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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/12/1998 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1998 7:00 P.M., PRAIRIE ROOMS A & B 8080 MITCHELL ROAD CITY CENTER COMMISSION MEMBERS Brad Behrends, Richard Helzel, Harry Moran, Vicki Pellar-Price, Darryl Stanton, Gloria Winans, and Munna Yasiri YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES: Andrea Brown and Sopanha Te COMMISSION STAFF: Michael Barone, Senior Personnel Coordinator; and Dave Hix, Recording Secretary(for Jan Nelson). I. ROLL CALL Chairperson Winans called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Stanton, Yasiri, and Te were absent. Brown and Pellar-Price arrived late. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Winans asked for the Commission's consent to move Item A under New Business before the consideration of Old Business so that the presenter, Tria Mann, could make an early departure. The Commission approved unanimously. MOTION: Behrends moved, Pellar-Price seconded to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 6 - 0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES APRIL 14, 1998 MEETING Winans suggested relisting the Report of Youth Representatives back on the agenda because it had not been acted on. A speaker's bureau needs to be created which will offer training for individual Commission members so they can make presentations in an effective manner. MOTION: Moran moved, seconded by Behrends to approve the April 14, 1998 meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried 6 - 0. Human Rights and Diversity Commission May 12, 1998 Minutes Page 2 IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Tria Mann, Eden Prairie Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources - Discussion of the August 16, 1998 "DiverseCity on the Prairie" event. Mann handed out a written time line that outlined the DiverseCity on the Prairie events. The Taste of the Prairie event, headed by Sandy Werts, is seeking people that have contacts with restaurant owners or if any of the HRDC members know of a restaurant that wants to get information on the event, to get the name of the restaurant to the Park and Recreation Department as soon as possible. The DiverseCity on the Prairie event is scheduled for Sunday August 16, 1998. Mann updated contact information for the staff that are involved in the DiverseCity on the Prairie event. Mann directed the Commission attention to the DiverseCity on the Prairie's 1997 ending report. She asked for additional comments on items that might not have been covered in the report. Six restaurants is the goal for this year's event. There will be no rain-backup day. Sandy Werts will hold an informational session for participating restaurants in regards to health department issues. The main shelter will not be rented the day of the event. In the future staff is looking into the possibility of having light-pole banners specifically for the DiverseCity on the Prairie event. Winans suggested for next years event that the HRDC could raise funds to help pay for the banners. Mann continued saying Park Attendants will be used to help out with parking issues and garbage collection. The City Police will be assisting with parking at the Staring facility. There will be information tables set up and manned by people who will be offering diversity information. She asked the HRDC to brainstorm and come up with as much information to offer the public as they could. Barone suggested the need for better signage for the cost of the food items at the event. Helzel suggested that the soft drink vendor also be asked to furnish the menu and pricing information. Mann told the Commission that Pepsi is the contracted soft drink vendor for the City this year. She said she would approach them in regards to furnishing signage for the DiverseCity on the Prairie event. Human Rights and Diversity Commission May 12, 1998 Minutes Page 3 Brown expressed some concern with Pepsi' human rights policies and the City contracting with Pepsi to furnish the soft drink concession. Pellar-Price asked if the Commission, or the City, targets specific groups of people to attend the DiverseCity on the Prairie event. Mann told the Commission that she is asking for suggestions on how to reach more people that might not know about the event. There will be educational events occurring on stage in between the performing acts. There will be story tellers and face painters, magicians and other performers out on the grounds mingling with the audience. Winans stated there is a need for picnic tables at the event. Mann told the Commission the City's Park Maintenance department brings all available picnic tables to the event. Mann reviewed the scheduled entertainment and advertising for the event. The event is listed in a number of summer fun/guide books and is also listed in Southwest Metro Transportation's summer fun guide book. Mann told the Commission the even is free and the entertainment is free. If people want to come and picnic during the event, they are not obligated to buy the food that is available. Mann told the Commission the overall cost for the one day DiverseCity on the Prairie event is approximately $5,000. Helzel suggested securing a sponsor for future DiverseCity on the Prairie events. Winans reviewed the areas that Mann has asked for help in: Locating restauranteurs to help in the event; locating crafters or specialty performers who would be willing to offer their services; directing the promotional effort to all groups of people. Mann told the Commission there would be buttons and/or T-shirts to help identify staff at the event. Winans suggested the HRDC offer its services for the City's 4th of July celebration. This would get the HRDC name in front of the public and open up the possibilities for communication that can come with new public exposure. She added it is one of Eden Prairie's most culturally diverse events. IV. OLD BUSINESS Human Rights and Diversity Commission May 12, 1998 Minutes Page 4 A. Review of Bias Crime Response Network Training Session held April 28, 1998 - Gloria Winans and other Commission attendees Barone distributed handouts reviewing the training session. He added the Bias Crime Response Network Training program is looking for volunteer coordinators. Winans stated that a volunteer from the HRDC would be a perfect fit for this type of work. Pellar-Price volunteered for the