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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 02/09/1999 MEETING NOTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1999 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Brad Behrends, Richard Helzel, Harry Moran, Vicki Pellar-Price, Darryl Stanton, Gloria Winans, and Munna Yasiri YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES: Jennifer Johnson and Sopanha Te CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Michael Barone, Supv. Personnel/Payroll, and Jan Nelson, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Behrends, Helzel, Pellar-Price and Yasiri were absent. Due to the lack of a quorum, Chair Winans said only Agenda items that did not require a vote would be discussed at the meeting. IV. OLD BUSINESS C. Review of Essay Contest Entries - Gloria Winans Winans distributed the four entries submitted from Middle School students for the state Human Rights essay contest. She said the winning essay will be submitted to the state competition. She asked Commission members to review the entries and then vote for lst place, 2nd place and 3rd place entries. After voting on the essays the Commission discussed how to publicize the award. Cash prizes will be given to the three winning entries with lst place receiving $50, 2nd place $35 and 3rd place $20. The consensus was to give certificates to all those who submitted an essay. A. Report on Human Rights Awards and Youth Scholarship Awards Barone distributed copies of the Human Rights Award information, including the notice to be posted, a nomination form, the letter that was sent out describing the award and the cable channel announcement. Winans noted the School District Diversity Coordinator asked for copies of the information. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION NOTES February 9, 1999 Page 2 Barone distributed the Youth Scholarship materials, including the announcement for posting, the revised application and the letter that went out to the schools. He said the information went out about 1-1/2 weeks ago. Winans suggested we extend the deadline on the Youth Scholarship application in order to allow more time for them to fill in the application. A discussion followed regarding how the funds are disbursed for the scholarship. The consensus was to address the issue of giving the recipient a check if crediting their school account was not a viable option which would be the case when the student received a full scholarship. B. Report on Study Circles for 1999 Winans received a call from Dick Little, the Executive Director of Education Equity asking if we would be willing to participate in their spring study circles. She said the commitment would be for five Wednesdays in March; however, the Mayor and City Manager have some concerns about participating in this round of the circles. She wanted to have the Commission aware that we will not be participating this time as Education Equity may have already circulated our name as participants. She said we do want to have some conversations in the community about race and human relations. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of Human Rights & Diversity Commission Terms for 1999 Barone distributed copies of the letter from Mayor Harris to Commission members whose terms will expire this March asking them to extend their terms through September. He said Winans and Yasiri received the letters because their terms expire this March. He said the Council hopes to get through the summer before deciding on the restructuring of the Boards and Commissions. Winans noted that Vice Chair Behrends will not be able to assume the Chair because of health issues. This situation has implications for how we proceed for the rest of the year. Barone thought we could keep the status quo as an option. Winans said we would then have to elect a Vice Chair. She also noted that we just received Richard Helzel's letter of resignation today. He will be relocating because of a job change. Commissioners discussed the situation that exists with fewer members and not always having a quorum. Johnson asked if the rule regarding students not voting could be changed. A discussion followed regarding the rules for student representatives on Boards and Commissions. Moran noted the youth members on this Commission have been exceptional. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION NOTES February 9, 1999 Page 3 Winans noted she had been considering running for Helzel's unexpired term that would extend to March, 2000. Moran asked if Behrends will be able to attend meetings. Winans said he will attend when he feels able to come; however he has a very serious illness. Stanton suggested the Commission send him a note, and agreed to do that. VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS A. Housing, Transportation & Human Services: Brad Behrends No report. B. Minnesota League of Human Rights Commissions: Gloria Winans Winans did not attend the January meeting. They are continuing to work on the annual conference and will have election of officers in February. They asked her to serve as Vice President; however she is looking for a replacement from the Commission rather than taking on an office with the League. She plans to attend the February meeting. C. Report of Youth Representatives: Jennifer Johnson and Sopanha Te No report. D. Quarterly Report - Pride Institute: Munna Yasiri No report. Winans said she received a request from the School District Diversity Coordinator for $800 from the Commission for the Diversity Fair to be held on March 23, 1999. The money would be used for rental of equipment. Winans told her we would most likely not be able to do the full amount. Winans recommended doing $500. She will get a breakdown of the proposal, and Barone will check on any budget available for such an item. Stanton asked if we would get any mileage from the event. Winans will also check on that. Moran said he would like to see what the format will be. We had a table last year to hand out brochures. Winans will check with the teacher who is doing the coordinating to get more information. Johnson noted she had not heard about the event. Moran said his son serves on the school Diversity Committee and he had not heard about it either. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION NOTES February 9, 1999 Page 4 Winans said she talked with the person who does the Human Rights training and got her card. Johnson will pass on the card to the teacher at the High School. Moran suggested we have the School District Diversity Coordinator come here and present what is being done overall and not just for the Diversity Fair. Winans noted she would call all the Commission members to get their okay on giving the funds to the school. Winans said she will go up to the school tomorrow to follow up with the teacher of the Social II class as Te requested. Winans noted that Sandy Werts was to let us know about their meeting in February. Barone said he was set to attend but was not able to go at the last minute. He will follow up with Werts. Winans asked about the State of the City event. Barone said it was held off site this year, and they did not send supervisors and managers as they have in previous years. Winans asked about the luncheon at Olympic Hills. Barone has not heard any more about it. We have said we will honor them at a luncheon in late April. Winans noted the Chamber plans out things in advance so we need to warn them in early March. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF A. Activity Status No activity. VIII. FUTURE AGENDAS/EVENTS March 9, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM HRDC Regular Meeting March 23, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM Optional HRDC Workshop April 13, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM HRDC Regular Meeting April 27, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM Optional HRDC Workshop May 11, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM HRDC Regular Meeting May 25, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM Optional HRDC Workshop Winans adjourned the meeting at 8:35 PM.