Human Rights and Diversity - 01/10/2005
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2005 7:00 pm, 125 Eden Prairie Center
Office of Housing and Human Services
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Piumbroeck, (Chair) Jeff Strate (Vice-chair),
Gerry Beckmann, Pam Spera, Cari Maguire, Linda
Chung and Balu Iyer
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Hojun Lee, Tara Degn and Jackie Beutell
Guests: Janet Jeremiah, Community Development Director,
City of Eden Prairie, Rob Reynolds, Deputy Chief,
and Abdi Hassan, Hennepin County Library
Commission Staff: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison
Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Commission Member Balu Iyer and Student Representative Hojun Lee were absent.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Strate, seconded by Macquire to approve the agenda. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY MEETING
Maguire said on Page 2, Section V. A, paragraph 1, last sentence of should read up to
$1000 each. Page 2, Section VI. A, paragraph 4, Maguire would like her name with
Spera’s agreeing that a letter to the City Council would be a big undertaking. Page 2,
Section VI. A, paragraph 3 should read Strate was invited by Mr. Mallo to attend the Mr.
Mallo, Ms. Heikens meeting with the Mayor Tyra-Lukens, Councilmember Case and
City Manager Scott Neal.
Commissioner Beckmann called in changes to Mary Zilka, which are as follows; add
Linda Chung to the members absent space. Page 3, Section VII A. Add Commissioner
Beckman was out of town and therefore did not attend the South Hennepin Immigrant
Services Group. Same section, bottom of paragraph add MOTION CARRIED, 5-0.
MOTION by Strate, seconded by Beckmann to approve minutes as amended. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
Human Rights and Diversity Commission
February 14, 2005
Page 2
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Rob Reynolds, Deputy Chief of the Eden Prairie Police Department will be joining
the HRDC when his schedule permits.
B. Sandy Werts, Recreation Coordinator, City of Eden Prairie asked the HRDC to
support the 2005 International Festival, and provide members to serve on the
planning committee. The City offered its first International Festival in 2004. Based
on last year’s International Festival they learned what went well and what could be
improved. Maguire brought suggestions forward to help the planning go smoothly
and efficiently. According to a survey passed out last year, the 2004 International
Festival, it was a huge success. July 31, 2005 has been set as the date for this event.
Werts has booked Cyril Paul as the headliner act. Maguire offered to help with the
children’s activities for the Festival and Piumbroeck would be willing to serve on the
planning commission (sub-committee will meet 6-7 times before the Festival).
Maguire resolved the HRDC support the International Festival. Strate seconded the
motion. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
V. REPORTS OF STAFF
A. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC)
Koivumaki said the committee met and now have recommendations to bring to the
City Council tomorrow regarding the CDBG Funds. Three Eden Prairie residents
have applied for the Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC).
Commissioner Strate and Commissioner Iyers terms are up. Commissioner Strate
expressed interest in serving again, and had applied but with the caveat that if the
City Council wanted to re-appoint Mr. Strate that it do so only if no qualified
applicant(s) from a minority community had come forth to stand for appointment.
This year, the Council appoints new commissioners during its March 15, 2005
meeting.
B. Bias Crime Activity Status
No changes or updates to report.
What is a bias crime? Next month Deputy Chief Rob Reynolds will be on the agenda
to define what a bias crime is. Reynolds will be bringing in the City Prosecutor and
Sergeant Morrow to educate the HRDC on how they determine a bias crime has been
committed. A Crime of bias remains focused on the person’s motive not solely the
action. The actual motive is the elements of the crime. In order for a crime to be
classified as a crime of bias, the crime needs to be based on race, religion, natural
origin, age or sexual orientation of a protected class or minority. Assault would be
the crime and if proven a bias crime has been committed then the penalties are
enhanced. Intense investigation is required for this type of crime. Chung would like
the HRDC to have concrete examples of how as a commission we can help the
community react to these types of crime.
