deadline in December. >> Okay. >> Okay. It is 5:15 on Monday, January 26. So, I'll call to order this meeting of the New Human Rights Commission. Um the first item on the agenda is the election of officers. This was tabled from the
December 22nd, 2025 meeting. Um, so we have the positions for chair, vice chair, and secretary. So currently I'm obviously the chair, Katie is vice chair, and Ally um is secretary. Ellie is done with her service to the commission. So discussion about that at
all? Still feel like Well, how many people are we missing? One um he >> three. Okay. And we was there was no discussion. >> No, we had such a limited attendance
last time. >> We just felt like it wasn't [snorts] appropriate. >> Mhm. >> I don't know how you typically >> Yeah. I mean volunteers. >> Yeah. I'm h I mean I'm happy to serve as continue to serve me as chair if you guys are interested in that. if somebody
else is interested, obviously that's completely fine with me as well. Um, so we've kind of always done like, are you interested in continuing on in the position? Obviously, we don't have a secretary, so we'd have to find somebody interested in that position. Um, but yeah, that's kind of how it generally works. You take n like motions to
nominate. >> Yep. >> Well, you have something >> just >> go for it. >> Housekeeping rules. Um, do each one separately. Uh, and then you do have to call for extra nominations at least three times after you've made the
motion. Uh, and then you can approve or deny that motion after it's done. So, go through each one separately. >> Okay. Thank you. [snorts] >> Well, I make a motion to nominate Kristen Springer to be chair. >> I second that nomination.
>> Do we have any other nominations for chair? Hearing none. One more time. Do we have any other nominations for chair? Third time. Any other nominations for chair? All right. With that, I'll approve. Say
I. >> I. >> I. Same sign. That motion passes. Unto vice chair. I'm willing to continue on as vice chair. Um, but I'm also willing to let
someone else take that role if they would like to give it a try. >> Any thoughts? >> I I motion to nominate Katie as vice chair. I'll second. >> Do we have any other nominations for vice chair? Any
other nominations for vice chair? Any other nominations for vice chair? So all approved, say I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. That motion passes. Katie will continue on as vice chair for this year. And then the third position is secretary. Ally Lee served as
secretary previous to this. She is actually done with the commission now. Um, so we would need somebody else to be the secretary. Does anybody have a wish to do this? >> It's cuz I have the pen now. Just [laughter]
>> I mean that that could be something we could table for the next meeting just because we'll have more people there. So, if we could table that one to the next meeting and then see if there's anybody else who had a desire to be secretary. It's really
easy. I've done it before. >> No volunteers. >> No volunteers. >> I'm happy to be interim. >> Okay. Do we have a motion to table that? >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second.
>> Any further discussion on that? All approved say I. >> I. >> Same [snorts] sign. That motion passes. We'll table that till the next meeting. Um, next item on the agenda agenda is the approval of minutes from the 1222 meeting which are attached. Um, just
give you a minute to review it. Let me know if you have any questions or comments or concerns about those minutes. Any comments or questions at all? And as you guys get through it, when you get done, I'd entertain that motion to approve those minutes. >> I move that we accept the minutes.
>> Do you have a second? >> I'll second. Any other discussion on that motion? All approved say I. >> I. Fine. Those minutes are approved. And then we have our budget report. So we have the 2025 budget report review and
then we have the 2026 and they are both attached. And I believe all of the expenses from 2025 should have posted on the 2025 budget at this point. So, we used about 56% of our budget in 2025
and then our budget for 2026 is $9,000 and that's attached and we haven't used any of it yet because it's only the 26th of January. Any questions or comments on those? Okay, waiting. No motion for that. Um, so then we're down to the events
committee. So the human rights award. So we did extend the nomination deadline that was approved the last meeting. So it was extended to January 23rd and we do have five nominations for the HR award this year and they are all attached. I don't know if you guys had time to look over them beforehand or we
can just review them separately. So what the first one is for first choice pregnancy services um and that is attached. Second is for Ivy House. which is the crisis nursery.
Third is for Ally Gibbs and individual. Fourth is for the Grand Center for Arts and Culture. And then the fifth is for Betty Ulling. I don't know if I'm saying that correctly, so ap Okay. Apologies if I'm not.
