HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-09 MINUTESCity of Cottage Grove
Members Present:
Council Liaison:
Staff Liaison:
Members Absent:
Human Services/Rights Commission
� ivfaefing Minutes
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Kathy Klein
Cathy Lattu
Rajean Moone
Regina Seabrook
Christie Thompson
Karla Bigham
Jessica Sandin
James Litton
Jim Shinn
1. Call to Order
At 7:00 PM the meeting was called to order.
2. Approval of Minutes
Cathy Lattu made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 2005 meeting. Regina
Seabrook seconded the motion and the mo�ion was approved unanimously.
3. Diversity Highlight of the Month
Rajean iVloone informed the Commission members of the following November diversity
highlights: National American Indian Heritage Monfh, National Family Caregiver Monfh,
National Al�,heimex's Disease Awareness Month, National Diabefes Month, and National
Hospice Month.
4. City Update
Councilmembex Karla Bigham updated commissioners on the upcoming Couneil issues
including the County's South Service Center projecT and the discussions of a community center.
She also infolmed commissioners Opus has been selected as the master developer for the next
phase of the Cottage Grove Industrial Park. To conclude, Jessica Sandin noted the Presbyterian
Homes senior housing project is still progressing toward redeveloping the Cottage Square site.
5. Neighbors Connecting Neighbors Update
Cathy Lattu informed the eommissioners the Novembex show will be focused on the fopic of
affoxdable housing and energy assisfance with Washington County's Housing Coordinator as the
special guest. The Commission coordinated the 2006 shows topics and designated lead person as
follows:
■ Chairman Moone is working on the January segment on persous with physical
disabilities,
• Regina Seabrook will be coordinating the March update on parent resources.
■ Counciimember Karla Bigham will coordinate the May program on drug/substance
abuse.
• Christie Thompson will coordinate a segment on local charitable oxganizations for the
July show.
■ Kathy Klein will work on the September show focused on voting.
• Rajean Moone plans to discuss Medicare far the 1Vovember 2006 show.
This list of ideas for NCNU wi11 continue to grow and be refined. The Commission members
agreed they want the programs to empower tl�e viewer. Ideas brainstormed for future programs
include:
• Mental heaith (depression)
• Student panel (announce essay)
• Human services
• Domestic abuse (partner with Public Sa£ety, Police)
• Volunteerism
• C1ass-conscious
• African culture
. Food shelf
7. Special Projects IIpdate
Rajean Moone reminded the Commission the essay contest takes place in January. The contest
materials will be available January i s ` on the CiYy website and will be due by the March 8th
meeting for decision on the winners. Cathy Lattu will forward the electronic information to all
members and the school district Councilmember Karla Bigham will inform the other
councilmember's of the essay contest in 7anuary and Jessica Sandin will inform other city staff
of the contest. A11 commission members wiil look for donated gifts by the December meeting to
use as contest prizes.
8. Commission Comments & Requests
At the Septembex Commission meeting the Commission directed staff to contact Ms. Barbara
Klaes to invite her to the October meeting to further discuss her letter to the editor in Che Bulletin
regarding the dog licensc fee for service animals. Barb Klaes was present on Octobex 12, 2005
axzd explained her son Bryan is disabled and has a service dog, Karon that facilitates his
independence. Ms. Klaes' coneern is the license fee charged by the City for the service animal
thaC is owned by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). The Commission directed staff to
research the animal license policy for the November meeting. Discussion ensued on d7e options
available for addressing the issue. The Commissiou decided to table the issue to the December
14`" meeting. The Commission requested staff get information regarding who owns the animals
from CCI and whether St. Paul and Minneapolis waive the licensing fees for anyone besides
service animals, for example low income or senior citizens.
Chairman Moone requesCed a discussion item be placed on the December agenda for bias(hate
crime response pian. This iCem is continued from the Octobex meeting where the Commissioners
shared the information they learned from the conference and recommended the Commission
arrange to meet with the Police Department early in 2006. Topics of interest are a proactive plan
for response to hate/bias crimes, opening channels of communication, offering to provide
diversity trainiug for first responders, and to have a question/answer session. The Commission
will discuss the Topics for this meeting further at the December meeting.
9. Adjourn
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn; the motion was approved unanimously at 8:25 PM.
Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 14`" at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Sandin, Management Analyst