Human Rights and Diversity Commission
February 14, 2005
Page 3
The City of Eden Prairie does have a Bias Crime Commission in place right now. The
HRDC does realize it is very difficult to prove what someone’s motive is. Strate
added that the end purpose of the Reynolds-Morrow visit and the commission’s
interest in bias crimes and “hate crimes” should be to help the commission determine
if and how residents of Eden Prairie can be possibly better assisted in these areas with
the intent of making recommendations for action by the City Council.
Spera wondered about the people that received hate mail for raising donations for The
Gathering Bridge. Reynolds remarked that name-calling and some harassment has to be
specific because it can be designated at times to the free speech and the language act.
Harassment has to be repeated many times. This is a very gray area. Strate would like
resources that can tell us systematically how to respond and help the community. Among
these, Mr. Strate said, might be a one-source stop of information on the city’s website
that tells people who believe that they’ve been victimized what they can do; who to call;
what their rights are and what the process is. Spera suggested a link on the City of Eden
Prairie website to steer people to these resources. Spera said there is information like that
out there. Many websites like the Attorney General’s office, The Anti Defamation
League, Human Rights Agency, etc., could be a link from our City website. Agreeing,
Strate added that there is no need to re-invent the wheel.
C. Office of Housing and Human Services PowerPoint Presentation for City Council
Workshop on February 15, 2005. Molly Koivumaki, Office of Housing and Human
Services Manager, Mary Keating, Human Services Coordinator, Khadra Duale,
Human Services Technician, and Jan Schneider, Rehab Loan Assistant showed the
PowerPoint Presentation they would be sharing at the Council Workshop. HRDC had
some constructive feedback that will be taken into consideration.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Commission Chair Piumbroeck will write a thank you letter to Mr. John Mallo and
Ms. Lee Heikens. Piumbroeck did not attend the meeting, but since he will be
signing it, he will write it. Thank you to Student Representative Tara Degn for
creating the draft thank you letter.
B. Human Services Awards - Strate will talk to the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
during its February 17 luncheon to promote the Human Rights Awards and invite
Chamber members to nominate qualifying businesses.
Human Rights and Diversity Commission
February 14, 2005
Page 4
VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG)
Beckmann reported SHISG is starting a transportation project for ESL students. Easy
Information – people on government programs can call and ask questions about their
benefits, etc. The volunteer connection is starting a program regarding job skills.
Beckmann invited Abdi Hassan and Ali Turner, both of the Hennepin County Library to
the March HRDC to share their enthusiasm about holding a Third City Community
Gathering Event. The library has grant funs to support this event and would like it to
focus on teens. Beckmann moved that Hassan and Turner be included on the March
Agenda. Motion seconded by Maguire.
MOTION CARRIED, 6-0
Commissioner Maguire is the vice- president of the League of MN Human Rights
Commission. Sept. 24, 2005 – Annual Conference. Maguire encourages all to come and
support the League of MN Human Rights at their Annual Conference on September 24,
2005.
Strate has helped put the Hopkins Human Rights co-chairperson \[Cheral Youakim\] in
touch with Koivumaki and former Eden Prairie HRDC Chair Harry Moran because the
Hopkins Commission is interested in sponsoring “Gathering” type forums involving its
immigrant and minority communities. Moran and Koivumak were key to starting
“Gatherings” forums in Eden Prairie.. Both Koivumaki and Moran have indicated that
they would be happy to meet with the Hopkins commissioners when they get to that
point.
Piumbroeck reminded the HRDC Mary Phieffer would be at Westminster Town home
Forum. Julian Bond will be there in March.
Chung and Koivumaki reported on the Solution Finders meeting held on February 1.
Over 35 students attended this meeting. Great feedback from students. One thing was
they are going to try to meet on a monthly basis. Our role at the meeting is to listen and it
was much appreciated. Possibly this could expand to other school groups. Chung would
still like to work with the school district to do program or event. Beckmann has a fear
about kids saying oh yeah, they are listening to the Somali kids, how come nobody listens
to us? March 1 is the next Solution Finders meeting. This is student driven and are
hoping that other diverse students will see that it worked for the Somali’s so it could
work for them.
Maguire moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 PM, seconded by Chung. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0