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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-10 MINUTES Human Services/Human Rights Commission City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Members Present: Linda Lundstrom Doug Amos Mia Naseth-Phillips Tanweer ‘TJ’ Janjua, Chair Laurie Steiger Brenna Masgai Members Absent: Francisco Gonzalez, Vice-Chair Rick Johnson Also Present: Kenneth L. Smith Jen Peterson 1. Call to Order At 7:01 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Commission Chair TJ. 2. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Doug Amos, Seconded by Commissioner Laurie Steiger, to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2010 meeting, as presented. The Motion carried all present were in favor. 3. New Commission Member Applications – Youth Seat Commissioner TJ introduced and welcomed Brenna Masagi to the Commission as its newest member. Brenna will be taking a Youth Seat on the Commission. Brenna th introduced herself and told the Commission she was in the 7 grade and attended Cottage Grove Middle School. When asked why she wanted to be a Commissioner she said she thought it would be interesting. At that point, each Commissioner introduced themselves to her and told her a little about themselves. Human Services/Human Rights Commission 2 Minutes of the November 10, 2010 Meeting 4 Meeting at Norris Square Ken Smith informed the Commission that the next HS/HR meeting would be at Norris Square Senior Center. Laurie stated she would drop off accessibility surveys. TJ said he believed it would be a good opportunity for other questions as well. 5. Family Homeless Commission Council Member Peterson informed the Commission that she attended a meeting in Stillwater as a Committee member and learned about services for veterans. She stated 33% of all homeless men are veterans. It was troubling because vets shouldn’t be homeless because of all the services that are out there. She stated some vets have issues related to drug and alcohol use and many programs require sobriety. Jen stated that she was appointed to the Commission by Myra Peterson. She mentioned that the Committee helped determine where dollars for homeless programs that come from the nd Federal government go, i.e. HSI, Salvation Army. The Commission meets the 2 Wednesday of every month at 9:00am. For openings she urged us to check the County Web site. 6. 2010 Human Rights Day Conference All members were invited and given the opportunity to attend the conference via a grant from the State’s Human Rights Commission. Brenna stated she would be attending and that her mom would drive her. Jen Peterson will check with Jesse about her travel training budget. The group was not sure if the state grant applied to Council Members. The group agreed to carpool and meet in the City Hall parking lot at 7:30. Others stated they would drive themselves. 7. Diversity Highlight of the Month Commissioner Doug Amos talked about his time in India. His wife went to school with one of the employees in the school in India. He described the people he met and worked with as being wonderful and said the food was fabulous. He did say it makes you appreciate how clean America is. TJ mentioned that it is a place where many religions get along. 8. City Update Council Member Jen Peterson provided the City update. She stated that the City received a grant for DWI enforcement, and two difibulators that were valued a $1500 each. She mentioned that the City adopted residential goals for affordable housing having to do with a Met Council program. She spoke about the new Public Safety/City Hall facility and related upcoming dates of interest to the commission. Jen also informed the group about the winners in the last election for City Council and noted the departure Human Services/Human Rights Commission 3 Minutes of the November 10, 2010 Meeting of Council Members Rice and Grossklaus. 9. Miscellaneous The Holiday Train was brought up and everyone was encouraged to attend a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s to raise money for the Holiday Train event. The Holiday Train will arrive in Cottage Grove on 12/11/10. A good place to park would be near the Armory. 10. Adjournment A Motion was made by Commissioner Mia Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Laurie Steiger to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. Motion Carried by all present. Presented by, Kenneth L. Smith Community Services and Communications Coordinator