UNEDITED AI Transcript: Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission - April 21, 2025

11:01PM Apr 21, 2025

Speakers:

Keywords:

Civil Rights Commission

public meeting

agenda adoption

meeting minutes

commissioners roll call

ordinance revisions

public comment

community engagement

George Floyd proclamation

vendor diversity

administrative support

justice impacted training

email issues

resolution drafting.

Do you get me a little bit more time? You all set ready to go? Wonderful. Good evening, everyone. My name is Alyssa green. I am the chair of the Civil Rights Commission, and I'm going to call this meeting on April 21 to order. I want to welcome everyone to join us this evening, and this meeting is public and subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law at this time, I will ask the clerk to call the roll so we can verify a forum.

Chair green here, vice chairs Tonya here, Secretary Gore here, Treasurer Salazar Amy Berk was commissioner Berkowitz here, Commissioner Radford here, Commissioner Brown is absent, Commissioner Burns, Commissioner diamond Morton here, Commissioner Ferguson here, Commissioner fine, Commissioner Jones here, Commissioner Mohammed here, Commissioner pendulum Each. Commissioner shot, Commissioner Scott here. Commissioners, absent. Commissioners, Commissioner Stratton here, and Commissioner Wagner here.

Let the record reflect that we have a quorum. Commissioner the agenda for today's meeting is before us. May I please have a motion to adopt? Adopt the agenda? Is there a second All in favor? Any opposed, Any abstentions? The agenda is adopted. Next is going to be the acceptance of minutes from the March, 17, 2025, meeting, may I please the motion to accept those minutes. Thank you. Is there a second All in favor of discussion? Oh yes, absolutely, yes, absolutely,

absolutely. And I think this is a great moment to sing the praises of the unrecognized and unglamorous work of being Secretary. It's really hard to do minutes and to do a good job with them. And I know Commissioner Lord was absent from the last meeting, and I don't remember who volunteered or was voluntold to take minutes. So thank you to whoever that was. And I don't mean this as any attack, but that's like a cleanup, because this is a public facing document, I would suggest that at the top all the commissioners names should be listed as they normally are, at the top of our agenda and at the top of our minutes, and then under roll call, all the people, all the commissioners in attendance should be listed. And then throughout is kind of customary to use either chair as a chair, green or commissioner and last name. And that's not consistent throughout the document. And again, I understand taking minutes in the moment and all of that, but just there are a few moments where it's either just a last name or just a first name. And I would just ask that the that get amended to, do you know, commissioner or Chair, Vice Chair, whatever, and last name. And then finally, just a little and this is really just to clean up in terms of clarity under item five discussion on the second page. I think what would be most helpful is to do A, B, C, D, E, according to the different items that were under discussion in the agenda. Otherwise it just gets kind of confusing to track and follow. So that would mean that item A is federal actions related to civil rights and impact on commission the draft reports the United Nations would fall under that and then B would be civil rights ordinance, revision C, finalized, etc, etc. And then under that item A, there were a couple of motions that were were brought before the commission. And it's not clear from the notes that that happened, like in certain moments, like under draft report to the United Nations, it should say at some point that there was a motion. And I think this comes on page three, where it says city attorney to help edit the document with Commissioner Bergquist. There's it says Commissioner Scott motioned, or it should be made a motion, but motion that we submit a report pending resolution of six that is proposed by the city attorney, Commissioner Salazar seconds, the motion, it should say there that the motion was adopted, and it doesn't say that. So it's just a matter of clarification that I don't know what the AC civil rights department is standing for. But then there was an additional motion on the resolution, and it's not clear, because it's kind of buried underneath the UN report. It should be, like bumped out a couple so that it's clear that there was an additional motion on a resolution you know, that that was presented. So it just needs a little little bit of clarification for transparency, say, for the public, so that they can tell what happened, so that you know, Commissioner Burke was presented draft resolution. And there was discussion, and there was a vote, which that just needs clarification. And then finally, with respect to the reports piece under standards and procedures, I just, I don't recall this, but like to me, it's not accurate to say there are no concerns still outstanding about the standards and procedures and the changes to the ordinance. So I requested that just be struck or or because it just, I think we did discuss that there were still concerns. Okay, we have a chance to talk about that later today. Sounds good. Sorry for taking so much time,

especially for somebody, if somebody's jumping in to like, take notes, if somebody's out of Commissioner Lord is out, that's helpful, that everybody knows how to do those. I know Commissioner Lord, you were not here last time. What is the best process about amending those minutes? Commissioner

it sounds like you had enumerated list. Would you might just send me those updates,

and then we can move to approve those meeting minutes at the Next meeting. Right?

Okay, so then we will move on to our presentation. So item four on the agenda is a presentation from our city council members. Lastly and Chavez to present a new civil rights ordinance. Additions. Welcome. I

we've been here lots over it. I'm seeing you all see

the language that we posted online for a while now. So we at least want to reintroduce ourselves and create some childhood. And the city council member.

I'm council member Robin wonsley. I represent Ward two and co author this organized by Council Member Chavez. I guess

some of the updates, we just wanted to at least let you all know. You all you all know this value, but we for sure, did not include immigration status as a protected class. That was a conversation that we had multiple times we want to bring forward, and it is something that we were really passionate about, but it was really difficult to include it because we have a separation ordinance in place in the city. And the last thing we want to do, specifically in the current climate that we are in, is to accidentally collect data or out someone's documentation status, and by us trying to protect more immigrants in our city, we felt like in this moment, we didn't have the right pathway to ensure their safety if we were to include it in the ordinance, so we decided to take a pause in that specific component. It doesn't mean that we're not interested in figuring out a creative way to add this in the future. That is something that we are supportive of doing, but we do not feel comfortable adding it in this current ordinance, particularly in the climate that we are in, and then potentially violating our separation ordinance by asking people's documentation status so at least once in place. But you all know that, as I included in this particular ordinance, it is still something that really matters to Councilman wonsley, and I, you all know this already, but we did include height and weight into the protected classes. We did add housing status and then justice impacted so that that is those are included in the ordinance. And we at least want to make sure that you all knew that. And yeah, I mean, that's just a couple of introductions that I want to start off, but Councilman wants to say a few words too,

thank you COVID. It all. We just want to also just say thank you all for being patient in the process. And of course, we are here to answer any outstanding questions, especially as we're moving into the last stage of the legislative process of this ordinance this week, but they coming before the pH as our public health and safety committee this Wednesday for a public hearing. It is my understanding that while the commission has not taken a formal position, of course, any individual Commission member can send a public comment period or come and participate if you have the free time to do so at 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon to come speak or give input about the ordinance. But yeah, we want to make sure we touch base with you all again as we move through this later stage. So yeah, just wanted to say thank you all for supporting us in this work of almost over near a year, and finally getting to this place where it's almost at a completion. And also thank you for our staff for also supporting this work too. And

then we specifically. Want to just thank you all for your engagement in this particularly, I hope you see that the Commission advocating for language was included height and weight was not something that Councilman wonsley and I were considering, but this commission brought to our attention, and we included it, and that is something that I think is really important. I've been seeing it all over social media over the weekend, which means that committee members in Minneapolis are finding out about this, and this was not going to be the ordinance, unless you all advocated for it. So I think I want you all to know that, because I think it's important that when we come to these commissions, and it's made me as elected official, realize that I need to come more to these commission meetings, to these committees, because these are residents of Minneapolis are literally trying to give you advice, give you input, and you are trying to make sure that you can hear as many people as possible. So at least, wanted to make sure that you all knew that, like, your voices really matter in this process. And customer wonsley And I really take that very seriously in this job, really seriously, so we'd like to do

more. Thank you. Any questions from the commissioners? Go ahead.

