WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=7Rt877j6uxA NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: 7Rt877j6uxA): - 00:10:11: Meeting Begins: Roll Call, Land Acknowledgement, Minutes Approval - 00:12:16: Kelly Gors - High Plains Fair Housing Presentation Begins - 00:25:48: Questions for Fair Housing Guest Speaker - 00:26:05: Question Regarding Resources for People with Disabilities - 00:28:15: Question About Frequency of Housing Discrimination from Testers - 00:29:09: Question Regarding Rent Payment Discrimination - 00:30:32: Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Dignity as Local Mandate - 00:35:17: Acknowledgment of Sexual Assault Issues in Morehead - 00:36:58: Upcoming Event: Growing Our Local Leaders Graduation - 00:39:58: Question Regarding Participation in Local Leadership Program - 00:41:13: Discussion: Social Media Page for HRC Outreach - 00:42:22: Holiday Award Nominations: Seeking Outside Review Committee - 00:51:36: Juneteenth Celebration Presentation & Community Block Grants - 00:54:09: Upcoming Events Discussion; Immigration/Housing Stability Updates - 00:59:58: Rental Relief Act Discussion & ICE Enforcement Updates - 01:04:35: Meeting Adjournment Part: 1 1 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:27.600 Okay. Uh let's go ahead and get uh started with the roll call. It is a little after 5:00 so we can stay on task. >> Right. I bet Ellis >> here. Anna Rajes Samai. 2 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:43.839 Jennifer Cannon >> here. Jennifer Oranda >> present. >> Triton Garretts. >> Sebastian McDougall >> here. >> All right. So, I'll go ahead with the land acknowledgement. Uh we the Morehead Human Rights Commission collectively and 3 00:10:43.839 --> 00:10:59.120 with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land uh the city of Morehead is built upon. We acknowledge the people who have re who have resided here for generations and consider that uh and 4 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:16.399 recognize that the spirit of the Dakota Ojiway matees and all indigenous communities permeates this land. The contribution of the indigenous people shall not be forgotten. Nor will the success that is achieved by the people of the land. We will continue to educate 5 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:35.120 and advocate, honor and unite for indigenous people of this land. Okay, moving along. Uh, approving of the March 18th, 2026 meeting minutes. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. 6 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:51.680 >> Second. So with that motioned and seconded, uh, can I call for all those in favor? I. >> Those opposed? Any abstensions? 7 00:11:51.680 --> 00:12:13.000 Motion has been approved. Moving on to our guest speaker. We have Kelly Gors here with us from High Plains Fair Housing. Thank you. 8 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:31.680 Okay, thank you. Good evening. Thank you for inviting me today. Um, I'm Kelly Gors. I'm with High Plains Fair Housing Center. Um, we're happy to be here. Uh, April is Fair Housing Month. So, happy fair housing month and thank you for the invitation to speak and let you know a little bit about what we do, what fair 9 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:47.920 housing is, um, and how you as community leaders can advance fair housing um, out in the community. So, High Plains Fair Housing Center is a private nonprofit center. Um, we are located our main office in Grand Forks and our service area is North Dakota and 10 00:12:47.920 --> 00:13:03.920 South Dakota. Um, we do assist people in the Morehead um area with referrals and any kind of information giving if they do call. So, they won't be turned away. Um, but we do not have funding specifically for Morehead um residents, but we are happy to help them, give them 11 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:20.480 information and resources um for them to exercise their fair housing rights. So we are a private nonprofit organizations. Uh we were founded uh over 13 years ago and the mission of our goal is to make sure that strengthen communities and ensure equal access of fair housing in the region. And we do 12 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:38.639 this through training, education, advocacy and enforcement. Fair housing is a civil right. Um when we talk about fair housing, we're really talking about a civil rights movement. It is a law and it is a law and is the right of everybody federally to obtain 13 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:54.880 um housing of your choice free from illegal discrimination. Um the Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968 and we're really talking about a civil rights movement, not just a set of laws. Uh before 1968, which you know, the Fair Housing Act now is that's almost 60 years old. Um it wasn't housing 14 00:13:54.880 --> 00:14:11.120 discrimination wasn't just common. It was uh often legal and it was really built into how communities were developed. uh practices like redlinining, restricted covenants, steering shaped where people could live and they shaped access to schools, jobs, and opportunities. So when the Fair Housing Act was passed just days after 15 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:26.800 the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it really was a national reckoning, an acknowledgement that housing discrimination was a core driver of inequity. Um and Minnesota played an important role in the passing of the Fair Housing Act. a lot of Minnesota legislators were involved in the passage 16 00:14:26.800 --> 00:14:42.320 passing of it and Minnesota in fact passed their own fair housing laws a year before the federal laws were passed. Um so you know just like to do a little bit of history and acknowledgement around fair housing month. Um unfortunately fair housing act was passed almost 60 years ago and those 17 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:57.040 patterns didn't disappear. Um they just became a little more sub subtle. So fair housing isn't just about compliance. It's really ongoing work to make sure that people truly have a choice in where they live. So it still matters. It matters because 18 00:14:57.040 --> 00:15:14.240 housing is access to opportunity. It's access to schools, jobs, health, stability. Um and discrimination still occurs. So we still have those patterns from historical past segregation. Um and discrimination on individual transactions and even on larger um 19 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:33.279 policy um enactment still occurs. So it's still it still matters. It's still important even if it looks a little different than it did 60 years ago. um discrimination fair housing laws are still very important. These are the federally protected categories. So everywhere in the US is 20 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:50.079 protected based on these. When the Fair Housing Act was passed uh in 1968, race, color, national origin, and religion were the first four protected classes. And shortly after they realized they should have added sex. So in 1974 um when they passed like when it was 21 00:15:50.079 --> 00:16:05.440 finally able for women to be able to like not be discriminated