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<br />Councilmember Burg asked Claudia to tell the Council a little bit about herself and her experiences pertinent to <br />making New Brighton an inclusive community. <br /> <br />Claudia Valdez stated she was 22 years old and went to Irondale High School. She explained she was not <br />attending Hennepin Tech for law enforcement. She indicated she was a police explorer and reserve officer in <br />New Brighton. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated the Inclusive Community Task Force was being created to explore new ways <br />to make the community inclusive. He asked what would be one topic or issue that she would suggest that <br />needed attention from the City. <br /> <br />Ms. Valdez stated she lives in the Oak Grove community and the majority of residents were Hispanic. She <br />commented on how the prior manager had created fear in the community and she wanted to see this change. <br />She also wanted to see the relationship between the residents of Oak Grove and police department improve. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen asked what organization in the community that could be used to form a partnership for <br />the purpose of creating a more inclusive community. <br /> <br />Ms. Valdez stated she volunteered at St. Paul’s which had a group that worked with immigrants called CLUES. <br />She stated this group worked mostly with Hmong and Hispanics. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson questioned what the focus of the task force should be. <br /> <br />Ms. Valdez stated the community needed to build trust with the Hispanic community. She indicated she has <br />lived in the Oak Grove community for 10 years and the residents there understood she was pursuing a degree <br />in law enforcement. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson thanked Ms. Valdez for serving as a leader in her community. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson questioned what should be done sooner rather than later that could impact the way people see <br />New Brighton. <br /> <br />Ms. Valdez suggested having a party or gathering with the Oak Grove community in order to improve <br />relationships in the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked if Ms. Valdez had any questions for the Council. <br /> <br />Ms. Valdez requested further information on the proposed task force. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson stated this was still being determined. She explained a group was being formed of members <br />connected to the community that could help the City to be welcoming and inclusive. She stated she was excited <br />about this opportunity and how New Brighton could be improved. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson welcomed Nasreen Fynewever. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked Nasreen to tell the Council a little bit about herself and her experiences <br />pertinent to making New Brighton an inclusive community. <br /> <br />Nasreen Fynewever stated she has been in New Brighton for four years and has raised three boys with her