Human Rights and Diversity - 03/11/2003 APPROVED MINUTES
Eden Prairie Human Rights & Diversity Commission
Tuesday, March 11, 2003 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
Student Representatives: Morgan Hollister, Kian Missaghi, Kaitlin Moss
Commission Staff: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison
Tanya Whitsitt, Recording Secretary
I. Roll Call
® Dorothy Fifield ® Harry Moran ❑ Angie Garcia
® Holly Clynch ® Jeff Strate ® Balu Iyer
Commission member Garcia was absent. The Student Representatives were also absent.
II. Approval of Agenda
Clynch moved, seconded by Iyer to approve the agenda. Motion carried: 5-0
III. Approval of Minutes from January 14, 2003 meeting
Iyer moved, seconded by Fifield to approve the minutes of January 14, 2003 as
published. Motion carried: 5-0
IV. Reports of Staff
A. Eden Prairie Immigrant Services Group (EPISG)
Koivumaki said the EPISG met last Monday at the Eden Prairie library. She stated the
library gave a presentation on a new program called "World Links." (She passes
around a brochure.) This program offers computer links to newspapers, books,
websites, and databases in several different languages. There is also information on
ESL and US citizen classes, and many other programs available through the library.
Moran asked if the meeting was well attended. Koivumaki replied yes, and said the
meeting is held the first Monday of every month at the library. She said if any
members want to know more about immigrant issues, it would be good to attend a
meeting. You can bring your own lunch and "just show up".
B. Human Services Review Committee (HSRC)
Koivumaki stated the HSRC is planning a "Community Caregivers" event on April
24t'. The topic will be to address social services programs and resources the City of
Eden Prairie provides. Michael Barone, Carla Kress, and Koivumaki are putting it
together. Strate asked that an e-mail be sent to the members with more information.
C. Bias Crime Activity Status
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March 11 Approved Minutes
Koivumaki said that she would like to invite Peter Huck, one of the founders of
the Bias Crime Activity Network, to come in and have a discussion with this
Commission. She said there has not been a lot of activity lately,but that getting
"caught up" is a good idea.
D. HSSC Strategic Planning Meeting
The Hennepin South Services Collaborative is a cooperative of the Cities of Eden
Prairie, Richfield, and Bloomington who plan, research and provide human services.
Koivumaki is the liaison for Eden Prairie, and said the three cities work together so
they don't have to individually. On March 5d', thirty social workers,businesses and
people involved with immigrant issues met to discuss human services in our area.
In light of the changing demographics of our area, the meeting's goal was to prioritize
the top human services needs. The top five are as follows:
1) Self-sufficiency and training
2) Health care
3) Transportation
4) Affordable housing
5) Immigrant issues (involvement and education)
The meeting also found that the top four languages in Eden Prairie are 1) English,
2) Somali, 3) Spanish, and 4) Russian.
There will be a follow up meeting on April 10"'on how to address these needs and
strategize a plan. Koivumaki said she would like to share with this Commission the
PowerPoint presentation given at the meeting and to the City Council.
V. Old Business
None
VI. New Business
A. Dr. Jean L. Harris Youth Scholarship Award Discussion
Moran stated the Commission members all got a notice in their packets explaining that
the deadline for the scholarships was extended to March 31s'. He said they made that
decision because we did not receive any applications by the original deadline of March
3rd. He stated he spoke to the Career Center to help promote the award and hoped to
create higher visibility for the students to learn about the award. In the past,he said
we had only received two or three applications, and last year we had five applicants
and selected two. He said we hope for more high quality applications this year and
likes that we revamped the award. He stated he wants to dedicate April's entire
meeting to the discussion and voting on the Youth Scholarship Awards and Human
Rights Awards. Moran also said he wants members to read the materials before the
meeting and bring scores and ideas to the meeting.
Moran mentioned he hopes the Student Representatives attend the next meeting to
give their input.
Strate suggested promoting the Human Rights Awards further with various
organizations around Eden Prairie, such as Lions, Rotary, Toastmasters, the Chamber,
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March 11 Approved Minutes
and perhaps the Optimists Club. Fifield suggested checking out last year's applicants
for these awards and encouraging them to reapply.
Strate said he has recently read about a few Eden Prairie residents who have made
strides in Human Services and/or Human Rights and thought it may be a good idea to
recognize them at a City Council meeting. He said there are "those who live amongst
us" who have done extraordinary things and are an inspiration for the newer
generations. He said recognition by the Mayor and Council could be a nice gesture
and suggested finding a way to call attention to their efforts. Moran asked if there is
some way to bring this up to the Mayor's office and he thought it was a good idea.
Koivumaki said she would ask Scott Neal.
B. New Commission members appointed and beginning in April
Koivumaki said that seven candidates applied for this Commission. She said "all
were really sharp", and they had to make a difficult decision to select
members. The three new members appointed are Caroline Maguire, Larry
Piumbroeck, and Gerry Beckmann. Koivumaki stated that with this new, full
Commission she wants to take the group "away from the table" and visit locations
within Eden Prairie that pertain to issues we discuss. She stated that she
wants to hear more from the community and suggested, for example, visiting
PROP.
C. Farewell and thanks to Commission members Fifield and Garcia
Moran said Fifield and Garcia have done tremendous work on the Commission. He
said to Fifield that she helped stabilize the group and "gave great insights." He said
the Commission appreciates her open-mindedness and enjoyed her input. Fifield
thanked Moran and said she will miss coming to the meetings. She said serving on the
Commission was interesting and was that she is grateful for the opportunity to
serve.
VII. Reports from Commission Members
None.
VIII. Future Meetings/Events
Whitsitt said the Boards and Commissions Recognition Banquet will be held on April 23rd
She said invitations will be coming out at the end of March and hopes many will attend.
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 7:00 pm.
IX. Adiourn
Strate moved, seconded by Clynch to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried: 5 —0
Moran adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
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