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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.09.02 SCCM 09/02/25 -1- DRAFT BROOKLYN CENTER SISTER CITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 2, 2025 BROOKLYN CENTER CITY HALL 1. OPEN MEETING Chair Williams called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members: Nahid Khan, Tashawna Williams, and Yolanda Mays (present) Jacob Saffert and Famatta Zeon (absent) City Staff: Staff Liaison Armando Oster and Community Engagement Specialist Christina Jones Council Liaison: None Guests: None 3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The Commission believed a quorum was not present, so no vote was taken to approve the agenda. Upon further review, it was determined that a quorum was, in fact, established. 4. APPROVAL OF JULY 1, 2025, MEETING MINUTES The Commission believed a quorum was not present, so no vote was taken to approve the July 1, 2025, meeting minutes. Upon further review, it was determined that a quorum was, in fact, established. RECESS AND RECONVENE Chair Williams asked if anyone needed a five-minute recess; no one did, so the meeting moved on. 5. UPDATES / NEW TOPICS a. Welcome to the new Commissioner, Yolanda Mays Chair Williams welcomed Yolanda Mays and shared that the Commission is happy to have her. She asked if Commissioner Mays would like to give a brief introduction. Commissioner Mays gave a brief introduction. 09/02/25 -2- DRAFT b. Liberian Independence Day Re-cap Chair Williams noted that there is a link in the meeting agenda to the Liberian Independence Day footage. She added that it was a great parade to be a part of and that she does not recall anything like this in Minnesota. She noted that it was similar to the Juneteenth celebrations and that the Lieutenant Governor was present and officially named the day Liberian Independence Day in the State of Minnesota. She added that it was a very special day and gave Liberians the ability to come and celebrate in America. Community Engagement Specialist Jones stated that she enjoyed the parade and walking with many other representatives from Brooklyn Center. She noted that many people from Liberia were amazed by the event and happy to see it take place. Staff Liaison Oster noted that he was involved in a lot of the behind-the-scenes work with the organization that put the event on, We Are Liberian. He stated that he helped the organizers work through many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that need to be done and are more challenging for a big event. He added that he was not present at the event, but saw much of the online chatter and excitement about it. He noted that following the event, Liberian leaders and community members spoke positively about the event and the City at the open forum. Commissioner Khan noted that she attended that event as well, and that there was representation of all ages, and all seemed to be having a great time. She added that the park was also full of people enjoying the event. She thanked all those who helped to put it together and hoped that it would be an annual event. Staff Liaison Oster stated that the official numbers were 3,500 people who attended, and it was the biggest event he has seen take place. c. Night to Unite Chair Williams introduced the topic of Night to Unite. Staff Liaison Oster stated that there was a learning curve with this event; he was able to secure four to five places for the Commissioners to attend throughout the event, but in the future, he would like to give more notice to the Commissioners. He noted that Night to Unite and Liberian Independence Day were community events that he felt were a great way for the Commissioners to get out into the community and engage with the community members. Chair Williams asked if there would be multiple opportunities to participate in Night to Unite next year, or if it would just be the one. She noted that in Brooklyn Park this year, different city entities held different events at different times, so that all could help to support the event. Staff Liaison Oster asked if there were events on nights other than the specific Night 09/02/25 -3- DRAFT to Unite night. Chair Williams noted that there were events on other nights, so there were opportunities to participate with the city in other ways, or if a person was unable to be there, they may be able to come at other times. Staff Liaison Oster stated that present this idea at future meetings. Chair Williams noted that having two different nights may be a good idea for the City. Staff Liaison Oster noted that currently, the City only has one night, the first Tuesday in August, in which they celebrate Night to Unite. He added that 30 different groups hosted events this past year, and that the City does not host their own event, but they go out to the events at this time. He stated that the Commission could go to other cities to expand beyond the borders. Chair Williams asked if anyone else had anything to add about Night to Unite. Commissioner Khan stated that she was not able to participate this year, but in years past, she has been involved in the event. She added that it would be a great idea to involve all the Commissioners and Commissions in the future, with some advanced warning, as it would be a great way to show the community about the Commissions, and for the Commissions to learn about the neighborhoods. d. All-Commission Appreciation Night Chair Williams stated that the next item is the All-Commission Appreciation Night, and there is a