All right. So, it is a little after 5:15 on April 27th. So, I'll call to order this meeting of the new Human Rights Commission. Um, the first item on the agenda is approval of minutes from the March 23rd meeting. Those are attached. I'll give everybody a minute to review them and let me know if there's
questions, um, comments or changes. I don't know if Kristen, you were able to answer Megan's question that I forwarded you. >> Yeah, we Yep. >> Okay. I would make a motion to accept minutes. >> Do you have a second? >> Second.
>> Any discussion? >> All oppose say I. >> All approved. It's Monday. All approve. Say I. approve. >> I >> I same sign. All right, that motion to approve the minutes passes.
All right, next on the agenda um are the budget report. So there's a review of the 2026 monthly financial report. So we currently have 100% of our budget remaining um for 2026.
We will have expenses starting to come out here with some of the events and and then we also have to prepare the 2027 budget request. The deadline to submit this is June 26 um and that is also attached. So
previously this is what we um have in 2026 and then there's the 2027 proposed in the description. So, community events and promotional materials 3,900, human rights award 500, living without limit series 2400,
um program expenses 2,200 for a total requested of $9,000. Like I said, we have not used any of our budget in 2026, but we will have expenses coming um as we go through the events that we have coming up as well.
>> What did I say? The deadline to submit this is the 26th of June. So, just um to clarify the living without limits series cuz I know we've had a couple of those. Have we we have
some amount set aside that are expenses we anticipate or do we have rental space we need to pay for or is that just kind of like in case? Well, I think we kind of um I think we kind of transitioned some of the other events, the education
event, like what we had spent on education events from previous years and just not really knowing what this would look like. >> Sure. >> Carried that over. Now that said, uh it has been the only expenses have been around >> um cookies and >> okay,
>> beverages uh waters and that sort of thing. So, it has been very uh cost effective. We haven't um you know everybody's been a volunteer panelist. I don't know and this is for the that committee the education committee to probably get together and um convene and
decide on next steps and whether we want to look at expanding this. I mean I don't know. So Kristen's been there, Carl's been there. Obey, he's been there. Were you this last one? Yeah. >> I mean you've been there as a panelist. You've attended both. I don't know going
forward. I think we do have a panel secured at least for the um developmental and intellectual delays. Um I think I have a panel although if you have suggestions I will take those as well because it's nice to have a variety. Um but you know is that
something we want to keep doing? We've heard um some feedback or requests for other things, mental health, you know, mental um illness, mental health challenges, domestic violence. Like we've heard a lot of different things >> based on the limited, you know, end of
two being the scientist, right? The N of two like is that does this do we want to keep going? Do we want to pivot to something else? I mean, I think it's kind of open because I I think part of the budget too came from the early discussion about what was
that living library or human library. Sure. >> That there would be a cost associated with that. We kind of moved away from that just feeling like we didn't have enough >> um probably enough people on on the committee to support the leg work that that would take. But >> so this was kind of
>> so yes hedger bets about something similar not really knowing what the year would hold. Um, and you know, clearly we had leftover money last year. So, um, I I'm open for discussion. I mean, I think yes, that's part of the education
committee, but I I think it's worth discussion as a committee and, >> you know, maybe not here. Maybe we move that to um a different part rather than budget, but >> yeah, I think I was just curious if there was Yeah. anticipated >> very cost effective thanks to the
generosity of our panelists and being able to be being a city commission we get to use >> the space for free and the librarians have put together nice assortments of books and all of that has been free and new's been there which has been awesome thanks new um so
yeah I think it's gen it's worth discussion like we obviously we had money left over and we budgeted for it not knowing what that would bring so we don't have to ask for the same amount we don't have to make a decision vision for this meeting, but maybe it's worth just a further discussion. I don't know if the education committee wants to do like
a sub meeting um and we can kind of talk bring it to the next meeting and talk about what we want to ask for. We I mean >> we we have a lot of availability. So, I don't want to limit us by like asking for a lot less. However, we also don't want to ask for more than we're going to
way more than we steward of of the commission. I mean, the city's dollars. Absolutely. So, >> but I think you spend them wisely and you were anticipating costs and as you look and get back into education committee, you might be looking into
2027 where you might be paying some of those people for living with limitations or maybe you want to embellish some of the things under the first category under here. I know you're going to have to change the narrative or the copy where it says welcome week was supported with a grant because that those grant
dollars out there and maybe you want to do more >> uh with you know that might be expense related to heighten the profile or the types of programming you'll provide. So uh who am I to say? Um but I do not
encourage you to go backwards on those dollars. Um, I'm really thinking ask for the same and then if you see two years in a row that the monies aren't needed, then you can maybe make some adjustments. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah, >> thank you for that. I think too what we've done now that we kind of know what
this is costing or doesn't cost. Um, things we've done in the past, we've paid for speakers, so that might be something that education can we might want to look at in 2027 of like we've tried this, we did a series, now we're going to pivot and do this. So, it's nice to have the flexibility. Um we've been very fortunate that this particular
um series is not costing us much of anything, but we want to be able to continue to offer programs. >> Yeah, definitely. And it's still it's only well almost May. I'm like what month is it? But you know, it's still early in the year and whether we continue doing something like this panel
or that's I guess that's kind of what I was getting at. Do we pivot into bringing in speakers to either augment what we've already done or expand on maybe some new topics that we either are difficult to put a panel around, maybe
they're really sensitive. I don't know. I mean, I think that's the the education committee, but I'm also curious for the feedback of the entire commission of, you know, what where they see the value. >> I think I mean, I'm super proud of that subcommittee and the commission. I
really like I know we haven't had great attendance physically in person for the living with limit without limit series but I know we've had um a lot of views on YouTube and they're they were amazing the two you guys had >> they were amazing um I learned a lot I think everybody who watched them yeah
and so I think it's super valuable and I think if we have the ability to kind of >> offer education for I mean maybe is a panel for the next one but maybe the next thing we don't have a panel and then we could look at a speaker so I think it's valuable to to like have options,
>> but I think it's super valuable to offer that education to the community and just >> things you don't even think about that when you don't live, >> you know, with that experience, you just aren't aware. So, I think it's >> I don't think we have to keep it to a series, but I think the series was super
valuable having been to two, but then we have other options as well. It just kind of depends on what topics we're looking at. And then I'm wondering, have we ever thought about putting some money behind, for example, the award? >> Got to get get the microphone. Oh,
>> hello. Is it working? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, I'm also wondering, have we ever considered putting some money behind, for example, the human rights award? >> Oh, like as a prize? >> Yeah, as a prize. >> I don't know. >> No, not since I've been on the commission, but that doesn't mean Yeah.
I mean, if we have extra funds, I think there have been years there hasn't been extra funds, but if if there is extra funds, then maybe that's something to think about. Also the um family, not the family library, the human library idea.
Um it might be too much for just people who are on the commission to do, but have we thought about putting money behind that and maybe like paying maybe members of the who work in the library or you know paying for >> for people to help instead of it always being volunteer
>> if we have the extra funds to then put on something like that. And if you did look at funds for the awards, I would just suggest that whoever the winners are that they could designate that award to a not for profit
in keeping with our mission. I don't think we'd want to have dollars go to individuals >> without, you know, just here's $250 or $500 for you to go spend, right? But that they further uh and pay it forward for something that they're passionate
about that relates to our mission would be a suggestion. >> Yeah. I in my head I I was thinking of that the winner would be a nonprofit. I just like that's what I assumed. >> Yeah. A lot of times it go it goes with uh Yeah. they're working for a nonprofit
or >> I think one of the other things that has come up in the past um Kristen last year was the family day at Vogle or sorry >> oh yeah >> new recreation center right is that what I need to call it'll always be Vogle to
me sorry >> that was one thing where we kind of just missed the the timeline and boy I don't know when they're doing another one but that's something we should maybe earmark cuz I think that participation so >> if anyone doesn't remember it was basically like the it would be open for
free anybody could access the recreation center swim for free exercise for free and we would you know partner with them to be able to um subsidize some of that cost either snacks or you know janitorials you'd like because it just is extra work for them
>> for about that true >> that's that's a good idea >> I don't No. So Liz is gone. Liz Mallaloy left. So I'm not sure who I guess we could talk to Joey and he could >> um I have a I mean I have the contact at
park and wreck or >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We could reach out and just see when that is and get more information. >> Yes. Will give us an idea about spend. >> Absolutely. >> And uh based on last year's Bavarian Blast Parade, we need to at least double our candy purchase.
