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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/14/2009 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION (HRDC) THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009 7:00 P.M., 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Pam Spera(Chair), Marcy Harris (Vice Chair), Daniel Abraira, Peter Huck, Linda Crawford and Lauren Juergensen STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Manager- Housing and Community Services Heidi Wojahn, Recorder STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Nelum Madanayake, Adam Liter, and Ummul Kathawalla I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Commissioner Linda Crawford was excused and Student Representative Ummul Kathawalla was absent. Commissioner Daniel Abraira arrived at 7:09 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda approved by informal consent. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 9, 2009 minutes approved by informal consent with Harris abstaining. IV. NEW BUSINESS None V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC) No report B. Bias Crime Activity Status A white male has been charged with making terroristic threats, which is a felony, towards an African American female. Victim and suspect are neighbors. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 14, 2009 Page 2 C. Other Reports from Staff Information about the following was circulated: -Facing History and Ourselves: Choices in Little Rock— seminar June 22-24 at the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center. This is a historical case study of the integration of Little Rock High School in Arkansas. Fee of$60.00. -People Reaching Out to Other People (PROP) —PROP is moving to 14700 Martin Drive. A ribbon-cutting event will be held May 28, 4:30-6 p.m. Koivumaki will be assisting with the event. -Grant Opportunity— Bremer Bank grant for up to $1500 to develop a local Human Rights Commission's capacity-building project. Application deadline is June 30. A brainstorming session about grant possibilities followed. Discussion primarily centered on bringing someone in to do mediation training after Koivumaki explained an existing need to address neighborhood nuisances. Noting that mediation training can be lengthy and expensive, Harris suggested train-the-trainer training as an alternative and calling the service "conflict resolution"rather than "certified mediation". Spera stressed the importance of keeping it within the scope of HRDC. Koivumaki will research available resources and report back to HRDC. Harris, Huck, and Abraira volunteered to work on the grant. -Best Buy Grant- Total Remaining $105.10 VI. OLD BUSINESS None VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Huck expressed an interest in modernizing the Bias Crime Response Network. He would like to reform and implement it based on HRDC and police needs and take it back into the churches to re-energize their social action or social justice committees. Harris stated it is important to offer all churches an opportunity to be involved, not just those that were originally supportive. Koivumaki added there might be a way to include area businesses as a lot of them have diversity coordinators. Spera requested Huck proceed with a draft for the next meeting. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 14, 2009 Page 3 Spera reported on the International Festival. There will be entertainment on two stages, and the committee is in the process of securing food vendors. Construction on Pioneer Trail may be of concern. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, June 11, 2009, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.