This, I actually, I actually had a question on one. I just physically didn't understand a piece of it, and I just wanted to make sure I understood a part of the ordinance. It, gosh, there's so many numbers in here. It was, okay, let's see. What

would this be? It has the letter B in front of it, but that's probably not very helpful

language section.

It's on page 13, and it is a lot things here.

Does that have a reference point, like each one of them that will have neighborhood land sales?

It's it's B, property rights and public assistance, one, so it says provisions of Section 130, 9.4, E. And I honestly just didn't understand this section. I wasn't from where it says b2, 1234, 1234, wasn't really sure what that meant.

I was tracking with the whole rest of the document, but couldn't understand what this was, yeah. So yeah, employer may not make no

other property rights. I'm

sorry. And this is not new.

It's okay. I'm just, I literally just didn't understand it. Question.

Chris, Cao, okay, sorry. Alex,

yeah, that's that's fine.

So there'll be a follow up on that that was already in the ordinance, but we're

happy to be helpful.

I saw hands up.

Can you, first of all, congratulations, like this is a huge step. It's really exciting to see this, and I know you and your staff have been working really hard, so that's awesome. Can you tell all of us beyond trying to attend on Wednesday at 130 in terms of public comment, is it just sending you all an email, or is there like a form to fill out someplace? Or how do we go about providing that additional input to the proposed changes. Yep,

there's a public comment section that we can provide an email to, just to make sure that you know how to publicly do that. That's public comment gets emails to every single city council member that has access to it. I also recommend that you reach out to your council member if you have specific like concerns or comments, everyone has the right to email your officials. Alyssa and I had a conversation, so we're gonna likely make changes to the hidden weight component based on the feedback that we're getting from you all. So there is ways to have that conversation. So I recommend within your public comment component, if you can make it in person, submit online, we'll get those emails, but also just email city council members. You

any other questions. I also

just want to echo the congratulations and thank you. Thank you very much for attending and showing up here. It means a lot to all of us to have this collaboration and this connection. So thank you so much. We appreciate it. Yeah. Thank you so much. If there's no further questions, we're ready. Yeah, it's public now, so yes, yes, that is my wife that is on the list.

Yes. So which, which piece back to, like origins, language that perspective?

Yeah, I think so. I mean, I don't, I guess I don't know if we have to. We already wrote our support of it was last year in a letter saying that we supported height and weight, housing status and immigration status, and we did not formally endorse or support just as impacted. Said we status. We asked first people to come in to share more about that with us so we could learn about that. And the first time they were able to do that was a meeting or two ago when the ACLU showed up here. So we did not, as a commission, formally support that measure, but the other two pieces that they're adding, and then I believe some procedural pieces as well are being changed. But yeah, I I've been sharing that my social media, my personal social media, not necessarily on behalf of the commission, but just as an individual. I've been sharing that information out. And I'm not sure who runs the commission, social media. I know we have like a LinkedIn page at some point. I don't know who's doing that, but do

we never cover that? Think there

was, like an email and a password issue at some point.

There's also a whole thing with the city's social media policy and technically, the commission. So there's a some issues with the city's social media policy, and so the commission isn't actually supposed to

have its own independent social media

Okay, folks are aware, but

yes, I have seen it on the city's page, the Civil Rights department's page,

Instagram and Facebook.

So yeah, if you're on any of those, please share

those people moving

into our discussion. It's actually probably going to be a continuation of this conversation. Again, the public hearing for these new ordinance additions is April 23 Wednesday at 1:30pm during the public health and safety committee meeting in council chambers. I believe it's room 350 upstairs. Is that correct? Yep, I know. I will be in attendance. I would love to see anybody else there again.

What is this thing?

What is name of this building?

This is the Public Service building that is the Public Service Center,

honestly, thank you, because I would have showed up here. Thank you very much

over there.

Yeah, I know I will be in attendance. I know at 130 on a Wednesday, is difficult for a lot of people to attend. If, if this is still accurate, it sounds like the actions from this public hearing will move to the Council on May 1. So things would be moving pretty quickly. I believe I'm

confused which building is the Public Service Center,

the City Hall, or somebody, it's right across the street from City Hall, so County Courthouse, well,

they used to be called the Public

Health building, and

it needs to like Google map that, because I'm gonna forget. Yeah. So any other discussion around the public hearing? Any other questions that people have? I know Commissioner Burke was asked like, what else can we do? I think submitting a public comment is a great idea. Reaching out to your whoever your city council member is.

Yeah. Any other thoughts and

again, just thank you all for participating in this. I know, I know for new commissioners, this was not, you know, something that they were a part of as a lot of this started last year, but we're glad you're here to be a part of this and get to celebrate this with us, so to also take on to that piece, which can kind of move into this is wanting to discuss some outreach events for the rest of the year. I know previous years we've had different events, like on a sign up sheet for tabling, that kind of thing, community engagement. And maybe the community engagement team will have something to share about that too. But I just wanted to start a discussion on any potential outreach events that are coming up, any opportunities that you all may know of kind of just wanted to open the floor to that conversation you.

A couple things. One for community engagement. Are we going to be participating in the George Floyd horizon? Remember,

we absolutely can. Okay, I'll

give for email or that to you then, or it would be under the community engagement tab. So would it actually be our community vendor? So it's free of charge. And then open streets rise, remember? And then open streets is, there's multiple sign up locations this year, starting the summer. Those are already available sign up for and those are all, think those are pretty much, like $45 or something like that for us to do. And I think they have like six, six open streets events this year they're doing, yeah,

and is the city going to be at either any of those events? I know in the past, for ease, sometimes we partnered with the Department to show up as a commission. Do you know is that on your radar at

all? I can speak to that. So Minnesota Housing will be there. Actually, the city isn't fully involved or helping, so it's but it would have to be individual tables. It couldn't be in a collaborative effort, if that helps at

Twin Cities pride, we have the Corum village and so we can actually put stuff in our booth. We have tables, all of that kind of stuff. That would be an opportunity. If that's interesting. Oh yeah, it's the last weekend in June, which is, I should know this already, 28th and 29th

so we are planning to get fired this year. Some more details to follow for sure. But I think the other thing is, we are hiring a person that would do a lot of our community engagement involvement. So I'll be sure to put all of these ideas to that person and making sure the

communications Commissioner Smith, when is the horizon? Remember then?

