HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-08_07_00_PM-HRRC_PacketAgenda
Human Rights and Relations Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Edina City Hall Community Room
4801 West 50th Street Edina, MN 55424
Thursday, December 8, 2016
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes: HRRC November 15th, 2016
V.Special Recognitions And Presentations
A.Kevin Lindsey, Guest Speaker
VI.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.
VII.Reports/Recommendations
A.2016 Work Plan Updates
B.2017 Work Plan
VIII.Correspondence And Petitions
A.Correspondence: 12.2.16
IX.Chair And Member Comments
X.Sta4 Comments
XI.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 ampli8cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: December 8, 2016 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes: HRRC November 15th, 2016 Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve the November 2016 Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission Meeting Minutes
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Minutes: Human Rights and Relations Commission November 15th, 2016
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
'
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Human Rights and Relations Commission
Edina City Hall, Council Chambers
November 15, 2016 7:00pm
I. Call To Order
Chair Arseneault called the November 15th, 2016 Human Rights and Relations Commission meeting
to order at 7:05 PM.
II. Roll Call
Answering roll call were Chair Arseneault, Commissioners Beringer, Edelson, Edwards, Kennedy,
Martin, Meek, Nelson, and Vecchio-Smith. Student Commissioners Chao and Sinha.
Staff present: HRRC Staff Liaison MJ Lamon and City Management Fellow Kelly Dumais.
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Kennedy to approve the Human Rights and Relations November 15th, 2016
meeting agenda. Motion seconded by Edelson. Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
The commission identified a typo at the end of the document listing the October meeting occurring
on October 27th when it was on October 25th. Commissioner Nelson also clarified that the magazine
article he referenced in his comments was from the Minnesota History Magazine.
Motion by Martin to approve the October 25th, 2016 meeting minutes as amended. Motion
seconded by Nelson. Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
None.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. 2016 Work Plan Updates
Sharing Values, Sharing Community
The Sharing Values, Sharing Community committee provided a summary recap from the, “Leading a
Meaningful Life” event.
Commissioners who attended affirmed that the event went well; close to 50 people attended.
B. Community Conversations
The Community Conversation’s committee presented a report and recommendations for the
Commission’s approval to be sent to Council for consideration.
Three themes were identified from the December 2015 Working Group Report: 1. Concern about race
bias in policing, 2. Access to affordable housing, and 3. Access to resources and assistance.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
Motion by Edwards to approve the Community Conversations report and recommendations with
an addition to include a fourth recommendation in Area 2 regarding monitoring use of the
money generated from the affordable housing policy’s cash-in-lieu option; and replacing the
word “predominantly” with the word “prominently” in Area 3, Recommendation C. Motion
seconded by Meek. Motion Carried.
C. 2017 Workplan
The 2017 workplan has not yet been approved by City Council. The City Council will approve the work
plans at their December 6th meeting.
2017 Tom Oye Award: The City’s website now indicates that nominations for the 2017 Tom Oye award
are open. We have expanded the posting to represent past award winners, and we will post the current
year’s nominated individuals. An article about the award will appear in the next Edition Edina.
D. Televised Meeting
The HRRC will have their annual televised meeting on December 8, 2016.
At the December meeting, the commission will review their approved 2017 workplan and assign items
to commissioners.
E. Correspondence was received but not discussed.
F. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioner Vecchio-Smith asked the Commission for clarification regarding when our Bias
Offense Response Plan is triggered into action. The question was motivated by recent incidents
at Edina Schools regarding social media communication as well as organized action by a group of
students that has occurred in recent weeks that relate to issues of Human Rights.
Student Commissioners Chao and Sinha shared in more detail with the Commission the events that
have been occurring at School as well as the response on the part of school administrators and
students.
Commissioner Edelson was sad to hear about the events at the high school and the middle school in
Edina as well as across our country. She volunteered to author a letter on behalf of the Edina
Human Rights and Relations Commission to share with the Edina School Board as well as to the
school principal. She said that we need to lean into the discomfort of our world because that is
where we make change. She is looking forward to our initiatives, to mobilization and to making
change.
Commissioner Kennedy shared an event on December 6th from 7:00-9:00pm. The event is called
“Atrocity Prevention-Making ‘Never Again’ a Reality?” and will take place in the Kelley Board
Room at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Commissioner Meek shared that she is proud to be a part of the Edina Human Rights Commission,
now more than ever, and that she is committed to working on any sort of initiative that can help
to ensure that Edina is an inclusive place that does not discriminate.
Commissioner Edwards reported that she was proud to serve as an election judge in this year’s
election and she encouraged everyone to serve as one in the future as it is an incredibly
important job and they are in need of more volunteers. It is a great opportunity to be involved
and to get to know our neighbors. She also expressed fear about the results of the election.
Draft Minutes☒
Approved Minutes☐
Approved Date:
Commissioner Nelson commented that his concern is that the attitudes that we are seeing displayed
in recent days are not emerging out of nowhere, the political climate this year has ratified hate
which is very discouraging and re-emphasizes the need for commissions like ours.
Commissioner Beringer echoed the comments of concern articulated by her fellow commissioners.
Chair Arseneault reported that she is still recovering from the results of Tuesdays election.
G. Staff Comments
Liaison Lamon provided brochures for recruitment to Edina boards and Commissions.
H. Adjournment
Motion by Kennedy to adjourn the November, 2016 HRRC meeting at 8:25PM. Motion seconded
by Nelson. Motion carried.
Date: December 8, 2016 Agenda Item #: V.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Other
From:Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:Kevin Lindsey, Guest Speaker Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
INTRODUCTION:
Presentation by Kevin Lindsey, Commissioner from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Date: December 8, 2016 Agenda Item #: VII.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:2016 Work Plan Updates Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
INTRODUCTION:
1. Community Conversations Report from City Council Meeting (Arseneault and Vecchio-Smith)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Advisory Communication: Community Conversations Report and Recommendations
Affordable Housing Amendment Cover Sheet
Affordable Housing Policy Amendment
Date: December 6, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Human Rights and Relations Commission
Subject: Community Conversations Report and Recommendations
Background
In 2014, the Edina Human Rights and Relations Commission (EHRRC) 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.
After receiving training from representatives of The Advocates for Human Rights, a
working group comprised of EHRRC commissioners and community members facilitated
six community conversations, called “listening sessions” in 2014 and 2015. In total,
seventy-five Edina residents participated in the listening sessions; 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.