link in the agenda for a survey that all the Commissioners should take. She noted what the appreciation night would entail and also that the survey would ask what information Commissioners would like to have online. Staff Liaison Oster noted that the Clerk’s Office does want to hear from all of the Commissioners, specifically regarding the contact information that is public, and what the Commissioners are comfortable sharing. . Chair Williams noted the All Commission Celebration survey that was shared on the screen. Community Engagement Specialist Jones stated that the All-Commission Appreciate Night would take place on Wednesday, October 9th, at Constitution Hall at Brooklyn Center Community Center from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. She noted that there was a survey for the Commissioners to take, which included three questions, so that the City could consider the Commissioners' thoughts. Staff Liaison Oster noted that there was a deadline, but the survey was still live, so if the Commissioners did not complete it, they could still go in and do so. He noted that he would send an email with the agenda and the direct links to the survey. Commissioner Khan stated that she believed she had already filled out the survey, as the information had gone out in an email prior. Staff Liaison Oster clarified that the survey had gone out prior, but he wanted to include it on the agenda for Commissioner Mays, as she is new. Commissioner Khan asked if responses were able to be tracked and if she had responded. Staff Liaison Oster stated that he does not have Survey Monkey access, but he could ask to see if she did respond. 09/02/25 -4- DRAFT Chair Williams asked if there were any other questions; hearing none, she asked if anyone needed a break, which no one did, so the meeting continued. e. Commission Code of Conduct Document Chair Williams stated that the Commission would review the Commission Code of Conduct Document and that feedback on it is due September 12th. Staff Liaison noted that a copy of the document is attached to the agenda, and that it is not expected for the Commission to go through the whole document at the meeting, but it is attached to the agenda so it can be reviewed and feedback submitted by the 12th to the Clerk’s Office. He stated that if there are any questions or feedback, they could go through them. Commissioner Khan stated that as the Chair of the Cultural and Public Art Commission, CPAC, she and the rest of that Commission have looked at the document and provided feedback, along with sending a letter to the Mayor about their concerns. She noted that she has an AI-generated summary of the concerns if anyone would be interested in hearing them. Chair Williams stated that Commissioner Khan could move forward with sharing the concerns from the Cultural and Public Art Commission. Chair Khan suggested that the summary be read and then shared via email so that everyone would have access to it. Staff Liaison Oster agreed that it would be a great way to share it. He read the concerns that were listed in the email provided by Chair Khan from the CPAC. He stated that the first concern was that there was inadequate review time for the Commissions to provide feedback on a major policy document. Commissioner Khan stated that originally, the turnaround time was very short, 2 days, and there was a lot of feedback that came from the CPAC. Staff Liaison Oster noted that he was glad they extended the deadline. Commissioner Khan stated that the current deadline is still not sufficient because it does not allow all the Commissions to have met and review the document. Staff Liaison Oster read the second concern, being that the distinct roles of the Commissioners are not the same as the Councilmembers and should be recognized as such. He explained that the Code of Conduct is being talked about by the Council and that it does need to be recognized as distinct roles. Chair Williams clarified that the question is whether the Commissions are being held to a different standard than the City Council itself. Staff Liaison Oster stated that it was correct. Chair Williams noted that she has a concern with that, then as well. 09/02/25 -5- DRAFT Chair Williams asked if, because they are not at quorum, there is no way for the Commission to share the information. Staff Liaison Oster noted that any feedback could be shared with the City Clerk and that would be shared with Council. Commissioner Khan noted that paid Staff have other documents that govern their behavior, and that the rights and responsibilities of the Commissioners are different and should be treated as such, and not just slightly changed from the Code of Ethics that is followed by the City Council. Staff Liaison Oster continued to read that issue number three has to do with First Amendment Rights, and that any Commission Code must not infringe on Commissioners' First Amendment rights. Chair Williams stated that she agrees with this issue and that it should not be tied to both the Commission and the City Council, and that the Commissioners should be able to speak to their own beliefs in ways in which they see fit. Commissioner Khan noted that the CPAC was quite concerned about the Code and how it was infringing on the Constitutional rights of the Commissioners, including what can be said, who can be interacted with, and if the Commissioners can complain. She stated that expression should be done professionally, but it should not be limited. Staff Liaison Oster stated that this then leads to the