Human Rights and Diversity - 06/08/2023
APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023 7:00 P.M., EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Community Services
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Greg Leeper (Chair), Shahram Missaghi, (Vice Chair), Sana Elassar, Philip Skeie, Asad Aliweyd, Samuel Griffin, John Urbanski, Susan Weaver, Zaheer Khan, Christine Kleckner, Jody Knight, Brenda Pfahnl, Kuhu Singh
COMMISSION STAFF: Megan Yerks, Staff Liaison Julie Krull, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Missaghi called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commission Members Leeper, Aliweyd, Elassar, Kleckner and Singh were absent. II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
The following guests were in attendance for the Community Presentation; Suzanne Anderson, Ellison Smith, Meli Arboleda, Tim Thames, Linda H., Karissa and Callum.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Urbanski moved, seconded by Weaver, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 8-0.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 4, 2023 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: Pfahnl moved, seconded by Khan, to approve the minutes dated May 4, 2023. Motion carried 8-0.
V. COMMUNITY PRESENTATION – SUZANNE ANDERSON, COMMUNITY MEMBER AND ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Skeie introduced Suzanne Anderson and her daughter Karissa and said Suzanne will be talking about challenges with families with special needs individuals in their household. He also asked the
Commission to not applause and that only one person speak at a time due to sensory issues.
Ms. Anderson pointed out she has a 15 year old daughter, Karissa, with special needs. She read the Commission a letter describing the emotions of what her daughter is going through with her Cask Disorder. She also described some of the ways these individuals give voice to their thoughts.
Ms. Anderson said she is Karissa’s gap between her internal and external world. Cask Disorder is