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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/1997 MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Tuesday, January 7, 1997 Conference Room A AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA IV. OLD BUSINESS 7A. Poster Contest and Calendar - update from Mike; edit documents, assign school contacts, publicity - All /B. Update on contacts from Regina and Sherrie for entertainment at Open House - All C. Review drafts of all sections of annual report and finalize - All (each member should bring drafts of their assigned section) V. NEW BUSINESS 4. Welcome new member (7 p.m.) - All L/B. Sharon Cox to discuss Joint Integration Project - 7:05 p.m. Revise introduction letter for businesses and schools to send out with Annual Report - all (1996 letter attached) VI. OTHER BUSINESS VII. REPORTS A. City of Maplewood B. Agenda items for next time VIII. ADJOURNMENT Maplewood Human Relations Commission IVEnutes from Dec. 3, 1996 Present: Marie Koehler, Gordy Heininger,Regina Laroche-Theune, Lynne Croes, Maria Cantu-Costilla,Linda Wainio, Carol Cude Ex-officio:Mike McGuire, Sherrie Le_ The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm_ Approval of minutes: A motion to approve the minutes was moved, seconded and passed.. Approval of agenda A motion to approve the agenda was made. Some items to share were added to the 'other business'portion_ Motion was seconded and passed Old Business A. Update on Premier Bank- Mike talked with his contacts at the bank about assisting us with our calender project. They are open to the idea but haven't confirmed anything. Mike will talk with them again before the Jaimary meeting. Premier Bank is expanding into other communities so we may have a collaborative project with those communities (some have HRCs). B. Finalize Diversity Event: The city is not going to have a big event for July 4, only in Feburary. There will be an open house in August. We could have a performance at the open house. Regina has contacts at COMPAS (an arts organization)and will call them for a catalog of their programs. Carol suggested inviting the Bridge Bunch puppets or possibly PACER's puppets. Marie will send Sherrie a list of diversity speakers. C. School Contact List- Carol has completed the list and copies were passed around to everyone_ D. Update on new commission member One of the recommended applicants was unable to meet with the city council so both were rescheduled for Dec. 5. The council will recommend an appointment at the Dec. 23 meeting. The new member will be at the January HRC meeting_ Maria will be reappointed for a three year term New Business A. Letter and publicity for diversity award: Everyone should review the letter and make suggestions for changes to discuss at the next meeting. We will have a poster contest even if we don't make the calender. We will assign school contacts at the next meeting. B_ New officers for 1997:Nominations were taken for chair,vice chair and secretary. The results are: Chair- Carol Cude, Vice chair-Regina Larouche-Tlreune, Secretary-Linda Wainio. C_ Annual report: Various sections of the 1995 report were assigned to members for revision. We had a great deal of discussion on redesigning the cover. A suggestion of using the Ramsey County design was suggested or having a city employee design one. Sherrie will talk with the employee, David Jalon, about some ideas we generated. The favorite one was to have a maple leaf outlining a group of diverse people_ Sherrie will also contact Ramsey County. Lynne will work on the appendices, Carol will work on the calender of events and rewrite the letters, Maria will update the resource page, Regina will work on the goals and objectives, and Temic Carlson will revise the roster, table of contents, and response to acts of bias/violence. Other Business: Gordy had some information concerning the 40th Anniversary of Maplewood. The planning committee will be meeting Dec. 4. Also, the League of l\finnesota Human Rights Commissions board of directors will be meeting at the Maplewood Community Center on Dec_ 14. All are invited to attend; Gordy plans to go. Reports A. City of Maplewood: Mike reported that the city will have its budget hearing on Dec_ 5. Sherrie passed out a bulletin from the International Assoc. of Official Human Rights Agencies. Marie Koehler was thanked for her lengthy service to the HRC. We will miss her and hope to see her at our upcoming events. B. Agenda for next meeting. Items include diversity award and letter revision, diversity event, school contact assignments, annual report, guest to speak on joint school district integration (Sharon Cox). A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded and passed at 8:31 pm. Respectfully