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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 07/10/2025 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 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 Vice Chair Khan called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. At that time there was not a quorum. Commission Members Leeper, Burton-Haselrig, Knight and Russo were absent. Commission Member Aliweyd arrived during Old Business and Oaxaca arrived during the Staff Liaison Update. The meeting was started with the Staff Liaison Update until quorum was reached. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS There were no quests this evening. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Weaver had an amendment to the Agenda. She would like to add Party for Pride to Old Business. MOTION: Pfahnl moved, seconded by Urbanski, to approve the Agenda. Motion carried 7-0. IV. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 12, 2025 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: Urbanski moved, seconded by Weaver, to approve the June 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. V. COMMUNITY PRESENTATION There was not a Community Presentation this evening. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES July 10, 2025 Page 2 of 5 VI. STAFF LIAISON UPDATE Xiong discussed the Housing and Community Services division of Eden Prairie of which she is currently employed. She stated her title is Community Servicer Manager and currently has three employees under her. Jeanne Karschnia is her Housing Programs Administrator. She pointed out her department has processed 45 housing rehabilitation loans since January. They have also processed 3 first-time homebuyer assistance loans, 2 senior emergency care supports, and gave public service grants to 3 local non-profit organizations. Another of her employees, Mohamed Duale, is a part-time Community Services Technician. He is Somalia speaking and has assisted over 1,000 individuals in 2024 and 358 in the first quarter of 2025, all of which were walk-in clients. He assists individuals with housing and benefits. He also assists the police and fire department in assisting the community. Jonathan Stanley is full-time employee specializing in housing and community services. He generally works with property managers and housing needs. This year the Metropolitan HRA opened up a wait list and was able to help 50 families with Section 8 vouchers. Out of the 50 families, the majority of them were from Eden Prairie. The entire division was instrumental in assisting them with filling out their applications. Xiong said they are trying to connect more individuals with social services that are available to them. This has been accomplished by updating the social media page and working with different organizations. Vice Chair Khan asked what help is given to first-time homebuyers. Xiong responded all the programs are listed on the Eden Prairie city website. She also pointed out their department deals a lot with lenders and also assists the individuals with the application process and can help with the down payments. The Rehabilitation loan can also help with such things as siding and roofing. Berry asked what demographics these loans are targeted for. Xiong responded demographics are not checked as this can be a barrier for individuals. Berry asked if it is a large population of the Somali community coming in to get assistance and asked how can we get the word out to other demographics. Xiong responded their department works with a lot of other social organizations to help with services and to get the word out to individuals. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. PARTY FOR PRIDE Xiong asked the Commission Members present to give their opinion on how the day went. Bates said it was a very hot day which could have possibly deferred people from coming as it was very slow in the beginning. She stated the QR code was very helpful. Weaver commented the making of the bracelets was a very popular activity. She also agreed the QR code was very helpful and also stated Knight was very good at encouraging the public to see what the HRDC was all about. Urbanski asked if there were any protestors. Bates said Knight saw someone in the beginning knock over a sign, but wasn’t sure what that was all about. Weaver felt the event could have been advertised better. Bates said in regards to making the bracelets, next year it would be beneficial to use pipe cleaners as they seem to HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES July 10, 2025 Page 3 of 5 work better. She also said candy was nice but may not be needed because of the popularity of the bracelets. Xiong said she has gotten name tags for the Commissioners. She also said they have a nice black table cloth with the City of Eden Prairie logo on it that can be used at their table. She said in regards to the t-shirts she was told that no other Commissions have them. B. COMMUNITY CONVERSATION DISCUSSION Xiong said she would like to have the Commission discuss and decide on facilitation questions, ground rules and volunteer roles. She stated the agenda for that evening will be as follows: 7:15 – 7:30 pm – Introduction about the HRDC and shared norms 7:30 – 8:00 pm – Table Discussions 8:00 – 8:15 pm – Large group share out, next steps and raffle Xiong said she would like to discuss the norms. They are as follows: 1. Challenge ideas, no individuals: Focus on the content of the discussion and avoid personal attack or criticisms. 