And she's also an individual. If the uh individual uh nominations are short, would you mind reading those? >> Yeah, absolutely. I can read all all of them. I >> sure >> just kind of wanted to summarize. So, we'll go I'll just go through all four of them or all five of them. Sorry. So,
first one is First Choice Pregnancy Services. Um so, that was submitted by Lorie Schmidt. Um she nominated first choice pregnancy services because it exists and works to support women and families choosing life for their children. The most important human right is the right
to life. No other right ex No other rights exists if one is not alive to pursue their dreams, education, career, family, happiness and more. The least protected class is the unborn and helping women choose life for their babies preserves the family and the advancement of all human rights. An unexpected pregnancy is often met with
shock, joy, fear, lack of support and more. First Choice Pregnancy Services offers a safe place for women and families to find answers to questions about pregnancy, abortion, parenting, relationships, and so many other subjects that come up in the lives of women and families. The staff and volunteers meet the clients where they are in life with no judgment on current
or previous decisions. Their footwashers foot first choice Pregnancy Service has has served individuals and families in Brown County and surrounding communities for 15 years. In 2009, a group of concerned citizens gathered information from a report from the min to the Minnesota state legislature and saw that
there had been a 777% increase in abortions in Brown County from 2007 to 2008. There was [clears throat] no pregnancy resource center within 30 mi of NewA and none within 60 mi offering limited obstetrical ultrasounds for the confirmation of pregnancy. A plan was developed to open a pregnancy resource
center in New offering free services to women and their families before, during, and after pregnancy. First pregnancy services opened in 2010. FCPS has continued to grow by adding programs and serving more people. In 2024, FCPS served 176 clients, performed 57
ultrasounds, 49 pregnancy tests, and handed out thousands of diapers and assisted families by wing welcoming 35 new babies. In 2025, staff and volunteers have already served over 200 individuals. 18% of the population. FCPS serves are Hispanic and 10% are African-American. Clients may be single
female headed households, non-binary individuals, unmarried, married, or same-sex couples. Services are not based on income. Any female interested in learning more about fertility or seeking a pregnancy test is welcome at FCPS. All services are free. Before birth, pregnancy test, limited OB ultrasounds,
STI tests, relationship training, fertility educational, medical management. During pregnancy, prenal and pregnancy education lessons, child birth classes, mentoring, material, material assistance and referrals. After pregnancy, Mom talk Tuesday, Mom Group, parenting classes, continuing mentoring, referrals, daddy boot camp, material
assistance, first choice pregnancy services supported by individual donors, various churches, and fundraising efforts by the staff, board of directors, and volunteers. Approximately 20,000 of the annual budget goes towards baby supplies each year. Women and families facing unexpected pregnancies often consider abortion when their
finances are strained. This is one way FCPS can support families to choose life by offering basic supplies and financial assistance. Families are allowed emergency assistance once a month. Otherwise, clients earn their items by completing educational lessons, attending health appointments, meeting with a mental health counselor. FCPS
empowers families to earn the items they need and become better parents in the process. FCPS partners with other nonprofit organizations in New Brown County, Numis House, Ivy House, local schools, and New Center. When New Center ceased offering prenatal classes, FCPF staff stepped in to provide the
necessary necessary class with new NUMC physicians joining the class to answer questions. FCPS is a valuable member of the community and participates in the health and wellness expo, community baby shower, national line out festivities, and welcome to new home event in the fall. First Choice Pregnancy Services is blessed to have many generous and
like-minded individuals who support the women and their families by being served on a daily basis. that one. Second one is for Ivy House. Um, so that was submitted by Ally Gibbs. Um, and she nominated Ivy House as a
24/7 crisis nursery. Ivy House is bettering the lives of children in our community and beyond. The children they serve belong to a protected class, not only due to their age, but also often due to public assistance status, familial status, race, and sometimes more. Ivy House provides a welcoming and safe environment for all and works to
evolve with the best practices. The Ivy House administration is always looking for ways to support their program participants beyond just basic needs. They show children joy and love while they're while they're there and after they leave, too. And we have one nomination for Ally
Gibbs. Um, so that was submitted by Jamie Fay. Um, she nominated Ally Gibbs. Ally is someone who is always fighting for the rights of others. She helps people to see what they wouldn't normally see and proudly stands up for people who need it. Ally is active in the community for the cause of equity and inclusion and
weaves it into everyday conversation she has on a regular basis. Ally makes me a better person every day and is well deserving of this award. And then the Grand Center that was submitted by Jenny Walters. She nominated the Grand Center for Arts and
Culture because I would like to nominate the Grand Center for Arts and Culture for this award. They are the only organization in town that I've ever seen with a cultural equity statement which is I believe attached if you click on it. They openly and I can do that in a minute. They openly acknowledge systems of power and oppression against
particular groups and of individuals and actively work to provide programming and showcase arts and culture that bring to light and fights against those systems of power and oppression. In their program they in their programming they are extraordinary. See if I can get that to open and it won't let me open it.
It's a restricted site. Oh, sorry. got ahead of myself. They are extraordinarily welcoming to all individuals. Each week they provide live music in the cabaret that is sometimes not the typical live music heard around town and they do not charge the public to attend these performances. The artists featured in their gallery
and the artists and the residents are a wide variety of backgrounds again providing a unique experience and added benefit to our community. Because of their mission and actions, the Grand Center for Arts and Culture is a perfect fit for this award. And I cannot open their cultural equity statement. It's restricted.
>> So, should have checked that. And then the last one is to um for Betty Euling and it was sent by Eileen Byrech and she nominated Betty. I nominate Betty Euling for this human rights award. Betty dedicated her
position as ECF coordinator for district 88 for the betterment of every young child in this community as well as their whole family. She created educational opportunities to strengthen the well-being of humans from birth through parenthood. She gave time as a district human rights office as well as authentically always demonstrating great
respect for the equal human rights for her employees. Please consider Betty's lifelong work for our children. So those are our five nominations. So it's awesome to get so many. That's the most I've seen in a while. So that's really that's really good.
>> What we've done in the past is we've brought them to the meeting and then the next meeting we will have a vote um like we can all vote on paper and then decide who will receive the award. >> Do we have further discussion or questions on the human rights
nominations or award? >> Well, as I was saying before the meeting started, it's good. I think it this proves the point that we were making that December is probably not the best time for the deadline for submission. Um so I'm glad that extending it longer,
you know, opened it up to more nominations. So >> we'll definitely have to going forward. I believe I found the statement um on the grant. Our mission to enrich community life through arts and cultural education and experience to support local artists by offering opportunities
to develop and um demonstrate their artistry and uh oh there's more um statement on cultural equity
um access, diversity, equity, inclusion to support arts and culture for all at the Grand and in New. We believe that fulfilling our mission in includes ensuring all artists and community members are made welcome and provides opportunities in our spaces. As such, the grant commits to championing
internal policies and practices of cultural equity that empowers a just, inclusive, equitable organization and community. >> Thank you. Any other discussion or comments? I think that's a really good point to
remember for the next one that the holidays are not a good time because look I mean that we got five was amazing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. January probably maybe that same time next year. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. All right. If nothing else on that, we
will bring that to the next meeting and we'll vote and then pick a nominee. Um and then education committee. So Chris Dalton is here to discuss issues raised during the vision impairment session and of the living without limit series. >> Welcome.
