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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/12/2025 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms 3 & 4 COMMISSION MEMBERS: Greg Leeper (Chair), Asad Aliweyd, Shana Bates, Shalanda Berry, Danielle Burton-Haselrig, Zaheer Khan, Jody Knight, Jessica Oaxaca, Brenda Pfahnl, Wendi Russo, John Urbanski, Susan Weaver COMMISSION STAFF: Paja Xiong, Community Services Manager & Staff Liaison Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Leeper called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Commission Members Aliweyd, Berry and Russo were absent. Commission Member Khan arrived during the Community Presentation. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Chair Leeper introduced Eden Prairie Police Chief Matthew Sackett who will be giving the Community Presentation this evening. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Weaver moved, seconded by Pfahnl, to approve the Agenda. Motion carried 8-0. IV. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 8, 2025 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: Urbanski moved, seconded by Bates, to approve the May 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 8-0. V. COMMUNITY PRESENTATION – EDEN PRAIRIE POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW SACKETT Xiong introduced Chief Sackett of the Eden Prairie Police Department. Chief Sackett said he has been with the Eden Prairie Police Department for 23 years and in 2021 became Police Chief. He presented a PowerPoint and started out by stating the Police Department made a new recruiting video to attract new candidates. He showed the one minute video to the Commission, which highlighted the Eden Prairie Police Department and what they do. In 1973, the Police Chief at the time went door to door to see what the residents wanted, as the focus was on the community. Chief Sackett pointed out that the Police Department is having that focus today. The Department’s Mission is to protect and serve the community of Eden Prairie through active and professional HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES June 12, 2025 Page 2 of 7 engagement. The Department’s values are to provide customized service to the community; exercise discretion and fairness in enforcement; build public trust in the Department; and promote the professional development of the members of the Police Department. Current information on the Police Department is as follows: • 75 sworn officers • 36 civilian staff • In-house PSAP/911 Dispatch Center • 45,810 calls for service in 2024 • 13,628 traffic stops in 2024 • 216 DWI arrests in 2024 • 2,391 cases investigated in 2024 • 467 social worker referrals • Three divisions: Patrol, Investigations and Support Chief Sackett discussed the three divisions in more detail. Patrol Division This consists of 38 Officers, 6 Sergeants and 1 Lieutenant. The operations consist of the following: • Traffic Enforcement • Car Seat Inspections • Retail Crimes Unit • K9 Unit • SWAT Tactical and Negotiations • Crime Technical Unit • Field Training Unit • Police Reserve Unit • Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Unit Investigative Division – this consists of two units Adult Investigations Unit This consists of 1 Sergeant, 8 Detectives, 1 Crime Analyst and 2 Social Workers. The operations consist of the following: • Criminal Investigations Liaison Unit This consists of 1 Sergeant, 4 Juvenile Liaison Officers, 1 Narcotics Detective, 1 Community Liaison Officer and 1 Diversion Coordinator. The operations consist of the following: • Education – K-12 Schools • Enforcement and Investigation – Juvenile Crimes HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES June 12, 2025 Page 3 of 7 • Resource and Liaison to Community Groups and Senior Citizens • Police Explorers – 1 Sergeant, 3 Officers • Narcotics Investigations – Multi-Agency Task Force • DART Team – 1 Sergeant, 5 Officers • Mental Health Unit/CIT – 1 Sergeant, 3 Officers Support Division – this consists of five units Dispatch Unit This consists of 1 Supervisor, 13 Dispatchers. The operations consist of the following: • 911 Center for Police and Fire • 24/7 Coverage • Note: in 2024 there were 45,810 calls for service and 4,408 911 hang up calls Records Unit This consists of 1 Supervisor, 3 Records Specialists, 1 Evidence Specialist and 2 Support Service Representatives. The operations consist of the following: • Process police reports • Transcription • Administer databases • Process data requests • Video processing • Evidence preservation • Court scheduling Code Enforcement Unit This consists of 1 Supervisor, 1 Zoning Administrator, 1 Licensing Specialist, 2 FT Community Service Officers, 4 PT Community Service Officers. The operations consist of the following: • Enforce City Code • Licensing and background checks • Animal control • Public service calls Training Unit This consists of 1 Supervisor, and 10 Officers (secondary assignments). The operations consist of the following: • Train all department members on: o Cultural Intelligence o Use of Force o POST Mandates o Patrol Tactics HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES June 12, 2025 Page 