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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 06-08 HRRM1 MINUTES 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 8, 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 7:05 p.m.. ROLL CALL Chairperson Eoloff, Commissioners Larson-Brown, Rieva, Olson, Maddox, Henry, Council Liaison Dave Rosene, and Recording Secretary Kim Moore-Sykes. Guests included Nancy Doerfler, Sun Time Reporter and Mort Ryweck, League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Olson reported Commissioner Johnson will be gone until October. She reported that staff should have received a short note advising of this leave. There was a motion by Commissioner Maddox and seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the minutes. The motion passed. Chair Eoloff reported she had made changes to the evening's agenda in an effort to provide direction for the Commission. The proposed changes were as follows: A. Goal/Mission Statement and Plan B. Training of Staff, Commissions, Council C. Community Outreach and Education There was a motion by Commissioner Maddox and seconded by Commissioner Rieva to approve the agenda as amended by the Chair. The motion passed. Chair Eoloff introduced Mort Ryweek, consultant from the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. Chair Eoloff reported that Mr. Splinter and she has met with Mr. Ryweck in an effort to focus the Commission's vision. Mr. Ryweck presented many ideas for diversity program for the City of Brooklyn Center. Mr. Ryweck also went on to explain the legal constraints that the City's Human Rights and Resources Commission has placed on it. They function within the constraints of No-Fault 0 06/08/94 -1- Grievance procedures; that the most they are able to do when the Commission receives a complaint is to advise the complainant that they should contact the State Department of Human Rights. They are the only agency with the authority to act upon any human rights violations. The Commission may also advise people that they should seek resolution through a formal mediation process. The reason that the Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission cannot act on any complaint is that they do not have legal or enforcement powers or authority. It is only an education vehicle for the community it exists in. As Mr. Ryweck sees it, the commission's purpose is to educate the local community about human rights violations and laws as they pertain to: - housing - transportation - gender - ethnicity, etc. As a commission, they need to interact with the local government and the community. This interaction comes in the form of many projects that are on-going and continuous, working to achieve goals of the commission as communicated by the needs of the community. He said many people, of course, prefer to do the work associated with larger, more controversial and glamorous issues. To function in this fashion is more self-serving and doesn't accomplish the real human rights goals of the community. Commissioner Maddox asked if the commission couldn't at least filter any complaints and i pass them on? Mr. Ryweck said that is a good point; that the commission should monitor complaints. In this way, the commission can keep track (by recording complaints) and determine if there is a pattern emerging. Mr. Ryweck then suggested various professional people who are available to address the issues of racism and cultural diversity. They included Robert Terry of the Humphrey Institute and Barbara Ray previously with the Wilder Foundation. He suggested forming subcommittees to go and talk with the various community leaders of the community; meet with the school superintendents, churches, civic leaders, business leaders and chamber of commerce representatives to discuss the cultural diversity of Brooklyn Center. Work with them to develop a program that addresses the human rights issues and needs of Brooklyn Center. The commission should develop with City staff a mailing list of community leaders, Brooklyn center residents, church leaders and school officials and continue to update this outreach list. Mailings to these various representatives of the community could advertise human rights events supported by the Human Rights and Resources Commission. He also suggested that the commissioners go into the community to meet with the residents and community leaders to develop relationships centered on human rights issues. Again, he mentioned the churches, businesses, local government, etc. Go to the monthly Church Council meetings, then add school board meetings and gradually get to all other groups functioning within the community. At the same time, develop a core of volunteers who can 06/08/94 -2- 0 eventually do some of the leg work for the Commission. It is important to force the community to sit down and discuss various human rights issues with diverse groups and have that discussion centered around an event such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Have discussion leaders of various backgrounds, color, etc. facilitate these group meetings. Chair Eoloff mentioned have a Martin Luther King, Jr. march. Mr. Ryweck liked the idea, but he said expand it and build other events around the march. He also suggested having human rights awards the same week. Chair Eoloff suggested that everyone look carefully at the handouts that Mr. Ryweck had brought and also to think about a mission statement. There was a motion by Commissioner Maddox and seconded by Commissioner Olson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. is 0 06/08/94 -3-