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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 03-11 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESOURCES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 11, 1992 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Stoderl at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Carmody, Eoloff, Achtelik, Eckman and Windsor. Also present was Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Larsen was excused from this evening's meeting. City Councilmember Dave Rosene was unable to attend this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 12, 1992 There was a motion by commissioner Carmody and seconded by Commissioner Achtelik to approve the minutes of the February 12, 1992, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. UPDATE ON MINNESOTA LEAGUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS Commissioner Eoloff handed out information she has obtained through her involvement with the Minnesota League of Human Rights Commissions (MLHRC). She noted MLHRC is conducting a survey with the purpose of sparking interest in cities to do some work in the human rights area. The Recording Secretary said she had completed this survey on behalf of the City of Brooklyn Center and already returned it. Commissioner Eoloff said the next MLHRC board meeting is in Rochester. Chairperson Stoderl asked about the status of the no-fault grievance process, and Commissioner Eoloff said there has been no further action related to this yet. Commissioner Achtelik asked if the City pays for commissioners to attend classes and/or conferences that might be of help to them in their role on the commission. The Recording Secretary said. requests are usually considered on a case-by-case basis. FINALIZE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR CONTRIBUTION REOUESTS There was consensus amongst the commissioners that the application form as amended does not need any further changes. On the evaluation form under "A. Program overview", there was some discussion regarding the weighing of items A2 and A3. 0 03-11-92 1 There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Achtelik to assign five (5) points each to items A2 and A3 on the evaluation form. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Eoloff to approve and recommend to the city council the application and evaluation forms for contribution requests as amended. The motion passed. The Recording Secretary said she will forward copies of the amended forms on to the city council for its approval. She added the park and recreation commission will also review the system developed and being used by the human rights and resources commission. REVIEW OF COMMISSION ENABLING RESOLUTION AND BYLAWS Chairperson Stoderl asked the commissioners if they had any specific concerns or felt any changes to the resolution or bylaws are necessary. Commissioner Achtelik said the resolution reflects what she expected the commission would be doing rather than what they actually have been doing lately. Chairperson Stoderl said the commission may want to add human resources areas where the commission would like to become involved. Chairperson Stoderl noted the commission deals with human rights in an indirect way by supporting programs like mediation. Commissioner Achtelik asked where discrimination cases are referred once they are reported to the City, and the Recording Secretary said usually these are referred to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Commissioner Eoloff noted the Minnesota Department of Human Rights often refers cases to other sources, such as mediation. There was discussion regarding representation of the human rights and resources commissioners in various activities, such as participating in cultural diversity programs. There was discussion regarding the necessity to change the term "civil rights", but the consensus of the commission was to leave it as it is. The commissioners finalized their review of Resolution No. 87-132 and accepted as is with no changes necessary. CHILDREN'S ISSUES Chairperson Stoderl suggested this issue be assigned to an ad hoc committee of the commission. There was discussion on how to proceed with this item, especially with regard to what Councilmember Phil Cohen has asked the commission to do in this area. Commissioner Carmody noted the commission had started compiling a list of issues relating to children. Chairperson Stoderl noted she would like to address all age groups of children. There was discussion regarding various activities available, such as "Bloomington Loves Its Kids" fair and the Success By Six birthday party. Commissioner Carmody suggested 03-11-92 0 2 publicity could be made available at civic events, and Chairperson Stoderl agreed that there should be some public relations conducted by the commission. Commissioner Eoloff noted a cultural diversity program was offered at Earle Brown Elementary School, but attendance was low. Chairperson Stoderl asked those commissioners who could attend the April it Success By Six birthday party to collect information distributed at this event and report back at the April commission meeting. • The commission agreed to invite Councilmember Phil Cohen to the April commission meeting to review his ideas for the commission's activities related to children's issues. The commission also suggested inviting a Brooklyn Center D.A.R.E. officer to the April meeting. They also discussed inviting a high school representative to review trends the schools are seeing with the youth population. The commission agreed during the upcoming summer months the subcommittees could work and report back in the fall. TRANSPORTATION Chairperson Stoderl said the commission needs some direction from the city council and mayor on how to proceed in this area, especially since the commission has done a lot of_ work on transportation issues in recent years. The commission suggested that Mayor Paulson should attend the May commission meeting to give some direction for next year on the issue of transportation. Chairperson Stoderl reviewed the history of the work done by the commission related to transportation. PRIORITIZATION PROCESS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES UNIT OF THE BUDGET The Recording Secretary described the service prioritization process currently underway in the City of Brooklyn Center. She asked for input from the commission on priorities of the social services budget, which includes North Hennepin Mediation Project, Brooklyn Peacemaker Center, Five Cities Senior Transportation Program, and Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. There was a motion by commissioner Carmody and seconded by Commissioner Windsor to recommend to the city council that the social services budget be left intact; however, if drastic reductions are necessary in the City's budget, the City should consider withdrawing from the Five Cities Senior Transportation Program. The motion passed. COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE Chairperson Stoderl suggested on the second Wednesday of issue in September. d leaving the regular monthly meetings the month for now and revisit this 0 03-11-92 OTHER BUSINESS The Recording Secretary noted the City received a bill for membership in the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. Chairperson Stoderl said the City has not paid for this in the past, and would opt not to participate now. However, if it compromises the involvement of Commissioner Eoloff on the LMHRC board, then the commission should reconsider the City's participation in this area. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Eoloff and seconded by commissioner Carmody to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Chairperson 03-11-92 • • 4