>> Thank you, Commissioner President, commissioners. Um just wanted to kind of give a quick update on some of the items there and kind of a discussion on how to move forward with some of the other items just as uh how to keep them moving forward. Um so kind of going down the
list is how I received them. um more park and wreck um and or community organization activities for something like that. Um Joey would be open to having discussion whether it's him coming here or you at another meeting kind of discussing what you think those
ideas to be and then a small no more than two of you meeting with Joey to kind of discuss and go over those items and then you can bring them back to the commission and Joey could be present at that. um I think would probably be the best course of action for something like that. A lot of that probably doesn't
need council approval just because it's more day-to-day operation kind of things at least for the activity portion. Um if there's somebody in there that needs to go to council, we'll bring it to council. But I think just making the recommendation to to Joey, I think would
be the best the best way to move forward with park and wreck activities. Um >> can I sorry can I ask a clarify question? So when you're talking about meeting with Joey, is that just to initiate the process? I mean because I don't think that we're probably equipped to make any specific recommendations.
>> So can you just tell me more? So meeting with Joey, I mean I would have maybe at your next meeting, you know, putting that on your so you as a group can have a discussion as far as what items you would like to kind of bring forward and then kind of bring some suggestions to
him and then have him kind of vet some of those suggestions and maybe look at other options. Um because again, you know, the the general information we got was, you know, for more inclusive um park and wreck activities. what is that? What would that entail?
>> Um, you know, in your mind, what what activities would you like to be included? Um, you know, I can say when we look at upgrading our park and wreck equipment, those that's taken into account as we update. So, as parks get refreshes, they do have more inclusive equipment. But if you're looking at
specific like um let's say after school activities or park and wreck activities, that'd be something if you have ideas, you know, brainstorm and then bring those forward. Stuff we can look at. Um, I have a question. >> Yes. >> Um, was there was that geared towards
adults, older youth or younger kids? I mean, was there it was it kind of across the board that they need more activities or >> I think Yeah. What age level? Yeah, it was um I think that came up from our our uh our young contributor on the panel that there's there's adaptive
rehabilitation services that does a lot of things with young adults, okay, >> older teens and young adults, but there really isn't anything for um children, >> okay, >> that is like inclusive across different disabilities. So, >> I think that was as I recall um from the
panel what was what was meant by that statement. >> Perfect. Um there's no more questions on that. I want to move down to uh voice option options for automated lines. So I did have it look at that. Currently um our
phone system doesn't have that option or have an option for that. So it is looking at a third-party um solution. Uh if we do get a third party solution, our phone operator doesn't support that. So if something
happens um there'll be there'll be issues but nothing we probably can't uh overcome. So looking at something probably in 2028 um because it wasn't budgeted. So we'll do the research this year potentially look at um putting it
in the budget uh if we can find a compatible um software and then we can get that in for 2020 the 2028 budget or no 2027 budget 2027. Um so um adjusting the audible volumes on
the crosswalks. Um we contacted our engineer contacted MINDOT. It is currently at the loudest volume setting. Um and they don't uh there's not an option other than what's currently there. Um so I'm assuming as newer technology comes through maybe that'll
go up and we pass that information along to MIDOT that we have gotten feedback that not 100% audible. there, you know, for some uh so I'm assuming as they improve that'll that'll get updated. But um if
it's still an issue, we can keep on bringing that issue up to mind. Um but as of right now, it's at the loudest setting. I wonder Carl if that has been a concern and I wonder if some of the reason that it's maybe more of an issue in New is because we have a highway with
big rigs going through town and idle you know stopped at a stoplight that you may not have at a >> another absolutely right the biggest issue >> intersection for uh me traveling is center street
>> the truck traffic is loud and uh idling is loud mode and walking, excuse me, walking down the sidewalk to the intersection. Um, when it's a heavy traffic day, it's difficult to uh hear that audible
signal, but I understand that if it's at the loudest setting. >> Yeah, I mean, we can try and still work with Mandot. I mean, I've heard it where it's blurring in my ears in other cities, and I don't know where they have the speakers or if they have multiple ones. Um, but we can continue to look at
it, but as of right now, that's currently where that item where that item would sit. Um, including adaptive guides u for new home events, you know, specifically for food trucks um at facilities like Bavarian
Blast and October Fest. um we can do the research on our end and get you a list of the organizers for those events. Um so you can kind of put together that recommendation. If you do need to get in front of their boards, we'd be happy to assist you with that as well. Um you
know, while we allow them to do their events, you know, sometimes on city properties, it's really their event and would be an expense to them to potentially do something like that. So meeting with them would be the best way and we can get you a list of those contact information so you can reach out.
>> Yeah, I think that if you didn't I don't know if you saw the video but >> of the the panel, but it was very interesting. Like you wouldn't think about if there's a bunch of food trucks, how do you know what they have on their menu or what food trucks are even there and all of those things we take for granted when >> we can easily see and navigating around.