The working group issued its report to the commission at the December 10, 2015
meeting of the EHHRC. The report reveals that of the fifty participants who provided
demographic information, there were 30 who identified as white, 2 as African American, 4
as African, 9 as Asian-Pacific Islander, 1 as Latino-Hispanic and 1 as American Indian-
Alaska Native. The demographic information collected also indicates that among the
participants, the following languages were spoken: English, German, French, Spanish,
Chinese, Somali and Swahili.
The working group report describes that the six listening sessions were held in easily
accessible locations in neighborhoods in which residents were familiar and comfortable.
Each session followed the same format, which consisted of three main parts: (1) asking
participants to identify the qualities of the perfect welcoming community; (2) small group
discussions around the central question, “What is your experience of being welcomed in
Edina?;” and (3) gathering feedback from the small group discussions, which included
capturing the comments of participants regarding shared experiences and areas that
Page 2
could be improved.
In 2016, a committee of the EHRRC used the participants’ feedback as provided in the
working group report to identify trends and draft recommendations for next steps. At
November 15, 2016, meeting, the EHHRC adopted the following recommendations based
on three areas of feedback.
Feedback Areas & Recommendations for Follow-Up
Area 1
Non-Caucasian Edina residents and their guests report being stopped by Edina officers
without cause.
The working group report identifies the following participant feedback in Area 1:
• Four comments from participants who identified as black indicated that they, or
their children or guests who are black, have been stopped by Edina police officers
without cause.
o In three of those cases, residents or their guests who are black indicated
that they are subjected to repeated / frequent traffic stops by Edina police.
• One additional comment indicated frustration over what they believed to be a
lack of understanding by the Edina police who stop them regarding the validity of
international drivers’ licenses.
• One additional comment suggested that Edina police need more diversity
training.
Recommendation:
A.) Investigate formation of Task Force to review the city’s policing policies and protocols
as they compare to current literature / reports on best practices.
B.) Task Force membership to include HRRC member(s), representatives from the city
including police and city staff liaison(s), and community leaders of diverse backgrounds
and other members of the community.
C.) Use an external facilitator to lead/guide Task Force meetings.
D.) Task Force should determine and make a recommendation on whether to seek input
/ advisory services from external consultant(s).
Potential Resources:
• United States Department of Justice 21st Century Policing Report
• COPS office
• Justice in Policing Toolkit from the Center for Popular Democracy
Page 3
Area 2
Housing in Edina continues to be expensive and segregated by income.
The working group report identifies the following participant feedback in Area 2:
• Two comments suggested that there is no easy access to affordable housing to
rent or own and that it seems like the city wants to get rid of affordable housing.
• Two comments indicated that in some areas where residents can afford to live,
there are not adequate community gathering spaces and spaces for children to
play.
• One additional comment indicated that in the area where they can afford to live,
they experience noise and vandalism.
Recommendation:
A.) EHRRC should review and work with city staff to ensure list of affordable housing and
affordable housing programs in Edina is readily accessible.
B.) EHRRC should review section(s) of the Edina Comprehensive Plan related to Housing
and offer recommendations for improvements based in part on observations collected
during Community Conversations.
C.) This work could include creating a list of research and evidence based best practices
for economically integrated housing in communities that are already built up.
D.) EHHRC should follow up on and monitor the city’s development and implementation
of a plan for the use of the funds generated through the Affordable Housing Policy’s
cash-in-lieu option.
Area 3
Edina residents cannot or do not always locate necessary resources and assistance.
The working group report identifies the following participant feedback in Area 3:
• Two comments indicated that participants were not able to locate social
services/resources in Edina.
• One comment suggested there is a stigma for seeking help / resources in Edina.
• One comment indicated that both public and private facilities are not accessible
for people with disabilities.
Recommendation:
A.) Ensure relative ease in being able to identify and access resources for Edina residents.
This goal appears to be largely fulfilled with Edina Resource Center’s unveiling of its
Page 4
recently revamped webpage on which a (downloadable) list of commonly used resources
features prominently on its homepage. In addition, the “Edina Resource Center” appears
first in the list of results in a Google search for “Edina resources.”
B.) Providing a link to Edina Resource Center’s list of commonly used resources on the
EHHRC website could enhance the ability of residents to identify and locate resources.
C.) Providing a prominently displayed link to the Edina Resource Center and /or the list
of commonly used resources on additional city webpages (i.e., on more than one
webpage) could enhance the ability of residents to identify and locate resources.
D.) Providing paper copies of the list of commonly used resources in key locations
throughout the city, e.g., in city hall, hospitals/ emergency rooms, in the Edina Public
Schools Welcome Center.
Date: December 6, 2016 Agenda Item #: VIII.D.
To:Mayor and City Council Item Type:
Report / Recommendation
From:Cary Teague, Community Development Director
Item Activity:
Subject:Affordable Housing Policy Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Revise the City's Affordable Housing Policy as recommended by the Edina Housing Foundation.
INTRODUCTION:
As a result of the Lincoln Drive Residential project, the Edina Housing Foundation is recommending a revision to the City's Affordable Housing Policy.
The applicant for the Lincoln Drive project requested a rezoning that was not a PUD. The current policy states "This policy applies to all new multi-family
developments of 20 or more units that require a re-zoning to PUD or a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Therefore, the applicant believed the policy would
not apply to them.
The proposed revision states specifically that all new multi-family developments requiring a rezoning shall be required to be re-zoned to PUD, Planned Unit
Development.
Staff and the Housing Foundation believe this revision will provide the City with an improved negotiation tool, and close the loop-hole. Through the
new policy, staff can require the PUD Zoning. The City then has the ability to condition approval on the inclusion of affordable housing, which it cannot
through standard zoning.
If an applicant still wishes to pursue a rezoning without affordable housing, the City is not obligated to approve that rezoning.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Recommended Affordable Housing Policy
Edina Housing Foundation Minutes
Page | 1
CITY OF EDINA
Policy on Affordable Housing
Background
The City recognizes the need to provide affordable housing in order to maintain a diverse
population and to provide housing for those who live or work in the City. Since the remaining land appropriate for
new residential development is limited, it is essential that a reasonable proportion of such land be developed into
affordable housing units. As such, the City of Edina adopts the following Affordable Housing Policy:
The Policy
1. This policy applies to all new multi-family developments of 20 or more units that require a re-zoning to
Planned Unit Development (PUD) or a Comprehensive Plan amendment. All new multi-family
developments requiring a rezoning shall be required to be re-zoned to PUD, Planned Unit Development.
