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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 08/04/2004 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 4, 2004 7:00 PM—Eden Prairie Center Office of Housing and Human Services 125 Eden Prairie Center 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, Tanya Whitsitt, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:28 p.m. Vice Chair Strate, Beckmann, Chung, Maguire, and Miller were present. Chair Piumbroeck and Iyer were absent. The Vice Chair ran the meeting in the absence of the Chair. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Maguire moved, seconded by Chung to approve the Agenda. Motion carried: 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 8, 2004 Strate had a correction in the name in Item IV, second paragraph; "Hesch" should be added after"Fran". MOTION: Miller moved, seconded by Chung to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried: 4-0 (Maguire abstained as she did not attend the June meeting nor did she receive her packet in the mail.) IV. NEW BUSINESS A. TOUR OF THE NEW HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICE OFFICE Koivumaki gave the Commission members a tour of the new Office of Housing and Human Services at the Mall. She discussed the two new classrooms across the hall and conference rooms. She stated there has been some good use already by staff, the school district, ESL classes, clients and others. Koivumaki noted that at the end of August, PROP will be using the space for their"Back to School" night, collecting donated school supplies for needy children. Also the City Council held one of their meetings there the night before and they seemed to like it. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission August 4, 2004 Page 2 Beckmann asked if the fee schedule was set for use of the space. Koivumaki replied that it has not been set yet because they want to see further who uses the facilities. Strate said he sees this is going to be a popular site. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported that they met last Monday. City Manager Scott Neal attended and noted that a small change will take place since new Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah is on board. The group will report up through Jeremiah now instead of a Councilmember. Koivumaki told a story about a local man who wants to start a program getting elder Somali citizens out and about instead of being cooped up in their homes. He said they feel isolated and need exercise and conversation. He has offered to drive elder Somali citizens in a bus to the Senior Center. Beckmann asked if this was strictly for the Somali group and Koivumaki said right now yes,but it can possibly be integrated later. The committee is looking at the best way to do this program and hope to start soon. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS There was nothing to report,however Strate brought up a recent incident he thought the Commission should know about. On the bridge over Indian Chief Road, he saw a Nazi eagle with "heil" written on it. He notified Koivumaki and several days later, it was painted over by the City. Beckmann said it was good to have it erased, and Strate noted that we don't want"copycats." VI. OLD BUSINESS A. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL REVIEW Strate said he wanted each member to "weigh in" with their opinions of the festival, if they were there. Koivumaki said she took several photos, and passed them around. She said she wanted to get the flavor of the event. She went with her family and said it was very fun, especially the Kids' booth. The evaluation surveys that came back from participants were "absolutely positive", she said. There was an issue with food and the health inspector at the beginning (some Somali food was not up to standard and they were shut down),but most of the festival went well and the feedback comments were encouraging. Maguire said she was working at the Kids' booth, and was on the planning committee, and felt that so many things could have gone wrong, and we were lucky (for the most part) they did not. She said also there were not many people on the committee and not a wide variety of immigrant representation either. Maguire said she was disappointed that the last couple of week they were scrambling to get things done and making late Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission August 4, 2004 Page 3 additions and changes. She stated that some things weren't even ready close to the event date (i.e. not having the food permits); she said it was pretty much disorganized. Miller agreed and said things were not explained well and that she did not know what to do after the initial calls. She said she had to miss a couple of meetings,but that from what she saw the meetings should have been split up and run more effectively. Maguire said it felt like nothing got accomplished at the planning meetings. In addition, Maguire said promotion of the event was not done very well. Beckmann said the newspaper did not have anything the Thursday before, and saw only tiny ads in the Events section. She said it could have been a real draw. Maguire said many things should have been handled earlier. Also, several immigrant vendors came, but they did not know what to do or was the necessities were for them to sell their food. Maguire said overall though it was successful and it was agreed that a lot of people came and had a good time. She was just concerned about the planning and that people would not come to the event. Chung said she was impressed with the performers and Beckmann said it was great to see the families of the performers who came out to support them; some looked very proud, she said. Strate said he thought Piumbroeck did a good job and was "in his element" as the MC. He said this festival was better than its predecessor "DiverseCity on the Prairie." He was delighted so many people were there and interesting to meet people from places like Pakistan. He said we need to get more "EPians" there; get more of our neighbors out there. Maguire stated that her impression was this event came right on the heels of the Independence Day event. Strate said maybe we can move the next one back, perhaps before the 4ffi of July event. Maguire mentioned the limited budget they had to work with for the festival. She asked if we have talked about getting sponsors. Beckmann inquired about writing for a grant for an event like this. She also suggested that this Commission write thank you notes to the people who had booths at the festival. Koivumaki said they will have a"wrap-up" meeting at the end of August to discuss the International Festival and make suggestions for next year's event. Maguire and Miller said they would create a list of questions and suggestions from the HRDC. Chung said we need to have constructive criticism(a lot of positives),but point out changes that need to be made. B. EPHS STUDENT FORUM Koivumaki said that many Eden Prairie High School students were concerned about the `lockdown' which occurred when a weapon was brought on campus. Many asked what needed to be done and there are students who want to help. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission August 4, 2004 Page 4 A group is trying to establish cooperative efforts between the school district, the Police Department, students, and this Commission called "Solution Finders". Chung may be the liaison from HRDC. Koivumaki stated they want to work together but cautioned there needs to be some sensitivity because the district has already tried to work on reducing the tension and violence at the high school. She said they need to identify the students who want to participate in the program. She also stated that Randy Thompson and Mike Bosacker are the contacts in the EPPD. We need to meet to discuss what steps need to be taken, and how to get trained leaders at the school. Chung said we want to make sure the students lead the discussions, and that they are not driven by us. Koivumaki agreed and said that the topics are fragile,but that most involved see "Solution Finders" as a good thing. She stated we need to approach this as not a problem that"we need to fix", rather we guide and offer help where needed. This is not a reflection of a failure on the part of the school district. Strate said he's glad we're actually finally doing something. He suggested that we have the meetings not at the school or City Hall; maybe a coffeehouse instead. Beckmann said she hopes this happens soon and that it is very important to get started. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICE GROUP (SHISG) Nothing to report. B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Maguire said she does not think the International Festival should replace the Gatherings. She stated that the list of concerns that came out of the Gatherings is still here and the festival helped with some of them,but she feels it would seem phony to just say "here is the festival", and have that be it. She would like to discuss somehow having the Gathering continue. Miller agreed and said these important meetings could bring up other issues and concerns. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS Beckmann said at the next meeting the list of suggestions that came out of the Gatherings should be reviewed. She said we need to address them and she feels we owe it to those who came to the meetings to voice their concerns. Koivumaki said maybe a sub-committee could work on it. Maguire said we should not just drop it. The next HRDC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14"';however the Primary is the same evening. The HRDC meeting will need to be moved to either, after 8:00 p.m. on the 14"', or to another date. Strate said he does not want to wait too long to meet. He said we could look at the 15"'or 16"'. It was decided a poll will go out via e-mail asking all members which date they prefer. The results will be sent out once a consensus is made. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Commission August 4, 2004 Page 5 MOTION: Maguire moved, seconded by Chung to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0.