2010_06_08_HRC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Roseville Human Rights Commission Minutes June 8, 2010 Page 2 of 5 Kennedy said she is involved with many meetings with the Karen community and this was one of the most powerful presentations that she had participated it. Commissioner Grefenberg moved and Commissioner Kennedy seconded motion to accept the committee report. Motion prevailed unanimously. 3b. Program Planners Subcommittee Commissioner Grefenberg reported that the subcommittee had not met, but they continue to research what other cities are doing to build civic engagement. Commissioner Grefenberg said he met with City Manager Bill Malinen to let him know what they are working on. Commissioner Kennedy moved and Commissioner Jaeger seconded motion to accept the committee report. Motion prevailed unanimously. 3c. Data Geeks Subcommittee The subcommittee had not met, but Commissioner Kennedy reported that the school has been working with census workers to identify Karen families and overcome language barriers to ensure that census forms are completed. Commissioner Grefenberg said he watched a recent School Board meeting and learned that the minority population in the schools is much higher than the general population of cities within the Roseville Area School Districts. Commissioners discussed the impact of Karen refugees moving to the area and whether enough was being done to prepare for the influx. Commissioner Kennedy explained that Minnesota, as a state, attracts many refugees through the refugee work of Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, World Relief and other organizations. She said the number Karen and Bhutanese settlers will soon outnumber the Hmong and Somali who settled in Minnesota. She also noted that many leaders in the Karen community make Minnesota their home and that draws people to the state. Commissioners talked at length about housing, whether it was affordable and available and whether it meets code regulations. Commissioner Kennedy said the Roseville Housing and Redevelopment Authority (RHRA) has been working on this issue, but finding adequate housing is one of the biggest problems refugees face. Commissioners noted that cuts to the federal housing funding add to the housing pressures. They also noted that Roseville's schools and neighborhoods are welcoming and because of the city's demographic shifts, homes are becoming available as seniors move on to housing to meet their changing needs. Commissioner Grefenberg moved and Commissioner Jaeger seconded motion to accept the subcommittee report. Motion prevailed unanimously.