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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/03/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Human Rights Commission - RegularCity of St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission Minutes – March 17, 2015 Westwood Room, City Hall I. Call to Order Chair Curtin called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. A. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Katherine Arnold, Anita Beaton, Savannah Curtin, Will Poulter (Youth non-voting) and Rhoda Quick Staff: Breanna Erickson Lt. Harcey and Amy Stegora-Peterson B. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved with the addition of the item Upcoming Events. C. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Beaton suggested item IV, paragraph four be revised from “…what they should be doing” to “we could be doing together.” In the same item, second from last paragraph in discussion, it was Commissioner Arnold not Beaton and the following should be added: “A tool being used to measure bias.” Commissioner Arnold clarified that Harvard has a study she was referring to, not to label people as good or bad, but for people to use for self-reflection. Chair Curtin noted it was a tool more widely used too than most people thought (schools, etc.) Commissioner Beaton expressed a concern about a test like that being used. It was moved by Commissioner Curtin, seconded by Commissioner Arnold, to approve the minutes of February 17, 2015, as amended. The motion passed 4-0. II. Commissioner and Committee Reports A. Individual commissioner and staff reports - None III. Senior Bullying Update – video presentations Chair Curtin stated they were doing the final wrap up of the project and it had been rolled out to the main group. Ms. Erickson went to Red Carpet showing at Shalom Knollwood apartments. There were 35-40 residents there. Chris Orr, Project Director, gave a very nice introduction. The actors came from Shalom. Jane (City intern) was also there. A discussion happened afterward that was not pre-planned. Started with a resident saying they had been a victim and acknowledging feeling isolated and not included. They really appreciated the video and thanked the HRC for bringing it up. There wasn’t a plan to go to any other homes. If commissioners wanted to continue, she encouraged it. Chair Curtin offered to put together a one-page discussion tool to go with the video that included started questions for discussion. Commissioner Quick wanted to take it to Tonka Terrace where she had a connection. Commissioner Beaton asked if they had advertised it so people knew it existed? Ms. Erickson replied they were starting the advertising. Chair Curtin they want to be invited in to facilities. Ms. Erickson noted that this primarily targeted residential apartments. It would be helpful to connect with program/event coordinators and reach out. They were also sending a link to the PSA. She didn’t make it to the last Successful Aging Initiative meeting, but would attend the next meeting and hand out some of the brochures. She had copies for Commissioners to hand out as well. Commissioner Beaton asked if someone reported an issue to the MN Dept. of Human Rights, how does that work? Chair Curtin believed they would partner with a local entity and investigate what happened. If it were more criminal, law enforcement would get involved and depends on what was being shared or happening. Lt. Harcey added some would fall under adult protection, which was social services and police. IV. New Business Ms. Erickson stated that in the past, the HRC has had an informational table at the Children’s First Ice Cream Social. This year it is on May 17th from 2-5. She asked for volunteers to attend this year. They can hand out brochures and possibly have the PSA showing, although it is outside and that might not work. There will also be other handouts. Commissioner Quick asked if they should consider doing the Expo on June 20th? They could have a table there and it would be a good opportunity. Ms. Erickson would look into it. Senior Safety Day is May 14th from 2-7 at Lennox. They are planning to have brochures and show the PSA. Chair Curtin thought it would be good if Chris Orr could also be involved. Ms. Erickson would Email him. V. 2015 Work Plan Chair Curtin indicated the Commission had previously focused on looking at a couple spots: food and multi-culturalism. Brooklyn Park just did their first big community chat. They should research how that went and find out what was good and what wasn’t. There could be hot spots and they should find out how they handled them. Ms. Erickson would reach out to Brooklyn Park to learn about how it went, topics, if it was race based, etc. How do they start to bring these to the masses? Ms. Erickson noted Brooklyn Park has a division on diversity and inclusion and staff for that, which they don’t really have in St. Louis Park. They have a Hennepin County staff person who works on those issues. Chair Curtin was going to be attending a forum at the convention center this week and Brooklyn Park was presenting about diversity from a city perspective. They needed to decide how to scale it, but she suggested keeping them small. Lt. Harcey had the impression from Brooklyn Park that it was smaller chats designed toward more specific communities. Commissioner Quick suggesting going into the communities where people lived. Commissioner Beaton noted the housing across from Aquila would be a good place. Chair Curtin felt the first chat could be focused on the Somali community and also a second one on Somali youth, which might be different from what their parents were experiencing. Commissioner Poulter stated they talked at school about organizing something Tuesday or Thursday morning because kids were there earlier. Ms. Erickson can talk with people who coordinated the Meet Your Somali Neighbor event about what to serve. Chair Curtin suggested the Commission start with those two ideas and then maybe consider a different demographic in fall. Ms. Erickson recalled that there would be a cultural fair at the Children’s First Ice cream social. There will be craft and artwork and various cultures doing demos. The artisans hadn’t been picked yet, but she could bring up art in the garden to the group. It would be a good networking opportunity. She also noted that the school was more diverse than community. Commissioner Beaton suggested a consideration after the Somali community could be families with young children. She didn’t see some groups take advantage of early childhood programs. How do they get young parents involved while kids are young? Immigrant groups are the least likely to use those programs. Chair Curtin asked if these programs did outreach to immigrant communities? Park and recreation brochures are sent out. Commissioner Beaton indicated Minneapolis had people go door to door to introduce themselves and let people know about programs, which was successful. The could work with Community Education. Chair Curtin suggested this as a question to be asked at the coffee talks. How to be involved and how should they get information? Ms. Erickson noted she is a Family Service Collaborative board member and could ask them about outreach. Commissioner Arnold noted there could be budget considerations and limitations on those programs. There could be a concern if they increased enrollment. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amy L. Stegora-Peterson Recording Secretary