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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 09/10/2009 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION (HRDC) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 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: Adam Liter, Muna Shire and Fardowsa Ali I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:28 p.m. Commissioners Linda Crawford and Lauren Juergensen were absent from this evening's meeting. Spera welcomed the new student commissioners and asked them to introduce themselves. Commissioner Daniel Abraira arrived at 7:32 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Items VI.A. Conflict Resolution Training and VI.B. Religious Holiday Calendar were added to the agenda. Revised agenda approved by informal consent. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Harris moved, seconded by Abraira, to approve the June 11, 2009 minutes. Motion carried 3-0-1 with Huck abstaining. IV. NEW BUSINESS None. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC) HSRC conducted interviews with all of the social services agencies applying for general funding for the 2010-2011 budget cycle. Staff made recommendations which will go before City Council at its first meeting in October. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES September 10, 2009 Page 2 Eight agencies each requested grants in the $10,000-$30,000 range totaling about $160K. B. Bias Crime Activity Status No report C. Other Reports from Staff Staffing—A part-time position has been approved to replace Mary Keating who retired in February. The new employee will begin working September 21. Performance —The commission has received a request to host a one-woman play entitled "THE DEPORTEE'S WIFE" about the North American immigration debate. The event involves a 1-hour, 15-minute performance followed by a 20- minute break and 40-minute question/answer session. Cost is $500, and it would need to be scheduled sometime in early November. Human Rights Commissions from Bloomington and Chaska are potential partners for co-hosting. Pros and cons of supporting the performance in terms of cost, content, and logistics were discussed. Koivumaki will research more details and report back to the commissioners. Human Rights Event—The Bloomington Human Rights Commission will host a Great Decisions event on Thursday, September 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Bloomington Civic Plaza. The topic will be Universal Human Rights and will feature Barbara Frey, Director of the Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota. This citizen education program is followed by facilitated discussion and is sponsored nationally by the Foreign Policy Association and coordinated locally by the Minnesota International Center. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required by September 18. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Conflict Resolution Training—Harris HRDC received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in the amount of$1500 for informal conflict resolution training of the commissioners and selected City staff. The grant will also go towards a community event in the next year to help residents understand the impact of diverse cultures,particularly as it relates to housing. Harris, Spera, and Koivumaki will be meeting on Monday with a representative from Dispute Resolution Institute which is the organization providing the materials and training. Schedules were discussed at length settling on one 8-hour period on Friday, November 13 as a first choice. Harris will also inquire about the Institute's availability to offer training on other Fridays and weekends. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES September 10, 2009 Page 3 B. Relisious Holiday Calendar Spera reviewed the events leading up to the Arts and Culture Commission's (ACC)request to have HRDC draft a policy concerning how the City shows respect for religious holidays when selecting dates for City-sponsored events and meetings. There was consensus City staff and commissions should be directed to consult a specified website calendar of holidays pertinent to the predominant religions in the Eden Prairie community. Harris expressed the need for HRDC to send a letter to ACC expressing disapproval that the commission decided to go ahead with the fall Art Crawl despite being aware of a date conflict much earlier than what was originally conveyed to HRDC. Discussion took place as to what the overall tone of the proposed letter should be. Spera will draft a letter to review on Monday with Harris. Crawford and Juergensen will be directed to disseminate to the other commissioners, prior to the October HRDC meeting, any work they've completed on the policy draft. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Spera reported on a People Reaching Out to Other People (PROP) event she and Koivumaki attended which included a presentation/status update, facility tour, and small group discussion. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, October 8, 2009, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. Harris requested to be excused from next month's meeting. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Abraira moved, seconded by Huck, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.