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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 03/09/2017 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 7:00 PM, EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Community 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: City Staff Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Rene McWaters, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Student Commissioners Asiya Gelle and Ashwin Senthilkumar were absent. II. INTRODUCTIONS One visitor, an employee of Digital River, was in attendance. Commissioners brought treats for PG Narayanan's final meetings after two terms as a Commissioner. PG gave brief remarks directed at the students about growing up on a rural farm in India and coming to the U.S. in 1972 with no English language skills, making it through college and going on to run several successful international companies. His message was "don't give up" and"always volunteer." III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Elassar moved, seconded by Howe-Pullis, to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MEETING MINUTES Martinka moved, seconded by Leeper, to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. V. REPORTS OF STAFF Koivumaki gave a staff report that included the following items: Housing Acquisition - Housing staff met with a non-profit affordable housing developer who is considering a potential development at the site of the former IHOP. The development HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES March 3, 2017 Page 2 would likely include a mix of affordable and market rate apartments. The developer is currently in the 90-day discovery period. Service to Tenants/Landlords - Planning for the Community Connections program, formerly known as Tapestry, and the Y Summer Program is underway. HRDC Commissioners are encouraged to attend both of these programs to get an idea of what is taking place. HRDC Appointments - At their first March meeting, the City Council appointed three additional Commissioners (Rehmatbai Sumra, Katherine Lucht and Harvey Humes) and new leadership (Sang Elassar, Chair and Greg Leeper, Vice Chair) New HRDC format and committees - A record 20 people applied for the open HRDC seat. The City Council interviewed the candidates in two separate groups. The Council was so impressed with the candidates that they directed the City Manager to find ways to involve the candidates in City matters via committees or task forces. The City Manager initiated two new committees that will work with the HRDC: • 4th of July Hometown Celebration Committee - This event includes a variety of music, food, demonstrations and fireworks. The new committee will help create a more welcoming and inclusive event vital to building and celebrating the entire community. The committee will lend its perspective and ideas to assist Parks and Recreation staff, commissions and Council Members in these inclusionary efforts. • Aspire Eden Prairie 2040 Committee - Throughout 2017 and 2018 the City will be updating its Comprehensive Plan. This plan update has been branded Aspire Eden Prairie 2040 and will establish the vision, goals and policies for Eden Prairie for the next 20 years. The City plans to include a focus on social equity within the community and the new Aspire Eden Prairie 2040 Committee will encourage members to share their interests, talents and expertise by identifying the needs and opportunities related to social equity in Eden Prairie. Police Presentation at City Council Workshop - Highlights of the presentation of interest to HRDC include: • 2015/2016 Initiative - Crisis Intervention Training • 2017/2018 Initiative - Continue building an organization that reflects the demographics of the community. The City's first Somali officer was sworn in on March 6. Police Administration will be reaching out to young people in the community to find out what might attract them to a career in law enforcement. • Parkinson's Friendly Community Initiative - The HRDC was credited for bringing forward this training opportunity to the Police and Fire Departments. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Humans of EP Project HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES March 3, 2017 Page 3 Martinka gave an update. There was much discussion about which platform would be best—blog, Tumblr or Facebook. Koivumaki said she has discussed the project with Communications staff and they believe Facebook would be a good platform. B. Eden Prairie Reads Students Colebrooke, Retzlaff and Lin offered their perspectives on the event. They were very impressed with the speaker,particularly her message that history is told from the perspective of the victor. Philmon said she was surprised by the makeup of the audience and that there was so much interest in the story. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Human Rights Award After much discussion three individuals, one non-profit and two youths were chosen for awards. Patricia Fenrick will also receive special achievement recognition at a council meeting. VIII. OTHER A. Leeper reminded the group that he and Elassar have volunteered to start an effort to address the City Manager's effort to focus on police/community relations this year. He asked if the JCPP initiative could be addressed as he sensed there is some hesitation around this. Howe-Pullis suggested that Leeper and Elassar have a conversation with Police Captain Greg Weber to get his input on the topic. Lin reported she heard on MPR that an event will be taking place at Augsburg College that will involve a number of Somali attorneys. Howe-Pulls said that a letter will be forwarded to the HRDC requesting a listening session for Somali people who are renters in Eden Prairie. VIII. NEXT MEETING—April 13, 2017 IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Elassar moved, seconded by Leeper, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.