Excellent.

Any other thoughts on outreach events, any ideas that people are aware of that would be a good space for commissioners to show up at

and just send me an email through the city, email that we're supposed to be using, if you have, if you think of any as in between our meetings, I know we obviously only meet once a month. So another item that we have for discussion, which could very much include an outreach event is, since this is the 50th anniversary of the pianist Commission on Civil Rights, wanting to discuss how, how we might celebrate that, how we might show up for that, I would like to turn it over to Commissioner Bradford to share a little bit about maybe what our committee talked about in honor of that, but then any Other thoughts can come up as well.

Evening everyone when workforce and contract compliance, that earlier this evening, that was the not single agenda topic, but talking about the 50th celebration, because workforce the commission has been around 50 years, celebrating 50 years, both of those areas, workforce and contract compliance, are areas that are worth recognition and celebration. And one of our fantastic committee members came up with a wonderful well as a committee, as a committee to share, to share, the celebration of your awareness and your desire to educate others, came up with a great acronym that we will use as our guiding principles around the dynamic of informing the public, or for part of the celebration. Anyway, the acronym is a so clever awareness celebrate and educate, and we discussed what a what that would look like, and we have a great idea. I don't want to reveal it yet, to protect the intellectual property that is with this committee. However, I. I'll just say this way is a great tease. 50 years of telling a story of contracts of compliance by the city, is a story worth telling. Is a story worth celebrating, and especially in an awareness of right now, in this present moment, it is even more effective that we tell that story, and it's sometimes hard to make policy look like a real impact in the world, but we think that this idea can and it's very straightforward and simple. Who's going to do the work? We'll get to that. But this was our first discussion about it. We have some, I think, important timelines in there, so we are excited to move forward. Is there anything else I should share about the chair? Green? Okay, I'm happy to entertain questions. If there are any looks like there's none. Seriously, if you have questions, it's totally fine.

I'm sorry I was I missed last I missed a couple. I apologize. So I just have a couple or one question anniversary event. We have a time frame, date and what are, what are the logistics, as far as who can be invited? I mean, like, I'm just curious about those kind of components.

We do not have any kind of event set there's nothing set up. It was just something that is a it's the 50th anniversary. We should be doing something, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a formal event. It can be done in like smaller ways, like each committee can come up with something. There might be specific outreach events based on new protected statuses, just to kind of celebrate that. We don't have anything set in stone yet, but just wanted to start that conversation about what are things we could do,

and when's the 50th acknowledgement today?

I believe Commissioner Jones said it's just December 30.

Okay? So, I mean, we've utilized this space a couple times, right? I mean, if we're not wanting to be formal for I mean, we could just, we could invite cities union, and you know, if we're using that umbrella, per se, it's an easy way to introduce individuals to come into this space. Workforce development wise, we could be reaching out to some of those workforce development groups around the Twin Cities. So I know LISC, that's the company that I work with. For example, they have an umbrella of, you know, CAPI and build wealth and emerge and Acer, you know, these are all, you know, workforce development sites, you know, even just inviting their upper heads, you know, the Hmong, Oh, I see over in St Paul like, but it's inviting, you know, Summit Academy, but inviting all those, you know, those upper heads, and just saying, you know, this is a 50th acknowledgement, if we're talking about in the workforce development side, we're just building out that way, that's an email that the city can send out, and you get the you get great engagement. You know,

one thing you might want to consider is, one thing they want to consider is inviting some people who were on the commission early on to come speak. Bob, I don't know if you were an original Commissioner, but you're certainly one of the earliest commissioners, right? Huh? 1980 1980 I think Mike Davis, Judge Mike Davis and judge Pam Alexander preceded you, and I'm sure I think Pam, I think Judge Alexander is retired now. Judge Davis is senior status federal judge, so they're both. He's around. I don't know if Judge Alexander is in town anymore. I so she is, but I don't know who else was on the commission really early, other than the three of you. I know there are others can't hear you.

I'm assuming there's public records to show all the people who have participated on the commission for 15 years. No, I think that's a great idea, or reunion of sorts.

I mean, we also have, like Elliott Payne was on this body, the mayor was on this body. There's been a couple others that have had, you know, some notoriety. I mean, if we just gotta give a little plug to individuals, I know, the tiny Reeves has been on this body, right? She gets a lot of love out here now, Cindy's doing a great job out here, and they both are actually notable, notable names. So we, if we're talking about people who are just recent from then and now I'm here with Mr. Mike, a little bit everybody you know,

that sounds great. I

don't want to make assumptions about who would want to plan this kind of event. Is there any volunteers to kind of take a lead in planning this type of a type of. End, and it seems like maybe a December timeline might be

most reasonable.

Not much, but this is

an important event.

But guys,

a celebration of compliance, sounds like a job for the lawyers

to die. What

is that? What is that mark on the line calendar? Yeah,

we will help. We will talk

to you. Wonderful. Thank you. Love it. Thank you. I them.

I think this might be a good opportunity for us to publicize somehow, get it out about the Civil Rights Commission and tell people what. So many people have no idea ordinances. I mean, really, a lot of people don't talk about where it's been and where it's coming to but to get it out so that the news media may actually pick it up and talk about it, not just sort of have a celebration. I think the celebrations is important. And frankly, you know, in 50 years, a lot of people have died. I was a kid, so, I mean, you're not going to find an awful lot of people like judge Lang, Judge legum, served with me for a number of

years. People for a number of years. I think she's retired. Yeah, she's still around, and

there are a lot of people who are

involved, and that is two of the three main points we talked about, is you're raising awareness and educating. We do want to celebrate too. It's been 50 years, and that's that's fantastic, but let's talk about the next 50 and making sure people can engage and know what resources are available, and the work being done in this room and every day by the city and our city attorney.

So recognizing the lawyers are not the most fun one thing. And you know, I think we can maybe take this to the standards and procedures to take a look at it, but in terms of raising awareness, one way to get lawyers in the door is to offer continuing legal education, and something that we could do separate from the fun stuff, because lawyers, there's that wall is it sounds like there would be enough substance to do, like a series of 3c, L, E, S, you know, like one on the history of The Commission, one on like how the commission has developed, and one like about current developments, like changes the ordinance and stuff like that. And you know how to get involved. And you know, you know, I'm sure we'll hear about any restrictions about where we can have these clees. But I would guess if it's, if it's allowed, we could find, you know, three different law firms to host it, and that might be a great way to get the legal community involved about sort of the law aspect of things, while letting you all do your fun stuff.

