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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.01.06 SCCM 01/06/26 -1- DRAFT BROOKLYN CENTER SISTER CITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026 BROOKLYN CENTER CITY HALL 1. OPEN MEETING Staff Liaison Oster called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. Chair Williams followed with the Lives and Land Acknowledgment. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners: Nahid Khan, Tashawna Williams, and Yolanda Mayes. City Staff: Community Engagement Coordinator Armando Oster Council Liaison: None Guest: Kennisha Creighton 3. CHECK-IN a. How did you celebrate the holidays? The Commissioners, Staff Liaison, and guest shared how their holiday time was spent. 4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 4, 2025, MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Mayes moved to adopt the agenda as presented and approve the minutes of November 4, 2025, and Commissioner Khan seconded it. Motion unanimously adopted. 5. 2026 SSC POSITION VOTING a. Recap from November 4, 2025, meeting Chair Williams reviewed that the current positions were staying in place, and that the applicants for Commission would be invited to fill as desired. Staff Liaison Oster noted that there have been no applicants as of yet to fill the vacancy. He asked if the Commission is comfortable with how things are moving forward, especially Chair Williams, with continuing in the direction as discussed at the previous meeting. Chair Williams stated that for now, she can continue to serve as Chair and wants to 01/06/26 -2- DRAFT continue supporting the Commission in any way possible, but ideally, she is looking to transition to just being a Commissioner. Staff Liaison Oster pointed out that he is happy to continue supporting the Commission by preparing the agenda and helping in any way possible. He shared that he was going to really push to get new commissioners and look into past applicants as well. Chair Williams asked for clarification on the current status. Staff Liaison Oster explained that the hope with Commissioner Zeon being the Vice Chair was that she would transition into the Chair role or a new Commissioner would come in and fill any of the open roles as well. Commissioner Mayes asked if the roles of Secretary and Treasurer were to be combined. Chair Williams shared that the necessary positions are Chair and Vice Chair, and at this time, Secretary and Treasurer are not necessary. Commissioner Khan noted that she is in support of the plan that was set at the November 4, 2025, meeting. She added that at this time, there is no need for a Treasurer because there is no funding. 6. 2026 MEETING DATES a. City Website Chair Williams stated that the meeting would be held every other month. She pointed out that the dates are on the City Website calendar and also listed in the November 4, 2025, meeting minutes. Staff Liaison Oster shared how to locate the dates on the City Website, along with the Agenda, and the Online link to the meeting as well. He looked at the calendar online to confirm all the dates along with the Commission. He shared more information about the Liberian Independence Day on July 26, 2026. He stated that the organizers have already met with the City, and are hoping that the event will be done really well with the support of the City. He noted that a Special Events Permit is needed, so if there is anyone who wants to do something in the park, this will need to take place 45 days before the event for under 500 people; more than 500 people requires 90 days before the event for the permit to be obtained. He noted Nite to Unite on August 4, 2026, as being a date to look at as well. RECESS AND RECONVENE Staff Liaison Oster called for a five-minute recess; no one needed one, so the meeting moved on. 7. UPDATES a. Vacancy on SSC Chair Williams asked if there were any other suggestions on how to spread the word. 01/06/26 -3- DRAFT Commissioner Mayes suggested putting something in the Brooklyn Center newsletter. She noted this is where she saw the information. She asked if there is a Facebook page for the City. Staff Liaison Oster stated that there is one and that throughout the year, there are commission openings posted on social media. He explained that he is looking for ways to invite people face-to-face and describe what the Commission does. He asked if the Commissioners need to say to people when they talk about the work of the Commission. He stated that he is going to go back to look at the people who applied but were not selected, and find out how to reach back out to them. Commissioner Khan wondered if some outreach could be done to cultural and ethnic organizations in the area, especially those that serve the African Immigrant community and the African American community, since the Sister City is in Liberia. She added reaching out to community newspapers or other forms of media. Chair Williams noted that using the media is a great idea and asked about the budgetary restraints of that. Staff Liaison Oster noted that it would just be a call out for the whole City on the different positions that are needed within