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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/08/2004 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY,JUNE 8, 2004 7:00 PM—Prairie Room A/B City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-4485 COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Piumbroeck(Chair), Jeff Strate (Vice Chair), Pam Miller, Balu Iyer, Linda Chung, Gerry Beckmann, and Cari Maguire COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison, Kathy Fischer, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called at 7:06 p.m. Present: Jeff Strate, Pam Miller, Balu Iyer, Linda Chung, Gerry Beckmann. Absent: Larry Piumbroeck, Cari Maguire. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Beckmann moved, seconded by Iyer to approve the Agenda. Motion carried: 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 11, 2004 MOTION: Miller moved, seconded by Beckmann to approve the minutes with the following changes: Change the date from May 13, 2004 to May 11, 2004; VII. Reports from Commission members, A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG), 4th sentence should read, "This last meeting's topics emphasized summer programs for children"; B. Any Commission Member may report, paragraph 5, Is' sentence should read, "Strate said we must have more conversations about this and figure out a "cool" way within which students can let them know what might work for them in addressing this particular situation". Sentence 6, "He said we would like to examine having students come in and talk more about this topic". Last paragraph should read, "Beckmann invited members to a Civil War re-enactment at the Eden Prairie cemetery on June 5""'. Motion vote? IV. NEW BUSINESS There was discussion from Commission members of the possibility of having a student group at the High School, led by a staff member, to discuss diversity issues,problems associated with diversity within the school and making suggestions to the school. The idea of the student group would be to get a dialogue going so that the school district could start addressed problems and issues that are learned from the students. The Commissioners felt that some type of student group should be started before school starts. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission June 8, 2004 Page 2 Strate said that Fran Hesch is on the board for the teen center in Hopkins and the students are very involved in planning events and looking over the finance books. Strate suggested that the teen center in Hopkins might be a place where an Eden Prairie student group could meet. Chung thought that the Commission might be getting a little a head of itself. Chung suggested that the Commission discuss the idea of a student dialogue group and figure out how that type of group would work. Iyer and Miller felt that it was a good idea to have a student group,but the school district would have to be partners with the Commission on the idea and group. Koivumaki suggested that she make contact with the school district to see if they were interested in the idea of a student group. The Commission thought it was a good idea for Koivumaki to contact the school district to see if they would be interested in a student group at the school. Iyer felt that the school district shouldn't just talk about the problems,but must do something about it and be responsible. Chung and Miller felt that awareness and talking about the issues would also be helpful for students. Beckmann commented that the diversity fair was good,but many students were not that interested. Beckmann commented that the students need to "drive" the group,but the Commission can light the spark to get it going. The Commission asked Koivumaki to set up a meeting with the school district to talk with them about a student group at the school. And at some later date, the possibility of using the teen center in Hopkins could be discussed further. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRQ Koivumaki reported that they met yesterday and reviewed the upcoming programs and talked about the new Eden Prairie meeting site at the Eden Prairie Center. The Human Services Department is in the process of moving to the new site and Koivumaki hoped that the Commission would want to hold their meetings at the new location. Also, she reported that they are looking at replacing Joyce Conley. The next meeting is September 14, 2004. MOTION: Strate moved, seconded by Beckmann to hold Commission meetings at the new site in the Eden Prairie Center. Motion carried: 4-0. 1 Abstention. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission June 8, 2004 Page 3 B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS There was nothing to report. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE OF "GATHERINGS" Koivumaki said that the Gatherings have morphed into the International Festival. The new committee is made up of a lot of minorities. Koivumaki said that there are artists, crafters and food needed for the International Festival. The categories at the Festival are entertainment, crafts, food and the children's area. Koivumaki said that they would appreciate any ideas or leads on any of the categories. The Commission discussed meeting in August. MOTION: Balu moved, Chung seconded to schedule a Commission meeting on August 4, 2004. Motion vote? B. JEAN HARRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING OPTIONS Koivumaki said that at the last meeting they had conversations with Less Ellis and County Commissioners about handing over the funding and if they did would the Commission still be involved. Jean Myers, President of the Eden Prairie Foundation said they could discuss funding this fall. Koivumaki said that there was enough money to offer two more scholarships. Koivumaki said that she could meet with the Foundation in the fall and see if they could take on an additional scholarship. This may not work,but she would have to wait until October. Koivumaki said that she could look at other entities and said that she would talk with Les Ellis again talk about non-profit organizations that have funding raising. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Beckmann said that they met Monday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She reported that Sally from the Bloomington SHAPE program has volunteered to help teach English to new immigrants. Emmanuel Lutheran Church is looking for more members to become involved. Beckmann reported that Familink has moved the date for their request for proposals to an earlier date. Beckmann asked Koivumaki if the Commission could apply for a grant. Koivumaki said that the Local Community Time Study comes from the federal program and aims at benefiting children. Koivumaki said that she does sit on the review committee and there is tough competition and it is a tough program. Koivumaki said that the grant should be written about children and the grant is very difficult to obtain. Miller felt that the Commission should try for a grant and that writing for a grant would help the Commission focus on specific goals. Miller indicated that she would be willing to write the proposal. There were no additional member reports. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission June 8, 2004 Page 4 VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS A. The next HRDC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14, 2004. B. Discussion on whether Commission wished to meet during summer hiatus. The Commission did decide to meet again on August 4, 2004 as discussed earlier in the meeting. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Balu moved, Beckmann seconded to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0.