4 of 7 o Legal Updates o Technology o Fitness • Review policy and procedure Police Chaplain Unit This consists of 1 Sergeant and 7 Police Chaplains. The operations consist of the following: • Provide a ministry of presence to those in need. • Provide emotional and spiritual care to those who request it. Chief Sackett pointed out that recruitment is very important to the Police Department and stated they typically only get 10-12 applicants when they post the police officer position. He also stated he is proud of the fact of being on the police force and always being asked what he can do better. Chief Sackett addressed the Commission questions that were submitted to him. The first question he addressed was what the Police Department is doing in regards to language barriers and how they are coping with that hurdle. He responded the police have an app on their phone to help with this. There are also videos that are put out on social media that are also in different languages. The next question he addressed was if the police do anything with de-escalation. Chief Sackett said the officers receive CIT training, and autism and mental health training. There is also bias training with all cultures. Khan asked if they have already designed the trainings or are they bringing individuals in to create these trainings. Chief Sackett responded that the Police Department works a lot with Mohamed Duale, who is on staff with the City of Eden Prairie Housing and Community Services Department, along with Paja Xiong, who is an advocate for the Hmong community. Khan pointed out there are different Muslim communities and suggested having broader training to accommodate those. The next question Chief Sackett addressed was what has changed since the Race Equity Report. Chief Sackett responded that because of the report he looks for opportunities to have engagement with the different communities. He also pointed out the cadet program was started to get more individuals interested in working with the Police Department. This program currently produced 27 officers and pointed out they would still like to get a more diverse group of people involved in the Police Department. On July 15th – 17th there will be an event called Youth Citizens Academy that DEPOC and Mohamed Duale organized to get 14-19 year olds interested in learning more about the Police Department. Chief Sackett also commented there is more focus on cultures and faith in the community. The Police Department is trying to find avenues to talk with people to find out what is working and what is not working. In regards to bias/hate crimes, they are currently down from previous years. In 2023 there were 5, 2024 there were 2, and in 2025 there is currently 1. Chief Sackett responded to the next question as to what can be expected from the Police Department regarding ICE. Chief Sackett said the Eden Prairie Police are not federal officers and do not work with them. ICE did talk with the police chiefs in the area and pointed out their focus is on picking up people with a criminal background and not someone with immigration issues. Khan asked what can be done to protect people in Eden Prairie. Chief Sackett said the Police HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES June 12, 2025 Page 5 of 7 Department cannot get involved with federal issues. Chief Sackett ended his presentation by stating, “We can’t grow if we don’t know what we can do better”. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. PEOPLEFEST! DISCUSSION Chair Leeper asked Urbanski to give an update on the restaurant guide. Urbanski thanked the Commissioners for reaching out to the restaurants and getting gift cards. He also said the marketing people are looking to get the restaurant guide done and any additional updates should be sent to Xiong in the next day. He said in regards to the gift cards, on the PeopleFest! party day on Sunday, July 27th, let individuals know when the presentations will be taking place on the Wednesday event and let them know that is when the drawings for the gift cards will take place and they must be present to win. Xiong said the Commissioners can get gift cards up until the day of the event but any updates to the restaurant guide must be in by tomorrow. Urbanski said the reading of the Land Acknowledgement statement will be on Sunday, July 27th at 3:00 pm. He asked for volunteers and Weaver and Knight said they could read the Land Acknowledgement statement. