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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 04/11/2024 APPROVED AMENDED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2024 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Community Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Greg Leeper (Chair), Asad Aliweyd, Shana Bates, Samuel Griffin, Zaheer Khan, Jody Knight, Jessica Oaxaca, Brenda Pfahnl, Savannah Riese, Kuhu Singh, Philip Skeie, John Urbanski, Susan Weaver STUDENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Tamia Hassan, Jude Kambal, Kanya Karthic, Shivangi Mohan, Navya Nambiar, Madeline Wilson, Kiana Poul, Sudiksha Talla COMMISSION STAFF: Julie Klima, Staff Liaison Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Leeper called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Commission Member Griffin and Student Members Kambal, Karthic, Mohan, Nambiar, Wilson and Poul were absent. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS There were no guests in attendance. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Skeie would like to add Disability Advocacy under Old Business. MOTION: Pfahnl moved, seconded by Khan, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 12-0. IV. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 11, 2024 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: Skeie moved, seconded by Urbanski, to approve the April 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 12-0. V. COMMUNITY PRESENTATION There was no Community Presentation HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 9, 2024 Page 2 of 6 VI. OLD BUSINESS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS 1. Discussion and Selection Chair Leeper stated these awards will be presented at the May 21st City Council Meeting. He said he would like to see at least three volunteers at the presentation. He also mentioned the applications were down this year. There are three nominations in the Individual category and two nominations in the Non-Profit category. There were zero nominations in the Student and Business category. Chair Leeper said he would like to discuss each nominee one at a time and commented if a Commissioner has personal knowledge of the nominee to speak on their behalf. There can only be one winner per category and the Individual category will be the first to be discussed. Weaver started out by stating this is her second year she has nominated Leslie and Mark Swiggum. They are retired teachers and longtime residents of Eden Prairie. In their retirement, they take individuals, including both adults and youth, down to the South to educate them about the Civil Rights Movement. She pointed out it is a very intense one week program traveling to different areas where events took place. There are approximately 15-20 in each group and they have taken 36 groups down throughout the years. They make no money on trips; individuals pay what the trip costs and nothing more. Aliweyd presented Hodan Nur. He said she has lived in Eden Prairie for the past 22 years and is an advocator for children’s education and a leader of this community. She also volunteers at the Irshad Islamic Center. Khan asked for a few examples of what she is doing. Aliweyd said her main job is at the schools but she also organized the group of Mothers Awareness of Youth and pointed out she communicates well and is very well respected. Chair Leeper presented Jill Slipper Scholz. He pointed out she has lived in Eden Prairie for the last 35 years. She focuses on seniors and has promoted the DEI Committee, in which she works to promote diversity in the community and in the organization itself. In her leadership role, she is intentional about fostering an atmosphere of caring for others. Chair Leeper asked for Commission input regarding the nominations. Singh said she appreciates all three nominations but her vote is for Hodan Nur because she feels she is bringing up issues that need to be heard and she has lived a life of diversity. Riese said the work that Hodan Nur is doing is impacting Eden Prairie versus the other two nominations. Khan said he knows Jill Scholz and she does wonderful work that is inclusive but he would like to see an individual who works with the community and parents to help the students. Pfahnl asked if the Commission could nominate Jill Scholz in the business category as she has a HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 9, 2024 Page 3 of 6 consulting business that does focus on diversity. Klima said it would be up to the person that made the nomination. Weaver asked Chair Leeper to explain exactly what Jill Scholz’s business does. Chair Leeper said she provides a multi-week journey for people on inclusiveness. She presents workshops and teaching. Singh said in regards to Leslie and Mark Swiggum’s nomination she asked if they could be separated out. Chair Leeper said the couple cannot be separated because they work together. Skeie commented that he finds it remarkable that they bring youth on their trips down south. Weaver asked what mosque Hodan Nur belongs to. Aliweyd responded he was unsure. Urbanski said he would vote for the Swiggum’s as he is familiar with them and what they do. Oaxaca said she is in favor of Hodan Nur as she has been doing this work for the past five years without getting paid. Khan asked if the Commission can award one nomination but recognize some of the other nominations for what they do. Chair Leeper commented that was a good question and explained each nominee is notified that they have been nominated but there can only be one winner per category recognized at the City Council Meeting. Weaver asked Aliweyd if Hodan Nur is employed by the school district. Aliweyd said he is unsure but that maybe she is working at the Bloomington School District but pointed out she has worked at Eden Prairie School District for the past 12 years. Singh asked which of the two candidates could be pushed out for next year. Chair Leeper said there is no limitation as to how many times a nominee can get called back. Chair Leeper said Jill Scholz will be put in the business category. Since she was the only one in the business category she was an automatic winner. A vote was taken for the Individual category. Hodan Nur won with 7 votes and Leslie and Mark Swiggum received 5 votes. Chair Leeper said he can speak about the nominee for the Non-Profit category which is Choice, Inc., and Presbyterian Homes (Flagstone). He pointed out that Choice, Inc., is a non-profit organization with a team of dedicated professionals dedicated to creating partnerships and programs that enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Presbyterian Homes, Flagstone is a non-profit faith-based organization whose vision is to provide more choices and opportunities for allowing older adults to live well. Flagstone offers a broad array of high-quality housing choices, care and service options for older adults. Both organizations