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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-20 HRRC Packet Meeting location: Edina City Hall Community Room 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN Human Rights & Relations Commission Meeting Agenda Wednesday, November 20, 2024 7:00 PM Accessibility Support: The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Meeting Agenda 4. Approval of Meeting Minutes 4.1. Minutes 5. Community Comment During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share issues or concerns that are not scheduled for a future public hearing. Items that are on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board/Commission Members to respond to their comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might refer the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. 6. Reports/Recommendations 6.1. 2024 Work Plan Updates 6.2. Approve 2024 Tom Oye Award Recipient 7. Chair and Member Comments 8. Staff Comments 8.1. Staff Updates Page 1 of 22 9. Adjournment Page 2 of 22 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: November 20, 2024 Item Activity: Action Meeting: Human Rights & Relations Commission Agenda Number: 4.1 Prepared By: Thomas Brooks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Item Type: Minutes Department: Item Title: Minutes Action Requested: Approve meeting minutes from October 16, 2024 Information/Background: Review and approve meeting minutes from October 16, 2024 Supporting Documentation: 1. Meeting Minutes: October 16, 2024 Page 3 of 22 Page 4 of 22 Page 5 of 22 Page 6 of 22 Page 7 of 22 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: November 20, 2024 Item Activity: Discussion Meeting: Human Rights & Relations Commission Agenda Number: 6.1 Prepared By: Thomas Brooks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Item Type: Other Department: Administration Item Title: 2024 Work Plan Updates Action Requested: Discuss 2024 Work Plan updates Information/Background: See attached status report. Supporting Documentation: 1. 2024 HRRC Work Plan Report Page 8 of 22 Page 9 of 22 Page 10 of 22 Page 11 of 22 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: November 20, 2024 Item Activity: Action Meeting: Human Rights & Relations Commission Agenda Number: 6.2 Prepared By: Thomas Brooks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Item Type: Report & Recommendation Department: Administration Item Title: Approve 2024 Tom Oye Award Recipient Action Requested: Approve 2024 Tom Oye Award Recipient as recommended by subcommittee Information/Background: The Tom Oye Award subcommittee received 11 nominations this year and the subcommittee will present their recommendation for the award recipient to the commission for approval. The nomination has been attached and a video with additional information can be found here. Once approved by the commission, recipients will be notified and invited to receive the award at the December 3, 2024 City Council meeting. Supporting Documentation: 1. Tom Oye Award Nomination for Edina Unified Page 12 of 22 Page 13 of 22 Page 14 of 22 Text Entry Jennie Schaefer, Rachel Knaeble and Whitney Brauchla truly embody the legacy of Tom Oye in their groundbreaking work growing the Unified program at South View Middle School to be a bright light in the district, in the community and in the state of MN. Starting with small club presence, these three fearless leaders took their big idea to Assistant Principal Tami Jo Cook, who gave them the freedom to run with it — and they’ve never looked back. The Unified program, which brings neurotypical students into the special education classrooms, is designed to help students forge authentic bonds between all students. Students, under the guidance of these amazing leaders, had an opportunity to work shoulder-to-schooler with their peers with varying needs and these opportunities for connection provided middle schoolers with real life learning about compassion, empathy and working together. The leaders grew their offerings from classes (like PE and a district pilot engineering course) to special events (a dance- like event especially for special education students — but also attended by all their Unified friends (non special education) and more. Jen, Rachel and Whitney were there at every turn helping the Unified students to learn more about how to work together with their special needs friends — and doing all their normal work in teaching the special education students. More and more opportunities presented themselves — including community outings with special education students and Unified leaders where kids would partner up to work on life skills in different settings (shopping and making purchases at stores, ordering food and paying their check, etc.). Along the way, the Unified middle school kids grew their natural empathy — and learned skills to draw out the best in their peers - even those with different needs. The relationships became true friendships where students came together socially outside of school. The word spread at school and more and more kids wanted to become involved, growing it to a large and wildly popular student leadership team and club for SVMS students. The joy, encouragement, enthusiasm and inclusiveness of the leaders played a big part in its growth. The neurotypical Unified students (like my own child and his friends) became to ponder and empathize with how their differently abled friends would respond to situations — and to think about how they as future employers and leaders might help to make space in the world for their friends with special needs. The leaders treated all the students with great respect and had high expectations — the role of a Unified leader was as an equal and the expectation was that you’d think beyond yourself and your needs. Learning by doing is the best way — and these leaders inspired changed hearts and habits — and a resolve to continue to maintain their friendships outside school and beyond SVMS into high school. These leaders opened a door where students could discover new parts of themselves and how working together and engaging with ALL their peers was mutually beneficial. Everyone benefited. Everyone was changed by their experiences. Everyone came out ahead. I couldn’t think of any three individuals in my orbit making a bigger impact each day than Jennie, “Ms. K” and Whitney. Thank you for your consideration. Attached is a link to a story that ran several years ago and explains more. 