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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 05-22-2009CITY OF PLYMOUTH rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO May 22, 2009 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS PACTAgenda 05/27/09........................................................................................................................Page 1 HRAAgenda 05/27/09.........................................................................................................................Page 2 May, June, July 2009 Official City Meeting Calendars....................................................................... Page 3 Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 6 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, Etc ... Ehlers Market Commentary, 05/18/09................................................................................................. Page 7 Faulty engine sparked Plymouth apartment blaze, Article, Star & Trib............................................. Page 10 Fire Cause and Origin Determination Made, News Release.............................................................. Page 12 Approved 2009 Budget Amendment Designed to Ensure City of Eden Prairie's Long -Term Financial Health, Eden Prairie News Release............................................................................................... Page 13 MEETING MINUTES Planning Commission Minutes 05/06/09 Wayzata Communities in Collaboration Council Minutes 05/13/09 STAFF REPORTS Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Population Report 05/14/09....... Notice of Plymouth Charter Commission Vacancies...... CORRESPONDENCE Email from Henn Cty District Court, RE: Judicial Funding ..................................... Email from US Dept. of Justice, RE: COPS Hiring Recovery Program application League of MN Human Rights Commissions Newsletter, May 2009 ........................ (Featuring Plymouth Human Rights Commission in several articles) ................... Page 15 ....................Page 16 ....................Page 21 ....................Page 22 ................... Page 25 .................... Page 26 .................... Page 27 PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Parkers Lake Room City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 All items listed with an asterisk (`) are considered to be routine by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from April 23, 2009. B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Reports. C. Vicksburg Crossing. Accept Monthly Housing Reports. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing Report. B. Revisions to the First Time Homebuyer and Rehabilitation Loan Program Guidelines. 4. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 AGENDA PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT Medicine Lake Room (upper level of City Hall) Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. 1. 7:00 Approval of Agenda 2. 7:05 Approval of April 22, 2009 Minutes (see attached) 3. 7:10 Review Action Items (see attached) 4. 7:25 Review Fleet Status 5. 7:30 Funding/Legislative Update 6. 7:35 Discussion (regarding proposed system changes) • Open House -June 23, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room. • Public Hearing —June 24, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Timeline 7. 7:50 Performance Scorecard Matrix (see attached) 8. 8:10 Review Plymouth Transit Performance Measurements (See attached) 9. 8:20 Review Plymouth Metrolink Customer Service Log (See attached April -May) 10. 8:30 Identify areas of concern and/or recommendations from PACT members, staff 11. 8:40 Other Business 12.8:45 Adjourn Action Items: 1. Route reviews: Due in February to PACT for review (776, NW Plymouth) (Aug). Reviewed at Jan meeting. Special PACT Meeting to discuss routes Thursday, 700 to 9:00 p.m., April 2, 1009, City Hall, Medicine Lake Room. 1. Four Seasons name change: Too late for early Sept deadline. (Sept) Next set of route maps deadline March 2009 for distribution June. Reviewed at Jan meeting. December 5, 2009 3. Metrolink Customer Info Signs: Signs should be posted listing contact information such as phone number, email address, and city website address so ridership have a point of contact and access to information. (March) 4. Dial -A -Ride Survey: Commissioner Kedzuf requested copy of the survey information to review Dial -A -Ride demographic data. (April) Page 2 City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life May 2009 Modified on 05/22/09 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] 8 9 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 10 11 12 5:30 PM 13 14 15 16 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL PARK & REC Medicine Lake Room QUALITY ADVISORY COM - Review COMMITTEE MISSION (PRAC) Zoning Ordinance (EQC)MEETING MEETING Council Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 17 18 19 20 6:30 PM HUMAN RIGHTS 21 22 23 COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Parker's Lake Room 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 24 25 26 5:30PM 277:00 PM 28 29 30 SPECIAL COUNCIL PLYMOUTH ADVISORY 8:00 AM -3:30 PM MEETING' COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL MEMORIAL Medicine Lake Room TRANSIT (PACT) RECYCLING DROP DAY MEETING OFF EVENT Observed Medicine Lake Plymouth 7:00 PM Room A Maintenance Facility 31 CITY OFFICES REGULAR COUNCIL 7:00 PM •5/26 Discuss Homers Associations and CLOSED MEETING HRA MEETING Subdivision of Lots Council Chambers Parkers Lake Room Modified on 05/22/09 Page 3 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life June 2009 Modified on 05/22/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cancelled PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7 8 9 5:30 PM 10 11 12 13 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL PARK @ REC Medicine lake Room QUALITY ADVISORY COM - Discuss Architectural COMMITTEE MISSION (PRAC) Guidelines (EQC) MEETING MEETING 7:00 PM Council Chambers Council Chambers REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION FLAG DAY MEETING Council Chambers 21 22 23 24 7:OOPM 25 26 27 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH REGULAR COUNCIL ADVISORY MEETING COMMITTEE ON 8:00 AM Council Chambers TRANSIT (PACT) MUSIC IN MEETING PLYMOUTH Medicine Lake 5K RUN Room A 7:00 PM HRA MEETING Parkers Lake Room 28 29 30 Modified on 05/22/09 CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED Page 4 rp) City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life July 2009 Modified on 05/22/09 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5:00 PM MUSIC IN PLYMOUTH Hilde Performance INDEPENDENCE INDEPENDENCE Center DAY DAY OBSERVED CITY OFFICES CLOSED 5 6 7 p 8 7:00 PM 9 10 PLANNING 11 COMMISSION 7:00 PM MEETING PARK Et REC Council Chambers ADVISORY COM - MISSION (PRAC) 5:30 PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Council Chambers COMMITTEE (EQC) PPT Tour 12 13 14 5:30 PM 15 16 17 18 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Medicine