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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCECMIN_92120CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights - Community Engagement Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES September 21, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. Note: This meeting was be held by web conference. A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:02 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: May_X__ Kohn_X__ Johnson_X__ Larrabee__X_ Cooley-Kistler__X___ LaDouceur__X__ Ebbesen__X__ COUNCIL LIAISON Wehyee_X__ STAFF PRESENT: Nandkumar_X__ Walter_X___ C. Presentation D. Approval of Minutes: • July 20, 2020 Approved, 7-0. E. DISCUSSION 1. Paper/cost saving option for welcome packets • Currently, the CEC and neighborhood liaisons welcome new residents and provide them with a printed welcome packet. • A letter was drafted and sent to property owners to encourage them to distribute New Resident packets to new tenants. One property owner requested 40 printed packets, representing a large printing cost for the City. • It’s unclear whether packets are well used, and the information may be better provided electronically by directing new residents to the website and social media channels • Staff created a paper door hanger design that could be left on doors of new residents, either by neighbors or property owners. The design includes a QR code that directs individuals to a printed version of the packet, as well as information on City contacts and social media. • It was suggested that the design include a city phone number for residents who may not have access to a computer or device. • It was mentioned that the personal welcoming of new residents is an important part of the process as well. 2. Human Rights Day • Ideas for the event were discussed. The topic of focus will be the rights of refugees or migrants. • Commissioner Julie Ebbesen has been doing research on potential topics and speakers and will continue working on that. • There was discussion of having a panel of local residents/faculty from the U of M/business owners speak about their personal experiences as refugees or migrants. • It was also suggested that the event include resources such as TED talk links or reading materials leading up to and after the event for people to learn more 3. Subcommittee updates Night to Unite • There was a list of COVID-19 safe activities generated for Night to Unite • Discussion of RCSO not participating; The city council and fire department will be doing drive by visits to block parties if requested Communication and Social Media • There was a discussion of what Halloween might look like, how the City/CEC can provide information for people regarding COVID-19 impacts • Nalisha Nandkumar mentioned the CDC might come forward with recommendations, but commission could come out with a list of recommendations. Community Safety and Inclusion • Have been meeting with a facilitation consultant and developing a framework to put together 3 community conversations: o 1- What city has done with recommendations of task force and what items still need to be addressed, o 2- Community inclusion o 3- Public safety • The Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher will be presenting at the council meeting on September 23. There was a discussion that it would be good to promote this on social media. • Commissioner Dena Larrabee mentioned that the conversation with the sheriff might set the tone for community conversations on policing. • There was a discussion about asking questions, whether public will have opportunity to engage. Staff will follow up with information on the format and whether there will be a chance for questions. 4. Neighborhood liaison virtual meetup • Commission chair Kim Johnson wrote a letter to property managers letting them know about city resources for new residents • Earlier this year, Johnson also emailed the Neighborhood liaisons list (about 20 people) using a roster from 2019 asking them to provide an update on their block contact lists. She only received 4 responses. • There was a discussion about the program and that it requires a significant amount of time and work to maintain and engage liaisons • One alternative could be using volunteers • Maybe reach out again and ask for confirmation/updated information • It’s important that the language does not make people feel unwelcome, such as calling the program neighborhood watch. We should be careful to emphasize helpful/resource sharing nature of it. F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS • Council Member Wehyee mentioned that the council has been discussing the future of the fire department. More discussions would follow. G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:07 p.m.