'Unified' special education is changing lives at an MN school | kare11.com Type or paste directly into this box or use one of the below upload fields Page 15 of 22 Page 16 of 22 BOARD & COMMISSION ITEM REPORT Date: November 20, 2024 Item Activity: Information Meeting: Human Rights & Relations Commission Agenda Number: 8.1 Prepared By: Thomas Brooks, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Item Type: Other Department: Administration Item Title: Staff Updates Action Requested: Receive updates from commission liaison and DEI Manager, Thomas Brooks Information/Background: Staff will provide brief updates or address the following topics: 1. 2025 Work Plan Updates at City Council Work Session - November 6, 2024 2. Equity Strategic Action Plan and Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment 3. Confirm December 18, 2024 HRRC Meeting Supporting Documentation: 1. 2025 DEI Task Force Charter - Draft 2. ESAP_Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment Brochure Page 17 of 22 TASK FORCE I EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT I CITY OF EDINA Page 1 TASK FORCE CHARTER - DRAFT PROJECT: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PURPOSE The Equity and Engagement Task Force (task force) will focus on reviewing best practices for community engagement and assisting city staff with the development of strategic priorities related to equity. The task force will participate in the development of an Equity Strategic Action Plan (ESAP) providing community input to city staff identified priorities related to equity and inclusion in city operations. In addition, the task force will examine barriers, opportunities, best practices, and alternative methods of intentionally and inclusively engaging community in decision-making, including the Human Rights and Relations Commission. The taskforce will provide a recommendation to the Council prior to 2026 for consideration. OBJECTIVE Participate in the development of the ESAP and provide recommendations for improvements to current commission structure and scope. • Assist city staff by participating, as needed, in the development of the Equity Strategic Action Plan (ESAP), completing the Diamond Inclusiveness Assessment, and assisting with the evaluation of the survey results • Explore and develop recommendations for best practices in engaging community in city decision making with inclusion and intention in mind, including best practices and improvements for sustaining the HRRC and other city commissions • In addition to the two priority objectives, task force members may be asked to provide support to city staff in the significant event or rise of human rights concerns or violations within the city. METHODOLOGY - Engage with community and each other on barriers to commission participation - Research best practices for commission engagement or community participation in decision-making - Promote conversations with stakeholders to evaluate community needs - Leverage data from existing commissioners and commission applicants on experience - Analyze ESAP related data to provide community perspective on city priorities TIMELINE January 2025 through December 2025 KEY DATES December 2024 City Council appoints Task Force members January 2025 Task Force plans to hold first meeting December 2025 Report due to City Council on task force recommendations for community participation in decision making COMMITMENT - The task force should strive to meet at least once monthly and assign task force co-chairs to plan and facilitate meetings. - Task force members should expect research and additional reflection outside of task force meetings. Page 18 of 22 TASK FORCE I EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT I CITY OF EDINA Page 2 - The task force should strive to find meetings times and locations that are accessible and inclusive. - Serve on subcommittees, workgroups, of special projects, as needed. - Serve on subcommittees, workgroups, of special projects, as needed. MEETINGS - The task force should strive to meet at least once monthly and assign task force co-chairs to plan and facilitate meetings. - Task force meetings are open to the public and notice is provided in advance. - The task force should encourage public participation in meeting discussions. - Meeting times and frequency should reflect Human Rights and Relations Commission meeting times and frequency LEVEL OF AUTHORITY TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP The Task Force has the authority to: - Conduct public engagement and collect input using the City’s public engagement protocols - Provide input on the strategy - Make a recommendation including best practices for community or commission engagement which will be presented to Council for consideration - The task force does not have the authority to direct staff workloads or priorities. MEMBERSHIP Members would consist of current Human Rights and Relations Commissioners. Task force members would be encouraged to seek additional input from community members and invite additional community participation to scheduled task force sessions. The task force should be intentional about including community input from the following communities within Edina: • Asian American and Pacific Islander communities • Latina/o/x communities • Black or African American or African heritage communities • American Indian communities and Tribal Nations • Community members with disabilities • LGBTQIA+ communities • Renters and homeowners • Students, youth, and senior populations • Communities representing the city’s budget values of equity, engagement, health, sustainability, and or stewardship TASK FORCE LEADERSHIP The task force members will designate two members of the task force to serve as co-chairs. The role of the Chairs will be to: - Prepare the meeting agenda - Lead meetings and facilitate discussions - Maintain meeting decorum Page 19 of 22 TASK FORCE I EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT I CITY OF EDINA Page 3 - Encourage participation of all members STAFF LIAISON The City Manager will designate the staff liaison to the Task Force. The role of the Liaison will be to: - Support the Task Force Chair in preparing agendas and meeting materials - Provide technical expertise and access to City resources - Submit packet materials for City Council review The Task Force does not direct the work of the liaison. RESOURCES AVAILABLE The Task Force will have access to City resources as available for advisory groups i.e. marketing/communications, meeting supplies, etc. OUTCOMES A final report of recommendations for the human rights commission or community participation in decision- making which includes: - Summary of meetings topics and discussions - Final recommendations and best practices - Identified challenges to participation and proposed solutions - Other findings as discovered in task force discussion and research Page 20 of 22 Page 21 of 22 Page 22 of 22