Lake Room Update with City Manager 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 19 20 21 22 PLANNING 00 G 23 7;00 PM 24 25 COMMISSION HRA MEETING MEETING Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) MEETING Medicine Lake 26 27 28 29 30 31 _ 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers Modified on 05/22/09 Page 5 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items June 9, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Discuss architectural guidelines June 9, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Presentation by County Commissioner Jeff Johnson • Announcement of 5K Run on June 27 and Music in Plymouth on July 1 • Project hearing for Street Reconstruction Project 9113 (Cimarron Ponds) June 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers July 14, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room • Update with City Manager July 14, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Presentation by Mike Freeman, Hennepin County Attorney July 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers August 11, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers August 25, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers September 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers September 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special Ifeeting topics have been set by Council: all other topics are tentative. Page 6 Ehlers Market Commentary May 18, 2009 Tax Policy Bill Signed into Law Despite the wranglings we have witnessed at the Legislature, the tax committee chairs and the governor's office did create a bill (HF 1298) in the past two weeks that contains technical amendments and "non -controversial" policy chanes. Many of these provisions affect public finance and economic development. On May 16' , the governor signed HF 1298 (SF 1257). The provisions include: Article 2, Section 27-30: The ability to create new special service districts and housing improvement areas was extended to 2013. Article 2, Section 36: The ability to issue G.O. bonds for OPEB is extended, with some minor limitations on counties and cities. Article 2, Section 37: Emergency debt certificates are authorized when expenses exceed revenues in a fiscal year. The term is limited to two years. This provision could be important to cities and counties that face unallotent of local government aids. All of Article 5 is local development (TIF). According to House Research, this article extends the five-year rule to ten years for redevelopment and renewal and renovation tax increment financing (TIF) districts certified between June 30, 2003, and April 30, 2009, and extends the four-year knockdown rule for districts certified between January 1, 2005, and April 20, 2009 to six years. This expanded authority is intended to give cities more flexibility to respond to the recession and the slowdown in real estate development. Special law exceptions were provided for the following cities: Oakdale, South Saint Paul, Minnetonka (duration extension), St. Louis Park (duration extension), Arden Hills, Sauk Rapids, Seaway Port Authority of Duluth, Mankato, and Faribault (JOBZ district extension) The section also expands the authority to use economic development TIF districts for tourism projects to include counties in Region 7E. This will add the counties of Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, and Pine to those now allowed to use this authority. A few technical changes to TIF law were also included. TIF plan requirements and financial reporting is focused on and limited to tax increments, deleting the requirement to budget and report on the TIF forms use of other sources of funding, such as grants or payments from other authority money. 03 EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehlers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800)552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 7 �- - -- ; 51h Ehlers Market Commentary May 18, 2009 All of Article 6 are public finance changes including the many of the Minnesota Institute of Public Finance provisions such as borrowing for airports, extending townships term to 10 years for certificates of indebtedness and ARRA bond allocation provisions. The test for property tax exemption for non -profits was clarified to reinstate the "North Star" six - pronged test. A recent court case had limited tax exemption for non -profits. The repeal of the State tax -exemption for municipal bonds is not in HF 1298 but other tax bills still contain the language. Please let us know if you have questions. To review the language in detail, the full bill is found at https://www revisor leg state mn us/bin/bidbill php?bill=Hl298 4 html&session=ls86 Bond Market — Long Term Rates Lower, Short Term Rates Little Change Last week the 20 GO Bond Buyer Index was lower by 8 basis points to 4.54% and the Revenue Bond Buyer Index was down 11 basis points to 5.46%. Rates compiled by Municipal Market Data (MMD) AAA Rated Tax -Exempt General Obligations decreased 1 to 3 basis points in the 1-5 year maturities, while the 10 and 15 year maturities fell 13 basis points and the 20 year maturity was lower by 9 basis points. The yield curve continues to flatten, demanding yields 314 basis points higher in the 20 year maturity vs. the 2 year. The differences between a 20 year tax-exempt AAA rated bond and the AA tax exempt bond is 17 basis points and 101 basis points between the AAA and A rated tax-exempt bond according to the MMD. Build America Bonds (BABs) Build America Bonds continued to sell in the market this past week. Some of the local issues sold this week include Council Bluffs, IA, Villa Park, IL, and Staples, MN. These issues were priced at similar levels with taxable yields ranging from 5.45% to 5.60% in the 15 year maturity for bonds rated A to AA. A tax exempt equivalent to the 5.45% taxable would need to be lower than 3.54% to be more cost effective for the issuer. The MMD AA tax exempt yield for the 15 year maturity on May 121i was 3.81% and the A tax exempt yield was 4.87%. The BABs rely on future U.S. Treasury rebates of 35% of the interest payments to reduce issuers' net interest cost. A BABs issue is more likely to be beneficial for a bond issue with longer maturities. Last week John Buckley chief counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee, assured the market that the risk is negligible for the Federal Government to reduce or eliminate payments on the Build America Bonds in the future. Nevertheless, some issuers remain concerned about the long -terns sustainability of the 35% payment and are reluctant to issue BABs for that reason. EHLERS LEADERS IN PURI IC FINANCE www.ehlers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 8 Ehlers Market Commentary May 18, 2009 Use of BABs. The use of BABs needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis, with full consideration of benefits, costs and risks, for each particular issuer's situation. When BABs are warranted, use of the competitive vs. negotiated