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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/07/1995Maplewood Human Relations Commission Minutes from Sep� 7,1995 Present: Marie Koehler, Gordy Heininger, Linda Wainio, Carol Cude, Regina Laroche-Theune, Lynne Croes. Ex-officio: Nlike McGuire, Sherrie Le. Absent: Gail Schiff The meeting was called to order at 6:3 5 pm by Chair Marie Koehler. This meeting was the annual pla.nning meeting; therefore, we scheduled a longer session. A motion to approve the agenda was moved, seconded and approved. A motion to approve the minutes was moved, seconded and approved. Old Business: A. Puppets Against Rarcism: Marie reported that she spoke with John Ahern, principal at Edgerton Elementary, about this program as they had it at their school last spring. He felt that is was more appropriate for older children. We discussed whether older children would want to see something done by puppets. Regina saw the program at the Boys and Girls Club in 1V�inneapolis. She had some artistic and content concerns. She felt this is a large topic for a short presentation. As a group, we decided we would look for other options. B. "To Kill A Mockingbird" discussion evaluation: Regina reported that the cast thought it was a good experience and Commission members in attendance felt the same. We discussed doing it again next year if a play was presented on a similar theme. We will initiate contact with the director to discuss this. We ageed to send a letter to the Heritage Theater and District 622 to thank them for letting us participate. C. Revisions to HateBias Crimes pkst: Discussion of our plan centered around Mort Rywek's visit with us last spring-- questions he raised about police sensitivity and involvement with other groups (such as the schools). A suggestion was made to wait and see what we may need to do until we have experience. The general consensus was to keep the action steps as they are and not change them until we have experienced a situation. Sherrie will send them to Chief Coliins as a iinal, uut will asic for commenis. New Business: A. Plans for 1995-96: Gordy and Mike will solicit donations for the diversity and poster contest awards. Month-by-month plans were discussed and the calender will be typed up by Sherrie's secretary. We will review the draft plan at our next meeting. B. ECFE: Regina is involved with the local group and they have had discussions as to how ECFE and our commission could work together. A member of their staffwould like to attend one of our meetings. ECFE has a resource sharing event two times a year and we considered having a booth in it. C. Roseville request for public access: The City of Roseville is starting a community cable access channel progam on human relations. They contacted Sherrie to see if and how we wanted to be involved. We suggested that they could run our calender of events. Sherrie will call Mike Hermes, a member of Roseville's HRC, to get more information on what they are looking for. Other business: Linda reported that 7ohn Glenn Jr. �Tigh has started a multi-cultural club and asked how we could be of assistance to them. They can submit an application for tlie diversity award, we can invite them to come to one of our meetings and send information to them that we receive. Linda also reported that Laura Hutton (the resident who contacted us about the neo-nazi flyer that was put on her car windshield) wanted to receive our minutes. A suggestion was made *o ir.�±ts her t� �p�ly for caz:zrn:ss:on mambersh:p. Sherrie w�:ll csll:rr aboi:t ti�e :ni�:tes request. Reports City ofMaplewood.• The EEO data sheet needs to be revised. Sheme asked Lynne to send her a copy of the state's form. � Mike has hired a new assistant city manager, Craig Dawsoq currently in Eden Prairie. The process to hire a fire chief has started. The fire department will remain volunteer however. Sherrie, with assistance from the cable company, produced a short video on sexual harassment for the seasonal and temporary employees. She will bring it to the next meeting and if we have time, we will watch it. Mike McGuire plays a starring role in it. The Tri-district school was approved by the school board. There were some negative comments from the public and preservation of open space has become an issue. The schools are balking on ageeing to preserve open space. The city is holding up the building permit until this can be resolved. Mike reminded everyone that the primary elections were Sept. 12. The satellite community center (at Edgerton) opens this fall. The city will staff and take responsibility for the school after regular school hours. Grievances: A police officer is grieving a suspension on a medical leave. There hasn't been a resolution yet. This could potentially become an ADA issue. Agenda for October: -Commission vacancy -Diversity award and poster letter to schools -Begin discussing commission community event and joint HRC plans with area commissions -League of Nfinn. Human Rights conference report- Lynne and Linda -Review calander -ECFE representative?7 A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 was seconded and approved. Respectfully submitted, . , �� 6��