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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 04/14/2011 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,APRIL 14, 2011 7:00 P.M., 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Pam Spera (Chair), Peter Huck(Vice Chair), Linda Crawford, Gayle Sanders, Robert Rozanski, PG Narayanan, and Zina Nourkadi STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Manager- Housing and Community Services; Heidi Wojahn, Recorder STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Alex Borsch, Clayton Carlson, He Li I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Spera welcomed the new commissioners. Introductions were made. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Sanders moved, seconded by Huck, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0. III. MINUTES MOTION: Rozanski moved, seconded by Huck, to approve the March 10, 2011 minutes. Motion carried 4-0-3 with Crawford, Narayanan, and Nourkadi abstaining. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. RESPONSE TO INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY EPHS STUDENTS Huck reported a family discussion about the "Food Stamps" chants made by Eden Prairie students at a recent school sporting event held in Hopkins prompted him to bring this issue before HRDC. It is not the first time this type of inappropriate behavior has occurred, and it reflects poorly on the students, schools, and community. He wants to know what the consequences are for such behavior and asked what would be the appropriate action for the Commission to take to hold the school accountable in terms of addressing the issue. Rozanski replied while the Commission does not have any jurisdiction over the school, an opinion should be registered. They would be remiss not to do so; it is a public issue. Spera said this goes beyond razzing the other team. Sanders asked for observations from the students. Carlson and Li stated they had not witnessed HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES April 14, 2011 Page 2 racial slurs at school and therefore did not think it was a problem(at school). Borsch had a slightly different take saying it is certainly frowned upon by administration,but comments are tossed around without much thought and students tend to shrug it off. He talked to several people in his mixed-grade classes about the incident at the game. The majority he heard from, including some of the players, said it was "not a big deal" whereas he and some of the seniors took more issue with it. The students demonstrate a general lack of regard for serious subject matter. The principal did address the incident a day or two afterwards stating in a school-wide announcement students need to show good sportsmanship and school spirit and by stating this type of behavior is unacceptable. Carlson and Crawford agreed part of the problem in holding people accountable at a sporting event is the sheer number of people. Crawford explained "Food Stamps"is not necessarily a reference to socioeconomic status,but rather a code word with a racial connotation. It is the same as using the "n" word. There needs to be sensitivity, and the behavior needs to be eradicated. Nourkadi stated there are adults in charge and behavior expectations and game rules in place. If not enforced, the behavior will snowball out of control and the adults will only have themselves to blame. Huck offered to determine, with Koivumaki, who the target audience is and compose a letter keeping the author of the newspaper article involved. Rozanski agreed suggesting HRDC state what they have heard, ask what the facts are and what is being done, and request a response and/or invite key people to a Commission meeting to address the issue. Crawford said she assumed student conduct and behavior was addressed in the school handbook. Inappropriate behavior cannot be tolerated and there needs to be repercussions. In the spirit of sportsmanship, this should be shared with other school districts. Both the principal and superintendent should attend an HRDC meeting. Huck reiterated the point is to get the school to respond to HRDC, not set school policy. Carlson said the policy exists; it just isn't enforced. Narayanan said it is important to determine whether or not the behavior has violated policy and, if so, what are the consequences for the actions. We need to be open-minded, not assume the worst, and take the high road. The Commission should express concern, hear the administration's views, and ask what has been done or what the plan of action is. Then they can determine the next step. Parents need to be informed and involved. Nourkadi agreed saying there is a connection between what students are saying and their parents so there needs to be wide communication and clarification via dialogue with students and parents. Spera said it is important to keep in mind how the community at large is viewing this as well (referencing comments posted online in response to the article). Borsch said people are anonymous in a crowd or when posting comments online which leads to speaking without thinking. MOTION: Rozanski moved, seconded by Sanders, to accept Huck's proposal to draft a letter for review by the Commission to address the incident at the Eden Prairie at Hopkins game. Huck clarified this would be done as a vehicle for gathering information as Narayanan suggested. Motion carried 7-0. