Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. Lim stated the challenges are with the growing percentage of diversity, was the City listening to the <br />different cultural and ethnic differences in the community. He understood this took time and was difficult. He <br />commented further on how understanding the different cultures would help the City to understand what <br />programs and assistance these individuals would need. He reported the City should not be looking for one <br />generic solution, but rather should hear many voices. He discussed how opportunities for growth would make <br />the City better. He commented on how important it was for all to have a basic education for the economic <br />prosperity of the community. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained topics addressed by the Equity Commission will be sensitive, emotional, <br />and important. If he had concerns about a specific policy or issue being discussed, how would he address this. <br />Mr. Lim stated he believed in dialogue. He noted he was a calm individual and did not get too emotional. He <br />understood there would be healthy conflict but, in the end, he hoped the members of the Commission would <br />remember who they were serving and what the objective was. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Mr. Lim for coming in and applying for this position. She noted City Clerk <br />Spangrud would be in touch with further information on how the Council was moving forward. She explained <br />the next person to be interviewed was Kami Miller (?). <br />Councilmember Axberg asked Ms. Miller to explain how both your personal and professional experiences will <br />help her be an effective member of the Equity Commission, if appointed. <br />Ms. Miller stated she was part of an organization that celebrates volunteers throughout the state of Minnesota. <br />She explained being on this organization was quite the process. She described how she went into communities <br />' in order to find and reach women of distinction in order to recognize women in all stages of their lives. She <br />explained she was comfortable with putting on presentations and finding representation of all subgroups. She <br />reported she works for a utility business and the consequences of her not delivering services could be <br />detrimental to the public. She indicated her business was geared towards going from an intangible subject <br />matter and bringing it down to a root cause or actionable intent. She discussed how she was used to processing <br />something large into something that can be done. <br />Councilmember Abdulle asked what are some specific goals Ms. Miller hopes to accomplish by serving on <br />New Brighton's Equity Commission. <br />Ms. Miller stated she did not have specific goals, but personally she would hope to assist the collective. She <br />noted she could work in a group setting, and could work on tough topics with sensitive information. Her goal <br />would to be an asset to the group. She hoped the group could work to do no harm while addressing topics like <br />race, age, income, and inequality. <br />Councilmember Allen asked what opportunities and challenges are important for New Brighton to consider in <br />addressing inclusion in New Brighton. <br />Ms. Miller stated accessibility and welcomeness. She reported the City had powerful resources and she wanted <br />the City to make all people feel welcome. She indicated people did not all work the same schedule, and did <br />not speak the same language, so whatever the City can do to present opportunities and accessibility would be <br />important. <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained topics addressed by the Equity Commission will be sensitive, emotional, <br />and important. If she had concerns about a specific policy or issue being discussed, how would she address <br />this. <br />