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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/09/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, MAY 9, 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 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Jill Bartel, Rori Costello and Sandra Moran COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison (served as Recording Secretary) Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary (absent) I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm. Commissioners Maguire, Beckmann and Chung were absent. Barra served in place of Maguire. Guests: Georgia Cook and Ali Stevenson, both Eden Prairie High School students were present. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Strate requested that the Jean Harris Scholarship be added to Old Business. Strate requested that Comments for the May 16"'City Council Human Rights Award be added to New Business. Barra moved approval as amended, seconded by Piumbroeck Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH MEETING (Note from staff: Commissioners did not discuss the approval of the March minutes, although the April Agenda notes that Commissioners approved tabling the minutes until the May meeting. Staff will remind Commissioners of this at the June meeting.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL MEETING MOTION: Bartel noted that she was not at the April meeting,however her absence was not noted in the Roll Call. Strate moved as amended, seconded by Spera. Motion carried 4-0. Human Rights & Diversity Commission April 20, 2006 Page 2 IV. NEW BUSINESS A. STRATEGIC PLANNING Barra reported that she and Maguire have met regarding the strategic planning process and will have an update for the June meeting. B. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS CEREMONY Strate asked that Mr. Thomas Heffelfinger be invited to attend the presentation of the Human Rights Awards on May 16. Mr. Heffelfinger is an Eden Prairie resident and frequent guest on the Belhadan Television program and wrote a letter supporting its nomination for the award. Koivumaki advised that she would extend the invitation. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRQ At the May Human Services Review Committee the discussion centered on disturbances and fights taking place at Nesbitt Park, involving Somali youth from Eden Prairie and Minneapolis. The Preserve Homeowners Association will be having a meeting on May 161h at 8:00 pm, at the Preserve Barn. Sgt. Randy Thompson from the Eden Prairie Police Department will be present to discuss issues at Nesbitt Park. Sgt. Thompson asked Koivumaki to attend as well. Strate inquired whether a Commissioner and a student Commissioner could attend the meeting, too. Koivumaki will check with Sgt. Thompson as to whether Commissioners can attend the meeting. Strate asked Koivumaki to email Commissioners about the meeting details when they become available. Koivumaki reported on a change in the way student Commissioners will be appointed, beginning in the fall of 2006. Students will serve two four-month terms, instead of one eight month term. This will allow students to participate on more than one Board or Commission. It will also allow for more students to participate in the program. Koivumaki reported that the Office of Housing and Human Services will be having an open house on Friday, May 121n B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS None reported. VI. OLD BUSINESS Human Rights & Diversity Commission April 20, 2006 Page 3 A. JEAN HARRIS SCHOLARSHIP Piumbroeck and Strate lead a discussion on the future of the Jean Harris Scholarship. They prepared an outline which served as a guideline for the discussion. That outline is attached to the minutes. It was determined that City Manager Scott Neal and the City Council need to be brought into the discussion to give guidance to the Commission. Koivumaki will contact Mr. Neal for an appointment with Strate and Piumbroeck to discuss the future of the Scholarship. Koivumaki will notify Chair Maguire of this meeting also. Barra inquired whether the Commission should meet in July and August. Koivumaki said she would confer with Chair Maguire and if necessary get the meeting dates put on the City's website. Koivumaki will advise Commissioners of upcoming meeting dates. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) None reported. B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Moran reported that the Diversity Fair at Eden Prairie High School took place on April 2lsr. She also reported that anew advisor is needed for the Diversity Club. Bartel reported attending both the Diversity Fair, and the Community Education Partnership Breakfast, which also took place on April 21. Bartel mentioned the contrast in the ways in which adults and high school students discussed issues. Costello reported on the very powerful stories that were shared at the Partnership Breakfast. Spera reported that the International Festival meeting will be on May 1Oth. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Tuesday June 13, 2006. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Piumbroeck moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Strate. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Motion Carried 4-0.