People have been CLE we could probably get them to at least open the door there.

I know Ashley actually mentioned something to me right before with, especially with the new protections, if everything is passed for the city, with the ordinance, maybe we could also host some kind of event or training on, like how to ask for accommodations. I'm not sure if that is something that, if there is a need for that, that could be something especially with like the newer pieces. I don't know historically how often, whether that's the city or prior to my three years being on here, I don't know how often the commission has held those types of events, but if there's a need, I think that could be something we could organize as well. Yeah.

Just taking notes. Hold on.

We have a archive, I assume, correct that, like the last 50 years of this commission, like, in some capacity, like highlights, maybe a photos, any like some of those things, that we could compile some type of opinion.

The clerk's office should have those fancy certificates.

We Yeah, we should have public record of like everyone who was members of the Commission over the years. I don't know that we have anything more formal than that, but on a basic Google search, does look like the Minnesota Historical Society has some stuff. So there's some things that could be researched.

Well. Thank you again to Commissioner Jones and Wagener to kind of lead this, yeah, both of you kind of lead the plan of this event. Please come back with any like asks that we can all help you out with any other thoughts on this discussion, topic of outreach, or, like, a 50th anniversary type event, or series of events,

I'll start Sharpton budget or not? Oh,

y'all are having fun. What kind of sorry

Al Sharpton budget that

takes us the next month we get out of the building, right?

Does anybody have a contact that we can reach out to?

Is there a 50th anniversary t shirt budget? Hold

on. To sorry to jump around again. Commissioner Bergquist, you, is there a recommendation on how, when we could get started with looking in to see if there's any CLE is available for or how we can go about doing

that? Oh, my, my suggestion. I don't think we need a motion or anything like right in the next standards and procedures meeting, we could talk about it, the lawyers, they talk about it, and we'll see if we have anything to

excellent about that? Thank you. That sounds great, because I think that's a great idea, and would definitely get more people involved and want to come when you know you're getting more lawyers. Yeah, yes, yes, use it as a sign

up meeting for future

commissioners. Hey, there you go.

All right, any final questions? Thoughts on discussion, 50th anniversary event. Seeing no further questions, I will direct the clerk to receive and file that report. Next is new business? Is there any new business that should come before the Commission? I

have you made mention of George Floyd the proclamation?

I do not think so.

I think that with the fifth year, and there's already a lot of coverage that we're having to field working with that committee come I know that meant a lot to the family to have that proclamation created and presented to them, and I think would mean even more for the city to be there this year. And there's a perfect opportunity that at rise, remember at George wood square on May 25 so they already have the verbiage from prior put in, you know, a request to clerks or how that process goes and see if they can expedite the process, possibly because there was a commitment That was made on the back end for this particular event.

And is there something that you would want the commission to show up to, or is what is the specific ask? Maybe, no,

just, I just want them to, I mean, obviously come in support, but just input overall, make sure that that is or asking that that is something that's perhaps a fruition with this proclamation.

Sorry, Commissioner Smith, I just want to make sure I understand that after are you asking for the proclamation to be repri. Is at the rise. Remember event on the 20 minutes. That's exactly

what I'm asking. Okay,

thank you. Should we make a motion on that?

Yes, and I still wonder what our actions like, what it be? Sorry. Go ahead, Kayla, maybe add something. I

can just provide some historical context. So the commission did request that there be declared a George Floyd day by the mayor's office, and that request was accepted and done. I think two times, Michael, does that seem right? Maybe three. So there was an event one time that I think just a declared day on the other time. But either way, it was on his birthday, is my recollection. I can go back and look, but I know right in the fall was when I was day that was at city hall with the family declared right, that there was only one big event to you, right? And that was two years ago, three years ago, maybe, yeah, so that has previously been done, we certainly could facilitate requesting that a day be declared, just as we had before with the mayor's office. I don't know you know what the thoughts are around the date being different this time around, but just for historical context, that is what has happened in the past.

And so just to make sure that this is happening, would we would we be following up with? Who would we be following up with in order to make sure that this happens? Just so I know,

what we would need is a motion from the Commission requesting that this happen, and then the department can facilitate making the request to the mayor's office. Okay, thank

you that that's the missing link that I needed, so, yeah, I can entertain a motion to have the department facilitate that conversation. I second the motion. Second the motion. Yeah, you need a first motion. I

comes sorry motion,

thank you for the second All in favor,

any opposed, Any abstentions. Motion carries. Thank you. Any other new business pieces? I Okay, we will move on to the unfinished business section. I will start I believe this was accidentally left off the agenda, but we did hear back from Target, so I will read you the response. So it says, Hi, Alyssa, thank you for reaching out, inviting us to an attend an upcoming meeting of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission. Unfortunately, we are unable to participate at this time. However, below is some in some more information about our belonging at the bullseye strategy. We remain focused on driving our business by creating a sense of belonging for our team, guests and communities through a commitment to inclusion, belonging for all is an essential part of our team and culture, helping fuel consumer relevance and business results. Our strategy is rooted in our team, recruiting and retaining, a team where everyone has access to opportunity and growth, enabling our team to deliver business results our guests, creating joyful experiences through an assortment of products and services that help all guests feel seen and celebrated, increasing relevance with our consumers, our communities, building deep and lasting relationships with the communities we serve. And then there was no sign off. So I wanted to share with you all the response from Target does not look like they will be attending a meeting anytime soon. Any thoughts on how we'd like to follow up, if at all, who was that email from Maggie Henderson, government affairs, I

move initiated discussion that we send letter back saying we're sure that Mr. Cornell could find the time to meet with us, and we would still like him

to appear also. We could have read all of that online. Everything that was in the email is already published online so they can provide Yeah.

So we also asked specifically about their vendor and supplier pipeline, which they did not address in that response at all. And so I would add to the motion that we reiterate our interest in that topic, and that we go a little deeper than whatever they slept on their website, and give us a serious response and question for our city attorney I know. Several months ago, it was raised about this body, subpoena power. I believe you were going to look into that. Yeah,

there is no problem. Okay, I

just hadn't heard an

answer. Not well, I should say, not against advisor capacity.

So we would, we were working to the city recommending. That's why I said, so we would ask the city civil rights department to potentially follow

up we go nowhere, not necessarily subpoena, but

to have something come directly from the city instead of advisory.

