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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/09/2000 APPROVED MINUTES Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Tuesday, May 9, 2000 7:00 PM - Prairie Rooms A/B, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344 Citizen Advisory Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia, Harry Moran (Chair), Commission Members: Darryl Stanton, and Philip Young (Vice-Chair) Youth Representatives: Youth Reps begin in Fall 2000 Commission Staff: Michael Barone, Supervisor of Personnel & Payroll Tanya Jansen, Recording Secretary I. Roll Call Meeting was called to order by Harry Moran at 7:05 p.m. Roll Call: ® Dorothy Fifield ® Harry Moran ® Philip Young ❑ Angie Garcia ® Darryl Stanton Angie Garcia notified Mike Barone of her expected absence. Darryl Stanton arrived at 7:15 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda Harry Moran moved to approve agenda. Mike Barone stated that he would like to add item IV.F, the topic of"Joint City Council and School Board meeting" and also add item VI.0 to cover the "DiverseCity on the Prairie" event. Darryl Stanton requested to add item VI.D to discuss issues in gaps in service to the community called "Broadening our Horizons". Moran moved to approve and Dorothy Fifield second. Motion carried 3-0. III. Approval of Minutes for previous meeting Moran asked for approval of minutes from the Tuesday, April 11, 2000 meeting. Stanton made motion to approve, second by Philip Young. Motion carried 3-0. IV. Reports of Staff A. League of Women Voters— Community Circles on Immigration Barone said that there is nothing new to report. B. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group Barone stated that he attended a meeting on May 1. They broke into small groups for further discussion. He said when he gets the minutes from this meeting,he will forward them to this Commission as an attachment. Moran inquired when the meetings take place. Barone replied that they are the first Monday of every month and held at the Community Education Center. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission May 9,2000 Approved Meeting Minutes Page 2 C. Bias Crime Activity Status Barone stated that there is nothing new to report. He spoke to Peter Huck, who leads the group, and he has been recruiting people. They will meet this summer to plan a new training session and plan for the next few months. D & E. Human Rights Award and Human Rights Youth Scholarship Award Barone said that he sent out the congratulatory letters to the winners. Marina Kuznetsov won the Human Rights Award and Eden Prairie High School seniors Maureen Carney and Emily Huck each won the Human Rights Youth Scholarship Award. Copies of the letters were also sent to the "sponsors" of the winners and other related persons. The turndown letters were mailed out. F. Joint City Council and School Board meeting Barone reported on attending a joint City Council and School Board meeting, held on April 20 from 7:00— 9:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the City Center. The City Councilmembers, Eden Prairie School Board members, and key City and School District staff members attended. The two objectives were to develop policy on immigration issues and also develop understanding of new legislation and funding for immigrants. Liz Van Zomeran of Hennepin South Services Collaborative (HSSC) spoke at the meeting. Barone stated that last December, HSSC provided a report on `Emerging Immigrant Communities in South Hennepin'. It contains useful information and he will get copies to the Commission members soon. The joint meeting participants discussed existing Federal legislation, specifically dealing with immigration, that apparently hasn't come to fruition on the State, County or City levels. The legislation allows for Federal resources and funding for new immigrants to communities, i.e. ESL training. Many people said they were not aware of this legislation. Moran asked who the funds are distributed to and who administers them. Barone stated that the idea of the meeting was to share what information was known, which is still being explored. He reported that the next step is to solicit legislators and find out more information. He will get the minutes from the joint City Council and School Board meeting and share them with this Commission. V. Old Business A & B. Staff update on 1999-2000 Youth Scholarship Awards and Staff update on 1999 Human Rights Award Detailed report under VI. New Business C. Staff update on representation for League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission At the last Human Rights and Diversity meeting, a question of representation was raised. Barone received a call from Mort Ryweck. He said that we are officially limited to one person to send to the meetings. We can send a substitute occasionally if needed, however, sending only one representative is preferred. Moran inquired if we have the planned dates and locations. Barone said he believed the meetings are held on the third or fourth weekend of each month and the locations are split between metro and outstate sites. Young and Garcia previously declared interest in being a representative. Young said he is still interested,but can't attend all of the meetings. It was agreed that Garcia could be the alternate. