Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 09-11 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 SEPTEMBER 11, 1991 CITY HALL CUL TO OR(R The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Larsen at 7:12 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Larsen, Carmody, Achtelik, Eoloff and Windsor. Also present was Council Liaison Dave Rosene and Recording Secretary Patti Page. &PPROVAL OF MINUTES - XY 8, 2991 There was a motion by Carmody and seconded by Achtelik to approve the minutes of the May 8, 1991, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. REVIEW EVALUATION PROCESS YOR CONTRIBUTION BEQUESTS Commissioner Larsen reviewed the policy and procedures followed by the Commission regarding contribution requests from nonprofit human service programs and/or agencies. It was noted in the past the commissioners have interpreted the questions and information provided differently and this had resulted in differences in scoring. Councilmember Rosene briefly discussed concerns some of the council had with regard to use of the Peacemaker Center and Mediation Program by the police department. He noted the council would like to see more cooperation between the two groups and the police department. Councilmember Rosene stated before the presentations are given by the requesting groups he would like to introduce Mayor Paulson who wished to address the commission for a few minutes. Mayor Paulson stated he and the council appreciated the good work done by commission in the past and noted if the commission has any issues they are interested in, they should pursue them. Mayor Paulson stated one issue he felt the commission may want to pursue further is transportation. He noted the ground work has been laid and the commission may want to continue forward. He stated he has been elected as chairman of the MTC Board and this may afford the City some opportunities to move ahead with the transportation issue. 0 9-11-91 -1- RRESENTATIONS BY_„NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICfL_kROVIDM NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL Councilmember Rosene introduced Patty Wilder from the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council (NWHHSC). Ms. Wilder gave a brief overview of the NWHHSC and noted there are 15 cities which are part of the NWHHSC. She explained part of what the NWHHSC does is gather information regarding human service needs in the area and perform needs assessments. They offer focus groups and there is often work that stems from these groups. The focus groups help identify where there are gaps in service areas. Ms. Wilder explained one new project the NWHHSC is working on is the Success by 6 program which began with the United Way. She noted the northwest Hennepin service area has the most needs of any regional planning area in Minnesota. Ms. Wilder explained the request for funding is based upon the city's population. She noted the request to Brooklyn Center actually decreased from last year because of a drop in population. Councilmember Rosene inquired if the city's human rights and resources commission could be overlapping in some service areas with the NWHHSC. Ms. Wilder stated this was possible but added there are always opportunities to work together. She added if the city spearheaded a project they could still join forces with the NWHHSC to continue the project. Ms. Wilder went on to discuss the Renter's Forum which is being held in the near future. Councilmember Rosene asked if this forum was being videotaped. Ms. Wilder stated she was unsure of the status of video taping the event at this point but added she would check into it. The commission thanked Ms. Wilder for speaking to them. FIVE CITIES SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM Councilmember Rosene introduced Rita DeBruyn from the Five Cities Senior Transportation Program. Ms. DeBruyn gave a brief overview of her program. She noted the program started in 1985 and serves the cities of Brooklyn Center, Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale and Golden Valley. She explained in Brooklyn Center the program is for person 60 years of age and older who live in apartments. She stated the vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair lift to accommodate the handicapped. Ms. DeBruyn noted in Crystal and Robbinsdale the program serves person 60 years of age and older who live in apartments or single family homes. She noted she receives many requests from Brooklyn Center residents who do not live in apartments. Councilmember Rosene asked why citizens in Brooklyn Center who live in single family homes cannot participate in the program, Ms. DeBruyn stated when she took over the program she was informed that it was Brooklyn Center's policy to encourage its elderly residents to move into apartments and senior housing to 9-11-91 -2- r free up single family homes for younger families and first time home buyers. She added Brooklyn Center also did not want to start something they couldn't guarantee they would continue. She stated she believed the City was unsure whether the funding to this program would continue and they (the City) didn't want to take something away from it residents. Commissioner Achtelik inquired if the program was available only to those over 60 years of age in all cities served. Ms. DeBruyn stated because the program is federally funded they must follow the guideline set for federally funded programs. She noted she does not like to turn anyone away and if there is a need for service she will try to help. She added however, she does not advertise this fact. Ms. DeBruyn stated the program in Brooklyn Center has expanded tremendously and the cost per ride has actually decreased. Counci.lmember Rosene inquired if the program covers rides to the hospital