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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-08 MINUTES Human Services/Human Rights Commission City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 8, 2010 Members Present: Linda Lundstrom Doug Amos Francisco Gonzalez, Vice-Chair Tanweer ‘TJ’ Janjua, Chair Laurie Steiger Brenna Masgai Rick Johnson Members Absent: Mia Naseth-Phillips Also Present: Kenneth L. Smith Jen Peterson 1. Call to Order The meeting was held at Norris Square Senior Living Center. At 7:06 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Commission Chair TJ. 2. Approval of Minutes Motion by Vice Chair Francisco Gonzalez, Seconded by Commissioner Rick Johnson to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2010 meeting, as presented. The Motion carried and all present were in favor. 3. New Commission Member Interview with Kathleen Washenberger – Regular Seat TJ introduced and welcomed Kathleen Washenberger. He informed the Commission that he and Council Member Jen Peterson had interview her earlier that evening for the seat being vacated by Commission Steiger. He stated he was impressed by answers during the interview. He asked her to tell the group a little about herself. She stated she worked for Hennepin County in their IT department. She stated she is open to ideas on how to best serve the community and wants to learn more about Human rights. She is currently attending college and has three children at Crestview Elementary School. TJ encouraged everyone at the table to tell Kathleen a little about themselves and why they were on the Commission. TJ made a motion to appoint Kathleen Washenberger to a seat on the Cottage Grove Human Services / Human Rights Commission. Human Services/Human Rights Commission 2 Minutes of the December 8, 2010 Meeting Commissioner Amos seconded the motion and all present were in favor. Ken Smith would place her appointment on the City Council agenda at their next meeting. 4. 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. All attended except Commissioner Amos and Commissioner Naseth-Phillips and Ken. Commissioner Steiger said the conference last Friday was excellent. TJ said he was sorry he had to leave early. Council Member Peterson stated she enjoyed the conference and thought the speaker was very good. Members shared their desires to see the movie which is based on the coach’s life. TJ stated he was pleased to meet commissioners from other cities and to hear about the kinds of things they are involved with. He talked about combining a meeting with another city in the future. He mentioned he had a friend in Apple Valley who wanted to start their own Human Rights Commission. Roseville and Hopkins wanted to talk to our commission. Brenna thought the conference was good and said she did not have to write a paper about it. Commissioner Johnson asked about updates about school diversity issues and said he would look into it for the future. Jen remarked the program used to be called diversity and integration. Brenna said the only thing she recalled was a talk about bullying. Rick asked Brenna to check. There was talk about unusual situations in Minneapolis schools involving Somalis and African Americans. Rick mentioned a Jewish aspect as well. Linda said she would check with a Rabbi. 5. Accessibility Issues Residents of Norris Square came into the meeting to participate in the accessibility topic. They were: Marcie Adams, Andy, Alice and Jack. TJ did introductions and explained why we were here. Andy stated he lived in Cottage Grove since 1960, Marcie said she was from South Carolina and had been here for 4 months. Jack Welch said he was from Florida. Alice informed the Commission she had been in MN since 1960 and raised a family here. TJ explained the accessibility issue as it related to their ability to get around including events like the Strawberry Fest. He asked about sidewalk cuts, traffic signals, or any other traffic barriers they encountered. Jack said he used his wheelchair to go from the sidewalk to the front door. Alice said she drives and has had no problems. She said she has a friend who is 89 who walks to the Holiday Gas Station everyday to get the paper. Francisco asked if they were given rides to the park. Alice said they walk to the pond across the street. Doug Amos asked if any of them had felt that they had been discriminated against in any way. They all said no but said it was hard to cross at the stop sign sometimes. Jen asked if there is an audio signal associated with the light. They said no. She said, Hadley and Grange would be a good intersection for a audio aid. TJ asked them to fill out the survey and give it to Blake. Human Services/Human Rights Commission 3 Minutes of the December 8, 2010 Meeting 6. Diversity Highlight of the Month TJ mentioned that they didn’t get an official proclamation for Human Rights day from the City Council. He said at the conference not all cultures were represented. The Commission brings up Pearl Harbor and John Lennon. 7. City Update Council Member Jen Peterson provided the City update. She stated that the City received donations from Marathon and the CG Crime Board for an AED unit. There was a public hearing for road improvements and the tax levy for 2011 was adopted. She mentioned that the City received $460 in donations for the holiday lights. Ken mentioned that all the poles did not have electricity so some decorations were not lit. Jen stated the municipal pool would be closing and the City was considering purchasing splash pads as an alternative for kids. Council Member Jen Peterson also informed the group about the upcoming Public Safety / City Hall facility community meeting where the Architect plan would be revealed. She also encouraged everyone to attend the Holiday th Train event on December 11. 9. Miscellaneous The Commission said goodbye to Laurie Steiger, thanked her for her service and wished her well. Ken thanked her for her hard work at Strawberry Fest. 10. Adjournment A Motion was made by Commissioner Doug Amos, seconded by Commissioner Linda Lundstrom to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Motion Carried by all present. Presented by, Kenneth L. Smith Community Services and Communications Coordinator th The next meeting will be January 12 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall.