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Roseville Human Rights Commission Meeting Minutes — March 11, 2008 Page 3 of 5 2 93 Commissioner Venters advised that when he had spoken with Police Chief Carol Sletner, she 94 expressed her perception that the Police Department was being singled out for diversity training. 95 He assured her that the HRC was alternpting to meet the needs of police officers and their peers 96 in training options. Commissioner Venters advised that he was currently attending the Police 97 Department's citizen acaderay. 98 99 Additional discussion included specialized training for police officers and their peers on an area- 100 wide or regional basis; possible location for such training (i.e., Northwestern College); the Grand 101 Rapids training model and involvement of the Attorney General's officc and POST Board 102 continuing education credits; and the desire of the HRC to build a positive relationship between 1 Q3 the HRC and Police Departrnent. 104 105 Other 10G Commissioner McKenzie reported on her attendance at a community event held in Shoreview 107 and coordinated by the State Human Rights League and the City of Sharcview HRC, with the 108 Bcthel University diversity coordinator and a mix of diversity and gender, and interesting and 109 enlightening discussions. 110 111 Chair Delmore asked Commissioner McKenzie to sce if a video andlor manuals couid be 112 abtained for commissioners to review. 113 ' 4 City Manager Malznen distributed 2006/2Q07 diversity comparison demographics from Roseville . � 5 Area School District No. 623, recently presented to the City Council by Peg Kennedy, noting the 116 cultural and racial diversity those changing demographics represent. 117 118 The Commission discussed the Imagine Roseville 2025 community visioning process discussions 119 that related to inclusionary issues and neighborhood connections and awareness; how to relate to 120 and communicate with neighborhoods; community process to determine actual boundaries and 121 neighhorhoods (i.e., block captains; areas of interest around specific parks or amenities}; and 122 how the community ca.n be more engaging and understand differences to create educational and 123 awarencss opporlunities, and thc role of the HRC in that process. 124 125 Chair Delmore opined the targets were not being met, and that the schools were daing their job, 126 b�t City employees necded to do their jobs. 127 128 Commissioner Venters said that with evidence that two HRC initiatives (housing ordinance and 129 diversity training with the Police Department) had been essentially rejected, creating his 130 perception that while the Council expressed support of the Irrtagine Roseville 2D25 process and I 31 goals, their actions didn't show that they promoted a welcoming environment. 132 133 Commissioner McKenzie said the HRC was encountering the fear factar, an ongoing problem 13�1 �ith changing demographics and diversity. Commissioner McKenzie highlighted past HRC 135 in.itiatives, such as the "Stuff the Park" progralx� and she encouraged the HRC to get into the '"�6 community through such initiatives as the "Time to Talk" settings to get conversations started.