I think Commission can make any requests city leadership. Okay, so it

sounds like there might be two potential motions here. I

think we want one, if we can just add

the piece. Got it. Okay, the vendor, lifeline

and supply. Then second request, all in favor, any opposed, Any abstentions. Motion carries, and we will, I can work on amending that letter, reiterating that we have, we'd like to see you. Yes, yes, via city email, thank you. Any other unfinished business?

Thank you. So it was noted in the minutes at the last meeting, there was a motion to form an ad hoc committee to take another pass at the civil rights resolution that Commissioner Burke West had drafted. So I sent out an email a couple, maybe two weeks ago or last week, asking for if anyone was interested in participating in that ad hoc committee. Did not get any responses. So now I'm using the pressure of the in person group to try again, but I also just want to raise like, I acknowledge that we were really running short on time at that meeting when the motion was was carried and didn't have a lot of time to discuss. So if we would like to like, reopen that discussion and at least decide what, like, what the goals are of a resolution like that, what kind of outcome we're looking for, what is it that we're trying to communicate? And maybe that would help encourage people decide whether they want to participate and whether it's, you know, valuable to have this, this subcommittee. I mean, if there wasn't interest in participating, then that's fine, but maybe it means that this is not something that that we want to take on. So I wanted to take some time and reopen that and see, do we want to revisit that idea? Is it something that maybe is part of the larger 50th anniversary strategy? Open to thoughts. Thank you for my city

email. I would just say that events are moving so quickly that I don't think we can move quickly enough to have a statement that's going to be relevant by the time we get it issued, because everything is changing daily, almost. And I mean, there's a lot, there's a lot to for us to object to. I mean, there's a lot for us to criticize, but I don't know that we can move quickly enough to just keep up with the events, because they're sort of head spinning, right? You know, all of a sudden, you know, some poor guy is kidnapped off the street in Maryland, finds himself in San Salvador, Salvador in Bristol, right? Bunch of, bunch of people are rounded up in Texas. Court says they can't be flown to Venezuela, so they move them to northern Texas to try and do it. The supreme court issues in order to middle the night, saying, No. To the middle of the night, saying no, and then Justice Alito says, well, there's no irreparable harm there. Yeah, I mean it. There's no way we can keep up with it. I mean, I think if we want to do something, it's, I don't know what we should do. We should do something, but I don't think it'd be tied to particular events, because things are just changing so quickly, so so quickly. I mean, for example, I don't know of any Minneapolis law firms that have been targeted by Trump, and I don't think any of the firms that have been targeted have a Minneapolis office, but everyone's afraid of it. Well, yeah. I mean, 807 law firms joined in amicus brief in the three cases have been brought by law firms. Of the 807 law firms, guess how many were from Minneapolis total, six. How many were among the 10 biggest firms? One, how many among the 20 biggest. Terms 230, biggest. Terms three, everybody else was a small firm. The law firms in this town did not step up to the plate. I don't know that we could do anything, but it was reprehensible. But things are moving so fast. Those are my thoughts. So

yeah, so i Yes,

things are moving really fast, and that's part of the reason I didn't volunteer is that it was exhausting to try to keep up with all of it. And I don't think that means we shouldn't speak out. I think we can speak in broad terms about the threat to the rule of law and the constitutional crisis that is imminent, if it's not already happening now, and threats to civil rights. And I think one way to ground it is to connect it back to civil rights in the city of Minneapolis. And I tried to do that in the original version, but there are some patterns that are arising over the first three months, where we can say, like these things are happening and are continuing to happen, and then to express our, you know, sentiments in that resolved clause, or the resolved clauses. So I don't think we just throw up our hands because things are changing too quickly to do anything. I think that, to me, raises the importance of actually speaking and speaking in a timely way, to the extent we can do something in a you know, sooner rather than later. Because these are threats to our community, and there are threats to civil rights in the city of Minneapolis. So, you know, like the threats to law firms are, you know, they're not going away. They're continuing. And you know, we can only count on the courts for so much, and we're probably counting on them for more than we should expect the courts to do. And it's bodies like ours that should be speaking up as well. I think that's and one way to do that is in this kind of a resolution.

Sorry question for staff, does the Civil Rights Ordinance cover the University of Minnesota's operations in Minneapolis? It's outside our jersey. Does that? I I was going to say is, there's an article in the Times yesterday that University of Minnesota is one of the targets the Trump administration. The University of Minnesota gets almost $800 million a year in federal research money from the government, which is theoretically at stake, even though we don't have jurisdiction over the university. I think it might be interesting if we were to issue a resolution of the commission saying that we encourage the University of Minnesota not to bow down, kowtow whatever word you want to the demands of the of the of the Trump administration. And I think we could lift language from the letter that Harvard issued, you know, basically telling Trump to go take a hike. Because, by the way, Harvard sued the administration about an hour or two ago, three hours ago, whatever it is. But I would, I think that other than the immigration piece, the biggest threat is to the university. And I think expressing support for the university having a backbone in this would be a good thing to do.

This is an important topic, and I want to thank you both for kind of leading the charge on this. For me personally, may 25 is approaching, about two months ago, within sight of this room, someone died of exposure, not having a place to go. I cannot say their name because I never learned it because it wasn't covered. I learned about it from my building management, because it happened in my parking garage that is within our jurisdiction. The University of Minnesota is not Arizona is not North Texas is not I feel strongly about these topics, and I agree with you, but I would like to focus on what happened across the street. I would like to have to focus on May 25 I would like to focus on here, and I would like to ask the mayor and the governor and others to focus on the national picture, but not this room. I agree with you. I'm not trying to dismiss it, but that is where I'm at. Thank you.

Any other thoughts? I.

On the target, what's going on with Target? I know there's talks about consumer like, what products are there and how we're going about our purchasing. I know that a lot of the like quote bio products are at least signed through contract through 2026 and I know that from just doing research and talking to, you know, activists who are doing this, who are doing this, boots on the ground work this way, I know that with seeing the Kima Armstrong is recently in USA Today, and spearheading that, that charge, I don't if I'm just looking at from outside perspective, I would just say, let nakima Keep doing what she's doing, because they are. They've had those meetings with these individuals already. That's why they're not going to double down and support as far as we're talking having to with dei being already is being abolished. It's a hard sell to a major corporation who just stripped dei to now talk to our biggest civil figure, who's a black woman, and then say, Okay, I'll double down and talk to Minneapolis civil rights department. They're just that's a lot of invested interest that I don't think that they really have. So again, just kind of continue what we're talking about. I mean, we have an opioid crisis. You know, again, I work in American Indian though I see, I see these things all day long. I drive my work every morning. Is unnerving every day. So I feel like it'd be more important to talk about things that are affecting our own backyard, talking about the unhoused our unhoused residents, and getting to the bottom of those numbers, talking about the the the lack of crime, or lack of murder that we had over this first quarter of this year, which has been the lowest we've had in four years, Like things that we can't champion locally, but these national conversations with this body, just from just having some experience in it, which is, it's not going to go the way we want it to, and if we just stay focused on what we have locally, we can make the impact. I think because we are a voice that's needed, and there's a lot of very, very bright minds in this room to be able to help execute that process.

