HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-25_07_00_PM-HRRC_PacketAgenda
Human Rights and Relations Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina City Hall, Council Chambers
4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes
V.Community Comment
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant
issues or concerns. 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. Generally speaking,
items that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment.
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 sta% for
consideration at a future meeting.
VI.Reports/Recommendations
A.2016 Work Plan Updates
B.2017 Proposed Work Plan Initiatives
VII.Correspondence And Petitions
A.Correspondence
VIII.Chair And Member Comments
A.State Diversity and Inclusion Council Report
IX.Sta- Comments
X.Adjournment
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 ampli1cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: October 25, 2016 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve minutes from the September 27, 2016 Human Rights and Relations Commission.
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Minutes: HRRC September 27, 2016 Draft
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
'
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Human Rights and Relations Commission
Edina City Hall, Community Room
September 27, 2016 7:00pm
I. Call To Order
Chair Arseneault called the September 27, 2016 Human Rights and Relations Commission
meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Chair Arseneault, Commissioners Beringer, Edelson, Edwards,
Kennedy, Martin and Nelson. Student Commissioners Chao and Sinha. Staff present: HRRC
Staff Liaison MJ Lamon.
Late Arrival: Meek
Absent Members: Commissioner Vecchio-Smith.
Left Early: Commissioner Beringer
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Kennedy to approve the Human Rights and Relations September 27, 2016
meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Martin. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Motion by Edelson to approve the August 22, 2016 meeting minutes amending the
Commissioner Comments to remove Edwards comment. Motion seconded by Kennedy.
Motion carried.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
The HRRC welcomed new student commissioners Prasoon Sinha and Connie Chao.
VI. Community Comment
Colleen Feige, Former member of the HRRC and Edina resident came to thank the commission on
achieving the Human Rights City Designation and hopes there is interest in continuing the efforts
of Human Rights in the City. Colleen shared a letter received from Pittsburgh congratulating the
team on the designation.
Arnie Bigbee, Former member of the HRRC and Edina resident. Arnie brought the following topics
to the attention of the commission.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
• Report on community conversations
• City of Minneapolis recording demographics on traffic stops
• School district boundaries for Edina residents in Hopkins school district
• Affordable Housing
Commissioner Meek arrived at 7:14pm.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2016 Work Plan Updates
• Sharing Values, Sharing Community
• Committee presented marketing materials for the event and secured commission
members’ assistance with poster distribution.
• Committee shared plan for the flow of the event.
• Committee requested and received volunteers (Martin, Nelson, Edwards, Chao,
Sinha, Arseneault) to assist at the event.
• Community Council Meeting Update
• Commissioner Kennedy recently attended the Community Council Meeting.
• Highlighted topics included: Edina Resource Center new website design that is
more user friendly and provides a list of all community-based resources; survey
and other data from the Edina school district; and the community resource
center’s focus on mental health.
Commissioner Beringer left at 7:47pm.
• CEDAW Update
• There will be a virtual planning committee established to create a virtual
conference on December 9.
• The Cities of Red Wing and Falcon Heights are considering resolutions in support
of CEDAW.
B. Indigenous Peoples Day Designation
• A draft resolution was presented to the HRRC for consideration.
Motion by Kennedy to approve the draft resolution to be sent to Council for
consideration with the amendment to paragraph 6 to add “including the
Minnesota cities of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Red Wing, and Grand Rapids” after the
phrase, “Several States, many cities through the nation.” Motion seconded by
Edelson. Motion carried.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
C. 2017 Proposed Work Plan
Motion made by Nelson to approve 2017 proposed work plan for Council
consideration. Motion seconded by Martin. Motion carried.
VIII. Correspondence And Petitions
Correspondence was received but not discussed.
IX. Chair And Member Comments
Chair Arseneault reported she connected with a resident who asked if the HRRC has
discussed the yard signs in support of the Edina Police Department.
Commissioner Kennedy described an October 10 speaking event at William Mitchell Law
School to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day and reported on MN Department of
Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey’s plan for more outreach with Human Rights
Commissions.
X. Staff Comments
None.
XI. Adjournment
Motion by Kennedy to adjourn the September 27, 2016 HRRC meeting at 9:14 PM. Motion
seconded by Edelson. Motion carried.
Date: October 25, 2016 Agenda Item #: VI.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:2016 Work Plan Updates Discussion, Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Committees will provide reports and/or updates on their 2016 work plan initiatives.
INTRODUCTION:
A. Community Conversations (Vecchio-Smith/Martin/Arseneault)
Community Conversations Report December 2015 (attached)
Press Release and Incident Report
Mayor's Statement
Response to NAACP
City Answers to Questions
NYT Article
Star Tribune Article
B. Sharing Values, Sharing Community - Leading a Meaningful Life Event (Meek/Edelson)
Event Thursday, October 27
Volunteer List (attached)
C. Tom Oye (Arseneault/Martin)
D. Indigenous Peoples Day (Arseneault/Kennedy)
Council meeting update
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
HRRC 2016 Work Plan and Progress Report
Committee and Working Group Roster
Community Conversations Report December 2015
Event Volunteer List
Leading a Meaningful Life Event Program
Approved by City Council on December 15, 2015
39T39T
Board/Commission: Human Rights and Relations Commission
2016 Annual Work Plan Proposal
Initiative 1 ☐☐☐☐ New Initiative
☐☐☐☐ Continued Initiative
☒☒☒☒ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Tom Oye Award April 2016 $100 1. 1.Register Attendance at
event
2. Track Nominations
3. 3. Update Website
Progress Report: Commission selected Lauren Morse-Wendt as the 2016 recipient in recognition of her collaborative leadership in developing support for
the 66 West project and for advancing a community conversation about affordable housing and homeless youth.
Initiative 2 ☐☐☐☐ New Initiative
☐☐☐☐ Continued Initiative
☒☒☒☒ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Days of Remembrance April 2016 $1,000 1. Audio/Video – requires 2
CTS staff to come to
event and complete
video follow up
2. Marketing Pieces – CTS
request
3. Meeting Space – secure
City Hall, tables, chairs,
easels
4. Communication – Social
media, press release
5. Attend event
Most of the staff support
required is required from the
CTS department. The liaison
helps facilitate the requests.
With attending the event there
are many hours of staff support
for this event.
Progress Report: Annual DOR event held on April 10, 2016, focused on Women in the Holocaust and Genocides, featuring guest speaker St. Paul artist
and Holocaust survivor Lucy Smith, and talk by Dr. Ellen Kennedy on Ravensbruck, a women’s concentration camp. In addition, the committee
purposefully “branded” the event this year with the creation of a new poster design that will be used in all future DOR events.