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission May 9,2000 Approved Meeting Minutes Page 3 D. Commission member update on April 13, 2000, 7:00 p.m. Eden Prairie League of Women Voters Action Forum wrap-up on Community Circles Fifield attended the last meeting on April 13. She stated that is was a potluck-type meeting and had a very friendly atmosphere. She was impressed that there seemed to be fair and diverse representation and good participation. The meeting participants recognized several problems, i.e. transportation and child care. They made it clear that they are focusing on the issues and hoping other groups continue what they have started. Fifield said that they mentioned a need for leadership to "zero in on the problems" and pursue answers. Moran asked if there was another meeting planned. Fifield replied that none that she was aware of except a state meeting coming up. Moran thanked her for attending the forum. VI. New Business A. Award presentations on Tuesday, May 16, 2000, 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting for Human Rights Award & Youth Scholarship Awards Barone said that on May 16, at the City Council meeting, the Human Rights Award & Youth Scholarship Awards will be presented. Eden Prairie News and Sun Current are both reporting on the recipients. Barone handed out news releases to the Commission that were sent to the papers. He stated that all were welcome to attend the presentation and that Moran was planning to attend and speak,representing the Commission. Barone will not be able to attend,but Jodi Hoag, the Communications Project Coordinator, will be there in his place to take photographs. B. Award presentation at EPHS on May 25, 2000 for Youth Scholarship Awards recipients Barone reported that certificates will be given to the two senior high school students in the gymnasium on May 25. Moran and Stanton both plan to attend and Barone will confirm the start time. C. Diversity in Eden Prairie Barone has asked Tria Mann from Parks and Recreation to attend the next Human Rights and Diversity Commission meeting on June 13. She will report on the "DiverseCity on the Prairie" event(scheduled to take place on August 13) which encourages and supports diversity within the City of Eden Prairie. They are working on getting diverse restaurants, an emcee, and entertainment. Barone asked for recommendations for entertainment acts that could be recruited for next year's event. The Mayor plans to make the welcoming remarks and read the City's Manifesto. Moran asked if the Human Rights and Diversity Commission will have a booth. Barone confirmed that there will be one. Fifield asked what we can do to help. Moran stated that we could have a tent and table with literature, balloons, and face painting to give visibility to new residents and try to get as much participation as possible. He asked that each Commission member take a two-hour shift to be at the table. At the next meeting, a rotating schedule will be decided. D. Broadening our Horizons Stanton opened a discussion entitled `Broadening our Horizons." He stated that he has had the opportunity to serve on this Commission for a couple of years. He has met with many youths in the community,however he sees that there are "missing pieces" in what people are doing for them. He said that people should push harder to get more immigrants involved in the political process and other issues. Youth and other groups, he said, need access to more information, for Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission May 9,2000 Approved Meeting Minutes Page 4 example voter participation,registration and scholarship information. (It was suggested that voting materials be placed on the Human Rights and Diversity Commission table at the "DiverseCity on the Eden Prairie" event.) Barone asked how to get scholarship information, i.e. what type of scholarships and what funds are available. Stanton said he could get the information. Moran asked if the scholarships would focus on people of color. Stanton replied that the scholarships he knows about would not necessarily just benefit people of color,but rather anyone can benefit. Stanton stated that we need a connection with kids and immigrants in the community since many do not have a clue where to go for resources and they frequently miss out on opportunities. Moran said that it is difficult to get some immigrants involved in politics and other issues because those who come from oppressed countries are often afraid to speak out. He stated that it is a new experience for them, however, he welcomes the opportunity to make a path to encourage people to understand the process and participate in government. Stanton said that more outreach to communities by using signs,pamphlets and the City's website would be helpful. Stanton brought up an example of a group of immigrants who needed assistance: he spotted a group of African immigrants near a school on a basketball court and, while they had a basketball, they did not have the rules to play the game. He stated we need a program to connect with those in need and distribute information; perhaps more flyers can be posted. Moran stated that some private organizations as well as schools hand out informational flyers especially to children to take to their parents and many simply do not bring them home. They miss out on a big chance for involvement. He pointed out that it is important to get involved with all children at an early age and talk to them about available athletics,programs, etc. Stanton inquired if the Park and Recreation programs were funded by the City. Barone replied that they are. Stanton said that perhaps this Commission could work with the Park and Recreation department to expand ways to advertise their programs and reach more people. The issue of safety was raised by Stanton. He told the Commission about a young girl who asked him for a ride to school and the dangers of a situation like that. He said we should encourage "officer-friendly" talks to students about safety. Moran said there is a police liaison at each school and that it would be worthwhile to mention the discussions again to the Eden Prairie police. VII. Future Meetings/Events • Meeting schedule for Tuesday, June 12, 2000 • No meetings in July or August For Your Information • Barone asked that everyone turn in their insurance cards to Tanya Jansen. VIII. Adiourn Moran asked for a motion to adjourn. Stanton moved and Young second. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.