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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 01/14/2016 APPROVED MINUTES HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services HRDC COMMISSION MEMBERS: PG Narayanan, Chair; Sandra Filardo; Jenny Buckland; Sana Elassar; Connie Iacovelli; Tonja Bivins and Greg Leeper. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Tanvi Mehta, Tala Alfoqaha, Sarah Mason, Adrienne Retzlaff and Turner Gunderson CITY STAFF: Patricia Fenrick, Community Services Coordinator and Jodie Fenske, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chair PG Narayanan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Leeper and Retzlaff were absent. There were four visitors: Annie Fullerton and her father, Mr. Fullerton. Annie is a student at St. Cloud University preparing a paper on community diversity. Vicki Sinha and Jocelyn Jones are both Eden Prairie residents possibly interested in becoming involved with the HRDC. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Elassar moved, seconded by Iacovelli, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF HRDC MINUTES - DECEMBER 17, 2015 Motion: Bivins moved, seconded by Iacovelli, to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS OF STAFF A. NEW COMMISSION APPLICATIONS Fenrick followed up to the email she previously sent to Commission regarding new commission applications. At least two spots are open on the HRDC that need to be filled. She encouraged members to solicit residents who may be an asset and have interest in applying. Deadline for applications is February 5, 2016. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2016 Page 2 PG inquired if newspaper article could be submitted regarding HRDC open spots. Fenrick advised that all City commissions are taking applications at this time. Application is posted on City's Facebook page and website and Fenrick posted on HRDC Facebook page. She will speak with Communications to see if newspaper article could be submitted for all commissions. Filardo advised mass email was sent to residents. V. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD Fenrick reported the Mayor will read the MLK proclamation at the next City Council meeting, which is when HRDC typically launches the Human Rights Award. After last year's process, Commission discussed revamping questions on the nomination form to obtain specific examples of leadership and initiative. She distributed list of three questions for nominees to illustrate their ongoing commitment to uphold the City's manifesto. Commission discussed making questions more concise and including bullet points to make decision-making easier once nominations are collected. Fenrick will revise prior to presenting to Council and posting to City's website. She challenged all commission members to recruit at least one nominee. Commission discussed several means to solicit nominees, including email and Facebook, in addition to EPHS channels including daily bulletin, Eagle Vision News, school newspaper, school website and flyers. Ideas to reach students not attending EPHS were brainstormed. PG suggested Commission keep a list of ways to solicit nominees for future use. Nominations are due February 29 and will be reviewed on March 10. Award will be presented in April. B. ADVISORY DOCUMENT, WORK PLAN AND PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL Fenrick distributed a draft of a 2016 Working Plan which illustrates the purpose of the HRDC into three main points: promoting awareness and appreciation of diversity, reviewing and investigating alleged ADA violations and providing response and support to victims of incidents of bias. The goal of the working plan is to provide tools to help focus on the purpose of HRDC and to list and most effectively accomplish activities achieving that purpose. The second and third points of the purpose are covered and initiatives are in place. The ADA grievance policy procedure is now published online. The first step of responding to incidents of bias was accomplished through enlisting a listening committee which is gathered for each incident. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2016 Page 2 The first and larger purpose is to enlist the cooperation of agencies, organizations and individuals in the community to promote awareness and appreciation of diversity and work with community volunteers to promote the City's manifesto of being an inclusive and welcoming community that protects human rights and values diversity. Fenrick outlined several initiatives already in place. The Commission has already committed to the Human Rights Award and 5K supporting anti-human trafficking. People Fest is a work in progress. The Commission will be stay connected to the Tapestry Project but the initiative will mostly be handled by the Community Services office. The HRDC brochure will be reviewed and updated in 2016. As previously discussed, the HRDC annual advisory document will be used as a forum to connect with the citizens and provide feedback to the City Council on successes and challenges. Fenrick discussed several additional ideas including possibly expanding the Human Rights Award to a monthly highlight, creating an"I Am Eden Prairie" campaign similar to"Humans of New York," and creating an initiative similar to Duluth's Civility Project in which citizens are able to speak their peace, to disagree, address fears and to have conversations while maintaining civility. Fenrick solicited additional ideas from the Commission. Mehta described a fundraising event the student representatives have discussed. The idea is to sponsor a concert where student musical groups would perform and proceeds from tickets sales would be donated to an organization upholding City's manifesto. Filardo mentioned there are local organizations such as those that support immigrant communities or homeless teens. Narayanan mentioned Eden Prairie Foundation has a list of scholarships and local organizations that may be a good fit. In order to meet students' intended event date of this spring, Fenrick advised them to formulate more specific ideas (date, venue, etc.) and report back to the Commission prior to the February HRDC meeting so ideas can be processed and discussed at the February meeting. Fenrick commended the idea and will place it on the work plan to present to City Council. Buckland reintroduced idea of HRDC giving a presentation to local businesses on human rights making them more familiar with Commission's initiatives, specifically the Tapestry Project. It was decided this will be discussed more in the future. Fenrick reiterated the document is a"working" plan which will be continually revised since Commission needs to be responsive to needs. An outline of the 2016 Working Plan will be provided to Council next week. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2016 Page 2 C. MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION (MSA) LETTER Fenrick thanked the Commission for its feedback of the draft of the letter. She provided the final letter to Chair Narayanan for his signature and will forward to the president of MSA. D. HRDC BROCHURE REVAMP As discussed in V.B. above, the HRDC brochure will be reviewed and updated in 2016. E. BIAS CRIME RESPONSE PROTOCOL Fenrick reported that in reviewing historical information, she found a letter that used to be sent proactively to possible bias crime victims. While waiting for crime to be investigated, victim would receive a letter of support from HRDC stating we do not tolerate acts of harassment,racism and prejudice in our community. In addition, the letter would state the HRDC stands with the victim and will support him or her should they wish to process the crime. This additional action would be a positive step toward creating a more specific protocol. She will email the old letter to Commission members and the idea will be discussed further next month. Elassar inquired if bias crimes are tracked by HRDC. Fenrick responded that the police department does track and sends her notification. F. COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE—TAPESTRY PROJECT As discussed in V.B. above, this project will be discussed further next month. G. 5K SUPPORTING ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING UPDATE Buckland reiterated Commission's role at the 5K is primarily to provide information on anti-human trafficking and to determine where fundraiser proceeds will go. In the past, proceeds were directed to rehabilitation for victims and this year's goal is to broaden awareness leading to eventual prevention of human trafficking. Fenrick stressed the City feels it is important that donated funds stay local. Buckland reported the Conservation Commission is supporting the recycling effort at the event. In response to Narayanan's request to promote People Fest, she stated the HRDC will have a table at the 5K and will provide information on the festival. H. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL UPDATE Narayanan reported logo is in the process of being finalized. Commission discussed obtaining an assortment of logo examples on which to vote for this year HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2016 Page 2 and widening the search to a citywide contest next year. In order to hold the event, five thousand dollars is needed either from sponsors or partnerships with organizations. He asked the Commission to submit ideas for performers and also to review the list of Eden Prairie businesses he provided and complete any known contact information (telephone number, contact person, etc.). Fenrick received two responses from other commissions that are interested in helping with the event and will provide contact information to Narayanan. She will be connecting with the interfaith group next week. Staring Lake Amphitheater has been reserved for July 16, 2016. Bivins commented that due to the event coming up in July,requests to vendors and entertainment should be done in February since many are booking into summer already. VI. COMMUNITY GUEST Fenrick introduced Hanadi Chehabeddine who requested to speak to the Commission with ideas for connecting with the Muslim community. She is an Eden Prairie resident and married with three children. She was born in Lebanon and naturalized six months ago. She is pursuing a Master's Degree in International Business from St. Thomas University. Chehabeddine thanked the Commission for allowing her to speak and delivered her presentation entitled "Engaging Muslims." She noted several opportunities including active listeners, general interest in supporting Muslims, concept that great fear produces interest to learn more, motivated community and supporting voices from other communities. Her vision is for Minnesota to become the first state that takes practical steps to counter Islamophobia and to establish further peace and harmony among its citizens. Engagement activities could include Muslim Student Association (MSA) in Eden Prairie becoming a liaison with other communities, empowering Muslim mothers to be more active in schools, training social workers and educators through Islamic Resource Group (IRG), and hosting social events. Chehabeddine explained her vision of"Meet the Muslims of Eden Prairie." She described the goal being to engage the larger community in a social event that facilitates the interaction between the Muslim community and the rest of the community in an attempt to build bridges, create friendships and address the more serious questions that people may have about Islam. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES January 14, 2016 Page 2 The event could consist of a meet and greet(seven to ten tables represented by different countries displaying food, clothing, props, etc.); speakers discussing how enriching diversity is and explaining the difference between Islam(religious) and Muslim (cultural); group discussion addressing more serious discussions and introducing tough questions; and wrap-up session including visitor questions and sharing of ideas. Additional ideas included separate room for kids' activities, catering kiosk serving food, optional mosque visit, optional performing prayer, Henna artist and give-away item. She shared possible City involvement to include support, channels of communication, facility rental, sponsorship, logistics, partnership, and law enforcement. Her hope is for the City to be a liaison to replicate this event model in other cities. Filardo expressed she liked the idea and reiterated low attendance at recent Tracks in the Snow event. Perhaps a partnership with the Eden Prairie schools would attract more attendance. Fenrick solicited ideas from Commission members on how to find more partners to attract a broader base of participants,based on past experiences. Bivins invited Chehabeddine to recruit Muslim families to participate and volunteer at People Fest. Narayanan added the ultimate mission cannot be achieved through one activity; however, People Fest can be one of the steps. Commission members relayed their support and engaged in conversation passing on several ideas to Chehabeddine to consider in opening communication within the community and her envisioned event. Fenrick stated she will meet with Chehabeddine and invited Commission members to do the same outside this meeting to continue the conversation. VII. NEXT MEETING Next HRDC Meeting—Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 7 p.m., Office of Housing and Human Services VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Iacovelli moved, seconded by Elassar, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Narayanan adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.