Approved by City Council on December 15, 2015
Initiative 3 ☐☐☐☐ New Initiative
☒☒☒☒ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Human Rights City Designation December
2016
$200 1. Meeting Space – secure
rooms
2. Audio/Video – CTS staff to
assist with taping
3. Communication – social
media, press release
The HRRC is hoping to secure
Human Rights City Designation
in the year 2016.
Progress Report: Working group completed multiple presentations to Edina civic /community groups on what it means to be a human rights city, sought
best practices on addressing human rights issues from several Human Rights cities, and drafted a resolution for presentation to council for the city of
Edina to resolve to be a Human Rights City, which was adopted by City Council on August 3, 2016.
Initiative 4 ☐☐☐☐ New Initiative
☒☒☒☒ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Community Conversations December
2016
None 1. Meeting Space
2. Report to CC
The Human Rights City
Designation hopes to use some
of the information gathered
from these meetings.
Progress Report: Committee has undertaken a review of the Community Conversations December 2015 Report to determine recommendations to
address concerns raised during the conversations; Committee’s report is in progress.
Initiative 5 ☐☐☐☐ New Initiative
☒☒☒☒ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Affordable Housing Expanding Opportunity
1. Continued education on affordable housing
2. Monitor status of Edina
3. Support current efforts
December
2016
None 1. Administrative
2. Connecting with the
committee as the topic
arises at the City
Most of this committee’s work
has been surrounding and
supporting the Edina Housing
Foundations Affordable
Housing Policy. They have also
been in support and watching
66 West project.
Progress Report: Committee continues to monitor status of affordable housing in Edina.
Approved by City Council on December 15, 2015
Initiative 6 ☒☒☒☒ New Initiative
☐☐☐☐ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Convention of the Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
• Resolution
• Education
November
2016
$500 1. Audio/Video – CTS staff to
be at event
2. Marketing Pieces – CTS
request
3. Meeting space – securing
space
4. Communications
Progress Report: Draft Resolution to endorse the national passage of CEDAW and to confirm the city’s commitment to the elimination of all forms of
discrimination against women presented to and adopted by City Council on March 2, 2016.
Initiative 7 ☒☒☒☒ New Initiative
☐☐☐☐ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Indigenous Peoples Day Designation September
2016
None 1. Admin support –
submitting reports to City
Council
Progress Report: Committee reviewed several cities’ Indigenous Peoples Day resolutions and other background information regarding history and
rationale for seeking recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday in October and prepared a draft Resolution for review and approval
by the commission to forward to city council for consideration.
Initiative 8 ☒☒☒☒ New Initiative
☐☐☐☐ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Co-sponsor Community Conversation with Edina Public
Schools PCN (Parent Communication Network)
October
2016
$150 1. Marketing pieces for
event – CTS request
2. Communications
Progress Report: Put on hold pending the outcome of the Community Conversations committee’s work.
Initiative 9 ☐☐☐☐ New Initiative
☐☐☐☐ Continued Initiative
☐☐☐☐ On-Going Initiative
Target
Completion
Date
Budget
Required
Staff Support Required
(To be completed by Staff
Liaison)
Liaison Comments
Sharing Values, Sharing Community February $200 1. Marketing pieces for
Approved by City Council on December 15, 2015
• Community Event 2016 event – CTS request
2. Communications
Progress Report: Event entitled “Leading a Meaningful Life: An Interfaith Conversation with Religious Leaders about Joy, Appreciation and Gratitude” is
scheduled for October 27, 2016, in the Hughes Pavilion at Centennial Lakes, featuring Rabbi Michael Latz (Shir Tikvah), Father Kevin Finnegan (Our Lady
of Grace), Imam Asad Zaman and Reverend Steve Hagen (founder / teacher at Dharma Field Zen Center).
Ongoing Responsibilities
Edina Resource Center/Edina Community Council – HRRC Rep September to May, 3 year term
Website/Blog
Bias Offense Response and Prevention Plan: Review annually
HRRC Rep to Human Services Task Force
Other Work Plan Ideas Considered for Current Year or Future Years
Partnership with Health Commission on prescription drug abuse awareness.
Food Justice Initiative
Proposed Month for Joint Work Session (one time per
year, up to 60 minutes):
July 2016 (July 19, 2016)
Council Comments: Work plans proposed by the Boards and Commissions were reviewed at the December 1 work
session. The following changes/comments were made and are reflected on this work plan:
• No changes
• Concerned about staff time consumption (CTS and liaison) for initiatives.
EHRRC ROSTER: Committees, Working Groups, Representatives to External Committees
Responsibilities Chair Members Term Notes
Committee Tom Oye Award
Review nomination form & criteria to
determine need for revision; Provide
summary to commission; Update
letters to nominees and nominators;
Press Release / Ensure PSA will run
on Ch. 16; Ensure we have
presentation award; Present Award
Sarah Rinn
(2016)
Kristina Martin
Sid Ramesh Renew Annually
Review of nomination criteria
in summer; Preparations for
media/PR/announcements in
fall; Volunteer Award
Ceremony in spring (usually
April)
Committee Days of Remembrance
Create agenda & determine speakers;
Request holocaust survivors videos to
run on Ch. 16 throughout month of
April; Ensure event is marketed and
work with Communications
Department for poster update and
brochures; Distribution of posters;
Secure refreshments for event; Send
thank you notes to those involved
Heather Edelson
Kristina Martin
Michelle Meek
Caitlin Kearney
Renew Annually
Process usually starts in fall
and ends in April to coincide
with National Holocaust
Museum Days of
Remembrance
Working
Group
Human Rights City
Designation
Ellen Kennedy
(2016)
Cindy Edwards
Heather Edelson
Colleen Feige
Leslie Lagerstrom
Steve Winnick
Rachel Carlson
Arnie Bigbie
Terms end
December 2016
Community member
involvement
Committee Community
Conversations
Review working Group's Report to
Commission; determine course of
action (f any)
Maggie Vechhio-
Smith (2016)
Sarah Rinn
Kristina Martin Terms end
December 2016
Committee, Working Group, Event,
Rep to External Committee
Updated April 26, 2016
EHRRC ROSTER: Committees, Working Groups, Representatives to External Committees
Responsibilities Chair Members Term Notes
Committee, Working Group, Event,
Rep to External Committee
Committee Monitor Affordable
Housing
Monitor the status of affordable
housing projects and support current
affordable housing efforts; Continue
education on affordable housing
Co-Chairs:
Maggie Vecchio-
Smith (2016)
Catherine
Beringer (2016)
Terms end
December 2016
Committee
Convention of the
Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW)
Drafting Resolution for Adoption by
City Council
Ellen Kennedy
(2016)Term ended Initiatve completed March
2016
Committee Indigenous Peoples Day
Designation
Drafting Resolution for Adoption by
City Council
Ellen Kennedy
(2016)Michelle Meek Terms end
December 2016
Target completion date
September 2016
Committee
Co-sponsor Community
Conversation with Edina
Pubic Schools PCN
(Parent Communication
Network)
Work with PCN to develop a topic of
mutual interest
Maggie Vechhio-
Smith (2016)
Term ends
December 2016 Initiatve on hold
Committee Sharing Values, Sharing
Community
Plan an event with leaders from
several faith communities
(Jewish/Muslim/Christian) to
advocate and embrace social justice
and understanding in our community
Heather Edelson
Kristina Martin
Michelle Meek
Terms end
December 2016
Updated April 26, 2016
EHRRC ROSTER: Committees, Working Groups, Representatives to External Committees
Responsibilities Chair Members Term Notes
Committee, Working Group, Event,
Rep to External Committee
HRRC Rep to
External
Committee
Edina Community Council
Council serves as Steering committee
for Edina Family Services
Collaborative; Attend meeting of the
social service agencies serving Edina,
the Edina school district, and other
South Hennepin metro communities.