And I'm thinking about how hard it is to navigate down Center Street during October Fest as as a as a cited person. So >> yeah. >> And then I missed this portion in the video. Um where increasing options for
transportation outside Newm. I don't know where you would start that one outside of looking at Ubers and Lifts and things like that. We do allow Uber and Lift, you know, in in the city. Um, you know, I think on the city side
of things, you know, getting the Herman Express, getting people to and from hospital in in inside the town is kind of our our main focus, but looking at H Heartland, they I know they travel throughout the county. Um, and that's still available. And with Herman
Express, they're actually more available um because people are taking Herman Express instead of the, for lack of a better term, dial a ride. Uh, and Herman Express is a little bit cheaper. Um, so, you know, be happy to continue dialogue with that. You know, if you have
specific options or something um that you'd like to >> I think it was around like, oh, if I want to go to the River Hills Mall in Mano, you know, if the Heartland Express only goes to the end of Brown County, well, we're at the end of Brown County. [snorts] So, I think it was just that like having more access to even just be
independent. >> Okay. >> Um, I think that was the specific example that was given. And I think Monica maybe >> I think it's good to keep it on your radar too like understanding that we only you guys only have like perview of the city but just if something would come up that would be something to keep in your back pocket of like oh if we
could work with you know the county or a larger group that no perfect >> um communic community education regarding pedestrian rightway I mean if you have anything you want to do a stuffer that you want to put in our
utility bills you know be more than happy. Um I know we did, you know, do the zero tolerance, um which is again pedestrian safety. Um we'd be more than happy to potentially host something like that. Um and it should be fairly easy.
So um no concerns, just open dialogue, you know, of how you want to how you want to do that and you know, really what you're looking for on the pedestrian ride ofway kind of things. Um, but that's something we could do um can assist you with. Um, adjusting the
curb levels downtown. Um, that's a that's a fun one. Um, will be doable at some point in the future? Absolutely. Um, so we did get a couple calls on this uh last year or the
year before and we ended up putting out um the bumper strips out in the downtown kind of as a pilot project to see if it will work. Um, I can tell you one of them is already ripped off from snow blowing. So, um, that's been fun. But they were just glued down at that point
as a kind of let's go stop gap. Um, to see if it works. Uh, and Carl, if you want to chime in, if you've been able to notice them, uh, as you're walking through downtown. Um, so that's kind of a stop gap at this point.
The issue um that we'll have is at least bringing down the sidewalks is they're a lot of the downtown they're currently the top of the steam vaults so can't bring them down. uh at this point in time is a standalone project but in the near I would say in the future we are
going to redo the entire downtown streetscape and that'll be the time that we'll do all the major improvements you know whether it's bringing down curbs whether it's you know installing actual um uh the bumps in there you know
correctly as it were uh and making those improvements at that time um you know I would say it's probably within the next 5 to 10 that'll that'll come to come to fruition. Um, but you know, again, happy to work with you, Carl, you as well to
see what those improvements that's going to be a whole community project. Um, and a huge undertaking because I think there's there'll be big changes to that streetscape and everything down there when it finally happens. >> I think one of the issues as well is the uniformity, >> okay,
>> throughout the community. projects happen at different times in different neighborhoods and downtown and u there isn't really much uniform and I mean they all seem to have a different slope different the pedestrian ramp ends
differently in some places as opposed to others in some places there's a bumps other places there's not so it's just a matter of getting used to um knowing that there's going to be less consistency and would be um
something that would be good, you know, for someone with no sight that's not used to that sort of thing >> in different neighborhoods. And I can send I can have the city engineer um put together um
I would say I would say an email that I can forward to everyone on the commission because that is part of the compliance that we have is the ADA compliance for our sidewalks and neighborhoods and eventually they will all get to a point but it's when we're doing the street project and stuff and
re doing a reconstruct to to do them um and I can kind of get you a timeline what's been done where we're still going. I know downtown is on that list for us to to do as well. Um but again, happy to have that open dialogue, you know, about stuff. If you if there's
very specific um intersections andor walkways that you feel are a little more, let's go, dangerous and or not, feel free to email me those and we can take a look at those and we can let you know where they are on on the schedule um to potentially fix at that point.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I think that that was the last item. I think that was the last. >> Great. >> Uh that was Oh, and then um Oh, the last one. Uh enforcement of hedges um hanging over the sidewalks. Um we currently do
that on a complaint basis. Again, if there's very specific ones, um let us know and we'll go out, you know, right then and there. And they have seven days to to fix it. I know there was one on Fifth and uh Fifth and Franklin that had a pine tree that was kind of hanging
over. They got their notice um to take care of that and trim that up. Um so again, if you see something or you just let us know and we'll take care of it. Um we'll send them the notice. >> Do they just contact the city? Just call
city your office or >> Yeah, they can call my office. Um, usually, um, it'll be the engineering department is is where they would go. Um, cuz that's where the the the letter will come from, the engineering department. Uh, but if they contact me, we and they just give me all the
information, we can I can send it to them as well. >> Thank you. We appreciate you going through the list and I think we learned so much from that session and it's you know it's not for lack of like caring or sometimes you just don't know what you don't know
until you learn it and then we can just you know some things take time and some things we can do right away. So >> appreciate the cooperation and education >> and if you have any follow-up questions you know anything that comes up you have my contact information feel free to feel free to reach out. All right.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. That brings us to other business. >> What do we want to talk about? Education committee. I do have an update. >> If you have an update on the next living without I got some dates worked out the library and I sent out the inquiries and
I've got panelists and then one of the panelists can't make it for a couple months. Sounds like she's expecting. So that's super exciting. Um, so I'm wondering if maybe we could swap in the um autism >> one instead. Um, and so I think I might
need a couple more people. I think there were a couple people identified, but maybe if you have suggestions, I had to go back through my email and and kind of relook at them, but um maybe you could send them to Lisa Pasle. >> Okay. >> The new ones. I think I feel like you had one.
>> I think I did. >> I think you had one, too. Um, but yeah, if you don't mind looking back again, just because it's >> now buried so far deep in my email and >> I'll look. But, um, >> if that's okay if we just kind of swap the plan because >> had it all ready to go.
>> Okay. >> Easy when you're ready to implement. >> It's a really good reason. It's a really good reason for being busy, but >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. So, if anybody has any other suggestions for somebody who might be want wanting to be on the panel for autism, you can also reach out. It doesn't have to be somebody that was suggested before.
