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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 06-22 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 JUNE 22, 1994 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Eoloff at 7:10 p.m.. ROLL CALL Chairperson Eoloff, Commissioners Olsen, Rieva, Maddox, Larson-Brown, Henry, Eckman, Council Liaison Dave Rosene, and Recording Secretary Kim Moore-Sykes. Guests included Clifford Greene, Attorney at Law, Esppel and Greene. Chair Eoloff reported a summary of Mort Ryweck's presentation. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS & RESOURCES COMMISSIONS Commissioner Maddox reported on the League of Minnesota Human Rights & Resources • Commissions and their upcoming events and projects. She reported they are currently working on coordinating their national conference scheduled for September 12 to be held at the Minneapolis YWCA. Their theme for this year is "Human Rights in Action." The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 26 in St. Cloud at the Whitney Senior Center from noon - 3 p.m. CHILDREN'S ISSUES f-eeefAly faade it to Eagle Seem level within his Bey Seout 4feep. He had f-eeeived defte ie 11.11E 111 he-fief There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to recommend to the City Council to p8eptember , 1994resent the young matt with a preeiumatien honoring-his. achievement. Discussion. 06/22/94 -1- The motion was amended to recommend to the Park and Recreation Commission to present recommendation to the City Council. and seeended by Aladdem. The motion . MEETING WITH AANCA Chair Eoloff reported that Commissioners Brown, Maddox, Brown and she attended a meeting with AANCA to discuss Brooklyn Center's desire to build a relationship with the various community leaders within Brooklyn Center. She reported they received many names to contact regarding potential speakers, trainers, etc. that can help the commission in its cultural diversity training programs. She felt it very worthwhile to invite some of these people to speak to the Commission. Ken White, Executive Director of the Civil Rights commission was discussed as a possible speaker to invite to a commission was discussed as a possible speaker to invite to a commission meeting. Chair Eoloff then led a discussion in working toward achieving their legislative mission of defining the group; writing a mission statement; set goals; plan a direction and to begin to discuss some of the suggestions from Mort Ryweck that the Commissioners felt would work for the Brooklyn Center Human Rights & Resources Commission. Commissioner Brown cautioned against moving too fast; there is a need to take time to plan activities and encourage participation. Discussion. Commissioner Maddox suggested that the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission theme of action be incorporated into the commission's mission statement. She proposed an "Education, Awareness and Action" theme. Discussion. Mr. Clifford Greene arrived to speak to the commission. Mr. Greene, in addition to being a practicing attorney, also is a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and has taught courses in civil rights. He was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to study • racial bias in the judicial system. Mr. Greene spoke on the process of investigation of claims of racism as alleged by the suit against the City of Brooklyn Center. He advised that any Commissioner who needs to talk with him further about these allegations, should contact him at 373-0830. He cautioned the Commissioners against speaking out until all the facts are known. It could put them individually in legal jeopardy, even though some information that is considered private data was given to the press. Because it was given to the press and it was published does not make it public information. There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by Commissioner Brown to recess the meeting. The motion passed and the meeting was recessed at 8:20 p.m. Reconvened the meeting at 8:25 p.m. EARLE BROWN DAYS./HERITAGE FESTIVAL ..'as a Motion by Gommissioner Maddox and seeended by Gommissioner Henry to reeemmend to C-outteil to approve on eassent agenda the appropriation of $1,000 to th-e Writage Days. The meflett passed-. 06/22/94 -2- REPORTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINTS Chair Eoloff reported she has received many telephone calls regarding human rights issues. She felt that the commission needs to also consider developing a process to deal with these . calls. She asked that the commission think about this and return at the next meeting with some ideas. Commissioner Brown suggested several ideas. Discussion. Chair Eoloff also reported that the Communications Task Force is trying to set up a crisis management plan. This might be similar to a bias response plan that was reported to the commission by Patty Wilder, Northwest Hennepin County Human Services. The City is also involved with mediation and perhaps the commission should explore this option as well. Discussion. Dan Rieva arrived. BROOKDALE HUB Commissioner Olsen reported that she continues to work on this issue. CITY COUNCIL MEETING ATTENDANCE Chair Eoloff circulated a list for commission members to sign up to attend a City Council meeting on a rotating basis. Moore-Sykes advised that they contact Sharon or Dolores to find out the dates of the meetings. VICE-CHAIR Commissioner Brown read her statement regarding the position of vice chair. Since the process and timing for selecting this position is vague in the by-laws, Commissioner 81ser~ • M will resign as vice-chair. She felt that by resigning, she would help the commission get on with more important issues that the commission needs to deal with. There was a motion by Commissioner Olsen and seconded by Commissioner Henry to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. • 06/22/94 -3-