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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 01/12/2017 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,JANUARY 12, 2017 7:00 P.M., 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 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. An informal farewell celebration (complete with food and speeches) for Patricia Fenrick was held before the business portion of the meeting. II. INTRODUCTIONS Two visitors observed the meeting. One of the visitors said she was prompted to check out the meeting in light of the recent national election. The other is a resident who is considering applying for membership on the commission. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Elassar moved, seconded by Howe-Pullis to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER MEETING MOTION: Leeper moved, seconded by Philmon to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. V. REPORTS OF STAFF VI. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS A. 2017 Workplan Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes January 12, 2017 Page 2 Narayanan said he is available to give the presentation at the City Council Workshop. The presentation will include the accomplishments and plans for 2017 as discussed at the last meeting. The work plan includes listening sessions on police/community relations. This initiative was specifically requested by the by the City Manager. Another set of listening sessions will be held around the topic of tenant concerns. There is a desire for people to have a place to take grievances when landlords are not responsive. Two apartment complexes will be included in this series of discussions —Briar Hill and Prairie Meadows. Howe-Pullis said this is also about affordability in general as well. Several organizations, including Jewish Community Action and New American Academy have pledged to make creating affordable housing in Eden Prairie a priority over the next two years. Fenrick noted that the HRDC's charter is to be an advisory body to the City Council and the Housing Office. Fenrick suggested that smaller task forces be formed to brainstorm what each of these discussion series will look like. Leeper, Philmon and Howe-Pullis volunteered for the police community relations task force and Howe-Pullis will head up the tenant relations task force. Howe-Pullis noted that she is still hoping there will be an opportunity for the HRDC to explore whether or not Eden Prairie could or should become a sanctuary city. Tapestry project—Conversation circles started as part of the Tapestry Project are continuing under the guidance of Connie Iacovelli. The meetings will include both residents of Briar Hill as well as individuals from the larger community. Currently, grammar is worked on for the first half hour, and then participants work with a recipe—which they have found helps to improve grammar and adds to cultural knowledge. Fenrick asked if anyone was interested in being put in touch with Connie Iacovelli to help with this project. Ann Martinka and Lorene McWaters expressed interest. B. Human Rights Awards Fenrick encouraged commissioners to solicit nominations for the awards. There are four categories: youth, individual, non-profit and business. Current commissioners cannot be nominated, but former commissioners and Students on Commissions members can be nominated. Narayanan asked for clarification on the criteria. Fenrick said the award is for individuals or organizations who embody the principles of the Eden Prairie Manifesto. Narayanan noted that there have been few nominations in recent years, and that last year no award was given in the student category. Fenrick said the March meeting will be devoted to discussing nominations and choosing award recipients. Sometimes more than one meeting is required to complete the process. Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes January 12, 2017 Page 3 C. People/Humans of Eden Prairie Project This project is being sponsored by the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. Executive director Mark Weber has volunteered to spearhead the project. Commission members discussed what questions could be included in interviews with subjects and the following list was collated: Questions for Consideration • What kind of music/art moves you? • What would you like to improve about Eden Prairie? • What would people living outside of Eden Prairie be surprised about in our community? • Why do you live in Eden Prairie? • What are you passionate about? • Where do you see yourself in five years? • What is your favorite place in Eden Prairie? Proposed Individuals Fenrick put together a of possible subjects based on the discussion at the last HRDC meeting, including: • Hanadi Chehabeddine • Mike Fahning • Students- various • Mohamed Ahmed • Mohamed Duale • Jenny Buckland—PROP Program Director • Wynne Anderson—World Auto • Police Officer • Justice Paul Anderson • Sarah Steichen—Prairie School of Dance • Mayor Tyra-Lukens • Connie Iacovelli • Hammer residents The group brainstormed additional names/types of individuals to add to the list: • Azul Bolonos —Female high school student • Ram Gada • Walker Payne— Student who has special needs • Tori Kobarik—Transgender teen • Nejwas Muktar—African American student working to start student union at the high school. Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes January 12, 2017 Page 4 • Archina Noyr—Medical student • Senior Center member • Conn McCartan • Father Bill Murtaugh • Steve Cwodzinski • Avery Hames • Fran Heitzman—Founded Bridging • Corporate Rep—Rick King • Resident living with mental illness • Kim Rathjen XIII. NEXT MEETING—Feb. 9, 2017 IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Leeper moved, seconded by Missaghi, to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.