>> No, but Yep. Absolutely. Get those to Lisa and I will reook at some dates because Yeah. >> That's too bad. >> But it's good for them and certainly. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um, so other business, Mayor Kathleen Becker is going to share information that she received while attending the National League of Cities conference regarding leading with dignity. Well, I found it rather I'm going to um pass some information out
u for you to take a look at while I'm talking about this. But what I found rather disappointing for our society that at a national level leadership has opportunity to attend sessions on
learning how to agree or disagree with dignity. And there was more than one session on that topic. And I'm just going to read the uh through the uh intro uh paragraph here. The title is building skills for
dignified disagreement. And the paragraph is honoring someone's dignity can be difficult especially when situations get heated. Follow these steps when stress arises and join the
movement with others working to ease divisions, prevent violence and solve problems by choosing dignity over contempt. I will read the six uh suggestions. I
won't get into the detail on those. And then also on the other side uh it has rankings of your feelings. uh one being the worst and uh of course number eight being the best. Uh so they suggest to be
curious not furious to regulate and then debate to listen to understand not to respond. To challenge ideas but not to attack
people. to acknowledge knowledge, build up rather than tear down. And again, I reiterate to be adults, leaders, elected officials attending
sessions on how to serve and to interact with people with dignity. On the back side, I'll just share number one being the worst of situations and that is to say that they're not even
human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us. And we were giving given different situations, case studies, and then to rank them one through eight. and none of them reached
an eight. Uh but we did get some that were we debated between a five and a six or a six and a seven. So number one and then number eight is each of us is born with inherent worth. So we treat
everyone with dignity no matter what. And uh [clears throat] this all just resonated with me. The entire room was euphoric when they were uh listening to the speakers and giving examples. And um they had a second session the
following day which I also participated in. And then there was a a third session and that had to do with those of us who are candidates running for office and again to be a disagree better candidate.
And then reversely they have uh be a disagree better leader. And like I said, it's unfortunate in our society that at where we're at and we're so sophisticated with animation, robotics,
everything that's going on on our society. And yet in human relations, we seem to have basically lost it. and um hoping that we can find our way and wanted to share this information with you being a human rights commission that I see every piece of this information
that they share with us an important way to to learn how to disagree and have respect and dignity uh for others. >> So, thank you for the opportunity. >> Very, very good information. I'm just curious what what would be an example of
like a case study that they that they gave you that you that you ranked? >> Oh, I wish I would have brought it with you, but they were rather lengthy because we were broke up into groups and we had to discuss them. But basically, let's say that somebody came with an
issue like we were just talking about um oh, I guess not the conversation here, but we were talking about um an individual that there's two different opinions about remedying a situation.
And on this side, somebody in leadership basically, we don't have it in our budget. It's not relevant. >> Uh like they don't matter. Mhm. >> And just cutting off the conversation and saying, you know, basically wanting to move the agenda forward. >> Sure.
>> And um what would you do in that situation if you were the leader in the room sitting at this table and would you ask uh the chair to reconsider uh that and to give some more dialogue to that
issue. So, um just dismissing uh a situation or an ask. >> Mhm. >> And um of course understanding and giving pausing and saying but where did this come from and try to process it and that's that's what this is all about,
>> right? >> Yep. >> Yeah. Very good. >> Who's the who are the intended um or who are the attendees I guess for this for this uh conference? Sounds really interesting. Is it >> uh this was the uh national league of
cities and so the uh city manager uh the uh city council president and two of us uh well mayor and then a council person uh all attended it and and that's who it's for. um Ben C but can be provided,
you know, to really any situation in leadership and um there you can get some more information and kind of poke around to at their website to see if there's something that would be relevant as far as a citywide um opportunity here.
>> Yeah, I think that's >> it's really good information just considering like you said how polarized we are right now and we seem to have difficulty communicating between sides. So this is I mean something definitely to consider. It's really it does really resonate even
when you just kind of read through the the different levels. Thank you. >> Oh, thank you for allowing me to present that information. >> Okay. Um next we have the legislative update. Does anybody have anything they
would like to bring forward? Okay, hearing none. Um, city council lison, that's Carl from January to March. Do you have anything Carl to update us? >> I wasn't able to give a listen to the council meetings themselves, but didn't um hear anything in the U agendas that
when I listened to them that jumped out at me. So, I I would say unless Mayor Backer has something that she would think was relevant to that, um I I don't have anything >> for January.
>> Thank you. >> I don't have anything relevant, but I think uh the um addendum item uh may update us with some information that might be relative. >> Yeah. >> Great. So, the date of our next
regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, February 23rd. Um, as the mayor mentioned, we do have an addendum. >> Journal. >> Don't adjourn. >> Don't adjourn. >> Don't adjourn. Got it. Okay. >> Sorry. [laughter]
>> So, we make a motion to >> suspend the >> We make Okay. Okay, I will make a motion to suspend [laughter] adjournment and uh move to our addendum item. Okay, do we have a second?
>> I'll second. >> Do we have any discussion on that? All approved say I. >> I post same sign. So that passes. So I'll move to our addendum. Um, so we added this addendum um, just immigration
enforcement in the new area. Um, just with everything that's going on, realizing that we're a city council, not a state council, but just wanted to discuss and I see Commander Borchard's here too, so if you have updates, that would be great. >> Thank you. Um, Madame Chair, members of
the commission, my name is Dave Borert. I'm the chief of police for the city of Norm. And um I was just aware of u the addendum so I just prepared some some notes just probably start the conversation. >> Absolutely.