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES April 14, 2011 Page 3 V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) No report—HSRC did not meet. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS The victims of last month's bias crime have not requested help. The family feels strongly they were not a random target,but rather there is some connection to high school age kids. Commissioners will be updated if anything new arises. Such incidents are not common in Eden Prairie, and it is not mandatory they be reported to the police in order to receive HRDC assistance. C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. Board and Commission Banquet The annual Board and Commission Banquet is Wednesday, May 11 in the Garden Room at City Center. Invitations have been mailed. 2. Budget Cuts Discussion Koivumaki will be part of a four-member team meeting with Senator Stensrud on Friday, April 15 to discuss the impact of proposed State and Federal Budget cuts on Eden Prairie residents. 3. Poverty Profile A brochure prepared by Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) was distributed for review. Electronic copies will be mailed to the commissioners. There have been 220 foreclosures in Eden Prairie since January, 2010. The first waive was a result of adjustable rate mortgages coming due causing a sudden increase in mortgage payments; the second waive is attributed to unemployment. Crawford commented this is not just a quality-of-life issue for those losing their homes; it affects everyone around. 4. Human Rights Awards The Human Rights Awards ceremony will take place at the May 3 City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. A cake reception will follow. Commissioners are encouraged to attend. 5. Best Buy Grant Balance is $5.10. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES April 14, 2011 Page 4 VI. OLD BUSINESS - Koivumaki A. DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRY/MANIFESTO WORDING CHANGE The City Manager has determined the Domestic Partner Registry and Manifesto Wording Change proposals should go before City Council in a workshop. This is a study session for the councilmembers to learn more about these topics and ask questions. Audience members cannot ask questions during a workshop. The session will be scheduled at 5:30 p.m. prior to a June or July Council meeting. Rozanski, author of the proposals, and Koivumaki will likely be the primary presenters. Commissioners are expected to show support by attending. Rozanski asked if it would be appropriate to include OutFront Minnesota in the presentation as they could address why the City would want to offer a registry. Koivumaki will check with the City Manager tomorrow. B. JOINT COMMISSION MEETING The Arts and Culture Commission (ACC)has requested a joint meeting with HRDC. Sanders asked what the purpose would be. Crawford said ACC wants to acknowledge different cultures and since HRDC is very attuned to different cultures, there is overlap between the two commissions. Rozanski suggested the chairs or staff liaisons meet ahead of time to form an agenda. The commissioners generally supported the idea. Narayanan and Nourkadi expressed cultural education via the arts is a good thing. Koivumaki will address this with the City Manager. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Rozanski reported on a program he discovered on a recent trip to Florida. The town he visited has a program for which disabled persons can register. It allows them to receive a lockbox with a key to place on their door. The police and fire departments have the code to the lockbox in case of an emergency. He asked if Eden Prairie has something like that and, if not, can it be implemented. Rozanski will send a website link on the specific community to Koivumaki who will follow-up on this. Crawford announced there is a Level III sex offender in the community near her neighborhood. Further information will be forthcoming on Eden Prairie TV. Based on Crawford's earlier comment about Dunwoody students having to take a diversity class, Spera suggested offering something similar at a much earlier age such as 9t' grade. There is no point to waiting until college age. People don't seem to see the value or benefits of diversity. Borsch said perhaps it could be incorporated into Health class. Narayanan is part of an organization receiving requests to give free cultural presentations on India. Several presentations such as this might take the place of a formal course. Crawford explained a diversity course is much more. It deals with people and who they are and how they view the world and addresses not only culture,but also race, class, gender, etc. Huck said the school district has curriculum for all staff called HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES April 14, 2011 Page 5 "Beyond Diversity". In addition, transportation has presentations on cultural differences every couple of months. Koivumaki said there is some progress —Eden Prairie has its first Somali officer in the police reserves. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, May 12, 2011, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Rozanski moved, seconded by Huck, to adjourn. Motion carried 7-0. Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.