2. New rental developments will provide a minimum of 10% of all rentable area at 50% affordable rental
rates or 20% of all rentable area at 60% affordable rental rates as defined below.
3. New for sale developments will provide a minimum of 10% of all livable area at affordable sales prices as
defined below.
4. New rental housing will remain affordable for a minimum of 15 years, and this requirement will be
memorialized by a land use restrictive covenant.
5. Recognizing that affordable housing is created through a partnership between the City and developers,
the city will consider the following incentives for developments that provide affordable housing:
A. Density bonuses
B. Parking reductions
C. Tax increment financing
D. Deferred low interest loans from the Edina Housing Foundation
E. Tax Abatement
6. It is the strong preference of the City that each new qualifying development provide its proportionate
share of affordable housing, however, the City recognizes that it may not be economically feasible or
practical in all circumstances to do so. As such, the City reserves the right to waive this policy (only if
circumstances so dictate, as determined by the City). In lieu of providing affordable housing in each new
qualifying development, the City may consider the following:
A. Dedication of existing units in Edina equal to 110% of what would have been provided in a
proposed new development. These units would need to be of an equivalent quality, within the
determination of the City.
B. New construction of units of an equivalent quality within the City at a different site, at the
discretion of the City.
C. Participation in the construction of affordable dwelling units of an equivalent quality by another
developer on a different site within the City.
D. An alternative proposed by a developer that directly or indirectly provides or enables provision of
an equivalent amount of affordable housing within the City.
Page | 2
Definitions
Rental Housing
Either 10% of all rentable area is both rent restricted and occupied by persons whose income is
50% or less of area median gross income,
Or 20% of all rentable area is both rent restricted and occupied by persons whose income is 60%
or less of area median gross income.
Both incomes (adjusted for family size) and rental rates (adjusted for bedroom count and
including utilities) are updated annually by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and
published at www.mnhousing.gov. 2016 income and rental limits are as follows:
Gross Incomes Gross Rents
60% 50% 60% 50%
1 Person $36,060 $30,050 Studio $1,030 $758
2 Persons $41,220 $34,350 1 Bedroom $1,105 $812
3 Persons $46,380 $38,650 2 Bedroom $1,328 $975
4 Persons $51,480 $42,900 3 Bedroom $1,525 $1,126
5 Persons $55,620 $46,350 4 Bedroom $1,681 $1,256
6 Persons $59,760 $49,800
Ownership Housing
10% or more of all livable area is affordable to and initially sold to persons whose income is at or
below the levels set in the MHFA’s “Startup Program” (first time homebuyer). This program has a
sales price limit of $307,900. The Edina Housing Foundation has set this limit at $350,000 in
consideration of the high prices in Edina. The Foundation would recommend the following sales
prices be used as the acquisition limit in this definition:
1 bedroo 1 bedroom $250,000
2 bedrooms $300,000
3+ bedrooms $350,000
The 2016 income limits as published on the MHFA website are as follows:
1-2 person household $86,600
3+ person household $99,500
Income limits and maximum sales prices are updated annually. See www.mnhousing.gov.
Effective: November 1, 2015
Income/Rent Limits Adjusted: April 13, 2016
Date: December 8, 2016 Agenda Item #: VII.B.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:2017 Work Plan Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None.
INTRODUCTION:
City Council approved the 2017 Board/Commission work plans at the December 6, 2016 City Council meeting.
The HRRC's 2017 work plan will be attached on December 7 after Council approval.
Additional information regarding the City's Comprehensive plan can be found on the City's
Website: http://edinamn.gov/index.php?section=comprehensive_plan
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
City Manager 2017 Work Plan Memo
2017 Approved Work Plan
Racial Equity Task Force Staff Report
Racial Equity Taskforce Structure
GARE coversheet
GARE program Staff Report
Meeting Schedule 2017
HRRC Roster
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Administration Department
City Manager Office
Date: December 7, 2016
To: Edina’s Advisory Board and Commission Members
cc: Board and Commission Staff Liaisons
From: Scott Neal, City Manager
Subject: 2017 Approved Work Plan Edit Explanations
Over the past several years board and commissions have participated in a work plan process to help
organize and prioritize their work and allocate limited resources. The annual work plan steps are the same
from year to year. The 2017 schedule was as follows:
At this point we have completed all the work plan steps and Board/Commission approved work plans will
officially start January 1, 2017. As City Manager, I provided comments and recommendations to help
Council determine the feasibility of supporting the goal of the initiatives as designed by the Board or
Commission. It is my intent to provide greater explanation on the changes to the 2017 work plans.
There were three reoccurring threads in the recommendations to all the Board and Commission work
plans which did affect each Board/Commission work plan.
1) Insufficient staff and member resources
Many proposed work plans were very heavy. On several of the work plans, initiatives were
recommended to be removed based on insufficient staff and member resources. Very few work
plan initiatives require only the delegated time of a Board or Commission’s staff liaison. Most
initiatives will require support from additional staff and divisions, especially the Communications
SEPT B/C MEETING: B/C approves proposed work
plan.
OCT 5. WORK SESSION:Chairs present
proposed work plan to Council.
NOV. 15 WORK SESSION: City Manager presents staff proposed revisions.
DEC. 6 COUNCIL MEETING: City Manager
incorporates council feedback and submits final draft for approval.
JAN. 1: B/C
officially starts implementing work plans.
Page 2
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Division. We needed to leave enough room on Board/Commission work
plans to accomplish day to day work and department work plans.
2) Committees/Working Groups
Committees and working groups are established by boards and
commissions and work under their direction. Whenever committee or working group was used in
the title of a work plan initiative, it was removed. The work plan initiatives are what the
Board/Commission will be doing and is the responsibility of the board and commission as a whole.
How the work gets done is determined by the Board/Commission; and Board/Commissions can
create or disband committees and working groups as they see fit.
