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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-12 PACKET 02.Human Services/Human Rights Commission City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 10, 2011 Members Present: Francisco Gonzalez, Vice -Chair Kathleen Washenberger Rick Johnson Linda Lundstrom Doug Amos Christie Thompson Jena Nutzman Members Absent: Brenna Masgai Jen Peterson, Councilmember (at Council Meeting) Also Present: Kenneth L. Smith, City Liaison Call to Order The meeting was held at City Hall and called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Commission Chair Francisco Gonzales 2. Aooroval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Doug Amos, Seconded by Commissioner Washenberger to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2011 meeting with corrections about personnel being left on the minutes who were no longer on the Commission. The Motion carried as amended and all present were in favor. 3. Commission Inter Chair Gonzales informed the group that he and Council Member Petersen interviewed two candidates for TJ's open seat. He stated that it was a hard decision because both were highly qualified and each brought unique skills. At the end of the day we thought Suzanne brought more experience. They did however recommend that Jodi be interviewed should another opening occur. Ken said he was also at the interview and concurred with their findings. Francisco made a motion that Suzanne Koerner be recommended by the HS /HR commission and be put before the City Council for their consideration at their next meeting. Kathleen Washenberger seconded the motion and all present were in favor. Ken said he would put her on the next City Council agenda. Ken left the meeting to attend the City Council meeting at 7:15 p.m. and returned five minutes later. Human Services /Human Rights Commission 12 Minutes of the August 10, 2011 Meeting 4. Equity and Integration in Schools Commissioner Rick Johnson was asked to update the commission on District 833 equity and integration efforts. He shared with the group that he had a date to meet with the Director of Equity & Integration on August 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. He said there were many changes within the school district (teachers namely). Rick will meet with him to start the discussion. They proposed an August 26 meeting with the HS /HR Commission. He would send more info on times via email. Chair Gonzales said he would draft a presentation about what we should talk about. He would get it to members next week before the 8/26 meeting. 5. Community Forum Commission Chair Francisco Gonzales asked Commissioner Amos to share his letter with the group and we discussed editing. Chair Gonzales asked for volunteers for the next letter to the editor. He said he was considering writing about TJ. Commissioner Thompson stated that Doug's letter was a great introduction for our committee. Christie said she was considering doing a letter about Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. She would share it with the group via email. Kathleen Washenberger said she would like to look up our Facebook page at the next meeting and work on our presence there. The group got on line and we discussed our Facebook page. Francisco stated that this page is not an official City page. 6. Diversity Highlight of the Month Commissioner Johnson mentioned that six young people in another state ran over a black man in a parking lot with their car and killed him just for fun. The group discussed the riots in the United Kingdom and Ken talked about flash mobs. Linda Lundstrom talked about her African American friend who was discriminated against in a sports bar. Commission Johnson said he didn't like the fact that many CG residents refer to the housing behind the library as Little Chicago because there are lower income people living there. Commissioner Nutzman said many of her school mates in Woodbury High think CG is really bad. She suspects it is racial in nature. 7. City Update Council Member Jen Peterson gave the City update. She mentioned the PSCH bid process. There was a brief discussion about workers comp for contractors that don't have workers comp. She also talked about two upcoming ribbon cuttings, the Community Center and splash pads. It was agreed that a fitness club is a good place to focus your health concerns and a community center is for everyone else especially kids and seniors. 8. Adiournment A motion was made to adjourn by Linda Lundstrom and seconded by Rick Johnson. The meeting ended at 8:20 p.m. The next meeting will be September 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Presented by, Kenneth L. Smith Community Services and Communications Coordinator