Share information, participate in
budget process
N/A
Ellen Kennedy (3
year term: 2015-16;
2016-2017; 2017-
2018)
Renew every 3
years (before
start of school
year)
Meets (7:30-9:00 a.m.) every
other month during the
school year (September -
May)
Committee HRRC Website
Administration
Annual and periodic review of
website for content accuracy; Work
with Staff Liaison as needed on
changes or updates
Cindy Edwards
(2016)Sid Ramesh Renew Annually
Committee Bias Offense Response
Plan
Annually review Bias Offense
Response Plan; Work with City
Manager and Chief Nelson
Pat Arseneault
(2016)
Catherine Beringer
Cindy Edwards
Michelle Meek
Renew Annually
HRRC Rep to
External
Committee
Human Services
Taskforce
Review requests for funding
proposals from human service
providers who serve Edina
populations in need; Make
recommendation to Council on the
city's annual funding to providers
N/A No rep needed for
2016
Renew biennially
(at or before
September
Commission
meeting)
Taskforce comprised of reps
from Boards and
Commissions; Meets every
other year (next in 2017), 4
times in Oct/early Nov to
consider requests; Meets
with Council to make
recommendation
Updated April 26, 2016
Community Conversations Working
Group Report
To
Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission
December 10, 2015
Background
In 2014, the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission adopted a
new initiative called Community Conversations, a series of structured
listening sessions modeled after the work of The Advocates for Human
Rights. The commission’s objective was to discover how residents of
Edina, especially those of diverse backgrounds, experienced our
community.
The Advocates for Human Rights evolved the process for Community
Conversations to include several principles, including openness,
confidentiality, and accuracy in recording comments. The Conversations,
called “listening sessions,” were held in easily accessible locations in
neighborhoods with which the residents were familiar and comfortable.
Snacks and refreshments were provided to encourage sharing.
The Process
Each Conversation listening session consisted of three main parts: (1)
asking participants to identify the qualities of the perfect welcoming
community; (2) small group discussions around one central question, “What
is your experience of being welcomed in Edina?;” and (3) gathering
feedback from the small group discussions.
Demographics
Overall, six Conversation listening sessions were held, in November 2014
and October 2015. Out of the seventy-five Edina residents who
participated, fifty participants completed demographic questionnaires.
The demographic forms indicated:
• 23 female / 27 male
• 30 white / 2 African American / 4 African / 9 Asian-Pacific Islander /
1 Latino- Hispanic / 1 American Indian-Alaska Native
• Age range: 9 – 87 years
Average age 49 years / Median age 54 years
• Languages spoken:
English / German / French / Spanish / Chinese / Somali / Swahili
Qualities Participants’ Identified as the Perfect Welcoming
Community
Housing
Participants expressed that ideal housing should be safe, clean, quiet,
affordable to rent or buy, with available community gathering spaces.
Community
Participants’ comments regarding the ideal community included:
• Feeling welcome, with people reaching out especially to newcomers
• Being invited to participate and contribute in the community
• Identifying themselves with those in positions of authority
• Having easy (multilingual) access to resources such as food, banks,
medical care, libraries, schools, child care
• Having a diverse community
• Being accepting of diversity and different religious faiths
• Providing resources to support and encourage multicultural and
economic diversity
• Having good signage in the community in the variety of languages
spoken by residents
• Having advocacy groups to support legal aid and medical care needs
• Being respected
Education
Participants’ comments regarding ideal education included:
• Children being able to attend strong schools in their neighborhoods
• Residents of Edina having open enrollment for children in Edina
Public Schools
• Providing workshops on housing, work and education in schools
Safety
Participants’ comments regarding an ideal safe community included:
• Feeling safe in home and neighborhood
• Having friendly police officers
• Having crime free or low crime neighborhoods
• Having freedom from bullying
Mobility
Participants’ comments regarding ideal mobility included:
• Having bountiful public transportation that connects people to places
they want to go
• Having safe sidewalks that make neighborhoods easy to navigate
• Having well maintained streets
• Having walking and biking trails
• Having access to “nice ride” bikes in the neighborhood
Conversations Feedback
Participants shared experiences and provided feedback on areas that could
be improved.
Participants expressed the following:
With Regard to Housing
• There is not easy access to housing that is affordable to rent or own.
• In our neighborhood, we experience noise and vandalism.
• There are not adequate spaces for children to play, especially in bad
weather.
• There are no community gathering spaces that afford easy gathering
of informal groups.
• Sometimes it seems like Edina wants to get rid of affordable housing.
With Regard to the Community
• Edina feels like a close knit and superior group that doesn’t let others
in.
• Residents who are not citizens feel like they have no voice in Edina.
• My language and culture make me feel like there are barriers to
participating.
• Sometimes the city is not responsive to citizen issues.
• Not all public and private facilities are fully accessible for those with
disabilities.
• The City of Edina and the Edina Public Schools tax, and spend,
wisely.
• We like the increasing food diversity.
• There is no art from my culture in the Edina art events or fairs.
• Where is the Edina Department of Social Services?
• Edina City Magazine and About Town don’t reflect the diversity of
Edina.
• Politician outreach is good.
• I’ve heard people call my neighborhood “the ghetto of Edina.”
• When families in our neighborhood need help with food or clothing we
go to other communities - there don’t seem to be helping resources in
Edina.
• There seems to be a stigma for seeking helping resources in Edina.
• It’s lonely here - I feel like I live on an island.
With Regard to Education
• We like that the school bus drivers are all employees of Edina Public
Schools.
• We can’t always easily afford the extra costs of transportation,
computers, internet, uniforms, equipment, etc. for required or
extracurricular activities in Edina Public Schools.
• Sometimes it seems like we are “priced out of fitting in”.
• The City of Edina needs to partner more with Edina Public Schools to
learn more about cultural outreach and diversity initiatives.