sale method should be decided with the advice of an independent advisor, just as with any non-BABs. The Big Picture — Relatively Low Rates and a Premium for Quality Municipal rates remain near 30 -year historic lows and bonds with higher ratings are getting done at significantly better interest rates than lower rated bonds. M EHLERS LEADERS IN PUBLIC FINANCE www.ehiers-inc.com Offices in Minnesota (800) 552-1171 Wisconsin (800) 717-9742 Illinois: (800) 417-1119 Page 9 Faulty engine sparked Plymouth apartment blaze StarTribu ne.com Faulty engine sparked Plymouth apartment blaze A Plymouth apartment fire that caused $3 million in damage has been linked to a fire -prone vehicle, subject to a recent recall. By LORA PABST and PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune staff writers Last update: May 19, 2009 - 11:26 PM A General Motors car that was part of a significant federal recall alerting owners to engine compartment fires caused a major apartment building fire in Plymouth last week, according to authorities. Representatives of several Twin Cities metro area auto dealerships said Tuesday that the recall, which recently was expanded, has prompted a flurry of calls to their service departments. The May 11 blaze in a four -car garage at the Parkers Lake Apartments caused about $3 million in damage, according to the Plymouth Fire Department. No one was injured in the fire in the three-story, 24 -unit building, which drew 50 firefighters and 16 trucks from at least six communities. Investigators say the fire in the 15000 block of 18th Avenue started in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix Advertisement This Page Cannot Be Displayed Page 1 of 2 > m.startribune.com GTP in the garage and that it was "unintentional, with the failure of equipment in the vehicle." Owners of vehicles that were recently added to the recall should be getting a letter soon about what to do. One Grand Prix owner from St. Paul said she wishes she would have had a warning before her car exploded into flames two years ago. Toni Johnson was in a restaurant in February 2007 when someone yelled that there was a car on fire in the parking lot. A nearby police officer quickly put out the fire. "I could see a lot of smoke and flames coming out of my hood," she said. "Good thing it happened while it was out in the open." About a year later, in March 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the first recall, covering about 207,000 Buick Regals and Pontiac Grand Prix for the model years 1997 through 2003. In particular, models that have 3.8 -litre, supercharged V-6 engines. Notices were sent to owners of the 1997-2000 models on April 28, 2008, warning against parking the vehicles in a garage or other enclosed area. "I thought, 'Oh great, now I get a letter after I've had the engine fire,"' said Johnson, who is still driving her 2001 Grand Prix GTP after having it Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/st.vendor/default;tile=l;sz=660xl6O;ord=9488979252816983.46158? ) has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( hell)desk@ci.plymouth.mn.us plymouth.mn.us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By kli I Fu_n tatDynamics http://www.startribune.com/local/west/45408972.html?elr=KArksUUUU 5/2( Page 10 Faulty engine sparked Plymouth apartment blaze StarTribune.com repaired. Last month, GM expanded the recall to cover other makes and models in that same span of years, bringing the total number of vehicles affected to nearly 1.5 million. The vehicles in the expanded recall include the Chevrolet Impala from model years 2000-2003, the Chevrolet Lumina from 1998-1999, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo from 1998-2003 and the Oldsmobile Intrigue from 1998-1999, all with 3.8 -litre V-6 naturally aspirated engines. The Brookdale Luther Pontiac dealership in Brooklyn Center has been flooded with inquiries from vehicle owners who've gotten recall letters. "We're gettingjust a boatload of calls," said customer care representative John Buck. He estimated Tuesday that the calls are coming in at a rate of,15 to 20 a day, more than any recall he has ever handled. "Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking," according to the first recall, which said the oil could ignite into a small flame under the right conditions. State records show that the car that caught fire belonged to Luke Mellesmoen, 25. On the night of the fire. Mellesmoen told KSTP-TV that he came home about 7 p.m. and soon afterward, his Ad.Mmp.menf This Page Cannot Be Displayed Page 2 of 2 a. y m.startribune.com girlfriend said she smelled smoke. Nationally, NHTSA heard from consumers who reported that the fires began five to 15 minutes after "the vehicle was parked and the ignition switched off." For more information about this recall, contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www. safercacgov. 1pabst@startribune.com startribune.com • 612-673-4628 pwalsli@startribune.com • 612-673-4482 Based on your corporate access policies, access to this web site ( http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/st.vendor/default;tile=l;sz=660xl6O;ord=9488979252888983.46162? ) has been blocked because the web category "Advertisements & Popups" is not allowed. If you have questions, please contact IT Helpdesk at ext. 5380 ( helodesk(a)ci Plymouth mn us ) and provide the codes shown below. Print Powered By iii Forrr<t Dynamics - i http://www.startribune.com/local/west/45408972.html?elr=KArksUUUU 5/2( Page 11 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release Contact: May 19, 2009 Fire Chief Richard Kline 763-509-5121 Fire Cause and Origin Determination Made On May 11, 2009, at 7:15 p.m., there was an extensive fire at Parkers Lake Apartments, located at 15390 18`h Avenue in the City of Plymouth. The loss from this fire was estimated at three million dollars. The Hennepin County Fire Investigation Team, working with the Plymouth Fire Department has made a determination as the cause and origin of the fire and closed the investigation on this case. After reviewing the fire patterns on the scene, and taking into account the information received through interviews and photos taken by residents during the fire, the fire origin was determined to be inside the 4 -car garage in the left-most stall as one faces the A -side (front) of the building. This stall contained a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. It has been confirmed with a local Pontiac dealership that this vehicle's VIN or vehicle identification number identifies the vehicle as part of a product recall from GM for engine compartment fires. The vehicle has been determined to be the origin of the fire. The cause of the fire is determined to be unintentional with failure of equipment in the vehicle. It is the responsibility of the insurance companies to determine the exact failure in the vehicle. Page 12 NEWS RELEASE For Release: May 20, 2009 Contacts: Joyce Lorenz Communications Manager 952-949-8554 Katie Beal Senior Communications Coordinator 952-949-8526 