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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 01/13/2011 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,JANUARY 13, 2011 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: Ryan Borchardt, Alex Borsch, Clayton Carlson, He Li I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Linda Crawford and Marcy Harris were excused from this evening's meeting. Commissioner Lauren Juergensen was absent. The new student commissioners introduced themselves. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Approved by informal consent. III. MINUTES MOTION: Sanders moved, seconded by Rozanski, to approve the December 9, 2010 minutes. Motion carried 2-0-2 with Huck and Spera abstaining. MOTION: Huck moved, seconded by Spera, to approve the November 11, 2010 minutes. Motion carried 3-0-1 with Rozanski abstaining. IV. NEW BUSINESS Koivumaki distributed a packet of information about the upcoming Human Rights Awards. The timeline begins with a presentation to the City Council on January 18. The process will be published in the Eden Prairie News as well as on the City's website. Nominations are due February 25. Selections will be made at the March HRDC meeting, and an awards presentation by City Council will follow in April. The packet included the Eden Prairie Manifesto as well as a copy of the nomination form. The categories for nomination are individual, business, youth, and non-profit. There can be winners in one, some, or all of the categories, and it is also possible there could be no recipients chosen. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2011 Page 2 Rozanski questioned the wording "regardless of religious affiliation" in the Manifesto suggesting it could be viewed as not inclusive of those who are not affiliated with any particular religion. Huck, Spera, and Sanders disagreed explaining the word "regardless" implies encompassing of all individuals whether their beliefs are religious or secular. Discussion ensued over possible wording changes and placement as well as potential negative connotations resulting from such. The Commission directed Koivumaki to consult the City attorney and City Manager to gather information about what amending the Manifesto would entail and appropriate wording, if applicable. Koivumaki distributed a condensed history of how HRDC has evolved over the years. The Commission was instrumental in a lot of ways decisions got made within the City in the 1970s which included providing input on the Comprehensive Guide Plan and budgeting. In later years it worked on mediation and making funding allocation recommendations. Commissioners were encouraged to review the document at their convenience. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) The Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) funding cycle has begun. Approximately $200,000 is designated for housing-related projects. It is anticipated the City will have about$50,000 in federal money to fund social services. The Human Services Review Committee will review applications from agencies at the end of January. City Council will consider recommendations at its March 1 meeting. Last year's allocation: ACTIVITIES BUDGET PROP Emergency Housing Assistance $ 25,000.00 YMCA Child Care Program (Subsidy) $ 12,000.00 Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly (HOME) $ 8,000.00 Homeline Tenant's Advocacy Service $ 5,000.00 CAPSH Vehicle Repair Program $ 3,000.00 HSRC has been advised the amount of available funds will likely decrease in the future to more closely resemble that of 2008. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No report. C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. City Manager Search Update The City Manager search has been narrowed to three candidates. Interim City Manager, Jay Lotthammer, is not one of the finalists. Residents will HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2011 Page 3 have an opportunity to meet the candidates at an open house on January 20, 3:30-6:00 p.m., in the Cambria Room at the Community Center. 2. Poverty Education Commissioners are invited to a six-part series, "Perspectives on Poverty", hosted by the Eden Prairie Office of Housing and Community Services and People Reaching out to Other People (PROP). Over the course of 2011, relevant local topics will be covered giving greater insight into the causes of poverty, the families who are struggling, and how we can work together to help overcome some of the barriers people are facing as community needs grow. The series will cover topics such as: a) barriers and challenges faced by the "new" poor struggling in this recession,b) the poverty line and "living wage", and c) understanding the welfare system. The purpose of the educational series is to help policy makers and faith and business community leaders separate the myths from the realities of living in poverty in the suburbs. Part one of the series will take place February 16, 8-10:00 am, in the Heritage Room at City Center. Part two will occur in April at a date and time to be determined. Commissioners should RSVP to Koivumaki. Rozanski confirmed his attendance. 3. "Who are Your Neighbors" Series HRDC is co-sponsoring this event along with Community Education and Eden Prairie Reads. The event is part of a continuing series on the immigrant experience. This is the fourth part in a series; this time the focus will be on refugees. A world smorgasbord of hors d'oeuvres will be served, followed by a panel discussion and ending with individual group discussions. Eden Prairie Reads has selected a book called Outcasts United, a true story of how one town used soccer to unify a large influx of refugee children in one small American town. The event will take place Tuesday, April 26, 6-8:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room at City Center. More information will follow. Commissioners are strongly encouraged to attend. 4. Boards and Commissions Recruitment The boards and commissions recruitment process has started. Applications are available online and are being accepted until February 11. HRDC has two commissioners with expiring terms: Harris and Juergensen. 5. Best Buy Grant Balance is $5.10. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 13, 2011 Page 4 VI. OLD BUSINESS Spera revisited the idea of bringing forth the concept of recognizing gay unions and domestic partner registration to the City Council. It is primarily a formality,but has significant meaning to the affected individuals and could benefit employees who live or work in Eden Prairie in terms of assigning beneficiaries and receiving medical benefits. Koivumaki will work on pulling together some information from other cities that have already implemented something similar. Commissioners can provide their input at the February meeting and possibly have something finalized to go before Council in March. The Chaska Human Rights Commission and Chaska Police Department are sponsoring a half-day workshop featuring different speakers and breakout sessions on Saturday, February 5 at the Chaska Community Center to discuss the issue of bullying. The focus will be inclusive of all types and areas of bullying, not just youths or gays. The event is free. Koivumaki will forward an informational flyer to the commissioners. Sanders inquired if the District had requested any assistance (post board decision) from the Commission in terms of reaching out to residents about the school boundary changes. Koivumaki reported she had not heard back from the District. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Spera mentioned an article she had seen on depression among Somali girls. It is her understanding there are not support groups for adolescents with depression, and she asked if there was anything the Commission could do to help. Koivumaki stated Kerry, who works in her office, has a resource background; she will check with her whether or not there are any such support groups locally. Depression and mental health in some of the immigrant cultures are taboo subjects. Sanders emphasized the person in the facilitator role of a support group would have to be trained and qualified to handle certain situations. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, February 10, 2011, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Rozanski moved, seconded by Huck, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.