against in in transactions and things like that they also included it into the fair housing act as well. Then it was 20 years after that um in 1988 that the fair housing act also included uh familial status 22 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:20.959 meaning um families with the presence of children under the age of 18. So if there's children under the age of 18 in the household, they were protected as well from disc legal discrimination. Um and then also added disability protections. And so disability not only 23 00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:37.120 added as a way to make sure that people with physical and mental disabilities aren't treated differently or excluded from housing, but also make sure they have a way to ask for accommodations or modifications in their housing to make sure that barriers are removed so they have equal access to use and enjoy their 24 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:54.079 their dwellings. modern forms of discrimination today, like I said, it was very explicitly done in the past um with whether it's through deed racial covenants and deeds or whether it's through just putting a sign up that says whites only or 25 00:16:54.079 --> 00:17:10.559 something like that. You don't see that anymore um because of the Fair Housing Act, but you do see more subtle discrimination and happens in forms of um um practices called steering. And this might be something these are ways that discrimination happens more we say now 26 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:25.839 today with a smile and a handshake more than blatant outright discrimination. So they're not you might not be sure it's happening but you might just have a gut feeling that something didn't feel right in that transaction. Right? So steering happens where somebody might apply for 27 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:42.480 housing or try to look at housing whether it's buying or renting and they're not being told of everything that's available or they're being only told of certain units or encouraged to go to certain units or certain floors or certain buildings on a property something like that. So that's steering and that's can be illegal if done based 28 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:59.039 on those protected classes. Other types of discrimination that you see now is un unequal stand screening standards. So maybe perhaps um two applicants apply, one white, one black, the white person both might have some kind of criminal background or they might have similar 29 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:15.120 credit scores that don't quite meet what the um the housing provider wants in their screening criteria, but the housing provider just has a better feeling about the white person and allows them to bypass those screening opportunities. And again, you're not going to necessarily know that that's 30 00:18:15.120 --> 00:18:31.840 happening, right? that that discrimination is happening but that's very common types of discrimination that we see today. Other type of legal discrimination uh like I mentioned with disabilities um people with disabilities are allowed to ask for accommodations in those policies or practices that might 31 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:47.679 create a barrier to them or make it so that they cannot use and enjoy the housing equally. Or there might be physical barriers like steps that should um that they can't get into a place or some kind of physical need some kind of modification like a grab bar or something in their shower. Um denying 32 00:18:47.679 --> 00:19:04.559 those reasonable accommodations and modifications within the limitations of the law um with outside of the limitations with that are in the law um can be a very common type of discrimination as well. And then other types we see maybe neutral policies that do have an unequal impact. So it's that 33 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:19.760 differential treatment is protected under the law, but so is that dis uh disperate impact treatment. So maybe it's not a discriminatory rule or policy, but when it's enacted, it has a discriminatory effect on on one particular group of protect protected 34 00:19:19.760 --> 00:19:35.919 class people. So those are the kinds that you see. And then another type that we see quite often in this region is having restrictions on families with children. either different rules for families with children or not allowing certain size families in in units or things like that. So that those are like kind of the most common forms of 35 00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:52.640 discrimination that we see today. At High Plains for Housing Services, we do help people who are experiencing this, whether they're not sure if they are, they just got a feeling that something was wrong and we can look into it a little more or they know, yes, I have facts, I have fact-based evidence that discrimination happened, what's my 36 00:19:52.640 --> 00:20:10.160 next step? That kind of thing. Um, so the way that we help people is through our advocacy services, our enforcement services, and that education outreach. So in under our advocacy, we offer resources and referrals for people. So even if it's not a fair housing, a discrimination 37 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:24.960 issue specifically, we still have we can still refer people to an agency that might be able to help. Um, so we always encourage people to just call us. If you're having some situation where you're just not sure what's happening, call us, talk through our intake team. will help you either figure out if it is discrimination or might be 38 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:41.600 discrimination or refer you on to an agency that can help you. Um, we also do a lot of mediation. This is kind of the core piece of our advocacy really where people call. Most people don't want to file a formal complaint or a lawsuit. They just need to get into their housing 39 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:58.159 or deal with the issue that they're having in their housing. So we offer mediation services where we can act um as that kind of in between between a tenant and a landlord or a buyer and a a seller, that kind of thing. So that's really a biggest piece of our advocacy um program. But we also do assist people 40 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:14.640 if there is fact-based evidence that they have been discriminated against, we will assist them in filing a formal housing discrimination complaint either with states or federal agencies. Our other piece is enforcement and this is where we investigate instances of housing discrimination for either 41 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:31.039 individual clients or just look at uh systemic discrimination that might be h happening looking at policies and practices. Uh this is it's our testing program. So there's a lot of ways we do investigation but kind of the main way we do is where we have testers um and this is supported by the Supreme Court 42 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:47.600 decisions in 1980s um where we have testers kind of like secret shoppers. somebody