City Council - 05/05/2015 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015 CITY CENTER
5:00— 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30— 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher
Wickstrom, and Ron Case
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz,
Community Services Manager Molly Koivumaki, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Jan
Curielli
HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION: Jenny Buckland, Connie Iacovelli, Greg
Leeper, and Student Representative Karina Lin
Workshop-Heritage Room H
L JOINT MEETING WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION
Fenrick gave a PowerPoint presentation that distilled her notes from the "Coffee with the
Council" event last week. She noted there was a good cross section of people at the event,
and there was good energy and discussion. She reviewed some of the challenges to feeling
connected that were brought up at the event. One of the biggest challenges mentioned was
that of transportation, particularly in regard to the lack of bus facilities for pre-school
children. There are about 80 families struggling with transportation issues, including many of
the Indian-American families. Other challenges included difficulties making social
connections and the lack of moderate income housing, especially three and four bedroom
units. Ideas generated for facilitating greater social connections included a more public
welcome by the City, an "On Ramp to Eden Prairie" class, and increased cultural sensitivity.
Tyra-Lukens asked if there were specific suggestions for ways to get a welcome out to
individuals. Fenrick said there was not as much input on that topic, but they would probably
use a multi-pronged attack. Getschow noted the recent City survey showed that word of
mouth is still one of the main means to get information.
Regarding community dialogue and education, Fenrick said attendees suggested having more
events like the "Coffee with the Council" roundtable event. They mentioned the need for a
central meeting space, having festivals to celebrate diversity on a regular basis, and having
different engagement strategies for reaching first generation immigrant communities and
communities of color.
Aho said he enjoyed the event and had good discussions with those who attended. He
believed there is not any one way to reach out to everyone.
City Council Workshop Minutes
May 5, 2015
Page 2
Butcher Wickstrom commented it takes a lot of time to have cultural change. We need to
continue our efforts to engage everyone and to celebrate those who attended the event. She
thought the questions used at the roundtable were great and very action oriented.
Tyra-Lukens suggested we need more dialogue and understanding of integration versus
assimilation as a community expectation because there are diverse opinions on what is best.
She thought we need to discuss things that aren't polarizing issues. Fenrick noted we should
have those discussions but also celebrate the differences. She said the Commission tried to
craft the questions to understand how people connect.
Iacovelli asked if the Council would want to do another event like this. Tyra-Lukens replied
the Council has done this type of event in the past, and she believed the Council Members
would do another. However, it gets frustrating to come to an event and have 20 people in
attendance. Iacovelli felt the people at her table were eager to make changes, and many of
them were excited about joining the Human Rights & Diversity Commission next year. She
believed the 20 people in attendance would spread the word because they are the "doers" in
the community. Jeremiah noted the representative of the Lady Flowers of India group had
communicated with others in her group before the event to see what they wanted her to
present.
Case said he was not able to attend but has attended similar events in the past and agreed that
the attendees are often those who need to be there. He thought it was good to get deeper into
where people are and suggested having the Council Members break up and go out to
different buildings for similar events. Aho noted that would be similar to the "Night to Unite"
event.
Fenrick gave an update of the Commission's work. She said Sana Elassar sits on the CAC
committee for the Southwest LRT and has mentioned there are issues regarding accessibility
for the station design. Ms Elassar has noted it is important to avoid some of the design
mistakes that have been made with previous LRT lines and to consider what is available for
riders with disabilities when they get on or off at the LRT stations. Many of those with
disabilities may be completely dependent on public transportation so those considerations are
extremely important. Jeremiah commented that issue goes beyond the CAC. There are
Federal guidelines for the rail line but none for the stations along the line.
Fenrick reviewed some of the recent initiatives of the Commission, including the subject of
youth experiencing homelessness. There has been an increase in the number of families who
are precariously housed, and there are 30 individuals in the School district who are in the
same situation for housing. The Commission conducted a film and panel discussion on youth
homelessness to discuss what school districts and cities are doing about the issue. Other
events planned by the Commission include a Cooking, Culture & Conversation Class through
Community Education, the Tracks in the Snow film and panel discussion about our Muslim
neighbors, and the Dakota 38 film and panel discussion at Hennepin Technical Center.
Tyra-Lukens thanked the Commission members for all they are doing and noted there is a lot
of variety. Koivumaki noted our staff has been able to help groups from Carver County and
Edina who approached us wanting to know how to do outreach to the Somali community.
That reflects well on the work the Commission has done.
City Council Workshop Minutes
May 5, 2015
Page 3
Open Podium- Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
A. Brinn Witt -- Backyard Chickens
Brinn Witt said she received a citation for having three hens in her yard and will
have to go to court. She is not able to get to court because her vehicle was taken
away.
Tyra-Lukens asked what Ms Witt would like the Council to discuss. Ms Witt said
she would like to be allowed to keep her chickens. Tyra-Lukens replied the
Council reviewed that issue not long ago and decided not to change the ordinance.
Getschow noted Ms Witt has expressed her interest in changing the rules
regarding keeping chickens. He said someone from the Police Department can
talk with her about the citation.
III. ADJOURNMENT