>> We went through a lot of candy. the cost of candy's probably gone up. So, >> that's true. >> All right. So, options for the budget request is we could table it till next month um and think about a little bit or we could
make a proposal now. It's due in June. >> I move that we request the same amount as last year or this year. >> So, same 9 Yeah. $9,000 in 2027. So, what you have currently? Okay.
>> Yeah, I I second that. >> Okay. Do we have any further discussion on that? Okay. Um, all approved, say I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppos? Same sign. So, that motion passes and we will submit the budget request
for 2027 to be the same amount. Um, next item is the events committee for the participating events. So, these are the events that we don't host, but we participate in. Um, first is the Bavarian Blast 5K fun run. It looks like um sponsored by to be determined and
date and time to be determined. Last year, um it was an amount we donated and then we got to put um what did we we put swag in the bags, but I can't remember what we put. >> I don't either. >> I don't either. Yeah. >> And then I think the name went on the t-shirt. >> On the t-shirt and on the bag, maybe.
Yeah. >> Does anybody have She just put this on here. I'm not sure. Does anybody have any information? It's not the same sponsor this year. >> So the it was the wellness collective last year and I think they are considering it if they have enough manpower to do it again.
>> Did it Did I don't run so did it go very well? >> It did. It went well I thought. Um I think there was like at least 100, right? It was good. >> We could keep that also.
So yeah, I think was it like $100? I' i'd have to go back and like 125 or something or something like that that we just donated and then we gave them I think it was a chapstick actually. Maybe >> probably need more of those too. >> Yeah. So and then Yeah. So we can wait and to get more
information and vote on that next time, assuming we have more information. So we'll table that one until next time. Next is the Bavarian Blast Parade. that is Sunday, July 19th, um at 12:30. The registration deadline is June 30th and
the fee is $10. >> So, we have to decide if we want to participate in that. >> I think that's fun. >> Yeah, >> I don't mind driving again. >> Yeah, I think this this year we'll secure the bubble machine to my the top of my car better, but that was pretty
sweet. That actually worked well. >> Yes. Any other discussion on that? >> So, do we make a motion? Okay. Yeah. I move that we participate in the Bavarian Blast Parade for 2026. >> Do we have a second? Second. I'll approve. Any more discussion?
>> All approved say I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same side. All right. So, we can get that registration in for the parade and then we can continue to plan as that gets closer. Um, next event is the new night out. We don't have a date and time or information. Uh looks like it'll be
distributed in May. That is another event we've always um put a table up at in past years. Late late late July, right? >> Yeah, it's usually very close. They're kind of clustered. It's very close to the parade usually. >> Is it usually a Monday?
>> I feel like that's correct. >> Yeah. >> I thought it Oh, no. Yeah, it is a Monday because in other communities they do Monday as community and then Tuesday is the >> or like uh Monday is neighborhood and then Tuesday is the whole community, but
Newm usually does it Monday. >> Just one probably the 27th, I'm guessing. >> Okay. >> So, yeah, normally we've just put out a table, had all our information, um staff the booth, so a few people are at it at a time.
>> Yeah, we should do that again. Mhm. Is that a motion? >> Yes, that's >> okay. Do we have a second? >> Great. Uh, any other discussion? Approve. Say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. All right. That motion passes. We'll participate in
night out. We'll get more information once it's distributed. Um, next. Wait a second. Sorry. Did we make a motion on 4.1? The >> We're tableabling that until we get more information. Yes. Yep. Because we don't have date, time, cost, sponsor yet. So,
>> thank you. Sorry. Okay. 4.4 Brown County Fair. So that's Wednesday, August 12th through Sunday, August 16th. What we've done for this in the past is we've set up a booth in the um arena where there are boos. Um we can have discussion about it. We
had kind of talked last year, is this something we want to continue just because it's a long period of time and it's a lot of hours and we've struggled to staff it and we've kind in the past felt like we haven't had a lot of traffic or um like feedback from the community, but
other thoughts? I don't want to be the >> Yeah. No, I remember the discussion. We've actually had discussion on this for two years in a row. Um, I think, you know, we could staff like the weekend, you know, the busier days and maybe not during the week. >> Um, and it doesn't even And then even
like on Sunday cuz I think I staffed a Sunday in the a Does it go till the afternoon on Sunday? >> It does. It It's like later, not late, like maybe 4, but I think we've always broken it down earlier. >> Yeah, because in the afternoon cuz I think I staffed one afternoon on Sunday and it was kind of dead. And so in the
afternoon on Sunday, maybe we don't have to. Maybe we could do Friday till like Sunday morning or even Saturday because I think that's when you see the most traction. >> Yeah, that makes sense. >> Yeah, I agree with that. I think it's just it we're not a big enough committee to to staff that much and
>> Mhm. Yeah, I would I would either say, you know, our our resources are better served elsewhere or to like, you know, like Ohei said really limit the time were there because
um yeah, we we just don't have I don't think the people power to to staff the whole thing. >> It seems to me we had uh some discussion in our believe September meeting
last year uh relative to the staffing of a table at the Brown County Fair and it seemed to me we had some inclination to discontinue that because of the low traffic
at the table. in fact no traffic um at times and what the period I was there last year uh maybe two people >> over a roughly two and a half three hour
period and uh I can't recall if we at that meeting in September made any decision relative to staffing the table so maybe if someone has access to those minutes from last year might be
useful to take a look at uh what that discussion was. >> I don't remember us making a decision, but >> we did discuss it. Yeah. >> That's why I say I can't recall. >> We could definitely go back through the minutes and just double check, but I know I you're right, Carl. We did have a
discussion about the low traffic and there aren't many people stopping at the booth even when we are staff there. I will say this though, um, as somebody who this happened to, um, just knowing that there's an HRC presence in New makes a difference and especially
because at the Brown County Fair, there are all the political leanings and so it's nice to know that the HRC is there. So sometimes even though someone may not come to the booth cuz my mom said the same thing. She's like, "Wow, it's so impressive that new has an HRC." And I remember thinking the same thing. So
people look and they go, "Oh, I didn't know mom had an HRC." So they may not stop. They may not engage. They may not even take anything. But just having a presence I feel is still meaningful. And a lot of people go to the Brown County Fair. So I do think it's still meaningful to just say, "Hey, we are here."
>> Um, so that's my counter to being there in some capacity. >> Sure. >> You can leave the booth. I mean, we can set it up and leave the signs up and leave the information there. So even when it's not staffed, it's there and people can see it even if there's not
somebody to engage with. >> Yeah. And maybe there's some sort of engagement stick to to get people in. You know, I know, you know, there's some where you spin a wheel, you answer a question, you whatever it is, maybe there's something like that that we could do that would make it a little bit more interactive
and draw people in cuz I probably a lot of people don't have any idea what we do such that they're not even going to stop because they don't understand. But >> location of the table would be something we could look into where it would be nice to have some input >> pass by
>> to that. And so just for reference, I looked at the notes and what we wrote last year was not much traffic, fewer booths than last year. Um trying to assess the commitment level of participation before signing up to have a booth. Um because I think a lot of it
was unst it was unstaffed a lot of the time. Um yeah, decision does not need to be made at this time but something to think about for next year. Here we are. We did kick the can >> today what you can talk about tomorrow.
Right. >> Well, I mean I have been in that spot too like you said Ohei where um people will will pause and stop by and say you know thank you for what you what you're doing. They don't necessarily have um have a whole lot to say, but they do
like to at least stop and and give a quick comment or thank you. >> Yeah, >> I was going to admit that last year I was out of town for the whole Brown County Fair, so I didn't volunteer. But
this year I'm in town, so I'll be there if we need to. >> Well, I will be out of town. Well, there we go. You did your time last year. >> I'm out of the country. Sorry. >> I think we could look at like what are the key times we want if we're going to
do it. We don't need to put a volunteer schedule out for all of the days. We could target like maybe the first night to set up and maybe for a little while and then whatever days that we think are heavier, times we think are heavier >> cuz we kind of narrowed it down last year, but we could certainly narrow it
down more. Does the Brown County do they provide does the county fair commission or whatever whoever puts this together do they provide any sort of metrics on >> I don't know >> highest I mean even just knowing the highest attendant whether they go through the
>> I would I would say probably Friday's kids day right >> and then >> demo derby >> demo demo derby >> and concerts >> concerts usually Friday night I don't know Yeah. >> Yeah. Maybe we can figure out that
>> mask. Yeah. And then we can use that to kind of tailor >> Yeah. >> when we want to have it staffed. >> We'll be back Saturday, so it might be >> very tan. >> Yes, I do. I think Sunday is very low attendance. >> I think that we could probably kind of
wrap it up Saturday. >> Everybody's kind of grabbing their their projects and >> their mini donuted out. Yeah. >> Had all the snacks. >> Mhm. It's a lot of good snacks.