3) Comprehensive Guide Plan
The comprehensive guide is an initiative lead by the Planning Commission. All Board and
Commissions will be asked to assist as needed with the development of the guide. Specific chapters
and/or sections have been assigned to Boards and Commissions by the Planning Commission as
they are relevant to the board and commission’s work. Staff Liaisons have been provided direction
on the chapters/sections their respective board or commission will be working on. For consistency,
the standard initiative “Assist as requested with the development of the City’s new comprehensive
guide plan” has been recommended on each work plan. With the exception of the Planning
Commission, this initiative is designated as Council Charge 2. This initiative is designated as Charge
3 on the Planning Commission Work Plan. Liaisons will be provided the following direction on the
work flow of Comprehensive Plan initiatives as shown on the below graph.
I have also included additional explanation on specific initiatives presented on individual Board/Commission
work plans. If the item was affected by the three threads above those are not called out below.
Arts and Culture Commission
Initiative 2 is asking the commission to evaluate programs and event offerings to better support the
Art Center. This should assist the commission in focusing its work with the Art Center.
Initiative 3 and 4 have been combined. The Public Art Program has become an initiative of the Arts
and Culture commission. The commission can look at changing guidelines of the program as they
see fit. The commission has been given the authority to set individual artist stipends within the
overall approved budget.
Boards and
Commissions
Planning
Commission
City
Council
Page 3
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Several initiatives (8, 9, 10) starting with “re-evaluate” were removed.
Since the commission is not asking to do these initiatives this year, it is not
necessary to have them on the work plan. If the commission decides to
take them up later, then can add them to their 2018 work plan.
Initiative 6 has been changed to ask the commission to review and provide
recommend options to Council for more effective promotion of Arts and
Culture events in all of Edina.
Energy and Environment Commission
The first two initiatives were added to complete the work plan items that were assigned by council
in 2016.
Changed title of initiative 7 to remove commercial action plan. Staff will focus on residential first.
Initiative 9 and 10 were removed. These are incidental tasks that commissions can conduct without
council approval.
Initiative 11 has also been removed since it has been moved to City Staff’s work plan.
Heritage Preservation Board
Initiative 4 was removed because it is the ongoing responsibility of every board and commission to
keep their webpage up to date.
Initiative 7 was removed because it is a department’s decision to send members to a conference
and does not require Council approval.
Human Rights and Relations Commission
Initiative 4 was removed because the topics identified overlap with other initiatives on the work
plan.
Initiative 6 and 7 have been changed into a new initiative which could include the same work in
connection with other city initiatives on the same topic..
Planning Commission
Initiative 3 was added to assist the Community Health Commission.
Initiative 4 was added to assist the Transportation Commission.
Transportation Commission
Initiative 1 title has changed to include “If staff secures funding”. Currently this project is not
funded.
The 2017 Board and Commission work plan process was another step forward in our attempt to
better sync the City’s human resources – both paid staff and resident volunteers – to accomplish
the overall policy and operational goals of the City’s elected leaders, our City Council. Generally
speaking, staff put more effort this year into analyzing the proposed board and commission work
plan initiatives to ensure they were consistent with the Council’s policy goals and feasible within
the parameters of the City’s available fiscal and human resources. We also added clarity to the
policy direction of the 2017 board and commission work plans by assigning a Council Charge to
each work plan initiative. By adding greater clarity to our policy direction and greater precision to
our resource allocation, I believe boards and commissions will be more successful in fulfilling their
roles in serving the community.
Page 4
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
On behalf of the City staff that serve our boards and commissions, we want
you to know that your service is important to our work, and by working
together as partners, we believe our efforts are multiplied many times for
the good of the community.
Gratefully,
Scott Neal
City Manager
Approved by Council 12/6/16
Board/Commission: Human Rights and Relations Commission
2017 Annual Work Plan
Initiative
1
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☒ 4
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.
Progress Report:
Initiative
2
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☒ 3 ☐ 4
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☐ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☒ Ongoing Responsibility August 2017 None. • Coordinate Meetings
• Maintain record of meetings
about incidents Bias Offense Response Plan – review and update, if needed, annually
Progress Report:
Initiative
3
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☒ 4
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
Day of Remembrance Event
Progress Report:
Initiative
4
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☒ 3 ☐ 4
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☒ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility December 2017 $1000 fee for
workshop facilitators
• Event coordination
• Communications
• Marketing Serve as lead Commission for City’s new racial equity initiative as
assigned by City Council and the task force. [Initiative attributes to
Human Rights City Designation]
Progress Report:
Approved by Council 12/6/16
Initiative
5
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☒ 4
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
Progress Report:
Initiative
6
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☒ 4
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
Progress Report:
Initiative
7
Council Charge
☐ 1 ☒ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4
Target Completion
Date
Budget Required
(Staff Liaison)
Staff Support Required
(Staff Liaison)
☒ New Initiative ☐ Continued Initiative ☐ Ongoing Responsibility December 2017
Assist as requested with development of the City’s new
Comprehensive Guide Plan. [Initiative attributes to Human Rights
City Designation]
Progress Report:
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
December 6, 2016
Mayor and City Council
Scott H. Neal, City Manager
Approve Proposal to Establish in the Edina Race & Equity Task Force
Information / Background:
At the City Council’s October 18, 2016 meeting, the Council expressed interest in creating an
organizational initiative around the challenge of eliminating disparate impact of City policies and
operations that is caused by race. I told the Council that I would draft a proposal for such a task
force and present it to you at your December 6, 2016 Council meeting. What follows in this memo
is that proposal.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the task force is to make recommendation on policies, practices and strategies for
the City of Edina to identify and eliminate race-based disparities in Edina city government facilities,
services and institutions.
TASK FORCE
The City Council will create an ad hoc task force to be named the Edina Race & Equity Task Force.
The task force will be accountable to the City Council. The task force will be composed of nine
members who are all appointed by the City Council. The City Manager will advise and assist the City
Council with the selection of task force members. All members of the task force shall be Edina
residents.
The task force will be supported by three working groups reflecting the following subject areas:
Facilities, Services and Institutions. The working groups will be accountable to the task force. Each
working group will be composed of two members of the task force, five members appointed by the
City Council and two members appointed by the City Manager. With the exception of the City
Manager’s appointments, all members of the working groups shall be Edina residents.
The City Council will name a chair and vice-chair for the task force and for the three working groups.
The Council will also appoint a professional task force facilitator who will be recommended by the
STAFF REPORT Page 2
City Manager and the task force. The facilitator will be accountable to the City Manager. There will
be no residency requirement for the facilitator.
