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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 10/09/2025 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CITY CENTER Heritage Rooms 3 & 4 COMMISSION MEMBERS: Greg Leeper (Chair), Asad Aliweyd, Shana Bates, Shalanda Berry, Zaheer Khan, Jody Knight, Jessica Oaxaca, Brenda Pfahnl, Wendi Russo, John Urbanski, Susan Weaver STUDENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Nawal Abdullahi, Omar Abdulle, Abdulrahman Ali, Jia Chenchlani, Roshini Drakshapally, Ikra Ibrahim, Shivashish Khanna, Anjolaoluwa Raimi, Gatrika Ravella 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 7:05 p.m. Commission Members Berry, Oaxaca, Urbanski, Weaver, and Student Commission Members Abdulle, Ali, Ibrahim were absent. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS There were no guests this evening. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Xiong had an addition to the agenda and that was to add Fire Department Presentation Debrief to Old Business. MOTION: Pfahnl moved, seconded by Knight, to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 7-0. IV. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: Knight moved, seconded by Khan, to approve the September 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. V. COMMUNITY PRESENTATION There was no presentation this evening. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES October 9, 2025 Page 2 of 4 VI. OLD BUSINESS A. CITY WIDE OPEN HOUSE DEBRIEF Chair Leeper pointed out this event has been going on for approximately 15 years and asked for feedback from anyone who attended the event. Xiong displayed the tri-fold, with photos, that was displayed at the event. She shared the results from the polling that took place. The results are as follows: • Civil and Human Rights – 25 votes • Diversity and Equity – 17 votes • Building Community – 17 votes • Different Cultures – 16 votes • Disabilities – 10 votes Khan commented the space they had was very restrictive. His fear, as it happened, was that the chips were gone after 1 ½ hours. He also suggested giving away candy at the next event. He said after the chips ran out, he started to give out stickers. He also said more A’s were needed for the bracelet making event. He suggested in the future to have the table set up as a letter L to provide more room. In regards to the questions for the kids, he said they were difficult and suggested making them a little easier for them to understand. Xiong responded they were a little harder as they were focused around the HRDC for adults and in the future she will adjust the questions for younger people. Knight commented they made the best of the space they had. Russo concurred and also said some of the kids were shy. Knight said the table should not be at the very end of the other tables and should be towards the front. Xiong said that was on her as she positioned the table by her office. Knight and Russo commented that adults seemed to be grabbing a lot of the letters for the bracelets, versus leaving them for the kids. B. FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION DEBRIEF Chair Leeper asked for comments from the Commission. Khan commented it was a good presentation. In regards to their hiring process, he said they do not really have a plan to hire individuals without experience. He stated there should be a platform for professional development and more opportunities for Eden Prairie residents. Pfahnl concurred with Khan and asked why we are not creating opportunities from out community with people of color and BIPOC individuals. Russo said the Eden Prairie High School has classes involving the Eden Prairie Police Department but she was not sure if the Eden Prairie Fire Department also had classes. Chair Leeper pointed out the police have the cadet program and suggested that could be a good opportunity for the EP Fire Department. Khan also suggested having an internship program to see if there is an interest in the fire department and also guide them to a community college for more training and suggested the education could be subsidized. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES October 9, 2025 Page 3 of 4 VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY HISTORY AND TALKING POINTS Xiong displayed the legacy list of events and accomplishments from the HRDC. It is as follows: 1. PeopleFest – the HRDC is heavily involved in this 2. Words in Action Contest – this takes place around Martin Luther King Jr. Day 3. Human Rights Award – this occurs in March/April 4. Creation of the Land Acknowledgement Document – HRDC worked with the Indigenous leaders to create this 5. REI Process and Report – HRDC was heavily involved in this process and report 6. Kickin’ it with the Cops / Pop Up Splash Pad – the HRDC we involved with these activities but now the Park and Recreation Department assists with them. Chair Leeper stated 1, 2, and 3 are ongoing activities that the HRDC participates in. In discussing these events and others, they can be grouped into three categories: • Great events • Things tried and did not really work out • Things that work and handing it off to others Xiong discussed the HRDC Roles and Responsibilities and they are as follows: • Enlist cooperation of agencies and organizations to promote awareness and appreciation of diversity • Review and investigate ADA violations • Promote Eden Prairie’s Manifesto Xiong also wanted to discuss bias reporting as she works with this in her current position with the City. She said if it is a criminal offense she will work with the police. If it is not, she will direct individuals to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or give them additional resources to reach out to. She illustrated a flow chart of the steps that the Minnesota Department of Human Rights goes through in regards to bias reporting. Khan commented he felt it was a good chart. Xiong responded the chart is on the City’s website. Bates asked if Xiong is taking instances of bias in and seeing something over and over and if so, would that be something to bring to the Commission. Xiong responded there really are not too many reports that are coming in; she has only had one this year and it was criminal. She stated the ADA is similar to this process. Aliweyd inquired, on average, how many calls a year does Xiong receive relating to bias reporting. Xiong responded she receives one or 2 complaints that are filed. Aliweyd asked how individuals know to call her. Xiong said she is connected to social services and PROP, also they could reach out to her if it is criminal from the police. Khan stated there is a gap where people do not understand how or who to reach out to. Pfahnl said in regards to all of our events the HRDC has throughout the year, this information regarding bias reporting should be included. Aliweyd suggested doing more engagement with the Somali HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES October 9, 2025 Page 4 of 4 community. Xiong said if there is anything around housing or employment, Mohamed, from her department, would be there to assist them. She also said she will help mitigate with Mohamed and will follow up with any incidents that she sees comes across. Khan asked how other communities can be reached. He stated Mohamed is good with the Somali community but it should be known we are a good resource for all communities. Aliweyd commented there are some Moslems that do not know how to write. Xiong said her department helps them fill out their applications. Xiong presented talking points and an elevator speech the Commission can share with the community. B. RECAP OF 2025 HRDC ACTIVITIES Xiong gave the Commission a polling activity to reflect on the past year events of the HRDC. The Commissioners were asked to reflect on the 2025 work plan and goals while taking this poll. Some of the questions asked were the following: • What was the most important goal of 2025 • What activity was most impactful • What was the biggest success • What was the Commission missing in 2025 • Give ideas for the 2026 work plan. The students were also asked what they think the youth would be interested in. The results are as follows: • Human Rights Award • Community conversation • Community presentation • Words in Action • Community tabling • Iftar Event Chenchlani commented the spring time would be a good time for the HRDC to promote themselves at Culture Day at the Eden Prairie High School. Chair Leeper stated the poll was being conducted to prepare for the 2026 work plan. Bates asked if this poll will be sent out to the other members that were not in attendance this evening. Xiong responded she will send out the poll to all absentee members. XI. UPCOMING MEETINGS A. November 13, 2025 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Aliweyd moved, seconded by Bates, to adjourn the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.