Title

Human Rights Commission

Equity, Inclusion and Workplace Culture Links

Sections

Purpose

The Human Rights Commission was formed in 1968 shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The purpose of the Commission is to advise the City Council in ensuring for all citizens of the city equal opportunity in those areas protected by law and in such other affairs as may affect the social standards of the city.

The commission is a resident-led arm of the City Council, comprised of community members focusing on human rights education, outreach, and engagement to raise awareness and quality of life for the Bloomington community.

2026 Work Plan

Rules of Procedure

As revised through August 20, 2024
City Council Approved September 16, 2024

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) will fulfill its mission and purpose of aiding and advising the City Council in ensuring equal opportunity in the areas of human rights protected by law for all community members in the city of Bloomington. We will do this by identifying work plan goals, along with broader human rights issues, that align with the overall strategic plan of the City of Bloomington. The HRC will work to align the Commissioner’s work plan with the goals and strategies of the Bloomington Tomorrow Together Strategic Plan (BTT) and work to ensure accountability to the Core Values of the plan. The HRC will work to ensure that the City Council’s strategic plan does not have adverse effects on the human rights of Bloomington community members. The HRC will partner with other city commissions to ensure our work has the broadest impact. Success or failure of the HRC’s work plan goals will be measured against the mission, core values, and strategic objectives of the BTT.

The following rules of procedure are adopted by the Human Rights Commission (here and after referred to as “Commission”) to facilitate its work as a permanent advisory Commission established by the City Council under Chapter Two, Section 2.02, of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Chapter Two, Section 2.70 of the Bloomington City Code.

The Commission’s purpose shall be to aid and advice City Council in ensuring for all citizens of the city equal opportunity in those areas protected by law and in such other affairs as may affect the social standards of the city. The duties and responsibilities and membership are as set forth in Article V, Division E, of Chapter Two of the Bloomington City Code. General provisions governing the Commission are as set forth in, Article Five, Division A of Chapter Two of the Bloomington City Code.

Section 1: Meetings

1.1 Regular meetings

Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M. A schedule of the regular meetings shall be kept on file in the Commission’s primary office. If the Commission decides to hold a regular meeting at a time or place different from the time or place stated in its schedule of regular meetings, it shall give the same notice of the meeting that is required for a special meeting under the open meeting statutes of the State of Minnesota, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13D.

1.2 Special meetings

Special meetings may be called by the Chair as defined in Section 2.1 or by three members of the Commission. Special meetings may be called only when such meetings comply with the advance notice requirements of the statutes of the State of Minnesota, Minn. Stat. Chapter 13D.04, subd.2.

1.3 Place

Regular meetings shall ordinarily be held in the Bloomington Civic Plaza. Meetings may be held in other accessible facilities as the Commission deems necessary.

1.4 Public

All regular, committee, and special meetings and all records and minutes shall be open to the public.

1.5 Quorum

A quorum consists of a majority (half the number of appointed members, plus one member) of the current Commissioners appointed to the Commission and shall be required for the transaction of business and taking of official action.

1.6 Vote

Except as otherwise specified in these rules, voting shall be by voice. A majority of the appointed Commissioners must vote in the affirmative to pass a motion. A Commission member may have their vote on a particular issue recorded if they wish. A minority report may be submitted by a minimum of two (2) members of the Commission

Section 2: Organization

2.1 Chairperson

The Commission shall elect from its members a Chairperson, by majority of votes cast, to serve a one-year term as the Chairperson at meetings, and to report to the City Council all findings and recommendations of the commission.
Every Commission meeting shall be conducted by a Chairperson who shall be responsible for coordinating preparation of the meeting agenda with the City staff liaison. The Chairperson shall appoint committee membership and Chairpersons and perform such other duties as may be prescribed in the By- Laws.
The Chairperson shall conduct the meeting so as to keep it moving as rapidly and efficiently as possible and shall remind members, petitioners, and residents to stick to the subject at hand.
The Chairperson shall not move for action but may second motions.
The Chairperson shall be responsible for the communications of the Commission.

2.2 Work Plan/Annual Report
The Chairperson shall be responsible for submitting an Annual Work Plan and Annual Report to the Commission for review and approval prior to presenting it to the City Council.

2.3 Vice-Chairperson
The Commission shall elect from its members one Vice- Chairperson, by majority of votes cast, to serve a one-year term and to fulfill the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.

2.4 Past Chairperson
The Past Chairperson will fulfill the duties of the Commission in the absence of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson.

2.5 Election
The Chairperson, and Vice-Chairperson shall be elected in February at a regular meeting by majority vote with their term beginning in March.