• Our kids did not win the lottery to attend Edina Public Schools- then
the private schools convenient to us said our kids were “not a good
fit” for their programs.
• Our kids are bullied at school for being from Edina.
• Edina Public Schools treats kids with disabilities very well.
• The staff is not very diverse in Edina Public Schools.
With Regard to Safety
• Police have a positive relationship through events like the parade.
• Our neighborhood experiences vandalism.
• Our kids are bullied by kids from a nearby apartment building.
• It seems like Edina police harass me with frequent traffic stops (I’m
black).
• Edina police don’t seem to understand the rules for international
drivers’ license holders - the police say “tell it to the judge” and when
we do, the citation is dismissed. This is an expensive inconvenience
for me to take time off of work and appear in court.
• Edina police need more diversity training.
• We are black and we are stopped several times each year by Edina
police officers and they don’t tell us of a violation but ask “What are
you doing here?” or “Where are you going?” If I ask why I was
stopped, the officer appears to look around trying to find a reason for
the arbitrary traffic stop.
• Our friends from another suburb, who are black, experience arbitrary
traffic stops on about one of ten of their visits to Edina.
• My children, who are black, have been stopped by police while
walking on the sidewalks in our neighborhood.
With Regard to Mobility
• There is no convenient public transit in our neighborhood.
• Schedules and routes are not convenient for us.
• Bus schedules are hard to understand.
• Some pedestrian crossings on France Avenue are still problematic.
• We need more access to transit to get to and from education, work,
public and retail services.
• Would Uber type system work in Edina?
• Maybe the MTC and the Edina Public Schools buses should operate
a single public transit system in Edina to saturate the city.
• In most areas of Edina there is adequate parking.
• Bus stops in Edina in the winter are atrocious.
Conclusions
Overall, the Working Group finds the Community Conversations initiative a
success. The sizable participant turnout produced significant feedback that
could help us in making Edina a more welcoming community. Participants
ranged in age and ethnic background, spoke multiple languages, were
relatively balanced by gender, and lived in a wide variety of neighborhoods
in Edina. Participants shared their experiences in five major facets of Edina
life – with regard to housing, education, safety, mobility and community life
itself, and in doing so, identified areas that could be improved.
Some findings highlight concerns already shared by members of the
Human Rights and Relations Commission, and other data collected serve
to shed light on new areas of concern that could help to further improve the
quality of life for Edina residents. The Working Group herby concludes its
work and turns over its findings for the Commission’s consideration.
Acknowledgements
The Advocates for Human Rights, represented primarily by Madeline
Lohman, supplied training and encouragement while commission member
Arnie Bigbee recruited volunteers, many of whom became instrumental in
the completion of the Conversations. Commissioner Bigbee served as
Chair of the Working Group, and continued in his dedication to see the
Conversations completed as a community volunteer. It is important to
acknowledge the support of and contribution to this activity by the members
of the Edina City Council, the City Manager and the support staff in several
City departments. Members of the Commission also made substantial
contributions to the Conversations in 2015 including Chair Patrice
Arseneault, member Jasna Burza, and student commissioners Caitlin
Kearney and Sidharth Ramesh.
Community volunteers included: Maggie Goetze, Charlie Goldstein, Mary
Kost, Sallie Lewis, Katie Oberle, Melvin Ogurak, Leonard Snyder, Chris
Bremer, Judith Rodgers, Katie Meehan and Sidharth Ramesh, who began
as a community member and continued working on the project as a student
commissioner. All were generous in volunteering their time. A special
thanks is owed to community volunteer Katie Meehan, who was
extraordinary with the insight, energy and commitment she brought to the
Conversations process planning and execution.
And finally, it is important to acknowledge the leadership and support of the
Edina Public Schools. Superintendent Ric Dressen along with Mary
Manderfeld led several of their staff who specialize in diversity and
multicultural initiatives to participate in the Conversations.
Volunteer Time
• 5-8:30
Food Pick Up
• Pat Arseneault
Set Up @ 5:00pm
• Pat Arseneault
• Michelle Meek
• Heather Edelson
• Cindy Edwards
• Connie Chao
• Prasoon Sinha
• Jim Nelson
Welcome Area:
• Volunteers Needed: Kristina Martin, Jim Nelson and Prasoon Sinha
• Job includes: Welcoming guests, telling them about the tree & food and letting them
know they are welcome to sit wherever they chose.
Tree:
• 2 Volunteers needed. Pat Arseneault & Connie Chao
• Job Includes: Inviting guests over to the tree to fill out their question and attach their
leaves to the tree
Food Table:
• 1 volunteer: Cindy Edwards
• Job Includes: oversee the food/drink table. Refill food/supplies as needed
FB Live & Microphones:
• MJ & Kelly
Finding our own purpose in this complex
world can be a struggle. Thank you for joining
us this evening to participate in an interfaith
conversation about finding joy, appreciation and
gratitude in our everyday lives.
Leading a Meaningful Life
6 p.m. Oct. 27
Centennial Lakes Hughes Pavilion
7499 France Ave. S., Edina
Moderators:
HRRC Commissioner Heather Edelson
Edelson’s goal on the Human Rights & Relations
Commission (HRRC) is to make progress on
multi-generational connections and human
dignity in our community. She is an active
community member, mother of three busy
boys and is happily married to her best friend.
HRRC Commissioner Michelle Meek
Meek’s goals on the HRRC are to encourage a better
understanding of institutional racism and support initiatives
that promote tolerance, diversity and justice. She
also has her own public relations consultancy.
Meek and her husband are raising two
wonderfully mischievous sons and a perfectly
imperfect rescue pup.
Panelists:
Father Kevin Finnegan
Since graduating from the University of St. Thomas,
Finnegan has engaged in evangelizing ministries for many
years and brings that passion to his priestly ministry.
Ordained for nearly 20 years, Finnegan served at the
Church of St. Edward in Bloomington and Divine Mercy
in Faribault before beginning at Our Lady of Grace in
July 2014. Loving Catholic education, he also has the
privilege to serve as Canonical Administrator of St. John
Paul II Prep in North East Minneapolis.
Rabbi Michael Latz
Latz has been Shir Tikvah's Senior Rabbi since July 2009. He
brings to the congregation boundless energy, heartfelt
compassion and commitment to fostering an authentic
and engaging Jewish experience. Previously, he was the
founding rabbi of Kol HaNeshamah in West Seattle,
Washington. A Wexner Fellow during rabbinical school,
Latz was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish
Institute of Religion in 2000.
Imam Asad Zaman
Zaman is a distinguished leader in the Islamic movement,
youth development, interfaith programming and nonprofit
leadership. He is Executive Director and Imam with the
Muslim American Society of Minnesota.
