HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988 01-13 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
JANUARY 13, 1988
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 7:12 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Sullivan, Larsen, and Eckman. Also present were
Councilmember Lhotka and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone.
Commissioners Seburg and McCumber were excused from this
evening's meeting, and Chairperson and Commissioner Stoderl were
absent from the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 18, 1987
Due to a lack of a quorum, this item will be held over to the
next regular commission meeting.
SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES
The recording secretary told the commissioners that she had been
notified by Grace Norris of the Greater Minneapolis Day Care
Association regarding the use of Community Development Block
Grant money for day care. Commissioner Sullivan requested that
Ms. Norris be notified to determine which other suburbs in this
area use such grant money for day care.
The commission discussed food and clothing as it relates to
single parent families. Commissioner Larsen noted of all the
components related Lto the overall issue, this one is addressed
well through other organizations. Commissioner Eckman noted the
Fare Share program gives people a feeling of earning the food
they get. Work in this program consists of loading a truck,
unloading it, and bagging groceries, which include meats and
vegetables. Commissioner Eckman said she would encourage such a
program but does not think the City should take an active role in
administering it.
The commission discussed health care as it relates to single
parent families. Commissioner Sullivan noted one problem not
cited by the commission's report is the lack of health care
benefits available to those who need it. The commission
proceeded to discuss the availability of health insurance.
Councilmember Lhotka pointed out that although the City may not
be able to sponsor certain programs, it may be able to encourage
programs to locate in Brooklyn Center, increasing accessibility
for Brooklyn Center residents to such programs.
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The commission reviewed the Hopkins Hop-A-Ride program.
Additional information on 1987 usage statistics was requested by
the commission. There was discussion about the existing senior
transportation program sponsored by five cities including
Brooklyn Center.
The commission discussed ways of prioritizing what can be done to
respond to the problems associated with single parent families.
The recording secretary will prepare a worksheet for the next
meeting which will outline the issues related to single parent
families and provide the commissioners with an opportunity to
prioritize them. This will be included with the next agenda
packet.
The commission discussed use of Community Development Block Grant
money by Brooklyn center and requested further information about
how much the City receives, how much is spent, the average and
the maximum grant allowed, the average number of grants in a year
given, and the expiration date for using funds. Councilmember
Lhotka pointed out the City's philosophy for using block grant
money has been that a project should be short term so a
dependency is not created.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Brooklyn Center Human Rights and
Resources Commission is scheduled for February 10, 1988, at 7:30
p.m., at which time the ranking of priorities related to single
parent families will be discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission
adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Chairperson
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