02-27-07 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
February 27, 2007
CALL TO ORDER I
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:31 p.m.
I ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Bill Kilian; Fred Wroge; Susan Rosenberg; and Sue
Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Kathy Farris, Human Services Planner/Coordinator; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item#1
DISCUSSION REGARDING RICHFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
PARTICIPATION IN JOINT COMMUNITY POLICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
FUNDED BY HENNEPIN COUNTY
Public Safety Director Scott introduced Bruce Nauth, Principal Planning Analyst in Hennepin
County Resource Development and Project Manager of the Joint Community Police Partnership
(JCPP); Vinnie Kutty, Coordinator of the Hennepin County Office of Multi-Cultural Services; and Joa
Carlson, Planning Analyst at the Hennepin County Office of Multi-Cultural Services. All three serve
on the JCPP Planning/Management Committee. Lt. Todd Sandell is the Richfield Public Safety
Department's Coordinator.
Public Safety Director Scott stated the JCPP will provide Hennepin County funding to Richfield
to participate in expanding communications between different cultures in the community.
Mr. Nauth discussed the background of the JCPP and its implementation in Brooklyn Center
and Brooklyn Park in 2004 related to gang activities due to the increase in diversity and influx of
immigrants.
Mr. Nauth explained the purpose of the four pillars of JCPP: Police Training, Multi-cultural
Advisory Group, Community Liaisons and Cadets. He discussed the City's role in the program,
Hennepin County funding allocations, and multi-bureaucratic hurdles to successfully overcome. The
first year of the program is organizational and takes time to get underway.
Mayor Goettel stated the Mayor of Brooklyn Center talked with her regarding their success of
the program. She said it is a struggle to attract a variety of participants and asked Mr. Nauth to
explain his experience with this aspect.
Mr. Nauth discussed the difficulties in participation and methods used to attract businesses,
key groups and organizations. Members sign onto the plan to understand the level of commitment
but there is some turnover.
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February 27,2007
Mayor Goettel asked about involvement of youth.
Mr. Nauth discussed the beginnings of reaching out to the School District and a Teen
Academy starting in April. This is unchartered territory and each city has their own issues.
Public Safety Director Scott said the City is going to reach out to community members through
the liaison, not wait for them to come to the City. There is possible federal funding. Richfield is
changing and needs to be pro-active.
Council Member Sandahl asked about the liaisons being bi-lingual.
Mr. Nauth said that is the preference.
Council Member Kilian requested the program be tied to goals and objectives to understand
the success of the program.
Mr. Nauth stated success is difficult to quantify and tie to crime statistics but suggested the
City put together an evaluation team.
Public Safety Director Scott cautioned that change is going to take time and strong
relationships need to be built.
Public Safety Director Scott requested a future discussion with the City Council regarding
gang activity in Richfield.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED CITY OF RICHFIELD LATINO
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 34)
Human Services Planner/Coordinator Farris introduced Gretchen Valdez, MIRA Board
Member, and Telma Feight, MIRA Executive Director. MIRA stands for Modulo de Informacion,
Recursos, y Apoya - Center for Information, Resources and Support.
Ms. Farris discussed that with the increasing number of new Latino immigrants to Richfield,
and the challenge for these residents to be successful within the community, it is vital that they are
able to access City programs and services. In general discussions with City staff, Commissioners,
MIRA (Latino Resource Center) staff/participants, and human service providers, the need for
improved communication and connection between the City of Richfield and new Latino residents has
frequently surfaced. Some examples include:
Park and Recreation - developing appropriate programming and services
Human Rights .and Celebrations Commissions - assistance in gaining involvement of Latino
residents in planning and participating in events
Community Development - obtaining interpreters for open houses
MIRA - explanations of basic City services such as the water bill and ordinances on property
maintenance, and the need for increased understanding between new Latino residents and City
staff/officials
To facilitate improved connections with new Latino residents, staff propose to form a City of
Richfield Latino Community Advisory Council for a period of one year, after which time a report will be
developed by staff to present to the City Council assessing the group's successes and outlining
recommendations.
The purpose of the proposed City of Richfield Latino Community Advisory Council is "to serve
as a conduit between the new immigrant Latino Community and City staff, Commissions and City
Council resulting in the delivery of quality and effective City services to Latino residents."
Gretchen Valdez, MIRA Board Member, stated there are misconceptions related to City
services and difficult relationships between English and Spanish speaking neighbors. The Public
Safety Department has often assisted MIRA successfully and other City departments could help, too.
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February 27,2007
Council Member Wroge questioned why MIRA was not able to provide the services and why
another group is needed. He said he supports MIRA and wants to help out to make it successful.
Ms. Valdez explained parts of the community, including businesses, are not known to MIRA.
This advisory council would address specific City issues, which MIRA is not able to do.
Ms. Farris said MIRA can't do everything. They are familiar with human service issues but the
advisory council would focus on relationships with the Latino community and receive suggestions
directly. She would staff the advisory council and act as a conduit to the group to find out more of the
community's concerns and issues.
Council Member Rosenberg said she saw the benefits of an advisory council serving as a
bridge to reduce cultural clashes. She suggested educational seminars.
Council Member Kilian said he had a problem with this being based on only the Latinos when
there are several immigrant groups in the community.
Ms. Valdez said the largest issue is that Latinos do not enjoy the same legal status so they
stay in the shadows.
Telma Feight, MIRA Executive Director, said the Hispanic community is the largest in Richfield
and the cause of a lot of the problems. She added that other groups may come forward if the
advisory council begins.
Ms. Farris said this is an attempt to focus on the largest group with unique barriers.
City Manager Devich said the plan is to move ahead with the advisory council proposal.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consen
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Recording Secretary
Date Approved:
March 13. 2007