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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987 09-02 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 2, 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 Stoderl at 7:40 p.m. • ROLL CALL Commissioners McCumber, Eckman, Sullivan, Larsen, Seburg, and Stoderl. Also present were Councilmember Lhotka and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Wallerstedt was excused from this evening's meeting, and Chairperson Kuhar arrived at 7:50 p.m. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER The Recording Secretary introduced Ms. Susan Larsen as the newest member of the Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission, and the commissioners introduced themselves to Ms. Larsen. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 13, 1987 There was a motion by Commissioner Seburg and seconded by Commissioner Eckman to approve the minutes of the May 13, 1987, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. REVIEW OF COMMISSION'S ENABLING RESOLUTION Councilmember Lhotka reviewed the origins of the commission, noting the tone at the time the commission was created was related to civil rights. He added things have changed since then, and the commission should review its duties and responsibilities in its enabling resolution to be up to date with where the commission is today. Chairperson Kuhar arrived at this time. She proceeded to inform the commission of two items that came to her attention over the summer months. The first was a letter received from Kelly Norton Programs, Inc. regarding the Bill Kelly House. Chairperson Kuhar noted situations like this will arise, and the commission must determine what role it wants to have in such cases. The second item was a packet of information received from David Johnson who claimed a dispute with the police department. Chairperson Kuhar said the commission has not taken an active role in the no-fault grievance process, and conveyed this to both Kelly Norton Programs, Inc. and David Johnson. She told these two groups that the commission does have open public meetings, but the Minnesota Human Rights Department may be more helpful to them. 0 9-2-87 -1- Councilmember Lhotka said when the commission first started, it was asked to hear civil rights disputes. He added issues will come before the commission now, and the commission must ask itself if it is the proper forum for handling such issues. if not, the issues must be referred to the proper source, such as the city manager, city attorney, or other city commissions. If it does belong before the Human Rights and Resources Commission, the commission could try to guide people. He added that the commission is not a court and not a jury. Commissioner Seburg said it would be nice if the commission were actively involved to advise the city council. Chairperson Kuhar noted the Bill Kelly House is before the Planning Commission and will also go before the City Council. She said it would be very difficult for the Human Rights and Resources Commission to take a stand on this; however, if the commission elects to do so, it would take a lot of work on preparing to address the issues. Chairperson Kuhar expressed concern that if the commission did take a stand, it may conflict with what City department's are doing. Commissioner Larsen asked how often such issues have come to the commission in the past. Chairperson Kuhar said this is the first. She added the commission has made its projects based on talking with the community, and she cited the battered women's program. One exception would be the Year 2000 assignments. Commissioner Larsen asked what type of liability the commissioners would have and how it would reflect on the City if a stand were taken. Councilmember Lhotka said. liability will always be a big question. In the past, the commission asked the state to rule on what the liability is for the no-fault grievance process, and the state could not answer the City. Because of that, the Human Rights Commission opted not to participate in the process. Commissioner Stoderl said she was called by the Bill Kelly House this summer to attend the Planning Commission meetings. She told the representative that it was not her role to act for the commission, but she could act as a resident of the City. Chairperson Kuhar said she told the people who notified her this summer they are welcome to attend the commission meetings and they can call City Hall to find out when the meetings are. She added that in the past, the commission has not been an endorser on issues such as these. Councilmember Lhotka said one problem is the commission has no powers and does not know all the legal aspects of the issues. Commissioner McCumber said the commission would have to be a lot more educated and informed to get involved in any of these processes. Commissioner Seburg referred to a personal grievance she has with Target regarding a dismissal. The Recording Secretary said such a concern should be handled by the Minnesota Human Rights Department. Chairperson Kuhar added the commission decided years ago that they would not hear such issues. She put the question 9-2-87 -2- before the commission that as volunteers, do they want to become involved in the no-fault grievance process. Commissioner Larsen said there is an organization already in place to handle grievances. As a new commissioner considering her involvement with the City, she is concerned about any controversy that might be brought about by becoming involved in such a process. Councilmember Lhotka said if an issue is not getting addressed, the commission may be the proper forum for handling it. Chairperson Kuhar said if citizens know the commission is in place, it may get citizens coming to it instead of having the commission try to look for things to do. She said this