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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/10/2010 APPROVED MINUTES HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,JUNE 10, 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 I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Commissioner Marcy Harris was excused from this evening's meeting. Commissioners Lauren Juergensen and Robert Rozanski and Student Representatives Fardowsa Ali, Adam Liter, and Muna Shire were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda approved by informal consent. III. MINUTES MOTION: Huck moved, seconded by Spera, to approve the May 13, 2010 minutes. Motion carried 2-0-2 with Crawford and Sanders abstaining. IV. NEW BUSINESS Crawford distributed printed copies of the "Sounds Around Town"brochure (the schedule for the Eden Prairie summer entertainment series) and reported on the status of the International Festival planning. The City of Burnsville will host its own international festival June 19, 3-9 pm, which Crawford will attend to get a feel for how to better make things flow at the Eden Prairie festival. The committee is currently working on booking entertainment, ethnic restaurants, and a cricket coach. There has been some difficulty finding restaurants; many are unable to serve food off-site due to licensing requirements and health standards. People of different nationalities in native costumes will answer questions at a"Cultural Corner", and members of the Eden Prairie Players will be present in costumes as well. The International School has committed $1,000 in event sponsorship. The next meeting will be held at Staring Lake. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 10, 2010 Page 2 Spera read an article in the Star Tribune stating the Edina City Council unanimously approved the recognition of gay unions among its residents and is the first suburban city in the State of Minnesota to do so. Although mostly symbolic, the article listed benefits to receiving a certificate showing the union is city-registered (some companies will extend insurance benefits to partners of employees with proof of certification of the relationship). This benefit also applies to city employees for purposes of health insurance, etc. This was highly significant to those affected by it, so HRDC might want to bring something similar forward to Council this fall for consideration. Koivumaki will circulate the article in an email to commissioners. Spera is hoping to attend an upcoming seminar to get an update on the law affecting gay/lesbian couples. Crawford will network with the gay/lesbian alliance at Dunwoody where she attends school. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) HSRC did not meet in June. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No report C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. Conflict Resolution Training Preparation of training materials is in progress. More information to follow from Koivumaki. 2. Tour Koivumaki will lead HRDC on an Eden Prairie tour this summer. Highlights will include affordable housing, a variety of cultural locations, the International School, City Hill Fellowship, and future light rail transit (LRT) stations. Commissioners should inform her of any other areas of particular interest. 3. Kids Asainst Hunger Campaisn The campaign is on hold to see if community and business support increases enough to warrant a fall event. 4. Police/Somali Community Meeting Police will make a presentation to Somali residents about police response to various situations and will try to answer questions Somali residents may have about police service. Commissioners are welcome to attend the HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 10, 2010 Page 3 meeting which will be held June 23, 6:30-8:30 pm, in the Office of Housing & Community Services. 5. African Development Center/LRT Meeting The African Development Center in Minneapolis is organizing a meeting to learn what impact LRT will have on jobs,housing, etc. for the Somali community. The City has been asked to participate in this event which will take place June 24, 6:30-8:30 pm, at the Eden Prairie Library. 6. Student Commissioners Two new student commissioners will join HRDC in September for a period of four months followed by three others beginning their respective terms in January. 7. Best Buy Grant Balance is $5.10. VI. OLD BUSINESS Crawford once again promoted the Eden Prairie Police Department's Facebook page and encouraged commissioners to join the City's page, as well. Huck asked for confirmation that the other commissioners received a response from City Manager, Scott Neal, concerning the lack of diversity in City publications. Koivumaki reported she had been informed the Vivas family featured in the economic development brochure is a racially-diverse family. Crawford's son will be doing the communication for the International Festival on Eden Prairie TV. She invited the commissioners to view his work, and if they like it, perhaps he could work on something similar for HRDC. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS None VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, September 16, 2010, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Sanders moved, seconded by Huck, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.