feels like I'm in this situation and I didn't I got this feeling that I might be not being told the right information or being told different information but I'm not quite sure. Um we can send in testers. So we 43 00:21:47.600 --> 00:22:03.120 can say if it was somebody that had kids and somebody who didn't somebody had kids and felt like they were being told they couldn't rent there because of their family size. We can send in two testers. one that are the same on paper, the same everywhere else, but that one difference is having one has kids, one 44 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:19.280 doesn't, and just see are they being told different rent prices, different deposit prices, different availabilities, that kind of thing. So, we have that as part of our program as well. And then our final piece is that education outreach, just letting people know you do have rights. There are these 45 00:22:19.280 --> 00:22:35.840 are the ways you can exercise them and we are here to help. So just wanted to highlight we do quite a bit of work around this. So it's still here and this is uh this is mainly in uh the North Dakota and some South Dakota. Um last year in 2025 we had almost a 46 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:50.640 thousand intake calls. So we had almost a thousand people calling us with some kind of housing issue that they either needed help with or more information for or some kind of referral for. Um from those thousand intake calls we had 200 over 200 resolutions and only 12 formal 47 00:22:50.640 --> 00:23:06.320 complaints were filed. And that really speaks to that mediation piece that's so important to just get people to be able to come to the table and figure out sometimes it might just be it uh discrimination is not the intent but it's it's coming out that way or they just need some kind of communication. Um 48 00:23:06.320 --> 00:23:22.880 so that mediation piece is really useful and that enforcement piece too. We did over a hundred discrimination tests and those were either based on complaint investigation. So, somebody called uh and we followed up with tests to see if discrimination was or wasn't happening. Um or just looking at pattern or 49 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:38.320 practice analysis. A lot of times people do call and they don't want anything. They don't want to do anything. They just want to be heard and they just want somebody to to know this is happening. So sometimes those can be things that we when we are hearing constant complaints or constant issues people are having, we 50 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:54.720 might look at that pattern and practice analysis with our uh enforcement piece. And then lastly, we did almost 100 trainings last year, reaching over 3,000 people. So that's kind of that's a pretty typical year for what High Plains does. And as we as I kind of wrap up here, I 51 00:23:54.720 --> 00:24:11.600 just want to also mentioned that there are ways that community leaders um can help with advancing fair housing and making sure people have equal access to housing. um as community leaders, people in whether it's position and m municipal leaders, whether it's you, whether it's other committees um or other a uh 52 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:28.000 municipal agencies or even just community leaders. Um they can be awareness amplifiers. They can make sure people understand that fair housing is the law and fair housing is important and there are ways for you to get help. Um, also policy reviewers, it's important for community leaders to be 53 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:44.080 thinking about fair housing and thinking about how their community is accessing um, what policies or development that is happening in their community. Um, and then also being referral partners. So having an idea when constituents or people that's in your community come to 54 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:59.840 you and say, "I'm really struggling with this. What can I do?" Knowing that well, we have these uh, resources point you in the right direction. Good questions to ask, community leaders can ask when they are coming across any kind of um decision that will impact 55 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:16.159 their community is who might be impacted differently from whatever this decision is. Who what are our policies consistent? Are they relying on facts and data or are they just a gut instinct that we're making this decision for? And then lastly, like where do people go for 56 00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:32.559 help? It's really important as community leaders that we all understand the different aspects particularly in housing of where people can go for help. There are some resources on our website as well. Lot of brochures very class uh protected class specific brochures or 57 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:48.159 housing type um specific housing type information that you can go on those resources and look. Um but please give us a call, send us an email. um let us know anytime there are any questions or please refer people to us if they need assistance in getting more information 58 00:25:48.159 --> 00:26:05.440 or resources for themselves. So thank you. Happy fair housing month again and thank you for having us and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Yeah. So thank you so much for um coming today. Um I just wanted to say another thank you for hosting that uh awesome 59 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:21.120 conference that had so much information. I had an opportunity to take part in that. Um, and it was just a lot of information. I did have a question because I think oftent times like within our community we often have individuals who are like um have like slow learning 60 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:36.480 disabilities and oftentimes like when it's time for them to maybe separate from like housing. Um, is there a a resource that they could utilize when there's like, oh, well, the landlord is trying to get me to keep paying this 61 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:52.880 rent, but I know my lease has been up, you know? Are there do you have folks that could like do quick quick calls for different areas like that to kind of support folks that maybe don't quite grasp, you know, the the legal aspects or connections, 62 00:26:52.880 --> 00:27:10.080 >> right? That's a really good um Yes. I think it's really it I love this question because you're really thinking like proactively like particularly if there's some kind of mental disability that is preventing somebody from kind of grasping all of this and high plains can definitely help with letting people 63 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:25.520 understand that accommodation process of like how to ask for accommodations how to interact with that. Um but then they they can also do that mediation if particularly if it's a disability of asking for different ways of communicating with that person making sure but if it's just like if there is a 64 00:27:25.520 --> 00:27:41.360 legal if it's just a plane like a landlord tenant legal um might be harder in Morehead but uh High Plains also has an eviction prevention program um with um Legal Services of North Dakota and works closely with Legal Services of North Dakota um so that they have that 65 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:58.240 that landlord tenant legal connection as Well, um, but I think it particularly if there's some kind of um, mental disability that is kind of impacting like the communication with the landlord or decisions made, that's a really good time to reach out to High Planes and and learn about the reasonable accommodation 66 00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:15.120 process and how that that interaction can be done. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions for our guest? >> Okay. >> I I actually have one question. Yeah. with all your testers that you um send 67 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:31.760 out, how often does it come back that there really was discrimination that occurred? >> I don't have like the specific number, so I don't want to say it's not uncommon. It's not uncommon, but um there are plenty of tests that show there are plenty of times where it might 68 00:28:31.760 --> 00:28:48.480 feel like illegal discrimination um but it it's not. There is an actual business reason of why they're getting that answer or why they're coming across that. But it is also just as common for it to actually be illegal discrimination and differential treatment or differential application of of rules and 69 00:28:48.480 --> 00:29:09.120 policies. I wish I had some numbers for you, but I don't. >> I do have one uh quick question in regards to paying your rent. Um, could there be a line there for discrimination if a landlord is requiring it has to be 70 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:25.279 through autopay or through a um portal service, right? An online if you will um compare and the reason why I'm asking is if we have uh renters that do not believe in a bank or don't have a bank account, right? they pay with cash or 71 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:41.919 those things. Could that be considered a potential unintended consequence or is that discrimination or how does that >> looking at a more systemic thing? You'd have to look more into the facts of it. But definitely again that reasonable accommodation flag kind of comes up in 72 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:59.360 my head of um having people to have to pay a certain way, have to apply a certain way. And particularly if that disability makes it difficult for them to do that, then yes, a landlord should allow for a reasonable accommodation. If that person says I need to do this in a different way because of my disability 73 00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:15.520 related need, they don't need to go into the details of their disability or anything like that. But to just ask for that accommodation, I need to, you know, do this a different the paper application, communicate a different way. That is a that is a very common reasonable accommodation request and yes, it should be um that should be 74 00:30:15.520 --> 00:30:32.080 permitted under the Fair Housing Act. Yep. Okay, great questions. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You. >> All right, so moving on. Do we have any community partners? 75 00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:48.799 Don't see any community partners uh citizens to be heard. Well, as a citizen, I do have something that I do want to share. So, um here I go. I'm wearing teal today 76 00:30:48.799 --> 00:31:06.399 as a representation of uh sexual assault awareness month for April. And I wanted to talk about dignity as a local mandate, sexual assault awareness month in Morehead. So, good evening members of the human rights committee and fellow community members. We gather here in 77 00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:23.200 April to observe sexual assault awareness month or SAM. While this month marks on calendar across the nation, it's s it's its significance in Morehead is deeply personal for our city. This month is not just a symbolic gesture. It's a renewal of our neighborhood watch 78 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:39.360 for h human dignity. When we talk about sexual violence, we're not just talking about statistics or legal definitions. We are talking about the fundamental rights of every resident in Morehead to live, work, and thrive without fear. The intersections where safety meets 79 00:31:39.360 --> 00:31:56.399 sovereignty. The mission of this human rights committee is to ensure that every individual in our city is treated with equity and respect. Uh, sexual violence is a direct opposite of those values. It is at its core an attempt to strip a person of their 80 00:31:56.399 --> 00:32:13.200 autonomy. In Morehead, we pride ourselves on being a community that looks out for one another, but we cannot claim to be a supporter of human rights if we do not actively dismantle the culture of silence that surrounds sexual harm. Our commitment to human rights is only as 81 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:27.360 strong as our commitment to the most vulnerable most vulnerable among us. the foundations that I'm citing. So, fundamental uh human rights. To understand why SAM is a human rights issue, we must look at the universal 82 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:44.399 declaration of human rights. UDHR sexual violence violates several articles that serve as the bedrock of a civilized society. Article three, the rights the right to uh security of person. Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and 83 00:32:44.399 --> 00:33:02.159 security of person. Sexual assault is the most direct vi violation of an individual's phys physical and psychological security in Morehead. Uh security of person must mean that our parks, our campuses, our homes, our spaces, our safety, not sites, not sites 84 00:33:02.159 --> 00:33:18.559 of trauma. Article five, freedom of degrading treatment. No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment. Sexual violence is by definition degrading and cruel. By supporting survivors and prioritizing prevention, 85 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:34.720 we are upholding the city's moral obligation to reject inhumane treatment in all its form. Article seven, equity before equality before the law. All equal before the law and are entitled 86 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:50.559 without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. Human rights intersects here through access to justice. Part of our work this month is to ensure that survivors in Morehead, regardless of their background, genders, or status, receives equal protection and 87 00:33:50.559 --> 00:34:07.440 are met with belief, not skepticism when they seek help. So, our call to action for Morehead as a community, our role is to bridge the gap between these high-minded ideas and the reality on the ground. This April, let's commit to 88 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:22.720 visibility, ensuring that resources for survivors are accessible and widely known through the city. Educate, supporting the programs that teach consent and healthy boundaries as fund