Rev. Steve Hagen
Hagen is the founder and head of Dharma Field and has been
a student of Buddhist thought and practice since 1967.
In 1975, he began practicing with Dainin Katagiri Roshi
in Minneapolis and was ordained by him in 1979. He
has studied with teachers in the United States, Asia and
Europe, and received Dharma transmission (endorsement
to teach) from Katagiri Roshi in 1989.
Human Rights & Relations Commission Members
Chair:
Pat Arseneault
Members:
Catherine Beringer, Heather Edelson, Cindy Edwards,
Ellen Kennedy, Kristina Martin, Michelle Meek,
Jim Nelson and Maggie Vecchio-Smith.
The Commission is responsible for advising and counseling the
Edina City Council on matters relating to discrimination and
human relations. Members implement programs of education
and community action that have been approved by the Council;
cooperate with State agencies in their programs of human
rights; and investigate, study, report and undertake other
functions assigned to local commissions. The Commission
works on human rights-related issues throughout the year in its
mission to create a more equitable community for all who live,
work, and study in Edina.
Edina Human Rights Series
Date: October 25, 2016 Agenda Item #: VI.B.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:2017 Proposed Work Plan Initiatives Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
Chair Arseneault will provide an update on the work session with Council when she presented the 2017
proposed work plan for the HRRC.
Affordable Housing Report
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
2017 Proposed Work Plan
Essay Contest Proposal
Affordable Housing Staff Report
Board/Commission: Human Rights and Relations Commission
2017 Annual Work Plan Proposal
Initiative
1
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☐☐☐☐ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☒☒☒☒ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☐ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☒ Ongoing Responsibility April 2017 $75 for plaque +
possible cost for new
printed materials
• Register attendance at
event
• Track nominations
• Update website
Tom Oye Award
• In 2017 the committee will develop an annual theme.
Liaison Comments: The Tom Oye nomination will open in December. Deadline for submissions will be January 15, 2017. Award will be given at the
Volunteer Recognition Event.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
2
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☒☒☒☒ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☐☐☐☐ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☐ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☒ Ongoing Responsibility August 2017 None. • Coordinate Meetings
• Track offenses Bias Offense Response Plan – review and update, if needed, annually
Liaison Comments: In 2016 the Committee did a large overhaul of the plan. 2017 may not have many changes if any. The goal of 2017 is to create a record
of the offenses the team convened for and track as we go forward.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
3
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☐☐☐☐ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☒☒☒☒ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☐ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☒ Ongoing Responsibility April 2017 $300 for marketing
materials and
refreshments
Click here to enter text.
Day of Remembrance Event
Liaison Comments: The committee will be selecting a theme this winter for next year.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
4
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☒☒☒☒ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☐☐☐☐ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☐ New Initiative ☒ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility June 2017 None. • Assist HRRC in sending
Strategic plan to Council for
consideration. Develop a strategic plan (extension of Human Rights City
Designation)
• Housing
• Aging Community
• Addressing Issues of Racism
Liaison Comments: HRRC will be asking Council to approve a strategic plan which will be the road map moving into the future.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
5
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☒☒☒☒ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☐☐☐☐ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☒ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility December 2017 None. • Assist HRRC in sending
designation request to
Council. AARP Age Friendly Community Designation
• Develop and adopt a plan for a multiyear process
• Investigate the feasibility of enrolling in or joining the AARP
network.
Liaison Comments: First year is to adopt the designation by sending in an application and the second year develop an action plan. The AARP has a process
that the HRRC can follow and is intended to take more time to complete. Some communities choose to pass a resolution. HRRC will look at the process and
send a recommendation to Council for consideration.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
6
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☐☐☐☐ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☒☒☒☒ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☒ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility June 2017 $1000 fee for • Event coordination
Institutional Racism Workshop workshop facilitators • Communications
• Marketing
Liaison Comments: Workshop participants could include HRRC members, HRRC would provide invites to others who may want to attend. HRRC will research
a workshop facilitator or organization to help.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
7
Council Charge
☒☒☒☒ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☐☐☐☐ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☐☐☐☐ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☒ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility December 2017 None. None.
Police Department Partnership (Outgrowth of the Community
Conversations)
• Study and Report Best Practices
Liaison Comments: The HRRC would like to better understand the police departments training efforts and challenges. The HRRC would like to study and
report on best practices particularly when it comes to the Edina PD collecting demographic data for all stops.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
8
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☐☐☐☐ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☒☒☒☒ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☐ New Initiative ☒ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility October 2017 $300 for marketing
materials and
refreshments,
depending on event)
• Event coordination
• Communications
• Marketing
Sharing Values, Sharing Communities
Liaison Comments: The committee would reconvene after the 2016 event to debrief and develop ideas to present for a 2017 event. The idea
would be to create a series of public discussions around important, uplifting topics that could be addressed by leaders of our community.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Initiative
9
Council Charge
☐☐☐☐ 1 ☐☐☐☐ 2 ☐☐☐☐ 3 ☐☐☐☐ 4 ☒☒☒☒ Event
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☒ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility May 2017 $200 for marketing
$100 for award
Communications
Marketing
Manage essays Human Rights Essay Contest
• Develop an annual theme
• Develop age categories
Liaison Comments: The commission will hold an essay contest. They will develop the framework for the contest including a theme, entry
categories, award, etc.
City Manager Comments: Click here to enter text.
Progress Report: Click here to enter text.
Parking Lot: (These items have been considered by the BC, but not proposed as part of this year’s work plan. If the BC decides they would like
to work on them in the current year, it would need to be approved by Council.)
Transgender Rights – Educational presentation or other efforts to ensure welcome and safe environment for all within the city
Recognition for Community Members whose work addresses issues of racism (e.g., an MLK Award)
Proposed Month for Joint Work Session (one time per year, up to 60 minutes): June
Council Comments:
1
Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission
Proposal for a Human Rights Essay Contest
Submitted by Heather Edelson and Ellen Kennedy
Fall 2016
Purposes of the contest
• To raise awareness about human rights challenges and opportunities among those who live,
work, and study in the City of Edina;
• To raise awareness about the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission;
• To acknowledge and recognize those who are giving thoughtful consideration to issues of
human rights.
Levels of participation
• The Junior Level is open to students ages 13-17.
• The Senior Level is open to all people ages 18 and above.
Recognition of winners
• The Junior Level winner will receive a gift card from Barnes and Noble for $50, special mention
in About Town, a reading of the essay at the City Celebration of Human Rights in March 2017 for
the first year and on December 10, 2017 and each December 10 thereafter, and a certificate of
recognition from the EHRRC and the Mayor.
• The Senior Level winner will receive a gift card from Barnes and Noble for $100, special mention
in About Town, a reading of the essay at the City Celebration of Human Rights City Celebration
of Human Rights in March 2017 for the first year and on December 10, 2017 and each December
10 thereafter, and a certificate of recognition from the EHRRC and the Mayor.
