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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 10-13 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 OCTOBER 13, 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 7:08 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Achtelik, Eckman, Brown, and Olsen. Also present was Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 8.1993 There was a motion by Commissioner Olsen and seconded by Commissioner Achtelik to approve the minutes of the September 8, 1993, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. REOUESTS FOR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES - PRESENTATIONS Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council - Chairperson Stoderl recognized Dave Greeman, projects coordinator with NWHHSC. Greeman reviewed the background of NWHHSC and described some of its activities. He played a video tape regarding the Co-op Northwest Program of which Brooklyn Center is a member. Commissioner Olsen pointed out the surplus commodities distribution at Olivet Baptist Church is not on a bus line and asked if there will be a distribution center in Brooklyn Center. Greeman responded that Olivet Baptist Church is the distribution site; however, home delivery is provided to those who are unable to get there. Commissioner Achtelik suggested noting this on the informational flyers regarding the distribution. Chairperson Stoderl asked if the joint powers agreement dues of $9,485 should be combined with the Co-op Northwest dues of $5,460, and Greeman responded they should be. Commissioner Achtelik pointed out the Brooklyn Center data profile is a helpful document. Commissioner Brown asked about the timing of the funding request for Co-op Northwest. Barone noted a request for 1993 was made this year, and the request before the commission is for 1994. Five Cities Senior Transportation Project - Chairperson Stoderl recognized Rita DeBruyn of FCSTP. DeBruyn reviewed activities over the past year and noted the federal grant for funding this program has been reduced causing an examination of program use in our area. She asked the commission to encourage the city council to have FCSTP look at ways to better provide services to residents. Chairperson Stoderl asked for clarification, wondering if DeBruyn was suggesting some changes in the transportation program that would serve 10/13/93 - 1 - people other than seniors. DeBruyn responded affirmatively, saying there should be ways of expanding the program without expanding costs. 0 Commissioner Brown noted she had been under the impression in the past that the g#ant for this program specifies only seniors can be served and asked if this has changed. DeBruyn responded that $32,800 of the federal grant must go towards funding transportation for seniors, but $16,000 could go to serve nonsenior residents. She asked the commission to encourage further exploration of options, and she would be willing to return to the commission early next year to review results of this exploration process. DeBruyn noted she would look at options within the confines of the money already available. Commissioner Brown expressed favor in encouraging exploration of the options, and Commissioner Achtelik said she would like disabled residents to be able to use the program also. Chairperson Stoderl noted the 1994 budget request is for $11,550 and asked what the 1993 amount has been. DeBruyn responded the City of Brooklyn Center paid $11,100 in 1993 to FCSTP, and the 1994 request reflects approximately a three percent increase. Chairperson Stoderl suggested DeBruyn contact Barone in December to be placed on the February commission agenda. North Hennepin Mediation Project - Chairperson Stoderl recognized Bonnie Lukes of NHMP. Lukes read an excerpt from a letter to the City from NHMP reviewing activities and programs. She also reviewed a letter from Operation DeNovo, a juvenile diversion program. Commissioner Achtelik noted she likes the idea of the juvenile diversion program involved with the mediation process because it provides an opportunity for the juvenile to face the victim. She commended NHMP on this. Commissioner Brown said she is impressed with the program and likes the fact that administrative costs are kept low. Lukes gave an example of a juvenile vandalism case. Chairperson Stoderl asked if the $5,000 request is the same as for 1993, and Lukes responded affirmatively, pointing out NHMP has never asked for more than this and has a wide base of support. Chairperson Stoderl noted there had been a problem with overlapping services with Brooklyn Peacemaker Center. Lukes said the police department had referred cases to Brooklyn Peacemaker Center. However, with the new police chief, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Operation DeNovo cases handled through NHMP. Brooklyn Peacemaker Center - Chairperson Stoderl recognized Kris Hall of BPC. Hall distributed additional information regarding BPC and said BPC has worked with area merchants on a juvenile diversion program. She noted changes in the police department have affected BPC's program. She reviewed the steps and options in the program once a juvenile has been arrested for an offense. Hall said it takes three to four months to get a case to BPC if the police department arrests a juvenile and refers that person to Hennepin County. Commissioner