Approved 2009 Budget Amendment Designed to Ensure City of Eden Prairie's Long -Term Financial Health R, NJ EDEN PRAIRIE LIVE -WORK- OREKY ;.f' 95i 9199]00 '>� 9ft 9191]90 ipC SSE 919]399 Wino meaauta Fd, 344 44, All! M344 4416 e enpr rku EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. — At its May 19, 2009, meeting, the Eden Prairie City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the City's 2009 General Fund budget designed to address an anticipated $1 -million shortfall in 2009 development revenues. The projected shortfall is attributed to the economic downturn and the resulting decline in business and residential development. With the Council's approval of the amendment, City staff will implement a plan to balance the 2009 budget and position Eden Prairie for a healthy financial future, while continuing to provide core services and infrastructure improvements, as well as stemming the growth of property taxes. The plan includes a transfer of $500,000 from the City's Budget Stabilization Fund, $200,000 of cost savings in General Fund operating expenses and $300,000 in personnel cost reductions. As part of this plan, effective immediately the City has eliminated the positions of six fulltime employees representing all six City departments: one in the Parks and Recreation Department's Recreation Division; two in the Fire Department's Building Inspections Division; one in the Public Works Department's Engineering Division; one in the Community Development Department's Planning Division; and one in the Office of the City Manager. In addition to the six positions eliminated today, the weekly work hours of two positions, one in the Planning Division and the other in Fire Department's Fire Inspections Division, have been reduced; a vacant position in the Engineering Division has been eliminated; a vacant Housing and Community Services Division position has been reduced from fulltime to halftime; and a vacant officer position in the Police Department has been eliminated. Lira[ C Page 13 Eden Prairie 2009 Budget Amendment Page 2 Since January, City staff members have identified $200,000 of cost savings in operating expenses. Additional actions were taken to address the proposed $300,000 reduction in personnel costs, including the implementation of a hiring freeze, a voluntary early retirement program and reduced work schedule program. While these measures were helpful in moving toward the $300,000 target, they fell short of the overall goal, which made it necessary to permanently reduce staffing levels. "The change in the economy required us to take a strategic look at our organization and how to best move forward for the long-term," said City Manager Scott Neal. "Some positions being reduced are in areas that have been directly affected by the economic downturn and the job functions of all the eliminated positions are being reallocated." Neal said that by making these tough decisions now, the City is in a better position for the 2010-2011 budget and beyond, while continuing to provide reasonably priced quality services for Eden Prairie taxpayers. F7'79 Page 14 Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting May 6, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Dick Kobussen, Terry Jaffoni, Gordon Petrash, Scott Nelson, Erik Aamoth and Marc Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness and Office Support Specialist Laurie Lokken 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Jaffoni, seconded by Commissioner Petrash, to approve the May 6, 2009 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 15, 2009 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the April 15, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. INSPEC, INC. (2009006) MOTION by Commissioner Petrash, seconded by Commissioner Kobussen, to approve the request by Inspec, Inc. for a site plan amendment for reconstruction of the existing east parking lot and construction of a parent and bus staging area for Plymouth Middle School located at 100 11 36"' Avenue North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Davis, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Page 15 MINUTES WAYZATA COMMUNITIES IN COLLABORATION COUNCIL May 13, 2009 NO JUNE CICC MEETING Next CICC Meeting To be Announced PRESENT Kristin Tollison, Bob Wittman, Kelly Goddard, Linnea Fonnest, Jessica Cardwell, Angela Haseman, Cheryl Lubinski, Sheryl Kasdan, Maggie Frick, Katie Dunford, Katy Hemmah, Tom Sexton, Mary Kay Williams, Charlene Barghini and Carol Bergenstal WELCOME Kristin Tollison welcomed guest speaker Shlynn Hayes, Intervention Specialist, Wayzata High School APRIL CICC MINUTES • April CICC minutes were accepted as written. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL • Shlynn Hayes provided a summary of her first year at Wayzata High School and the programs she has helped to continue and implement. • Shlynn wears many hats at WHS and, in addition to her work with special education, she helps support a Girls' Group, Boys' Group, coaches the Cheer Squad and runs the after school mentoring/tutorials. • The goal with all these programs is to help kids be successful. Efforts were made to add on to what was already going on in the building --- and to adapt the programs as the year went on to meet the needs of the kids. • Before the tutoring program began, Shlynn invited every parent to a dinner to explain the after school program. Volunteers were also invited to attend. • Tutoring takes place Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30 to 4:00 PM. • Thursdays were added about a month ago. • The after school program helps provide adult connections for kids, beyond their teachers. Shlynn looked for volunteers who were passionate about kids and about the subject area in which they tutored. • Shlynn thanked Charlene Barghini, Director of Volunteers for the School District, for all the help and support Charlene provided to recruit great volunteers this year. 25-30 students have participated in tutoring this year. Some come for homework help, some come because they are behind in class, some come because it offers a quiet place to do homework alone. • The program started out with mostly kids of color but now is about half kids of color. ELL students also attend. • Shlynn checks in with the parents of the students about two times a month. Page 16 • Shlynn follows up on the progress of the students with their teachers which allows the tutors to focus on the specific areas of need of their particular student, as identified by the teachers. • Support in three areas is provided to students: Math, language arts, and ACT prep. • It is important that these sessions not be seen as punishment, so enticements are built-in --- such as the opportunity to spend time on the Wii (purchased for the program) after a certain number of hours is spent on tutoring. • Shlynn has also worked with WMEP Liaison, Anthony Galloway, to help connect Wayzata students with programs and resources in North Minneapolis. PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR • Shlynn hopes to get more students involved. • It is hoped that WHS students who help provide tutoring after school for their fellow students will get some kind of extra credit. • The parent dinner will be hosted at a site in North Minneapolis, for the convenience of the parents. All volunteers will be invited, too. • Middle school students will be informed of this program so they are aware from the start of high school where they can come at WHS for help and support (as they do at the middle school after school programs). • Shlynn wants to be known as the "go to" person for WHS students in need of a helping hand or advice. • Support will be provided to encourage more students of color to register for AP classes. • Tutors will also provide help for students to study for the state tests required for graduation. NEEDS FOR NEXT YEAR • More volunteers! Shlynn will send Charlene a "job description" for volunteers so this can be distributed to the wider community (including the CICC) for the recruitment of additional volunteers. • Additional resources for things like art activities. LCTSUPDATE Good news! Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) appears to have been saved! The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed rule, printed May 6, 2009 in the Federal Register, that affects the LCTS. Specifically, this new rule will entirely rescind the Elimination of Reimbursement Under Medicaid for School -Based Administrative Expenditures Rule which is currently under a moratorium until the end of June. This new rule will allow us to continue claiming MA (Medical Assistance) administrative dollars through the LCTS into the foreseeable future. In other words, LCTS will continue! While this proposed rule must still go through the necessary processes prior to being final, we optimistically expect that the final rule will be issued following the comment period ending June 1, 2009. It is hoped that the final rule will be published prior to the end of the current moratorium on June 30, 2009. 2 Page 17 Donna Marget, LCTS Coordinator and Chair of the LCTS Grant Committee submitted the following 2009 Funding Recommendations for approval by the CICC: With the current LCTS dollars available (approximately $50,000) the LCTS Grant Committee recommends funding for the following programs (in addition to the allocations approved at the February 11, 2009 CICC meeting) at the amounts listed below to bring 2009-2010 allocations for each program commensurate with 2008-2009 funding levels. ➢ Caring for Kids Initiative -$25,000 (for a total of $65,000) Caring for Kids Initiative is a partnership of Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners, Wayzata's Family Learning Center and Kids' Care Connection (a child care center serving low-income families at Messiah Methodist Church in Plymouth) to develop a replicable model to provide scholarships for quality early childhood care, education and parent education and support for low- income/challenged families in the Wayzata School District community through a collaborative, cross -sector approach. ➢ Camp CONECT-$5,000 (for a total of $ 20,000) These funds will also be used to enhance Camp CONECT, a nine week summer camp for youth who live in all of the CONECT neighborhoods and for children who live in other multi -unit housing neighborhoods in Plymouth who are not formally part of CONECT, but for whom additional summer programming is needed. ➢ Primary Project -$10,000 (for a total of $40,000) Primary Project is an early intervention program designed to help students in younger grades feel more confident and comfortable at school. The goal of Primary Project is prevention — to catch kids with early signs of emotional or behavioral concerns so that more significant problems do not develop later on. ➢ Y Middle School Activities -$500 (for a total of $2,500) Coordination and support for YMCA Middle School Teen Nights. These events provide safe, supervised, fun activities for middle school youth (many from low- income families) and help foster positive relationships with Plymouth Police officers, school district staff, Hennepin County Library staff, YMCA staff, Wayzata High School student volunteers and caring adult community volunteers. ➢ Helping us Grow - $5,000 Universal home visits by licensed parent educators to families with babies, newborn to 12 months, living in the Wayzata School District. Visits include support, information, resources, ways to help siblings adjust, encourage brain development and much more. Page 18 ➢ The Family School Liaison position - No additional funds needed. ($10,000 approved in February 2009.) This position will be fully funded with other dollars, thanks to Lori Fildes. This position provides a direct connection between parents -students -schools - community for families who live in low-income multi -unit housing complexes in Plymouth and are served by five Wayzata School District elementary schools. These connections take place through parent communication projects, student homework help, and a communication link among all partners. A motion was made by Bob Wittman and seconded by Angela Haseman to approve funding for the grants, as recommended by the LCTS Grant Committee. Motion passed unanimously. COMMUNITY CHECK-IN and UPDATES Summer Programs at the Library • Linnea highlighted the amazing array of programs available this summer (June 15 through August 15) at the library for kids and families. All programs are free.... and fun! • The library is committed to help encourage reading for pleasure over the summer months --- a proven strategy to increase literacy. • There will be 108 programs at Ridgedale alone! Tom Sexton Retires Our congratulations and very best wishes to Tom Sexton who will retire after 32 years with Hennepin County! Computers for CONECT • We are waiting for final details to be resolved with the apartment managers, but expect the computers for Homework Clubs to be up and running very soon. Camp CONECT • CONECT is still waiting to hear about some grant funding, but it appears there will be sufficient funds to hire 16 counselors for Camp CONECT this summer. • This will allow the Camp to operate at the same level as last year. Community Access to Computers • Thanks to Sandra Stevenson and Cheryl Lubinski and the CONECTAOCP staff, arrangements have been made to provide community access to the Adult Basic Education Lab at CMS for internet job search and applications. • Plans have been made to continue access to the Adult Enrichment computer lab in the Media Center at Central Middle School over the summer months. Medical Resources Page 19 Carol reminded CICC members to share the updated information on access to health care for low income families and children. (See attachment.) REFLECTIONS ON 2008-2009 Kristin explained that this year an effort was made to help better acquaint CICC members with LCTS funded program through monthly updates from grant recipients. In addition, this year all issues that were identified as community concerns were tracked each month. Updates