fourth issue, which is the risk of misuse, and the Council could suppress dissent, retaliate against Commissioners, or silence criticism. Commissioner Khan stated that the CPAC was concerned because repercussions in the draft of the Code are permitted for Commissioners, which do not exist for Councilmembers or Staff, so not only is it misuse, but also not fair to the Commissioners. She noted that Commissioners are supposed to be a way for residents to provide enhanced feedback to the City, but that with this draft, there would be a risk in being a part of the Commission. Staff Liaison Oster continued with the email, and issue six is that the Commission Code should not be tied to the Council Code, and Council should move forward with its own Code and not delay with the Commission issues, but not include the Commission in the Code. He asked if the Council has its own Code of Conduct. Commissioner Khan noted that Council has not passed one yet, but they have one that is ready to be passed; however, it is tied to the Commission Code. Staff Liaison Oster continued with the issues and point five being process concerns, that the Commissions should have been included from the beginning, and the rushed process undermines and risks imposing unfair restrictions without precedent, since no comparable Commission Codes were found in any other Minnesota cities. Chair Williams noted that there is no pressure for the Council to move forward with this right now. She added that since there is no quorum, the Sister Cities Commission 09/02/25 -6- DRAFT will not be able to submit something formal, but that make sure to review and submit something personally from each Commissioner. She asked when the concerns would be addressed and if the September 12th deadline is a hard deadline. Staff Liaison Oster stated that he would bring the questions to the Council. Commissioner Khan agreed that there is no rush on the Commission Code and that it does not have to be tied to the Council Code, so if the Council Code is ready for passage, then the Council should just pass that Code and let the Commission Code be developed as a separate process. Staff Liaison Oster stated that he took some notes to bring back to the Staff: inquire about an extension, and will there be a follow-up after the September 12th deadline. Chair Williams asked if there was anything else to add. Commissioner Khan asked if the recommendations and the closing point that were given by the CPAC could be viewed by the Commissioners. Staff Liaison Oster read through the recommendations. He noted that it would be powerful for individual Commissioners to respond to the draft with feedback, and that would show that many have concerns, and they will need to move to make some corrections. Chair Williams clarified where the feedback should be sent. Staff Liaison Oster noted that the original email with the Code of Conduct is the email to reply to. Community Engagement Specialist Jones asked if this is something that would be addressed to the City Council. Staff Liaison Oster stated that he would connect with the Clerk’s Office and also the Deputy City Manager first, and then he would ask if Commissioners should go to the City Council meeting with their concerns, or they should just go to the Clerk’s Office. Commissioner Khan noted that it was her understanding that the deadline of September 12th was so that any new draft could be included in the Council packet on September 19th in preparation for the City Council meeting on September 24th. She noted that it may be appropriate to attend the open forum and to voice concerns there as well. Staff Liaison Oster stated that it is a great idea. Chair Williams added that both Staff Liaison Oster, taking concerns back to the Staff, and attending the open forum, or writing a letter, will work. Commissioner Khan noted that she hopes Chair Williams can take the concerns of the Sister Cities Commission, along with the other Chairs, to the Council as well. Chair Williams noted that if there is nothing else to add, then they will continue on with the meeting. f. Brooklyn Park Sister Cities Commission Update Staff Liaison Oster noted that at a previous meeting, Commissioner Khan had asked about the Brooklyn Park Sister Cities Commission, and he was able to contact Dr. Angel 09/02/25 -7- DRAFT Smith, who is the Staff Liaison for the Sister Cities Commission in Brooklyn Park. He added that Brooklyn Park does not currently have a Sister Cities Commission, but he did invite Dr. Angel Smith to the next two meetings, and she was going to get back to him with her availability. Commissioner Khan asked if Brooklyn Park does not have a Commission or if it is just inactive. Staff Liaison Oster noted that it is just inactive, similar to how the Brooklyn Center Sister Cities Commission was inactive. Commissioner Khan noted that if both Commissions were able to be active, it would build up the ability to do things. Staff Liaison Oster stated that it is something that can be proposed. Chair Williams asked if there were any other questions to add. 6. CHECK-OUT Staff Liaison Oster noted that there was nothing to add here since there were no questions. Chair Williams stated that the Approval of the Agenda and the Approval of the July minutes would be moved to the next agenda. 7. ADJOURN Chair Williams moved to adjourn the meeting, and Commissioner Khan seconded the motion. Commissioners unanimously adopted the motion. Chair Williams declared the Commission meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.