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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 04/08/2010 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,APRIL 8, 2010 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, Lauren Juergensen, Gayle Sanders and Robert Rozanski STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Manager- Housing and Community Services; Heidi Wojahn, Recorder STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Adam Liter, Muna Shire and Fardowsa Ali GUESTS: Patricia Fenrick, Community Services Coordinator Janet Jeremiah, Community Development Director I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. Commissioners Peter Huck and Robert Rozanski were excused from this evening's meeting. Commissioner Lauren Juergensen and Student Representatives Fardowsa Ali and Muna Shire were absent. Introductions were made. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda approved by informal consent. III. MINUTES March 11, 2010 minutes approved by informal consent. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. HARRIS Spera offered congratulations to Harris, and Harris shared her experience of getting admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. It was a highly ritualistic event, and she had the honor of spending time with Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor. B. OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY Spera reported St. Cloud has seen a number of racially-motivated incidents at the collegiate level. Koivumaki had sent her an email about HRDC considering offering some sort of outreach to the city since it no longer has its own human HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 2010 Page 2 rights commission to deal with issues of this nature. Jeremiah thought perhaps some of the city's key representatives could be invited to Eden Prairie for training or mentoring. C. EXPANSION OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION Spera inquired if the Commission might entertain the idea of having the conflict resolution process encompass more than just cultural clashes within the community. In particular, she was wondering if opening it up to kids/teens (or parents of kids) who have been affected by bullying would be too big to take on and/or if it would require special expertise. Crawford reported her own experience with bullying in terms of her grandson at the intermediate school was a positive one in that the school dealt with the issue immediately and the behavior stopped. The school has a zero tolerance policy and bullying is a crime in Minnesota. Sanders stated the first step would be to find out if all the schools share the same policy and then apply it to appropriate arenas outside of school (such as the shopping mall), since there is no sense in duplicating school efforts. Liter explained peer counseling at the high school is open to any student for any reason. Crawford suggested contacting Ron Case for more information about how bullying is handled in the schools. Harris' commented the conflict resolution process could serve as a bridge between parents and schools to create understanding so the two don't feel like they have to battle one another. Spera said when the conflict resolution process is unveiled, perhaps it should be presented broadly enough to be inclusive of any conflict within the community. Jeremiah brought up the point not all incidents are reported. D. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Crawford reported lively discussion at the last International Festival Committee meeting. The event will be held 12 noon—7 p.m. (longer hours this year) on August 15. Members are excited and in the process of finding food vendors and exploring entertainment options. They are looking for sponsorships and ideas of how to promote the event within the community. Suggestions included Eden Prairie News, local community television channel, kiosk at Staring Lake, community education email blast, and advertising at grocery stores, discount centers, the Outdoor Center, and on the City's electronic sign on Technology Drive. Fenrick requested Crawford send the information to her office so it can be disseminated to the various different committees their staff is a part of and to service providers in the area. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Fenrick A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) The amount of Community Development Block Grant funds was officially announced $278,292 was allocated which was the amount expected. Harris was curious why the car repair program was not being refunded. Jeremiah was unsure as the issue had not been discussed. Fenrick said People Reaching Out to Other HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES April 8, 2010 Page 3 People (PROP) used to fund the program and is no longer doing so. The remaining funds are just being used up now. Crawford was reminded, in an effort to get more families to grow their own food, PROP will pay for its customers to rent a plot in the Community Garden and will provide seeds as well. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No report C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF The "Honoring Cultures" event will be held Thursday, April 29, 6-8 p.m. in the Heritage Room at City Center. Cost is $20.00. There were some questions as to whether commissioners, as event co-sponsors and facilitators, were expected to purchase their own tickets and if student discounts were available. There were also concerns the fee might discourage others from attending. Fenrick replied Community Ed does have some scholarship funds available for the event and she will try to get further information about the fees. She will also see if she can get a more detailed description of what the event will entail and pass that along. Harris added that will be helpful for HRDC's conflict resolution piece in terms of reporting back to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights about the grant funding it received. VI. OLD BUSINESS Spera noted Huck and Juergensen are drafting a letter regarding the lack of diversity on the City's website under the Video TourBook tabs and will need to update commissioners next time they are present at an HRDC meeting. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Crawford commended the Eden Prairie Police Department for how swiftly they posted a missing child alert on Facebook and also gave accolades to them for picking up a lost dog and delivering it to the owners. She suggested the commission consider getting a Facebook account as a communication vehicle. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, May 13, 2010, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. "Honoring Cultures" event--Thursday, April 29, 6-8 p.m.--Heritage Room at City Center. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Harris moved, seconded by Spera, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.