STAFF REPORT Page 3
METHODOLOGY
The task force will accomplish its purpose using the methodology of “Assess-Plan-Act-Evaluate”, or
APAE. The APAE process is characterized by the following four phases:
Phase 1 - Assess – This is the discovery stage where more questions are asked than answered. For
example, what are examples of racial disparities in city services? Or, is there evidence that
institutional bias is repressing people of color from participating on City boards and commissions?
At the end of this stage, we have narrowed our planning focus and identified priorities and
opportunities. This phase of the process is characterized by inquiry processes such as public
meetings, community conversations, web-based forums, personal testimony, etc.
Phase 2 - Plan – During the planning stage, the task force and working groups are researching and
proposing potential solutions to the problems and opportunities identified during the Assess stage
of the process. At the end of this stage, the task force will present its prioritized list of important
actions, accompanied by a timeline and a description of desired outcomes and results.
Phase 3 - Act – The Act stage begins to shift the process from the task force to City Council and
staff. Task force members and working groups remain engaged during the Act stage to assist in
supporting the plans and recommendations, and to serve as an agent of accountability.
Phase 4 - Evaluate – The final stage of the APAE process is evaluation. The evaluation stage makes
heavy use of the task force to measure and report the outcomes and results of the City’s planning
and acting efforts. The task force reports its findings directly to the City Council. If necessary, the
Evaluate stage of the process can lead directly into a new round of APAE process with a new Assess
stage.
TIMELINE
December 6, 2016 City Council approves task force proposal
December 8, 2016 Solicitation begins for task force and WG members
January 9, 2017 Deadline to request task force or WG appointment
January 13, 2017 Special City Council work session to select members
January 18, 2017 City Council formally appoints task force and WG members
January 30-Feb 3, 2017 Task force and WG hold organizational meetings
February 6, 2017 City Manager initiates facilitator search; invites proposals
February 20-24, 2017 City Manager and task force members select recommended facilitator;
propose to City Council
March 7, 2017 City Council approves facilitator contract
March 13, 2017 Task force, WG begin formal meetings; Phase 1 begins
May 30, 2017 Phase 1 ends; report prepared for Council review
June 6, 2017 Council reviews Phase 1 Report and provides direction for Phase 2
June 12, 2017 Phase 2 begins
August 30, 2017 Phase 2 ends; report prepared for Council review
September 6, 2017 Council reviews Phase 2 Report and provides direction for Phase 3
December 12, 2017 Phase 3 ends; report prepared for Council review
December 19, 2017 Council review Phase 3 Report; provides direction for Phase 4
STAFF REPORT Page 4
December 20, 2017 Phase 4 begins
February 27, 2018 Phase 4 ends; report prepared for Council review
March 6, 2018 Council reviews Phase 4 Report; provides direction for the future
STAFF REPORT Page 5
LOGISTICS AND DETAILS
There are a number of logistical challenges and details that must be resolved prior to launching the
task force. I have identified the following and included my recommended approach or solution:
Task Force and Working Group Selection – Staff will manage a robust recruitment process, but I
suggest that Council Members actively personally recruit candidates as well. I recommend that
members be appointed after a paper review of their applications. I do not recommend personal
interviews as it will significantly delay the start of the work of the task force. I recommend the task
force be appointed as a slate by the Council.
Public and Non-Public Meetings – I recommend the meetings of the task force and working groups
be defined as public meetings for the purposes of recordkeeping, staffing and meeting notice
protocol.
Terms of Office – It is inevitable that members of the task force or working group will resign during
the process. If a member of the task force resigns, I recommend the Council fill the vacant position
with a member of the appropriate working group. If a member of a working group resigns during
the process, I recommend that spot got unfilled, as getting new working group members up to
speed will slow the momentum of the working group’s work efforts.
Demographics of Task Force and Working Groups – Given the subject matter of this task force,
diversity of demographics among task force and working group members will be crucial to
achieving the purpose of the process. I recommend the Council use its best judgment for balancing
various demographic characteristics among task force and working group members.
Representation on Task Force and Working Groups – Council may want to give consideration to
providing representation to local groups or organizations on the task force or working groups. For
example, my three appointments to the working groups will be City staff members. Council may
want to include representatives from such groups as the City’s Human Rights & Relations
Commission; School Districts; Faith; Healthcare; Retail; etc.
Staff Support – I will assign the necessary administrative staff support to the task force and working
groups. I am working with City staff to determine interest and availability of both the staff positions
on the working groups and the administrative support for the initiative.
Budget – I will request a 2017 budget allocation in the range of $100,000 for this task force process.
This budget will cover the costs of staff support; the professional facilitator; meeting costs; public
programming costs; legal counsel costs; and other related costs. I am reviewing options for the
source of these funds.
Deliverables – The end product of the task force process will be a set of recommendations for
changes to City’s policies and practices, or the creation of new policies and practices, with the goal
of reducing or eliminating disparate treatment caused by the City of Edina based on race or
ethnicity.
STAFF REPORT Page 6
OPERATING ASSUMPTIONS
There are several operating assumptions designed into the task force process and methodology
that are worth noting by the City Council, because if they are not acceptable to the Council, the
Council should modify them before the start of the task force process.
Role of the City Council – The role of the City Council in this process is to get it started by providing
purpose and direction and appointing the task force and working group members. Throughout the
process, the Council’s role will be to serve as the accountability body by reviewing periodic check-
ins by the task force and providing affirmation or course correction where necessary. I do not
recommend that Council Members play an individual role in the task force or working groups,
including attending their meetings. The process is designed to insure separation of policy
investigation from policy approval and to provide equal footing throughout the process to all
members of the City Council.
Role of the City Manager – The role of the City Manager in this process is to actively assist the
Council with selection of the task force and working group members, including appointing a
defined number of representatives to each working group. But, like Members of the Council, the
City Manager does not have a direct operating role in the day-to-day work of the task force or the
working groups. The primary role of the City Manager will be to support the needs of the staff
involved in the process in order to keep the process advancing forward. The City Manager will
resolve issues related to the respective jurisdictions of the working groups.
Breadth of Purpose – The purpose of this initiative has not been designed to investigate and remedy
any specific city government employee group, department, function, activity or program. It has
been designed to examine our entire array of policies and operations.