as a fundamental human rights accountability. Fostering a culture 89 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:38.960 where survivors feel safe to speak when they are in the community um where the community holds itself to a higher standard and conduct. In closing, human rights are not abstract concepts founded only in intentional uh in internal 90 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:54.800 treaties. They are lived in the streets of Morehead. By honoring sexual assault awareness month, we are not just raising a flag or wearing a ribbon. We are defending the inherent dignity of our neighbors. Let us make Morehead a city war. Secure security of a person is a 91 00:34:54.800 --> 00:35:17.320 reality for everyone. Thank you. Okay. So with that, I'll move on. Do we have any regular business to discuss? Okay. In our subcommittee reports, education and outreach, 92 00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:37.119 we just totally swept over that. So, I want to take a minute to let that sink in and say thank you and also put that on the radar that 93 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:53.839 there are serious issues in Morehead with sexual assault and with how survivors are treated. Uh, knowledge of the system. uh especially when we're looking at um underage 94 00:35:53.839 --> 00:36:09.520 victims. So, I want to put that out there. There are issues. That doesn't mean I have an answer, but I want to honor that it's there. >> Yeah. I just think it's important for us 95 00:36:09.520 --> 00:36:24.800 to just acknowledge that as a community there's different areas where human rights can and will and are violated. and we want to make sure that survivors do have a voice and in acknowledging that we have resources in the community 96 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:42.320 and you know just navigating those areas. I do understand like human rights it it accompanies so many different areas and when those things are violated it's just a violation to the whole city. So, we just want to make sure people feel safe and also know that there's 97 00:36:42.320 --> 00:37:04.800 resources and supports here and as a commission uh wanted to make sure we are supporting those areas. So, do we have any up andcoming events? So, Oh, go ahead. No, not an event. I'm waiting for the 98 00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:20.240 next section. >> Oh, okay. any Okay. >> Yes. Yes, we do have an event. Um, within the 21 counties that I serve in Northwest Minnesota, there is a group 99 00:37:20.240 --> 00:37:38.800 called Growing Our Local Leaders and you are one of our wondrous firstear alums. Yeah, I'm talking to you. Um, it's a great program. So it is a cohort program and uh 100 00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:55.599 it started two years ago. This is our second year and the cohort looks totally different than folks who lead in Minnesota. I don't know if anyone has looked at the Minnesota Compass uh Bush Foundation report, but 101 00:37:55.599 --> 00:38:11.760 for folks who are leaders, former leaders in Minnesota who serve on boards and commissions, a lot of them don't look like me. A lot of them don't look like folks uh who are in the majority. And so what Growing Our Local Leaders 102 00:38:11.760 --> 00:38:29.280 does is open up for folks who might be from different backgrounds. That could be poverty, that could be race, that could be any of the protected classes that Fair Housing was talking about. Um, and ensuring that everyone has the 103 00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:46.240 opportunity and the skills to go and lead in their community because folks folks want to lead in their community and sometimes it's just an invitation that's missing. uh learning about Robert's rules, even if we don't use them all the time, but 104 00:38:46.240 --> 00:39:01.839 learning about the systems that are in place and how to navigate them and ensuring that there is an openness. And I'm just going to quickly read this. Uh growing local leader learners explore how they can serve as change makers 105 00:39:01.839 --> 00:39:18.320 within their comm communities by serving on boards and committees or in other meaningful ways. It empowers participants to become effective, authentic, and compelling leaders however they choose to lead. So, we do have our cohort graduation coming up May 106 00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:35.359 2nd, and we have invited commissions from each one of the counties to come to represent and to learn about folks who are there ready. I think what we continue to hear is there's nobody to lead lead. There's no one to serve. 107 00:39:35.359 --> 00:39:51.839 We've got 20 folks who are ready. So, I want to extend the invitation to people. It will be at Shooting Star Casino from 2 to 4:00 p.m. May 2nd, which is a Saturday. We'd love to have you. We'd love to have you there 108 00:39:51.839 --> 00:40:08.960 for dinner and for you to hear our our graduates leadership stories. They're very powerful. >> Awesome. I have a question. So, if there are people in the community that are interested in participating, is there uh do you know when the next cohort starts 109 00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:25.839 or where can people find information about that? So, this is something that I'm wondering what is allowed on on our human rights site. you know, is the fair housing 110 00:40:25.839 --> 00:40:44.560 information there? Sexual assault resources. Um, growing local leaders, what definitely they can go to University of Minnesota Extension page, but how do we get the the word out to 111 00:40:44.560 --> 00:41:00.079 folks about the opportunities and things that are happening? to are you are you wanting to like include more events that we discuss here at the HRC to have it on the the website? >> Yes. Do I need to make a motion? >> No. >> Okay. 112 00:41:00.079 --> 00:41:15.440 >> No. No. Um I will I will look into that with our new website and see what we can do and how we can maybe add some links and information for some of these different programs and events that um would be beneficial for the community to see. So 113 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:29.920 >> awesome. Thanks, T. Um I believe a while ago the education and outreach I think at our last meeting so a while back um we discussed like having a social media page or something like that for outreach. Has have we has anyone 114 00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:50.480 discussed about that like recently? Not that I'm aware of, but I think we should probably get something on the books to kind of meet and talk about maybe the logistics or the legalities behind that. Um, you know, like monitoring it, setting it up or, you 115 00:41:50.480 --> 00:42:06.640 know, what what would be most appropriate because there's different channels like, um, I think LinkedIn is like that's like my new Facebook. So, uh, but maybe not everybody's on there. um or Facebook that may be good for some 116 00:42:06.640 --> 00:42:24.079 groups but then maybe other people are utilizing other stuff. So I think it's a great conversation to see how we can expand the outpouring of information especially uh new items or like just community stuff. Didn't sorry