Human Rights and Diversity - 06/11/2002 APPROVED MINUTES
Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Commission
Tuesday,June 11, 2002 7:00 PM - Prairie Rooms A/B, City Center
8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie MN 55344
Commission Members: Holly Clynch, Dorothy Fifield, Angie Garcia,
Balu Iyer, Harry Moran (Chair), Jeff Strate, and
Philip Young (Vice-Chair)
Student Representatives: Diana Fu, Rachel Harlos, and Amber Swiggum
Commission Staff: Michael Barone, Staff Liaison
Tanya Whitsitt, Recording Secretary
Vice Chair Young called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
I. Roll Call
® Dorothy Fifield ❑ Harry Moran ® Philip Young ® Angie Garcia
❑ Holly Clynch ® Jeff Strate ® Balu Iyer
® Diana Fu ❑ Rachel Harlos ❑ Amber Swiggum
® Michael Barone ® Tanya Whitsitt
II. Approval of Agenda
Iyer moved, seconded by Strate to approve the agenda as published.
Motion carried: 5—0
III. Approval of Minutes from April 9, 2002 meeting
Iyer suggested adding the voting tally for the Human Rights Awards to the official minutes
from the April 9 meeting. Iyer moved, seconded by Young to approve the minutes as
amended from the April 9, 2002 meeting. Motion carried: 5 —0
IV. Reports of Staff
A. Eden Prairie Immigrant Services Group (EPISG)
Barone distributed the agenda and minutes from the last EPISG meeting for the
Commission to review.
B. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC)
Barone stated the HSRC did not meet this month,but will get the minutes from the
next meeting when possible.
Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Commission Minutes
June 11,2002
Page 2
C. Bias Crime Activity Status
Nothing new to report.
V. Old Business
A. Update on HRA and YSA Awards at May 21 CC Meetin!
Young reported that both recipients of the Youth Scholarship Award attended the City
Council meeting on May 21. The Human Rights Award recipients, PEPSE (Business)
and Tom Halloran (Individual) were also present. They each had an opportunity to
thank the Council and speak about their Human Rights participation. Young stated he
felt this reinforced that the Commission gave the awards to really deserving people.
B. Update YSA Awards at EPHS ceremony on May 30
Young also attended the Eden Prairie High School award night. He gave the award to
one of the students (the other was not able to make it.) He said at the ceremony a
tremendous amount of money was given away and much of it was from the
community. He stated he thought our scholarship amount of$500 is about equal with
others. The award ceremony was an "impressive evening", he said. Barone said the
Commission's Human Rights awards recipients got some coverage in both local papers
and he also had the information put up on the City's website.
VI. New Business
A. Discussion on reformatting YSA criteria for 2002-2003
Garcia suggested postponing this topic until the September meeting. Barone said first
he wanted to distribute a draft copy of ideas for reformatting the Youth Scholarship
Award. Garcia said the Commission should discuss the essay portion of the Youth
application. She stated that portion requires a good writer and may be a disadvantage
for an applicant who a less gifted writer. Fifield said she believes rating the students
with a chart is most fair, and also suggested having a look at the students' previously
awarded scholarships. Garcia said it is the aim of our scholarships to financially help
someone with college. She asked, "what if the student had a "full ride" already?" She
said this could be a discriminating factor. Barone added the goal of the application is
for the students to quantify what Human Rights experiences they have had. Fifield
said she wants to choose the students who deserve it the most. Young stated, in the
past, it has been difficult to discern from one essay to another who is most deserving.
He agreed a qualifying chart may be easier. Strate said maybe they should consider
raising the bar on the Youth Scholarship Award qualifications. The Commission
members agreed to discuss this further at the next meeting.
Strate suggested that for the Business Human Rights Award, they use more effort to
connect with the businesses by approaching them. Barone said maybe they can figure
out a strategy to get more businesses to apply; maybe get the Chamber to assist.
Young stated that many smaller businesses don't know about the award.
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Eden Prairie Human Rights&Diversity Commission Minutes
June 11,2002
Page 3
B. Update on DiverseCity on the Prairie for August 18
Barone said the DiverseCity on the Prairie event will be held on August 18 from
4:00— 8:00p.m.. Typically,he said a few of the members go to represent the
Commission. He would like to have people sign up for a 2 1/2 hour shift and will be
contacting members to make arrangements. Barone will be at the event for the entire
time.
VII. Reports from Commission Members
Fifield asked the Commission members why students are not allowed to vote on the
Human Rights and Youth Scholarship Awards. Student Representative Harlos also
inquired. Young stated the Board and Commission applicants have to go through a
specific process of selection by the City Council, including being interviewed. He
said they are responsible to the City Council and act as an advisory panel for the
Council. Garcia recommended that if students want to be a voting member for the
Human Rights Awards, they should go through a formal process and band together to
create a proposal for the Council to consider. Barone stated he believed the Student
Representative positions were designed to give students experience in local
government,but not the right to vote on matters before the Commissions. He said the
students,however, do give important insight and opinions to the Commission.
VIII. Future Meetings/Events
• DiverseCity on the Prairie - Sunday, August 18, 2002 from 4:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
• Human Rights and Diversity Commission, - Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
• League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission Annual Meeting, September 28,
2002
IX. Adiourn
Garcia moved, seconded by Iyer to adjourn the meeting. Young adjourned the meeting at
8:04 p.m.
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