work toward inclusivity and personal independence for two different groups of individuals. Chair Leeper stated he nominated Prop Shop and pointed out they have been nominated in the past but have not received an award. Chair Leeper asked Knight to describe the Prop Shop as she works there. Knight said they do a lot for the community for people that are going through hard times or just coming to this country. She pointed out people are so grateful to receive help and the money that is made is put back into the business. Weaver commented this organization is awesome and does great things for the community. Oaxaca said she has also volunteered there and was impressed they make transportation resources available to individuals. Aliweyd stated he is aware of a lot of families that get supplies there. Riese said she also volunteered there and said it is run very efficiently and a lot of people use their service. Chair Leeper pointed out it was a community taking HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 9, 2024 Page 4 of 6 care of a community. Bates said she was also impressed with the Prop Shop. Khan said in regards to Choice, Inc., it is incredible with what they are doing. Chair Leeper said that Choice, Inc., won this award approximately ten years ago but not in the same capacity. Singh said Prop Shop is doing great work for the community; Aliweyd agreed and commented they service the needy. Chair Leeper asked for a vote. Prop Shop received 12 votes and Choice, Inc., and Presbyterian Homes (Flagstone) received 0. 2. Council Meeting HRA Speaking Assignments Chair Leeper asked for volunteers to present the winners at the City Council meeting. Klima pointed out that was done at the last meeting. Weaver suggested Aliweyd give the award to Hodan Nur. Bates said she could do the Prop Shop. Talla said she will not be available to volunteer. Chair Leeper asked Weaver if she would like to give the award to Jill Scholz. Weaver said she would like to do the introduction. Chair Leeper asked who would like to introduce Jill Scholz; Singh said she would introduce her. Klima said she will reach out to the nominees to let them know they have won. B. DISABILITY ADVOCACY UPDATE Klima said she understands this has been an ongoing conversation and pointed out the City Staff has been outreaching to other cities to see if they have changing tables but she has not heard back from them as of yet. She said Minneapolis has gotten a few electrical permits for sporting facilities but that has been it. Skeie shared that his friend Susan has become disheartened with this request as it has been about a year since she addressed the Commission. She would like to know if this can be accomplished or not. Chair Leeper suggested we give the cities a little more time to get back to Klima. Skeie said she also wanted to know the status of the side by side bicycle, as the cost on this is cheaper than the changing table. Chair Leeper said there is a non-profit called Maryland that could possibly assist with this request. He said he and Skeie can work together on looking into the side by side bicycle. Pfahnl suggested instead of waiting for answers it may be better to be the City that initiates things. Klima said in regards to the changing table, it would cost approximately $10-12,000 and would need accommodations which would most likely be the Community Center as that has the most space. She will work with Facilities to see if this is something that can be installed there. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. UPCOMING SPEAKERS Chair Leeper asked Commissioners if they had any suggestions for speakers. Riese said she has a previous co-worker that does training for institutionally and systemic change. Her name is Rhonda Carter Adams with Gateway Institute; her position is Executive Director. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 9, 2024 Page 5 of 6 Skeie said he knows of someone that has a transgender child and said a year ago he expressed interest in talking with the Commission. Pfahnl commented there are a few organizations that will speak on that. Riese asked if there are any organizations at the school level the Commission could be learning from. Talla said there are, such as the Racial and Ethnic group, but she is unsure if they would be willing to speak to the Commission but will follow up with them. Chair Leeper asked if the organization Dare to be Real still exists. Hassan said it does still exist. Singh asked if there is a support group for LGBTQ in the schools. Riese said there was a group in Chanhassen when she was in school so she assumes there would be a support group. Chair Leeper said a good next step would be to have the Dare to be Real group address the Commission. Khan commented it would be good to have a speaker address as to what immigrants bring to the community. Oaxaca suggested the group do diversity training. Weaver asked if the Prop Shop ever addressed the Commission. Chair Leeper said he did not think so. B. PEOPLEFEST! HRDC ACTIVITIES 1. Human Library – Book Ideas & Event Administration Chair Leeper is looking for volunteers to help staff the event or to be a book. The event will take place on July 28th and the time period will be between 3 – 7 pm. The book commitment would be approximately 20 minutes per session over a two- to-four hour period. Singh said she could help with being a book as did Khan. Weaver, Urbanski, Pfahnl and Riese volunteered to staff the event. Chair Leeper asked the Commissioners to recruit more books. It was suggested to have someone from the Prop Shop be a book or to have the Swiggum’s be a book. Pfahnl asked if Pride is happening this year. Klima said she will check with the Park and Recreation Department. 2. PeopleFest! Guide – Restaurant List Chair Leeper thanked the Commissioners for their feedback in regards to the restaurant listing. He asked for a volunteer to take food photos. Some of the Commissioners commented they have not previously done that. Klima said it was most likely the Communication Department that took the photos. VIII. STAFF REPORT – JULIE KLIMA A. RACE EQUITY ACTION TEAM (REAT) UPDATE Klima said at the last meeting they had a presentation from Amy Markel with the Park and Recreation staff. There was also brainstorming about sharing information to the City’s broader organization. Klima also pointed out there was a dashboard on the City’s website that addresses the six areas of inquiries. Khan commented the Commission needs to keep the REAT work on their radar. Chair Leeper thought it would be a good idea to bring each department in to address the Commission in regards to REAT. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES May 9, 2024 Page 6 of 6 IX. UPCOMING MEETINGS A. JUNE 13, 2024 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Weaver moved, seconded by Riese, to adjourn the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 12-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.