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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/16/2016 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,JUNE 16, 2016 7:00 P.M., 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: PG Narayanan (Chair), Sana Elassar(Vice Chair), Greg Leeper, Leslie Philmon, Shahran Missaghi, Ann Martinka, Joan Howe-Pullis STAFF: Patricia Fenrick, Staff Heidi Wojahn, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Adrienne Retzlaff I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Following introductions and an icebreaker activity, Chair Narayanan called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. Leeper was absent. II. INTRODUCTIONS III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Howe-Pullis moved, seconded by Missaghi, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 6-0. IV. GUEST PRESENTER—MIKE FAHNING/PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION FOR A PARKINSON'S FRIENDLY CITY Fenrick introduced Mike Fahning and described what Parkinson's Disease is and why it is important for Eden Prairie to become a Parkinson's Friendly Community (PFC). It is an awareness campaign with educational components specific for city and recreation staff, business owners, and first responders about Parkinson's Disease and how to support those with Parkinson's. There is no cost to the City for training other than time. HRDC's role would be to offer its approval and have various Commissioners meet with different departments and be involved in training. Fenrick circulated scorecards for employers and parks to assess areas for improvement in order to become more Parkinson's-friendly, and she showed a brief video promoting the Parkinson's-Friendly Community concept. Fahning showed a brief video and answered questions about the disease and the PFC program. He said many symptoms of Parkinson's are not outwardly visible which is even more reason to encourage employers and retailers to become Parkinson's-friendly. Eden Prairie parks are already pretty well set up to meet the needs of those affected by Parkinson's so there is not much for the City to do other than participate in training. He HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 16, 2016 Page 2 doesn't expect it to be too involved for Eden Prairie to become a PFC. Narayanan said he felt it was important for first responders to get trained first. Fenrick said minimally they, along with firefighters, would get trained. Martinka stressed how critical fitness is for those with Parkinson's, therefore educating those in the fitness industry is important. Fahning concurred activity is essential. Missaghi asked how HRDC would be involved. Fenrick said the Commission would primarily work on raising awareness. MOTION: Martinka moved, seconded by Elassar, to offer support and partnership to move forward with the Parkinson's Friendly Community initiative in Eden Prairie. Motion carried 6-0. Elassar requested City staff and Council be added to the list of those who should be trained. V. GUEST PRESENTER—CRYSTAL WINSTON/PROP Crystal Winston talked about her background in social work and support for PROP in terms of funding and volunteers as well as the history of PROP. More help is still needed to assist the numbers of people they serve and they would like to be able to reach out to more underserved people, such as seniors in need of food. Other major challenges are housing and unemployment. Diversity within the community is negatively impacted when people have to leave because they cannot afford to live here. Winston distributed PROP brochures and highlighted what PROP provides in terms of goods, services, programs, and financial assistance. Funding is especially needed for dental and mental health services, and it is difficult for some to obtain basic needs and services. Poverty is much more prevalent in the suburbs, including Eden Prairie, than it used to be. Winston explained how PROP food and PROP shop were once one entity; now they are separate organizations with different boards. Fenrick distributed the Income Limits Summary from 2014 to give Commissioners an idea of what qualifies as low income. Winston said needs for services in the community are expanding as people don't make nearly what they should for basic needs. PROP serves a lot of homeless youth and provides them with backpacks stocked with hygiene items. Elassar commented she has some on hand but at times has encountered adults in need and feels she can't give them the backpacks because they are designated for youth. Winston said adults can come to PROP to receive food and other resources/services. Discussion ensued about how to help homeless people in terms of just talking to them and offering help such as a ride or transportation fare to PROP at the individual's comfort level. Winston said PROP's website shows current needs or items they are running low on. Fenrick clarified that many people in need of services are employed, but they are not meeting the livable wage. Howe-Pullis asked what the current need is and how HRDC can help. Winston said a more-diverse volunteer base is desirable. It would be helpful to have Somali, African American, and Hispanic volunteers helping in the office. They are not able to accommodate large groups of people for one-time volunteer shifts. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 16, 2016 Page 3 Elassar suggested PROP connect with the School of Dentistry and the School of Public Health to check on the possibility of mobile services. Winston said PROP must open up assistance to all in need. Any ideas for ways to help are welcome. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Missaghi moved, seconded by Martinka, to approve the May 12, 2016 Minutes with revisions as submitted by Fenrick. Motion carried 5-0-1 with Elassar abstaining. VII. REPORTS OF STAFF - Fenrick A. BEST BUY GRANT $5.10 remaining. VIII. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS A. 5K REPORT Fenrick reported the 5K event was a success. Elassar stated there were over 1000 participants. Officers were on hand to share stories on trafficking. The Link and Mission 21 had tables set up. Many expressed an interest in additional information. Narayanan confirmed a minimum of three people per shift were needed for packet pick-up. PROP should have a table at the event going forward. Martinka suggested a donation bin also be available on-site. B. TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS UPDATE - Martinka Fenrick said in terms of presentations at future HRDC meetings, Molly Koivumaki from her office will speak on housing from the City's perspective. Martinka stated she is working on getting a group to present on transportation. Fenrick mentioned she has somebody interested in presenting on light rail, too. She is also planning for bias crime training. Following up on last month's conversation about transportation needs, Martinka said the results of a recent survey indicated there are transportation issues not just in Eden Prairie, but in multiple communities, and the people who need the services are frustrated. Fenrick said she discovered transportation entities in Eden Prairie opted out of after-hours service. The reasons are complicated and involved but she will look into getting more information. C. PEOPLE OF EDEN PRAIRIE PROJECT UPDATE —Martinka/Howe-Pullis Martinka and Howe-Pullis said they do not have anything new to report. Narayanan recommended doing something similar to the Parkinson's video for HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES June 16, 2016 Page 4 the People of Eden Prairie project. Fenrick said she still needs to follow up with Retzlaff s contact regarding helping with digital imaging for the project. IX. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS Humans of Minneapolis seminar—July 9, 1-4 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library. More information to follow. India Fest- August 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Paul Capitol grounds Beyond Bollywood exhibit through July 10, Minnesota History Center Race Unity Day—June 11, 2017, for future discussion LGBT exhibit for future discussion. Fenrick said Hennepin Technical College would like to partner. The Commission will not meet in July or August. The next HRDC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2016, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Elassar moved, seconded by Howe-Pullis, to adjourn. Motion carried 6-0. Chair Narayanan adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.