is the Chesa Human Rights Award and I turn to Jen for your thoughts and your suggestions, recommendations for us to consider. Okay. Well, we had a great discussion
during our work session and we had wonderful nominees that were submitted. Um, and after the discussion, we chose one um one nomination that we will be
awarding this to. So, I'd like to make a motion to award the 2025 Human Rights Award to um Tara Halerson and Lisa Pap for opening the Monday market, which
provides food for students and families facing food insecurity in our community. >> Thank you, Jennifer. Motion made. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Is there any
discussion? >> I I think I just want to add that we received eight wonderful nominations this year. We're so grateful for the work that individuals and organizations are doing in our community right here in Chaska. And um we'll be looking forward
to celebrating with all of them in January. So motion made, seconded. If there's no further discussion, can we vote on that motion? All in favor of awarding the human rights to Tara Halverson and Lisa
Pap for Monday market signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Eyes carried. Um the belonging message for tonight did not did not materialize in writing.
So I guess I would just say that we have so many things that we can think about and ponder and worry um about that's going on in our world today. But here we are doing the work here in
our community, our home. And I thank each of you for being here tonight, particularly when the storm is raging outside the windows. Um, and so your your ideas, your time, your effort, your thoughts, your dedication to the human
rights is so truly appreciated by our city and by me. So, thank you. Our next meeting date is January 22nd, 2026. We're going to again have a work session because we'll be talking about
the plan for 2026. Um so um is that meeting at the regular time? >> That would be the intent in place of an actual meeting. You'll just have a work session instead.
>> So um we will see each of you at Dr. King have a safe holiday if you celebrate holidays and I would entertain a motion to adjourn.
>> Before you do that, >> oh yes, is there any other business? >> Yes. >> Thank you, Martin. What is your business? Oh, Polar Plunge. >> Yes. I just want to remind everyone that believe the city of Chaza will be participating in the 2026 Polar Plunge.
The date is February 14th, Valentine's Day. It's a Saturday and most likely the city will probably jump in about noon. Um, so if you have any questions about it, please reach out to officer Martin
Chaska Police Department like how I did. >> Do I have a wet suit? >> I don't know. But you don't necessarily have to jump. You can be there to support the jumpers because it does get kind of cold. Whatever you can do to support them would be great.
>> Jumper support. >> You don't have to give money. You can come and you can go and sit at what's it called? Lola's Lake House and have a drink or hot chocolate and watch us jump into the water and freeze on the way out. >> The county will also be there. I'll be
on the county side, not the city side. Sorry. But we'll be there as well jumping. Come join us. Have some fun. >> Okay. Get wet. >> Freeze a bit. >> That's it. That's my two cents. >> Sounds wonderful. Any other community
announcements? I'm sorry I forgot to do that. >> I don't have any. Okay. Now, may I have a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. All right. All in favor? Good night.