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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 06/12/2008 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,JUNE 12, 2008 7:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Community Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (Chair), Pam Spera (Vice Chair), Daniel Abraira, Gerry Beckmann, Marcy Harris, Mohamed Duale, and Kelly Brandon STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Nelum Madanayake, Kevin Karner, and Laura Hoffman COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Katie Hood, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Commissior Spera called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Cari Maguire was excused. Student Representatives Kevin Karner and Laura Hoffman were absent. Mary Keating and Judy Reinhr were in attendance. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. B. JUDY REINHR, LEAGUE OF MN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION UPDATE was added to the agenda. The group informally approved the updated meeting agenda. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY MEETING • "Koivumaki said the sub-committee will work in partnership with existing agencies, commissions, organizations, etc. The sub-committee will offer a variety of ways people can learn about other cultures, depending on what appeals to the individuals the most." was removed from C. Committee Report. • Section VIIL Future Meetings/Events, second paragraph change "There were questions asked." to "There were questions asked, such as." The group informally approved the updated May meeting minutes. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION BY MARY KEATING, OFFICE OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY SERVICES COORDINATOR Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes May 08, 2008 Page 2 Keating discussed group homes in Eden Prairie. In Eden Prairie, there are 12 privately owned facilities and two State of Minnesota group homes. Keating discussed the history of the group homes in Minnesota. Historically, it was thought,people who are in group home, were feeble minded. It was also thought it was genetic and they were considered criminals in the past. In the past,people were placed in institutions like the one in St. Peter. In the 1960's and 1070's there was change with how people were treated. Today IQ is looked at as a factor in determining mental disabilities. Less than 75, on the IQ test, is considered developmentally delayed. FRASER is one of the agencies which operates in Eden Prairie, they have four homes. They are nice houses, which fit into the neighborhood. There are four—six residents per unit, which have staff 24 hours per day. The State of Minnesota licenses all of the homes. In Eden Prairie there are two homes owned and operated by the State of Minnesota. Some of the residents have jobs or are in rehabilitation programs. There are private, non-profit homes in the community. They have activities for the residents, including parties where the neighbors are invited. The PROP Shop is a helpful resource for the residents of the group homes. Abraira arrived at 7:20 pm. The group homes are known as good neighbors, and they add diversity into Eden Prairie's neighborhoods. Harris said the residents in the group homes vote in the community. Beckmann told the Commission the group homes aren't known about because City Code allows for six unrelated people to live in a house. Having a home within the community, the home doesn't have to go in front of the City Council. Beckmann said the first group home that came to Eden Prairie had a difficult time. It was thought Eden Prairie would be accepting of the group home,but the community wasn't accepting of it. B. JUDY REINHERT, LEAGUE OF MN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION UPDATE Reinhr passed out business cards to the Commission. Reinhert showed part of This is my Home DVD. Reinhert said there are essay kits which can be given out to classes. These kits include paper, pen, pencil, and information on how to write an essay. The Commission could hand out the kits at school. In addition, there is a kit for smaller children. This kit includes an airplane, decorations, and crayons. Reinhr showed part of The Way t�ppiness DVD. Reinhr mentioned the Genocide Intervention Network. They are primarily interested in Sudan. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes May 08, 2008 Page 3 Reinhr passed out a packet of the 37th annual Conference of League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. Harris expressed her concern and disappointment on the date selection. The date is conflicting for practicing Jews. Harris said she is offended with the date chosen. The date chosen is in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Motion: Harris moved, seconded by Abraira, to convey the Human Rights and Diversity Commission's disappointment in the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions chosen date for the 37t1i Annual Conference. The date chosen is in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Reinhr said she will call the President and Vice President of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions about the date of the conference. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported the following information to the Commission. The Human Services Review Committee met on June 2, 2008. Stephanie Hendrickson from the Eden Prairie Family Center gave a status report on the Parent Education Outreach Program. She said things are progressing in the right direction, specifically: • Less need for interpreters • Better attendance by fathers • Fewer transportation needs • Better use of sibling care • More well known as a place to go for help She mentioned there are still needs and barriers the immigrant families face, namely: • Housing —many are leaving Eden Prairie because they've outgrown their apts. They're moving to communities such as Chaska and Shakopee. • Jobs • ESL/child care—ESL classes do not provide child care • Drivers Ed—for immigrant women who have small kids, no car and limited English skills, it's nearly impossible to go to Drivers Ed • Summer programs —immigrant families struggling to find things for their kids to do in the summer • County Services —cuts, cuts, cuts • Outreach hours and funding—LCTS grant is going away B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No Update Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes May 08, 2008 Page 4 C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF Human Services Providers Meetiniz On June 3rd, the Housing and Community Services (OHCS) staff held a meeting for all human services providers who are funded by the City, with general funds or Community Development Block Grant funds. OHCS staff, along with City Manager Scott Neal, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Chief Financial Officer Sue Kotchevar attended the meeting. All service providers except for Meals on Wheels were able to attend the meeting. The Mayor and City Council members were invited,but unable to attend the meeting. Koivumaki reported the meeting consisted of a facilitated discussion which highlighted four areas: • Trends—what trends are the service providers are seeing? • Return on Investment—What is the City's ROI? • Funding—what is the picture on funding, overall? • Success Stories Koivumaki reported the meeting was very insightful and she is preparing a report on the findings for the City Council. She will also present a report to the HRDC upon completion. Community, Sy Koivumaki attended a national conference in Bloomington, MN focused on fighting poverty. She presented information on a survey tool offered by the University of MN Extension Service to measure "Social Capital" in our community. Koivumaki will conduct further study to determine whether this study could be undertaken in Eden Prairie, with leadership from the HRDC. Human Rights Awards Ceremony Koivumaki showed photographs from the May 20 City Council meeting at which the Human Rights Awards were presented. A small reception followed the event. 37th Annual Leaizue of MN Human Riizhts Commission Conference Koivumaki distributed information on the annual conference: The 37th Annual LMHRC Conference will be held at Kahler Grand Hotel Southwest Second Avenue, Rochester, MN on Saturday, October 4, from 8: 30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration fee: $85.00 ($100.00 after September 1, 2008) Special registration fee of only $70 per person for any Commission or group who registers four or more people before September 1, 2008. Add $25 per person if attending Evening Prior Dinner on October 3. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes May 08, 2008 Page 5 There may be funds available from the Bremer Foundation to pay for the registration fee. Koivumaki asked all Commissioners who can commit to attending this meeting to let her know as soon as possible and she will look into the funding. VI. OLD BUSINESS Koivumaki said on June 4, 2008 the HRDC Events Sub-Committee had a meeting. Beckmann, Tim Power and Koivumaki were in attendance. Koivumaki reported Gerry met with Jeanne Zetah, of Community Ed, whose sub- committee was also interested in sponsoring events which would culminate with the Interfaith Worship Service in November. Jeanne heard the HRDC sub-committee was also considering doing the same thing and asked to meet. Gerry reported she met with Ann Coats & Jeanne Zetah and explained our committee is focused on the newspaper articles, the site tours and the Interfaith Worship Service. The Community Involvement Committee will be approached to see if they want to take on the site tour piece. Koivumaki reported Gerry also spoke with Mike Miller, of Eden Prairie Methodist Church, and was advised the committee working on the Interfaith Worship Service will begin meeting within the next few days to start the planning for the November, 2008 service. Koivumaki reported Gerry spoke with Karla at the EP News. Karla agreed to run 3 columns, on 3 consecutive weeks in late August—early September. The columns would be limited to 800 words. The columns would feature leaders of 3 faith traditions, Muslim, Hindu & Judaism, answering questions. Koivumaki reported Tim Power suggested 3 working titles: 1. Moving Toward Thankfulness 2. God's Breath in our Community 3. Faith Connections The group selected "Moving Toward Thankfulness" as the best title. Koivumaki said the next Meeting is June 19 at 2:00 pm., at the Office of Housing & Community Services. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) Beckmann attended the SHISG meeting. Presentations were given by Eden Prairie High School, SHAPE, and Hennepin Technical College. The presentations were on how to get a GED or High School Diploma. Human Rights and Diversity Commission Minutes May 08, 2008 Page 6 Beckmann passed around a Tech Trek program flier (www.shapeschool.info). Duale said Somali Week will be June 25 —July 1, 2008. The week is a sports week with athletes from 29 states and other countries. Duale said World Refugee Day is June 20. Duale passed out fliers to the Commission. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC Meeting will be on Thursday, September 11, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at the Eden Prairie Center room 125. IX. ADJOURNMENT Spera adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m.