>> Um so with your permission I'll just I'll just start off by saying that um as far as we know in Newm had any ICE enforcement regarding this this recent campaign. Um, I did have a
report that they were in the city on the but they were at the quick trip on the north side and they like literally they saw them like they were grabbing some they looked like potato chips and snacks and stuff and they literally drove out of town. So they I think they had just
stopped, fueled up and um literally went to some other enforcement campaign. We haven't been in contact with them. They're not required to contact us normally. Usually in other years that's somewhat not not if they're stopping at
Quick Drip, but I mean if they're doing an enforcement campaign generally they'll contact local law enforcement usually a week in advance, but this is somewhat of a unique situation. Um but we again just to you know clarify that we haven't had anything to my knowledge
in Newm in Brown County. Yes, but not not new. So, just as far as ICE, um they are federal law enforcement agency. So, we can't interfere with their legal process if they're
making. So, they're in charge of immigration enforcement. We can't as a so even at like as far as city of New Oralam, city of Minneapolis, sheriff's office, the state patrol, state agencies, we can't enforce
immigration. Only the f federal government can. And that's nothing new. That that's at least been in place as long as I've been a peace officer um for 30 years. we um so if we would interfere and this this comes up and that's why I
just wanted to you know if if we're anticipating potential discussion points if we would in interfere with them doing immigration enforcement it would be obstructing a legal process it's the same if they would interfere with us if
we were doing like on the side of the road doing a a DUI enforcement a DWI enforcement or um something related to that um responding to a domestic assault at some residents and they would stop us. It would be the same deal. We have
jurisdiction in this in this town. So do they because they're a federal agency. They have they have jurisdiction in basically the entire nation including territories. We have jurisdiction in New Alm, but we we also have a a state license, so we
can do enforcement um outside of New Alm if it has something to do essentially with the with the city of New Alum in some capacity. Um but we can't leave the state, you know, just to kind of cover that. So jurisdiction is jurisdiction,
lawful authority. Um if if we would find them catch them committing a crime um we would investigate it like any other person. Nobody's above the law. And um if it's a
if we needed to make an arrest, we we would I mean from my experience I've been involved with arresting another law enforcement officer, but it was when they're off duty and it was like a DWI, something like that. But again, nobody's above the law. Um, if it's a gross
misdemeanor or a felony, ultimately my arrest or whatever my findings are get forwarded to the appropriate prosecuting attorney. If it's a gross misdemeanor or a felony, that's the county attorney. And if it's a misdemeanor, that's a city
attorney. And that's by state statute. That's just who has the lawful authority. Um, I think as far as starters, I think that probably kind of explains our position and I'm certainly willing to answer any questions or
>> yeah, >> comments, address any comments. I have a question about I think where it sometimes comes up about calling local police is just if people are unsure that the person that's trying to get them to go with them or do something is actually law
enforcement because the face coverings, the you know lack of uniforms, um the lack of warrant, you know, some of those things. And so how do you know if it's they're actually law enforcement or are they >> you know some
>> couple of guys? I I I don't know. So, I think that's some of the questions I've seen about when can law enforcement get involved. I mean, can you come to a scene and establish that that those officers are indeed officers? Do you respond to those calls? I mean, that's not obstruction
per se, right? >> That that's a good question. So, that that's a very good example. Um, yes, we would encourage people to contact us. we could verify that they're in fact legitimate ICE >> um or another federal agency for that matter
>> or just law enforcement in general, you know, sometimes >> even like undercover >> um officers generally at the state level or lower. I mean, I'm not wearing a uniform today, but I'm clearly wearing a badge >> badge. You don't have a mask face mask on or anything like that.
>> Um but we we identify I mean, there's rules that we we follow on that. We're not federal agents though. I mean, that the feds, they kind of, you know, when they're doing they they answer to the federal government is essentially what what happens.
But again, that's a very good point. And actually, the case in Sleepy, there was a situation, a very similar situation that came up and there was someone knocking on the door and they were afraid that these kids didn't know what to do. So, they called local law
enforcement. They said, "We're scared. we think this is ICE. We don't know who this is. And local law enforcement responded and they handled the situation and everything went fine. In fact, later in that situation, ICE left. There was
there was no detainer, no nothing. Now, again, they're not not speaking. I wasn't there. But I do know that occurred that way. And we certainly would follow up on that and we have every right to do that. Okay. to make sure, you know, is this is this really a law enforcement agent,
>> right? Do you have the authority to ask about a warrant? I mean, one of the things we keep hearing about is administrative versus judicial warrants and like not that not necessarily having the >> name of the person some of these
doortodoor operations. Um, which would also be a good time for somebody to be an impersonator and you know, not here in >> Yeah, we we would have every right to ask that. Certainly the person does as well. Sometimes they're nervous. Correct. >> And they have to present
>> basically their warrant. Now, the administrative warrant doesn't give you access to the to the residence. >> Um, an administrative warrant, like for example, I I'll just give an example. An example of an administrative warrant
would be if I'm looking for someone and it's like, okay, I know I'll just make up a name. Joe Schmo was involved in this and I have probable cause to believe that they're involved with this situation. And I think they're a flight risk or I think they're dangerous to
society or I think that they're going to keep offending. They're on a and sometimes this happens like you know they're they're on a oneperson burglary spree and they're just not stopping for whatever reason. So an example of that would be administratively I have the
ability to basically send out a teletype that's saying I Dave Borurt this is my license. I'm the chief of police for the city of New. license, peace officer's license is 11992 and I'm I'm asking law enforcement if
you have contact with this individual to arrest them and you know I'll take care of transport and so on and so forth. We work that out with the sheriff's office and any peace officer essentially would have that responsibility. That would be example of an administrative function.
