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Human Rights and Diversity - 09/12/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2006 8:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (Chair), Melissa Barra(Vice-Chair), Larry Piumbroeck, Jeff Strate, Linda Chung, and Pam Spera COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison (recorded minutes in the absence of the recording secretary) AUDIENCE: I. ROLL CALL Meeting was called to order at 8:05 PM by Cari Maguire. Student Commissioners were introduced. • Sandy Moran is a returning Student Commissioner and a senior at Eden Prairie High School. • Steven Shontes is a new Student Commissioner, he introduced himself as a junior at Eden Prairie High School and head of the Amnesty International group at the high school. He has two older brothers and two cats. • Grace Li is a new Student Commissioner, she introduced herself as a senior at Eden Prairie High School. Grace was born in China and reports that at age 5, she shocked her parents by walking home from school all by herself. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved with the following additions: • Strate requested adding the "All of Us" newspaper column for discussion under New Business. • Maguire requested adding discussion of the 2006/2007 Human Rights and Diversity Strategic Plan under Old Business. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING The HRDC agreed to table approval of May and June minutes until the October, 2006 meeting when a recording secretary will be present. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. ALL OF US NEWSPAPER COLUMN A subcommittee of Strate and Spera met regarding the All of Us newspaper column previous written by HRDC members. Strate prepared a brief concerning Human Rights & Diversity September 12, 2006 Page 2 the revival of the "All of Us" newspaper column. The brief was emailed to Commissioners prior to the September 12h'HRDC meeting for their review. The brief covers three main areas; 1) the Main Theme, 2) Recurring Elements, and 3) Managing the Column. Strate asked the Commissioners to read the brief and be prepared to discuss it at the October HRDC meeting. Strate stressed the need to design a sustainable approach to preparing the column. Maguire suggested that several columns be prepared in advance of contacting the newspaper with a request to resume running the column. IV. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported that the Human Services Review Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, September 18, 2006. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS Koivumaki reported that one incident took place over the summer that was being investigated by the police as a potential bias crime. The manager of the McDonald's Restaurant, who is a Somali woman, was approached by an angry customer. The customer yelled and swore at the manager and made comments regarding her ethnicity. Koivumaki contacted the manager by telephone to determine what if any assistance could be offered. The manager declined any assistance by expressed gratitude for the call. Maguire requested that Koivumaki follow up with the police department as to the status of this case. Additional reports from staff: Koivumaki distributed copies of the Senior Issues Task Force report which was completed earlier this year. Koivumaki discussed the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission Conference which is scheduled for September 301h. Commissioners received information on this conference. Commissioners Piumbroeck and Barra said they would like to attend the event. Koivumaki distributed a postcard with from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights which announced the Human Rights Day event will be held on December 1, 2006, at the St. Paul River Center. Koivumaki gave an update on the status of littering complaints at Nesbitt Park, which were reported to the HRDC at the June meeting by Mr. Bob Chepolis. Koivumaki reported receiving two phone calls from Mr. Chepolis over the summer concerning littering at the park. Staff from the Housing & Human Human Rights & Diversity September 12, 2006 Page 3 Services office, and the Parks Dept observed the park over the course of the summer and did not find any unusual amounts of littering. Koivumaki reported that Lt. Mike Bosacker from the Eden Prairie Police Department has asked her group to help him reach out to local Somali residents who are considered leaders in Eden Prairie. Bosacker is impressed by monthly meetings he has been attending which are facilitated by Minneapolis Police, for communicating with Somali leaders in Minneapolis. He would like to replicate the efforts here in Eden Prairie and will work with Housing & Human Services staff to that end. Koivumaki reported that she will be meeting with the Recognition Committee of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce on September 19h'to discuss the prospect of the Chamber naming one of their scholarships to honor Jean Harris. If the Committee is in favor of the idea, they will take it forward to the Chamber's Board of Directors for full consideration at their October loth meeting. V. OLD BUSINESS A. 2006—2007 HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY STRATIGIC PLAN Maguire reviewed the plan. Project/Major Tasks Commissioners Action Items/done by date Lead/Secondary Role Human Ri.-hts Award Addition of Youth Award? (kick off in January) Pam A subcommittee will • Publicity Gerry examine this idea. • Recruitment of Nominees Jeff(secondary) Representation in Community • Immigrant Services Group • Gerry—Immigrant Srvs • Solution Finders • Pam/Cari Solution Finders Cari Maguire when • Diversity Fair • Diversity Fair-Gerry available • Partnership Breakfast • P.Breakfast—all who can Martin Luther King Displays • Cari Maguire • Library • City Hall Other Displays? • Linda Chung • Black History Month(February) • Asian Pacific Heritage Month(May) • Linda Chung • Hispanic Heritage Month(October) • Women's History Month(March) • Melissa Barra • Native American History Month . Melissa Barra (November) • Cari Maguire,Linda Chun International Festival • Committee Meetings&Planning Pam • Volunteer at Festival Human Rights & Diversity September 12, 2006 Page 4 Gathering Cari ESL Classes—meet during • Display(Essays) Melissa the last hour of class. • Organization of event All will Attend • Attend event Column Form committee to make Jeff recommendations Pam Gerry VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) No report. B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Barra inquired whether the Commission would be able to secure grant funds to cover items such as operating supplies, brochures, printing, etc., mainly related to the displays which will be made at the City Center and the Library. Barra would like to apply for the grant offered through her employer, again this year. Koivumaki was directed to check this out with Scott Neal and report back to the Commission. VII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS October 10, 2006, at 7:00 pm at the Office of Housing & Human Services VIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.