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. PARTY FOR PRIDE DISCUSSION Xiong said the Party for Pride will take place on Saturday, June 21st from 9 am to 1 pm. She is looking for volunteers from 8:00 am – 10:30 am, and 10:30 am – 1:00 pm. Knight said she would be able to work both shifts. Bates said she could work the first shift. Burton-Haselrig said she could help set up. Xiong stated she will need one more volunteer for the second shift and to email her if you can volunteer. Oaxaca asked if any flyers about the HRDC will be available at this event. Xiong said she would like to work on this with the Commission. Knight said it is important to let people know in person that there is a Human Rights and Diversity Commission and to discuss it with them. She said she does this when the individuals are making bracelets and commented it would be good to have a flyer to give them in regards to the Commission. Chair Leeper asked Xiong if she could reach out to the Communications Department and see if they can construct a one-page flyer regarding the HRDC. They can use the information that is on-line about the Commission. Knight suggested having a QR code on the flyer to the HRDC website. Xiong responded she will reach out to the Communications Department and see if they can do a flyer with the QR code. Weaver asked if they could have name tags or t-shirts. Chair Leeper responded they could start with name tags and flyers. Xiong said she will follow up with the t-shirts. Burton-Haselrig asked how protestors will be dealt with. Xiong responded that police and fire have a safety plan in place and are at these events. She also said when the Eden Prairie Fire Department comes in the fall, she will have them talk about this, as they do make those plans as does the Police Department. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES June 12, 2025 Page 6 of 7 B. COMMUNITY CONVERSATION DISCUSSION Xiong said she would like to discuss the topic of the community conversation, the description, the format, and the title of the event. The choices for the topic would be general community belonging or LGBTQ focus. The choices for the format would be World Café or Gallery Walk. Xiong said this event will take place on Wednesday, July 30th, from 7:15 – 8:15 pm at the Valley View Solarium. OutFront will be giving their presentation first and will be discussing MN’s 2SLGBTQIA plus 101 Training. They will be discussing such topics as gender identity and what it looks like today, pronouns and usage, explanation of different acronyms, creating affirming spaces, avoiding assumptions, inclusive language, handling mistakes and how to navigate them, and then wrapping up with a debrief. Xiong said in regards to the format there will be two to pick from; World Café and Gallery Walk. The World Café’s format is one of gathering experiences and feedback. Questions are asked to the group and discussed as a group. This format is meant to be open ended and promotes conversations. Chair Leeper responded it is a collective cluster of brainstorming and building ideas. The questions can be specific or general but the facilitation is most important. Xiong commented there will be 45 minutes of interaction and 15 minutes of debriefing. Khan asked if the Commission is continuing on with OutFront’s discussion. Xiong responded it can be a continuation of their discussion or the Commission can discuss a different topic. Chair Leeper said it would be helpful to know what OutFront is discussing so the Commission does not overlap presentations. There was some discussion with the Commission and it was decided to discuss LGBTQIA+. Weaver suggested giving the audience an idea of the groups the HRDC works with in Eden Prairie. Xiong asked the Commission to email her in regards to questions they could have at the event in regards to LGBTQIA+. Urbanski said OutFront’s presentation is only 1 hour and given that he came up with three questions that could be asked after their presentation. They are; what has worked for you, what did you identify with and what can be done to better things. Khan commented he did not think individuals will stay for both events. Xiong said at the PeopleFest events they do have sign-up sheets so the Commission will be able to see who is coming and pointed out they do not have to attend both discussions but could pick and choose one over the other. Oaxaca stated it should be pointed out that the first event is more educational and the second event will be more of a discussion. Xiong responded there will be descriptions of the events and the HRDC event will be more interactive. Xiong asked the Commission what they would like to call this event. There were three choices to pick from and the Commission decided to combine two of them. The title of the event will be, “Continuing the Dialogue: Fostering Inclusivity in Eden Prairie”. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES June 12, 2025 Page 7 of 7 Xiong inquired if the Commission would like the World Café or Gallery Walk format. For the Gallery Walk she pointed out an individual basically walks around and puts their thoughts on a poster board and there is a discussion afterwards. Pfahnl said she has done a World Café where they did write comments on big post-it notes and put them on boards, and pointed out it was a combination of both. Xiong suggested putting butcher paper on the tables for people to put their comments on there. Burton-Haselrig said it would be important for a Commissioner to facility the discussion. Xiong said she and Chair Leeper will be there to monitor and facilitate discussion. Xiong summarized the format will be a modified World Café with the topic focusing on LGBTQIA+. IX. UPCOMING MEETINGS A. July 10, 2025 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Bates moved, seconded by Burton-Haselrig, to adjourn the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 9-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.