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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 03/20/2001 APPROVED MINUTES Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Tuesday, March 20, 2001 7:00 PM - Prairie Rooms A/B, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344 Citizen Advisory Commission Members: Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia, Harry Moran (Chair), Darryl Stanton, and Philip Young (Vice-Chair) Student Representatives: Amber Swiggum, Rachael Harlos and Jaclyn Matzen Commission Staff: Michael Barone, Manager of Human Resources and Record Services Tanya Whitsitt, Recording Secretary I. Roll Call ® Dorothy Fifield ® Harry Moran ® Philip Young ❑ Angie Garcia ® Darryl Stanton Commission Student Representatives Amber Swiggum, Rachael Harlos and Jaclyn Matzen were all present. Student at Large Representative Greg Swaim was present. Amanda Mount and Steve Wang were absent. Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda Michael Barone asked that Commission members note and amend Agenda item IV D. The date should read "2001". MOTION: Young moved, seconded by Fifield to approve amended Agenda. Motion carried: 3 —0. III. Approval of Minutes for February 13, 2001 meeting MOTION: Young moved, seconded by Fifield to approve Minutes as published. Motion carried: 3 —0. Moran welcomed Student at Large Representative Greg Swaim. Each Commission member then introduced him/herself and spoke about their interests, public service and their background. Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Page 2 Stanton arrived at 7:05 p.m. IV. Reports of Staff A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG) Barone stated that he did not attend the March meeting,but has included the agenda and the minutes from the February meeting for review by the Commission. B. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC) Barone said that the goal of this committee is to meet on a monthly basis. They did not, however, meet in March. Due to schedule conflicts, the next meeting is planned for May. He also announced that FamiLink moved to their new location behind the Facilities area on March 15. Stanton asked how many people staff that office. Barone replied that Nancy Holden is usually there, and other volunteers who provide social services come in on a rotating basis. The office is available about 20 hours a week for providers to meet privately with their clients. C. Bias Crime Activity Status Barone stated that there is nothing new to report. D. Reappointment/Appointments to HRDCAC, effective April 2001 Barone updated the members on the re-appointments to this Commission. Moran was re- appointed for a three-year term and asked to serve as Chair for another year. Young, was asked to serve as Vice-Chair for another year. Barone explained that per the City Code, the Commission is allowed to have from five to seven members. This year the Commission had only five members, but because of increased interest, the Commission will have seven members for the new term beginning April 2001. The City Council has appointed three new members: Holly Clynch, Jodi Malmquist and Balu Iyer. Clynch was given a three-year term, while Malmquist and Iyer were each given one-year terms. Barone said that the terms are staggered in order to keep the term expiration dates even. The members are welcome to reapply after their terms have expired. He stated that the new members would have a 30- minute orientation directly before their first meeting on April 10. V. Old Business A. Eden Prairie High School Diversity Fair held February 15, 2001 —Harry Moran Moran and Barone both attended the Eden Prairie High School Diversity Fair held on February 15, 2001. Moran said that there were a lot more booths and tables than in previous years. He stated that there was a really international flair to the event; there was an Asian cultural booth on either side of our table, one with Origami and the other with music. Barone said that our table had applications for the Youth Scholarship available. At the Fair, both Moran and Barone said that several students stopped by and seemed really interested in the Youth Scholarship Award. B. HRA materials/update Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Page 3 Barone distributed materials on the Human Rights Award. He said that he has put together information from two years ago so the Commission could see what some of the Business category groups have done before. Applications are still available and he encouraged the members to get them out the qualified businesses. Moran agreed that it is difficult to get businesses to apply and the members should get the information out if they know someone. VI. New Business A. Review/Vote on Human Rights Youth Scholarship Award applicants Moran stated that he hoped everyone received and read the application materials from the three students applying for the Award. He said that to protect the identity of the students, their names and any specific references to them are blacked out. Barone confirmed that all of the students live in Eden Prairie and all are seniors. The Commission members reviewed the applicant information and Stanton recommended getting input from the students. Harlos said she thought that Applicant#1 has the best and most eloquent essay. Swaim stated that he was impressed by the letter of recommendation of Applicant#3, knowing the schoolteacher who wrote it is so well respected at Eden Prairie High School. Moran asked if the student representatives could detail the activities of a school group called "Circle of Fire" referenced in one of the applications. Swiggum said that she was involved in Circle of Fire, and it is a group for students who advocate non- usage of drugs and alcohol. The Commission members each assigned a point rating to the applicants in two categories: content of answers to three essay questions and quality of letters of recommendation. The tally of scores showed that Applicant#1 and Applicant#3 got the highest total scores. MOTION: Stanton moved, seconded by Young for Applicant#1 to receive a Human Rights Youth Scholarship Award. The Commission discussed the option of awarding a second scholarship. The agreed that Applicant#3 was the next strongest candidate and should receive a scholarship as well. AMENDMENT TO MOTION: Stanton moved, seconded by Young to amend the motion to award both Applicant#1 and Applicant#3 with a Human Rights Youth Scholarship Award. Amendment to Motion and Motion carried: 4-0 Barone will process the notifications for the two applicants awarded Youth Scholarships, and notify the one applicant who did not get awarded a Youth Scholarship in the next few weeks ahead. VII. Future Meetings/Events The Commission reviewed the Future Meeting calendar. Moran noted that the last meeting Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Page 4 for the students would be May 8, 2001. Stanton thanked the Commission and stated that it has been a pleasure working with everyone after serving for three years. Moran said that Stanton has always provided outstanding ideas and a unique perspective on Human Rights issues, and that he appreciates his service to the Commission. VIII. Adiourn MOTION: Stanton moved, seconded by Young to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.