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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 10/15/2002 APPROVED MINUTES Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Commission Tuesday, October 15, 2002 7:00 PM - Prairie Rooms A/B, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344 Commission Members: Holly Clynch, Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia, Balu Iyer, Harry Moran (Chair), Jeff Strate, and Philip Young (Vice-Chair) Commission Staff: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Michael Barone, Staff Liaison (transitional) Tanya Whitsitt, Recording Secretary Moran called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Young arrived at 7:03 p.m. and Clynch arrived at 7:06 p.m. Guest Speakers were Carla Kress and Nicole Weedman. I. Roll Call ® Dorothy Fifield ® Harry Moran ® Philip Young ® Angie Garcia ® Holly Clynch ® Jeff Strate ❑ Balu Iyer II. Approval of Agenda Moran requested to move item VL A to the top of the agenda since guest speakers were there for a presentation. Garcia moved, seconded by Young to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried: 6—0 III. Approval of Minutes from September 17,2002 Metin! Garcia moved, seconded by Clynch to approve the minutes as published. Motion carried: 6—0 Barone introduced the new Staff Liaison, Molly Koivumaki. She thanked Barone for the introduction and stated she has been with the City since 1983. She is the Public Safety Services Manager in the Police Department and has a lot of experience working with the Crime Prevention Program, Bias Crime Network and victim support. She also oversees news media relations and human services for the City. Another role she holds is that of Director of Emergency Preparedness. She helps prepare the City for natural disasters as well as homeland securing related planning, in light of the recent national tragedy. She has made presentations to this Commission in the past, and is pleased to be here. Each Commission member introduced themselves and talked about where they live and work, and their terms and roles on the Commission. VI. New Business Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Commission Minutes October 15,2002 Page 2 A. Leisure Education Program Proposal presentation - Guest speakers: Carla Kress, Recreation Coordinator—Adaptive Services, and Nicole Weedman, Recreation Coordinator—Youth Services, Eden Prairie Park & Recreation Dpartment Kress and Weedman introduced themselves and said they wanted to speak about programs they develop and run for the City. Kress said Adaptive Services is designed to create programs for people with various levels of ability or disability. She works with 3 other communities (Edina, Bloomington & Richfield) in a 4-City consortium to provide Adaptive Recreation programs. They are trying to learn what works best for individuals or groups, and determine what avenues to take to meet people's needs. She stated they are currently seeking funding for more programs. A one-year program has been going on since February that helps people become aware of available programs and also register for activities. She also mentioned a program that launched last summer that had 184 registrants. Weedman works with Youth Recreation programs for children that teach skills and athletics. She said recently they have seen an increase in the immigrant and refugee populations in Eden Prairie and are looking at how to best provide services and activities for these groups. She mentioned a program that was set up where children could get free transportation to Oak Point swimming pool. It is part of a larger program called "Passport to Fun". It functions as a scholarship program and provides funds for children to participate in these types of activities. Qualified children can receive up to $100 to participate in programs. She stated they have been talking with the school district to further help immigrant and low-income families. She said because of culture differences or language barriers, many of them don't understand now to register and get involved,but they are trying to give opportunities to everyone. Weedman said they are in the early stages of finding collaborations, getting grants for funding, and perhaps doing forums to find out what is further needed. Strate asked what are other programs in Eden Prairie not run by the City. Weedman said, for one, there is the Somali Woman's Services. Kress stated that Eden Prairie is on the "cutting edge" of ADA programs and they want to use this Commission as a resource. Moran asked if it would be a good idea to learn about other people's needs and cultures,rather than "assimilate", as he heard someone mention. Kress replied that some groups seem to want assimilation and others do not. She said they are going to identify what the needs are and ask what people are comfortable with. Moran asked about those who won't come forward. Weedman said they are working with Children and Families Services and they have other direct links and contacts to the community to help in this area. Strate asked what the Commission could do. Kress replied that letter-writing, endorsements and volunteering would help a lot. Moran asked how the programs can survive if they run out of money. Kress stated they will try to start small and move on from there. Weedman added this is a social issue to provide these services and they will try to get more county and City involvement. Also, they are requesting $50,000 for two years to help the programs. Clynch suggested trying to get a Bush Grant, which often deals with diversity promotion. Kress said she is going to try to contact several grants. Koivumaki noted it is important for the dignity of the participants to have a quality life, and leisure and recreation play an important role in that. Moran thanked the speakers for coming. 2 Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Commission Minutes October 15,2002 Page 3 IV. Reports of Staff A. Eden Prairie Immigrant Services Group (EPISG) Koivumaki went to the last meeting and stated there were many issues discussed, especially surrounding the Somali community. Moran asked what the objective of the group is. Barone replied they hear about issues affecting the immigrant community in Eden Prairie. Koivumaki said such issues as affordable housing were raised. She stated she would like to communicate more with the Somali Woman's Association and see what they have to offer. She would also like to work with EPISG and have them come to one of our meetings. B. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC) Koivumaki is the new Chair for the committee and they met on October 7"'. She said there was an interesting presentation from Nancy Holden in PROP. Needs for PROP assistance are up, and donations are down. She cited the rough economy and an increase in people who thought they would never use PROP as reasons for the rise in need. Koivumaki said Holden wants to make more presentations,but she is very busy. She will try to have her as a guest speaker to this Commission soon. C. Bias Crime Activity Status Nothing to report. V. Old Business A. Report on League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions 31St Annual Conference September 28, 2002 at Minneapolis Urban League—Balu Iyer Iyer is absent from today's meeting. We will request a report from him at the next meeting. VII. Reports from Commission Members Strate said that we might be able to gain more interest in the Human Rights Award for Businesses if we go out and visit various businesses. We could ask for suggestions for candidates. Barone said we have attempted to partner with the Chamber of Commerce before, but there may not be interest anymore. All members were in favor of trying to gain partnership with the Chamber again to promote the award. VIII. Future Meetings/Events Barone passed out an Eden Prairie Community Caregivers flyer. Their meeting is set for Friday, November 1, 2002 at 11:30 a.m. The next HRDC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. IX. Adiourn 3 Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Commission Minutes October 15,2002 Page 4 Young moved, seconded by Clynch to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried: 6—0 Moran adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. 4