Parameters of Purpose – The purpose of this initiative is, by design, limited to policies and
operations that are under the control of the Edina city government and its elected leaders. The
initiative is intended to be constrained to the policies and operations that Edina city government
could, at its discretion, modify in order to achieve the desired outcomes of the initiative.
Race – The basis of this task force’s purpose is to address disparate impact caused by race. I do not
recommend expanding the definition of equity for the task force to include other forms of equity as
that will increase the complexity of the process and reduce the speed at which the task force forms
its final recommendations.
Task Force/Working Group Model – The purpose of the task force is to form final recommendations
for consideration by the City Council. The task force will receive and process recommendations
from the three working groups and the City’s GARE team. The working groups will receive
information from community members, staff, advocacy groups, subject matter experts and advisory
board and commission members. Most, but not all, public facing contact during this process will
happen at the working group level.
Optimal Group Size – A 2010 Harvard Business Review article based on the research by Marcia W.
Blenko, Michael C. Mankins, and Paul Rogers indicates that seven (7) is the optimal size for groups
STAFF REPORT Page 7
of people charged with making decisions or recommendations. Further, the authors postulate that
every additional member added to the group over seven reduces the decision making effectiveness
of the group by 10%. While I believe the optimal group size of the task force and the working
groups should be seven, the symmetry and mechanics of the proposed process is more graceful
with nine member groups. I would not recommend group sizes for this initiative of more than nine
members.
GARE – The City Council will consider joining the League of Minnesota Cities’ (LMC) Government
Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) at the December 6, 2016 Council meeting. By joining GARE, the
City would become a member of LMC’s second GARE cohort, which is a yearlong commitment.
There may be challenges in coordinating participation in GARE and the local task force process, but I
believe there is an advantage to doing both simultaneously. Our task force is designed to take a
deep inward look at our city government operations, policies and practices. GARE is a
regional/national outward looking initiative. The City’s GARE team could be a vibrant source of
ideas, suggestions and proposals for consideration by the task force. I would recommend cross-
membership between the task force and the City’s GARE team, and periodic meetings between the
GARE team and task force to share ideas and information.
Professional Facilitation – The process is designed to be managed by an outside professional
facilitator. The selection process of the professional facilitator will be competitive and merit based
using the City’s standard RFP/RFI/RFQ processes. The task force and the City Manager will serve as
the interview team for the facilitator. The group will make a recommendation to the City Council.
The Council review and approve the recommendation and the consultant contract. During the task
force process, the facilitator will be the primary guide for the task force and working groups. The
facilitator will be accountable to the City Manager.
NEXT STEPS
If the City Council approves the establishment of the proposed task force, the immediate next steps
from City staff will be to create marketing, solicitation and application materials to attract
candidates for the task force and working groups.
A
1
B
1
C
1
A
3
B
3
C
3
A
2
B
2
C
2
Task Force Facilitator
(Consultant)
EDINA RACE & EQUITY TASK FORCE GARE
SERVICES FACILITIES INSTITUTIONS
CITY COUNCIL&
CITY MANAGER
1
A
1
B
1
C
1
A4 B4 C4
A7 B7 C7
A5 B5 C5
A8 B8 C8
A6 B6 C6
A9 B9 C9
A
2
B
2
C
2A S B S C S
A
3
B
3
C
3
HRRC 1 HRRC 2 HRRC 3
CM1 CM2 Admin 1
A S B S C S
Date: December 6, 2016 Agenda Item #: VIII.E.
To:Mayor and City Council Item Type:
Report / Recommendation
From:Scott H. Neal, City Manager.
Item Activity:
Subject:Approve City's Participation In League of Minnesota Cities' Government
Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) Program
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve City’s participation in League of Minnesota Cities’ Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) program.
INTRODUCTION:
The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), in partnership with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), has organized two new Minnesota
cohorts of governmental jurisdictions that will be systemically advancing racial equity in 2017. One cohort will be for jurisdictions beginning to work on racial
equity and the other will be an “advanced implementation” series. Participants will be teams from government jurisdictions in Minnesota that make a one-
year commitment, as described below. I propose the City Council approve the City’s participation in the introductory cohort for 2017.
GARE is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. GARE uses a three-prong approach:
· Supporting jurisdictions that are at the forefront of work to advance racial equity.
· Building pathways for new jurisdictions to begin doing racial equity work, including cohorts of new jurisdictions.
· Expanding and strengthening local and regional collaborations that are broadly inclusive and focused on achieving racial equity.
Government’s proactive work on racial equity has the potential to leverage significant change, setting the stage for the achievement of racial equity in our
communities. Supporting targeted cohorts of jurisdictions and providing best practices, tools and resources is helping to build and sustain current efforts and
build a national movement for racial equity.
Participants in the cohort will receive tools and resources, including:
· A racial equity training curriculum, with cohort participants who are equipped to implement the training with other employees,
· A Racial Equity Tool to be used in policy, practice, program and budget decisions,
· A capacity building plan and organizational structure to institutionalize equity,
· Example policies and practices that help advance racial equity, and
· A Racial Equity Action Plan template to be localized.
The total cost to jurisdictions depends on the number of members on the team. Jurisdictions that are members of GARE receive a 40 percent discount on the
cost of participation. Participation fees cover a total of 66 hours of training, training materials, meeting logistics/meals, and technical assistance. I proposed
Edina enroll at the 5-9 participant level for the introductory cohort at a cost of $8,000.
The Council has expressed strong interest in pursuing an agenda to advance the role of equity in the various aspects of city government in the future. I
believe that enrollment in the GARE program is a good way to start that agenda. I recommend the City Council approve the City’s enrollment in the 2017
GARE program.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Staff Report
December 6, 2016
Mayor and City Council
Scott H. Neal, City Manager
Approve City’s Participation in League of Minnesota Cities’ Government Alliance on
Race & Equity (GARE) program.
Information / Background:
The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), in partnership with the League of Minnesota
Cities (LMC), has organized two new Minnesota cohorts of governmental jurisdictions that will be
systemically advancing racial equity in 2017. One cohort will be for jurisdictions beginning to work
on racial equity and the other will be an “advanced implementation” series. Participants will be
teams from government jurisdictions in Minnesota that make a one-year commitment, as described
below.
