2018.01.23 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Casandra Schlangen stated she lived on 4t' Avenue and has lived in New Brighton for 8 years. She believed she lived in a neighborhood that embodied the spirit of inclusivity. She described how they work to get to know one another. She commented on the ISI social interactions that have been held to encourage groups without a voice to take part in these events. She stated the ISI program has been a great way for her to get to know people in a more social setting. Mayor Johnson stated the Inclusive Community Task Force was being created to explore new ways to make the community inclusive. She asked what would be one topic or issue that she would suggest that needed attention from the City. Ms. Schlangen encouraged the City to meet with neighborhoods in order to have deeper, meaningful conversations. She commented on an event that occurred in her neighborhood that was sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Councilmember Dunsworth asked what organization in the community that could be used to form a partnership for the purpose of creating a more inclusive community. Ms. Schlangen stated she was not real familiar with all of the work completed by the League of Women Voters and understood a group in St. Paul was completing bias training, which may be valuable. She anticipated student groups at Irondale would be valuable in sharing their perspective. Councilmember Burg questioned what the focus of the task force should be. Ms. Schlangen stated the changing demographics of the City should be studied in order to better understand which voices need to be heard within the community. Councilmember Jacobsen asked what the biggest challenges of the inclusive community group would be. Ms. Schlangen stated the majority of the City would believe this was a very welcoming community because that has been their experience. However, sometimes when groups are formed, there may be a thought that something was wrong. She encouraged the inclusive community group to address the needs of the minority. Councilmember Allen questioned what should be done sooner rather than later that could impact the way people see New Brighton. Lotter offered a suggestion of having artwork at City Hall that represented all groups within New Brighton. Ms. Schlangen proposed having pictures from the community that could be changed over time as being a good idea. Councilmember Dunsworth asked for a situation where Ms. Schlangen had to work with someone who had an opposite point of view and how this worked. Mayor Johnson asked if Ms. Schlangen had any questions for the Council. She then discussed the process that would be followed going forward for the inclusive community task force. Ms. Schlangen stated she had several students that may be interested in serving with this group. She indicated she would provide their contact information to Mr. Lotter. Mayor Johnson welcomed Claudia Valdez.