>> Any other discussion on that? Um, do we want to bring that back in May or do we want to make a motion on that today? Sounds like maybe we still have some homework to do on if we can get some of that data from I mean high level like
what day is your most attended day? What what's the general schedule? >> Yeah, >> they probably would have that. I mean they've got to have some of that already figured out. >> Sure. >> So table it. We'll get as much information as we can and bring it back in May. >> Would the events committee be tasked with that then?
>> Yeah. Well, yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Or I could reach out to I could I mean that doesn't have to be a committee. >> Okay. Okay, I can reach out and try and figure it out. >> I'll ask some questions. >> What would the decision be whether or not to participate? >> Good question. >> Or um if we agree it's important to have
a table, we we could decide that today, but then leave the staffing and the logistics of it all till another meeting. >> Yeah, good point. >> Yep. Absolutely. Um, well, I'll make a motion that we do have a table with a limited amount of
staffing, TBD. I know that's vague, but um I here I make a motion that we consider days between Wednesday and Saturday, not Sunday, and then kind of the hours and staffing from there um based on the
schedule. Okay, >> second. Do >> you have any other further discussion? All right, that motion passes and then um the events committee can work on as it gets closer kind of figuring that out, we can bring it to the next meeting as well. >> All right, so >> vote.
>> Oh, not today. >> Carl mired. Carl, you're hired. >> Ritz rules. I'm so sorry. All approved say I. >> I signed. All right, that motion passes. So sorry.
I was already on to the next one which is the Southern Central Minnesota Pridefest parade and festival which was in September September 10th through 13th and the parade information will be posted by June. We have participated in this parade in the past. Um so far we've
only ever done the parade. We've never done the festival as a commission. I think kind of same situation of just staffing and can we support something at the festival. So we've done the parade in the past. Last year, um, we gauged interest and there weren't I think there weren't
enough people in town. Yeah. >> During the parade, so we ended up not doing it. >> Um, so I think maybe it's one of those things again where we kind of look at, you know, who's available at that time. >> Yeah, I remember that we ran, we didn't have enough people. Everybody was kind
of had further or other commitments. >> Is it usually Saturday? >> It's usually Saturday morning. The parade is usually Saturday morning. So, and I think that's a tough time of year for a lot of people with kids like back in school stuff. Yeah,
>> it's probably the actual parade the 13th. It would be then that's a Saturday. Oh, no. 12th. >> 12th. 12th. So, the 12th it would be. >> Yeah. See, and I already know I have a wedding that day.
>> Yeah. So, we can circle back on that one for sure when it gets closer. I know the registration for that is later, so we have some time. We can bring that one back to the next meeting. All right. Next item, city council less
on. That's me. Um, there was nothing in the city council meetings other than they talked about the budget request, which we've already discussed in item number three. Uh, current human rights issues. Does anybody have anything they would like to
bring forward? >> Okay. Hearing none, the date of the next meeting is Monday, May 25th. And with that, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. Do >> we have a second? >> Second.
>> All approve. Say I. Nice. >> All right. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you. >> I don't know if it's too late. What day is Memorial Day? >> I was just going to say >> I think that's I think that's the day. Oh, that is Memorial Day. Oh, yep. It's not too late. >> Good catch. >> Good catch.
>> I know Memorial Day is early this year, but that still seems like it would be >> 20. >> Yep, that is Memorial Day. Good catch, Carl. Okay. So, the date of the next meeting, what I can do is I can have Megan um look at some possible dates
because we're going to I think we're going to need to meet because we have some stuff that we're going to need to decide before June. So, I can have Megan look at some dates um and put that out there of like what dates work for people and then we can reschedule the meeting. >> So, I'll have her do that tomorrow and then people can look at it. >> Okay.
>> Thank you for that. Okay. With that, this meeting is adjourned. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you guys.