March Task Force Meeting Summary

Date: March 20, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM

Location: Edina Public Works and Online

Task Force Member Attendance: Jim Nelson, Jasmine Stringer-Moore, Bianca Dawkins, Jonathan Rogers, Elly Doscotch, Pranika Kumar, Jan Stone

Task Force Members Absent: Daisy Khalifa, Fartun Ismail

Staff In Attendance: Thomas Brooks, Zoe Johnson, MJ Lamon

Public Members in Attendance: No public members were in attendance

1. Welcome & Introductions – Co-Chair Dawkins

2. ESAP Update – 5 minutes

Task force members were provided an update by staff on the Equity Framework and Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment of the Equity Strategic Action Plan (ESAP) process. Approximately 360 survey responses were received from staff and community members. The task force will have an opportunity to discuss the results at the April 23^rd meeting.

The Equity Framework is drafted and under review by the Executive Leadership Team and Race Equity Advancement Team. Task force members were asked and provided feedback on the city’s Equity Commitments, a section of the framework. The task force will also have the opportunity review and discuss the Equity Framework at the April 23^rd meeting.

3. Meeting Topic(s)

A. Staff Presentation – 15 minutes

Staff Liaison Thomas Brooks presented on Exploring Alternate Human Rights Commissions

This presentation reviewed other Minnesota cities with current Human Rights Commissions and the trend toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commissions since 2020. The trend to move toward DEI related commissions has been to align with city strategic initiatives, including the work of DEI leaders. Limitations to a commission’s ability to investigate human rights violations was also discussed in relation to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights who has investigative authority by statute.

B. Staff Presentation – 45 minutes

Staff Liaison, Thomas Brooks and MJ Lamon, Special Projects and Engagement Manager presented on research outcomes of a consultant engagement project on the City of Saint Louis Park boards and commissions and alternative methods. The consultants of the study provided an overview of stakeholder feedback regarding participation barriers and concerns and provided alternative engagement structures to commissions that address the identified barriers.

• 10 Challenge Areas were identified through stakeholder engagement including:
  • We want to help and we see value
  • We don’t know what we’re supposed to be doing
  • We get mixed messages
  • We fell disconnected
  • We don’t see our impact
  • Staff are supportive but do not have capacity
  • Lack of cohesion/consistency across commissions
  • It’s who you know…and you don’t know us
  • Participation is not easy (open meeting law)
  • Systems are not in place to sufficiently support

• Alternative commissions structures were discussed including:
  • Continuing with the existing structures
  • Engagement without commission structures
  • Task forces based on strategic projects
  • Strategic Priority Based Commissions
  • A Single Strategic Board
  • Group Discussion – 20 to 25 minutes
  • What are your thoughts on the St. Louis Park study?
  • With limited resources, we can’t do everything—but we can be strategic. When we talk about expanding engagement, what aspects are most important? What challenges are important to overcome? Deepening Our Understanding: What Next?
  • What does a new model look like?

Task force members spent most of the discussion time emphasizing the importance of structure for public participation, including commissions. The importance of cross-collaboration as well as the many challenges with collaborating in a commission structure were discussed.

4. Final Updates & Adjournment:

Task force members were advised an experience survey will be sent to all current and former commissioners in March. Task force members will have an opportunity to review the survey and provide feedback before it is sent and will have a meeting dedicated to reviewing the results.

Next Meeting is April 23rd and will be held online to discuss the Equity Framework and Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment survey results.