Human Rights and Diversity - 01/09/2001 APPROVED MINUTES
Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Citizen Advisory Commission
Tuesday,January 9, 2001 7:00 PM - Prairie Rooms A/B, City Center
8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344
Citizen Advisory
Commission Members: Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia, Harry Moran (Chair),
Darryl Stanton, and Philip Young (Vice-Chair)
Student Representatives: Amanda Swiggum, Rachael Harlos, Jaclyn Matzen
Commission Staff: Michael Barone, Supervisor of Personnel & Payroll,
Tanya Whitsitt, Recording Secretary
I. Roll Call
® Dorothy Fifield ® Harry Moran ® Philip Young
❑ Angie Garcia ® Darryl Stanton
Student Representatives present: Amanda Swiggum, Rachael Harlos, Jaclyn Matzen
Student At Large Representatives present: Isabelle Chan, Paul Hanna, Corbin Hilgemann
Meeting called to order by Chair Harry Moran at 7:07 p.m.
Commission member Stanton arrived at 7:15 p.m.
II. Approval of Agenda
MOTION: Fifield moved, seconded by Young to approve agenda as published. Motion
carried 4—0.
Harry Moran and Michael Barone welcomed the Students At Large Representatives to the
meeting. Each commission member then spoke about their interest and involvement with the
commission and in the community. The Student Representatives and Student At Large
Representatives responded with information about themselves.
III. Approval of Minutes for November 14, 2000 meeting
MOTION: Fifield moved, seconded by Young to approve Minutes as published. Motion
carried 4—0.
IV. Reports of Staff
A. South Hennepin Immigrant Services Group (SHISG)
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1. Report on December 4, 2000 meeting
Barone explained that SHISG is a monthly ad hoc group that discusses immigrant
issues in the community. Barone discussed the reference in the December meeting
minutes attributed to Nancy Holden of FamiLink of the ongoing need for office space
for Human Service groups serving the community. Barone reported that the City has
been working with FamiLink and some human service providers to identify their
specific space needs over the past year, and will be preparing for use approximately
700 square feet of space in the lower level of City Center across from PROP. Barone
also reported that he believes that City Council approval is needed to assign that
space, which will happen soon. Stanton asked if groups need to meet an eligibility
requirement, and Barone replied that yes, FamiLink coordinates this, and the City
contracts with FamiLink for services.
B. Bias Crime Activity Status
Nothing to report.
V. Old Business
A. Report on November 18, 2000 Somalian Resource Fair
Moran asked for a report from those Commission members who attended the Somalian
Resource Fair. Stanton said that he thought it was wonderful event. Fifield stated that
she benefited from attending. She was able to interact with some Somalian adults and
children, and learned a lot about their dress, culture and people. Fifield was impressed by
the organization of the event,but felt that this commission could have more to offer.
Stanton agreed, and said that next year(or next time) the commission could concentrate
on bringing more to the table. He suggested voter registration cards (perhaps in two
languages) or bringing in someone to speak in the native language to ease the
communication gap. In addition, he recommended putting up signs in the native
language. Fifield noted that there were some high school students who assisted in
translating.
Barone said the Hennepin County sponsored and coordinated the Fair.
Stanton asked if the City coordinated the police presence at the Fair. Barone replied that
he asked Sgt. Dennis Paulson, as a representative of the City's Public Safety Services —
Community Oriented Policing (COP)program, to attend. Stanton suggested that next
time have some brochures printed in the native Somalian language with tips from the
Police Department such as driving safety.
Moran asked how we could make people more aware of the Human Rights and Diversity
Citizen Advisory Commission. He said that it might be worthwhile to have a member of
the Somalian community to be a member of this commission. This person would be able
to act as a representative of their community. He asked if there was anyone we could
identify for this role. Barone replied that some Somalian people attend the SHISG
meetings and he could contact leaders in their community for recommendations.
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Stanton suggested that in addition, the City could put notices and information in the Eden
Prairie Community Newsletters and Planner in native languages (Somali, Russian, etc.) to
make the commission more visible and perhaps gain more interest. Barone said he would
look into it.
VI. New Business
A. Review of 2001 Planning Calendar
1. Board and Commission Open House on January 16, 2001
Barone stated that the purpose of the Board and Commission Open House is to invite
members of the community to come and learn about the open positions on the City's
eight Boards and Commissions. Staff liaisons and City Council members will be in
attendance to answer questions and distribute application materials. The deadline for
turning in applications is February 2. Interviews with the City Councilmembers will
be the evening of February 13. He stated that the new terms would begin April 2001.
Harlos asked if the Board and Commission Open House was advertised and Barone
replied that it is being advertised in the Eden Prairie News, Sun Current, City website
and City Center Reader Board. Harlos inquired if it was possible to advertise in
different languages. Barone stated that he could find out. He also said that he would
find out whether or not the commission members should plan to attend.
B. Discussion of HRA and YSA process—January through May 2001
1. Proclamation at January 2, 2001 City Council meeting—Harry Moran
Moran spoke to the City Council at the January 2nd Council meeting and spoke about
the Human Rights Awards and Youth Scholarship Awards and their respective
timelines. Mayor Harris read a Proclamation pledging the City's support of Human
Rights and declaring January as the month to celebrate diversity and the principles of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and others.
2. Materials distributed at meeting
Barone distributed revised materials and timelines relating to the Youth Scholarship
Awards (YSA) and Human Rights Award (HRA). Included in the materials is a list
of responsibilities and assignments. Also included are eligibility criteria, nomination
forms and a draft copy of the news releases. Eden Prairie News will carry an
advertisement announcing the awards and displaying the City's Manifesto.
Barone asked the Student Representatives for their help to find interested students for
the YSA's. Barone stated that last year six students applied and there were two
awards recipients. Harlos said that many students have not heard about the YSA and
suggested that a newsletter be given to parents to read. Hilgemann agreed and stated
that the problem is that the students just don't have enough exposure to the award.
Moran asked how the commission can make it more noticeable that there is money
available to students. Hilgemann asked if the commission advertised every year in
the Career Center and Barone replied yes. Hilgemann recommended using the
bulletin boards, school announcements, and scholarship application books at the
Career Center to heighten visibility. Harlos stated that students might respond better
to large posters in key spots at the High school.
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VII. Future Meetings/Events
• February 13, 2001 7:00 p.m. HRDCAC meeting
• March 13, 2001 7:00 p.m. HRDCAC meeting
Student at Large Group B —in attendance
• April 10, 2001 7:00 p.m. HRDCAC meeting
• May 8, 2001 7:00 p.m. HRDCAC meeting
For Your Information
• Barone stated that he would like to set up an April date for Bias Crime Network training and
will be in contact with Peter Huck. The commission will be notified of any updates.
• Barone said he would share Census information when it becomes available. Also, Hennepin
County and Met Council may have demographic information for the commission to review.
Moran replied that the City of Eden Prairie will have special needs in the coming years due to
the aging community, increase in population and expanding traffic and transportation needs.
• Stanton brought up the `DiversCity on the Prairie' event held annually in August at Staring
Lake. He suggested that if anyone has entertainment or music ideas, especially the students,
they should forward them to Barone. Harlos stated that she knows some local high school
bands that may be interested. Moran said that any ideas for more student participation could
also be brought to the attention of Tria Mann in the Parks and Recreation Services area.
VIII. Adiourn
MOTION: Stanton motioned, seconded by Young to adjourn meeting.
Motion carried 4 —0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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