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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 12-08 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 41 HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESOURCES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION DECEMBER 8, 1993 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 7:05 P.M. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Achtelik, Brown, Olsen, Eckman, and Eoloff. Also present were City Attorney Charlie LeFevere and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 9. 1993 There was a motion by Commissioner Achtelik and seconded by Commissioner Olsen to approve the minutes of the November 9, 1993, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE Commissioner Eoloff noted with her involvement in the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions (LMHRC) she has found many other cities have in place human rights ordinances. She added many cities also provide the no-fault grievance process, which is part of the human rights ordinances. She said other cities do not have the no-fault grievance process, but a human rights ordinance is still in place. Commissioner Eoloff said the City Attorney was invited to the meeting because of the desire of the commission to find out more information regarding human rights ordinances. The City Attorney said many of the cities have patterned their human rights ordinances after the state law, although he is not sure why this is. He said if a city decides to become a mini-state human rights department, it becomes an enormous commitment of time and money which would involve a lot of staff time and legal counsel. The City Attorney said there would have to be some very compelling reasons for the City to have an ordinance in place when state law already covers what many of the local human rights ordinances include. He added if the commission were to become more active in human rights issues, the City would be exposed to more liability, both civil and political. The City Attorney noted once an investigation of a human rights violation is started, some of the issues involved include data practices and rights to privacy. He added it is pretty unusual for a city the size of Brooklyn Center, especially in times of tight money, to get involved in an ordinance like this. At the request of the commission, the City Attorney explained the differences between an ordinance and state statute. He also explained the difference between home-rule charter versus statutory cities. There was discussion regarding mediation and no-fault grievance 12/08/93 - 1 - f training. The City Attorney noted there are already good mediation services available in the city, and it would be good for the commission to help promote and tell people about mediation. Chairperson Stoderl asked if the City were to pass a human rights ordinance, would the City then have to provide enforcement of this ordinance. The City Attorney said it depends on if there are teeth put into the law; it also creates expectations in people that the City will respond to a human rights violation. Commissioner Achtelik suggested instead of having a human rights ordinance, the City may want to take astand on certain human rights issues. The City Attorney said the City could consider an annual resolution making 'a commitment to human rights. Commissioner Eoloff pointed out a lot of this is already in the City's enabling resolution. Commissioner Achtelik felt it would be better for the City to make a statement in support of human rights because of the community's increasing cultural diversity. The City Attorney suggested the commission take an educational and awareness approach rather than an enforcement approach to human rights issues. Chairperson Stoderl said the natural thing to do would be to pass a resolution at the time of the Heritage Festival. There was discussion regarding possible activities in which the commission could become involved. The City Attorney cautioned that procedurally the commission should be careful of being ahead of where the city council wants it to be. The best thing to do is to prepare a proposal for consideration by the city council. Commissioner Brown said the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council has been working on a bias response plan, although there has not been any news on this recently. Commissioner Eoloff pointed out this plan would provide more of a community response. The City Attorney said if a plan is in place, then it is not necessary to invent a process when something does happen. Commissioner Olsen said education would be helpful in the human rights area. Chairperson Stoderl thanked the City Attorney for coming to this evening's meeting and for providing information to the commission. She asked what the group consensus on having a human rights ordinance is, and Commissioner Achtelik said an ordinance is not what the City should become involved in. Commissioner Brown said the City is already covered by state law, and a resolution would be a better choice. She added an ordinance is not appropriate at this time, but education within the community is appropriate. There was a motion by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Commissioner Eckman to recommend to the city council not to pursue a city ordinance on human rights, but to continue to operate under the guidance of the state human rights act as well as to continue to pursue educational avenues in the area of human rights at this time. The motion passed. JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY COMMISSIONS The Commission agreed the joint meeting of the city council and advisory commissions should be scheduled on February 9, 1994, from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Barone said a video of an overview by department heads may be feasible. The commission proceeded to review the agenda from the 1993 joint meeting and made changes as necessary. There was 12/08/93 -2- discussion on whether or not to include task forces on the invitation list, and for the next meeting, Barone will provide the commission with information regarding the number of existing task forces and membership. The commissioners requested folders be available for handouts. Chairperson Stoderl asked the commission to think about what kind of introduction should be used for this meeting and to consider what information should be presented regarding the activities of the human rights and resources commission. HERITAGE FESTIVAL Chairperson Stoderl said there was a good turnout at the Heritage Festival this year. Commissioner Eoloff suggested having more involvement of the commission in next year's Heritage Festival. BIAS RESPONSE PLAN Commissioner Eoloff said she will check with Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council on the status of the bias response plan. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS (LMHRC) Commissioner Eoloff noted her term on the LMHRC executive board expires in December. She noted Commissioner Maddox starts her term on the board in January, and if Commissioner Maddox is unable to attend meetings, Commissioner Eolo€€ could serve as her alternate. There was a motion by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Commissioner Achtelik to appoint Commissioner Eoloff as the alternate to the LMHRC Board to serve only in Commissioner Maddox's absence. The motion passed. HERITAGE FESTIVAL. (Continued) Commissioner Achtelik said she would have liked more advance notice on being asked to be a greeter at the Heritage Festival. Commissioner Eolo€f said someone from the human rights and resources commission should serve on the Heritage Festival steering committee. Commissioner Achtelik pointed out the meeting time is not a good one. Chairperson Stoderl said the puzzle looked good, and Brooklyn Center's puzzle piece was very good. LMHRC UPDATE (Continued) Commissioner Eoloff said she has some policy suggestions related to the state of diversity report. UPDATE ON CHILDREN'S ISSUES No report. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS Chairperson Stoderl suggested this item be tabled until the January commission meeting, and she will try to put together some information on this. Chairperson Stoderl suggested in the future, awards could be presented at the joint meeting of the city council and advisory commissions in February. 12/08/93 -3- s 1994 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY/BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES Commissioner Eoloff had no report. She asked the City to again pass the proclamation regarding Martin Luther King Day, and Barone will put this on the city council agenda for consideration. The commission suggested adding to the review of upcoming meeting agenda items an item related to a resolution on human rights that could be passed around the time of the Heritage Festival. TRANSIT The commission asked that Mayor Paulson be invited to the April meeting to discuss this. COMMUNITY RESOURCE LIST Commissioner Eoloff said she will work on this item. COMMUNITY EDUCATION Chairperson Stoderl asked that this item be placed on the January agenda. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT No report. COLLOCATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES No report. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST RENTERS No report. LITERACY PROGRAMS No report. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Olsen said she attended the Brooklyn Park meeting on youth and violence, and it was a very good meeting. There was brief discussion regarding this. There was discussion regarding attendance by commissioners at the regular commission meetings. Chairperson Stoderl said she will contact Commission Reiva regarding this. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the human rights and resources commission is scheduled for January 12, 1994, at 7:00 p.m. • ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Olsen and seconded by Commissioner Eckman to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Chairperson 12/08/93 -4-