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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 10/11/2005 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2005 7:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Piumbroeck(Chair), Jeff Strate Vice-Chair), Gerry Beckmann, Linda Chung, Melissa Barra, Cari Maguire and Pam Spera STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Sandy Moran, Rori Costello and Jill Bartel COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Commission Vice-Chair Jeff Strate called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Commissioner Member Gerry Beckmann seconded. Commission Chair, Larry Piumbroeck was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Molly Koivumaki proposed an addition under Reports from Commission Member item"C" as follows: C. Request Student Commissioners Report Motion carried 6-0 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER MEETING MOTION: Commissioner Chung moved to approve September minutes, seconded by Strate. Beckmann abstained, due to absence from September meeting. Motion carried 6-0 IV. NEW BUSINESS A. KATIE PHAM, EP RESIDENT—COMMUNITY CONCERNS Mrs. Pham, her husband and their children 4 & 6 yr. old, moved to Eden Prairie two years ago because of the excellent schools, parks and family neighborhoods. Ms Pham was approached by two neighborhood families to sign a petition to submit to the Eden Prairie Schools Transportation Department,requesting that they create two additional bus stops for their Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes October 11, 2005 Page 2 children. Mrs. Pham did not have an issue with the bus stop, it is actually in her driveway,but even if that wasn't the case, Mrs. Pham does not think it is her decision to decide where the bus stop should be and trusts the Transportation Department to make those decisions. The two families continued to pressure Mrs. Pham to sign the petition and when she refused, one Father called and told her she would be responsible if something happened to his daughter. Mrs. Pham contacted the animal control department when some parents (5 or 6) would arrive at the bus stop with unrestrained dogs. Animal Control did talk to the neighbors about the unrestrained dogs and the lack of picking up after them. This turned into a police matter after Mrs. Pham approached one woman at school and asked her to stop the dog harassment and that woman called the police. Other incidents happened for instance, we received phone calls in the middle of the night, and one neighbor saw me in my front yard and yelled asking why lies were being told about his wife. The Pham's have now enrolled their child in a private school instead of Cedar Ridge Elementary. Mrs. Pham wondered within this community, are other people experiencing similar situations? She would like them to know they are not alone and asked the members of the HRDC if they can help those who are silent? Mrs. Pham said "We all should be able to live, work and dream in peace and not in fear." Chung asked if the phone calls have stopped. Mrs. Pham said yes because they have paid for security as well as line tracers through the phone company. Jill Bartel asked what happen after talking to the police about putting a track on the line. Mrs. Pham said the police said they would talk to the family,but has not heard if that was done. Molly Koivumaki met with Randy Thompson, Mrs. Pham and Ada Alden, the director of the family center for Eden Prairie Schools. Alden proposed having a conversation on community civility. Strate thought that is a great idea and Koivumaki will pursue this with Alden. Motion by Strate to form a committee to discuss this further before the November meeting to sit down with Katie Pham, Ada Alden, a Police Officer and someone from Park and Rec. He also suggested a representative from the Eden Players or another dramatic group from Hopkins could perhaps write a script role playing and it could be performed for people. They could write a script and be performed in front of a group of people. Maguire seconded the motion. Spera and Beckmann offered to serve on this committee. Motion carried 6-0 Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes October 11, 2005 Page 3 Strate welcomed the student commissioners. Sandy Moran, 11"'grade and Jill Bartell, and Rori Costello, both seniors at the Eden Prairie High School. Koivumaki explained to the student commissioners that we would like a student member report at each HRDC if possible. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported a meeting recently to review the applications for grants to fund for human services in Eden Prairie. The HSRC will meet the week of October 17th to make final recommendations for the 2006-07 budget. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No bias crime activity VI. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT The subcommittee for the Human Rights Awards met on Sunday, October 2nd The plan is to get a list of Eden Prairie businesses from the Chamber of Commerce and have the subcommittee decide which companies to approach. Barra commented that companies sometimes find it easier to give on a long term basis or a one time donation of a larger amount,but the commission will be flexible. Meet and greets would also promote the HRDC for companies to know about us and that we want to play an active role with their companies diversity. Communications department will work with Strate to create brochures, letters to companies, etc. Strate recommended that when meeting with companies, tell them about the Jean Harris youth scholarships as well as the nominations for the HRDC award. Barra asked the student commissioners to please get the word out at the high school regarding the Human Rights Award and the Jean Harris Scholarship. Koivumaki reported that Larry Piumbroeck will be approaching the Eden Prairie Foundation Chair requesting the foundation be our fiscal agent for the Jean Harris Scholarship Award. Barra said sending out a letter or brochure, etc. in November and then again in January as a follow up reminder. Chung moved that the memo Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes October 11, 2005 Page 4 from Strate outlining strategies for the scholarships be voted on. Beckmann seconded that request. Motion carried 6-0. Strate would like to put in the award letter that the recipients attend the council meeting to receive their award, the city commission banquet and that they will also be nominated for the MN Human Rights Statewide League of Human Rights Commissioner Award. Koivumaki will ask the City Manager if this is possible. Chung mentioned that a mass email can be sent out without expense. Sandy Moran said we could put the scholarship information in the high school newspaper. There was discussion of language changes to the applications. Strate said that the HRDC may want to consider requiring letters from other professionals and peers to help determine this person is going above and beyond what is expected. Maguire wondered if the applicants should be called or interviewed. Chung said the application should state why the action was "above and beyond" their normal job. Barra said we had so much discussion last year about the selection process, she would like to discuss the process before we look at the applications. Beckmann requested clarification on what is "above and beyond" and would like it best worded as clearly as possible so everyone can understand. Beckmann's feeling is the above and beyond should be in explained in every category. Email Strate any language clarifications and Strate will run them by Pat Brink and come back with any language changes at the next meeting B. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP Beckmann attended this meeting. Ted Schneider, Director of Justice, Ministry, was the main presenter. This group is holding four forums at Pax Christi after the 9:30 and 11:00 Sunday services. The forum focus is as follows: October 16, Undocumented Immigration December 4, Immigration Law Reform February 26, Immigration Funding in Our Community Martin Mohamed is going to be the presenter on February 26. Mr. Mohamed is the Executive Director of the Immigration Credit and Financial Counseling Agency. Mr. Mohamed will discuss the growth of Somali population in southwestern Minneapolis. ESL Program Needs were also discussed. Khadra Duale is looking for volunteers to help Somali drivers practice their driving skills. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes October 11, 2005 Page 5 A couple has started a church in Eden Prairie called the Church of Kingdom Treasures. This couple has an interest in youth and are thinking about starting a teen center in Eden Prairie. Barra said Maguire did an outstanding job coordinating the Conference for the MN League of Human Rights Commissions. Barra thought all of the speakers were amazing. Maguire said that over 100 people were in attendance. The MN League of Human Rights Commissions made a profit for the first time in conference history. Maguire thought of getting some of the powerful advertising posters that were at the conference and make a display at the high school. They could talk to the Adult ESL participants and get testimonies from them. Beckmann asked Maguire if any of those posters were reduced down in size so we could put some in the paper. Maguire will find out. VII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next meeting has been changed from November 8 to November 15 due to Election Day. VIII. ADJOURN Maguire moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Beckmann. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.