the City. She noted it would be great to have a paragraph of what all the Commissioners can share about the Commission. Commissioner Khan shared that there is a radio and online program with Insight News, hosted by Al McFarlane, that could be utilized to have a possible sit-down session to share about the Brooklyn Center Sister Cities Commission. Staff Liaison Oster stated that it is a great idea. He asked if Commissioner Khan would be able to help connect with the contacts and set it up. Commissioner Khan stated that she could reach out to Mr. McFarlane. She noted that it would be good to plan amongst the Commission first before a date is set. b. SSC Commission History Chair Williams noted that Staff Liaison Oster had provided a history book of the Sister Cities Commission. She thanked him for doing so and asked if he could share more. Staff Liaison Oster shared that the booklet is called The Sister Cities International Membership Directory, which can be found online. He shared that he was able to attend the Sister Cities International Convention a few years ago. He noted that the biggest takeaway was the importance of community development with the work of the Commission. He noted that community development specific to community government could be housing, jobs, and supporting hospital infrastructure. He stated that the booklet provides all the information about that and would be brought to future meetings. He hopes to find the updated version to include in a future agenda to utilize in the future. Staff Liaison Oster shared how to get to the application page on the City Website by showing it on the screen. He furthered with the Website about the Sister Cities portion as well, and went through each link to show what was in it. He noted that 01/06/26 -4- DRAFT some of the information was included in the Agenda Packet. He shared the original Resolution, the Commissioners are on the website, the historical perspective is on the website, and there are Google maps for the City in Liberia. He shared that a delegation went to Liberia, and that there is a lot of information on the City Website. Chair Williams noted updating the information would be important, what would be ideal for City Council to help the Commission move forward, especially with a budget, will there be opportunities to visit Liberia again in the future, or the International Conference. Staff Liaison Oster stated that there is a document that is connected to each Agenda Packet each time, and would be used to make a paragraph to speak from. Chair Williams suggested updating some photos as the engagement opportunities come along. Commissioner Khan asked about other local Sister Cities Commissions, which would be a great thing to attend if available as well. Staff Liaison Oster noted he looked at past events on the International website, but is not seeing anything upcoming. He noted that he would contact the Sister Cities International for anything upcoming. Chair Williams stated that on that website, there was a leadership meeting as well that looked interesting and could be looked into as well. c. Community Engagement Opportunities 2026 Chair Williams recapped the events that were upcoming: Liberian Independence Day and Night to Unite. She asked for questions or suggestions. She noted that it would be nice to do something with the Brooklyn Center all community commissions, or to plan something with all the other commissions. She noted it was a way for the community to meet the commissions. Staff Liaison Oster shared that the City is looking to revamp meetings. He asked if an open house would be a good idea, such as the police and fire do. He asked what the Commission thought of that. Chair Williams noted that it could be a great way to go about it, and offer a dinner if possible, as a way to give back as well. Commissioner Khan noted her support for the idea. Commissioner Khan shared that when at community engagement events, Commissioners have an identifier, more than just a sticker, such as a button, and other Commissions could use that as well. Staff Liaison Oster shared his magnetic nametag and shared that it would work great for an identifier. He noted that he could ask the City if something like that could be done. He stated shirts could work as well. Chair Williams shared that youth-designed shirts would be fun to have as well. Commissioner Khan noted that there are artists who are residents who would also be willing to help. Chair Williams stated that it was a great idea as well. 8. CHECK-OUT Staff Liaison Oster asked for one or two words, or a phrase that comes to mind for the 2026 SCC. Chair Williams shared the words motivated and comfortable. Staff 01/06/26 -5- DRAFT Liaison Oster stated he was excited based on the last meeting and this meeting as well. Commissioner Khan stated, looking forward to continually building up the Commission. Commissioner Mayes stated her word is intrigued. 9. ADJOURN Chair Williams moved to adjourn the meeting, and Commissioner Mayes seconded the motion. Members unanimously adopted the motion. Chair Williams declared the Commission meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.