GARE is a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance
opportunities for all. GARE uses a three-prong approach:
• Supporting jurisdictions that are at the forefront of work to advance racial equity.
• Building pathways for new jurisdictions to begin doing racial equity work, including cohorts
of new jurisdictions.
• Expanding and strengthening local and regional collaborations that are broadly inclusive and
focused on achieving racial equity.
Government’s proactive work on racial equity has the potential to leverage significant change,
setting the stage for the achievement of racial equity in our communities. Supporting targeted
cohorts of jurisdictions and providing best practices, tools and resources is helping to build and
sustain current efforts and build a national movement for racial equity.
STAFF REPORT Page 2
Participants in the cohort will receive tools and resources, including:
• A racial equity training curriculum, with cohort participants who are equipped to implement
the training with other employees,
• A Racial Equity Tool to be used in policy, practice, program and budget decisions,
• A capacity building plan and organizational structure to institutionalize equity,
• Example policies and practices that help advance racial equity, and
• A Racial Equity Action Plan template to be localized.
The total cost to jurisdictions depends on the number of members on the team. Jurisdictions that
are members of GARE receive a 40 percent discount on the cost of participation. Participation fees
cover a total of 66 hours of training, training materials, meeting logistics/meals, and technical
assistance. I propose Edina enroll at the 10-14 participant level for the introductory cohort at a cost
of $8,200.
According to Julie Nelson, Senior Vice-President at the Center for Social Inclusion, the consulting
contractor that manages the GARE program nationwide, GARE is designed for staff, although
participation of elected officials and appointed advisory commissioners is also welcomed. The
challenge with elected officials and appointed commissioners has been the level of time
commitment required by GARE conflicts with their regular day jobs. Ideally, participating entities
will form GARE teams with a mix of leadership, middle management and frontline staff from a mix of
different departments. If the Council approves the City’s membership in the GARE program, we will
appoint our GARE participants in January 2017.
The City Council has expressed strong interest in pursuing an agenda to advance the role of equity
in the various aspects of city government in the future. I believe that enrollment in the GARE
program is a good way to start that agenda and can be coordinated with the proposed Race &
Equity Task Force. I recommend the City Council approve the City’s enrollment in the 2017 GARE
program.
2017 CITY OF EDINA COUNCIL AND ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
MEETINGS, HOLIDAYS, DAYS OF RELIGOUS OBSERVANCE AND ELECTION DATES
Holidays City Council Nite to Unite Pln Comm Trns Comm Park Board
Indicates a religious holiday's observance Election Day
HP Board Health Comm Human R/R Comm E& E Comm Arts & Culture Comm
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 26 27 28 29 30 31
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
30
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
30 31
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
APRIL MAY JUNE
JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER
Meeting Schedule for 2017
Adopted October 18, 2016 Council Meeting
Boards and Commissions Public Rosters
City Of Edina
HRRC
Public
Last First Membership Street Street Info Public
Name Name Type 1 2 Zip Provided Public Email
Arseneault Patrice Adult BC 5525 Hansen Road #111 55436 Email & Phone (952) 367-7951 arseneault.westchester@gmail.com
Beringer Catherine Adult BC 5428 Kellogg Ave 55424 Phone Only (952) 924-0886
Chao Connie Student BC 4209 Dunberry Lane 55435 Email Only conniec17474@isd273.org
Edelson Heather Adult BC 4600 Drexel Avenue 55424 Email & Phone (651) 785-8696 h m e d e l s o n @ g m a i l . c o m
Edwards Cindy Adult BC 6449 McCauley Terrace 55439 Email Only Ckeeaf@icloud.com
Kennedy Ellen Adult BC 7220 Cornelia Drive 55435 Email & Phone (952) 693-5296 kennedy@worldwithoutgenocide.org
Martin Kristina Adult BC 6128 Abbott Ave So 55410 Email & Phone (952) 261-4171 KristinaJ.Martin@yahoo.com
Meek Michelle Adult BC 5228 Kellogg Ave 55424 Email Only michelle_a_meek@yahoo.com
Nelson James Adult BC 6001 Killarney Lane S.55436 Email & Phone (952) 920-6371 jnelson6001@gmail.com
Sinha Prasoon Student BC 6216 St. Albans Circle 55439 Email & Phone (952) 715-2649 sinhaprasoon@gmail.com
Vecchio-Smith Margaret Adult BC 7316 Wooddale Ave. S.55435 Email Only mvecchiosmith@yahoo.com
Volunteer count: 11
Printed 12-07-2016 2:54 pm Page 1
Date: December 8, 2016 Agenda Item #: VIII.A.
To:Human Rights and Relations Commission Item Type:
Correspondence
From:Kelly Dumais, City Management Fellow
Item Activity:
Subject:Correspondence: 12.2.16 Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Correspondence 12.2.16
Correspondence 12.5.16 2
Correspondence 12.5.16
My name is Frank White, I’m the author of They Played for the Love of the Game, Untold
Stories of Black Baseball in Minnesota, published by Minnesota Historical Society Press, in
February, 2016.
Recently, I’ve confirmed a presentation with Gwen Jackson, Assistant Superintendent of Edina
Schools for Saturday, February 11, 2017.
The book while centered on Baseball, is also the history of Jim Crow and segregation in
Minnesota, especially the Twin Cities, which also included covenants about where people could
live and couldn’t. Very similar to the story and history of Edina.
I’ve worked on two projects with the City of Bloomington’s Human Rights Commission and have
also been honored with the Omar Bonderud Award on for 2014. This is for my work with the
City regarding Dred Scott and my exhibit on Black Baseball, which includes stories of denial of
opportunities, some outstanding African American baseball players that most of the TC
community haven’t heard of. But it also includes stories of our Minnesota history that is
marred by Jim Crow, segregated baseball, not being accepted in hotels, restaurants in
Minneapolis and St. Paul.
While this isn’t a negative story, it’s our history and most people would believe that these
things only happened in the Jim Crow south.
I share this information because, it would be great if the Human Rights Commission would
partner with the School District to help promote and share this story with the residents of
Edina.
At this event, there’ll also be a book sale and signing.
This is a great opportunity to increase the awareness of African American history in the metro
area, a part of what your local Historical Society has been doing with the research of the Yancey
family.
For references, I’m sure you can contact the Bloomington Human Rights Commission or City
Staff members.
