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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 12/15/2016 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016 7:00 PM, EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: PG Narayanan (Chair), Sana Elassar(Vice Chair), Greg Leeper, Leslie Philmon, Shahram Missaghi, Ann Martinka, Joan Howe-Pullis STUDENT MEMBERS: Nia Colebrooke, Asiya Gelle, Ashwin Senthilkumar, Adrienne Retzlaff, Angela Lin, Carter Rislove COMMISSION STAFF: Patricia Fenrick, Staff Lorene McWaters, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chair Narayanan called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Martinka and Retzlaff were absent. II. INTRODUCTION Members and guests introduced themselves and each shared a personal holiday tradition. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Leeper moved, seconded by Howe-Pullis, to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER MEETING MOTION: Leeper moved, seconded by Elassar, to approved the minutes of the November 10, 2016, meeting. Motion carried 6-0. V. EDEN PRAIRIE READS - JODY RUSSELL Eden Prairie Reads Chair Jody Russell provided an update on this year's book choice— Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi—and explored ways in which the Commission can collaborate on the event. Russell said this is her second year as Chair of EP Reads. She said the group has been successful in authors who are willing to do readings and events. She said EP Reads has tended to stay away from topics they may not be equipped to handle HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION December 8, 2016 Page 2 (divisive or controversial),but in her opinion last year's book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, was too light weight. This year, the committee agreed they wanted to read a book related to race. They read and discussed seven or eight books before settling on Homegoing by Yaa Gayasi. She said the book has been reviewed quite well, and the committee was extremely excited to be able to negotiate an appearance fee of just$4,000 since Gyasi is scheduled to also do an event at the U of M. Russell said a panel discussion on Racial Bias in Minnesota—Past, Present and Future is planned. She said the book explores race and racism from different perspectives, and the panel discussion will explore race in Minnesota from different perspectives. The goal is to increase understanding through discussion. Howe-Pullis said regarding the "future" portion of the panel discussion it will be important to have some of the community's serious racial equity activists, particularly some of the areas of young LGBTQ women. Many are immigrants and can help whites understand the race struggle. Russell said Gyasi did not want to address the topic of trace in Minnesota as part of her talk. Russell said the book can still be a launching point for the panel discussion. Colebrook asked what the target age group is. Russell said it is high school and up. She said EP Reads is going to advertise widely. Russell said they expect an audience of about 1,000 for the author's reading, which will be on March 6. They don't know how many to expect for the community events. Book discussions will take place two weeks previous to the visit at the library. The panel discussion will take place a couple of weeks after the reading. Colebrook said it will be crucial to have a young person on the panel and to address topics like the widening achievement gap and segregation. Lin asked if free books will be available. Russell said Friends of Eden Prairie Library is working on getting copies and making it easy for people to get hold of them. Russell asked Colebrook if she would be interested in being on the panel, and Colebrook said she is. Russell said Mayor Tyra-Lukens, who is an excellent moderator, is not available on the date of the panel, so they are in need of a really good moderator. Howe-Pullis said conversations about race are really tough as Minnesota culture is one that generally does not like to make waves. She suggested that the panel be made up of local residents who can speak to their specific experiences regarding race. Jody agreed that discussing race is difficult, and the EP Reads committee is taking this factor into consideration in planning events. Elassar said David Grant is a local author who has done work relating to the genomic project. He submitted his own DNA to find out more about his actual ancestry. It might be interesting to do something relating to the genomic project. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION December 8, 2016 Page 3 Philmon said she knows people who are great moderators, and she would be happy to put Russell in touch with them. Leeper asked about the theme title. He suggested finding a title that encompasses the need to address bias while also celebrating diversity. He would like people to be allowed to tell their stories in a multi-faceted way. He would like the topic to be broadened to include more than just difficulties individuals have experiences. PG liked the idea of broadening the discussion—giving people permission to tell their stories the way they want to tell them. Philmon asked what the goal of the panel is. Russell said the panel is meant to bring awareness and understanding to bias. Narayanan said the moderator will be critical to the panel's success. He suggested having questions written up front and prepping panelists so they are not taken by surprise by what is being asked of them. Colebrook suggested waves of panels with four people per panel, and circular tables with small groups. Russell said she will make sure each student commissioner receives two tickets apiece for the March 6 reading. Russell asked if someone from HRDC would be willing to attend the next EP Reads committee meeting which is the second Wednesday of January. VI. 2017 WORK PLAN Fenrick reminded commissioners the all-commission City Council workshop is coming up on January 17. She suggested HRDC use a format that explores what went well as well as challenges in 2016 and areas of focus for 2017. Areas of Focus for 2017 • Shifting Demographics —The need to maintain current affordable housing stock. The shortage of affordable housing and how the problem gets solved is complex. There is a need for solutions beyond Section 8. There needs to be education around that idea. • Transportation—The need for more and better transportation options is so connected to all of the other issues facing Eden Prairie. The positive side is that we have transportation; the negative is that it does not work as well as it could. • Police—The police go above and beyond in preparing officers for crisis response; however, they have not been involved in a bias crime for several years even though we know they are happening in the community. There is a need to address why they are not being reported. There are incidents that may not meet the bias crime threshold, but that should still be acknowledged. The HRDC could be involved in this. The City Manager has asked the HRDC to address police/community relations in 2017. The HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION December 8, 2016 Page 4 HRDC has committed to working on getting Eden Prairie involved in the Joint Community Policing Partnership in 2017. The HRDC would like to know whether the Police Department collects data on traffic stops, and if they don't they would like to consider asking that it begin to be collected. • PROP—There is some evidence dental issues are a problem among those with low income residents in Eden Prairie. PROP is considering a mobile dental clinic for seniors. • Nominations for the Human Rights now being accepted in three categories. Commission members were asked to spread the word. Fenrick asked for ideas new ideas for the 2017 work plan. The following ideas were proposed: • De-escalation training • Senior citizen issues • Consideration of becoming a sanctuary city • A new category for bias incidents that don't rise to the level of crimes of bias VII. PEOPLE OF EDEN PRAIRIE PROJECT Fenrick proposed changing the project focus from videos to photography, making this a collaboration of writers and photographers. The commission was in favor of this change. It was noted that Minneapolis uses the blog site Tumblr as its platform for the Humans of Minneapolis project. Fenrick said Eden Prairie Community Foundation Director Mark Weber has provided a list of photographers that can be used. He said he would be able to provide a list of writers as we. Fenrick said marketing for the project could be launched in April. She asked the group how often a new individual should be featured —monthly? It was noted that Minneapolis uses a"small story" format that includes certain questions that are asked of all individuals to ensure some continuity. Fenrick asked commissioners to think about what questions should be used to prime the pump and get subjects to open up. It was agreed that subjects can be regular individuals as well as "famous" residents. Some ideas thrown out include: • The director(or a student of) of the Prairie School of Dance • PROP volunteer • Human Rights Award Winners • Former Justice Paul Anderson • An individual who is working to improve the environment • Leeper asked to have Hannadi back to speak to the group. The group also discussed "adopting" a street for cleanup to help increase the commission's visibility. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION December 8, 2016 Page 5 Narayanan reminded everyone not to drive and text, and to have a wonderful holiday VI. NEXT MEETING—Jan. 12 VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Elassar moved, seconded by Philmon, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.