Sam didn't 117 00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:40.640 you send out Tanya um a everyone picked a date of when we were going to meet June 2nd. >> Yeah. And I'm wondering that's a a longer session. So perhaps on that agenda we could put this piece as well. 118 00:42:40.640 --> 00:42:55.520 But also in the meantime if you could just check and see if having some of these links I mean even if under the meeting notes if there was a pl I I'm constantly writing notes and trying to look it up on my phone while people are talking. So if we could even just have 119 00:42:55.520 --> 00:43:12.640 you know links to events that were presented tonight or something like that. Um and if there needs to be any kind of disclaimer fine sure. Um, but I think that would be something we could talk about on in June or at our thing 120 00:43:12.640 --> 00:43:28.800 unless that's too far out. Just an idea. >> No, I think I think it will take time and I think if we try to push something or rush it, it it could be done sloppily. So when we do have that session, we have an opportunity to kind of like talk through it and maybe we'll have more informations about like the 121 00:43:28.800 --> 00:43:47.920 legalities or logistics. So we'll come kind of prepared with information. So great idea, >> the plan. I was just going to add that if social Yeah, we can talk about it at the workshop, but yeah, we've had that discussion for several years now. It's 122 00:43:47.920 --> 00:44:04.960 just a matter of capacity and who would run it. And I know that Tanya does a really good job of sending information to the city that is put on the social media website and the city calendar. So, thank you for doing that, but we can certainly discuss other ways 123 00:44:07.200 --> 00:44:22.480 And I know the award committee has some stuff. >> Yes. Um I'm sure most of you saw by now. Um the call for the Destiny holiday award nominations has been posted. Uh and the dead so if you can please go out 124 00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:38.160 and share that with everyone um in the community that would be really appreciated. Uh the deadline for submissions is May 11th. So, we did get it out a little bit earlier this year, which I think is really important. Um, then the recipient is to be notified by 125 00:44:38.160 --> 00:44:55.200 May 29th, the award presented at city council on June 8th. Uh, and I did want to bring up to the board, um, two years ago, this just kicked off, I think, in 2022, um, or maybe it was 2023, I don't know. 126 00:44:55.200 --> 00:45:12.560 um we had a group of individuals in the community who would receive the nominations and help choose who the selected recipient would be. Um I didn't at that time I I felt like it would be better handled outside of HRC um just 127 00:45:12.560 --> 00:45:29.520 for appropriateness. Um and last year we didn't have enough nominations, hence why we sent it out earlier this year. Um, so last year we it was yeah, we only had one nomination. Uh, so since we got it out early this year, I am expecting more nominations. And my 128 00:45:29.520 --> 00:45:50.720 ask to this group is does anyone else have ideas on a fair and equitable way to say we got a whole bunch of nominations of a group of people that could help vote on these? Didn't the didn't the one year wasn't uh 129 00:45:50.720 --> 00:46:07.200 uh all the nom all the nominations were sent out without names so you had to judge just by the qualifications that way. >> I mean I still think that's fairly fair because then you don't know who that person is unless >> you personally know that individual but then you might have that. But 130 00:46:07.200 --> 00:46:23.680 >> how was what was the method like? Was it like a >> they like they like covered up the names >> form or something or >> I think it was email >> and then >> it was just email but I mean more so the group of people that are going to choose the the person who's going to receive the award. 131 00:46:23.680 --> 00:46:39.040 >> You're talking about having a committee to review. >> Yeah. A review committee to pick the person. Um I mean >> how was it comprised last time? Like how has it been comprised? like are we is it cherrypicked or you know what I mean or 132 00:46:39.040 --> 00:46:54.480 >> Yeah. No, we had a group of individuals >> from how there was identified um connected individuals in the community that were asked if they would review and they said yes and so the applications were given to them just because of 133 00:46:54.480 --> 00:47:12.319 the significance of the award um needing um you know that that kind of um perspective. So that's why so um there are a few people that were connected to HRC that were asked to do it and they said yes. >> And I know last year um I had reached 134 00:47:12.319 --> 00:47:27.680 out before we realized we only had one nomination. And the reason I'm bringing this up now is because I did I only got a response from one person. Um so I feel like that committee we we might want to go back to the table and and reestablish that committee. 135 00:47:27.680 --> 00:47:43.920 I I know for like the what you were referring to with having the uh me email out with them being redacted names that was I believe for the HRC awards and with the Destiny holiday award the first year we had that special committee last 136 00:47:43.920 --> 00:48:02.240 year. Um I we only had one nomination like I I I um I know what you're referring to, Jen. We had like a separate group of people that were able to review the nominations and >> picking uh Jonathan Jud and then we had 137 00:48:02.240 --> 00:48:19.359 um the de andi person from MSUM I don't remember their name Jared Pigeon um and then the couple others uh but like I said last year when I was trying to outreach ahead of time I didn't really get much of a response. So, um, yeah, I 138 00:48:19.359 --> 00:48:36.160 was just wondering like how people were being selected, but I think, um, a sim in a similar fashion with individuals that might, you know, be able to look at that, but I mean timewise, would it work to like be able to gather those 139 00:48:36.160 --> 00:48:53.760 individuals like to do that? >> I think you emailed them out. >> Uh, yeah, I sent an email asked if they were interested a couple weeks before we got the nominations. They said yes. I said, "Okay, I'm going to send them to you on this date and I have to have a response from you by this date." And I had them agree to it before that time. 140 00:48:53.760 --> 00:49:10.319 And it worked just really slick. >> I think I think that's a great idea. >> I just need new people. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like how who like Yeah, I I I have no suggest like I'm always volunteering on stuff so it's like hard for me to like find somebody 141 00:49:10.319 --> 00:49:27.440 else like oh uh I don't know. Um but yeah, if you have if you have some folks in mind, um I think that would be a great uh opportunity for them to engage in this process. >> That nomination deadline was May 9th. >> May 11th. >> 11th. Wrote it down. Thank you. 142 00:49:27.440 --> 00:49:42.160 >> Yep. May 11th. >> So if you guys have any ideas of who you would think would be appropriate to serve on that outside committee, you can email them to me and then I can communicate with you, Jen, on getting that together. >> Yeah, that would be perfect. 