is not to say that the commission is never open to people; they are always encouraged to come to the meetings. Commissioner Seburg asked where she should go with her grievance with Target, and Councilmember Lhotka referred her to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and to the mediation Project. Chairperson Kuhar said her biggest concern is that people will lose rights if other avenues are not available. However, in this case the Mediation Project and the Minnesota Human Rights Department are in place and better at it than the Brooklyn Center commission is, and she feels comfortable with this. Commissioner Sullivan commented that he is a member of the southeast neighborhood advisory group and has attended some meetings on the Bill Kelly House. Councilmember Lhotka said protecting the commissioners from liability is important, but if someone comes before the commission with an issue, the commission could research the options on where the person could go with his or her problem. In referring to the enabling resolution of the commission, Councilmember Lhotka told the commission to look at projects it has been involved in lately, such as the battered women's shelter and work completed on the Year 2000 report. He said the commission should look at the resolution based on what has been happening with the commission recently and where it wants to go. Commissioner Stoderl said in the time she's been with the commission, the only duties and responsibilities cited in subdivision 4 of the enabling resolution that she has been involved with are items 4 and 5. Councilmember Lhotka said the commission may want to expand on the duties and responsibilities listed. Chairperson Kuhar said the duties and responsibilities listed already may be all encompassing and sufficient for the purposes of the commission. Commissioner Sullivan asked if the single parent family issue should be added to the duties and responsibilities. Commissioner Larsen said it is a good idea not to get too specific in the resolution. Commissioner Stoderl pointed out that the resolution weighed heavily on discrimination and equal opportunity. The commission proceeded to discuss the resolution as it relates to human rights and human relations. The general consensus was the existing resolution is broad enough 9-2-87 -3- to include all the areas the commission would be involved in normally. There was a motion by Commissioner McCumber and seconded by Commissioner Eckman to leave the enabling resolution as it is. The motion passed. Commissioner Stoderl said the commission may want to reply to the two people who notified Chairperson Kuhar over the summer. Chairperson Kuhar said she told these people when the commission meets, and it is up to them to attend the meetings. Councilmember Lhotka pointed out that one -issue has already been resolved in the courts and the other issue is coming before the City Council. He added that an invitation has been extended and the people chose not attend this evening's meeting. Chairperson Kuhar suggested that the commission send a letter acknowledging receipt of the information by the commission and to inform these people of when the meetings are. Councilmember Lhotka pointed out that the letters should not be encouragement that this commission will hear the issues. Commissioner Stoderl expressed concern about opening up a can of worms. Commissioner Seburg and Sullivan agreed that letters should be sent. The Recording Secretary will prepare letters for the Chairperson's signature to be sent to a representative of the Bill Kelly House and to David Johnson acknowledging receipt of their materials, informing them that the commission has received these items, and inform them of the regular meeting schedule of the commission. Copies of all . such materials will also be mailed to commission members. The commission discussed other issues related to group homes at this time. MUNICIPAL PROFILES The Recording Secretary distributed municipal profiles prepared by the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. Updates will be forwarded to the commissioners as they are received by the city. SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES The Recording Secretary said the City Council received the May 13, 1987, memorandum on single parent families prepared by the commission. She noted the council was very pleased with the work completed by the commission, and it asked the commission to prioritize issues listed in the memorandum and report back to the council. Commissioner Stoderl asked if the goal is to look at each issue related to single parent families, and she asked what the City had to say about the recommendations. Councilmember Lhotka said the City Council did not discuss each of the issues related to single parent families. The council is asking the commission to look at the issues further and prioritize where the major needs are. Chairperson Kuhar pointed out the key to this issue is the coordination of services. Commissioner Stoderl said the commission should refresh themselves with the report and 9-2-87 -4- solutions to each of the issue areas. Commissioner McCumber suggested discussing each topic one at a time. Councilmember Lhotka said the commission may need the background information on the various issues to be refreshed on the subject. The commission agreed that at the next meeting, the issues of day care, housing, and transportation will be discussed. The Recording Secretary will prepare background files on these three issues and include them in the next agenda packet. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING The next regular meeting of the Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission is scheduled for October 14, 1987, at 7:30 p.m. 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 9:10 p.m. Chairperson • 9-2-87 -5-