submitted, L / e Croes Recording Secretary HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ROSTER AND ATTENDANCE Original Appointment End of No. Meetings Date Term Attended Maria Cantu-Costilla 12-95 12-99 9/10 Lynne Croes, Secretary 1-95 12-97 10/10 Carol Cude, Vice Chair 11-93 12-97 7/10 Gordon Heininger, Chair 1-91 12-98 10/10 Marie Koehler 10-93 12-96 10/10 Regina Laroche-Theune 3-95 12-98 10/10 Linda Wainio 3-95 12-97 10/10 Sherrie Le (ex officio) Human Resource Director Michael McGuire (ex officio) City Manager 2 MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION PROCEDURAL RESPONSE TO ACTS OF BIAS AND PREJUDICE Action Steps: 1. A Coordinator, appointed from within the Commission on a yearly basis, will handle any contact of reported acts of bias and prejudice from the Commission membership or the general public. 2. The Chief of Police will mail a cover letter from the Police Department and also enclose a letter from the Commission with a brochure outlining the victim's rights and resources that they might want to contact for further assistance. 3. If a victim of a bias crime calls us, the Coordinator can offer to make a visit with another Commission member to discuss, in detail, any further options they may want to pursue. This visit, if requested, should be arranged as soon as possible. 4. Subsequent information regarding the incident will be shared with the Commission and the media if relevant and appropriate. 5. Follow up to the victim(s) in writing or contact will be made if deemed necessary. 6. Relevant names, titles, and phone numbers of those persons who may have to be involved include: CHIEF OF POLICE HRC STAFF LIAISON Michael Ryan Sherrie Le 770-4532 770-4527 CITY MANAGER HRC CHAIR Michael McGuire Carol Cude 770-4524 738-1671 1996 BIAS RESPONSE COORDINATOR Carol Cude 738-1671 1997 BIAS RESPONSE COORDINATOR Regina Laroche-Theune 773-0673 Attachment 12/96 March 31, 1995 FIELD(1) Dear FIELD(2): The purpose of this letter from members of the Maplewood Human Relations Commission is twofold--1) to inform you about the purpose of the Maplewood Human Relations Commission and acquaint you with some of our work; 2) to develop a relationship with your organization, so that together we can serve the residents of the City of Maplewood. The Commission has been in existence since 1968. Our goal is to improve the human relations climate in the City of Maplewood. We strive to secure equal opportunity in housing, public accommodations, public services and education for all citizens. We have sponsored Diversity Awareness Awards recognizing students and/or educators for demonstrating an awareness of diversity in our society by creating multicultural, gender-fair, disability awareness curriculums. We have also sponsored Human Rights Awards recognizing individuals or organizations which have made "an outstanding effort to protect or enhance human rights." Your organization may also be interested in promoting similar goals, so we are extending an invitation to work together. We invite you or any of your members to participate in one of our meetings. We meed the first Tuesday evening of each month from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Maplewood City Hall. We look forward to working collaboratively with you in the future. Please contact Sherrie Le at Maplewood City Hall (770-4524) to begin this process. Sincerely, Marie Koehler, Chairperson Maplewood Human Relation Commission CITY OF 3y D ;; 1830 E. COUNTY ROAD B MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA 55109 PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 612-770-4570 December 5, 1996 Mr. Gordon Heininger, Chairperson Maplewood Human Relations Commission 796 East Bellwood Avenue Maplewood, MN 55117 Dear Mr. Heininger: During the past two years, the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Commission has addressed a number of cultural diversity issues relating to the use of public park facilities. Three specific issues we have discussed include: 1. Harvest Park has become the "unofficial" meeting area for approximately 350 to 400 Southeast Asians on a regular weekday basis. Issues that have evolved due to this heavy park usage include increased litter, traffic control and concerns expressed by neighbors regarding the "takeover" of their neighborhood park by non-Maplewood residents. 2. The Parks and Recreation Commission recently coordinated the design process for Western Hills Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission made a concerted effort to involve the Southeast Asian population throughout the design process. Although we felt we were successful in soliciting some input, the Commission is interested in other ways to involve all Maplewood residents in the park design/planning process. 