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Human Rights and Diversity - 04/11/2005 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 11, 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 Melissa Barra STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Hojun Lee, Tara Degn and Jackie Beutell COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Larry Piumbroeck called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Commissioner Strate was absent. Introduction of new commission member Melissa Barra. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Gerry Beckmann had two additions to the agenda. Under VI. NEW BUSINESS D. Scholarships and VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Diversity Fair MOTION: Pam Spera moved, seconded by Cari Maguire to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH &APRIL MEETING MOTION: Maguire moved, seconded by Beckmann to approved March Minutes. Motion carried 7-0. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY Ali Turner, of the Eden Prairie Library met with Koivumaki and Beckmann regarding ongoing issues with Somali youth at the library. It was determined that the library would use the Solution Finders group as a resource to help resolve the issues of behavior. This issue was discussed at the Solution Finders meeting in the first part of April. Human Rights and Diversity Commission April 11, 2005 Page 2 B. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS Three nominations - Two individual and One organizational. Piumbroeck moved to vote for Connie Hytjan for the Human Rights Award. Four neighs and two abstentions. Piumbroeck moved to vote for George Schell, seconded by Chung. One neigh and Five in favor. George Schell will be our recipient of this award. One nomination for non-profit organizational was for Eden Prairie School District. Maguire moved to vote, Spera seconded. Motion carried 7-0. C. SELECT JEAN L HARRIS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Received 11 Applications Commissioners shared their top three applicants and discussed them. MOTION: Maguire moved, Chung seconded to give applicant#4 one of the scholarships. Motion carried 6-1. The commission thought there was $2000 in the fund so they could award two scholarships,but according to the finance department actually have $1600, so only award one applicant. Discussion between#4 and#11. Koivumaki will recheck with the finance department on the balance of this fund. Consensus on applicant#4. MOTION: Chung moved that if funds are at least$2000 we can award to applicant #11, seconded by Bara. Motion carried 7-0. D. SCHOLARSHIPS Beckmann requested to discontinue these scholarships because we do not have available funds to support it. MOTION: Maguire moved to table this discussion until Jeff Strate is here. Chung seconded this motion. Motion Carried 7-0. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Koivumaki reported a budget cycle meeting with department directors. The HSRC has been asked to make a case of why we need a Immigrant Community Liaison position, such as that which is held by Khadra Duale. Mary Keating, Office of Human Rights and Diversity Commission April 11, 2005 Page 3 Housing and Human Services,may be inviting Chung to come to this meeting, as Chung has seen some of the work Khadra has done with Solution Finders. Koivumaki asked the HRDC for assistance with this request. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS No updates to report. C. EDEN PRAIRIE LIBRARY Chung reported that Solution Finders has found a space in the basement of the senior center where the kids could hang out,play pool, use the computer room and watch the big screen TV. The kids seemed receptive to this. Once a week they could meet there until the middle of June. Spera said Officer Thompson told the kids to spread the word to their friends about library rules and how the senior center could be a great place to get together. Chung will bring up at the Solution Founders how the Somali kids could also apply for scholarships. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. DIVERSITY FAIR Beckmann asked the student representatives how the diversity fair went this year at the high school. Hojun Lee said he thought less people attended and Tara Degn said they had an emcee and it was hard to talk over him. Degn thought it was successful,but some of the booths had nothing to do with diversity. She thought it was well received by the students especially the food and the fake tattoos. The HRDC would like to be invited stated Beckmann. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) Beckmann attended the SHISG group and reported back to the Commission that: ■ Somali basketball has started at the Northwest Athletic Club, Fridays and Saturdays, 2 hours each day. This group is looking another$1,000 so they can continue playing basketball for two more months after they finish in May. ■ On Saturday, April 16, 2005, FamiLink will have the first Volunteer Connections meeting at the Eden Prairie Mall. This meeting is to help people learn to write resumes, interview skills, etc. Human Rights and Diversity Commission April 11, 2005 Page 4 B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Koivumaki reported a group of people is looking for space to have a"Clothing Closet". Beckmann reported SHAPE has an increase in their program because Eden Prairie has provided transportation. Spera shared her discussion with Khadra Duale, Office of Housing and Human Services, regarding the Solution Finders meeting she attended. Four Somali girls attended. Spera asked Duale if the Somali girls would be interested in just swimming or learning to swim at Oak Point Pool. Duale said they do not know how to swim,but would love to learn. VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next meeting is May 9, 2005. XI. ADIOURNMENT MOTION: Piumbroeck moved, Bara seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm. Motion carried 7-0.