HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04c] Human Rights Commission Appointments „IL
CITY oF ST. JOSILPtC Council Agenda Item 4(c)
MEETING DATE: November 4, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: Human Rights Commission - Approve appointments to the
Regional Human Rights Commission as recommended by the
Joint Powers Board.
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD /COMMSSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Regional Human Rights Joint Powers
Board (Mayor Rassier, Mayor Kleis, Councilor Symanietz, and St. Cloud Council President Bob Johnson)
recommended approval.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City of St. Joseph agreed to be part of the Regional Human Rights
Office along with the City of St. Cloud. In April 2010 the City Council executed a Joint Powers Agreement
with the City of St. Cloud. Since that time the City Council appointed Mayor Rassier and Councilor
Symanietz to be the St. Joseph Representatives on the Joint Powers Board.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The JPA created a Regional Human Rights Office and Human Rights
Commission that provides services (outreach, education and enforcement) to the Cities of St. Joseph and
St. Cloud. The Joint Powers agreement establishes a Governing Board responsible primarily for
contracting with the State of Minnesota for services, appointing the members of a Regional Human
Rights Commission, and tending to budget and fiduciary responsibilities of the Joint Powers Agreement.
The 8 member Advisory Commission (Regional Human Rights Commission) will interact with the
Commission on a regular basis (monthly). The Commission will assist with identifying needs, assist with
identifying resources, provide advice, act as liaison with City Governments, assist with education efforts
and dissemination of information, and advise the Governing Body.
The primary duties of the Regional Human Rights Commission are outlined below:
Duties and Responsibilities:
a) Working in cooperation with the State of Minnesota Department of Human Rights the Commission will foster,
through education, conferences and public information, general awareness and understanding of human rights
issues and laws in the Member cities. The Commission may make recommendations to the Board on legislation
and policy changes at any level of government.
b) In addition to the State of Minnesota Department of Human Rights the Commission will enlist the cooperation of
agencies, organizations, and individuals in the community, and will cooperate with the human and civil rights
agencies of the other communities, in an active program directed to create equal opportunities and equal rights
for all persons.
c) The Commission will advise the Board on human relations and civil rights issues including the functioning of the
agreement with the State of Minnesota.
4(c):1
The City of St. Joseph advertised on different occasions in the St. Joseph Newsleader, St. Cloud Times
and the St. Joseph Newsletter and did not receive any volunteers. Therefore, the Joint Powers Board
reviewed the applicants received by the City of St. Cloud and recommended approval of the following
individuals to serve on the Regional Human Rights Commission:
Jodi Foster, St. Cloud
Alakhadar Yosuf, St. Cloud
Jason Lindberg, St. Cloud
Nathan Meints, St. Cloud
Rachel Wexelbaum, St. Cloud
Ahmed I. Abdi, St. Cloud
Eunice Adjei - Bosompem, St. Cloud
Cara Ruff, St. Joseph
The City of St. Cloud has acted on and accepted the recommendation of the Joint Powers Board.
BUDGET /FISCAL IMPACT: $
ATTACHMENTS:
Request for Council Action 4(c):1 -2
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Accept the recommendation of the Regional Joint Powers Board
appointing the Human Rights Commission.
4(c):2