3. The Maplewood Community Center has experienced a wide range of cultural usage which has challenged staff to increase sensitivity to cultural diversity issues, we have improved our hiring practices to better reflect our society and provided increased training on human relations issues and how to diffuse potentially volatile situations. Equal Opportunity Employer Mr. Gordon Heininger Page 2 December 5, 1996 The Parks and Recreation Commission would like to invite you and your fellow commissioners to attend a joint meeting to discuss these and other cultural diversity issues at a special meeting on Monday, February 10. The meeting would be held at 7 p.m. in the Maplewood Room located in City Hall. I would appreciate it if you could review this issue with your commissioners and contact Human Resources Director Sherrie Le at 770-4527 to arrange a meeting date or address any questions and/or concerns that you might have. I look forward to meeting with you and your fellow commissioners on this issue. Sincerely, // Peter M. Fischer, Chairperson Maplewood Parks and Recreation Commission kd\heininge.Itr c: Sherrie L. Le, Human Resources Director Michael A. McGuire, City Manager CITY OF MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION COMMI8SIOW:M MBER APPOINTMENT DATE EXPIRATION Maria Cantu-Costilla 01/01/97 12/31/99 1255 Larpenteur Avenue E. Maplewood, MN 55109 Home: 771-0757 Work: 296-8357 FAX: 297-5151 Lynne Croes 01/23/95 12/31/97 2330 Dorland Court Maplewood, MN 55119 Home: 738-1671 Work: 297-3785 FAX: 297-1329 Carol J. Cude, Chair 01/01/95 12/31/97 2546 E. Idaho Avenue Maplewood, MN 55119 Home: 770-1052 Gordon A. Heininger 01/01/96 12/31/98 796 East Bellwood Avenue Maplewood, MN 55117 Home: 772-2300 Regina Laroche-Theune, Vice Chair 01/01/96 12/31/98 1781 Gulden Place Maplewood, MN 55109 Home: 773-0673 Katie Thein Kimlinger 01/01/97 12/31/99 1117 County Road C East Maplewood, MN 55109 Home: 483-2852 Linda Wainio, Secretary 03/27/95 12/31/97 1745 Howard Street North Maplewood, MN 55109 Home: 777-2453 Work: 770-4675 Michael A. McGuire, City Manager Sherrie L. Le, Human Resource Director Maplewood City Hall Maplewood City Hall 1830 East County Road B 1830 East County Road B Maplewood, MN 55109 Maplewood, MN 55109 Work: 770-4525 Work: 770-4527 FAX: 770-4506 Terrie Carlson, Executive Secretary Maplewood City Hall 1830 East County Road B Maplewood, MN 55109 Work: 770-4524 \HRC\MEMBER.LST 1/97 •Commitments Exchanged •Journal Entry NOVEMBER 1996 •Thoughts A Ideas •Agendas(telephone,meetings) DAILY RECORD OF EVEN'S WEDNESDAY •Conversations 311th Day 55 Left ' y Week 45L. \'�, )I C1til e� char\ 1 — t0 1\A ��_ t '� 1�� -" f. ` s ) d�e\, C 1 (p.,ml-t.r �Say\IC- (.0 \ ekc i I Q )--)'t y— L:z :' ) CsQ1�o-Cf 1 \--") u\a' C b r-) S< 1"\a o) 1-_(-- -1. -� ti r tJ�A,,_ g ,-. 1 -Iii.,-) (1{ ,ji t/ , �o L -_ JF'by(-) -- JC`I ` 'S Sit- c.0-)-. . (� (�L-4,t, 3t.... eiJ ),ZI- 6'(-° AiW—G)\1 T7993 Franklin Quest Co. Printed in USA Classic I! 1996 DIVERSITY AWARENESS AWARD MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION The Maplewood Human Relations Commission is seeking applications for its 1996 Diversity Awareness Award. The Commission will present the Award to an individual or group who submits a winning suggestion that implements the State ruling on multicultural, gender-fair, disability awareness curriculum in a Maplewood public, parochial, or private school according to the following criteria developed by the Commission. The PREMIER BANK OF MAPLEWOOD will recognize the efforts of this group or individual by providing a $500 MONETARY AWARD. RULES FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION I. Applications should be 1-2 pages in length including: A. The present efforts your classroom or school uses to demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of people in our society. The efforts should include a recognition of males and females in non-traditional roles, persons with disabilities, and people of various ethnic and racial groups. Examples of efforts include but are not limited to: visual displays, schoolwide assemblies, plays written and performed by students, projects or programs developed by students, textbooks surveyed for groups represented, or field trips. B. How your classroom or school will use the monetary award to increase student and/or citizen awareness of people of diverse backgrounds and abilities. State the number of students and community members served or participating in award benefits. Also prepare a time line or the steps necessary to actualize your goal. Examples of how to increase awareness include but are not limited to: in-services, speakers at school or in the community, media resource purchases for school or community, small group counseling, public forums, panel