regarding progress and/or roadblocks were brought back to the CICC until final resolution could be reached. Kristin asked CICC members to reflect on this new format for CICC meetings. The following is a summary of the remarks shared: • Linnea - Meetings more valuable this year. Helpful to have a broader understanding of the programs. • Cheryl - Helpful to see progress made. • Angela - Liked the big group discussions. • Sheryl - Learning a lot! • Bob - Helped to get deeper into issues and to stay with issues until something happened. Meetings helped highlight the power of the right person to "move the needle". Shlynn was a good example of that. • Jessica - More helpful this year. First year on the CICC didn't understand all the connections at first. • Tom - Glad to hear focus on mental health issues during the meetings he attended. • Katy - Found the community check-in helpful. • Maggie - At first it was hard to follow the meetings, but this year was helpful. • Charlene - Learn something new every single meeting. • Mary Kay - Also learned something every time. Great to have students involved. • Kelly - Attending CICC meetings makes her want to learn more about what's going on in her own school district. THANK YOUS Kristin extended our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to Maggie Frick who will graduate from WHS in June and attend U of North Dakota next fall. Kristin expressed the CICC's debt to Maggie for her all of her help, support and enthusiasm during her tenure on the CICO. Kristin also thanked Brenda Heim for her exemplary service, dedication and plain hard work as Chair of the CICC. The meeting was adjourned at 4:22 PM. Respectfully submitted, Carol Bergenstal Page 20 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: May 14, 2009 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager cc: Steve Juetten FROM: Barbara Sennes§, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report Hennepin County Community Corrections staff has submitted their monthly report on average daily population for the month of April, 2009. The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility was 592, less than the occupancy limit of 601 set by the Conditional Use Permit. The chart below shows the average monthly population since April of 2002. HCACF Monthly Population Report is 6W Wo I wr�.a � 8 3 8 8 $ a lrenga 8 o o LL Y s Wunl O o" e a ZOO rm 0 3 MonthlYear Page 21 I 8 8 8 $ 8 o o LL Y s o" Page 21 CITY OF PLYMOUTH NOTICE OF PLYMOUTH CHARTER COMMISSION VACANCIES NOTICE is hereby given that one vacancy currently exists and five vacancies will exist on the Plymouth Charter Commission effective June 19, 2009. Appointments to the Charter Commission are made by the District Court Chief Judge. Any Plymouth resident interested in being considered for appointment to fill these vacancies should send a letter and/or resume indicating their interest to: Honorable James T. Swenson, Chief Judge Fourth Judicial District Court Hennepin County Government Center Minneapolis, MN 55487-0422 Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2009. Please call me for further information regarding this vacancy or the appointment process. Sandra R. Engdahl City Clerk Posted May 21, 2009 Published June 4, 2009 and June 11, 2009 Page 22 Officers Christian Preus Richard Dunn Terry Cheng (Revised 12/16/08) Plymouth Charter Commission Chair Vice Chair Secretary Name Appointed Term Expires Vacant 2-19-12 Terry Donovan 6-9-97 6-19-09 1753 Evergreen Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55441 Lawrence P. Marofsky 6-9-97 6-19-09 2835 Medicine Ridge Road Plymouth, MN 55441 Mary McKee 6-9-97 6-19-09 1345 Juneau Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Louise Speck 6-09-00 6-19-09 835 Vicksburg Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Lori Schwartz 6-9-97 6-19-09 P.O. Box 41479 Plymouth, MN 55441 Anne Andreasen 6-08-07 5-25-11 15725 2nd Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Terry Cheng 5-03-07 5-25-11 17615 48th Place N. Plymouth, MN 55446 Edward J. Clyman 6-08-07 5-25-11 17215 491h Ave. N. #F Plymouth, MN 55446 Thomas E. Murphy Jr. 9-18-98 6-19-11 4810 Orchid Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55446 Page 23 (Revised 12/16/08) Christian Preus 6-19-99 6-19-11 17330 Co. Rd. 24 Plymouth, MN 55447 Jeffrey M. Thompson 6-19-99 6-19-11 3600 Alvarado Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55446 James G. Willis 6-19-99 6-19-11 16511 26th Avenue N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dharam Bobra 8-25-99 8-25-11 16105 39th Place N. Plymouth, MN 55446 Richard Dunn 3-01-04 3-01-12 178154 th Avenue N. Plymouth, MN 55447 Staff: Cal Portner, Administrative Services Director, 763/509-5301 Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk, 763/509-5080 Appointments are made by the Hennepin County Chief Judge for four year terms. Page 24 Laurie Ahrens Subject: FW: Hennepin County Court From: Nelson, Cherie on behalf of Thompson, Mark Sent: Tue 5/19/2009 3:11 PM Cc: Swenson, James (Judge) Subject: On behalf of Chief Judge James Swenson & Mark Thompson - Dear Mayors and city managers of Hennepin County municipalities, Our funding bill was signed by the governor last week and did not include the significant cuts to the judicial branch that had originally been proposed. In the final bill, district court funding was decreased by approximately 1.6% over the next two years. As a result, Hennepin County District Court will not need to reduce its current locations for court operations nor implement any of the "worst -case -scenario' options developed to address the larger budget reduction that was anticipated. We would like to thank each one of you for your support during this legislative session. Largely because of your effort, our funding was only reduced by a modest amount. Thank you. Mark S. Thompson Judicial District Administrator Hennepin County District Court / Fourth Judicial District (612)348-7757 mark.thomosonPcourts.state.mn.us Page 25 Laurie Ahrens From: Cops_lnfo (Cops_Info@usdoj.gov) Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:03 PM To: Laurie Ahrens Subject: COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office of the Director 1100 Vermont Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20530 Dear Colleague: Thank you for submitting your COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) application. It is now under active review at the COPS Office. While that work continues, we want to update you on our progress and the process we are using to make funding decisions under this very competitive grant program. As you know, the COPS Office was appropriated $1 billion through the Recovery Act to make grants to create or save state, local, and tribal law enforcement jobs. During the CHRP solicitation period, we received 7,272 applications. These applications total $8.3 billion and request more than 39,000 sworn law enforcement positions. Obviously, these requests far exceed the funding available under CHRP, and with no cap on officer salary or local match requirement, we will only be able to fund a portion of the officer and deputy positions requested. Since the April 14, 2009 application deadline, the COPS Office has been actively reviewing the data submitted in each application. In some cases, we have reached out to applicant agencies to verify information provided in their applications. In fact, we contacted more than 1,700 agencies to validate their data, and in total the COPS Office reviewed over 275,000 individual data points. If your agency was not contacted by COPS during this phase of our work, that simply means that upon initial review by our staff, no further probing was required for your application. This data verification process, though time consuming, is very important because it ensures that all applicants will be properly evaluated based on each agency's economic, crime, and community policing data. Now that the work described above is complete, we are moving quickly to the next phase of our process, which includes in-depth budget request reviews and evaluating the retention requirement information and other aspects of the application. In preparing a final CHRP award list, we will look at the total number of sworn positions being requested by each agency and determine how best to allocate the funds available. The COPS Office will complete all this work and make awards no later than September 30, and likely sooner. For more information, please visit the COPS website (www.cops.usdoi.gov), where we will post any new information about CHRP, updates on our other grant programs, and a wealth of information on community policing. Sincerely, Page 26 League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions Newsletter Vol.23 No.2 May 2009 HRCs plan local projects with the help of Bremer Grants "If the goal is achieving social justice and meeting people's needs, then we can't be afraid to take chances and change. It's the only way we will make a difference." So writes David Maurrasse, writer and contemporary thinker on issues of innovative social responsibility and community partnerships. Maurrasse gives good advice and his work addresses the specifics for capacity building. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights in partnership with the League received a grant of $130,000 from the Otto Bremer Foundation over a three year period to provide local human rights commissions with technical assistance to develop and implement civic engagement and social justice educational activities. Mini -grants are awarded to local commissions who are members of the League, at a maximum of $1,500 per event for the development of local commissions in the areas of capacity building, education and seminars, outreach, networking within the local commission's jurisdictional area, and youth involvement. The Golden Valley HRC, like many Minnesota commissions, use many volunteer hours planning for human rights activities. Commissioners pictured here spent the morning of May 9th on a strategic plan. They were buoyed by thoughts of a mini -grant to help with envisioned projects. Commissioners Chris Jordan, Debra Yahle, GV Police Chief Stacey Altonen, Chair Anne Dykstra at flip chart. Front row: Commissioners Jay Sandvik, Roger McConic, Back: GV Mayor Linda Loomis, Commissioners Chris Jordan, Debra Yahle, GV Police Chief Stacey Altonen Page 27 League completes eleventh annual Human Rights Essay Contest The Roseville Human Rights Commission eleven years ago invited Middle School students to write essays on Human Rights topics. Thus began the Annual Essay Contest. The League seeks to stimulate thinking about human rights by offering new topics each year. Essay writing is shown to be a powerful tool in stimulating thought and influencing behavior. In conducting essay contests each year the League has these purposes: introduce sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to local Human Rights Commissions. introduce universal human rights issues. familiarize students with the Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 217A (I11) of December 10, 1948. familiarize students with the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. familiarize students with the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The Plymouth Human Rights Commission was among those that presented Essay Awards at ceremonies with invited speakers along with the student essay readers, their parents and teachers. Essay contest winners posed with local officials at the Plymouth Human Rights Commission Essay Contest Awards on April 30. (From left to right) Dist. 43A Representative Sarah Anderson, District 43B Representative John Benson, Janhawi Kelkar, Mady North, Amy Leininger, Plymouth Mayor Kelli Slavik and City Council Member Kathleen Murdock. Page 28 Plymouth middle school students recognized for penning human rights essays More than 40 middle school students from Plymouth and surrounding communities were recently recognized for putting pen to pad to address their concerns over a variety of human rights issues affecting populations across the globe. On April 30, students, parents, teachers and elected officials gathered at Plymouth City Hall to congratulate all participants of the Plymouth Human Rights Commission and League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission annual essay contest. For their essays, students were asked to choose a current news event in which they believed a human rights violation had taken place. They were then tasked with using the Bill of Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and/or the Minnesota Human Rights Act to support their point of view and discuss ways to help the situation. Students wrote essays on a variety of topics including racial discrimination, child slavery and genocide. "The hope is that we can prevent future human rights violations -- like the ones discussed -- through education," said Plymouth Mayor Kelli Slavik in her address to essay contest participants. "Talking about these issues helps bring them to the forefront." First prize went to Mady North, a Wayzata West eighth grader, for her essay titled, "Waxing a car doesn't make the engine run better." — John Budd, University of Minnesota "Taliban in Relation to Women's Rights." Janhawi Kelkar, also an eighth grader at Wayzata West, took second place for her essay titled, "Treatment of Women by the Taliban." Amy Leininger, an eighth grader at Wayzata West, took third place for her essay titled, "Is the United States Violating Human Rights?" which questioned the U.S.'s stance on torture. All participants were recognized with a certificate. The top three essayists received a plaque along with a cash prize. North's first place essay will move on to compete in the state competition. "The Human Rights Commission was impressed with the wide range of news items the students were able to identify as human rights violations," said Commission Chair Virginia Klevom. "It was also wonderful to see the encouragement given to the students by the commissioners and elected officials in attendance." In addition