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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 09/13/2005 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 7:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Piumbroeck(Chair), Jeff Strate Vice-Chair), Linda Chung, Melissa Barra, Cari Maguire and Pam Spera STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary Guest: Scott Neal, City Manager I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Commission Chair Larry Piumbroeck called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Commissioner Beckmann was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Larry Piumbroeck requested that a discussion of another"Gathering" and an update on "Solution Finders", "Media/Communications City Policy" added under Old Business. MOTION: Strate moved, seconded by Melissa Barra to approve agenda. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY & JUNE 2005 MEETING Linda Chung requested a change on page 4 —paragraph one, last line, remove words "say they". MOTION: Maguire moved, seconded by Chung to approve May minutes as amended. Cari Maguire requested a change page 2 - last paragraph, change the word "questioned to wondered". On page 3, 7 B—Replace Maguire name with Jeff Strate. MOTION: Chung moved, seconded by Spera to approve June minutes as amended. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM—SCOTT NEAL Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Neal talked with the commission about the Youth Scholarship Program and the funds that are connected with them. The City Attorney, Ric Rosow said the City does not have clear statutory authority to raise money for scholarship programs. Neal suggested the Commission set up a trustee contract with the Eden Prairie Foundation. The Eden Prairie Foundation would be the custodians of the money but the commission would act as the executors of the money. Pam Spera inquired about any limitations or restrictions on how to raise the money for the scholarships. Linda Chung responded that Commissioners would be viewed as public officials and conduct themselves accordingly. Linda Chung, Melissa Barra, Larry Piumbroeck and Staff Liaison Molly Koivumaki will meet to brainstorm ideas of how to raise funds. Strate mentioned that requests for funding help and or advice for the scholarship made last year to the Eden Prairie Foundation, the Eden Prairie Lions, the Rotary Club of Eden Prairie and the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce were rejected. Mr. Neal reminded the commission that the City communication manager, Pat Brink can assist in marketing strategies for the scholarship fund, and economic development manager, David Lindahl can provide business contacts. Jeff Strate stressed the importance of getting to work on this soon. B. IMPLICATIONS OF OPERATION NORTHERN COMFORT Commissioner Piumbroeck wondered if there was anything the commission should know about to help the people who were effected by the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Koivumaki reported how the Office of Housing and Human Services (OHHS) had called Eden Prairie apartment complexes to inquire about any vacancies. OHHS had many calls from Eden Prairie residents willing to donate their home, part of their home, a bed, etc. Some people are coming to MN because they have family here. Two evacuees from Louisiana came into the OHHS office last week. They were staying at one of the extended stay hotels, paid for by their employer. Koivumaki reported that if necessary, the mentoring program used previously in Eden Prairie may be resurrected to match hurricane evacuees with mentor families. The state of Minnesota has requested that all evacuees register with the state so they can track who is here and if their FEMA dollars have reached them. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported the committee met Monday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 13 in 2-3 hour blocks to review proposals received for grant funding. Previously the city manager had proposed cutting the budget for human services for 2006-07, however the City Council requested the funding levels remain intact. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 3 of 4 Since1999 the funding levels have not increased, yet the needs and the amounts of service provided have increased. Commissioner Piumbroeck commented on why there seems to be an assumption that we are doing enough now. Koivumaki shared that the Eden Prairie Meals on Wheels has started a$35/month adopt a senior program to help fund their program. The committee will be deciding soon which grants will be funded. If any Commission member is interested in Leadership Eden Prairie, a program sponsored by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, please contact Molly Koivumaki. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No crimes of bias were reported by the police department. VI. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) Commissioner Beckmann was absent at the September 13, 2005 meeting so there is not a report. B. Jeff Strate discussed promoting the Human Rights and Diversity Award. Strate shared his ideas on how to motivate companies to submit nominees for this worthy award. Strate would like a sub-committee to work on this program. Many other communities also have awards like this one and the subcommittee could look at how those programs are structured. Scott Neal said there could possibly be funds to help for this. Jeff Strate, Cari Maguire, Pam Spera and Molly Koivumaki volunteered to be on this committee. The Commission is hoping Gerry Beckmann will also join them. Larry Puimbroeck asked what the Cities process/policy is when responding to the media. Neal said if there is generally a statement to be issued, that would come from him or the Mayor because they have the authority to speak for the City. Commissioner's opinions are certainly allowable as long as it is made clear that it is a personal opinion. Chung suggested that the first thing we should do is contact the communications manager and run it buy him if you are going to speak for the commission. Strate said that it is important for Commissioners to remember to alert reporters (or others) that the EP HRDC is not a policy making group,but an advisory commission to the City Council. Mr. Neal agreed, saying that the EPHRDC is different from similarly named commissions in other cities such as Minneapolis. Scott Neal said a good rule of thumb is to contact Pat Brink, Communications Manager at City Hall. Spera said you can't anticipate what the reporter is going to ask you, so how could you even explain to Pat Brink what questions may arise. Chung said if you are not in an interview kind of position, you can always just give a statement, which is something you can go over with the communications manager. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes September 13, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Neal reminded commissioners to get the reporters name and share that with Brink. He also cautioned commissions to avoid a public comment about a local elected officials and police issues. C. The Solution Finders Group is thinking of trying to create an adult Solutions Finders. Koivumaki talked to Ali Turner, from the Eden Prairie Library and the youth incidents at the library have gone down since forming Solution Finders. D. Maguire encourages the HRDC to attend the League of MN Human Rights 34th Annual Conference. Hamline University is co-sponsoring the event, and supplying the food. Puimbroeck thought it might be nice if we had an Eden Prairie display. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL REVIEW Spera and Maguire reported the International Festival was a success! Spera commented the children loved the games that Maguire created for them. Everyone seemed to enjoy the entertainment also. Qdoba Mexican Grill donated all of their food sales money to PROP. Spera thought we should rethink the crafting idea to focus more on the displays. Maguire said, if the focus in on expanding the displays, possibly some of the displays could offer hands on activities. Next year the International Festival date has been moved to the middle of August. Spera suggested acting much faster for booking performers and entertainers. B. THE GATHERING Maguire and Barra are going to meet and come up with some ideas for another Gathering event. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next meeting is October 11, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Maguire moved to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded by Barra. Motion carried: 6-0.