The commission devoted considerable attention to legislative updates, with discussions centering on House File 22, known as the Parents Bill of Rights. Concerns were raised about the bill’s potential to limit youth access to support from trusted adults. The commission emphasized the importance of community education on this bill and expressed a willingness to advocate against it if necessary. Additionally, the Save Act, which would require individuals to present identification matching their birth certificate when registering to vote, was scrutinized. The act was seen as potentially disenfranchising marginalized groups, particularly transgender individuals and married women whose names may differ from their birth certificates. The commission underscored the necessity of informing the community about these legislative matters and encouraged linking to resources for further discussion.

Improving community awareness of human rights issues was another key topic. Members recognized the importance of staying informed about legislative developments and proposed facilitating access to updates from the Minnesota State Legislature through a link on the commission’s website. However, there was some uncertainty about the technical aspects of this task. Acknowledging the challenges with current communication methods, a member noted, “I don’t know that a ton of people are going to the city website to look for the Human Rights Commission.”

The commission also considered redirecting resources from their education fund towards community engagement, as participation in annual contests had declined. They discussed funding a more effective outreach strategy, rather than relying solely on social media, which posed challenges due to city policy restrictions on individual commission pages. The idea of creating a dedicated website, vetted before publication, was suggested as a safer alternative to social media platforms.

Attention then turned to immigration concerns, with the commission highlighting the importance of hosting a community forum to address these issues. While acknowledging fears of family separation might deter attendance, the commission believed educating the community could create a supportive environment. Suggestions included inviting local leaders and representatives to participate in discussions, thereby raising awareness about the rights of individuals facing immigration challenges.

Accessibility for individuals with visual impairments, particularly within the bus system, was another matter of concern. The commission discussed the feasibility of implementing tactile indicators or Braille signage at bus stops to assist those who are blind. Current resources for the visually impaired in the city were considered limited, and the commission deliberated on ways to publicize bus stop information more effectively. While the city’s website lists bus stops and schedules, accessibility remained a concern, prompting suggestions to ensure all residents can readily find and access this information.

The meeting also touched on several organizational and procedural updates. The commission approved a motion to restructure their committees, eliminating the Public Relations Committee and splitting the events committee into subcommittees to accommodate an increase in events. The commission also discussed the Community Needs Survey, expressing the importance of ensuring all community members have the opportunity to participate. Suggestions included distributing paper copies at locations like the senior center and library to reach individuals uncomfortable with technology, alongside having a QR code on the paper surveys for online responses.

The upcoming Human Rights Award ceremony scheduled for March 26 was another point of discussion. The commission deliberated on the wording for the plaque, opting to keep it simple while providing more detailed distinctions between the awardees’ contributions in the ceremony and press release.

Finally, the commission discussed participation in a Park and Recreation open house event on April 6, regardless of grant status. A motion was made and approved to set up a booth to engage with the community, distribute promotional materials, and gather feedback.