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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 04-07 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 APRIL 7, 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 5:34 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Brown, Eoloff, and Eckman. Also present was Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Excused from this evening's meeting were Commissioners Achtelik and Windsor. SELECTION OF COMMISSION VICE CHAIRPERSON Chairperson Stoderl said the commission's bylaws say the chairperson can appoint a vice chairperson, but requested some discussion from the commission on whom the vice chairperson should be. Commissioner Eckman said that due to health concerns, she is not interested in this position. Commissioner Brown did express interest in the vice chairperson position. There was a motion by Chairperson Stoderl and seconded by Commissioner Eoloff to nominate Commissioner Brown as vice chairperson of the Human Rights and Resources Commission. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 13. 1993 There was a motion by Commissioner Eoloff and seconded by Chairperson Stoderl to approve the minutes of the January 13, 1993, meeting as submitted. The motion passed. FUNDING REOUEST FROM CO-OP NORTHWEST The commissioners reviewed a video regarding Co-Op Northwest. Councilmember Dave Rosene entered the meeting at this time. Chairperson Stoderl expressed concern that reviewing a funding request mid-year does not fit in with the commission's regular evaluation process. She suggested the commission use as a basis the evaluation form for contractual services determining whether or not to fund this project. Commissioner Brown noted this request is an off-shoot to something the City 04/07/93 - 1 - already supports and noted it is worth considering. Councilmember Rosene said this is something the council is likely to support. Commissioner Brown asked if Co-Op Northwest will always be a part of Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council (NWHHSC). Councilmember Rosene noted NWHHSC is facilitating development of the policies, so it is likely it will be involved on a continuing basis. There was a motion by Chairperson Stoderl and seconded by Commissioner Brown that if requests for contractual services come up in the middle of the year, the Human Rights and Resources Commission will continue to use its evaluation system for contractual services. The motion passed. There was a motion by Chairperson Stoderl and seconded by Commissioner Eckman to recommend to the city council to have the City of Brooklyn Center fund Co-Op Northwest in the amount of $5,678.00 for 1993. The motion passed. There was a motion by Chairperson Stoderl and seconded by Commissioner Eckman that if Co-Op Northwest requests funds for 1994, it should follow the pre-established system for contractual services for the Human Rights and Resources Commission. The motion passed. TRANSIT Chairperson Stoderl said she would move this item to the upcoming meeting agenda items' list so that it does stay on the agenda. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS Commissioner Eoloff said the LMHRC is meeting this month in St. Paul. She noted former Human Rights and Resources Commissioner Kathleen Carmody has resigned from the LMHRC board of directors. Commissioner Eoloff said the LMHRC continues to work on its pledge campaign against hate and bigotry and is planning its annual conference scheduled for September 18, 1993. UPDATE ON CHILDREN'S ISSUES No report. CULTURAL DIVERSITY The recording secretary noted Patty Wilder of NWHHSC would like to see what work the commission has already done on the issue of cultural diversity, and the commission agreed to this. HERITAGE FESTIVAL Commissioner Eoloff said she was unable to attend the planning meetings for the Heritage Festival, and Commissioner Brown said she would be able to participate. 04/07/93 -2- 0 COMMISSION GOALS AND BUDGET The recording secretary noted any budget for 1994 should be ready by May of 1993. Chairperson Stoderl asked that this item be moved to the top of the next agenda, and commissioners should come to the meeting with ideas on what to include in the 1994 budget. BIAS RESPONSE PLAN Commissioners asked that an update be obtained from Patty Wilder of NWHHSC. COMMUNITY RESOURCE LIST Commissioners agreed this is an item that may be included in the 1994 budget. Commissioner Eoloff noted that former Commissioner Carmody had developed a draft list of community leaders to contact in an emergency which would be related to a bias response plan. NUMBER OF COMMISSION MEMBERS Councilmember Rosene noted when he was interviewing candidates for the Planning Commission, he discovered the City has many qualified people and it may help to involve more of them in the commissions. Councilmember Rosene said he feels the commission would benefit by increasing its members to nine commissioners. He noted the city council discussed this at one of its work sessions, and Councilmember Mann is opposed to an increase in membership. Chairperson Stoderl noted the commission wag at nine members previously and decreased to seven because of the difficulty of getting a quorum at the meetings. She noted the commission has been a stable group recently and could try increasing to nine members. She noted the commission could always go back to seven members. Commissioners requested a draft resolution increasing the membership to nine be prepared for discussion at the next meeting. Commissioners requested a letter be sent to former Commissioner Carmody thanking her for her service on the commission. CHILD CARE FOR ADVISORY COMMISSIONERS Councilmember Rosene noted there has been an effort to recruit minority members to the City's advisory commissions. He noted an issue has arisen that some might not be able to attend because of child-care needs. He noted until this commission comes up with a recommendation, the council is unlikely to act on providing child care for commissioners. Chairperson Stoderl suggested conducting a survey using a random sample of the current commission memberships on all City commissions to determine if a need exists. There was discussion regarding the feasibility of providing such child care, including logistics and meeting state requirements. Chairperson Stoderl suggested asking Patty Wilder how NWHHSC attracts diversity in volunteer groups or if they keep track of this. The commission may wish to ask other commission chairpersons to survey their members on the feelings of needs for child care or meals. The recording secretary will draft a letter of explanation to other chairpersons requesting their feedback on this need. 0 04/07/93 -3- 1994 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY ACTIVITIES Commissioner Brown said the commission should at least look at preparing a proclamation for Martin Luther King Day, and if it decides to do other activities, special funding requests can always be made of the city council. Commissioner Eoloff noted other human rights commissions give annual human rights awards at this time of the year. Commissioner Brown suggested the commission could sponsor a contest or a volunteer human rights award. There was discussion regarding what type of award to present and it was agreed the focus should be on volunteerism and youth. Commissioner Eoloff said she would work on this project over the summer months. HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE Chairperson Stoderl said this item should be put on hold until there is more information regarding a Bias Response Plan. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Human Rights and Resources Commission is scheduled for May 12, 1993, at 7:00 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Eoloff noted the Minnesota Human Rights Act has been amended to add sexual preference as a protected class. She said this is effective August 1, 1993. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Commissioner Eclunan to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Chairperson 04/07/93 -4- 0