HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 09/09/2021APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER
Office of Housing and Community Services
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Greg Leeper (Chair), Shahram Missaghi, (Vice Chair),
Leslie Philmon, Sana Elassar, Philip Skeie, Asad Aliweyd,
Tyler Aman, Samuel Griffin, John Urbanski, Susan
Weaver
STUDENT MEMBERS: Hina Kazama, Keerthana Ramanathan, Salma Awale,
Shubhangi Mohan, Sophie Lunda, Zudaysi Osman
COMMISSION STAFF: Megan Yerks, Staff Liaison
Julie Krull, Recording Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Missaghi called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Commission Members Elassar
and Aliweyd were absent. Chair Leeper arrived at 8:15 pm.
II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Christine Ruzek, HR Manager for the City of Eden Prairie, was in attendance. Aman was
participating in the meeting virtually. The student members introduced themselves.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Skeie moved, seconded by Weaver, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-
0.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 12, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
MOTION: Urbanski moved, seconded by Griffin, to approve the August 12, 2021 minutes.
Motion carried 6-0.
V. LOCAL NON-PROFIT PRESENTATION
There was not a presentation this evening.
VI. STAFF REPORT – MEGAN YERKS
A. COMMUNITY NEWS
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1. Native Governance Center
Yerks stated they are releasing a new statement called Beyond Land
Acknowledgment: A Guide. She will send it out to all after the meeting.
2. EPLN Request
The Eden Prairie Local News is a non-profit organization doing journalism.
They are new to the area and there is a letter in the packet from Jeff Strate,
Board Member writer.
3. Chain Reaction Theatre Request
Shelly Smith reached out to Yerks for a partnership request to host White
Privilege in Eden Prairie. Chain Reaction Theatre is a non-profit organization
doing theater productions to bring local awareness on different issues.
Production is launching a new show entitled White Privilege. This is a
powerful play, performed in a series of vignettes, by both White and Black
actors. It explores a wide range of different issues, such as micro-aggressions,
cultural appropriation, the education system, police brutality and history. The
show, which is performed in two acts with one intermission, engages and
informs the audience with genuine passion and compassion. It helps the
audience to understand that white privilege exists: this is not a commentary
that is “anti-white”, but rather a commentary on how people perceive each
other.
The tentative performance locations are as follows:
10/22, 7 pm, Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bloomington
10/23, 7 pm, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Hopkins
10/24, 3 pm, Faith Lutheran church, Forest Lake
10/28, David’s Episcopal Church, Minnetonka
11/4, 7 pm, Community of the Cross Lutheran Church, Bloomington
11/5, 7 pm, Edina Community Lutheran Church, Edina
11/7, 3 pm, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie
Yerks said she would like to know if there is an interest from the Commission to
partner in this and also if we want to do a stand-alone hosting or work with
Immanuel Lutheran Church on Nov. 7th. The stand-alone hosting would take
place on Oct. 30th. Urbanski said he is already involved in this but feels the
Commission should be involved. Weaver asked what we would be doing if we
partnered with Immanuel Lutheran Church. Yerks stated she would have to
have a conversation with them to see what it all would entail. Griffin asked if
this is at a church is it okay for the Commission to support this. Yerks pointed
out it is something to consider in deciding to do a stand-alone or to partner with
someone. Weaver, Philmon and Griffin said they would like to partner.
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B. CITY / OHCS NEWS
The Eden Prairie Human Services Grant RFP is open until Sept. 17th. The grant
supports 10 programs through 9 non-profit organizations. $299,650 is awarded a
two year period.
C. HRDC NEWS
The City Wide Open House will take place on Oct. 9th, at 11 am. A discussion is
currently happening at the Director’s level about the event status. They are talking
about moving this outdoors and additional mitigation strategies will be introduced.
Official word on this will be coming soon.
D. COMMISSIONER UPDATES
Commission Mullins resigned.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. CITYWIDE OPEN HOUSE
In continuation of discussion on this topic in the staff notes Yerks said that Skeie and
Leeper agreed to tentatively help with this event. The event runs from 11 am to 2 pm.
The Commission will have two shifts for this event. Skeie said he could do the earlier
shift but said it would be dependent if the event was outside. Griffin said he was
available to help. Yerks pointed out again the City is considering whether this event
should take place indoors or outdoors and if masks should be considered mandatory.
The Commission will have a table at this event and they can have a spin wheel again
but it would have to be spun by staff only. She said she will keep the Commission
updated on any changes.
B. MLK JR DAY WORDS IN ACTION CONTEST
This is a contest for kids up to age 18. Individuals will select a quote from Dr. King
and express what it means through writing, art or video/audio. Up to four winners will
be recognized at the January City Council meeting. Winners and finalists will be
featured on the City’s social media platforms on MLK Day. Submissions are
considered in two age categories, under 13 and 13 and older. Only one submission per
individual and participants must reside or attend school in Eden Prairie.
