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Commissioner Venters advised that when he had spoken with Police Chief Carol Sletner, she <br />expressed her perception that the Police Department was being singled out for diversity training. <br />He assured her that the HRC was attempting to meet the needs of police officers and their peers <br />in training options. Commissioner Venters advised that he was currently attending the Police <br />Department's citizen academy. <br />Additional discussion included specialized training for police officers and their peers on an area <br />wide or regional basis; possible location for such training (i.e., Northwestern College); the Grand <br />Rapids training model and involvement of the Attorney General's office and POST Board <br />continuing education credits; and the desire of the HRC to build a positive relationship between <br />the HRC and Police Department. <br />Other <br />Commissioner McKenzie reported on her attendance at a community event held in Shoreview <br />and coordinated by the State Human Rights League and the City of Shoreview HRC, with the <br />Bethel University diversity coordinator and a mix of diversity and gender, and interesting and <br />enlightening discussions. <br />Chair Delmore asked Commissioner McKenzie to see if a video and /or manuals could be <br />obtained for commissioners to review. <br />City Manager Malinen distributed 2006/2007 diversity comparison demographics from Roseville <br />Area School District No. 623, recently presented to the City Council by Peg Kennedy, noting the <br />cultural and racial diversity those changing demographics represent. <br />The Commission discussed the Imagine Roseville 2025 community visioning process discussions <br />that related to inclusionary issues and neighborhood connections and awareness; how to relate to <br />and communicate with neighborhoods; community process to determine actual boundaries and <br />neighborhoods (i.e., block captains; areas of interest around specific parks or amenities); and <br />how the community can be more engaging and understand differences to create educational and <br />awareness opportunities, and the role of the HRC in that process. <br />Chair Delmore opined the targets were not being met, and that the schools were doing their job, <br />but City employees needed to do their jobs. <br />Commissioner Venters said that with evidence that two HRC initiatives (housing ordinance and <br />diversity training with the Police Department) had been essentially rejected, creating his <br />perception that while the Council expressed support of the Imagine Roseville 2025 process and <br />goals, their actions didn't show that they promoted a welcoming environment. <br />Commissioner McKenzie said the HRC was encountering the fear factor, an ongoing problem <br />with changing demographics and diversity. Commissioner McKenzie highlighted past HRC <br />initiatives, such as the "Stuff the Park" program and she encouraged the HRC to get into the <br />community through such initiatives as the "Time to Talk" settings to get conversations started. <br />