Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: June 25, 2025
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
• One of the strongest civil rights laws in the country- the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
• They are charged with upholding the civil rights of Minnesotans by enforcing the Minnesota Human Rights Act <https://mn.gov/mdhr/yourrights/>. Passed into law in 1967.
• Vision- Create a world where everyone can lead lives full of dignity and joy.
• 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 Do you believe you were discriminated against? Were you asked about your current or past pay while applying for a job?
o Please complete the form below. That information goes directly to the investigation team.
o If you do not have access to the internet to complete this form, leave us a message at 651-539-1100 or 1-833-454-0148. Translation/interpretation services are available.
o Filling out this form does not mean you filed a charge of discrimination. We will review the information you submitted and determine your experience is covered under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
o The Civil Rights Investigation Process chart <https://mn.gov/mdhr/intake/what-happens-next/> explains what happens next.
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 Make sure to subscribe for email updates: Minnesota Department of Human Rights <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDHR/subscriber/new?email=>
State Court Enforceable Agreement Is Binding and Isn’t Going Anywhere
City of Minneapolis remains under state court enforceable agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights
May 21, 2025
[St. Paul, MN] The Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the state’s civil rights enforcement agency, today issued the following statement following news that the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss the proposed federal consent decree with the City of Minneapolis (City) and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD):
“While the Department of Justice walks away from their federal consent decree nearly five years from the murder of George Floyd, our Department and the state court consent decree isn’t going anywhere,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “Under the state agreement, the City and MPD must make transformational changes to address race-based policing. The tremendous amount of work that lies ahead for the City, including MPD, cannot be understated. And our Department will be here every step of the way.”
State court enforceable agreement
In March 2023, the Department of Human Rights and the City reached and filed a court enforceable agreement. In July 2023, Hennepin County District Court Judge Karen Janisch approved the agreement, State of Minnesota by Rebecca Lucero, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, vs. City of Minneapolis, Court File No. 27-cv-23-4177.
The state court enforceable agreement <https://mn.gov/mdhr/mpd/agreement/> is the result of the Department of Human Rights’ investigation into the City and MPD, which was immediately launched following the murder of George Floyd.
The investigation <https://mn.gov/mdhr/assets/Investigation%20into%20the%20City%20of%20Minneapolis%20and%20the%20Minneapolis%20Police%20Department_tcm1061-526417.pdf> found the City and MPD engage in a pattern or practice of race discrimination in violation of Minnesota’s civil rights law.
The state court enforceable agreement addresses the findings by requiring the City and MPD to make transformational changes to their organizational culture by recognizing the humanity and civil rights of community members, addressing race-based policing, and strengthening public safety.
The agreement contains many provisions that are based on what Minneapolis community members and MPD officers shared during extensive engagement conducted by the Department of Human Rights.
Effective Law Enforcement for All, the independent evaluator for the state court enforceable agreement, recently issued its latest semi-annual progress report. The report and the Department of Human Rights’ letter responding to the report is available on ’Effective Law Enforcement for Alls website <https://ele4a.org/minneapolis-reports/>.
The court is the only entity that can terminate the state court enforceable agreement once it determines that the City and MPD have reached full, effective, and sustained compliance with the terms of the agreement.
§ 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>
§ Community Events Calendar:
• Events Calendar - Northfield, Minnesota (northfieldmn.gov) <https://events.northfieldmn.gov/>
§ Collaborating with different community partners and city departments:
• City Administration
§ Boards & Commission Training
• Tuesday, October 28, 2025
• 5pm-8pm
§ Questions?
• 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
• Northfield Public Library
o The Library is now selling:
§ Hiawathaland Bus tokens and
§ Processing US passports by appointment:
• Home - Passport Services - MyNPL at Northfield Public Library <https://mynpl.org/passports>
• Service hours:
o Mon: 9am-noon; 1-4pm
o Tues: 9am-noon; 1-4pm
o Wed: 9am-noon; 1-4pm
o Thurs: 1-4pm; 5-7pm
o 1st & 3rd Sat: 9am-noon; 1-4pm
• 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>
• Community Development
o Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) will be collaborating with the City of Northfield and MCCD (Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers)
• DMV
o Hours:
§ Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30am- 4:15pm
§ Tuesday 7:30am-5:45pm
§ Friday 7:30am-11:45am
§ Motor Vehicle | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/258/Motor-Vehicle>
o Continuous efforts for accessibility and equity:
§ Interpreter Etiquette Meeting Participants | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1506/Meeting-Participants>
§ Cultural & Language Training
• <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1297/LanguageLine>
§ 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
§ Northfield Public Broadcasting
• Charter Spectrum channels 180 & 187 and on the City website.
• Encouraging community organizations/individuals to submit video content.
• Recording and Live Streaming Board and Commission Meetings
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
NA