So to go back to this, to this document, specifically in the resolution and kind of amending that I'm hearing two things. I'm hearing maybe keeping locally, but then also speaking out against larger federal pieces. Where is the commission going to be most impactful? Where is our voice going to be most taken seriously? I don't I don't have the answer. I'm just they might have taken it seriously.

I seriously. So we've worked, we've worked with target as because we do a lot around supplier diversity. And I was just looking at, actually, their their supplier portal, and they're changing, and they, I don't, I don't know if they didn't take it seriously. I wonder if they're getting innovated right now with a lot of things, and there's a lot of their suppliers probably who are coming to them, because I know that they recognize certified, you know, businesses across diverse businesses across all sorts of, all sorts of factors. And because they got rid of their like, outward facing, dei language, etc. I honestly think that they're like struggling, like a lot of other companies with with just trying to navigate what's happening right now. And it might not be a lack of care or concern, but it might be an overwhelmed but, I mean, it doesn't that actually doesn't matter, but I just wanted to, I don't know, I'm not like, I'm not like, defending them, but maybe it's a little bit bigger than they just didn't care.

So I'll just say, with respect to the chair, I don't think it's a question of where are we going to make the most impact? Like we can do more than one thing. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. There have been years where the commission has issued, you know, 345, different resolutions on different topics. We don't have to do just one. So if there's a passion for the commission making a statement about people who are experiencing homelessness, people who are dying of exposure, we can do those things too. And the way, at least in my experience, the way Commission has worked in the past is like, people follow their passions. People come to the Commission like, how about this thing, how about this thing. And so one doesn't exclude the other. And I'll also say that what's going on at the federal level can and does and will of. Act the City of Minneapolis and our ordinance, the federal administration is going after the state of Maine for its protections against discrimination against transgender people. Minnesota has those same protections, and our ordinance has those same protections. So it's only a matter of time when those federal forces are going to be influencing our ordinance that is protecting civil rights, and our ordinance provides much broader protections than federal law does. I think there are a lot of reasons to for us to speak out as a body about the importance of protecting civil rights as the City of Minneapolis defines civil rights under our own terms, and to to make a statement about that, because civil rights in Minneapolis, that's our thing, and there are a lot of different aspects to that, but there are these forces coming from the federal executive branch that can do and will threaten that. So I think we, our body, should be speaking out against that.

So then, I mean, if we're being broad, then what when we just go the Civil Rights Act of 1965 because that's all those things are covered under that, like, or a lot of those things were covered under that pact, from race to gender to equal. I mean, these are, these are things that are covered. It's a very, very detailed document. As far as those, those particular civil rights, and Trump wrote an executive order trying to remove that particular right. So if we're going civil rights and being staying under our umbrella if we want to make that federal impact. I'm just throwing out there to maybe put that letter out there, because then it's talking about, because that act is broadened over the years as well. So it's we'd be talking about all protected classes, and at that point

that's actually Minneapolis ordinance is much broader than the federal civil rights act.

Okay? Well, I'm just speaking in relative to the Civil Rights Act that's being Executive Order removed that it could if we're just talking about umbrellas of impact, if you, if we're just polling people, and you just ask, just walk around the neighborhood, are you more familiar with the Civil Rights Act of 1965 the Minneapolis ordinance? The more than likely, the brown and black indigenous community is going to acknowledge that act more than recognize the Minneapolis ordinance just being, just speaking, relative as a black man. You

uh, again. So back to this, like resolution piece. We can definitely do multiple we can issue multiple statements. It sounds like there wasn't a lot of engagement when there was some outreach on those statements, however, so I completely agree, if we have people who are passionate about certain topics, please, yeah, take up some time to meet. I know also, just as a note, to meet as an ad hoc committee, you don't need to make it public facing, so you can just meet whenever you all have time, anybody who's available to meet. But yes, we can issue multiple statements. We can definitely do multiple things. I things. But yeah, I think yeah, just anybody, if anybody is interested in any of that, whether that is more federal or local oath, yeah, I think we should get people involved and start drafting things to bring back. Because, yeah, I agree everything is moving so quickly that our statement may change at some point too. So

just to give you an example, and we can't do anything about this at this point, but when they basically ravaged the CDC and the NIH, they stopped all the funding for a project that's been led by the University of Minnesota, of 16 institutions studying how to make COVID vaccines in the future more effective, more rapidly deployable, and more accessible to all communities. That affects bipoc affects everybody. The University had to stop that project cold, right? There's all sorts of stuff like that happening that are happening in this community. That's a project that was at the medical school here. You know, it's fearsome that there's another $800 million of projects that the university undertakes, which impact this community in all kinds of ways that are threatened. And I think I'm going to make a motion that we issue a statement that says, and not just directly university, but that the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission expects all employers. Within the city of Minneapolis to abide by the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance, as law requires, and that entering into agreements with the federal government that contravene the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance are disfavored, or something like that, because, in agreement with the federal government, I don't think qualifies as something that preempts city or state law, and a statute might. But when you get into you know, monarch, monarch, monarchical, I don't monarch, Monarch heel say, I'm not sure that's true, and maybe just a simple statement like that. Right now, we expect all employers in the city of Minneapolis, all landlord to comply with our ordinance, regardless of what's happening at the federal level. Period, that's my motion.

Is there a second any further discussion, all in favor, any opposed, Any abstentions.

Okay, can you please raise your hands to abstain, just so we can get that on the record. Please.

I Thank you. Motion carries, who would

like to issue that statement, who would like to draft that language? Thank you so much. Just Yes, please. So

I will come to the next meeting with some sort of outline of a draft trying to incorporate what was discussed. Commissioner Wagner has said that, so we can work together on that, and then we'll have something in front of us. If it works, then it works, and maybe there'll be other resolutions to discuss at that time as well.

Yes, so there's, it sounds like there's a statement that was the motion that was just carried, and then this comment was regarding the resolution. Um, and I believe Commissioner Burritt was this additional unfinished business. If we wanted to move on another like tiny thing, any other questions? If, again, if anybody's interested, please reach out to Commissioner Stratton or Commissioner Wagner. Yeah, it'd be great to have as many voices as possible on that. Thank you. Any other unfinished business?

I we have a I have a new business item at the last meeting about the sort of passing off to the executive committee, sort of figuring out the like, what administrative support the department will provide to the commission. So I'm wondering if there's any update about that.

Yes, is that going to be part of the Department update, meaning, like the admin that we may be assigned. Okay, so, yes, yes, we

will get to that.