My personal goal is to increase awareness of African American history in the State of
Minnesota. You can also Google my name Frank White or Black Baseball project to see more
information.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at the email included or
by cell phone 612-282-3108.
Frank White
12-2-16
"Readers Write" Star Tribune 425 Portland Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55488
Dear Neighbors,
Two recent Op-eds .addressed the topic of homeless people and librariese Neither, however, mentioned that in 1990 the American Library Association adopted�-a pblicy on "Library Services To Poor People,11 modeled on a similar declaration earlier approved by the Minnesota Library AssociationQ
The ALA.policy states, in part, that .. ,1,·
The American Library Association promotes equal access to informationfor all persons, and recognizes the urgent need to respond to the increasing number of poor children, adults, and families in America. These people are affected by a combination of limitations, including illiteracy, illness, social isolation, homelessness, hunger, and discrimination, which hamper the effectiveness of traditional library services. Therefore, it is crucial that libraries recognize their role in enabling poor people to participate fully in a democraticsociety, by utilizing a wide variety of available resources and strategies. Concrete programs of training and development are needed to sensitize and prepare library staff to identify poor people's needs and deliver relevant services. -- . . . --· . -
Among 15 specific policy objectives are these:
Pro�oting the removal of all barriers to library and information servicesparticularly fees and overdue charges. Pr�moting the publication, production, purchase, and ready accessibility of pnnt and nonprint materi�s that honestly address the issues of poverty and homeles_sness, that deal_ with poor people in a respectful way, and that are of practical use to low-mcome patrons.
Promoting full, stable, and ongoing fundin for e . . . . programs in support of low-income services, !nd for xi::: �eg1s�ation
�drolg:ams that ��ach beyond traditional service-sites io poo�·:�:rarya: u ts, and families. ren,
� -, Promoti1;1-g the incorpor�tion of low-income programs and services intoregular library budg�ts in all typ�s of libraries, rather than the tenden to support these pro1ects solely with "soft money" like private O f, d cyal grants. r e er Promoting equ�ty in ���ing adequate library services for poor people interms of materials, facil�ttes, and equipment.
With beet wi8/hes,
Sani-Ord Berman
Former Head Ca.kaloger
Hennepin County Library
Author
Not in Ty library; (20131
Berman: 2
Promoting direct representation of poor people and anti-poverty advocates
through appointment to local boards and creation of local advisory com-
mittees on service to low-income people, such appointments to include
library-paid transportation and stipends.
Promoting training to sensitize library staff to issues affecting poor people
and to attitudinal and other barriers that hinder poor people's use of
libraries.
1 .1
Promoting the implementation of an expanded federal low-income hous-
ing program, national health insurance, full-employment policy; living
minimum wage and welfare payments, affordable day care, and programs
likely to reduce, if not eliminate, poverty itself.
Promoting among library start .1-,e collection of food and clothing dona-
tions, volunteering personal tn..: to anti-poverty activities and contribut-
ing money to direct-aid organizations.
These socIally responsible, robust, and participatory objectives
representa_commi meat by the library profession that, unhappily,
hae—not been f 11 y rearlzedLin most .Amerttan libraries°
4400 Moirningside Road
Edina B fMN 55416
952 925-5738
STAR TR MUNE
12-2-16
COUNTERPOINT
Libraries serve wide range
of people, some homeless
Patrons come to read, find information and, in some cases, have a
place to go. If there's a problem with priorities, it isn't here.
By MARTHA ROSEN
I, have had a library card for more
than 60 years. For the last 10 years,
I have been a volunteer in the Hen-
nepin County Library System.
Right now, I am one of25 or so peo-
ple who work at the Welcome Desk
in the Central Library on the Nicol-
let Mall. Being there regularly has led
me to think a lot about two impor-
tant issues that Jacob Woods raised
in "Places in the Twin Cities where
worlds sit side by side" (Nov. 29).
What is a library for? And what should
the citizens and governments of the
Dviri Cities do for homeless people?
In fairness to Woods, I'm pretty
sure his suggestion that we turn librar-
ies into homeless shelters is satirical.
(Did you read Jonathan Swift's "A
Modest Proposal" while you were at
Hamlin, Mr. Woods?) But for any-
body who thinks the idea is serious,
here are some things I have learned in
my time at the Welcome Desk:
Many, many people come to the
library to read. How do I know? They
stop and ask me questions:
Where is the Children's Room?
What floor are true crime books on?
How do I find a book in the online
catalog? Where do I pick up a book I
have on hold?
All ofthese are questions the librar-
ians of my childhood might also have
heard (the difference was that their
catalog was made of cards, not pixels).
But nowadays there are other ques-
tions as well:
Can someone help me download
an e-book? Where are the genealogy
records? Do you have materials to
help me with the citizenship test? I'm
starting a History D ay project; how do
I find materials on my topic?
What I have learned from these
questions is that a library is not (just)
about getting books into the hands of
the public. It is about making infor-
mation in all its varied, .t century
forms available to anyone who needs
it. Does that mean people using the
computers to look at their e-mail? Are
there people looking at newspapers
because they need a job or an apart-
ment? Yes, and yes. And that infor-
mation is just as important in those
people's lives as reading "Jane Eyre"
is to the young woman who recently
asked for it. The library does not —
and should not — discriminate.
But what about the homeless peo-
ple taking up chairs (and sometimes
sleeping in them)? Yes, they are there.
I've been at the Welcome Desk long
enough to recognize many regulars.
Mostly they are polite and quiet, but
I know some of them can pose prob-
lems for other patrons, staffand (very
occasionally) volunteers like me. But
that's not the library's fault.
Turning the library into a homeless
shelter because people go there when
they have nowhere else to go during
the day makes no more sense than
turning Orchestra Hall into a hotel
because people occasionally nap dur-
ing a concert. Homeless people need
to be somewhere during the day, and
the library may be the best option —
not because it was designed that way
but because society has not made any-
thing else available.
Woods says that all he can do is
give leftover potatoes to a stranger
in need. That is a real thing to do for
another person, even ifit seems small.
My small, real thing is to try to treat
everybodyItalk with while I am at the
library as a dignified, valuable human
being.
Which is — now that I think of it
— another thing libraries do. We are
all equal there, whether we came to
get a book, find a job, or just to come
in from the cold for a while.
Martha Rosen, of Minneapolis, is a retired
school psychologist.
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