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C. EDEN PRAIRIE RACE EQUITY INITIATIVE
1. Review of Introduction and Community Finding Chapters
Yerks commented there are a number of draft documents in the Commissioner packet
this evening. The Introduction Chapter will give an overview of the project and City
and the Overarching Findings will be followed with recommendations. She would
first like to review the Overarching Findings and pointed out this document came from
the report from DeYoung and Associates with Yerks adding to it. She asked for
Commissioners to review it and make comments. Missaghi said it was very good but
there are a few items he would like to have a little more information on; as in the
statement the perception of excellence is not universal. Weaver and Griffin
commented it was a good document. Urbanski commented it should start out with
strengths as it will let the reader know that good things are happening. In regards to
opportunities, he wants to make sure the document is recognizing all of these and feels
they should be supported by recommendations. Philmon concurred with Urbanski.
Skeie pointed out that when it talks about equality and equity, these are two different
things and should be pointed out. Aman suggested spelling out words such as BIPOC.
Yerks wanted to discuss the Introduction Chapter and said this is where the report will
start and will have two audiences; the City Council members and community
members. This document starts out with an overview of Eden Prairie. Weaver
suggested adding the population of Eden Prairie in this document. In regards to the
demographics, Weaver asked if immigration will be discussed. Yerks said she will
look to see what information she can find on this. Griffin said he would like to see an
introductory paragraph detailing what this document is all about. Philmon asked how
different races are represented throughout the different census and what terminology
will be used. Yerks said she will have to look into that. Ruzek suggested to keep with
what the data source references as that is what it was called at the time. Yerks pointed
out the next section is City Structure. She said Eden Prairie is a plan B city and
discussed the org chart in detail. Urbanski commented in regards to the City Council
members it would be helpful to have their terms.
Missaghi said he would like to see a sentence or link on the Eden Prairie Manifesto.
Yerks asked if it should be with the Commission itself or an introduction statement.
Chair Leeper and Philmon thought it should stay with the Commission.
Yerks discussed definitions defined by DeYoung and said she would include BIPOC.
She also discussed the Eden Prairie Race Equity Project Team and has Chair Leeper
and Missaghi listed but not anyone else. She asked if she should include all of the
commission members who were involved with this study. Chair Leeper said yes,
include all commission members who were involved.
Moving on to the Project Overview section, the methodology came from DeYoung
and Associates so it contained no new information. The Document Review section
was also taken from the DeYoung report and was best practices. In regards to Data
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Analysis, she said she will have to include quantitative analysis. Griffin thought it
may be a good idea to include footnotes for these documents or an appendix. Chair
Leeper liked the idea of adding an appendix.
2. Presentation of Report Design Elements
Yerks displayed what this would look like via PowerPoint.
3. Subcommittee Member update: Student Commissioners
` Yerks said she has previously met with the student commissioners and they will be
involved in the subcommittees.
4. Discussion of Presentation Plan
Yerks pointed out when they go to the City Council, they will have a limited amount
of presentation time; they will be allotted 30 minutes for the presentation and 30
minutes for discussion. The presentation will consist of an introduction for 5 minutes,
community feedback for 10 minutes, recommendations for 10 minutes, and
implementation for 5 minutes.
Missaghi asked what the Commission wants the City Council to walk away with
during this presentation. Philmon commented that is a tough question but felt we
would want them to hear feedback, recommendations and implementation. Missaghi
asked if we need them to buy into the recommendations. Skeie thought the
Commission was not coming up with implementations but that it was up to the City
Council. Yerks pointed out the City Council will review this, but it is up to the City
Staff to come up with this information.
Griffin asked if it was possible to do multiple workshops as he felt 60 minutes was not
a lot of time to discuss all of this information. Yerks stated it was up to the City
Manager and City Council if they wanted multiple workshops. Historically she has
seen the City Council pick one or two items to talk about and then leave it up to the
City Staff to review the rest. Ruzek said this is a three prong approach. The City
Council will review, then the City Staff will update and finally the HRDC will put it
into action. Chair Leeper asked if this could be an agenda item at a City Council
meeting. Ruzek said it will eventually get brought before the City Council at their
meeting. She said the City Council will be very interested in the Community
Feedback section and they would also like to know what the HRDC can do for next
steps and working with City Staff to get that done.
Chair Leeper said it is important for the HRDC and City Staff to stay connected and
have open communication lines. Ruzek said even at completion of the work, the
document will be a living report and won’t close because this is an ongoing process.
Chair Leeper asked if this will be a public document. Yerks said it will be a public
document. Chair Leeper also suggested that everyone that was involved should be
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notified when the document is complete. Urbanski asked if the Overarching Finding
section is community feedback; Yerks responded that is was.
Yerks asked for a volunteer to speak at the workshop. Philmon and Griffin said they
can help and Weaver said she is available if need be. Yerks also asked for student
speakers. Ramanathan and Kazama said they can help. Yerks said the workshop will
be on October 19th; dinner will be at 5:00 pm and the presentation is 5:30 – 6:30 pm.
Missaghi, Skeie and Urbanski said they will be attending.
Yerks reviewed what will be discussed at the workshop. She pointed out the
subcommittees should go over their recommendations; review staff feedback in the
specific area to pull in the overall document. And the second item each subcommittee
needs to work on is the rationale pieces; this is the document that shows what each
section should look like. Yerks said she would like the reports to be back to her by
October 1st.
X. UPCOMING MEETING
A. OCTOBER 14, 2021
XI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Missaghi moved, seconded by Philmon, to adjourn the Human Rights &
Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.