discussions, or proposed school programs including community involvements. II. Applications must be typed and attached to the application form which includes: first and last names of applicant(s), school name, address and telephone number. (Please print or type) III. ELIGIBILITY. Students who are residents of Maplewood and/or educators of elementary and secondary schools located in Maplewood. IV. DEADLINE. The application is due no later than February 1, 1996 to the City Manager's Office, Maplewood City Hall, 1830 East County Road B, Maplewood, MN 55109. V. SELECTION. Maplewood Human Relations Commissioners will select the winner by February 6, 1996. VI. PRESENTATION. Presentation of the Diversity Awareness Award will be arranged with the winning school at a school event in the spring. WRCIDIVERSIT.AWD No.w6wt I '97 r t1 Date To the Citizens of Maplewood: I would like to submit to the citizens of Maplewood the Maplewood Human Relations Commission's 1996 Annual Report. It is my pleasure to be one of the volunteers on the Commission that have been working in Maplewood to increase awareness of discrimination and diversity issues and how they can affect our community. Although the minority population of Maplewood is small compared to other nearby communities, we cannot ignore these issues. Discrimination affects all of us. One of our goals has been to increase the visibility of the Commission, so that people in Maplewood would be aware of our existence. To do this we have had a poster contest, offered a diversity award for a community business, group, or school, participated in Maplewood's Ramsey County Fair booth and the Maplewood Open House, and sponsored an event at the community center. We also help citizens that feel they have felt discrimination in Maplewood. Therefore, we invite you to read this Annual Report so that you can learn what the Commission did in 1996, and what the plans are for 1997. We invite you to come to one of our monthly meetings, and see what we do in person. You are always welcome. We look forward to meeting you, and hearing your ideas about how we can work to make our community a better place to be. Sincerely, Carol Cude, Chair Maplewood Human Relations Commission 1 V1 "7 MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: Mayor Gary Bastian City Council City Manager FROM: Carol Cude, Chair Maplewood Human Rights Commission RE: 1996 ANNUAL REPORT In the past year, the Maplewood Human Relations Commission has worked consistently to increase community awareness of diversity and discrimination issues through education, sponsorship, and participation in community events. The activities and accomplishments of the Commission are outlined in this report, as well as its goals and objectives for 1997 . The seven volunteers that compose the Commission are looking forward to 1997, and working within our community to improve the human relations climate of the community for those that are residents, work here, or just pass through. We hope our work will help to make Maplewood a better place for all. The Maplewood Human Relations Commission respectfully submits its 1996 Annual Report pursuant to Article IV, Sec. 2-75 of the City Ordinance. 1996 CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS jQ 1 JJANUARY * Discussed joint venture with other commissions * Contacted Maplewood schools regarding the Diversity Award and Poster Contest * Reviewed first draft of Annual Report * Discussed community center problems with Bruce Anderson (Park & Rec. Director) * Welcomed new members * Discussed a planned method of interviewing candidates for the commission * Members reported on a complaint of discrimination FEBRUARY * Reviewed Annual Report draft * Reviewed joint venture information * Planned a joint commission meeting with other area commissions * Reviewed and chose winners for the poster contest * Reviewed concerns from the public about an Ismaili Muslim purchase of a library building ? * Election of officers * Attended a joint commission discussion in Oakdale MARCH * Final approval of Annual Report * Reviewed new information concerning Muslim church * Reviewed a submission for the Diversity Award * Planned ceremonies for Poster Contest winners * Began planning involvement at Maplewood's Open House * Prepared for April's Joint HRC meeting APRIL * Hosted Joint HRC meeting * Attended Mounds Park Diversity celebration and presented Diversity Award * Attended poster award ceremonies * Discussed joint commission sponsorship of a community event * Reviewed plans for Open House 7 * Presented Annual Report to City Council MAY * Critiqued April Joint meeting * Planned sponsorship of September Mixed Blood Theater performance * Discussed use of cable channel for HRC programs * Continued planning for Open House * Continued discussion on interviewing new candidates * Reviewed information concerning Hmong Funeral Home JUNE * Approved sponsorship of September Mixed Blood Theater Performance * Finalized plans for Open House * Planned participation in Maplewood's booth at Ramsey County Fair * Discussed Oakdale's rejection of an HRC * Reviewed a discrimination complaint * Discussed July forum at Hmong Funeral Home JULY * No scheduled meeting * Staffed Maplewood's booth at Ramsey County Fair AUGUST * No scheduled meeting * Participated in Maplewood's Open House - set up a table with displays - offered information concerning discrimination - invited Mounds Park Hmong students in costume - members were there to answer questions SEPTEMBER * Held planning meeting for year's calendar * Critiqued our part in Open House * Discussed response to racial slur complaint * Finalized preparations for Mixed Blood Performance * Discussed participation in Maplewood's 40th year celebration OCTOBER * Reviewed draft of 96/97 calendar * Critiqued participation at Mixed Blood Performance * Chose subcommittee to prepare questions for interviewing candidates * Began discussion of next poster/diversity contests * Discussed sponsorship of a poster calendar * Attended 40th year anniversary planning meeting NOVEMBER * Continued planning of Diversity Events * Interviewed 3 candidates for an MHRC opening * Continued discussion of sponsoring a community event DECEMBER * Elected new officers for 1997 * Began planning for Diversity Event at August's Open House * Reviewed School Contact List * Began review of Annual Report * Attended 40th year anniversary planning meeting * Attended League of Minnesota Human Right Commissions board of directors meeting at Maplewood Community Center DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT H- V 17 Sherrie Le called the Chair concerning a discrimination complaint, because the complainant is related to a commission member. After numerous attempts, the person was contacted on 12-31-96. His report is as follows: On December 7 , 1996, at about 9: 30 in the morning, LL stopped with two coworkers at the Tom Thumb on the corner of McKnight and Larpenteur to get gas and coffee/pop. All three men are black. While one man put gas in the company truck, LL went into the store. He gave the clerk a twenty dollar bill and said that he wanted ten dollars worth of gas. He told the clerk to hold the money until the man was done pumping. He got some taffy and some coffee. One of the other men came into the store to get some coke. LL started reading the jokes aloud on the wrapper of the taffy while they were waiting for the other man to finish pumping the gas. There were several other customers present, and they were all laughing at the jokes. The other man finished pumping the gas and entered the store. On duty were two female attendants. One was behind the counter and one was fixing a Christmas display. They started whispering together, and then the men paid their bills and left. As they were leaving, police cars started pulling into the lot, and then started following him. One car pulled him over. The police officer said that he had pulled him over because the trailer being pulled behind their truck had no license plate. LL said that it had a plastic bracket and that it must have broken. Also the tabs on the truck had expired. He asked the policeman, "What's the real reason that you stopped me?" He asked which one of the ladies in the store had called the police. The police officer said, "You know how two ladies are. " No tickets were issued. LL stated that he told the police officer he felt that they had handled the situation properly. LL went back to the store on the following Monday with his mother. When he asked to speak to the manager, he was sent to one of the ladies that had been on duty that night. When he asked her why she had called the police, LL stated that she did not answer. When he asked her if they had done something wrong, LL stated that she started defending herself. LL asked if it was wrong for blacks to get gas at Tom Thumb. LL feels that she was intimidated by the three of them. LL feels she would not have called if it had been three white men. LL said that all three of them have perms, were wearing bandanas, and were dressed in dirty work clothes because they do construction work. LL reported that this happens to him all the time. He has not decided what he will do next. OTHER INFORMATION Incident report time: 9 : 39 a.m. , complaint made by Audrey, saying they were nervous because three black men were loitering in the store. Police captain stated that several armed robberies had occurred in the neighborhood recently. No police report was filed. LL stated that he is hard to reach because he is self employed.