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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 03/13/2008 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008 7:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Community Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (Chair), Melissa Barra(Vice Chair), Daniel Abraira, Larry Piumbroeck, Jeff Strate, Gerry Beckmann, and Pam Spera. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Nelum Madanayake, Kevin Karner, and Laura Hoffman COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Katie Hood, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Commissior Maguire called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Gerry Beckmann was excused. Melissa Barra and Larry Piumbroeck were absent. Student Representative Kevin Karner was absent. Student Representative Laura Hoffman was excused. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA "JEFF STRATE —COMMENTS AND RESOLUTION" was added to VIL REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS. The group informally approved the updated meeting agenda. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY MEETING Page two, third paragraph "State" was changed to "Strate". Page three,paragraph one, first sentence "about a potential grant" was changed to "about potentially finding a grant". Page three,paragraph five "not help" was changed to "not be the best qualified to". Page three,paragraph six "The grant enables someone" was changed to "The grant would enable someone". MOTION: State proposed to amend the minutes of the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting held on Thursday, February 14, 2007, to read: During informal discussion about Mr. Proops proposal, Strate requested the meeting move forward and off the discussion of Mr. Proops. Motion did not pass. Strate (yes) and Maguire did not vote. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes March 13, 2008 Page 2 MOTION: Maguire moved, to approve the minutes, as corrected, of the HRDC meeting held on Thursday, February 14, 2008. Motion passed, 3-1. Strate voted no. MOTION: Strate reintroduced his motion. Motion did not pass (2-2). Maguire and Spera voted no. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS Commissioners reviewed and discussed the nominations for Human Rights Awards, in the categories of Individual, Non-profit and Business. MOTION: Maguire moved to give Human Rights Awards in the Individual category to Ali Turner and to Mary Jane & Basil Wissner. Seconded by Strate. Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Maguire moved to give a shared Human Rights Award in the Non- Profit category to the churches: Pax Christi Catholic Church, Prairie Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie United Methodist, and American Muslim Partnership. Seconded by Abraira Motion carried 4-0. MOTION: Strate moved to give an additional Human Rights Award in the Non- Profit category to Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH), seconded by Maguire. Motion does not pass 1 (Strate)-0 (Maguire, Abraira, and Spera). MOTION: Maguire moved to give a Human Rights Award in the Business Category to Thunder Communication and its owner, Jody Russell. Seconded by Strate. Motion carried 4-0. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Report from Koivumaki: The Human Services Review Committee did not meet in March. The funding recommendations made by the committee will go before the City Council for approval at the March 18, 2008 meeting. (Originally scheduled for the March 4 City Council meeting,but had to be moved to the March 18 meeting.) B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No Update Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes March 13, 2008 Page 3 C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF Foreclosure Prevention Proizram Koivumaki reported that Twin Cities Public Television interviewed her for a documentary they are producing about poverty and policies that keep people in poverty. Koivumaki reported that she continues to negotiate with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the issue of using housing funds to help eligible homeowners prevent foreclosure. 2008 Board & Commission Application Process Three new Commissioners were appointed by the City Council: Kelly Brandon Mohamed Duale Marcy Harris Their terms will begin in April, 2008 and expire on March 31, 2010. Meetinz with Bloomington Human Riizhts Commission Koivumaki passed out a document that explained the details of the Science Museum Event. It will take place on Saturday, April 26"'. Selected community members will be invited as guests of the HRDC to view the exhibit"Deadly Medicine, Creating the Master Race" and participate in a discussion afterward. Strate, Spera, Abraira, and Maguire said they are interested in attending the exhibit. Koivumaki asked that Commissioners give her names of people who should be considered for the invitation list, but to refrain from personally extending any invitations. On Wednesday, April 30, the showing of a documentary "The Devil Came on Horseback" will be shown at the Bloomington Civic Plaza's Schneider Theatre. It is hoped that those people who were invited to attend the Science Museum event will serve as ambassadors for this event and help to get people to attend. Darfur Resolution Koivumaki will be meeting with City Manager Scott Neal on March 20 to review the resolution recently passed by the Edina City Council regarding genocide in Darfur. Koivumaki reported that issues related to genocide in Darfur/Sudan and elsewhere are becoming higher profile and local elected officials may be asked to take a stand. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes March 13, 2008 Page 4 Koivumaki cited action by the City of St. Paul. St. Paul became the 13th city in the country, and the first city in Minnesota, to adopt divestment policies from Sudan. Somali Parent's Group Event Koivumaki passed out a notice of an event being planned by the Somali Parent's Group, to be held on Wednesday, March 26 at the Eden Prairie High School Main Commons. She encouraged Commissioners to attend and support this effort. Koivumaki said the local churches were invited. The Somali Parent's Group Event hopes to have around 250 people attend. VI. OLD BUSINESS Maguire said the Women's History display has been pulled from May because of the library's 150"' anniversary. The library needs both sides of the hallway for the 150"' anniversary display. The displays are finished for now and will probably not be continued in the future. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) No Update B. JEFF STRATE—COMMENTS AND RESOLUTION Strate asked about the situation regarding the citizen liaison position, Kandra's position, and if Koivumaki has looked into subsidizing the position. Koivumaki said there will not be fundraising done for the position. The position was originally funded from community fundraising. The agency which originally provided the services wasn't going to provide the services anymore. At that time, the City then picked up the funding of the position using the community raised money set aside. The money was an accumulation of grants and donations. It is unknown what will happen to the position in 2009. Strate said there is a need for the services Kandra's position provides. Koivumaki said Catholic Charities were contacted and they do provide the type of services needed,but they do not have the resources to provide them now. They are extremely busy. Koivumaki said she saw the flier Mr. Proops made and it is not for having churches raise money. The City hasn't provided information about the future of the position. Maguire said the position was left unstated for 2009 and left halftime for 2008. Spera asked if things were still very busy, regarding the needs for Kandra's position. Koivumaki said it is still busy. The word is probably out in the community that there isn't the necessary level of help available. The paperwork for Immigration Status is being affected. Abraira said he knows an individual who is an Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes March 13, 2008 Page 5 immigration officer in Hennepin County. He may be able to suggest something to. Abraira has his contact at home and will give it to Koivumaki. Strate said he would like the Human Rights and Diversity Commission to check with the Community Center, in November or December 2008, to see how the new membership is going. Passport to Fun should have had enough time to see if it works. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC Meeting will be on Thursday, April 10, 2007 at the Eden Prairie Center room 125. Koivumaki said Spera will be the new Vice Chair. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Maguire adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.