HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-12 MINUTESCity of Cottage Grove
Human Services/Rights Commission
ivleeting Mir.utes
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Members Present:
Council Liaison:
Staff Liaison:
Also Present:
Members Absent:
Cathy Lattu
Rajean Moone
Regina Seabrook
Christie Thompson
Karla Bigham
3essica Sandin
Barb Klaes, ResidenY of Cotta�e Grove
Kathy Klein
James Litton
Jim Shinn
1. Call to Order
At 7:10 PM fhe meeting was called to order.
2. Approval of Minutes
Cathy Lattu made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 2005 meeting. Regina
Seabrook seconded the motion and fhe motion was approved unanimously.
3. Diversity Highlight of the Month
Rajean Moone informed the Commission members of the following October diversity highlights:
Diversity Awareness Month, Lesbiau, Gay, and Bisexual Hisfory Month, National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, IvTational Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Mental Iliness
Awareness Month, also in October are the Muslim holiday Ramadan and the Jewish holiday
Yom K'sppur.
4. CitS� Update
Councilmember Karia Bigham updated commissioners on the recent approval of the Oakwood
Park master plan. She also inforsned commissioners on the approval of the IMTF plan which
Commissioner Klein worked. To conclude, Bigham noted the Presbyterian Homes senior
housing project is still progressing Coward redeveloping the Cottage Square site.
5. Neighbors Connecting Neighbors Update
Chairman Moone informed the commissioners the next show wi11 be around Yhe topic of persons
with disabilities. Cafhy Lattu will work on the topic of affordable housing and energy assistance
for November.
This list of ideas for NCNL? will conCinue to grow and be refinsd. The Commission membexs
agreed they want the programs to empower the viewer. Ideas brainstormed for next year's
r�roerams include:
• Menfal health (depression)
• Developmental disabilities (autism, ARC)
• Student panel (announce essay)
• Human services
• Drug/substance abuse
• Domestic abuse (partner with Public Safety, Police)
• Parent Resources
• Volunteerism
• Class-conscious
• African culture
• Food shelf
• Highlight 1oca1 chuitable organizations — ways to help your neighbor
7. Special Projects UpdaEe
Rajean Moone spoke with the National Honor Society to rearuit a youth commissionex and
received good news that two students will join the Commission at the November meeting.
Rajean Moone reminded the Commission Yhe essay conTest takes plaee in January. The contest
materials will be available January 1 on t11e City website and will be due by March meeting for
decision on Yhe winners. Councilmember Karla Bigham will inform the other eouncilmember's
of the essay contest in 7anuary and a11 commission members will begin to look for donated gifts
to use as contest prizes.
8. Commission Comments & Requests
Af the September Commission meeting there was interest in sending a letter of support to a new
program called YCAP at the request of Christie Thompson. The prograin will be located at the
Youth Service Bureau and is a corrections program students would be referred to by their school
when suspended. The Commission decided the school principals need to support the program as
a spending priority before the Commission acts. After the schools are behind the program, if
needed, the Commission will consider xecommending the progxam fox a lettex of support from
the City Council.
At the September Commission meeting the Commission directed staff to contact ihe resident that
authored the letter to the editor regarding the dog license fee for service dogs in the Bulletin and
inviCe her to the October meetin�. Barb Klaes was thence invited and present at the meeting to
further discuss the issue. Ms. Klaes explained her son Bryan is disabled and has a service dog
Karon that facilitates his independence. Ms. Klaes' concern is the license fee charged by the
City for the service aniinal that is owned by Canine Companions for Independence (CC�. The�
Commission directed staff to research the license policy for the November meeting at which time
the Commission can consider the options available for addressin� the issue.
Three Conunissioners attended the Annual Conference at the Lea�ue of MN Human Rights
Commissions located at Hamline liniversify on September 24, 2005. The Commissioners
commented they enjoyed the conference and encouraged othezs to attend next year.
The Commissioners shared the information they learned from the conference and recommended
the Coinmission anange to meet with the Police Department early in 2006. Topics of interest are
a proactive pian for response to hate/bias erimes, opening channels of communieation, o£feriug
to provide diversity training for first respoilders, and to have a question/answer sessioii. The
Commission wili discuss the topics for this meeting furfher at the November meeting.
9. Adjourn
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn; the inotion was approved unanimously at 8:30 PM.
Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 9�' at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Sandin, Management Analyst