HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 01/08/2002 APPROVED MINUTES
Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission
Tuesday,January 8, 2002 7:00 PM - Prairie Rooms A/B, City Center
8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344-4485
Citizen Advisory
Commission Members: Holly Clynch, Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia, Balu Iyer,
Jodi Malmquist, Harry Moran (Chair), & Philip Young (Vice-Chair)
Youth Representatives: Diana Fu, Rachel Harlos, and Amber Swiggum
Commission Staff: Michael Barone, Staff Liaison, and Lorene McWaters,Recording
Secretary
I. Roll Call
® Dorothy Fifield ® Harry Moran ® Philip Young
® Angie Garcia ❑ Holly Clynch ❑ Jodi Malmquist
® Balu Iyer
II. Approval of January 08, 2002 Agenda
Fifield moved, seconded by Garcia to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried: 5—0.
III. Approval of Minutes from November 13, 2001 meeting
Fifield noted that although the minutes indicated she was absent, she had attended the meeting and
requested a correction to the minutes. Young moved, seconded by Iyer to approve the Minutes of
the November 13, 2001, meeting after noting the correction in roll call. Motion carried: 5 —0.
IV. Reports of Staff
A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG)
Barone reported that he had missed the January 7 SHISG meeting due to a schedule conflict.
B. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC)
Barone said he would be attending the HSRC meeting scheduled the following week.
C. Bias Crime Activity Status
Barone said there was no activity to report.
V. Old Business
A. Eden Prairie Murals Discussion
Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Minutes
January 08,2002
Page 2
Barone noted that after the presentation by Heather Olson at the last meeting, the
Commission had not come to any conclusion about participation in the project. Moran said
he would like to open the topic to discussion.
Barone noted that there would be an Eden Prairie Murals Open House at City Center on
January 24 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. He said it might be
beneficial for Commission members to attend. Garcia said she would be able to attend the
lunchtime portion of the Open House. Fifield said she would call and get more information
about a proposed Somali Open House the group was considering holding.
VI. New Business
A. Discuss 2002 Work Plan
Barone covered highlights of the 2002 Work Plan, including the kick off of the Youth
Scholarship and Human Rights Award application process.
B. Discuss 2002 HRA & YSA Timeline & Report on December 19 Sub-Committee Meetin!
Barone reviewed the timelines and noted that the Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation would
be read and signed at the next Council Meeting. Moran and/or Young would also present a
brief overview of the youth scholarship and human rights award processes for 2002.
Moran reported that he was unable to attend the December 19 Sub-Committee Meeting on
Youth Scholarship because he was sent out of town for work unexpectedly. Barone said the
meeting had resulted in many good suggestions from student representative Rachel Harlos.
Barone's suggestion was to change the name to the Jean L. Harris Youth Scholarship in
honor of the late Mayor and her work on diversity and inclusion. A formal request to change
the name will be made to the Council at the January 15, 2002, meeting.
Iyer said $500 per scholarship seems low, and he wonders if this isn't why few students
apply. Moran said he has attended the award ceremony at the high school the past several
years and this amount is in line with other similar scholarships. He also said that money does
not seem to be the driver for students who apply for this award,but dedication to diversity
and recognition for their commitment. Fu said that combining the two $500 awards into one
$1,000 award might result in more student interest. She said many students shy away from
applications that require a written essay, but raising the amount of money might help. Garcia
said that if the award amount is increased, she would like the Commission to review the
criteria and possibly broaden the base of questions asked. Young said that although there the
number of applicants is few, the quality of applications is very high. He asked if getting a
bigger pool of applicants was really the point. Barone suggested sticking with the award as is
this year and reviewing the amount and criteria before starting next year's application
process.
VII. Reports from Commission members
There were no reports from Commission members.
Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission Minutes
January 08,2002
Page 3
VIII. Future Meetings/Events
IX. Adiourn
Young moved, seconded by Garcia to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting
adjourned at 8:10 p.m.