Human Rights and Diversity - 09/16/2010 APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 7:00 P.M., 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER
Office of Housing and Human Services
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Pam Spera(Chair), Marcy Harris (Vice Chair),
Peter Huck, Linda Crawford, Lauren Juergensen,
Gayle Sanders and Robert Rozanski
STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Manager- Housing and
Community Services; Heidi Wojahn, Recorder
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Ryan Borchardt and Salman 1kramuddin
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Spera called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. Commissioners Marcy Harris and
Gayle Sanders were excused from this evening's meeting. Commissioners Lauren
Juergensen and Linda Crawford and Student Representative Ryan Borchardt were absent.
New student representative, Salman Ikramuddin, introduced himself.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
No quorum.
III. MINUTES
Koivumaki stated Crawford brought the following error in the June 10, 2010 minutes to
her attention: on page 3, third paragraph under old business "Huck" should be changed
to "Crawford". Amended minutes approved by informal consent with Rozanski
abstaining.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
None
V. REPORTS FROM STAFF - Koivumaki
A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC)
HSRC did not meet over the summer.
B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS
No report
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES
September 16, 2010
Page 2
C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF
1. Conflict Resolution Training
Significant changes in administration have caused Koivumaki to place the
program on hold. City Manager, Scott Neal, will leave the City of Eden
Prairie serving his last day October 28. He begins his new position with
the City of Edina November 8. Spera suggested sending him a letter of
thanks from the Commission for all his past help and support.
2. Employment Support Center
Three new work stations in the Office of Housing & Community Services
were made possible via grants from the Eden Prairie Foundation and ADC
Telecommunications/Tyco Electronics. The Employment Support Center
will be staffed by volunteer tutors who will teach people with limited
computer literacy skills how to fill out online applications. No City staff
will be used for this endeavor. There is a possibility for this to evolve into
additional help in the areas of writing cover letters and resume building.
There was discussion about how confusing the application process can be
for people for whom language is a barrier, especially when it comes to
answering morality-type questions.
3. "Where are Your Neighbors" Series
The next presentation in the series highlighting the Indian (not Native
American) culture will be held November 8 in the Heritage Room at City
Center. The format will be dinner and presentation followed by small
group discussion. HRDC is not co-sponsoring this event, but
commissioners are encouraged to attend. Cost is $20.00. Rozanski and
Spera both stated they have conflicts that evening.
4. Human Rights Training Showcase
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is holding a Training
Showcase event on September 23, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon at the Carver County
Library in Chanhassen. Topics include the ADA and Your Business,
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination and Harassment
Complaints, and the Charge Filing Process. Featured speakers are Pamela
Harris, Therese Pautz, and Mario Hernandez.
5. Best Buy Grant
Balance is $5.10.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES
September 16, 2010
Page 3
VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
Rozanski reported on the set-up for the International Festival and stated he enjoyed it
very much.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
Due to the administration changes mentioned earlier by Koivumaki, Spera suggested
HRDC postpone approaching City Council about considering recognition of gay unions
among its residents.
Spera reported on a seminar she attended regarding the law affecting gay/lesbian couples.
She found it to be very informative. One issue addressed legal means of giving people
more rights when it comes to making life and death decisions about their partners.
Another concerned making marriage not about gender. There is currently a case of a
transgender individual encountering problems in terms of receiving health insurance
benefits from the spouse's employer despite being legally married in the State of
Minnesota.
Spera also reported on a case of a woman who was not allowed to visit her partner in a
Florida hospital following a brain aneurysm.
VIII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS
The next HRDC meeting will be Thursday, October 14, 2010, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie
Center, Room 125.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Spera adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.