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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 03-09 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 MARCH 9, 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 Stoderl at 7:13 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Olsen, Johnson, Eoloff, and Reiva. Also present were Councilmember Rosene and Recording Secretary Kim Moore-Sykes. Commissioners Eckman, Achtelik, and Brown were excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner Eoloff and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to approve the minutes of the January 12, 1994, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Chairperson Stoderl made introductions and welcomed Commissioner Johnson. JOINT COMMISSION/COUNCIL MEETING There was discussion about this year's meeting and brainstorming of ideas for next year's meeting. It was generally agreed that this year's meeting went well. A format change and ideas for presentations were discussed so that interest in the joint meeting will continue. All commissioners agreed that this annual meeting is valuable for many reasons. Councilmember Rosene offered additional ideas for this format change: ✓ More effective use of videos and slides ✓ Hors d'oeuvres at each table ✓ Like the round-table setup from previous year ✓ More interactive activities - `Behind-the-scenes' stories - Have the department heads present at the joint meeting ✓ `Reserved area' for speakers ✓ Panel discussions Four-member panel with moderator `Global' issues that affect and excite cities ✓ Limit or eliminate the use of jargon, i.e., HAZMAT ✓ Use a teleprompter for live speeches The Recording Secretary also advised the commission that the staff at the Community Center have requested the commission to set a date for next year's joint meeting and to reserve 03/09/94 - 1 - r Constitution Hall as early as possible this year. This helps them schedule the use of the hall for the coming year and alleviates any problem of double scheduling. The commission will be assured of getting the hall for the next joint meeting by scheduling early. There was a motion by Commissioner Eoloff and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to set the date for next year's joint commission/council meeting for February 8, 1995, at 6:30 p.m. The motion passed. The Recording Secretary was asked to scheduled that date for the joint meeting. There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to recommend to the city council to continue to support the joint commission/council meeting for 1995. The motion passed. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS MEETING Commissioner Eoloff reported on the last League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions meeting. They have scheduled a number of workshops that are coming up this spring. She asked that other members of the commission attend if there is a time that fits into their schedules or send a representative. Commissioner Eoloff advised that she can attend the workshop on April 14 at Golden Valley. BIAS RESPONSE PLAN Commissioner Eoloff reported that Patty Wilder of the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council will be contacting the commission in April to go over the bias response plan with the commission. She also reported she is still working on the list of school districts and churches. Commissioner Reiva suggested other resource groups such as Neighborhood USA, Twin Cities' Chapter, and Interrace at Augsburg College. He said he will bring any additional information , 0 he has for her. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS Chairperson Stoderl reported on the community service awards for recognition by the commission/community for volunteer services in the area of human rights and human services/resources. The premise of the award should be service to the city and/or community. She advised that as a commission they should be clear in the award's purpose: who is eligible, the parameters of eligibility, the nomination process, who can nominate, marketing, etc. She also asked other questions for further consideration: Can nominees be Brooklyn Center residents only many people from the business community and members of service organizations such as the Lions provide great service for and to the City of Brooklyn Center without compensation but they are not residents of Brooklyn Center. The commission should also consider the time frame of the event - should it be a one-time event within the last year or can it be a lifetime service award? What should the judging criteria be: - Must be specific - Who are the judges to be 03/09/94 -2- - Limitations on who can receive the award (should not be commissioners, city employees) - The reason for giving the award should be clear Commissioner Johnson agreed to continue researching this project. There was much discussion that followed. DIVERSITY Discussion continued from the January meeting regarding the community events where activities regarding diversity could be promoted. The Recording Secretary reported a discussion she had with the parks and recreation department on the dissemination of materials at parades and other festival events. She was advised that no materials of any kind are allowed to be thrown from vehicles or distributed from booths because of the clean-up nuisance it causes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Chairperson Stoderl and Commissioner Eoloff said they wanted the items to be more substantial than balloons or bumperstickers. Maybe giving pencils, pens, or magnets to children at the schools would be more effective. Chairperson Stoderl suggested the slogan `Celebrate differences; celebrate similarities'. Discussion again developed from brainstorming other venues for presenting diversity information, education, and activities. Commissioner Olsen said she will continue efforts to contact nationally-known speakers and to inquire about their fees. Co-op Northwest will be contacted for further information and ideas, and a diversity fair idea will be researched further. TRANSIT Mayor Paulson is scheduled to come to the April meeting to discuss transit issues. The Recording Secretary will send a letter to Mayor Paulson advising him of the April 13 meeting. ADA Commissioner Reiva reported he will continue to dovetail ADA activities with a theatrical production. DIVERSITY (Continued) City Manager Gerald Splinter stopped in on the meeting. Chairperson Stoderl asked about money in the budget for diversity activities. The City Manager advised that the council did approve $8,000 for diversity education and related activities. He reminded the commission that $1,000 of these funds traditionally goes to the Heritage Festival. He suggested that this year the commission focus on developing a plan to educate city employees and the community on diversity issues. This could mean going to an outside firm specializing in developing such plans. He felt that would be money well spent at this point. The commission continued discussion of this idea and brainstormed potential resources. The City Manager agreed to attend the April 13 meeting to continue this discussion. The Recording Secretary will send a memo to him as a reminder of the meeting date. RESIGNATION Chairperson Stoderl advised the commission of her intention to resign as chairperson of the commission. Her resignation will be effective immediately. She noted that she sent a letter to Mayor Paulson informing him of her decision. She also stated she will attend the April meeting so it can be opened and will appoint Commissioner Brown as interim chair until elections can be held. 03/09/94 -3- NEXT MEETING w The next meeting of the human rights and resources commission is scheduled for April 13, 1994, at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Olsen and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The human rights and resources commission adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Chairman • • • 03/09/94 -4-