position. Brown stated a correction will need to be made in the name for the Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council. The organization is changing its name at the end of May. A special hot line to report bias crimes will also be available. She said she would keep the HRDC up to date on the information when it becomes available. Barone also requested copies of the new name and telephone information. B. Review of"Study Circles" Training Session held April 25, 1998 - Gloria Winans and Vicki Pellar-Price. Winans told the Commission "Study Circles" is an organization from Connecticut that helps communities organize themselves to talk about critical issues, whether it be race, crime, etc. The programs trains facilitators to work within the communities. This is "Study Circles" second year locally and they have representation from approximately 30 communities in the state of Minnesota. "Study Circle II" will be held from September through November in order to increase the number of participants state wide. There will be a Minnesota Summit in November and December where all of the participants will meet to share the knowledge and experiences that they have gained. Winans asked the Commission if they wanted Eden Prairie to continue participating in this process. The Commission gave its unanimous approval to continue the "Study Circle" idea in Eden Prairie." C. Review Final Plans for "Diversity Fair at Eden Prairie High School" to be held on May 21, 1998 at 7:15 - 10:45 a.m. The HRDC will operate a booth for this event, 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. will be Gloria and Munna. 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. will be Vicki and Harry. Barone will bring the materials needed for the booth (banner, brochures, etc.) around 6:45 a.m. Winans asked if the Humans Rights Information Line was still in existence. Barone told the Commission the Line was still in existence,but the purpose of the line is not to report incidents. If there is an on going incident that members of HRDC should know about, the Line is available so the HRDC members can be Human Rights and Diversity Commission May 12, 1998 Minutes Page 5 kept informed. He added the City does have the Prairie Line which is a central clearing house that records incoming messages, transcribes them. The phone call is sent to the supervisor and his staff for follow up on whatever the problem might be. Winans stated the HRDC meetings are open to the public. V. NEW BUSINESS B. Commission Planning for "Vision 2001 Strategic Management Process" - Board and Commission Presentations - presented April 29, 1998 (also presented on April 22 and May 6) The City Council is asking all Boards and Commission within the City to take the information that they have gathered at the Vision 2001 meetings and incorporate the information for use by the Board or Commission in performing its job. There is a time set aside at each City Council meeting for all of the Boards and Commissions to give their reports and updates in regards to their specific current events. Barone suggested putting the Vision 2001 item on upcoming HRDC agendas to keep the topic in front of the Commission. Winans suggested setting the June meeting aside to discuss the Vision 2001 issue. Helzel suggested adding the subject as a work plan item on all upcoming HRDC agendas. C. Presentation of Human Rights Youth Scholarship Award to Tram-Anh Vo at the May 28, 1998 EPHS Awards Ceremony Barone told the Commission the Awards Ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on the evening of May 28, 1998 at the EPHS. Winans stated it had been customary for the Chair and Vice-Chair of the HRDC to attend the event. Winans and Behrends said they would attend the event. D. Review/Debrief of Human Rights Award process and event held on April 16, 1998 It was the Commission's consensus that a way had to be found to get more people nominated for the Human Rights Award. Helzel suggested putting a notice on the City's website on a year-round basis. Human Rights and Diversity Commission May 12, 1998 Minutes Page 6 Moran suggested advertising at the Staring Lake Concert Series. Brown suggested giving the EPHS Career Resource Center information to distribute to students who might possibly be interested. She added the high school's diversity coordinator would be a good place to get exposure for the Human Rights Award, as well. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS A. Housing, Transportation & Human Services Board - Brad Behrends Behrends told the Commission that officers have been elected for the new year. There was a review of the Request for Proposal (RFP) packets. This review process will be finalized in June or July. The HTHSB is looking for a new member to fill a recently vacated position. A representative from the HOPE Program gave an update on that organization. Winans stated she felt the HTHSB and the HRDC have some over lapping of duties that can be discussed at the June commission meeting. B. League of Human Rights Commission - Gloria Winans The League of Human Rights Commissions annual meeting will be held on Saturday, September 26, 1998, in St. Cloud. The focus will be built around race and improving race relations. The meeting will run from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. C. Report of Youth Representatives - Andrea Brown and Sopanha Te(absent) Visitor parking for the Diversity Fair at the high school, May 21, is now at the new entrance on Eden Prairie Road and Edenwood Drive. Brown told the Commission graduation this year is June 11, 1998 to be held at Northrup Auditorium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The graduating class of Eden Prairie this year is 570. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Activity Status No reports from staff were considered. VIII. FUTURE AGENDAS/EVENTS Human Rights and Diversity Commission May 12, 1998 Minutes Page 7 Winans suggested having some mention of the HRDC on the City's website. Again, this would keep the Commissions presence before the public eye and enhance the Commission's work. The Commission reviewed the schedule of events as published on the agenda. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Helzel moved, seconded by Behrends to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6 - 0. There being no further business before the HRDC, Chairperson Winans adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.