HomeMy WebLinkAboutCECMIN_101920CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights - Community Engagement Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
October 19, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.
Note: This meeting was held by web conference.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:04 pm
B. ROLL CALL:
May___ Kohn_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:
• September 21, 2020
Approved, 5-0.
E. DISCUSSION
1. Human Rights Day 2020 event
• Staff reached out to the International Institute and connected with Micaela
Schuneman, the Refugee Services Director as a potential speaker at the event.
• Micaela was present to participate in the discussion, along with another staff
member from II.
• At the last meeting, we discussed the theme of refugees and migrants and the
possibility of hosting a panel of speakers.
• Commission is looking for presentation that focuses on refugee experiences in
Minnesota, and would like to include panel of individuals that could share
personal stories
• Stories could be prerecorded and shared in advance to allow people to access at
their convenience along with information and resources
• Presentation portion should be kept to under 40 minutes to keep people engaged
• Event could put a positive spin on the topic by emphasizing the strengths and
benefits that immigrants and refugees bring to the community
• Council Member Wehyee offered to serve on the panel and share his personal
story at the event and speak about the Welcoming City policy and why the
Council implemented the policy
• Staff can advertise for panelists in the weekly newsletter
• The title for the event was set: “Stories of Courage: New Americans and
Expanding our Work to be a Welcoming City”
• The Commission would ask Micaela to define and explain what “New
American” means
• The event would be broadcast on cable by CTV, but for people wanting to
participate in the Q&A, they would need to join the webinar.
• The commission would discuss a facilitator and/or MC for the event in
November. Dena Larrabee said she may be interested
• The deadline for participants in a panel was set as Wednesday, November 11.
2. Discuss chairperson transition
• The commission is currently without a chairperson since Kim Jacobsen stepped
down in September. There will be an election for a new chairperson at the
meeting in January.
• Katie Kohn may be interested in serving as interim chair for the remainder of the
year.
• Staff would follow up to discuss the role and responsibilities via phone with
Katie.
• The commission would not meet in the month of December.
3. Discuss new resident welcoming strategy
• Dena would like to see this responsibility reassigned because she is busy with the
community conversations meetings/planning.
• Andrea and Katie volunteered; staff would send information about new
residents so they can deliver door hangers or welcome packets.
F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:29pm