Submission details (dates in parentheses are for Year 2, to be the standard dates).
• All essays will be submitted electronically to *** (MJ?) by February 1 (October 15).
• Junior Level essays will be no longer than 800 words; Senior Level essays no longer than 1,200
words. Essays will be computer-typed, double-spaced, Calibri 12-point font. Names will appear
only on the contact form and will not appear on the essays.
• A subcommittee of EHRRC will read and evaluate the essays and select winners according to
criteria that the subcommittee determines appropriate.
• Winners will be notified by March 1 (December 1).
• Winners will be invited to read their essays at the City Council meeting in March (City
Celebration of Human Rights).
Generating awareness of the competition
• Notices will be put into the Edina Sun Current and About Town.
• Fliers will be distributed to all Edina teachers.
• Information will be posted online at the City and EHRRC websites, the Edina Community
Resource site, and other public sites as appropriate.
• Fliers will be posted at apartment complexes, libraries, senior facilities, and other locations.
2
Suggested topic for Year 1
The City of Edina has passed a resolution supporting the United Nations Convention on the
Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (known as CEDAW). This Convention has been ratified
by 189 countries in the world. The six countries that have not yet ratified it are Iran, Sudan, Somalia,
Palau, Tonga – and the United States.
HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY QUESTION:
1) How does discrimination affect women and girls in our country, our state, and in our community
today? Do race, nationality, social status, or education level play a role, and if so, how? 2) Where in
your life have you seen or experienced this discrimination personally? 3) What action can you take or
have you taken, and what can we do as a community?
Please reference the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in your answer and be sure to
address all three questions.
Submission Information Form
For those age 18 and over:
Name
Address
Email address
Phone number
I give permission for the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission to publish my essay, name,
and photo in any and all forms.
Signature Date
------------------------------------------------
For those under age 18:
Name
School
Name of parent or guardian
Address
Email address
3
Phone Number
I, parent/guardian of ________________________, give permission for the Edina Human Rights and
Relations Commission to publish my child’s essay, name, and photo in any and all forms.
Signature Date
Date: 8/29/2016
To: Scott Neal, City Manager
From: Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Subject: Affordable Housing in Edina 2010-2016
I. Introduction
The high land values in the City of Edina can be prohibitive to different demographics hoping
to make Edina their home. People who grew up in Edina may not be able to afford to move
back to the city to raise their own families, people who work in Edina have to commute to the
City because they cannot afford housing prices, or people who have lived in Edina but are
looking to downsize or may be on a fixed income cannot find something affordable and so
they end up leaving the community.
The City of Edina has been involved in affordable housing initiatives since 1972. This report
outlines why affordable housing is an important issue in Edina, how affordable housing has
evolved in the city, and what programs and policies are currently in place that set the stage for
further development of affordable housing in Edina.
II. Affordable Housing and the Edina Community
Edina has long recognized the value of diversification in our housing stock. In 1974, the City
Council established the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) specifically with
the charge to address the lack of affordable housing in the City. Their charter resolution states
that “adequate housing accommodations are not available to veterans and servicemen and
their families” and that “there is a shortage of decent, safe and sanitary dwelling
accommodations available to persons of low income and their families at rentals that they can
afford.”1The struggle to provide affordable housing in the Edina housing market has
continued as land values in the City have continued to rise.
In 2006 Edina Housing Taskforce reported that affordable housing contributes the following
six things to the Edina community as a whole:
1. Preserves and enhances the strength of our schools;
2. Maintains community character;
3. Fosters diversity;
4. Supports Edina’s businesses’ ability to remain competitive in regional and global
markets and attract quality employees;
5. Provides lifecycle opportunities for community renewal;
6. Acknowledges and supports the community building principle that persons who both
live and work in the same community are more invested in that community, are more
involved in its schools, and community governance, and contribute to a greater sense of
stewardship, vitality, and long-term stability.2
2
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Figure 1 Edina Quality of Life Survey
These goals are valuable not only in identifying the problem, but helping to give direction to
the goals of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable housing in the city. In addition
to the qualitative evaluations provided in these documents, public concerns about affordable
housing have been quantified in multiple city reports.
A significant motive for increasing affordable housing in Edina is to provide housing for
people who work in the City but are unable to afford the rising housing prices. The City’s 2008
Comprehensive Plan reported that 85% of Edina’s 52,000 workers commute from outside
Edina.3
Since 2011, Edina residents have participated in the biennial Quality of Life Survey to help the
City identify goals of the community. Throughout each rendition of this survey, affordable
housing has stood out as an issue of particular concern for the community.
In the 2015Quality of Life Survey,
residents were given a list of 18
community characteristics and
asked to rate the quality of each.
The lowest rated item was
affordable housing with only 36%
of residents giving the availability
of quality, affordable housing in
the city a positive rating.4 When
compared to other Minnesota
communities, the availability of
quality, affordable housing was
rated lower in Edina than the
state benchmark.5 In addition,
residents were asked to free write
what they felt was the most
serious issue facing Edina. About
25% of respondents wrote in
comments related to affordable
housing and housing teardowns.6
Furthermore, during the Vision Edina workshops in 2014, housing availability and
affordability emerged as an important and uncertain factor that will play into Edina’s future.
This process aimed to build a community strategy to build towards what residents see as the
future of Edina. This exercise again highlighted the importance of affordable housing to Edina
residents.
3
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Figure 2: Vision Edina
Vision Edina: Drivers Shaping the Future of the City
The residents of Edina have repeatedly shared their concern about the availability of
affordable housing in the City. Affordable housing is important for people coming into the
community, people who work in the community, and people who have been a part of the
community, but are looking to move to a different kind of housing. The importance of
affordable housing has been affirmed in the creation of the HRA, it has been emphasized by
the Edina Housing Taskforce, and it has been quantified in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan,
our Quality of Life Survey, and our overall strategic plan, Vision Edina.
III. Affordable Housing: Past to Present
There are many different kinds of affordable housing programs. Different cities, different
states, and the federal government have different programs to help meet the needs of
residents who lack access to affordable housing. One of the most prominent programs for
affordable housing is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Section 8 Housing is a
federal program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “The
housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very
low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing
in the private market.”7 People use their Section 8 housing voucher to subsidize a Section-8
approved housing unit.
The Section 8 housing program has been present in Edina for many years. Figure 3 below
outlines Section 8 housing developments that have been a part of the Edina community for
many years. While funded by the federal government, this program is administered locally by
the Metropolitan Council. In order to qualify for Section 8 housing, residents must have an
area median income of somewhere between 30%-50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
4
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Once a person or family qualifies for Section 8 housing, they are put on a waiting list for the
units that they would like to live in.