Each member of the Commission shall cast a ballot for the Commissioner they wish to be Chairperson. The Commissioner receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be Chairperson. If no one receives a majority of all votes cast, balloting shall continue until one Commissioner receives a majority.
The Vice-Chairperson shall then be elected, in order, by the same procedure. These Chairpersons shall take office immediately following their election and shall hold office until their successors have been elected and have assumed office.

2.6 Vacancies
If the Chairperson retires during their term of office, the Vice- Chairperson shall become Chairperson A new Vice-Chairperson will be elected at the next meeting. If both retire, new officers shall be elected at a meeting called as soon as possible, but not to exceed 60 days from the date of retirement. An officer may decline the opportunity to move to the next position. If this occurs, the vacancy will be filled at a meeting, as soon as possible, but not to exceed 60 days from the date of vacancy.

2.7 Absence
If members of the Executive Committee are absent from a meeting, the Past Chairperson will serve as chair. If the Past Chairperson is not present, the Commission shall name a temporary Chairperson by voice vote.

Section 3: Committees

3.1 Approval by City Council

The Commission may establish committees or subcommittees after specific approval by the City Council. No committee or subcommittees after specific approval by the City Council. No committee or
subcommittee may engage in activities, functions, or duties outside the scope of authority granted to the Commission by the City Council.

3.2 Involvement of Community

The Commission may develop committees, chaired in each instance by a Commission member, to permit involvement of the greatest number of community representatives to plan and carry out programs and to allow for utilizing persons with expertise and knowledge who may not be members of the Commission.

3.3 Areas

The Commission may establish Committees as the needs become apparent to the Commission, in accordance with §2.73 Bloomington City Code. The committees may include, but are not limited to, sections related to Chapter 363A, Minnesota Statutes, and may liaison with other organizations including other local commissions and agencies.

3.4 Committee Reports

Every committee meeting shall be reported at the full Commission meeting for inclusion in the meeting’s minutes.

3.5 Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Executive Committee shall assist the Commission in efficiently organizing and effectively conducting its affairs by reviewing and assisting the Commission in coordinating all Commission business. The Executive Committee shall review agenda items prior to Commission meetings to provide background information or to make recommendations, but not to establish policy on behalf of the Commission.

Section 4

4.1 Human Rights Award

The Commission may present the Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award to an individual, organization or corporation that has made a significant contribution to ensuring the rights of people in Bloomington. Such a presentation must be approved at a regular or special meeting by majority of the current membership of the Commission.

4.2 Training

An orientation session will be held for newly appointed Commissioners to familiarize them with the Minnesota Human Rights Act; Open Meeting Law; the commission’s purpose, attendance requirements, and meeting dates; the function of the City departments and advisory commissions; the responsibilities and procedures of an advisory board/commission; and an introduction to City staff including the staff liaison. All new appointees to the Commission shall receive By-Laws, Work Plan, Annual Report, the last 2-months of Minutes, a meeting calendar, a copy of the Minnesota State Human Rights Act, and any other pertinent information.

4.3 Recommendations to the City Council

No recommendations for action by the City Council or information shall be forwarded to the City Council unless such information or recommendation receives the vote of the majority of Commissioners present.

4.4 Public Communications

Shall meet the following criteria:

Consist of information about Commission activities as summarized in its records.
Not advocate positions on behalf of the City of Bloomington unless specifically approved by the City Council. Requests for public comment should be referred to the Staff Liaison.
Have the approval of the Chairperson and the staff liaison.

4.5 Individual Commissioners

Individual commissioners may communicate personal opinions so long as they make clear that the opinion does not represent the position of the Commission, committee of the Commission, or the City.

4.6 Open Meeting Law

The Commission is governed by the Open Meeting Law as found in Minn. Stat. Chapter 13D.02.

4.7 Rules of Order

The rules of order contained in Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the Commission in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Minnesota, City resolutions of the City Council, these rules of procedure, or special rules of the Commission.

4.8 Suspension of Rules

The Commission may suspend any of these rules by a 2/3 vote of those members present.

4.9 Amendments

These rules may be amended by a vote of a majority of the members of the Commission, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted at the previous regular meeting.

4.10 Review

The Bylaws shall be reviewed on an annual basis, at a time to be determined, no later than August.

Members

Thomas Burns
Term expires: 02/28/27

Anna Decker
Term expires: 02/28/29

Ammar Elmustafa Young Adult Commissioner
Term expires: 08/31/26

Ngawang Gonsar Vice Chairperson
Term expires: 02/29/27

Baron Lewis
Term expires: 02/28/29

J. MOST
Term expires: 02/28/29

Amari Musignac Young Adult Commissioner
Term expires: 08/31/26

Julia Perry
Term expires: 02/29/28

Jessica Thornton Chairperson
Term expires: 02/28/27

Meeting Information

Staff & LGBTQIA+ Liaison

Omar Bonderud Human Rights Award

Contact Information