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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/11/2009 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,JUNE 11, 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; Lauren Juergensen STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Manager, Housing Community Services; Heidi Wojahn, Recorder STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Nelum Madanayake; Adam Liter; Ummul Kathawalla I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Commissioner Peter Huck was excused and Student Representative Ummul Kathawalla was absent. Commissioner Daniel Abraira arrived at 7:12 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Harris moved, seconded by Juergensen, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Harris moved, seconded by Juergensen, to approve the May 14, 2009 minutes. Motion carried 4-0. IV. NEW BUSINESS Crawford stressed the important role human rights commissions play in preventing tragedies like the one that recently occurred at the Holocaust Museum. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC) No report HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 11, 2009 Page 2 B. Bias Crime Activity Status No report Commissioner Abraira arrived at 7:12 p.m. C. Other Reports from Staff Arts and Culture Commission Request—The Arts and Culture Commission (ACC)has requested assistance from the Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) to review the question of how the City shows respect to religious holidays when selecting dates for City-sponsored events and meetings. ACC also requested HRDC develop a recommendation to be presented to the City Council regarding this concern. Juergensen and Crawford volunteered to draft a policy for presentation to the City Council in September which can be shared with the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions (LMHRC) upon approval. City Staff Reductions - Two City Staff positions affecting HRDC were eliminated due to budget cuts. Mike Barone's work on the Students on Commissions project and the annual recruitment of Board and Commission members will be handled by Lorene McWaters. Sandy Werts' work on the International Festival will be covered by Nicole White and Lindsey Danhauser from the Parks and Recreation Department. Conflict Resolution Training—St. Cloud State University (SCSU) offers a 30- hour, four-day certified mediation training on campus. Cost is about$750.00 per person. Two Winona Human Rights Commission members attended this training last year which was paid for by the Bremer Bank grant. Another option is Hamline University's Mediation Center for Dispute Resolution which is a 30-hour civil mediation course offered through its law school. The courses listed on their webpage don't fit what HRDC is looking for,but they may provide some custom training which Koivumaki will pursue. The peer counseling program at Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) is a good program,but it is not applicable to the needs of HRDC. Harris contacted SCSU, as well, and is waiting to hear back from them on conflict resolution training that doesn't rise to the level of certified mediation. She also contacted the Bureau of Mediation Services; however, their focus is primarily labor mediation. They can custom build something but said similar programs already exist and suggested the SCSU program. Harris and Abraira will meet with Huck to review the application and submit a grant by June 30"'to send either the entire group of HRDC commissioners to less time-intensive conflict resolution training or up to two commissioners to the fall certified mediation training at SCSU. Koivumaki reported she received a financial summary from Ada Alden, LMHRC, who, in turn, received it from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 11, 2009 Page 3 spreadsheet shows where the Bremer Bank grants have been allocated and the amount of the grants. Project FINE—The City of Winona has a program(Focus on Integrating Newcomers through Education) which assists new immigrants moving into its community. The mission statement is "To strengthen and enrich our community by facilitating the integration of people who are ethnically diverse." This can serve as a model for bringing HRDC out into the Eden Prairie community. Best Buy Grant—Balance is $105.10. VI. OLD BUSINESS Spera recommended Human Rights awards applications be solicited in September. Koivumaki will come up with a fall timeline. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Crawford expressed concern about lack of access to children's summer activities for some Eden Prairie residents due to cost. She wants the commission to make an effort to ensure there are programs next summer available to those disadvantaged children. Koivumaki explained the Passport to Fun program and the EP4Y program which can be used at the Community Center and for Parks and Recreation programs. She will also have a Parks and Recreation representative contact Crawford. Spera said there are less expensive athletic opportunities than sports camps. Harris also suggested Community Education programs. Spera thanked the student representatives for their service and perspective. MOTION: Spera moved, seconded by Abraira, to approve the March 13, 2008 minutes. Motion carried 2-0-3 with Crawford, Harris, and Juergensen abstaining. Crawford expressed an interest in helping with the International Festival. The next meeting is June 22nd at 5:30 p.m. in the Prairie Room at City Center. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, September 10, 2009, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.