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Human Rights and Diversity - 05/10/2007 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY,MAY 10, 2007 7:00 PM, 8080 MITCHELL ROAD City Center—Engineering Conference Room COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (chair), Melissa Barra (Vice Chair), Daniel Abraira, Larry Piumbroeck, Jeff Strate, Gerry Beckmann, and Pam Spera STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Sandra Moran, and Steven Shouts COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Commission Chair Cari Maguire called the meeting to order at 7:16 pm. Commissioner Barra was absent. Sandy Moran left at 8:45 pm. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Beckmann moved, Commissioner Spera seconded approval of agenda. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL MEETING Change "I" to Beckmann on page 4. Insert"All of Us" column will be printed in the Eden Prairie News and Sun Current. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD WINNER SELECTION Commissioners reviewed the nominations that had been submitted for the Human Rights Awards. The following selections were made: Cindy Eddy has been selected to receive the Human Rights Award in the individual category. Move approval by Strate, seconded by Piumbroeck Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church was selected to receive the Human Rights Award in the non-profit category. Move approval by Strate, seconded by Beckmann. Eden Prairie Sun Current was selected to receive the Human Rights Award in the business category. Move approval by Spera, seconded by Piumbroeck. The commission would like to honor Captain Mike Bosacker with a letter of commendation for his leadership with the Somali Youth Group. Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes May 10, 2007 Page 3 B. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL— CARI MAGUIRE Maguire will be giving an update to the City Council on June 5rh regarding the work of the Human Rights & Diversity Commission. Maguire will be sharing the HRDC Strategic Plan with the City Council and speaking of some of the accomplishments and initiatives the HRDC has implemented. Strate suggested Maguire talk about the Eden Prairie Chamber facilitating the Jean Harris Scholarship Awards. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Report from Koivumaki: The Human Services Review Committee met on May 7 to discuss the budget process for 2008/2009. The Committee will put together a timeframe for considering funding proposals from human services providers. The Committee reviews proposals and makes funding recommendations to the City Manager. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No crimes of bias were reported. C. OTHER NOTES FROM STAFF Scholarship selection process. Koivumaki and Commissioner Pam Spera attended the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce Recognition Committee meeting on May 1 sc to participate in the selection of the Jean Harris scholarship. Koivumaki reported that there were many applications to review,but the process went very well. Sandra Moran, a current HRDC student commissioner was selected as the Jean Harris Scholarship recipient. Chaska Human Rights Event Koivumaki and Commissioner Gerry Beckmann attended an event in Chaska on April 26 sponsored by the Chaska Human Rights Commission. Participants were assigned to small groups, with a facilitator guiding the discussion. The discussion was based on a series of questions about diversity, based on age, economic status, appearance, etc. Koivumaki reported that it was a very worthwhile event. HRDC Meetinz Location Koivumaki asked the group whether they wanted to continue to meet in the Housing and Community Services office at the mall, or if they wanted to meet at the City Center. By group majority, the decision was made to keep meeting at the mall location. VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS Human Rights & Diversity Commission Minutes May 10, 2007 Page 4 A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) Commissioner Beckmann attended the SHISG meeting. Summer Program Reports were given by the Hennepin County Library, Community Education, and Park and Recreation Department. Beckmann shared the Passport Scholarship Program with the HRDC. Assistance is available to Eden Prairie residents who would like to participate in a program and cannot afford the normal registration fees. Assistance is limited to $150 per person,per year. Participants pay for the first half of each program and the scholarship is applied toward the balance until it is expended. B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Commissioner Beckman complimented Commission Chair Maguire on the well done display at the Library. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next meeting is Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 7 — 9 pm at Office of Housing and Community Services. IX. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.