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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 12/10/2009 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 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), 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 7:11 p.m. Commissioners Linda Crawford and Marcy Harris and Student Representative Fardowsa Ali were excused from this evening's meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda approved by informal consent. III. MINUTES November 12, 2009 minutes approved by informal consent. IV. NEW BUSINESS None. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) The human services funding recommendations presented by the committee were approved as part of the 2010 budget by the City Council on December 1. In January, City Manager Scott Neal needs to propose cuts of$250,000, and the budget will be amended to reflect those cuts. It is unclear at this point from where those cuts will come. The Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) funding process begins in January with recommendations going before Council in March. These are federal funds consisting of a smaller amount of money. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES December 10, 2009 Page 2 B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS In response to "Commentary: Shocked by racist graffiti" in the December 10 issue of the Eden Prairie News, Koivumaki attempted unsuccessfully to contact the author, Anita Gibson. She will try contacting Gibson again in the near future and extend an invitation for her to address HRDC about graffiti discovered on a walking trail in Gibson's neighborhood. Koivumaki was not informed by the police about this incident,however upon checking she learned the case was not assigned to an investigator per the normal procedure because it lacked an actual victim. Police further reported they routinely patrol the secluded area, a popular place for graffiti. C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. Relisious Holiday Policy Update Feedback was received from Rabbi Kravitz of Adath Jeshurun Congregations, Saleem Adam of the Muslim Community Center, and David Fenrick, a professor of world religions, regarding the proposed calendar dates. All felt the dates were appropriate with a comment from Adam that the majority of Muslim organizations follow the published dates of the Fiqh Council of North America(lunar calendar based on scientific moon sighting calculations), but there are a few who determine dates based on moon sightings by naked human eyes rather than technology. Because the latter is not conducive for planning purposes,he recommended going with the published dates. Huck and Spera agreed it may not be appropriate to consider Ash Wednesday a high holy day. Koivumaki will forward this recommendation to Neal. With the elimination of Ash Wednesday, the proposed calendar includes three Christian, three Jewish, three Hindu, and two Muslim holidays. Item number one of the proposed policy was revised to read "City staff and Commission Chairs take steps to check the list as provided by the City Manager's office". Huck suggested the language referring to religious holidaysihigh holy days be consistent in points one through three. Spera pointed out Council needs to be made aware of Koivumaki's effort in coming up with a well-thought out calendar which received Christian, non-Christian, and academic review. MOTION: Huck moved, seconded by Juergensen, to accept the amended policy and tie it to the proposed calendar. Motion carried 3-0. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES December 10, 2009 Page 3 2. 2010 Commission Meeting Schedule The September 2010 HRDC meeting conflicts with Rosh Hashanah. Alternatives are to reschedule for September 2 or September 16 or to cancel the meeting altogether. 2. Best Buy Grant Balance is $105.10. VI. OLD BUSINESS The commissioners revisited the issue of Council delaying the human services funding decision without notifying HRDC. Apparently this was a procedural change rather than a policy change so notice wasn't required. Koivumaki will follow-up with Neal for clarification on whether this was a one-time event or a permanent change. She will also ask if the Council considers informing her sufficient notification for HRDC on relative matters and request HRDC be advised in advance of any changes, particularly since revamping HSRC is under consideration. Spera will follow up with past HRDC Chair, Cari Maguire, to find out if a letter drafted to the Council expressing discontent over the charter not being followed was ever sent. Koivumaki said the conflict resolution training evaluations looked good. The next step is to talk with Harris about implementation. Of particular interest is how to get the word out and coming up with guidelines for uniformity. Perhaps the police and school district can refer some simple test cases so the commissioners can practice mediation. Koivumaki requested permission to reimburse Harris for food costs associated with the training. Because the remaining funds in the Best Buy grant are not enough to pay the entire expense, Koivumaki will make a personal donation to cover the rest. Spera thanked her for her generosity. MOTION: Huck moved, seconded by Juergensen, to use the remaining Best Buy grant funds to reimburse Harris for expenses relating to the conflict resolution training. Motion carried 3-0. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS None VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, January 14, 2010, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.