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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/1997MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION March 4, 1997 Meeting Minutes PRESENT - Members: Regina Laroche-Theune, Lynn Croes, Gordy Heininger, Katie Thein Kimlinger; Ex -officio: Mike McGuire, Sherrie Le; Guests: Sharon Cox, School District 622; Nancy Cottle, School District 623, Colleen Dirkswager, City of Maplewood Community -Oriented Services Coordinator. Call to Order: 6:04 p.m. by Gordy Heininger, who began the meeting as our acting chair. Joint Meeting of the HRC and Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) -- Bruce Anderson, Director of Parks and Recreation, described a number of cultural diversity issues which relate to the use of public park facilities, and asked for the HRC's input. The issues included: 1) Harvest Park -- Each week night during the summer, 400-600 Southeast Asians gather in Harvest Park. The large groups create parking and litter problems, and cause some neighborhood residents to feel that their neighborhood park is being taken over by non -Maplewood residents. Several possible solutions were discussed, and the one which seemed most viable was to place fliers on the windshields of the group's vehicles. The fliers, written in the Hmong language, would welcome the group to the park, and request that they work with the PRC to resolve these concerns. 2) Innut for Park Design Process -- The PRC is seeking more success in soliciting input from the Hmong community as to the design of Edgerton and Western Hills Parks. Some problems stem from the language barrier, and the lack of known contacts and/or resource persons in the Hmong community. A proposed solution was to include requests for such input in the fliers which will be distributed at Harvest Park. 3) Non-resident use of indoor facilities -- The heavy usage by non -Maplewood residents of the Maplewood Community Center was initially a concern of the PRC, but has been alleviated by the increased admission fees for non-residents, and the Zero Tolerance Policy that is now enforced at the MCC. The PRC anticipates implementing the Zero Tolerance Policies in the Carver and Edgerton facilities. Other general suggestions for diffusing tension in the parks and indoor facilities were to publish articles in Maolewood in Motion which educate the public as to different cultures, and to include ethnic education among the activities taking place during the Neighborhood Park Nights this summer. II. Al2groval of Minutes: After the joint meeting, Regina Laroche-Theune took over as acting chair. Lynn moved to approve the 2/4/97 minutes as written. Gordy seconded the motion, and it was passed. 111. Aporoval of Agenda: Gordy moved to approve the agenda without amendment. Lynn seconded the motion, and the motion passed. IV. Old Business: A. Entertainment for National Night Out Open House -- Colleen Dirkswager described what the Open House will be like. Continuous activity will be offered throughout the night, and a schedule will be available for attendees to decide on the events they wish to attend. The theater will be available for performing artists, the Drum and Bugle Core and a children's group will perform outside, and food vending will be located in the City Hall parking lot. Other possible activities will be a mini health fair in the banquet room of the MCC, a skateboarding contest, and a radio station broadcasting onsite. Colleen agreed to contact some of the artists the HRC selected from the entertainment list -- namely, Mariachi Serenata, United Laotian Artists, D.R.U.M.P.A.C., and Sankofa Ghanaian Ensemble. Other suggestions were to inquire whether the local Muslim church has a choir which could perform, and to find a group of people willing to demonstrate katare (a sport popular among Southeast Asians which is similar to volleyball, only played with the feet). Regina will try to track down some katare players. B. Poster/Diversity Contests -- Sherrie suggested revising the description of the Diversity Awareness Award for next year's contest, because she received a call from someone who interpreted the description to require a program or event which incorporated aff diverse groups, such as race, gender, disabilities, etc. It was clarified that individual residents of Maplewood may participate in the contests, even if they do not attend a Maplewood school. Members intend to make their follow-up contacts this week. Sharon Cox will make a reminder at the next principal's meeting she attends. C. Topics for May inservice -- It was decided that the inservice will be held on the night of the May meeting, May 6, from 7-9 p.m. Several possible topics were raised: 1) Community Connecting- how to reach community leaders within the different cultural groups in Maplewood. Regina will contact the Urban League, United Way, or some other organization(s) which may be able to present some information on this. 2) Mediation- learning mediation techniques which will assist the HRC in responding to complaints of acts of bias. Sherrie will contact Pat Kelly, the city attorney, who recently became certified in this area to see if he would be interested in speaking on this topic. 3) Alma Curie- this speaker presents cultural comparisons to raise diversity awareness. Lynn will check into this possibility. 4) World of Difference- this entity was recommended by Nancy Cottle as a good source for diversity training. Regina will contact Nancy to get the phone number for this group. In addition to the inservice possibilities for May 6, Sharon Cox mentioned that the Joint Integration Committee plans to be doing some diversity training in the near future, and she will check into the possibility of HRC members attending this training, as well as the dates that the training would take place. D. Annual Report -- The only suggested improvements were as to typographical changes which, time allowing, will be made prior to submitting the report to the City Council. V. New Business: A. Electing a New Secretary -- this item was tabled until the April 1 meeting, when more HRC members are expected to be present. VI. Other Business: None. VII. Reports: A. City of Maplewood - Mike indicated that the hearing concerning the police chief's employment status was coming to an end. He also reported that the City Council will interview the remaining HRC candidate, and vote between the two candidates. The new member is expected to attend the April meeting. B. Agenda Items for April Meeting -- 1. Elect new secretary 2. Welcome new member 3. Follow up on entertainment for Open House 4. Vote on posters and diversity awareness award applications 5. Report on May inservice possibilities VIII. Adiournment: Lynn moved to adjourn the meeting, and Gordy seconded the motion. The motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Aatiehei imlinger Acting Recording Secretary