Figure 3:
Year Section 8 Housing Developments Quadrant # of Affordable
Units
1972 Yorktown Continental - 7151 York Avenue Southeast 264
1977 Yorkdale Townhomes - 3280 W 76th Street Southeast 90
1981 Oak Glen Townhomes - 5515 Oak Glen Road Southwest 26
1986 Summit Point Apartments - 5010 Summit Ave Northwest 29
1991 South Haven Apartments - 3400 Parklawn Ave: Northeast 100
Total Affordable Units 509
When a development requires a change in zoning regulations, the City Council has an
opportunity to negotiate with developers to incorporate affordable housing into these
projects. With each new residential development building in Edina, there is an opportunity to
introduce affordable housing units. Since 2010, 102 new affordable units have been added to
the Edina housing market either as a part of market rate developments, or as developments
exclusively designed for affordable housing. Below is a table of the new residential
developments in Edina since 2010. Six percent of all new housing units in Edina since 2010
have been affordable housing units.
Figure 4:
These units offer different resources for individuals and families looking for affordable
housing. Mixed income developments help to integrate people of different economic
Year Recent Developments Quadrant
Affordable
Units/Market
Units
2010 Waters Senior Living - 6300 Colonial Way Northwest 7/132
2012 Aurora on France - 6500 France Avenue Southeast 8/161
Southdale One - 6800 York Ave South Southeast 0/232
2013 Byerly’s Site - 71 France Avenue Southeast 0/234
2014
Yorkshire of Edina - 7141 York Avenue Southeast 10/90
66 West (Beacon Interfaith) - 3330 W. & 66th
Street Southeast 39/0
Onyx Edina Apartments - 6725 York Ave S Southeast 0/240
2015 Gateway Pointe - 3101 W. 66th Street Southeast 10/200
The Millennium - 3250 W. 66th Street Southeast 18/357
Total Affordable Units/Market Units 102/1,748
5
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
situations together, whereas developments focused towards a specific type of affordable
housing assistance, such as the Beacon Interfaith Project at 66 West, can provide concentrated
resources for specific populations in our community.
The City of Edina uses the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) income and rental
rates to determine rates for affordable housing. The MHFA updates both incomes (adjusted
for family size) and rental rates (adjusted for bedroom count and including utilities) annually.
2016 income and rental limits are as follows:
Figure 5:
Gross Income (AMI)
Housing Rates
Section 8 Section 8
City of Edina
Affordable
Housing
City of Edina
Affordable
Housing
% of average
income 30% 50% 60%
% of
market rate 30% 50% 60%
1 Person $18,030 $30,050 $36,060 Studio $515 $758 $1,030
2 Persons $20,610 $34,350 $41,220 1 Bedroom $551.50 $812 $1,105
3 Persons $23,190 $38,650 $46,380 2 Bedroom $664 $975 $1,328
4 Persons $25,740 $42,900 $51,480 3 Bedroom $762.50 $1,126 $1,525
5 Persons $27,810 $46,350 $55,620 4 Bedroom $840.50 $1,256 $1,681
6 Persons $29,880 $49,800 $59,760
There are some naturally occurring housing units available in Edina. Affordable units in the
market that are not associated with the City have no regulatory limitations for who may or
may not enter contract for these units. While these units exist, they alone do not meet the
community demand for affordable housing.
In 2015, the Edina City Council passed the Edina Affordable Housing Policy. The goal of the
Affordable Housing Policy is to encourage affordable housing in order to maintain a diverse
population and to provide housing options for those who live or work in the City of Edina.
The Edina Affordable Housing Policy mandates that a minimum of 10 percent of new housing
units be affordable for each new residential development of 20 or more dwelling units,
requiring a rezoning to PUD or Comprehensive Plan amendment. Developers can meet this
standard either by including the affordable units as a part of their new development, or they
can fund the construction of housing units for another site.
6
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
The City of Edina Affordable Housing Program, as established by the Edina Affordable
Housing Policy (2015), serves people earning 50-60% AMI. People that qualify for the
program are able to get housing units at 50%-60% of market rate. Rents through the Edina
Affordable Housing Program and Section 8 are represented in Figure 4. The Edina Affordable
Housing Program is distinct from Section 8 housing in that residents in these programs may
not qualify as low-income but their income may still not be substantial enough to afford
market rate housing in Edina.
Another significant development regarding affordable housing is the Southdale 2 TIF district.
In 2012, the City of Edina established the Southdale 2 TIF district. The City’s investment of
five million dollars resulted in forty plus million dollar investment into the Southdale Mall.
Following this initial investment, further development has resulted in the TIF district, helping
to realize the vision of multi-use land use. However, the high cost of land, labor and materials
is prohibitive to the development of affordable housing here. The City of Edina currently has
pending state legislation to allow the City of Edina to use Tax Increment Financing to support
affordably-price housing in the City. If passed, this would make between five and eight million
dollars available for affordable housing development in Edina.
IV. Partners in Affordable Housing
In addition to our own policies and programs, the City of Edina has partnered with non-profit
organizations throughout the region to support affordable housing programs in Edina. Since
2010, the following programs have added a total of 18 affordable units in Edina and provided
385 home loans to low income residents.
The West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT) is a non-profit organization
that creates and preserves affordable homeownership opportunities in suburban Hennepin
County through their Homes Within Reach community land trust program. The City has
awarded WHAHLT Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to assist with the
purchase and rehabilitation of 11 affordable dwelling units scattered throughout Edina.
Affordable Units: 11
The West Hennepin Affordable Housing
Land Trust (WHAHLT)
7
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
East Edina Housing Foundation
The East Edina Housing Foundation is a non-profit organization in Edina that is independent from
the City of Edina. The Foundation’s mission is: to provide homeownership opportunities to people of
low and moderate incomes.
Since 1986, the Edina Housing Foundations has offered a revolving loan program providing
deferred payment, second mortgage loans to qualifying borrowers purchasing owner occupied
homes in Edina. In total, this organization has provided 385 loans to residents in the Edina
community.
Their most recent loan program, Come Home 2 Edina was created to attract young families into
the Edina community, assist people who work in Edina but are not otherwise able to afford a
home in Edina; as well as to provide assistance to senior citizens interested in downsizing in
Edina. To date, this program has provided 51 single family home loans, 7 townhouse loans and 23
condominium loans, in total 81 loans to the Edina community.
Affordable Units: 0
Low-Income Loans: 385
The East Edina Housing Foundation
The City of Edina partnered with the Metropolitan Council’s Family Affordable Housing
Program(FAHP) with the goal to provide 20 units in the City. Due to the high land values in the
City, the initiative could only develop seven units. The City provided Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the Metropolitan Council for five single family homes, one duplex
and one condominium for Section 8, Family Affordable Housing Fund program in Edina. These
units continue to be owned and operated by the Metropolitan Council and operate as Section 8
housing units.