to Mayor Slavik, Plymouth Council Member Kathleen Murdock, state Reps. Sarah Anderson and John Benson, a representative of state Sen. Terri Bonoff and members of the Plymouth Human Rights Commission and staff were on hand to congratulate all essay contest participants. For more information, visit www.ci.plymouth.mn.us. "It is not good enough for things to be planned — they still have to be done; for the intention to become a reality, energy has to be launched into operation." Pir Vilayat lnayat Khan (born 1916)Western Safi Master/Teacher Page 29 Spotlight on Commissions Plymouth Capacity Building and So Much More By: Commissioners Virginia Klevom and Sarah Haag, City of Plymouth When the Plymouth Human Rights Commission came together for a capacity building training session on March 26, they reached the goals for the training and discovered something more. By including teachers and staff from the Wayzata School District, "the commissioners learned not only about themselves but gained knowledge about the ... school community" stated Commissioner Ada Alden. The training was funded through an Otto Bremer Foundation Grant specifically targeted to train Human Rights Commissioners. The Plymouth Commission wanted to use the grant in a meaningful way and contracted the YWCA Racial Justice Program to lead the training. Our training was entitled: "Encouraging Difficult Conversations: The power of questions." YWCA trained facilitators, Anita Patel and Briana Franzmeier, led the group of 23 to each identify their personal investment/commitment to human rights and to the elimination of racism. Using circle discussion groups, we shared personal stories and concerns. Together, we worked to develop responses to use when future situations arise. Sharing the experience of watching Dr. Eric Jolly's YWCA video presentation, and hearing his call to action, lead to a meaningful group discussion about our community. Commissioner Sarah Haag "thought the collaboration with the schools was excellent because schools and the issues that schools deal with really reflect the community at large." "The facilitation by the Y staff was very friendly and encouraging. The video of Dr. Jolly was one of the best I've seen on the topic of ethnic interaction," said Bootsie Anderson, a Social Studies teacher. Commissioners felt awareness was bolstered by the knowledge and skills the training provided. In addition to the school community learning about the Plymouth Commission, the training diminished the sense of isolation that many had experienced prior to this collaborative effort. An invitation by the Commission for continued collaboration with the school was extended and accepted by those in attendance. Page 30 The Plymouth Human Rights Commission would like to thank The Otto Bremer Foundation, The Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Wayzata Public Schools, Caribou Coffee at Rockford Road and Plymouth City Council for supporting this important work. Red Wing Larry Clark, Honorary LMHRC Member March 9 the Red Wing Human Rights Commission was one of several sponsors that held a community forum entitled: "Equal Justice: Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System." The event was co-sponsored by the First District Bar Association, the Red Wing Police Department and Red Wing Community Education. Additional funding was obtained from the League of Women Voters Red Wing and the Dakota County Law Library. The keynote speakers were First District Judge Joseph T. Carter and Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Clayton Robinson. The forum was moderated by Larry Clark, an Assistant Dakota County Attorney and former member of the Red Wing Human Rights Commission. The speakers focused on the findings of the 1993 Racial Bias Task Force, created by the Minnesota Supreme Court, and what progress has been made since that time. Approximately 70 people attended the forum, held at the Presbyterian Church in Red Wing. Shoreview Sam Abdullai, Commissioner and LMHRC Board Director at Large The Shoreview Human Rights Commission was busy with numerous activities during the past year. The annual poster contest for 4`h grade students was held with resounding success. The Commission held its first Community Dialogue, which was attended by about 60 participants. The "Children Who Care" booklet (educating children about human rights) continued to be well received. At the same time, the Commission continued its efforts to reach out to the community and maintained its strong working relationship with the City Council. St. Cloud Baba Odukale, Human Rights Director Create CommUNITY announced the launching of Action -Learning Circles which will meet six times between February and May of 2009. Each circle will consist of 12-15 participants with two facilitators. Participants will engage in an inquiry process in which learners go beneath the surface to gather information, reflect, and share their insights and suggest possible action strategies. These will form the basis of the next level of work sponsored by Create CommUNITY in the months to come. The project was co-sponsored by the Center for Service Learning and the St. Cloud Human rights office. Page 31 Hopkins Judy Reinehr, Hopkins HR Chair and LMHRC Librarian A Hopkins commissioner from India will conduct an information survey activity at the Mothers' Day breakfast in the Ramsgate Apartments Community Room for the large number of immigrants who live there. A free Film -Food -Forum event will be held May 15 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The movie and theme will be around GLBT families. The movie "Our House" will be shown following buffet dinner. Two GLBT families from local schools will conduct a discussion. In June the Commissioners will create a cable TV show with five immigrants who have been here less than 10 years and two immigrants who have been here more than 40 years. They will answer questions submitted in advance, discuss with each other and with the audience. The show will be aired on TV several times. Photos of events and activities will be displayed on a large easel around Hopkins. Using Bremer Grant money the HRC is reviewing and selecting DVDs, videos and books. Commissioners are working with the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center to create a library for Commissioners, City Staff and Community members. In July the Commission will have its annual booth at the Main Street Family Day Event for the Hopkins Raspberry Festival. Recently completed events include: Genocide Prevention Network Resolution passed by the City Council and a program at the Art Center for grades 2 and 3 involving reading books, sharing DVDs, artistic project with art supplies provided as well as healthy snacks. Outcomes: a new Commission member and requests for presentations to a PTA and the Library. LMHRC Information (763)535-1051 (answering machine only) www.leapueofmnhumanrights.org Send Commission news and electronic photos for Together to Marion Helland, Editor marionhellandAcomcast.net Page 32