143 00:49:42.160 --> 00:49:58.640 Just a suggestion because we have some new leaders on the commission. Maybe include those if you have the capacity to be on that review committee as well. I'm talking you know Commissioner Ellis or Commissioner um 144 00:49:58.640 --> 00:50:13.920 >> sorry I'm blanking tonight. It's Wednesday Commissioner Diva or you know just either one of you with the perspectives that you have I think would be great. >> Diva. >> Yeah. And I was that's me girl. Oh, okay. I was trying. I was like, I've not 145 00:50:13.920 --> 00:50:29.680 met this person. >> You do know me. Um, I was thinking folks who might have been part of Birthing of a Diamond, um, Destiny's nonprofit and folks who knew her work would be 146 00:50:29.680 --> 00:50:48.960 awesome. And that would take some digging. Well, why don't we try to um do some digging and send Tanya um people that we are able to find. I work at a computer 147 00:50:48.960 --> 00:51:05.440 all day. I can do some digging. Um so yeah, if we could just um I'd like to ideally what is the date today? The 15th. Um if by the end of next week we could have if you find people or you want to nominate yourself or volunteer 148 00:51:05.440 --> 00:51:21.440 um email Tanya and then by the end of next week I can outreach to the group. Does that work? Um if all those come in to Tanya do is it okay if I just go with that group and and we >> Oh yeah. No I have no opposition okay to that. 149 00:51:21.440 --> 00:51:36.480 >> I'll make sure to >> um but on that note just wanted to like throw it out there. So the the city the city is uh working with uh MSU MSU 150 00:51:36.480 --> 00:51:54.160 M with the Junth celebration. >> So that will be presented. I am helping them with that in a separate capacity but then also kind of like HRC type too. So if we do want to uh still present 151 00:51:54.160 --> 00:52:10.400 there that would be great because there will be a stage and and so it ahead of time check your calendars if you would like to uh take part in that. Uh it will be on guess what day? June 19th. So it 152 00:52:10.400 --> 00:52:27.599 will be at MS MSUM. So information is being pushed out too. So it might be two two presentation type or >> that's what I was thinking because it's already written on the nomination form that it'll be presented at human or at the city commission, right? >> It's already on there. 153 00:52:27.599 --> 00:52:44.000 >> Yeah, that's what we have on the the form for the fact that we weren't quite certain if there was going to be an event or what the process was. What my thought would be is that we could present it at council because that's kind of a really nice recognition and then we could really promote the Junth 154 00:52:44.000 --> 00:52:59.520 event for June 19th at the council meeting and then also recognize the recipient at the Junth event. I definitely agree with that because I know it it was a lot of uh moving pieces 155 00:52:59.520 --> 00:53:17.440 and logistics and so since the dust is settled, I just wanted to make sure everybody knew that that was something that was in the works. >> That's awesome. >> So, I'm glad to hear that. >> So, if you want to participate, >> sign up, register, connect your organizations. Um, 156 00:53:17.440 --> 00:53:34.000 uh, what else? So, we have the awards. Was there any more on the awards? >> That was it. >> Okay. Uh then we have also uh community meeting uh community development block grant. The city of Morhead will be giving an overview of the community development block grant funding with an 157 00:53:34.000 --> 00:53:49.359 opportunity for citizens to provide input on the development of the CDBG 2026 action plan. Uh this is going to be Monday, April 20th at noon at the loop fireside Commons. 158 00:53:49.359 --> 00:54:06.359 Yay. And then I believe they have a a opening like a ribbon cutting on the is it the 18th? >> Yes. So on the >> Yeah, on the 18th. So I'll be there with a lot of kids. So >> cool. 159 00:54:09.839 --> 00:54:27.040 >> Any anybody else have any >> um business? >> Okay. Off of the leadership opportunity, the growing local is great. I just wanted to add on May 13th, WC West Central Initiative will be in Morehead to do a one-day leadership training uh 160 00:54:27.040 --> 00:54:45.119 if anyone's interested from 9 to5 and it's it's great to give you some tools if you're interested in that. It's on their website. um you covered the library one which is great but I just wanted to um with the discussions happening within our city regarding 161 00:54:45.119 --> 00:55:02.400 immigration and questions and a lot of the conversations surrounding around that. I myself don't have updates but I know that there's a committee that's meeting to discuss those um updates and the ordinance as well as housing stability which I know we had a great 162 00:55:02.400 --> 00:55:17.920 presentation. Thank you so much, Kelly, for that presentation. Um, those things are on everyone's thoughts right now. That is one of our big bigger discussion points as a community. Um, just wanted to add that 163 00:55:17.920 --> 00:55:32.559 because >> it is concerning of human rights. >> Okay. And I I do apologize because that was like my big that was like the big uh opportunity to kind of share from that space because I am a part of that 164 00:55:32.559 --> 00:55:49.200 committee. Um so I did watch the city council meeting which does have a lot of information about the different partners that were brought in to like talk about different areas and how we can come together as a community. and me being the chair of the HRC, I was kind of 165 00:55:49.200 --> 00:56:05.040 there as u an, you know, to be able to kind of provide a perspective as well. Um, but since I identify in a bunch of different areas, um, I was able to kind of utilize my voice in those spaces. One thing I did uh one thing that I thought was very beneficial that came out of 166 00:56:05.040 --> 00:56:21.040 that was uh you know just like uh they they have uh like a flyer or one page uh information that they uh been putting out to community and some issues were brought up about you know we have the different languages in in the community 167 00:56:21.040 --> 00:56:36.880 and how some of that it's being translated and just the way it was looking a suggestion that I had made was uh providing different uh platforms terms for information to be put out because uh we did have an educator there 168 00:56:36.880 --> 00:56:52.960 who kind of talked about the numbers like with the kid with kids and um they did see a regression in attendance when everything had started and but they did see like the numbers kind of go back up and one area of concern they were 169 00:56:52.960 --> 00:57:08.799 talking about was you know if something were to happen um are people's information updated in those systems so that way we do have a solid person that could be contacted. What are some of the school procedures 170 00:57:08.799 --> 00:57:23.839 in the event that there is a presence there at the school? What what are some of those spaces? So the bringing in different community partners did provide some information and also the resource 211 they were working on updating that 171 00:57:23.839 --> 00:57:40.240 information so that way uh with all the different resources that are available in the