Human Rights & Engagement Task Force

Date: January 15, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Edina City Hall – Community Room

Task Force Member Attendance: Daisy Khalifa, Jim Nelson, Jan Stone, Jasmine Brett Stringer-Moore, Bianca Dawkins

Task Force Members Absent: Jon Rogers, Fartun Ismail, Elly Doscotch, Pranika Kumar

Staff In Attendance: Thomas Brooks, MJ Lamon

Public Members in Attendance: Helen Ferraro

1. Welcome

2. Meeting Topic(s)

3. Task Force Member Orientation

3.1 Staff provided an overview of task forces including a background of city operations and values, task force communication guidelines, and meeting expectations. The task force was reminded of the task force charge, membership, and deliverables which include a report with recommendations to council by November 2025.

3.2 Equity Strategic Action Plan Update (ESAP)

Staff provided an update on the ESAP, which officially kicked off the same day, January 15. An overview of the process, including the Equity Framework, Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment survey for staff and community, and the ESAP document was provided. Task force members to be invited to participate in the DIA survey and de-briefing sessions with staff to learn of the survey results.

3.3 Task Force Meeting Scheduling

Staff walked through the proposed schedule of meeting dates, locations, and topics. Staff were asked to consider rescheduling the April-June meetings due to commissioner scheduling conflicts or holidays. Most task force meetings fall on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM, locations vary.

4. Discussion

What are you most looking forward to in the task force this year?

Any concerns with the time commitment?

There were no concerns provided by task force members related to the time commitment. Task force members mentioned looking forward to meeting additional staff throughout this process, learning from research and similar exploration in other cities, and being open to the unknown in upcoming discussions. Staff noted looking forward to increased flexibility, trying out new methods of engagement, aligning the work of community with staff and city equity and inclusion priorities, and creating a more comfortable and informal space where staff and community can show up and more deeply discuss topics and challenges related to equity, inclusion, and human rights in Edina.

5. Additional Action

5.1 Task Force Co-Chair Appointment

Task Force members voted Daisy Khalifa and Jonathan Rogers to serve as co-chairs, as both were former Human Rights and Relations Commission Chair and Vice Chair. Staff needed to follow up with Jonathan Rogers to confirm acceptance of co-chair position.

6. Adjournment

The meeting ended at approximately 8:15 PM.

Edina, Minn., Dec. 12, 2024 – To allow members more flexibility and increase engagement with the community, the City’s Human Rights and Relations Commission will operate as an ad hoc task force beginning next month.

The City Council recently approved the change at the group’s request, removing the Commission from the City Code. This means it can now work as a task force, allowing members to dive deeper into projects with an intentional focus on changes that align with the City’s ongoing equity and inclusion efforts. As a task force, the group has three priorities: support City staff in the development of an Equity Strategic Action Plan, advise the City on any significant human rights or inclusion issues in the community in 2025, and create more opportunities to connect and engage with the community. The task force is expected to draft a report for the City Council before the end of 2025 summarizing its work and any recommendations for future action.

Current commissioners will serve on the task force. Members of the community are invited to participate in task force meetings and discussions evaluating and discussing the future of equity and engagement efforts. The group’s first meeting has been tentatively set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. It and future meeting dates will be posted on the City’s calendar.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager Thomas Brooks will continue to serve as staff liaison to the group. For more information on the work of the task force, contact Brooks at thbrooks@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-1622.