um you know the officer can't be in trouble for not doing it but they have the authority under that peace officer. Administrative warrants function the very same way. So it's administrative being meaning it's signed by like basically another peace officer and
federally that's what they are. They're they're peace officers. They're they're they're law enforcement agents. They're not judges. So that makes it administrative. and they've been they've been doing these administrative warrants and saying, "Okay, you know, I'm signing this like the supervisor signing this
and saying we have a warrant here." Well, it's an administrative warrant, but that's not the same as signed by a judge. So, if it's signed by a you know, a state judge and all of our judges, when we say a county judge, like Judge Doerty, that's a state judge. It he is
assigned to Brown County, but he's fifth judicial district. He's a state judge. it has to be signed by a judge or a federal magistrate. And you know, we have this come up. So when they talk about um maybe just to open it a little
bit more um when they talk you hear a lot about sanctuary cities and counties and so on and so forth, it's kind of makeelieve. I mean the the sanctuary. So what all the if I arrest someone
like as far as the jail function I know I'm sounding like a a real bureaucrat now but when I when I arrest someone the city of New or the city of Minneapolis or city of St. Paul, doesn't matter how big you are, you can't have a jail. The the counties are responsible for the
jails. That's just by state statute. So, the sheriff basically, so if I arrest someone, I take him to jail and I it's like, you know, I'm arresting him as a peace officer, it's for DWI or it's for whatever burglary and and I take him to
jail. At that point, that's up to the sheriff. And the sheriff is basically reporting to Department of Corrections and saying, you know, we're following all these rules. A person's got this, that, and the other thing. You they get their meal, they get their phone call, they get this, that, and the other thing. Um, it's the same for anything
like even with federal, like when we're talking about a like a state jail, when we're talking about a county jail. um if you arrest so like in in those cases again I as a state agent as a state licensed officer I can't enforce
immigration I I'd cover that sometimes I there's a detainer on this person it says this person is an you know undocumented and there's a detainer or sometimes I even like find it out like when I have a translator or something and they you know they'll share or
they'll even share it's like you know I'm I'm not here legally. I'm undocumented. I I'm responsible to report those findings to the judge and then generally because it's considered a flight risk and then from my experience they
generally double bail that but that's up to a judge. That's not up to me. And then if they have a federal detainer on them that they're they're contact and said, you know, we have this individual in our custody and you know they're in
for a DWI. Now we can't hold anybody longer than 36 hours without a without judge basically ordering it, you know, like signing off on it. So under the peace officer's authority, we have 36 hours. Federal is 72. Again, I'm sounding like
a bureaucrat, but but we have to follow the 36-hour. So, within that 36 hours, I have to release that person or again, the the judge reviews it and basically signs off and approves it. Um, when we've had the
federal detainer, we won't hold them longer than that. So, if I have them on a DWI and the judge says, "Okay, I've set bail, whatever." They're released. We won't hold them 5 minutes longer. But I mean, we're still cooperating with,
you know, with the federal government. We've told them we're not we're, you know, we're not doing like when they talk about sanctuary, it's like, you know, like we're putting a cocoon around someone. We're, I mean, we're following the rules that have always been established. And again, if they have a federal magistrate that signs off on it
or a local judge or if they come and pick them up, the the individual will be released to them. They just had that happen in Cottonwood County like I think two days ago. It's, you know, fairly recent. And they said, "No, we're too busy." Well, they chose not to do it.
So, the person's released, but they just said, "We're too busy up here in the cities." You know, again, their choice. But we, you know, we as the county or the city, we can't hold them longer than that. It's the county holding them because it's a again, it's a county jail. So we, you know, I guess not to
make it more complicated, but this actually was brought up four years ago if you recall when they're talking about sanctuary counties and cities and the sheriff's made a very clarifying point on just kind of what I discussed. We're the sheriff. We have the authority. We
can't hold longer than that. That's just the rule. >> It sounds It sounds but it sounds complicated. >> It actually You actually made it sound much simpler than I feel like. Yeah. >> Then you I feel like you made it more
simple to understand actually like that makes sense, >> right? >> Like there's a lot of just things being thrown around and I think just the basic like law and the rules. It's good to hear like this is what happens and this is what we do and this is what they do and this is what we're allowed to do and
this is what they're allowed to do. I think that it makes it a lot more clear honestly. So I appreciate that. >> Yeah, definitely. You you'll hear them talk a lot about and this is even historically they'll say well 72 hours we have 72 hours because they're very well aware of that because that's
federal requirement. So the state can't the state of Minnesota any state anywhere they can they can't take away civil rights from you. So if the federal government says it's 72 hours the state of Minnesota can't say yeah not here
we're going to go with 80. They they can't do that because they're taking civil rights away from that person. What what they can do is they can they can go the other way and they can in Minnesota they've said and this has been a long long rule. They said we're cutting it in half. It's 36 hours. That's just the way
it is. Weekends don't count. Holidays don't count. Day of arrest doesn't count. That's the same with 72. I mean those those exceptions, but we're cutting that in half. You have 36 hours. So, you have to have them in front of a judge within 36 hours or you have to cut
them loose. And we've had that where just like the judge isn't available. Whatever the situation is, we confer with our attorneys and you know, again, if they're not violent or they're not a flight risk, I mean, we we have to follow the rule. It's just that simple. I mean, we have no choice.
