HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/1998MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
February 3, 1998 Meeting
Minutes
Present - Members: Carol Cude, Regina Laroche-Theune, Cheryl
Johnson, Joan Wurdeman, Jim Bartingale, Gordy Heininger, Katie
Thein Kimlinger Ex -officio: Mike McGuire, Colleen Dirkswager
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by
chair Katie Thein Kimlinger.
II. Approval of Minutes: Gordy moved to approve the minutes of the
January meeting with a change reflecting that Cheryl Johnson
and Mike McGuire were not present. Regina seconded the motion
and it was passed.
III. Approval of Agenda: Cheryl moved to approve the agenda as
written. Carol seconded the motion and it was passed.
IV. Old Business:
A. Display Dialog - Gordy reported that he had met with Kat
Day,.a graphic arts instructor at the St. Paul Technical
College. He presented our ideas and suggestions to her.
She and her students will meet and do some "brainstorming"
and will present their ideas for a display at a future
date. Joan will also present our ideas and suggestions
to her father who used to work in advertising.
B. Review Annual Report - The 1997 annual report was distrib-
uted at the last meeting. It was suggested that a reply
card be included with the report so that people/businesses
may send back questions or comments about the report to
the commission. Suggestions for the questions to be in-
cluded on the reply card or any changes to the report
itself should be presented to Colleen before the next
meeting. Also, a notice will be put in the "Maplewood in
Motion" so that people may request a copy of the report.
Some discussion followed regarding the amount of time the
commission spends on the report and the content of the
report.
C. Poster Contest - The publicity for the Diversity Awareness
Award and Poster Contest were reviewed. There was a con-
cern that the wording of the award presentation may lead
students to believe that each participant of a winning
entry would receive a monetary award. Everyone was re-
minded to make their school contacts this month.
D. In-service Update - A
present an in-service
It was suggested that
employees of city hall
Other in-service ideas
member of the police academy will
on gang activity at our May meeting.
school officials and other interested
be invited to attend this in-service.
for the June meeting were discussed.
E. Community Event - The Fair Housing Community Event will be
heldon monday, April 13. The program will be decided by
the Realtors Association. Housing inspectors and realtors
will be invited to attend. The program will be accredit -
ted for realtors. Mike offered to be a participant of the
panel and introductions/welcomes will be given by Katie and
George Rossbach.
V. New Business:
A. National Night Out - The commission will participate again
this year. There was discussion regarding location of our
booth, a possible prize drawing, performers and length of
performance sessions. Colleen will begin looking for local
groups for entertainment.
VI. Other Business:
A. Regina reported on a white supremist newsletter that she
found in her yard. Discussion followed on the content of
the newsletter and a suggestion was made that possibly a
notice of awareness be placed in the "Maplewood in Motion"
with a phone number people may call if they receive any
offensive mail or literature.
B. Katie was contacted by the Social Justice Committee, a
group from St. Jerome's church. They address neighborhood
issues and concerns and it was suggested a commission
member could meet with them in the future.
VII. Reports:
A. City -
1. Mike reported on a babysitter charged with the death
of an infant in Maplewood.
2. A new shelter for homeless families has been proposed
with a location near Tri -District School.
3. A high school similar to Tri -District has been pro-
posed.
4. Parking and traffic concerns are still an issue with
the Hmong funeral home and the surrounding neighbor-
hood.
5. The city council stated that the HRC had met its two
objectives for the 1997 year.
6. Charitable Gambling Money requests have already ex-
ceeded the amount budgeted for the year. Requests
are taken once a year.
B. Agenda Items for March Meeting -
1. Review and finalize Annual Report
2. In-service update
3. Community event
4. Display dialog
5. National Night Out
6. Poster Contest update
VIII. Adjournment: Gordy moved to adjourn the meeting. Carol
seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting was
adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
60B Oa'�r t i n g a 17
Recording Secretary