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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 12/08/2011 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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: Ramla Mahamud, Camrie Vlasak I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Commissioners Huck, Crawford, Narayanan, and Nourkadi were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA No quorum. III. MINUTES No quorum. IV. NEW BUSINESS Koivumaki reported she presented a PowerPoint last week covering the past 40 years in human rights history. She would like to present it to the Commission at a future meeting. The presentation is broken down by decade starting with the 1970s and looks at what was going on in human rights at both the national and state level. Things have come a long way since the Willmar 8, a group of female bank employees who went on strike in 1978 over unequal pay between men and women. It was not until then that gender discrimination was viewed as a labor issue. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) HSRC met on Monday. The federal funding process for human services will begin in January. It is anticipated $200,000 will be available for housing and public services. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES December 8, 2011 Page 2 B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No report. C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. Request from Former Commissioner Former HRDC Commissioner, Jeff Strate,has requested to make a presentation in January. He wants to provide his perspective on why the recent school boundary changes are not only a District issue,but also a City and Commission issue. At the request of the City Manager, Koivumaki reviewed with commissioners the duties and responsibilities of HRDC: to serve in an advisory capacity on matters of diversity, civil and human rights, and the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA). This includes working with others to promote awareness and appreciation of diversity, reviewing and investigating ADA violations, promoting the City's Manifesto, and providing response and support to victims of incidents of bias. In addition,policy dictates they may not speak or write to the press as a representative of the City or Commission without prior permission. It is unclear what action Strate will request or HRDC can take on this matter. Spera recalled HRDC was advised by the City to stay out of the boundary issue. 2. Best Buy Grant Balance is $5.10. VI. OLD BUSINESS - Koivumaki A. DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRY/MANIFESTO WORDING CHANGE Koivumaki announced these two proposals will go before Council on Tuesday, January 3 at 7 pm in Council Chambers. Commissioners are strongly encouraged to attend. She will put together a packet of materials and work with Spera on the presentation. Rozanski volunteered to assist as well. A couple cities have voted against implementing a domestic partner registry, and Spera suggested preparing responses as to why their reasons for doing so are not valid. Rozanski said one reason given for declining the registry was it doesn't fall within city jurisdiction. Koivumaki stated another reason given was it was viewed as a pre-cursor to the marriage amendment. Her husband recently enrolled for a new medical benefits plan through work and domestic partners were included in the coverage, so there is a significant legitimate reason for adopting a registry. Rozanski added this is a good example of why this is not just a symbolic gesture and suggested Koivumaki get a copy of the pertinent pages from the health plan booklet. Spera inquired if the booklet specifies domestic partners be registered as such. Koivumaki wasn't sure but can look into this further. Spera and Rozanski agreed that regardless, a HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES December 8, 2011 Page 3 registry would help validate and facilitate the process of domestic partners gaining access to health benefits. Rozanski referred back to Spera's original Manifesto wording alternative of"lack thereof' and recommended"absence" or"absence thereof' instead. He said "lack" implies a deficiency whereas "absence" means "not there" and views these as negative versus neutral. Koivumaki offered to share this wording with the City Manager tomorrow. B. RECOGNITION OF STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST WINNER Rozanski reported he and Huck presented a certificate to student essay contest winner, Alexis Locsin, at a recent Council meeting. Locsin's parents and a school representative were in attendance. It was a nice gesture and everyone seemed to be appreciative. Locsin explained what her essay was about and why she wrote it. Koivumaki clarified the reason this was not part of the annual Human Rights Awards is partly because it was a recognition of achievement, not an award, and partly due to the timing of it. Spera added this also fits with the Commission's responsibility of promoting diversity within the community. The reason she was unable to present the certificate herself is because she recently started working for SABIS Educational Systems. The International School where Locsin attends school is a member of the SABIS School Network. Even though she was not employed there at the time the decision to recognize Locsin was made, she was advised not to be part of the presentation as it could be viewed as a conflict of interest. C. UPDATE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION Rozanski attended a Fire 2020 meeting earlier today. The presentation from last month's HRDC meeting is in the process of being revised. He expects this will be wrapped up at tomorrow's meeting. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS None. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, January 12, 2012, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.