HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/10/2007 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
THURSDAY,MAY 10, 2007 7:00 PM, 8080 MITCHELL ROAD
City Center—Engineering Conference Room
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (chair), Melissa Barra (Vice
Chair), Daniel Abraira, Larry Piumbroeck, Jeff
Strate, Gerry Beckmann, and Pam Spera
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Sandra Moran, and Steven Shouts
COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison
Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary
I. ROLL CALL
Commission Chair Cari Maguire called the meeting to order at 7:16 pm. Commissioner
Barra was absent. Sandy Moran left at 8:45 pm.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Beckmann moved, Commissioner Spera seconded approval of agenda.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL MEETING
Change "I" to Beckmann on page 4. Insert"All of Us" column will be printed in the Eden
Prairie News and Sun Current.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD WINNER SELECTION
Commissioners reviewed the nominations that had been submitted for the Human
Rights Awards. The following selections were made:
Cindy Eddy has been selected to receive the Human Rights Award in the individual
category. Move approval by Strate, seconded by Piumbroeck
Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church was selected to receive the Human Rights Award in
the non-profit category. Move approval by Strate, seconded by Beckmann.
Eden Prairie Sun Current was selected to receive the Human Rights Award in the
business category. Move approval by Spera, seconded by Piumbroeck.
The commission would like to honor Captain Mike Bosacker with a letter of
commendation for his leadership with the Somali Youth Group.
Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes
May 10, 2007
Page 3
B. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL— CARI MAGUIRE
Maguire will be giving an update to the City Council on June 5rh regarding the work of
the Human Rights & Diversity Commission. Maguire will be sharing the HRDC
Strategic Plan with the City Council and speaking of some of the accomplishments and
initiatives the HRDC has implemented. Strate suggested Maguire talk about the Eden
Prairie Chamber facilitating the Jean Harris Scholarship Awards.
V. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC)
Report from Koivumaki:
The Human Services Review Committee met on May 7 to discuss the budget process
for 2008/2009. The Committee will put together a timeframe for considering
funding proposals from human services providers. The Committee reviews
proposals and makes funding recommendations to the City Manager.
B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS
No crimes of bias were reported.
C. OTHER NOTES FROM STAFF
Scholarship selection process.
Koivumaki and Commissioner Pam Spera attended the Eden Prairie Chamber of
Commerce Recognition Committee meeting on May 1 sc to participate in the selection
of the Jean Harris scholarship. Koivumaki reported that there were many
applications to review,but the process went very well. Sandra Moran, a current
HRDC student commissioner was selected as the Jean Harris Scholarship recipient.
Chaska Human Rights Event
Koivumaki and Commissioner Gerry Beckmann attended an event in Chaska on
April 26 sponsored by the Chaska Human Rights Commission. Participants were
assigned to small groups, with a facilitator guiding the discussion. The discussion
was based on a series of questions about diversity, based on age, economic status,
appearance, etc. Koivumaki reported that it was a very worthwhile event.
HRDC Meetinz Location
Koivumaki asked the group whether they wanted to continue to meet in the Housing
and Community Services office at the mall, or if they wanted to meet at the City
Center. By group majority, the decision was made to keep meeting at the mall
location.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes
May 10, 2007
Page 4
A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG)
Commissioner Beckmann attended the SHISG meeting. Summer Program Reports
were given by the Hennepin County Library, Community Education, and Park and
Recreation Department. Beckmann shared the Passport Scholarship Program with the
HRDC. Assistance is available to Eden Prairie residents who would like to participate
in a program and cannot afford the normal registration fees. Assistance is limited to
$150 per person,per year. Participants pay for the first half of each program and the
scholarship is applied toward the balance until it is expended.
B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT
Commissioner Beckman complimented Commission Chair Maguire on the well done
display at the Library.
VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS
The next meeting is Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 7 — 9 pm at Office of Housing and
Community Services.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.