Any other pieces of unfinished business? I Okay, so we are going to move into public comment. Next word of business is the acceptance of public comments. I will open the floor to make comments from the community. Each speaker is allowed two minutes. Are there any community members who wish to address the Commission? Thank you, all community members, just for joining and participating and hearing us out tonight, next we will have our committee reports, so I will hand it off first to the community engagement and research subcommittee, also

representative.

Hi, yes. So we talked a little bit about already youth essay contest. So in the last meeting, we said that we wanted to do high school instead of middle school. Since we did middle schools last time, a little bit more conversations, I think we kind of went back to middle schools because it was logistically easier, more puzzles. We have contacts. We've established some contacts with middle middle schools. So we thought that we should stick with that for now and reengage these with those middle schools. To try to get better participation. Last time, we had three schools that participated and kind of one offs from like other schools. But we're hoping to get at a flyer by June so we can give them, like a little summer assignment. I know they won't be like cartwheeling hearing that, but we can then re engage them in the beginning of the school year in the fall, hopefully to kind of remind them on that about that we did need some assistance with, kind of figuring out the website and updating some of the language on the website. So Ashley, maybe I'll connect with you about that. And we talked about donations and sponsorships. So last time, we had some two gracious donors, and we're hoping to get some more sponsorships. So if anybody in the commission has plugs for them that we can reach out to in terms of sponsorships or awards for the students that participate, and we would love that, but that's pretty much our update.

Thank you. Applause.

Moving on to standards and procedures.

We attempted to meet and did not have a quorum this month. So shame for everybody who did not. I did want to take a moment though, to bring up an issue that I think is causing some confusion at the review panel level of our work, and that is for cases that are referred to the department from the EEOC, and really cases more broadly, there's a question about what law were applying in those cases, whether it's we're basically whether we're trying to apply federal civil rights, civil rights law, civil rights act, 1964 or whether we are applying the ordinance. And so I think there's been some like use of federal law to interpret the ordinance, which feels confusing to some members. And maybe I'll if there's a anybody who from the committee who wants to add on to that or some clarification on that issue would be helpful. Does

anybody else from S and P want to share? Are we directing a question towards the city.

I think I'm directing a question towards the full commission, or at least putting it on record that we have this question and that we are interested in answer. I understand it might take this I'm not expecting an answer right in this minute, but I think providing since we're all working on these review panels where we're being asked to, you know, apply law to fax, it would be helpful to have some guidance provided to all commissioners who are serving on these review committees, and not just the attorney members who are maybe just flagging this issue for the full commission.

And I can just quickly speak to that. So I'm not going to give the legal opinion, because it's my head I'm wearing today, but what I will say is that that is something that we have been chatting with the city attorney's office about and specifically working through that very complex issue. We also had a meeting with our EEOC person, our field coordinator, to just kind of talk about what the EOC is, opinion is, and how they look at their cases to receive additional guidance. So what I'm hopeful is essentially us drafting a memo that will be issued to commissioners so that you can understand exactly what the perspective is when those type of issues arise. But wanted to do our due diligence from a legal perspective, but then also check with the EEOC to ensure we're in compliance with that work share agreement that we have is kind of where we are now. But again, there'll be a memo that will be issued so that we can kind of go through our analysis and kind of how we think about those issues at a later date. For sure,

I have a couple questions I'd like you to address when you do that memo. One is, is there a contractual relationship between the EEOC and the department, so a few bit of civil rights as to how these cases be handled? And so what's the nature of that contractual relationship? But what are the what are the departments. Its obligations under it. The second question is, when you are considering and when panels are considering issues under the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance, whether we are free to ignore Eighth Circuit law and apply only Minnesota law, or if Minnesota lies unclear, whether we can apply the law from other circuits where the circuit is in the is an outlier. So those are two questions, or three questions, I think we we would like some guidance on

Absolutely, and they're very similar to Commissioner Merkel's questions that she posed. So what I would ask is, if there's any deviation or anything added, and then in the email or just sending me like whatever the additional question is, I can have it in writing, and we can address it accordingly for sure. Thank you.

And this is something that I don't know because I don't speak law language, but if there's any anything to then adjust to our review panel trainings, I request that any additions or clarifications be added to that when we're training in new commissioners,

and for me, so I know what I'm doing. Thank you. We

are at anything else from S and P, workforce and contract compliance

back once again, very quickly the other we did have a wonderful quorum. We've had a quorum every month this year, workforce and contract compliance, because we are exciting, just briefly, having watched the ordinance process go through and all that has happened about a year ago, we did Have a conversation with the workforce and contract compliance director for the city, and the the O word came up ordinance, and we'll probably do some time through the Office of Civil Rights to just revisit that there were some changes that were coming or in the way. So we, you know, got delayed a little bit, but that will be the part of what this committee will be working on. So thanks and

the Civil Rights department.

Hello again. Just a few updates. So just a reminder, we do have the public hearing. 423 is at the Public Services Center. I'll happily send it back to folks if that's needed, so that you wouldn't know where to come. But again, room 350 1:30pm everyone is welcome to attend. Voice, make sure public comment, I did go ahead and tell Ashley just to send folks to the communication specifically if you need to know how to submit the public comment, so that folks can have that if you're not able to attend. The other thing is email issues. So I know you all have been passionate about using our city emails. We had two folks come from the clerk's office today, so I'm hoping that folks would coordinate with them and chat with them. If there are still any outstanding email issues, please email us as soon as possible so we can set up either office hours or make a top 10 out to the clerk's office or it if that's an issue. The other thing is, just in preparing for the ordinance to hopefully pass Franklin's cross, my staff is doing a justice impacted training surrounding the public city of Madison's. There's the rights office that have been doing justice impact protections for quite a long time. So we just want to talk about the type of cases that they're receiving, how they look at these cases. And really, it's more informative for staff, really, to think about understanding that the ordinance is not going to affect immediately. But I do think folks should kind of know what are some of the issue areas as we're issue sliding and looking at charges in the future. The last thing is, I do have some panels that are outstanding. I've chatted with some of those folks, so please get that to me ASAP. Much appreciated. And I know there's one that involves Commissioner Berkeley, so we'll work in due time that we will question, and as soon as it's out of my hands, they'll be back into your hands for you all to make your determination. The last thing is administrative support. So we have been talking about that quite a bit. The first thing I'll say is we're hoping to have the city clerk's office that clerk these meetings as well. If you all aren't familiar, the CCPL is clerked by the City Clerk's Office, and that would essentially mean that they will do all the administrative stuff, right? So specifically, when you're seeing things or printing, or you're seeing things to go into lens. All those things will essentially go through clerks office, and then we will do more of the review panel organization, right? So we'll still be the point people for review panels and helping folks navigate that in the assignment of things. However, the clerk's office will have more of administrative role. So. Of course, because it's easy, sometimes things will be the glacial pace, but we are talking to our friends at City Parks office and hoping to get some answers fairly soon. Once that update happens, know that I'm a big fan of memos, my staff can tell you, so I will, for sure, send a memo just explaining how that division of labor will work, so that folks would know what's happening. But for right now, Ashley is our liaison to the commission, so please send things to her, and always he see me on it. Any questions for the department?