or doctor's office. Ms. DeBruyn stated it does not because in four of the five communities there is another program which handles these requests. Commissioner Eoloff inquired how Ms. DeBruyn promotes the program. Ms. DeBruyn stated she contacts the apartments managers in each of the cities; she also contacts the director of the senior programs for each city and word of mouth. She noted usage in Brooklyn Center has increased the most out of the five cities. The commission thanked Ms. DeBruyn for speaking to them. Councilmember Rosene asked the commission how they felt about picking up residents in their single family homes. Commissioner Eoloff stated she believed it was very important. Commissioner Achtelik stated she didn't understand why the city wasn't allowing home pickup if it wouldn't cost anymore than what it costs right now. Commissioner Larsen stated the commission's proposal for a "hop-a-ride" program would cover these individuals. The commissioners questioned what the goal of the city is with regard to a cooperative transportation system. There was a general consensus among commission members to direct the Recording Secretary to obtain more information on the city's policy with regard to single family home pickup and discuss it at the next commission meeting. NORTH HENNEPIN MEDIATION PROJECT Councilmember Rosene introduced Bonnie Lukes from the North Hennepin Mediation Project. Ms. Lukes introduced Wallace Bernards, Jan Mauer and Dick Hove also from the North Hennepin Mediation Project. Ms. Lukes gave a brief overview of the program and noted the differences between arbitration, negotiation and mediation. She stated a mediator helps two parties discuss a problem and arrive at a settlement together. She stated there are two areas which can not be handled by mediation - divorce and abuse 9-11-91 -3- (physical, sexual and drug) issues. Commissioner Eoloff inquired what the background of the mediators was. Ms. Lukes explained the mediators come from all walks of life; she noted they have teachers, lawyers, homemakers, etc. Commissioner Eoloff asked if there are any minority mediators. Ms. Lukes stated there is currently one minority mediator and she is trying to recruit more. She added if there is a need for one she can use mediators from other programs such as Minneapolis. Commissioner Larsen asked how cases are referred to the North Hennepin Mediation Project and if some of the cases come from the police department. Ms. Lukes reviewed the number of cases for 19891 1990 and 1991. Commissioner Achtelik asked how the North Hennepin Mediation Project and the Brooklyn Peacemaker Center work together. Ms. Lukes explained she had been told the Peacemaker Center would act as a clearing house and that the North Hennepin Mediation Project referrals would actually increase. She noted she has not seen this happen and she is requesting the commission's help in changing this. Commissioner Larsen suggested the Recording Secretary look into how the case load is distributed by the City. There was a brief overview of the requested funding for 1992 and how the money will be used. It was noted there are two full time salaries paid and other expenses such as office rental, phone, printing, postage, insurance, etc. Ms. Mauer stated she believes people feel they have an ownership in the results because they take pride in the settlement since they worked it out together. The commission thanked Ms. Lukes for speaking to the commission. BROOKLYN PEACEMAKER CENTER Councilmember Rosene introduced Bill Hawes from the Brooklyn Peacemaker Center. Mr. Hawes explained he was a former mediator for the North Hennepin Mediation Project. He stated the Brooklyn Peacemaker Center goes a step beyond mediation and works mostly with juvenile shoplifters. Commissioner Carmody asked what the difference was between mediation and the services offered by the Peacemaker Center with regard to shoplifting. Mr. Hawes stated with mediation both parties must be willing to give and take. He noted in the case of shoplifting the store owners have clearly been wronged and should not be expected to give anything to the wrongdoer. Mr. Hawes noted if the juveniles do not go through the Peacemaker program they will go on to juvenile court. Mr. Hawes explained in 1990 the Peacemaker Center had been overly optimistic with regard to their funding request from the city and other contributors. He stated the program is struggling financially yet growing substantially. He stated because of this need, the funding request for 1992 has increased. Commissioner Achtelik inquired if the list of contributors are secured contributions or anticipated contributions. Mr. Hawes stated the Brooklyn Peacemaker Center received funding from all organizations 9-11-91 -4- listed for 1991 and he is in the process of making funding requests for 1992. He explained the funding covers expenses for postage, printing, building expenses, insurance and the cost of the professional counselors. The commission thanked Mr. Hawes for speaking to them. • Councilmember Rosene noted that Ms. Lukes had stated mediation services work for shoplifting cases. There was a general consensus among commission members to direct the Recording Secretary to clarify who decides which cases go to the Peacemaker Center and which go to the North Hennepin Mediation Project and how was the policy established. The Recording Secretary was also directed to determine how the police department perceives mediation services for juvenile offenses. There was a brief discussion among commission members as to the procedure to be used for making recommendations to the City Council. &DJOURNM= There was a motion by Commissioner Carmody and seconded by Commissioner Eoloff to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Chairperson 0 9-11-91 -5-