HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-14 MINUTES
City of Cottage Grove
Human Services/Rights Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Members Present: Francisco Gonzalez
Tanweer (TJ) Janjua, Chair
Laurie Steiger
Members Absent: Mia Naseth-Phillips, Sofia Vitale-Gill
Council Liaison: Jen Peterson
Staff Liaison: Ken Smith
Others Present: Rick Johnson
1. Call to Order
At 7:01 PM the meeting was called to order by TJ.
2. Approval of Minutes from March 10, 2010.
TJ made a motion to approve the March 10, 2010 minutes. Laurie seconded the motion.
3. Vice-Chair Nominee
With the departure of Sue the Commission needed to pick a new Vice-Chair. TJ asked if anyone
was interested in the position. Laurie stated that she would be interested in becoming Vice-
Chair. TJ said he would check with Mia and Sophie and bring it back for next month’s meeting.
4. New Commission Members
With several open seats and the departure of Sue and Sophie in June the Commission is looking
for 2 regular seats and 2 student seats. Doug Amos interviewed for one position earlier in the
evening. Francisco brought Rick Johnson to the meeting to see what the Commission was all
about. Rick expressed interest in the Commission and said he would fill out an application.
5. Essay and Poster Contest
Ken updated the committee on his efforts to advertise the essay and poster contest. He informed
the committee that he placed advertisements in the Cottage Grove Newsletter, sent out a press
release to all the local papers and advertised on Facebook. Ken handed out examples of
certificates and the group chose one. The members wanted the certificate to be on nice paper
with some boarder or watermark or color. Laurie said she would get paper for certificates. The
idea of winners riding on the Fire truck during the Strawberry Festival was brought up. Ken said
he would contact Pete Koerner. It was agreed that an announcement would be made up on stage
of all the winners as well as highlighting on the city’s web page, newsletter and Facebook.
Laurie asked if notice went the Yeshiva. Ken said no. TJ said he would email Rabbi.
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6. 2010 Census
Everyone in the group has turned in their census. TJ believes responding to census shows civic
responsibility.
7. Diversity Highlight of the Month
Laurie mentioned an experience whereby some grade school children were talking about skin
color and when she asked what color they thought she was they replied, “peach.”
8. City Update
Council Member Jen Petersen gave an update of City happenings stating that the social host
ordinance passed. TJ asked about the status of the 3M incinerator. Council Member Peterson
replied that dates have not been announced by the MPCA for the next meeting. Jen also talked
about removing water with PFC’s and having it discharged into the river. She stated that Cottage
Grove and Woodbury would like to see the water treated and used. Jen mentioned that Ken was
coordinating the City’s efforts to become a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon City.
9.Miscellaneous
Commissioner Laurie Steiger informed the members that she would be starting her bee hives on
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April 24. Ken was checking on the number of members the Commission should have. The
group talked about upcoming FacingRace awards event. Members stated if they were able to
attend or not. Ken informed the group that the City Administrator would like the group to begin
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working on their strategic plan for 2010. The Commission chose June 9 as the day they would
start working on the strategic plan.
10. Adjournment
A motion was made at 7:56 p.m. by Francisco Gonzalez to adjourn the meeting and seconded by
Laurie.
Respectfully submitted by;
Kenneth L. Smith ,Community Services and Communications Coordinator
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