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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 09/12/2000 APROVED MINUTES Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission September 12, 2000 8:00 PM—Atrium III, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344 (Room location was changed due to Primary Elections and unavailability of Prairie Room AIR Notices were posted.) Citizen Advisory Commission Members: Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia, Harry Moran (Chair), 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. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL ® Dorothy Fifield ❑ Harry Moran ® Philip Young ® Angie Garcia ❑ Darryl Stanton Meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Vice-Chair Philip Young. Commission members absent were Harry Moran and Darryl Stanton. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Young moved, seconded by Garcia to approve agenda as published. Motion carried 3-0. III. APPROVAL OF JUNE 13, 2000 MINUTES MOTION: Fifield moved, seconded by Garcia to approve minutes as published. Motion carried 3-0. IV. REPORTS OF STAFF A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG) Barone said he attended the July meeting of the South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group. He did not get the minutes form the last meeting into this Commission's packets,but he stated he would include them in a future meeting. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Page 2 B. Bias Crime Activity Status Barone stated that he had two items to discuss regarding the Bias Crime Response Network. First, he said he received a call from Mayor Jean Harris who had recently been contacted by a female resident of Eden Prairie. The un-named woman lives in a local apartment building and stated that she was a victim of derogatory comments pertaining to her Jewish heritage. She claimed they came from the apartment property manager. Harry Moran called the woman to obtain details. Barone also notified Molly Koivumaki of the Eden Prairie Police Department, who stated she is familiar with this woman and she indeed has a "history" with the Police Department, mostly regarding domestic issues. It was concluded that this is a"he said/she said"- type situation. The woman was told by Moran that she may file a complaint with the Police Department,however she stated she would not file a complaint a this time. Nothing relating to this incident has since happened. Barone said that the Commission has a standard response letter for situations like these, which reaffirms the City's policy that discrimination will not be tolerated. There was no crime done in this case, however he feels the Commission should be aware of what happened. Garcia wondered why the woman did not initially go to the apartment association to complain and why she first went to the "top" to the Mayor. She said it sounded suspicious and like she has done this before. Next, Barone said he received an e-mail from Peter Huck from the Bias Crime Response Network. He asked the Commission members if they gave their permission to have their personal information given to Huck so he may be able to contact them. Each member said that would be all right. Barone stated that Huck has plans to reconvene the Bias Crime Response Network members and hold training sessions next Spring in order to "deepen and broaden" the Network. He wants to reacquaint people and recruit new ones as they did three years ago. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Review of"DiverseCity on the Prairie" event held August 13, 2000 Young asked what comments the Commission had on the DiverseCity on the Prairie. Garcia said that she was surprised that not many people were there. She suggested in the future to have more splashy advertising and separately promote it as a special event. Barone recommended that next time a press release could be sent and other media could be contacted to get more coverage. Young stated that the food and music were both great. Fifield said she wondered how much attention was paid the Commission's booth and what our purpose was in being there. She asked if people just saw our signs, is that enough? She suggested that maybe next year we could try to attract more attention. Young replied that he felt a public presence is important that we don't need to solicit people. Barone said that is would be more conspicuous if we were not there. Garcia said that the tent was too big and Barone agreed that the banner that was up took away from"people seeing us." He also suggested that the winners of the Human Rights Awards and Scholarships be present next time. Garcia recommended something that is visible that represents the demographics of Eden Prairie, and it was agreed that the Commission should try to be "experts" on Eden Prairie demographics and immigration issues, especially since this is a Census year. Eden Prairie Human Rights &Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Page 3 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of"Roberts Rules of Order" training session for Chairs and Vice Chairs on August 17, 2000 Young reported that the "Roberts Rules of Order" training session was held on August 171h Moran, Young and Barone attended. Young said they watched a video and discussed handouts that covered procedures for holding a Board or Commission meeting. He stated that he found the training very helpful and he learned about things that this Commission had not been doing or doing incorrectly. Such topics as motions, procedures, how to have discussions, and who can speak were covered. Barone added that a similar training session is being planned for all Board and Commission members. B. Update on Youth Commission members for HRDCAC Barone announced that the Youth on Commissions is beginning this November. It was featured in the Community Newsletter and Eden Prairie News. Applications from students will be accepted until September 22nd and the City Council will make appointments at their October 4d'meeting. He stated that there will be two students per Commission and that he would know more details soon. Young asked if the students would be voting members of the Commissions. Barone replied that they would not vote,however they would participate in the meeting and provide input from a student perspective. VII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS • Barone reminded the Commission members about future meetings to be held on October 101' and November 14d'. For Your Information • Barone mentioned an upcoming new event—The League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission meeting on Saturday, September 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Shoreview. He stated that the City would pay for registration is anyone was interested in going. Young said he would think about attending. VIII. ADJOURN MOTION: Garcia moved, seconded by Fifield to adjourn meetiniz. Motion carried 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.