HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 07/13/1999 UNAPPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION
TUESDAY,JULY 13, 1999 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER
Prairie Rooms A & B
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Brad Behrends,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
Winans called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Behrends, Stanton, Johnson, and Te
were absent. Barone will take minutes for Nelson for this meeting.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Yasiri moved, seconded by Moran, to approve the Agenda as published.
Motion carried 4-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MAY 11, 1999 MEETING
Winans asked to amend May 11 minutes for the following two items. (1) Change IV.B.,
paragraph 12, sentence 1 (on top of page 4) to read `recipients' instead of `person'. (2)
Change IV.B.,paragraph 12, sentence 2 (top of page 4) to read, " . . .liked Moran to be
able to sit at the MTS table, as he is part of that organization, and could sit with his
colleagues."
MOTION: Pellar-Price moved, seconded by Moran, to approve as published and
amended the Minutes of the May 11,1999 meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Amendment of Commission By-Laws for Quorum through September 1999.
Item tabled by Commission until Stanton arrives.
B. Report on Youth Scholarship presentation at EPHS Awards ceremony on
May 27, 1999
HUMAN RIGHTS &DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
July 13, 1999
Page 2
Winans said that she and Pellar-Price attended the ceremony, and that once again,
our Youth Scholarship Award amount of$500 was right in line with other
community organizations such as the Lions, Rotary, etc.; whereas corporations
with foundations are larger in their awards. Winans said she took the opportunity
to promote the YSA for future years, informing any Juniors or parents of Juniors
in attendance that night of the YSA's availability each year by our City. The
presentation to Diane Nguyen went very well. Pellar-Price mentioned that we
could make the YSA more visible by working with an EPHS liaison, so our
Scholarship isn't just placed in a file cabinet with all the rest of the scholarships
that are available.
C. Report on Baha'I Community event of June 8, 1999
Winans said that Pellar-Price, Yasiri, and she all attended the event as residents of
the City, not as representatives of the HRDC or City. Yasiri said that there were a
series of interpretive dances on peace and racial unity performed by a traveling
United Nations group, with refreshments served afterwards. Pellar-Price
mentioned that she saw the advertisement for the event in the Sun Sailor, the EP
News, and posted at the High School and at CMS, as well as at the Library.
Yasiri said they might have been a bigger turnout if it was held at a place like Pax
Christi, a larger venue.
Stanton arrived at 7:12 p.m.
A. Amendment of Commission By-Laws for Quorum through September 1999.
MOTION: Stanton moved, seconded by Yasiri, to amend the Commission By-
Laws through September 1999 to lower the quorum number from 4 to 3. Motion
passed 5-0. (Note: By-law amendments require 2/3 majority to pass.)
Johnson arrived at 7:15 p.m.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of HRDC activities for the `DiversCity on the Prairie' event
planned for August 15, 1999
Winans asked who would be available to staff the HRDC booth on August 15.
Shifts are 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event itself runs
from 4:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m., so the first shift has a 1/2 hour cushion prior to the start
for set-up, the last shift has a 1/2 hour cushion for take-down/clean-up. Yasiri and
Pellar-Price will work the first shift; Winans and Moran will work the last shift.
Stanton and Johnson will call about their availability for August 15 to Barone in
the next few weeks.
HUMAN RIGHTS &DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
July 13, 1999
Page 3
B. Discussion of`gameplan' for the `Information Packet' for the July "Optional
Workshop" meeting on July 13 immediately following conclusion of regular
meeting
Winans said we would review the materials compiled to date and determine as a
group what else needs to be added/deleted to the packet, and then develop a time
line for the packet, as well.
C. Other Item
No other items from the Commission brought forward.
VI. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. Housing, Transportation & Human Services: Brad Behrends
Barone mentioned that in the June HRDC packet were a number of recent
agendas and minutes for Commission members to read to stay up on the activities
of the HTHSB, in the absence of Behrends.
B. League of Human Rights Commissions: Gloria Winans
Winans said the LHRC is planning the Annual Conference for September, slated
for September 25 in New Brighton, and she should have the flyer for distribution
in the August HRDC packet.
C. Report of Youth Representatives: Jennifer Johnson & Sopanha Te
Nothing to report.
D. Quarterly Report - Pride Institute: Munna Yasiri
Yasiri reported that a number of changes have occurred, with a new Executive
Director and a number of new FT staff members at Pride Institute;revisions in
programs, the closing of the Duluth clinic; and the struggles of the St. Paul office
with Ramsey County. She also reported that an attempt was made to convene a
meeting between Mayor Jean Harris, Police Chief Jim Clark, Pride Institute
representatives, and Yasiri, because of these administrative changes, and the
meeting never took place. The goal is still to reschedule and have that meeting.
VII. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. Activity Status
HUMAN RIGHTS &DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
July 13, 1999
Page 4
Barone mentioned that he had brief discussion with David Lindahl, staff liaison
for the HTHSB, and Lindahl mentioned some issues at the Purgatory Creek
Townhome development. Lindahl said this is a police matter currently, but that
the HTHSB would like to be involved, and wanted to inform the HRDC (through
Barone) to be aware of the situation. Barone said he would contact a Police
department representative and try to clarify the situation and
VIII. FUTURE AGENDAS/EVENTS
August 15, 1999 4:00— 8:00 PM DiversCity on the Prairie
Staring Lake Park
September 14, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM HRDC Regular Meeting
September 28, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM Optional HRDC Workshop
October 12, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM HRDC Regular Meeting
October 26, 1999 7:00 - 9:00 PM Optional HRDC Workshop
MOTION: Stanton moved, seconded by Yasiri, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.