Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: October 28, 2026
To: Human Rights Commission
From: Claudia Garcia, Staff Liaison
Title
Staff Report.
Body
Action Requested:
None.
Summary Report:
The following are some updates on activities to share with the Human Rights Commission:
§ MN Department of Human Rights
• Mission- Make Minnesota discrimination free.
• 3 Primary Duties
o The Minnesota Human Rights Act tasks the Minnesota Department of Human Rights with three primary duties:
§ Investigate charges of discrimination
§ Issue Workforce and Equal Pay Certificates
§ Educate to reduce discrimination and disparate outcomes
• Report Discrimination
o Call 651-539-1100 or 1-833-454-0148.
o Translation/interpretation services are available.
o You have within one year to report the alleged act of discrimination to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
o If you are the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.
• News:
o Minnesota Department of Human Rights Joins Civil Rights Agencies Urging Federal Government to Preserve Workforce Demographic Reporting.
§ The Minnesota Department of Human Rights joined civil rights enforcement agencies from seven states and the District of Columbia in urging the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to preserve longstanding federal workforce demographic reporting requirements that help agencies identify and address employment discrimination.
o Minnesota Department of Human Rights is hiring for three open positions: associate, general counsel, case coordinator, and senior government relations director.
§ Associate General Counsel: Apply by Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Case Coordinator: Apply by Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Senior Government Relations Director: Apply by Monday, October 26, 2026
o Minnesota Department of Human Rights Announces Two Businesses Discriminated Against Native Americans by Refusing to Accept Identification Issued by their Tribal Nations.
§ The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) today announced that two Minnesota businesses discriminated against Native Americans by refusing to accept Tribal identification (ID) cards issued by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe and Red Lake Nation.
§ Public Participation
• Northfield has many residents who want to stay connected, informed and participate. Northfield is a community with caring, passionate and thought-provoking residents. We want to hear from everyone.
• Public Participation | Northfield, MN - Official Website <https://northfieldmn.gov/1633/Public-Participation>
§ Collaborating with different community partners and city departments:
• City Administration
• City Hall will be closed on
o Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th
o Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th
o Christmas, noon on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25
o New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1st
• State Statute requires Early Voting locations to be open for additional hours prior to Election Day. Early Voting will be open at Northfield City Hall the following days for additional hours:
o Saturday, October 24, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
o Tuesday, October 27, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
o Saturday, October 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
o Sunday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
o Monday, November 2, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• City Council Meeting on
o Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6pm in the Council Chambers
o Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 6pm in the Council Chambers (work session)
o Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 6pm in the Council Chambers
• Every month, Mayor Zweifel writes an article for the community, you can find it on the city website: •Note from the Mayor: balancing community investment and fiscal responsibility Northfield, MN <https://northfieldmn.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2662>
• For questions regarding elections, please contact:
o Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
§ 507-645-3001
§ lynette.peterson@northfieldmn.gov <mailto:lynette.peterson@northfieldmn.gov>
§ Nothfieldmn.gov/Vote
• DMV
o Hours:
§ Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30am- 4:15pm
§ Tuesday 7:30am-5:45pm
§ Friday 7:30am-11:45am
§ For more information, visit the website: Motor Vehicle | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/258/Motor-Vehicle>
• Community Development
o Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) will be collaborating with the City of Northfield and MCCD (Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers)
• Northfield Public Library
o The Northfield Public Library is such an asset to our community and now we are hiring for a full-time Library Clerk I - Bilingual position. Would you like to join our team?! Complete information can be found on our website:
§ Career Opportunities | Sorted by Job Title ascending | CAREER OPPORTUNITIES <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northfieldmn>
o The library sells Hiawathaland Bus tokens
o The library also processes US passports by appointment:
• Home - Passport Services - MyNPL at Northfield Public Library <https://mynpl.org/passports>
• Engineering:
o Construction & Development Projects
§ Staying connected with live projects on “Notify Me” to stay up to date on live projects.
§ <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/291/Construction-Development-Projects>
o The city is conducting a Speed Limit Study.
§ You're invited to review the proposed speed limits and provide feedback during the second open house for the Speed Limit Study on Wednesday, October 28, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hasse Ryt-Way Arena, 1900 Cannon Road.
• In addition to the community-wide meeting, comment on the interactive map:
• Comment on interactive map <https://gis.bolton-menk.com/inputid/?app=NorthfieldSpeedLimitStudy>
• inputID <https://gis.bolton-menk.com/inputid/?app=NorthfieldSpeedLimitStudy>
o Continuous efforts for accessibility and equity:
§ Interpreter Etiquette- is a guide for those needing and Meeting Participants | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1506/Meeting-Participants>
§ Providing communications in English and Spanish
• Social media platforms
o (1) City of Northfield, Minnesota | Northfield MN | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/cityofnorthfield>
o •City of Northfield (@cityofnorthfield) Instagram photos and videos <https://www.instagram.com/cityofnorthfield/?hl=en>
o (3) City of Northfield account | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/city-of-northfield-account-7514b2278/>
§ Accessibility links on City website
• Translate feature
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
NA