community people that are doing boots on the ground uh supporting individuals. Um there has been some talk about uh uh two immigration lawyers that 172 00:57:40.240 --> 00:57:56.319 are working specifically um with like immigration that could kind of go go into like the that that can that work specifically like with immigration. So what I will say is I think it's important for people 173 00:57:56.319 --> 00:58:12.240 to maybe go back and look at the city council meeting. They have some very specific information in there about all the different programs that um you know that are being open. They did talk about some stuff that uh like looking at some 174 00:58:12.240 --> 00:58:29.040 funding with CAP LP and then also looking at how but I think it was like a $25,000 but with that you know there may be some pe some gap areas. So we're actually really leaning on community. I haven't received any emails personally 175 00:58:29.040 --> 00:58:45.680 about specific areas that they would like for me to bring up and so I do highly encourage community if you have information that you would like to be brought up or ideas or thoughts to be taken into those spaces please reach out so that way you know they say closed 176 00:58:45.680 --> 00:59:01.599 mouths don't get fed or you know we can't we I can't make an assumption as far as what areas we can cover. I can go in and talk from a perspective. Um but uh yeah, anybody have any other or 177 00:59:01.599 --> 00:59:18.960 >> Thank you, Madame Chair, for all the updates and information that you provided today. So, thank you. I appreciate the update. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. It was I was it was on my to-do list. So, >> I understand you you brought a lot today and especially with the sexual assault 178 00:59:18.960 --> 00:59:34.559 advocacy. So we appreciate everything that you do, especially taking on the role of helping plan Junth. Thank you. >> That's that's you know, I I don't know if people really understand the significance. You know, it it's 179 00:59:34.559 --> 00:59:52.359 >> it's it's very and I'm so glad that in 2022 it was bought to Morehead to do a celebration in Morehead and it kind of took off from there and I'm glad that it's finding new leadership to continue. So, thank you. 180 00:59:58.160 --> 01:00:13.440 Come on. Sure it catches that. Uh, coming back real quick to the um ICE enforcement and kind of the city's response. Do we know um if CAP LP just because you 181 01:00:13.440 --> 01:00:30.480 mentioned them um Morehead public service or not public service um public housing um or C County Public Clay County Public Housing? Gez, I'm struggling today. Senate passed uh Minnesota state Senate passed a $40 million um rental relief 182 01:00:30.480 --> 01:00:46.240 um act back I believe in March um for those that were impacted by the ICE um presence I guess uh do we know if any of our agencies within our communities have 183 01:00:46.240 --> 01:01:01.119 applied for any of that funding? Did they know it was available? Um >> right off top what I would say is uh as far as a more no but uh on that point during that committee uh we had the more public housing there they haven't 184 01:01:01.119 --> 01:01:17.119 received any requests or calls in need of that. So that was kind of a surprising thing when we were talking about the enforcement of that or even looking at a rent moratorum. Most of that has been down uh most of the rent moratoriums have been down in Minneapolis proper and a few handful 185 01:01:17.119 --> 01:01:34.559 cities directly connected right right next door to Minneapolis. Uh mostly uh statewide it hasn't been any an issue of people looking to put in moratoriums or things like that. So maybe it's more of a a city's thing um cuz Morehead hasn't 186 01:01:34.559 --> 01:01:50.720 seen anything. Doesn't mean that there's nothing out there but it just hasn't been reported to any of their local agencies. Same with like um I know it was like minority owned businesses or uh talk about losing business. Uh Mr. Lysath has gone around town looking for 187 01:01:50.720 --> 01:02:05.839 the lost business, loss of employees due to ICE presence initially when the scare was out there. Yeah, there was some initial stuff cuz no one knew, but it's all there wasn't no major loss or anything like that. People are back to almost business as normal according to what he's found. Uh same I think as 188 01:02:05.839 --> 01:02:22.000 Avette started uh stated on schooling when it first came out uh with ICE going to schools. Um Superintendent Lunick said, "Hey, there's before ICE even became an issue up here, a possible issue up here, there was already pre-plan uh how to deal with that if it was to come through and did make sure to 189 01:02:22.000 --> 01:02:36.880 say that, hey, we haven't had any ICE has not been into the schools at all." So, >> well then I guess I just What was the money for cap LP for that 25,000 >> that Oh, cuz I just heard it in the city council meeting. It wasn't set in that 190 01:02:36.880 --> 01:02:53.920 meeting there that I was had attended. So, it was new information to me. So, I just wanted to share that. But >> the reason why I ask is just if if it was for rental assistance or those kinds of programs, I just wanted to bring it to light that um there is other uh 191 01:02:53.920 --> 01:03:10.559 funding out there potentially that could be used. And so I I just look at the idea that if we can also utilize funds from the state that have been appropriated for this purpose um that that might be another option as well um to maybe even bolster what they have um 192 01:03:10.559 --> 01:03:26.000 or what they could get. So just a just more of another opportunity to make sure that our citizens understand that there are programs out there and to get that information to them if if they are struggling because of because of this impact that ICE had. So, just more of an 193 01:03:26.000 --> 01:03:40.960 FYI and and I guess I'll leave it to Sebastian and others to take it from there. Well, that's that's actually a great resource if that's something that's available and especially if there are people watching that maybe didn't know that it was something available that 194 01:03:40.960 --> 01:03:57.599 they can now um look into that um because I think you know uh if we look at Maslo's hierarchy of needs we need we need shelter you know and a part of that um you know with some of these unintended consequences or you know 195 01:03:57.599 --> 01:04:14.240 things that have been happening housing could potentially be an issue or may have been an issue for individuals. So, um I highly encourage community to please speak out and talk to those leaders to especially those people that are at th at those tables. Um don't 196 01:04:14.240 --> 01:04:35.200 hesitate to share share what your concerns are specifically so we can um speak or you know speak for you. any other events coming up? All right. So, we did have a we did 197 01:04:35.200 --> 01:04:52.440 cover a lot. Uh so, I just want to thank everybody for your time and attention, especially for our audience who's with us virtually and in person. Um we will adjourn this meeting. Do we have a motion to adjurnn or 198 01:04:52.720 --> 01:05:05.079 >> All those in favor? I >> I. >> All those opposed. Anybody abstains? This motion has unanimously passed.