>> Does that help as far as answering some questions? >> Yeah. >> Does that open up any other questions? Yeah, I guess I'm just wondering where the the misconception about what a sanctuary city really is comes from or a sanctuary state. I don't >> Well, this came up the first, you know,
like four years ago. This was a very hot topic. And again, we I mean clarified as far as the sheriff's association again because the sheriffs are responsible for the jail. You know, once I've arrested someone or my one of my officers, we
take them up to jail. It's no longer our I mean, we just we don't have authority over that because, you know, we don't have a jail and we don't answer to the Department of Corrections. It's a it's a different department. But the sheriff's have to follow the same rules. They're peace officers just
like I am. Um, you know, a sheriff is elected, but if the state of Minnesota takes their peace officers license, they can no longer be a sheriff. It's just that simple. >> Okay. >> Um, so I mean, we're we're pretty rule orientated. anything else by chance that
>> I maybe you know went a little bit further than I >> but I just had wanted to give you kind of a the structure of the background >> and I appreciate so just like from personal experience I know like in my job I've seen a lot of people who are very afraid just because they don't understand because there's a lot of
information a lot of things they see happening it's nice to clarify it because there are people who are generally afraid like they're afraid to go outside because they don't understand like >> they don't understand what the rules are and they don't know what might happened to them and that's like even specifically in this community I know people who are afraid so even though
there hasn't been ICE action in the city of New's a lot of rumors flying around a lot of [snorts] paranoia a lot of fear so just appreciate >> well I really feel and and thank you for that because you know we've been working with our community members and when I say community members I I'm saying
community whether you're a citizen or a resident you're a community member you know I I don't have any distinction there you're we're here to serve you. And I've had individuals come up and it I really felt bad for them and they said, "Okay." They said, "What other
papers do you think we would need?" And they're they showed me they had their passport and they had their enhanced driver's license because they said, >> you know, they're hearing everything. And I mean, I don't know. I don't speak for the federal government, but they they're they're afraid of getting
stopped and dragged out of their car and being sent somewhere. and she just says, "Because of the medication I'm on, because of my health, I'm I'm scared." >> Yeah. >> Do you think this is enough? And there's like like literally a passport >> and you know, and I mean, just thinking
that that's happening that you have that concern in rural Minnesota or anywhere in the United States, but in Newm um it makes, you know, I'm kind of sad by that. >> It's definitely happening. Amy, we have parents who are too afraid um to pick
their kids up from school. Um too afraid to send their kids to school, too afraid to go doctor's appointments, too afraid to go to the food shelf. >> Mhm. >> Um and that is definitely happening in Newm. So I don't know what we can do. I mean, I think a lot of it just comes
from what's actually been happening to other people in other cities. >> Not just [clears throat] not I'm not saying like it's misinformation. I think it's things that have actually happened. >> And so they're seeing that and even if they're not here illegally, but they appear like
they could be, you know, some of it is that just are citizens of color that are worried that, you know, they're they're going to get questioned. I I talked to a lady who has a relative and living up in the cities and she's a realtor and she's
like literally losing thousands of dollars every every week because she's scared to show houses and she was born here. >> Yeah. >> I mean her she even has a birth certificate that says I don't know want one county or wherever but I mean
literally a county birth certificate because she was born here and she just goes I I'm scared. I don't want to deal with the inconvenience, you know, even if I I get, you know, sent somewhere, I got kids at home and I mean, and literally losing thousands of dollars from that fear.
>> Yeah. Yeah. It's definitely uh I mean, there was an interesting story on NPR or NPR, I don't know if anybody listened to it, but just the trying to get a a girl some some supplies to her house. >> Yeah. Yeah, it was like it took like
five people because all the people in her like inner ring were all worried and it was how you can pass that risk on. But um I mean this is really helpful. I think how we well I don't want to speak for everybody else. How I see this overlap with the human rights commission is just
people not feeling like they can ex access services including education, health, public services, all of these things because of what they look like. not even necessarily their immigration status, but >> just their appearance. And I I don't know if you have any suggestions for the
types of conversations we can have with our community. I mean, even not just as a commission, but >> in general or what even having like the basic knowledge is helpful to speak to, well, this is what they can do. This is what an administrative warrant means, this is what the New Police Department can do, this is what the county can do,
this is what the federal government can do. I mean, that is helpful information as we're having these conversations. I feel like not that we can control if somebody breaks those rules, but at least we have the background of, you know, you if you're not sure, if somebody's at your door and you're not sure, it's okay to call the police and say, "I'm not sure if this person is law
enforcement. Can you come verify that?" >> You can always call us and we're here to serve and we'll we'll certainly respond to them. And and like I said, track record, we've done it in Sleepy. Um, Sleepy PD handled again very similar situation to that. Um and and you know
when we're talking about again immigration never we can't enforce immigration you know because I I've you know I don't think everybody knows that >> but like this you know that a city police officer or a sheriff or a state trooper we simply can't do it. That's
you know today or 30 years ago we don't have the authority. were not federal immigration, you know, and because early on in my career, I worked in a in an area in western Minnesota where we had a large immigrant population and so they were
training us and I mean, you know, very clearly even if I examine a we used to call it a green card, but you know, when we ID card, I don't even have the authority if I'm like that's a bad one. You know, this looks kind of like a like
any fake ID. >> Yeah. >> With kids, I've often um with younger people, I've I've examined a lot of fake IDs. I can take a fake Minnesota ID. I can't take like an immigration ID like
that ever. Um the only person that can do that would be a federal agent. and and generally kind of like what Cottonwood County has, we'll contact them because we think we're, you know, we're we're doing our job. We're following up and they're like, "Yeah, we just don't have anybody here. Just, you
know, I mean, there's nothing you can do." And that's kind of the end of it. So, I mean, I But I mean, now we've just with with all the agents, it's just I think the tension is just so high. Yeah. >> And I don't blame people for being nervous.
>> Definitely. >> I appreciate that. >> Yeah. No, I don't want to cut off the conversation, but it is after 6:15. So, >> sorry. But really appreciate you coming. Appreciate the information. It was very, very helpful. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Have a good night. Um, so with that, I would entertain a motion to
adjourn. >> So, move. >> Do we? All right. Any approve say I >> I oppose. Same sign. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you all so much.