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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 05/05/2015 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015 CITY CENTER 5:00— 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30— 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, Community Services Manager Molly Koivumaki, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Jan Curielli HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION: Jenny Buckland, Connie Iacovelli, Greg Leeper, and Student Representative Karina Lin Workshop-Heritage Room H L JOINT MEETING WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION Fenrick gave a PowerPoint presentation that distilled her notes from the "Coffee with the Council" event last week. She noted there was a good cross section of people at the event, and there was good energy and discussion. She reviewed some of the challenges to feeling connected that were brought up at the event. One of the biggest challenges mentioned was that of transportation, particularly in regard to the lack of bus facilities for pre-school children. There are about 80 families struggling with transportation issues, including many of the Indian-American families. Other challenges included difficulties making social connections and the lack of moderate income housing, especially three and four bedroom units. Ideas generated for facilitating greater social connections included a more public welcome by the City, an "On Ramp to Eden Prairie" class, and increased cultural sensitivity. Tyra-Lukens asked if there were specific suggestions for ways to get a welcome out to individuals. Fenrick said there was not as much input on that topic, but they would probably use a multi-pronged attack. Getschow noted the recent City survey showed that word of mouth is still one of the main means to get information. Regarding community dialogue and education, Fenrick said attendees suggested having more events like the "Coffee with the Council" roundtable event. They mentioned the need for a central meeting space, having festivals to celebrate diversity on a regular basis, and having different engagement strategies for reaching first generation immigrant communities and communities of color. Aho said he enjoyed the event and had good discussions with those who attended. He believed there is not any one way to reach out to everyone. City Council Workshop Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 2 Butcher Wickstrom commented it takes a lot of time to have cultural change. We need to continue our efforts to engage everyone and to celebrate those who attended the event. She thought the questions used at the roundtable were great and very action oriented. Tyra-Lukens suggested we need more dialogue and understanding of integration versus assimilation as a community expectation because there are diverse opinions on what is best. She thought we need to discuss things that aren't polarizing issues. Fenrick noted we should have those discussions but also celebrate the differences. She said the Commission tried to craft the questions to understand how people connect. Iacovelli asked if the Council would want to do another event like this. Tyra-Lukens replied the Council has done this type of event in the past, and she believed the Council Members would do another. However, it gets frustrating to come to an event and have 20 people in attendance. Iacovelli felt the people at her table were eager to make changes, and many of them were excited about joining the Human Rights & Diversity Commission next year. She believed the 20 people in attendance would spread the word because they are the "doers" in the community. Jeremiah noted the representative of the Lady Flowers of India group had communicated with others in her group before the event to see what they wanted her to present. Case said he was not able to attend but has attended similar events in the past and agreed that the attendees are often those who need to be there. He thought it was good to get deeper into where people are and suggested having the Council Members break up and go out to different buildings for similar events. Aho noted that would be similar to the "Night to Unite" event. Fenrick gave an update of the Commission's work. She said Sana Elassar sits on the CAC committee for the Southwest LRT and has mentioned there are issues regarding accessibility for the station design. Ms Elassar has noted it is important to avoid some of the design mistakes that have been made with previous LRT lines and to consider what is available for riders with disabilities when they get on or off at the LRT stations. Many of those with disabilities may be completely dependent on public transportation so those considerations are extremely important. Jeremiah commented that issue goes beyond the CAC. There are Federal guidelines for the rail line but none for the stations along the line. Fenrick reviewed some of the recent initiatives of the Commission, including the subject of youth experiencing homelessness. There has been an increase in the number of families who are precariously housed, and there are 30 individuals in the School district who are in the same situation for housing. The Commission conducted a film and panel discussion on youth homelessness to discuss what school districts and cities are doing about the issue. Other events planned by the Commission include a Cooking, Culture & Conversation Class through Community Education, the Tracks in the Snow film and panel discussion about our Muslim neighbors, and the Dakota 38 film and panel discussion at Hennepin Technical Center. Tyra-Lukens thanked the Commission members for all they are doing and noted there is a lot of variety. Koivumaki noted our staff has been able to help groups from Carver County and Edina who approached us wanting to know how to do outreach to the Somali community. That reflects well on the work the Commission has done. City Council Workshop Minutes May 5, 2015 Page 3 Open Podium- Council Chamber II. OPEN PODIUM A. Brinn Witt -- Backyard Chickens Brinn Witt said she received a citation for having three hens in her yard and will have to go to court. She is not able to get to court because her vehicle was taken away. Tyra-Lukens asked what Ms Witt would like the Council to discuss. Ms Witt said she would like to be allowed to keep her chickens. Tyra-Lukens replied the Council reviewed that issue not long ago and decided not to change the ordinance. Getschow noted Ms Witt has expressed her interest in changing the rules regarding keeping chickens. He said someone from the Police Department can talk with her about the citation. III. ADJOURNMENT