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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 02/12/2019 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019 7:00 P.M., Eden Prairie Center Office of Housing and Community Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sana Elassar(Chair), Greg Leeper, (Vice Chair), Joan Howe-Pullis, Katherine Lucht, Ann Martinka, Shahram Missaghi, Leslie Philmon, Rehmatbai Sumra STUDENT MEMBERS: Shreya Anand, Meghana Chimata, Nikhita Dhar, Nicole Mayer, Branden Ross COMMISSION STAFF: Megan Yerks, Staff Liaison Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Elassar called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Leeper and Philmon and Student Members Anand and Mayer were absent. Sumra arrived at 7:40 p.m. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS The guest speaker for the evening was Shelley Smith, of Chain Reaction Theater. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Howe-Pullis moved, seconded by Martinka, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. IV. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 13, 2018 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: Lucht moved, seconded by Missaghi, to approve the December 13th, 2018 minutes. Motion carried 5-0. V. LOCAL NON-PROFIT PRESENTATION—SHELLEY SMITH, CHAIN REACTION THEATER Ms. Smith said the Chain Reaction Theater is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2011. The intent is to raise awareness of social issues and partner with other organizations. The first production they did was called Seven. This was about seven women focusing on social issues of their particular country. Ms. Smith pointed out what HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES February 12, 2019 Page 2 they are working on now is called, What Guys Really Want. It is about healthy masculinity. Stories were solicited from men and boys, along with women, perpetuating a lot of community involvement. What they found out was that these men are hurting and just want to talk to someone. This production takes in all different backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and stories woven together. They will be performing in nine different locations. Ms. Smith commented she would like the Commission to spread the work about this production. Chair Elassar asked what the pricing would be. Ms. Smith said the suggested price is $15 but it is actually "pay what you can". She stated tickets could be purchased on-line or at the door. Yerks asked how sales were going for next week's show in Eden Prairie. Ms. Smith stated tickets sales are slow but people usually get tickets at the door. Yerks said the Commission needs to spread the word on this event. Ms. Smith asked if the Commission can supply refreshments again. Yerks said that should not be an issue to supply the refreshments and they will also have a table set up at the show. Ms. Smith said the Chain Reaction Theater also has a Facebook page and encouraged everyone to join. Chair Elassar pointed out this event is next Thursday, February 21st at 6:30 p.m. Because the Commission will be co-hosting she suggested those volunteering arrive at 6 p.m. Those in attendance will be Chair Elassar, Martinka, Chimata and Ross. V. STAFF REPORT—MEGAN YERKS A. COMUNITY UPDATES: 1. Community Housing Forum—this took place on 2/6/19 at Eden Prairie High School. The forum was hosted by EP Housing Coalition, Housing Justice Center, and other community groups. The forum consisted of a panel of residents, development project staff, and Ron Case. The discussion centered on a celebration of affordable housing success, a discussion of a need for additional affordable housing and ways to get there. Yerks said there is a project called Smith Village that will be approximately 97% affordable housing. She also said Broadmoor apartments are being demolished and those residents will have to be out by June of this year. A new project will be put up in its place but will not have rents comparable to Broadmoor. Yerks said the City Council and Mayor have been in discussion about this topic and this is something that could possibly be sent to the HRDC. Howe-Pullis said she heard from a Hennepin County Commissioner that on March 14th there will be a meeting on bonding for creating affordable housing in Hennepin County. She suggested Commissioners show up as it would be helpful to show support for the cause. 2. New Resident Packet—This is still in progress and is at the design stage. Yerks will bring this to HRDC for review when it is complete. HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES February 12, 2019 Page 3 C. UPCOMING EVENTS: 1. PROP Empty Bowls —Yerks said this will be on February 19th at St. Andrew Lutheran Church and if anyone can volunteer contact Chair Elassar. 2. State of EP Event—The 2019 "State of the Foundation, City & Schools" event will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 28t', in the Heritage Rooms of the Eden Prairie City Center. This is a free event but it is encouraged to go to the Foundation website and register to help account for food, drink and setup. There will be appetizers and a cash bar from 5- 6 p.m. followed by informative presentations by the Foundation, City of Eden prairie, and Eden Prairie Schools who will be discussing 2018 accomplishments and what is ahead for these community institutions. 3. Chanizes for 2019 — a. Yerks said going forward the minutes will be emailed versus printing. b. Shared calendar—consensus was everyone would like to have a shared calendar and to use Google. Yerks said this will be ready in March. c. Commissioners up for renewal— Sana Elassar, Joan Howe-Pullis, Ann Martinka, Shahram Missaghi, Leslie Philmon VI. OLD BUSINESS A. WORK PLAN Howe-Pullis commented she was at the City Council meeting when the work plans were being presented. She said the Mayor suggested the HRDC take on affordable housing. Yerks said the Commission was also asked to focus on seniors, the Somali community and demographic shifts in the community. B. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS NOMINATIONS Yerks said nominations will be open until the end of February. She asked the student commissioners to do outreach on this and encourage individuals to apply online. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. LOVE ALL EVENT Ross said this is moving along and she will supply Yerks with updates. B. CHAIN REACTION THEATER: WHAT GUYS REALLY WANT EVENT HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES February 12, 2019 Page 4 This was discussed by Shelley Smith in the non-profit presentation. C. COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES: RACE AND GUN VIOLENCE Dhar updated Commission and said she had discussed this with Mayer and they came up with a tentative date of March 29t". The other student commissioners pointed out this was the start of spring break for Eden Prairie High School. Yerks suggested moving the date to April. Dhar, Mayer and Missaghi will continue to meet and discuss this topic. D. 2019 OUTREACH STRATEGIES DISCUSSION Yerks stated she created an HRDC Outreach Plan Form and commented she would like this form completed for every event. She shared this form with the Commission and said to make sure to target the appropriate audience and advertise for the event. Yerks pointed out there are four items listed on the form and asked that commission members answer all four of these questions when filling out the form. Yerks asked the Commission to come up with different advertising strategies. There was a discussion and the list is below: - Eden Prairie News - Rick's Weekly Report - Place flyers in coffee shops or grocery stores - India Spice House - Community Engagement Council - Hennepin Technical College - Former commissioners and student commissioners - Contacting political representatives - Chamber of Commerce - Kiwanis or Rotary Club - EP Community Foundation - Invite other Commissions - Twitter - Foundation for EP Schools - EP Senior Center - Flyers at senior living centers and apartment complexes - Somali leaders - New American Development Center - Faith communities - Southwest Transit - Interfaith Circle - Boomers and Beyond - Neighboring city commissions Yerks suggested sharing with community partners, such as: - Hennepin Technical Collage HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY MINUTES February 12, 2019 Page 5 - PROP - India Association - Pax Christi Church - EP Chinese Association - New American Development Center For target audiences, Ross commented that high school students would come if they knew they were getting something out of it, such as DECA points. IX. UPCOMING MEETING A. MARCH 14, 2019 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Martinka moved, seconded by Lucht, to adjourn the Human Rights & Diversity Commission meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm