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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 09-12 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 12, 1990 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Sullivan at 7:38 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Sullivan, Eckman, Larsen, and Carmody. Also present was Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. City Council Liaison Paulson arrived at 8 p.m. Chairperson Stoderl was excused from this evening's meeting. Commissioner Smith was absent from this evening's meeting. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER. Commissioner Sullivan welcomed new human rights and resources Commissioner Kathleen Carmody, who introduced herself to the commission. Those in attendance introduced themselves to Commissioner Carmody. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1990 There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by commissioner Larsen to approve the minutes of the February 14, 1990, human rights and resources commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. TRANSPORTATION SURVEY RESULTS The commission reviewed the transportation survey conducted by Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. The recording secretary provided a history of why the survey was conducted. Commissioner Larsen posed the question of whether or not the conclusions drawn by the survey results meet the assumptions made by the commission, including that which low-income residents, older adults, and people with small children would be most likely to use the transportation system. Councilmember Paulson said the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) received copies of the City's transportation survey. He said over the summer months, he and other City officials met with representatives of Brookdale, the Holiday Inn, Brookwood Estates, and Earle Brown Commons. He noted many of these places are already providing some type of transportation to fill the void that now exists. He added there are some places that have a need but do not have the finances to provide transportation services. 9-12-90 1 He suggested those with needs and fill any gaps. program provides a good are in the community, emerge. He noted it is into larger things from. needs should work together to meet the Councilmember Paulson said a dial-a-ride opportunity to determine what the needs especially as transportation patterns a good idea to start out small and work there. Commissioner Larsen said there are a number of cities with circulator transportation systems and dial-a-ride programs. Councilmember Paulson noted the MTC is not set up to serve Brooklyn Center as a community. Commissioner Larsen pointed out the city will have more flexibility to help itself by having a dial-a-ride program, even if light-rail transit comes to the area. Commissioner Sullivan asked what the status of the light-rail transit plans are, and Councilmember Paulson said in two years Phase A will begin, which will connect Minneapolis and St. Paul. He said Phase A is expected to take approximately ten years to complete. The next phase would be to the northwest corridor and would not be completed for sometime. Councilmember Paulson suggested the sooner the City gets a system that serves its needs, the better position the City will be in when light-rail transit does come to the area. There was brief discussion regarding the senior transportation program. There was a motion by Commissioner Sullivan and seconded by Commissioner Larsen to recommended to the City Council that the human rights and resources commission be directed to develop a grant application, with the assistance of the Regional Transit Board, for a dial-a-ride transportation program. The draft of the grant application would be presented to the City Council for its final review and approval prior to submittal to the Regional Transit Board. The motion passed. CITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS AND/OR AGENCIES The recording secretary reviewed the current process involved in granting requests from nonprofit agencies for financial assistance from the City of Brooklyn Center. She noted a format has already been established for evaluating such requests, although the City has never involved the human rights and resources commission in the evaluation process. Councilmember Paulson supported the idea of involving the commission in the evaluation process this year. The recording secretary said four applications have been received by the City requesting financial assistance for 1991. Two of the applications will be brought before the commission at its October meeting, and the other two will be brought to the commission in November. Once the commission has used the evaluation system, a critique will be made of it to refine the process for next year. It was suggested that in future years, agency representatives be brought in to answer any specific questions commissioners may have about a particular agency. 9-12-90 2 • ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commission Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Chairperson • 9-12-90 3