Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: June 26, 2024
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
o City of Northfield
§ Community Events Calendar:
• Events Calendar - Northfield, Minnesota (northfieldmn.gov) <https://events.northfieldmn.gov/>
§ Collaborating with different community partners and city departments:
• Admin
o 2024 Elections
§ Election dates:
(Polls are open 7am- 8pm)
• August 13, 2024 Primary Election Day
• November 5, 2024 General Election Day
§ Voting Early
(Vote early in the Primary Election; June 28-August 12 at Northfield City Hall, 2nd Floor Training Room, 801 Washington Street. Must be in line 15 minutes before closing time.)
• Mondays, 7:30am- 4:30 pm
• Tuesdays, 7:30 am- 6pm
• Wednesdays, 7:30am- 4:30pm
• Thursdays, 7:30am- 4:30pm
• Fridays, 7:30am- 12:00pm
• Northfieldmn.gov/EarlyVoting
§ Registering in Advance
• Register to vote in advance to save time on Election Day. Register by July 23, 2024 for the Primary Election. Register by October 15, 2024 for the General Election.
• Mnvotes.org
§ Serving as an election judge
• Serving as an election judge is a chance to learn about elections, and is a great service to the community.
• Election judges help guarantee that the rights of voters are protected and are responsible for administering election procedures in polling locations on election day.
• Visit our website for more information on becoming an election judge.
• Northfieldmn.gov/Electionjudge
§ 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
• Swimming Pool
o Opened June 8
o 801 Seventh Street East
§ June 8-August 4, noon- 8pm
§ August 5-18, noon-6pm
§ Daily admission rates, as well as individual, dual & family passes
§ The pool has a zero-depth entry, a climbing wall, a toddler pool, concessions, and other amenities!
§ Northfieldmn.gov/swim
• Night to Unite
o Tuesday, August 6, 2024
o Northfield’s Night to Unite is an evening to gather with your neighbors, get to know each other, and promote community safety! Your neighborhood can also receive a free party kit (which includes plates, napkins, utensils, and activities for kids) and a visit from local police, fire, ambulance, mayor, or city staff.
o Northfieldmn.gov/NightToUnite
• Northfield Public Library
o The Library is now selling:
§ Hiawathaland Bus tokens
§ 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: 10am-2pm
§ Arts and Culture Commission- Under the guidance of stars
§
§ Hispanic Heritage Celebration
• Saturday, September 14, 2024
• Staff Liaison Claudia is on the HHC committee
• Engineering:
o Provide feedback on Construction & Development Projects
§ Construction & Development Projects | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/291/Construction-Development-Projects>
• HR & Communications
o Employment Opportunities:
§ ••Jobs Northfield, MN CivicEngage (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/jobs.aspx>
• DMV
o Hours:
§ Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30am- 4:15pm
§ Tuesday 7:30am-5:45pm
§ Friday 7:30am-11:45am
• Community Development:
o The City collaborated with a Twin Cities-based nonprofit Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) provides no-cost, one-on-one business support for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northfield through its Open to Business Program.
••Calendar Northfield, MN CivicEngage (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/calendar.aspx?eid=7590>
• The MCCD representative Vicky Gonzalez has started with regular office hours every 4th Thursday noon-3pm by appointment.
• Vicky is an English/Spanish bilingual rep.
o Continuous efforts for accessibility and equity:
§ Land Acknowledgement Statement
• Land Acknowledgement Statement | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1403/Land-Acknowledgement-Statement>
§ 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/>
§ Zoom webinar w/ interpreter feature
§ Accessibility links on City website
§ MN Department of Human Rights- enforces one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country, the Minnesota Human Rights Act <https://mn.gov/mdhr/yourrights/mhra/>.
Since 1967, the Minnesota Human Rights Act has protected the civil rights of Minnesotans.
The law prohibits discrimination in different areas such as employment, housing, and education on the basis of protected class such as race, religion, and disability.
• Contact Us
Have you have experienced or witnessed an incident of discrimination?
ONLINE FORM Report discrimination online. <https://mn.gov/mdhr/intake/>
PHONE 1-833-454-0148
§ Staying connected with live projects on “Notify Me” to stay up to date on live projects. <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/291/Construction-Development-Projects>
§ Northfield Public Broadcasting
• Recording and Live Streaming Board and Commission Meetings
• Charter Spectrum channels 180 & 187 and on the City website.
• Encouraging community organizations/individuals to submit video content.
• Researching NPB and YouTube videos more accessible in multiple languages.
o City of Northfield - YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnTBbacEOB4MxgNKzctOag>
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
NA