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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/13/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY,JUNE 13, 2006 7:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (Chair), Melissa Barra(Vice-Chair), Larry Piumbroeck, Jeff Strate, Gerry Beckmann, Linda Chung, and Pam Spera COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary AUDIENCE: Bob Chepolis, audience I. ROLL CALL Meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by Cari Maguire. No student commissioners were present as their commissions were completed in May. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The HRDC approved the agenda for Tuesday, June 13, 2006 meeting. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY MEETING The HRDC agreed to table approval of May minutes until September, 2006. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. BOB CHEPOLIS —NESBITT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD Mr. Chepolis attended the City Council forum and talked about the quality of life and property values in his neighborhood. Chepolis stated he believes Nesbitt Park has become a gathering community for immigrants in this area. He doesn't think the immigrants understand public property and that littering is breaking the law. Chepolis was not aware of the meeting that was called by the Preserve Homeowners Association, which included residents, police and city staff. He wondered if any initiative has been implemented to build a bridge between the immigrant community and the rest of Eden Prairie. Molly Koivumaki discussed that the City of Eden Prairie does work closely with service providers and the immigrant community. She explained the other community initiatives: Solution Finders, Parent's Group (Somali Parents), Somali Gathering, Immigrant Services Group. Human Rights & Diversity Commission June 13, 2006 Page 2 Koivumaki also shared a few initiatives that the HRDC has been a part of"The Gatherings" event and The "International Festival". The HRDC encouraged Bob Chepolis to help get native born Americans to participate in an event at the Library this Fall. Barra shared that the HRDC is trying to promote conversations and help find the commonalities with all of our community. Gerry Beckmann suggested that on August 1, National Night Out, commission members go out and visit the different block parties. Maguire thanked Mr. Chepolis for coming and sharing his thoughts and will keep him informed on the initiatives that HRDC are planning. She also encouraged him to talk to his neighbors and get solid ideas of what is happening and easily identifiable issues. B. STRATEGIC PLAN Maguire and Barra met and created a DRAFT Strategic Plan for the 2006-2007 Human Rights and Diversity Commission. Project/Major Tasks Commissioners Lead Role Commissioners Secondary Role Human Rights Award • Gerry Beckmann (kick off in January) • Pam Spera • Publicity • Jeff Strate • Recruitment of Nominees Representation in Community • Immigrant Services Group • Gerry Beckman • Solution Finders • Pam Spera • Cari Maguire when • Partnership Breakfast • All who can attend available • Diversity Fair at high school • All who can attend Martin Luther King Displays • Cari Maguire • Library • City Hall • Eden Prairie Mall Other Displays? • Linda Chung • Black History Month(February) • Asian Pacific Heritage Month(May) • Linda Chung • Hispanic Heritage Month(October) • Women's History Month(March) • Melissa Barra • Native American History Month (November) • Melissa Barra • Cari Maguire,Linda Chun International Festival • Committee Meetings&Planning • Cari Maguire,Pam Spera • Gerry Beckmann,Linda • Volunteer at Festival • Larry Piumbroeck(will Chung MC) Library Gathering—Start in September • Cari Maguire,Melissa • Gerry Beckmann • Display(Essays) Barra • All that can help • Organization of event Human Rights & Diversity Commission June 13, 2006 Page 3 • Attend event Possible block party at the • National Night Out Preserve IV. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported that Mr. Daryl Coppoletti, from the Hennepin South Services Collaborative (HSSC) attended the May HSRC meeting and got input from the Committee members on the 2007-08 HSSC work plan. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS None to report V. OLD BUSINESS A. JEAN HARRIS SCHOLORSHIP UPDATE—KOIVUMAKI The Chamber of Commerce Board met and decided they would consider the request to rename one of their two scholarships as the Jean Harris scholarship. Koivumaki will be meeting with Chamber again to start the partnership process. VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) Beckmann reported the majority of the meeting was discussing ESL situations. Beckmann reported a law will be passed in July that requires people who volunteer to teach ESL classes must be under the supervision of: a) a retired teacher or b) a certified teacher or c) take the Minnesota Literacy Council training. Beckmann reported that City staff person Mary Keating spoke about the immigrant situation at Nesbitt Park. Beckmann reported that Jeanne Zetah, Director of Community Education with the Eden Prairie School District, distributed notes she compiled from the Partnership Breakfast topic of "Courageous Conversations." B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Koivumaki reported the HRDC students have been selected for next year. The City of Eden Prairie Communications department is looking for interesting people to interview for the EP16. Koivumaki would like to submit some of the commission members. Human Rights & Diversity Commission June 13, 2006 Page 4 Maguire reported on the International Festival. Jeanne Zetah has stepped forward to provide additional help this year. Maguire will be contacting the HRDC members to see if they can help at the festival. Maguire reported on the Preserve Homeowners Association meeting regarding the incidents at Nesbitt Park, she stated that Sgt. Randy Thompson did a tremendous job keeping the focus on behavior. Most people were very receptive. VII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS September 2006— TBA. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.