The meeting tackled the issue of hate speech at a local park’s art wall. Participants expressed concern over recurring instances of offensive messages, including racial slurs, appearing on the wall. The situation had garnered public attention, with community members covering up the hate speech. There was a discussion about the ownership and jurisdiction of the park space, and whether it fell under city management or another department. Some participants suggested installing cameras as a potential solution to monitor the area better. It was noted that previous city management had encouraged artistic expression in the area to mitigate graffiti in other locations, with a commitment to promptly remove reported hate messages.

A proposal emerged to establish simple rules for the graffiti wall, such as prohibiting hate speech and vulgar language. The implications of enforcing these rules and the potential consequences for violators were considered. The group debated whether they could recommend to the city council that they increase monitoring and response efforts related to the art wall. The overall sentiment leaned towards ensuring that community members were not solely responsible for monitoring the wall, given the frequency of hate messages and the adverse impact on children who might encounter such language.

The commission also discussed the upcoming South Central Minnesota Pridefest parade scheduled for September 7. Updates on partnerships with local organizations were shared, although there was some uncertainty about participant numbers. A sign-up sheet for those interested in attending was mentioned as a potential next step.

In addition, plans for a Rural Welcoming Initiative event during Welcome Week from September 13 to 21 were revealed. The commission proposed holding the event on September 20 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Two potential locations were considered: the City Hall parking lot and a road next to German Park. A request to use the City Hall parking lot was submitted for approval at the upcoming city council meeting, while arrangements were made with the parks department for the alternative location. The committee expressed intentions to include food trucks and music in the event, as well as to collaborate with local businesses for support.

The conversation highlighted the logistical challenges of securing a venue in time for effective promotion and outreach, with some participants favoring the Broadway location due to anticipated higher foot traffic. Marketing strategies were discussed, including creating flyers with a “location to be determined” note and utilizing social media platforms for promotion. Leveraging local food trucks’ social media presence and reaching out to local media for coverage were also suggested.

The commission also tackled the organization of an upcoming student contest with categories for posters, essays, and videos aimed at engaging local youth. The prize distribution was reviewed, proposing $100 for first place in each category and considering additional random prizes to encourage broader participation. The total prize expenditure was calculated to be $950, allowing for purchasing candy for the Pride Fest. Motions were made and approved to allocate funds for candy and stickers related to the welcoming initiative.

Further discussions centered on how to distribute materials to schools effectively. A proposal was made to break up the distribution tasks among members, with participants volunteering to handle specific schools. The community needs survey, which had received limited responses, was also discussed. Despite the low turnout, the responses were deemed thoughtful and representative of community feelings. The group expressed a desire to continue using the survey for future planning, particularly for events like the rural welcoming event.

In the meeting’s legislative update, it was reported that there had been no human rights-related items on previous city council agendas. However, a positive development was noted during a recent convention and visitors bureau meeting, where there was a commitment to inclusivity in promotional materials. The importance of using diverse imagery was emphasized as a hopeful step forward.

Lastly, the Heart of New Ulm action team was mentioned, focusing on a new campaign for safe routes to schools and active transportation. The need for diverse representation in promotional photography was reiterated, with an invitation extended to community members to participate.