Affordable Units Added: 7
Metropolitan Council
8
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
1 Edina City Council Resolution 1974-03-04:
http://edinadocs.edinamn.gov/WebLink/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=120905&dbid=0
2 2006 Housing Taskforce Affordable Housing Report:
http://edinamn.gov/edinafiles/files/Advisory_Boards/Human_Rights/HousingTFReport-19Sep06.pdf
32008 Comprehensive Land Use Plan:
http://edinamn.gov/edinafiles/files/City_Offices/Community_Development/Planning/Comprehensive_Plan/Co
mprehensivePlanCh5.pdf
4 2015 Edina Quality of Life Survey:
http://edinamn.gov/corecode/uploads/document/uploaded_pdfs/corecode_edina/Edina%202015%20Quality
%20of%20Life%20Survey%20Report%20of%20Results%20FINAL_72.pdf
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
7 “Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8.” Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8. N.p., N.d. Web. 15
Aug. 2016.
Date: October 25, 2016 Agenda Item #: VII.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Correspondence
From:Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:Correspondence
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
For review.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Correspondence 10.15.16
Correspondence 10.24.16
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URGENT!.
October 15, 20.16
Edina Human Rights & Relations Commission
City Hall
4801 West 50th Street
Edinai MN 55424
Dear Neighbors,
Based on the attached 10-15-16 Star Tribune report ("Outrage spreads
with video of arrest"), and having seen much of the mentioned video,
I. urge. the Commission (if you haven't done: so already)/ tol
+ask,the EPI to dropaall charges against the Black pedestrian, Larnie
B. Thomas, and issue an apology for wrongful arrest
+seek:discipiine for the: arresting officer, Lt. T. F. Olson
+ensure that officers are in future equipped with body came
+recommend antiracist training for the entire Edina Police Dept.
This shame to our Human Rights City can be somewhat mitigated by
swift4ion to p event similar events_-happening again.
th best wishes
4400 Morningside Road
Edina, MN 55416
952 925-5738-
--r m not against tne ponce;- sne
said in an interview Friday. "I was
against what he was doing."
See ARREST on B5 I-
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From:Caroline Correia
To:MJ Lamon
Subject:RE: Systemic Bias - Please focus an effort here
Date:Monday, October 24, 2016 11:13:34 AM
If it is relevant to the discussion, please include my letter. Thank you for all the work you do
for our City!Caroline
Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S7.
-------- Original message --------From: MJ Lamon <MLamon@EdinaMN.gov>Date: 10/24/16 9:35 AM (GMT-06:00)To: Caroline Correia <carodeg@hotmail.com>Subject: Re: Systemic Bias - Please focus an effort here
Thank you for your email Caroline. Would you like me to include your email in the HRRC's public meeting packet
at tomorrow's meeting?
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 23, 2016, at 1:54 PM, Caroline Correia <carodeg@hotmail.com<mailto:carodeg@hotmail.com>> wrote:
Good Morning MJ,
I hope your Committee can help acknowledge the flaws in our current system and continue to find ways to transcend
together for all of our citizens and neighbors.
I sent this to the City Council today.
Thank you,
Caroline Correia
4515 Drexel
-----
Members of the City Council,
I am a proud 4.5 year resident of Edina. My family moved here for the public schools, the easy access to
Minneapolis, the sidewalks and the proximity to my husband's office. I live in the Country Club Neighborhood
because the streetscape most resembles the familiarity of the East Coast, where I was born and raised. As everyone
knows, my Edina neighborhood bears the unfortunate distinction of having deed restrictions and race covenants
lasting into fairly contemporary times. I had hoped the city had moved beyond its past, but after watching the video
of Lt. Olson and Larnie Thomas, I don't think we have. If it hadn't been recorded, it would have been just another
police report filed and forgotten.
This incident gives Edina an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate our policing practices and mindset. I wasmoved to witness the City Council meeting last week. I was proud of your response and of Mayor Hovland'sopenness and honesty. This is the Edina I know and have grown to love. We must remember the stories of people,many of our own residents, and others who shop and work in Edina and want to feel safe and welcome, and not fearbeing here because they think they will be subjected to bias or heavy handed policing. They are all too similar todiscount as isolated incidents.
Please use this opportunity to urge Scott Neal to examine implicit and explicit bias in our Edina Police Department.Please urge Mr. Neal to make an effort to hire diverse leadership within the Police Department and City Offices. Wecan not underestimate the power of personal relationships and placing a value on diversity.
I am looking to you for leadership and to show the rest of Minnesota and America how to do right by this veryimportant issue.
Date: October 25, 2016 Agenda Item #: VIII.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Other
From:MJ Lamon, Project Coordinator
Item Activity:
Subject:State Diversity and Inclusion Council Report Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
See report from Ellen Kennedy.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Report
Report on the Diversity and Inclusion Council, State of Minnesota
Submitted by Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D.
This council was established by Governor Dayton in 2016 by means of an Executive Order. The goal is to
communicate more effectively with disenfranchised communities.
Build meaningful engagement - at the core
Goals and strategies:
1. Guild trust through community engagement conversations
2. Build trust through all interactions with community
Strategies
• Embody the principles of meaningful engagement in all interactions
• Agencies will regularly participate even when there is no present role for the agency
1. Build infrastructure
Goals and strategies
1. Communities are valuable resources; use their information. Agencies document whether
policies are effective for them
2. Agency leadership, culture, policy, and practice support meaningful engagement.
2. Diversify boards and commissions
Goals and strategies
1. Boards should reflect the demographics of the people of color.
3. Interagency strategy
Goals and strategies
1. Interagency efforts should level the playing field of information with disenfranchised
communities about policy, systems, and process.
2. …. Should be intentional in building trust with the community through clear and transparent
communication.
3. … should be proactive in determining the role of senior agency leadership.
4. Laying the Foundation - conversations
Diversity and inclusion should be infused in
• Employment, OMB
• Contracting—Commissioner Massman, Dept. of Admin
• Civic engagements – Commissioner Lindsey.
Collaboration by private, agency, government, nonprofits.
State of MN should move to a model of government known as “meaningful engagement” – government
leaders and orgs take intentional effort to facilitate reciprocal two-way dialogue with all members of the
public.
• Strengthens our democracy, confirms consent of the govern
• Builds trust
• Increases efficiently of government as all ideas are considered
• Creates reciprocal and authentic relationships between government officials and people in MN.
Key takeaways from the initial steering committee:
-A current lack of trust must be acknowledged and addressed.
-There is desire to work together to address disparities.
-People in the communities are experts and often have solutions
-Govt should maximize insights of collective problem-solving
-Govt should emulate best practices in meaningful engagement