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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 10-14 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 OCTOBER 14, 1987 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Wallerstedt at 7:41 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Wallerstedt, Sullivan, Seburg, Larsen, and Eckman. Commissioner Stoderl arrived at 8:07 p.m. Also present was Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner McCumber was excused from this evening's meeting and Councilmember Lhotka and Chairperson Kuhar were absent from the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 2. 1987 There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Seburg to approve the minutes of the September 2, 1987, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES Commissioner Wallerstedt reviewed the city council's request to have the Human Rights and Resources Commission prioritize the suggested actions outlined in the commission's report to the council dated May 13, 1987, related to single parent households. The commission proceeded to review the issue of day care as it relates to single parent families. Commissioner Sullivan noted Brooklyn Center has not availed itself of federal grant money and for day care. Commissioner Seburg asked if most day care operations are private for-profit organizations. Commissioner Larsen pointed out that grant money would be used for parents and not for the agency. Commissioner Sullivan said he would check on grant programs available in Hennepin County. Commissioner Wallerstedt asked how federal community development block grant monies are used in Brooklyn Center, and the Recording Secretary said this money is used for housing rehabilitation grants. Commissioner Eckman said the state of Minnesota provides day care money for persons with special needs, including financial problems and handicaps. The Recording Secretary suggested that when setting priorities, the commission may want to determine which other organizations already provide services or funding. Commissioner Eckman said finding affordable housing in this area is very difficult, and the waiting lists for such housing are too long. Commissioner Wallerstedt asked if there are no places available for these people, and Commissioner Eckman said the housing is there but the money is not available to pay for it. Commissioner Larsen said some of the other components of the 10-14-87 -1- single parent family issue impacts more people than the day care component does. She suggested the problem is knowing how to link into the resources that are available. Commissioner Seburg asked if there is any demarkation between the single parents and others receiving welfare benefits. Commissioner Larsen suggested some people may need help in one specific area, such as medical assistance, but must receive the whole package of welfare benefits to get any at all. Commissioner Seburg said she does not want to give more subsidies to people who are already receiving a lot of welfare and are not making an effort to separate from the welfare system. After further discussion, the commission agreed that the day care issue should not be the highest priority for the City because other agencies are in a better position to respond. The commission proceeded to discuss the component of housing as it relates to single parent families. Commissioner Wallerstedt said one of the suggestions in the commission's report is to use some of the federal grant money to assist people in making down payments on homes. Commissioner Eckman suggested the housing stack may be kept up better if people own their own homes. She added that Habitat for Humanity is operating in Minneapolis, and it would be useful to have this program in the suburbs. The Recording Secretary noted that many of the single parent families live in apartments rather than houses. Commissioner Eckman said these people cannot afford a down payment, even though the rent is higher than a house payment might be. Commissioner Larsen asked if single parent families in this area are on the border of poverty, because it will make a difference when looking at the types of needs these people have. Commissioner Stoderl said Brooklyn Center has a high number of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) cases. Commissioner Larsen was interested in knowing the number of AFDC cases and what housing is available for them. Commissioner Stoderl suggested the commission may wish to have someone from the AFDC program come and speak to the commission because the City should not take on projects that are already existing; that is, there is no sense in duplicating services. The Recording Secretary will make arrangements to have a representative of the AFDC program at the next commission meeting. Commissioner Wallerstedt said he likes the idea of helping people get down payments, but it probably will not affect single parent families. Commissioner Stoderl suggested this would be throwing money at a problem instead of fixing it. The commission proceeded to discuss the component of transportation as it relates to single parent families. Commissioner Wallerstedt said the various agencies he talked with said this is a big problem, but there are no solutions. Commissioner Larsen said there are certain areas of the City not accessed well by the bus system, and it takes a long time to get 10-14-87 -2- 40 from one place to another on the existing system. Commissioner Wallerstedt said there should be a way to link up people with cars to people who need rides. He pointed out that single parents cannot take a bus if they have to get their kids to day care. The Recording Secretary briefly reviewed the voucher system for cab rides operating in the city of Hopkins. Commissioner Stoderl said if there were limited areas where people would be brought, such as Brookdale, certain medical clinics, grocery stores, and so on, perhaps these organizations could contribute some money to a transportation program for those in need. Commissioner Eckman said people in wheelchairs need assistance with transportation. Commissioner Larsen said Metro Mobility has several vans with lifts, plus there are private companies in existence serving the handicapped population. Commissioner Stoderl pointed out that the handicapped may already have federal and state money available for transportation. However, the single parent families are isolated and are not able to get good transportation. The commission felt the voucher system in Hopkins is a good idea and requested additional information on it. The Recording Secretary will present more details on this program at the next meeting. Commissioner Wallerstedt pointed out the importance of flexibility for single parents. Commissioner Larsen said she likes the idea of certain businesses being designated for transportation routes and suggested rides could be pooled. Commissioner Wallerstedt said he likes this idea and would like to see other population groups have access to such a program. Commissioner Stoderl suggested the problem of insurance would be a concern for any volunteer programs. There was some discussion on insurance and potential liabilities. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Seburg and seconded by Commissioner Sullivan to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources commission adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Chairperson 0 10-14-87 -3-