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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) - 01/08/2026Agenda Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission Meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2025 Heritage Rooms 3&4 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Gregory 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 City Staff: Paja Xiong, Community Services Manager & Staff Liaison, Julie Krull, Recorder MEETING AGENDA I.Call the Meeting to Order II.Introduction of Guests - None III.Approval of Agenda IV.Minutes A.Human Rights and Diversity Commission meeting held Thursday, December 11, 2025 V.Community Presentation - None VI.Old Business A.2026 Work Plan – 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm B.Words in Action Scoring - 7:15 pm - 7:30 pm VII.New Business A.Community Conversation Discussion – 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm VIII.Next Meeting A.February 12, 2025 IX.Adjournment HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA December 11, 2025 Page 2 Unapproved Minutes Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission Meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 City Center Heritage Rooms 3 & 4 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Gregory Leeper, Chair; Asad Aliweyd, Shana Bates, Shalanda Berry, Zaheer Khan, Jody Knight, Jessica Oaxaca, Brenda Pfahnle, 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 City Staff: Paja Xiong, Community Services Manager & Staff liaison; Julie Krull, Recorder MEETING AGENDA X.Call to Order/Roll Call Chair Leeper called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Commission Members Berry, Russo and Urbanski, and Student Commission Members Abdullahi, Abdulle, Chenchlani, Drakshapally, Ibrahim, and Khanna were absent. XI.Introduction of Guests XII.Approval of Agenda Pfahnl would like to add HRDC’s response to Ice Operations above Old Business. MOTION: Khan moved, seconded by Pfahnl, to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried 8-0. XIII.Approval of the November 13, 2025 Meeting Minutes MOTION: Pfahnl moved, seconded by Weaver, to approve the November 13, 2025 Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 8-0. XIV.Community Presentation HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA December 11, 2025 Page 3 There was no presentation this evening. XV. HRDC’s Response to Ice Operations Xiong said on December 5th, there was a statement sent out regarding operations of ICE in Eden Prairie. This was translated and pasted on the City’s website in Somali language. There was positive feedback for putting it on the website. Physical copies of the statement were also distributed to the Somali community. Xiong pointed out there has not been a decrease in individuals coming in for help to the Housing and Community Services Department. Chair Leeper read the statement that was sent out from the Mayor and City Council in regards to the City’s response to ICE involvement in Eden Prairie. The statement points out what the Eden Prairie Police Department can and cannot do. After reading the statement, Chair Leeper asked for feedback from the Commission. Pfahnl said the HRDC should be given a courtesy call if the police go out so the members could observe and if not, at least a call from Chief Sackett after the situation has occurred. Oaxaca asked about privacy of information as she did not see that addressed in the statement. She feels individuals may be afraid to come in for help for fear of release of personal information. Khan felt the statement was very weak as it does not state how an individual in need would be supported. For example, if someone is trying to enter your home, you should call 911 for help from the Eden Prairie Police Department. Khan said he would like to ask the Mayor, City Council and the Police Department to have respectful engagement when ICE is out. He also said it would be helpful to have a phone number where individuals can call for support or assistance. Khan also commented he did not feel the schools are prepared for this type of situation. He stated the City needs a stronger statement and more resources. Weaver stated it is not clear in the statement that our Police Department can come and help the individuals if ICE comes to them. She also pointed out there is an organization that can assist children in schools. Pfahnl pointed out Minneapolis does have a separation agreement with ICE and feels Eden Prairie should considered such an agreement. Oaxaca commented that she does not know if calling the police would be a comfort to individuals since there could be a language barrier. She also asked if ICE has been in Eden Prairie. Aliweyd responded ICE has been in Eden Prairie as he is aware of a few apartment buildings they went to asking individuals for passports. He also knows of one person that has been detained. He stated there should be information added to the statement to call 911 for assistance if ICE comes to a residence. Aliweyd said there is a support event tomorrow at the Mosque at Edenvale from 12-1 and would like the HRDC Commissioners to attend the event as the Eden Prairie Mayor and other public officials will be there. Chair Leeper thanked everyone for their comments and asked Xiong to take their suggestions to her debrief tomorrow. Ali asked what the consequences would be if an officer would go against the items listed in the statement. Chair Leeper responded he was not sure but felt there would be legal consequences. Raimi commented it is important to let the community know we are there for them and support them. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA December 11, 2025 Page 4 XVI. Old Business A. 2026 Work Plan Xiong said the deadline for the work plan got moved to February 10th, so that will give the Commission a little extra time to work on it. She said the goals for the evening are as follows: 1. The May Commission meeting is the same night at the Commissions Banquet, which is May 7th. Xiong asked the Commissioners if they would want two meetings for the month of May or just attend the banquet. Pfahnl suggested waiting to see what is on the work plan if a meeting will be needed or not. Chair Leeper said this can be revisited in January or February to see if the meeting is needed. 2. Brainstorm some topics of interest for speakers. These topics can be emailed to Xiong. 3. Decide on first steps of planning the Youth Community Conversation. 4. Discuss promotion and volunteers for Words in Action Contest. Xiong posted the work plan on the overhead screen for discussion. The first item she pointed out was the Community Conversation. She said one will take place during PeopleFest and the youth conversation will take place in March. In regards to other youth items, Raimi suggested having a booth set up during the Eden Prairie High School Culture Week. Xiong asked the Commission if anyone had suggestions for speakers and topics. Weaver suggested discussing where the conversations will occur. Raimi suggested having the student conversation at the high school. Xiong asked what time would work well for the discussion. Ravella suggested later in the evening and also on a Friday. Raimi suggested a Thursday night after CORE or during the day at 4th hour as more students may attend because they will be at school. Oaxaca suggested having it at the Culture week. Xiong said she will work with her contact at the high school and see if they could do it during 4th hour. Oaxaca asked what the topic would be. Bates said it would be BIPOC youth and the student experience living in Eden Prairie. Oaxaca commented this should be framed as to how the City could be supportive to BIPOC youth. Raimi pointed out this would be a good chance for people to speak their mind. Oaxaca asked the students if there was a creative way to get the students involved. Raimi suggested small group settings. Ali commented having different groups with different topics so they could choose the group they would want to be in. Khan suggested having the students come up with the topics and not the Commissioners. Xiong said she will send out the work plan to the Commission and it will be finalized in January. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA December 11, 2025 Page 5 XVII. New Business A. Words in Action Contest Xiong pointed out this contest is for K-12 graders and gave the timeline below: • The contest opens on Monday, January 5th, 2026. • The contest closes on Tuesday, January 20th, 2006. • Scoring will take place January 21st – January 25th. • The winners will be presented at the February 10th City Council Meeting. In regards to promotion, Xiong said the City will share the contest on social media and she will work with the EP School District to share on their sites along with other groups such as TASSEL, and Community Engagement Impact Council. The Commissioners and students should share the posts on the contest and pass out flyers. After some discussion the Commission members asked if the contest could open on December 29th. Xiong said she can get materials out on December 27th. Bates asked if a flyer could be done before winter break on December 19th and suggested having the information dispersed on December 17th so the students can work on it over break. Xiong said she will do that along with bringing posters to the Administration Building and EP High School. Xiong asked the Commission how they would like to score this contest. Last year the scoring committee consisted of one Commissioner, two Student Commissioners, and other members from the EP School District or City staff. After some discussion it was decided to send out all entries to the Commission and anyone who wants to score can do that. The rating is based on 1-10 rating. Xiong asked for volunteers to present the 2026 Work Plan to the City Council. She stated the City Council Workshop is Tuesday, February 10th at 5 pm. She will be assisting with sharing the work plan but is looking for two more volunteers. Each volunteer will discuss two slides. Raimi said she could volunteer. Aliweyd said he could possibly volunteer and Knight said she could if no one else can. Xiong also asked for three volunteers to present the Words in Action Contest to the City Council. Ali, Raimi, and Ravella said they could volunteer. XVIII. Next Meeting: January 8, 2026 XIX. Adjournment MOTION: Knight moved, seconded by Bates, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Chair Leeper adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.