2. Lean into discomfort: Learning only happens when you leave your comfort zone. Try to translate discomfort into constructive questions. 3. Be open to learning: Approach the training with a willingness to learn from others and challenge your own biases and assumptions. 4. Share the air: Be mindful of how much you and those around you are speaking. If you find yourself dominating the conversation, please step back; if you have not spoken much, feel encouraged to step up. 5. Use “I” statements: Speak from your own experiences and avoid generalizing; respect that other’s experiences and expertise will differ from your own. 6. Confidentiality: If appropriate, agree to keep discussions confidential to foster trust and open communication. Xiong asked the Commission if they would like to narrow down the list. Weaver said she liked “Share the Air”. Vice Chair Khan commented sometimes people talk more about others than “I”. Pfahnl suggested that “Lean into Discomfort” and “Be Open to Learning” could be combined; Commissioners agreed. Xiong said water will be available at the event. Oaxaca suggested having candy available. Xiong asked Commissioners if they would like to give the gift cards out at other PeopleFest events. She also asked if the participants should be split into groups before hand or how would the Commission like to split the individuals out into groups. Xiong suggested there should be three questions and that there will be three tables. Oaxaca suggested having the participants count off. Weaver was wondering if people would want to be in their own group. Xiong pointed out that would be leaning into your discomfort zone. The Commission had a discussion and it was decided to have the participants number off. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES July 10, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Xiong asked if the participants should stay at their initial table or move tables, or should the facilitators move tables. It was decided to have the participants move from table to table. After the individuals move, the facilitator will put new butcher paper down for everyone to write on. After all three groups have rotated to the three tables the butcher papers will be put up on the wall for discussion. Xiong presented the questions to the Commission. It was decided to have the following questions: 1. What stood out to you in the session? What did you not understand? 2. What examples do you have or behaviors/actions/words that foster inclusivity in Eden Prairie? That do not foster inclusivity? 3. What are some potential barriers to full participation in your community, and how can we address them? 4. Large Group Share Out and Next Steps: What steps can I take to promote inclusiveness in marginalized communities in Eden Prairie? Urbanski suggested 5 people per table so each person would have 2 minutes each to speak. He asked if there would be a sign-up sheet for people to register. Xiong responded there will be a QR code for them to register. Xiong suggested discussing questions 1, 2, and 3 at each table and question 4 can be a large group discussion. Xiong asked for volunteers for the event. They are as follows: 1. Greeter/Raffle – Oaxaca, Pfahnl and Bates will be greeters; Berry will do the raffle 2. Table Facilitators - Weaver, Bates, and Aliweyd 3. Moderators – Xiong and Chair Leeper It was discussed and the Commission decided to do the raffles throughout the event and have the $50 gift card presented at the end. Xiong said she will email Commissioners with further details. Berry asked if the Commission does this event every year. Vice Chair Khan said in previous years the Commission has hosted a Human Library. C. PEOPLEFEST! DISCUSSION Xiong stated currently there are 8 restaurants and 42 gift cards. She commented since there are 42 gift cards the Commission could raffle them out at events occurring throughout the week. She stated she needs volunteers for the party on Sunday, July 27th. The following Commissioners volunteered for the two shifts: HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES July 10, 2025 Page 5 of 5 Shift 1: 3:45 – 6:00pm – Berry and Oaxaca Shift 2: 6:00 – 8:15pm – Bates and Pfahnl Xiong pointed out during the event the Commissioners will be assisting with making bracelets and facilitating trivia. They will also be taking reservations for the event on that Wednesday evening. Weaver and Knight will be reading the Land Acknowledgement Statement. Vice Chair Khan asked if the QR Code would be available. Xiong said she will print the half sheet and also have a sign available. IX. NEW BUSINESS There was no New Business this evening. XI. UPCOMING MEETINGS A. August 14, 2025 XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Bates moved, seconded by Urbanski, to adjourn the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 8-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. After adjournment the Commission Members did a trial run of the Community Conversation to ensure there were no issues.