Achtelik asked why the DeNovo process is an option rather than letting the police department decide immediately where to send someone. Hall said the police department has chosen to go this route. There was discussion regarding the Operation DeNovo program. Chairperson Stoderl noted BPC has requested $10,000 in 1994 and asked what the 1993 allocation was. Hall responded the City of Brooklyn Center gave $10,000 to BPC in 1993. There was discussion regarding the domestic abuse program which 10/13/93 -2- is now administered through NHMP rather than BPC. Commissioner Achtelik noted 99 people from Brooklyn Center were served by BPC and asked how many were referred from the DeNovo program. Hall said these are 1992 figures and the DeNovo program did not start until April of 1993. Councilmember Rosene entered the meeting at this time. Hall asked what the process will be from here, and Chairperson Stoderl said the commission will make a recommendation to the city council in November and the city council approves its budget in December. Ride-With-Us Van Pooling Services - Chairperson Stoderl recognized Darcy Sorrell from RWUVPS. Sorrell introduced herself as president of RWUVPS, which is located in Minneapolis. She noted this program is working with NWHHSC through Success-By-Six Northwest to improve transit in this area. The service is trying to put in a circulation bus that would run from Brookdale Center to Brooklyn Boulevard and Highway 169 all day long. She noted there is no main public transit on Brooklyn Boulevard at this time. Sorrell said her program also transports clients to work-readiness programs, a 24-hour service. Currently, the service is working with Damark International to transport employees from Brookdale to Damark. She added the door-to-door services circle around the needs of the clients. Sorrell said her service started working with NWHHSC in January of 1991. Commissioner Eckman asked if this program services anyone who wants to use it, and Sorrell said it does. Commissioner Eckman asked how users pay for this service, and Sorrell noted employment agencies receive funds to pay for transit for people who are in work- readiness programs. Commissioner Achtelik asked what the cost of an average rider is. Sorrell noted the round-trip cost of transport from Brookdale to Damark is $3.50 per day. Generally, it costs no more than $5.25 for a round trip, and the employer usually kicks in part of that. Commissioner Brown asked if the focus of the program is on jobs, and Sorrell noted they are there to serve clients' needs. They are looking at a dial-a-ride service to get people to doctors' appointments. Councilmember Rosene asked if there are any other established circular routes, and Sorrell said they are looking at a route near France Avenue North and the Twin Lakes area. She noted there are 15-passenger vans for employment routes and they are looking at getting 21-passenger vehicles. They currently have seven vehicles. Commissioner Eckman noted this is a great service, and the commission had tried to get a dial-a-ride program for the City of Brooklyn Center and could not because of budget problems. Sorrell pointed out her program is working with the Five Cities Senior Transportation program to provide backup as needed. Commissioner Brown pointed out there is a local address listed on the application, and Sorrell said it was felt a second location was needed. Councilmember Rosene said he loves the idea of a circular route on Brooklyn Boulevard and noted if the. City supports this concept, the MTC may realize a need for it. Commissioner Olsen said she thinks this is a good program and is needed in the city. She 10/13/93 -3- asked what happens if low-income riders cannot afford to use the service. Sorrell said no one is denied a ride, and employers are asked to help pay and can do so through a state program which reimburses employers for this service. Chairperson Stoderl asked if Ride-With-Us is a private or public corporation. Sorrell said it is a private organization and receives no state or federal government money. Chairperson Stoderl asked if the service interfaces with Metro Mobility, and Sorrell said it does not but they are coordinating with the Regional Transit Board. Chairperson Stoderl asked if the cities of Maple Grove, New Hope, and Crystal have been asked for funding also, and Sorrell said they had not been. She added Maple Grove has its own transit system. Chairperson Stoderl asked if New Hope and Crystal chips in with Brooklyn Center, would the City's amount be reduced. Sorrell said it is probable at some future point, but not for 1994. There was discussion by the commission regarding pick up of disabled people. Chairperson Stoderl noted that under the number of residents served, 267,404 were served last year and 28,471 of these came from Brooklyn Center. She asked what the percentage of Brooklyn Center users is, and Sorrell did not know. Chairperson Stoderl asked about administrative salaries, and Sorrell said there are seven drivers who are paid, but the owners are not taking salaries now. Councilmember Rosene said monthly meetings with officials could be used to measure effectiveness of the program. He asked with what level of government this service would meet, and Sorrell said the cities involved would be included for input because they would like to have a say so