Yeah, I always have a question. So here's the concern I have, and I'll try and lay it out. This is not an uncommon concern with various bodies in the state of Minnesota that have adjudicatory powers, which we do in certain cases, is that many of those bodies share email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers and websites with the enforcement agency, and that raises for lawyers a question under the rules of professional conduct. Oddly enough, the lawyers Professional Responsibility board, which enforces those rules, had that exaggeration with the director of lawyers office of lawyers professional responsibility, and it was like the prosecutors and the adjudicators have the same phone number, the same email address, same fax number, and that is now, once it was called to the attention of the Supreme Court, has been separated, and the lawyers board has its own person within the judicial branch and a different address, a different phone number, and everything, I would strongly encourage that, because we serve both an adjudicatory function. I mean, we have a relationship with the department that's both a cooperative relationship, but also can be adversarial if we're or at least we're neutrals, and so to the extent the city clerk's office can become our address and our phone number, and I think that that would be a better way to deal with the potential conflict situation, which obviously has existed for 50 years, and nobody's really gotten upset about it. But if you really want to keep it clean, that would be the way to do it, as long as this change is being made,

absolutely and thank you for bringing that up. As an attorney myself, I totally understand what you're saying, and I think so. I know that the commission has its own email address, right, just a general account, yes, so I know that does exist, but I think that's a really good question for the City Parks office, specifically about you know their address becoming your address as well as their phone number. So yeah, we'll take that under advisement and give an update. So I'll see the rest of my time. If there aren't any questions for the department, to our CEO, Alex,

we have one more question.

I think it would be helpful for transparency purposes, in particular, to understand what administrative services will be provided, whether it's from Ashley the department in the transition period, or from the clerk's office, what will and won't they do? Because the ordinance mandates that we be provided administrative services, and, you know, just for transparency for everyone, I learned that I would get reimbursed for the draft report that I did the photocopies for, but because the draft resolution I had prepared for our discussion wasn't cleared by the department that that one I wouldn't get reimbursed for. And so like this to me again, this is a lawyer, but like I have, it kind of makes me feel icky that somebody else needs to clear something before I get the administrative support even to send out an email, but also to get reimbursed for what to me, seems clearly administrative, make some photocopies for me so that everyone can have a piece of paper to look at in front of them. So I'd appreciate some quick clarification about what exactly those services are and what the procedures are going to be like. Does everything need to get cleared? Just the next draft resolution have to get cleared? And why is that?

I think that's a perfect think way.

So as the questions about administrative support, I'm going to defer to the clerk's office. I've reached out to get some clarity about what needs to go through them and what the timeline can be. I haven't heard back, but I did want to address a couple of outstanding questions posed by the Commission at its last meeting. The questions were about the existence of a potential conflict. Between my representation of the Commission and the city and the nature of the Commission's independence as a body, the commission is a tier two body under the ordinance. Tier Two bodies are bodies which have been given some level of specific delegated decision making authority as provided by ordinance. Whenever practical, tier two bodies may also advise and make recommendations to the city as provided in their enabling legislation and resolution. So the commission exercises this independent decision making authority when it adjudicates contested case hearings or reviews no probable cause determinations. It also has the ability to reach conclusions that differ from the perspective of city leadership, while there may be some division between the commission and city leadership about how to address a given problem, all parties involved are in lockstep with respect to their duties and motivations. We are all whether as commissioners, employees or elected officials, bound by the city ethics code, we are all charged with exercising our judgment to further the best interests of the city, and we have a fiduciary duty to do so under the ordinance. Every one of us has a shared interest and obligation under the city ethics code to implement in good faith the policies established by city leadership. Quote, regardless of his or her personal views, certainly this body can take policy positions that are contrary to that of city leadership. The operational handbook envisions as much, but the first step is dictated by the handbook is to discuss the issue with city leadership, to attempt to advise and persuade city leadership has lent you their ears and appointing you to this advisory role, it is a unique opportunity to collaboratively, excuse me, collaboratively, affect change. I have a duty to this body to provide effective legal counsel to help the commission achieve its goals of eliminating discrimination and protecting civil rights, all while not bringing harm to the city. We all share that obligation to avoid the harm. The city attorney's office advises all city departments and elected officials through the city charter. The city attorney and the legal department, under her direction, serve as the attorneys to the mayor, Council and other departments and commissions who must only consult the city attorney for any necessary legal advice. At times, our clients have different positions on matters as government lawyers, we are policy neutral and provide legal advice that does not alter or change based on its intended recipient. Firewalls and screen practices exist to mitigate the risk of an attorney simultaneously representing clients and adversity with adverse interests. We do not have adverse interests. We are all here for the benefit of the city. As commissioners, you've been appointed by city leadership to help in this area because of your expertise, at times, that expertise will lead to a perspective that differs from city leadership on issues of policy. The Commission's independent advisory role is important in these spaces, and I'm not part of that policy discourse. However, we all have an obligation to not bring harm to the city and its residents. The Commission's independence does not afford the authority to independently decide what is or is not a legal risk of the city. I have an obligation to step in when I believe an action may do so and when I provide such legal advice, I hope, out of respect for one another, we can engage in a healthy cooperative dialog in an effort to come to a common understanding of what's best for the city. Thank

you. Is that going to be published? Yeah, it seems like you were reading a document. Is that, right? There are my notes. You're reading notes. I think out of fairness, we should have a written record of what you just read very quickly, because it was, I am pretty good at taking notes, and I wasn't able to get all that down. And it's really important what you had to say. I think we should have some written record of what you said.

Would it be possible to send me like a bullet point summary of the of what you said, right? COVID, I got a lot of it, but now does

that? Yeah, as to the resolutions,

that's a decision for the clerk's office, since they'll be taking over those administrative duties, so I need to I have an outstanding question for them. They have not answered it yet, about reviewing resolutions, about timeline information.

Is there reimbursement schedules? But they were

still reproduced. Happy to ask about that.

I just asked to make sure they included a reimbursement schedule.

We'll have someone here so you can ask them directly.

Any other questions, thoughts for the city. I do have one question, but it was back to what Minneapolis was saying. If the resolutions pass on the city council votes on the city rights ordinance change, when does the changes actually go into effect?

I believe it's on. This first is that, is