## Agenda Page 1 ## AGENDA ## CHASKA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ## CHASKA CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS & ZOOM Thursday, July 23, 2026 ## 6:30 PM ## 1. Roll Call ## 2. Adopt Agenda ## 3. Open Forum/Guest Presentation ## 3.A. Serrah Ssemukutu, ACT United ## 4. Approve Minutes 4.A. Approve Meeting Minutes - June 25, 2026 ## 5. Treasurer's Report 5.A. Treasurer's Report - July 2026 ## 6. Old Business 6.A. Pride Celebration recap ## 6.B. River City Days Cultural Celebration ## 7. New Business 8. Next Meeting Date - August 27, 2026 9. Adjourn Work session immediately following the meeting Page 1 of 5 ## Minutes ## CHASKA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Thursday, June 25, 2026 ## 6:30 PM ## 1. Roll Call ## Present: Chairperson Hubbard, Vice Chairperson Carlson, Commissioners Hanne Sandison, Kechi Duffy, Youth Representative Sean Haga, and City Staff Elise ## Durbin ## Absent: Commissioners McClosky, Haanan, and Mee ## 2. Adopt Agenda ## Motion: Commissioner Carlson ## Second: Commissioner Haga ## Motion: Carried ## 3. Open Forum/Guest Presentation ## 3.A. Lissa Weimelt, Founder of Maria’s Voice Lissa Weimelt provided a background on her organization, Maria’s Voice. She explained the reasoning behind the name of her organization. She shared that her organization is named after her daughter, who was murdered in an act of domestic violence in 2020. She shared that the mission of her organization is to prevent domestic abuse and aims to end domestic abuse. She provided the six CDC strategies and how Maria’s Voice implements these and takes action against domestic abuse. She reviewed the different forms of advertising and resources they provide to reach the community. She listed the programs they offer to adults, kids, teens, and men. She noted that they prioritize accessibility and readability regardless of reading level on all advertising and outreach. She reviewed the national recognition that Maria’s Voice has received. She listed the locations where they provide education. She presented the ways that people can help Maria’s Voice. Commissioner Carlson thanked her for her message on how to prevent abuse. She asked what the best thing someone can do to be an ally to those who are experiencing abuse. Ms. Weimelt shared that stating that you miss them or are concerned about them and trying to find time to connect with that person is the simplest, most effective way to help. She noted that this provides a place for Page 2 of 5 ## MINUTES-CHASKA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION June 25, 2026 PAGE 2 them to open up, and she added that the best thing you can do is listen and possibly give them a resource card from her organization. ## 4. Approve Minutes 4.A. Adopt Meeting Minutes – May 28, 2026 ## Motion: Commissioner Carlson ## Second: Commissioner Duffy ## Motion: Carried ## 5. Treasurer’s Report 5.A. Treasurer’s Report 2026 Durbin reported June expenses as follows: Since the May meeting, they have been purchasing items for the Pride Celebration. These items include ice cream, giveaways, and tie-dye kits. She stated that the remaining balance for the pride budget is just under $2000, but she will have a final number at the next meeting. Including the remaining balance for the Pride Celebration, the total balance is sitting at around $3000. ## Motion: Commissioner Carlson ## Second: Commissioner Haga ## Motion: Carried ## 6. Old Business ## 6.A. Pride Celebration Durbin provided an update on the Pride Celebration. She stated that it will be held Saturday, June 27 th, from 3-6 p.m. at Lions Park. She noted that they are wrapping up final details. They will have food trucks, tie-dye, ice cream, and a community art project. She stated that there are several community groups that will be participating. ## 6.B. River City Days Cultural Celebration Commissioner Duffy stated that the subcommittee has not met in a while. They have secured a few different organizations for the event. Commissioner Sandison stated that she has reached out to a few different organizations and has not fully secured anything yet for the event. Durbin stated that she has connected with someone from the school district to connect with others who may have more information on different cultures and who have put on similar celebrations in the past. Page 3 of 5 ## MINUTES-CHASKA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION June 25, 2026 PAGE 3 ## 7. New Business Commissioner Carlson shared some resources that are available in the City. She noted that she has a card that lists the available resources and phone numbers for the organization. This card is very helpful and accessible for when you may need help with certain issues. Commissioner Sandison stated that this will be her last meeting, since she is moving out of Chaska. She noted that she will stay on with the subcommittees she is a part of through the end of her term. She stated that she is very thankful for her time on the Commission. Commissioner Hubbard shared a personal experience at his job. He noted that he is aiming to help people more effectively and to enter into the deep or maybe dark places that many people don’t want to enter, in an effort to bring those people out of where they are. 8. Next Meeting Date – July 23, 2026, at City Hall Council Chambers and Zoom. 9. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Page 4 of 5 2026 Beginning Balance: $7,000 ## January Music (MLK Day event) ($200.00) Speaker (MLK Day event) ($500.00) Awards (MLK Day event) ($333.48) Refreshments (MLK Day event) ($45.00) ## February ## March ## April ## May T-Shirts (Pride event) ($745.50) ## June Ice Cream treats (Pride event) Giveaways (Pride event) Tie Dye kits (Pride event) ($149.88) ($103.95) ($47.78) ## July Facepainting (Pride event) Miscellaneous supplies (Pride event) ($540.00) ($24.37) Balance: $4,310.04 ## Notes: The April 2026 HRC meeting approved a $3000 budget for the Pride event. A total of $1,388.52 was unspent from this budget and put back into the overall budget. ## CHASKA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION July 23, 2026 Page 5 of 5