in what happens. Councilmember Rosene asked what tax benefits the City could receive by participating in this program. Sorrell responded there is a state program which subsidizes employers who use this transit service for employees. Commissioner Brown asked a question regarding ownership, and Sorrell said the documents should reflect 51 percent/49 percent ownership. Chairperson Stoderl said she is impressed with the interface between Success-By-Six Northwest/NWHHSC and with the fact this program fills a hole that needs to be filled. Sorrell noted that initially the program started with van pooling for work programs, but the program has followed the need. HERITAGE FESTIVAL The commissioners noted everyone made phone calls for the Heritage Festival as requested by the chamber of commerce. Chairperson Stoderl noted it would be helpful to have more information to respond to questions when calls are made, and she suggested having Mary Welch of the Chamber come to the March meeting to discuss this and other issues related to the Heritage Festival. Commissioner Brown wondered if the information regarding the organizations contacted is on disk. The commissioners requested that Welch be contacted to let her know calls were made and ask her to come to the March commission meeting. BIAS RESPONSE PLAN No report. SPECIAL PROJECTS - CULTURAL DIVERSITY Barone noted the list of goals in draft form prepared by Commission Eoloff was included in the agenda packet. 10/13/93 -4- LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE Commissioners Olsen, Brown, and Eoloff attended the LMHRC's annual conference in September. Commissioner Brown reviewed information from the conference and noted a certificate of appreciation was presented to Brooklyn Center from LMHRC. Chairperson Stoderl suggested the certificate be presented to the city council, and it was agreed to have it presented by the commission at the November 8, 1993, city council meeting. Commission Eoloff arrived at this time. Commissioner Olsen reviewed the information she received at the conference. It was noted that Commissioner Maddox has been appointed as a district director on the LMHRC board of directors. Commissioner Eoloff will no longer be serving on the board. There was a motion by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Commissioner Eckman to send a letter of congratulations for her appointment to Commissioner Maddox and a thank you to Commissioner Eoloff for her service on the board. The motion passed. Chairperson Stoderl suggested there should be some public education on cultural diversity. Barone suggested this could be part of the joint meeting of the city council and advisory commissions. Chairperson Stoderl said conflict resolution could also be a topic at the joint meeting. UPCOMING MEETING AGENDA ITEMS The commission tabled the following items to its November meeting: update on children's issues, community service awards, 1994 Martin Luther King Day/Black History Month activities, transit, community resource list, community education, Americans with Disabilities Act, colocation of social services, and discrimination against renters. REVIEW OF REOUESTS FOR CONTRACTUAL SERVICES The commission will establish priorities for funding for contractual services at its November meeting. Barone will include score sheets in the agenda packet. Councilmember Rosene noted the commission's evaluation form is being used as a basis for a city-wide request for contractual services form. HUMAN RIGHTS' ORDINANCE Barone said City Attorney Charlie LeFevere will be in attendance at the December meeting to discuss a possible human rights' ordinance for the city. JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY COMMISSIONS Chairperson Stoderl asked that this item be placed as a second discussion item on the November commission agenda (following the review of requests for contractual services). OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Stoderl asked what the outcome was of the commission's recommendation to the city council regarding supporting the concept of a fair housing center. Barone said the 10/13/93 -5- city council approved the concept with some disclaimers regarding funding and participation by other cities. 0 Commissioner Olsen said she is interested in literacy programs, and there was some discussion regarding this. This item will be added as a future discussion item on the commission's agenda. Councilmember Rosene noted the City owns a four-plex, and this could be a good location for an adult literacy center. Commissioner Reiva arrived at this time. Chairperson Stoderl said if any of the new members have questions on how to use the rating sheet for evaluating requests for contractual services, they should contact Chairperson Stoderi. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING The next meeting of the Human Rights and Resources Commission is scheduled for November 10, 1993. Commissioner Reiva said there may be a town meeting on crime prevention that evening. There was discussion on what to do if there is a conflict. Chairperson Stoderl said the November 10 date will be left as is and changed only if needed. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Achtelik and seconded by Commissioner Eoloff to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission adjourned at 9:18 p.m. Chairperson • 10/13/93 -6-