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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 10-21 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 21, 1992 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 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Carmody, Eoloff and Windsor. Also present were City Councilmember Dave Rosene and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. This evening's guests included Patty Wilder of Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council (NWHHSC) and Mary Nierengarten. Commissioners Eckman, Brown and Achtelik were excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 9. 1992 There was a motion by commissioner Eoloff and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to approve the minutes of the September 9, 1992 meeting, as submitted. The motion passed. CULTURAL DIVERSITY Wilder presented a background on a project involving area cities working together on cultural diversity. She noted NWHHSC was approached by the cities to address issues related to cultural diversity, looking for a positive, proactive approach to this issue. As coordinator, NWHHSC has been working with the Government Training Service (GTS), InterRace, five cities, and the affected school districts in these communities. This group plans to develop a vision and policy statement and then decide what activities are possible to fulfill the vision. Wilder said diversity is very broad, but emphasis is based on research which has resulted in economic and racial issues coming to the front. She reviewed the overall vision statement developed by this large committee. Wilder proceeded to present a slide show which summarized the results of nine (9) focus groups providing input on the subject of cultural diversity. Wilder also reviewed the new Co-Op Northwest Project. Chairperson Stoderl asked for clarification on what the human rights and resources commission could do related to this group project, because it appears a lot of work has already been done. 10-21-92 -1- Wilder noted much work has been done by the policymakers, but they would like groups like the commission to review, edit, and amend what has already been developed. Chairperson Stoderl asked what the time line for this project is, and Wilder said the original goal was completion by early October. However, it appears as though this may be done in December. There was discussion regarding the need to have an emergency plan in place in communities to handle events that could increase racial tensions and tensions between economic groups. Wilder requested the human rights and resources commissioners to go through each vision statement and comment on them, enhance them and delete as necessary. Chairperson Stoderl said this will be done at the December commission meeting. HERITAGE FESTIVAL Chairperson Stoderl said she appreciated the letter to the editor written by Commissioner Eoloff regarding the Heritage Festival. Barone said she received a call from Brooklyn Center Chamber of Commerce Director Mary Welch, who very much appreciated the letter to the editor. Chairperson Stoderl noted that tomorrow evening she will be serving as a judge for the Heritage Festival's poster contest. Commissioner Eoloff asked if brochures asking people to make their personal pledge against hate and bigotry could be distributed at the Heritage Festival. Barone said she would see to it that they would be distributed. EVALUATION PROCESS FOR CONTRACTUAL SERVICE REOUESTS The commissioners proceeded to tally their evaluation forms for contractual service requests. The combined average scores are as follows: Oraanization Score NWHHSC 94.6 North Hennepin Mediation Project 94.0 Brooklyn Peacemaker Center 85.2 Five Cities Senior Transportation Project 76.0 There was a motion by commissioner Windsor and seconded by commissioner Carmody to recommend to the city council full funding of the four agencies as they have requested for 1993. If cuts need to be made, then the city council should do so according to the priority listing. The motion passed. The commissioners did express concern that the Five Cities Senior Transportation Project receives the most funding of these four groups, yet it is the lowest priority on the list. UPDATE ON MINNESOTA LEAGUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS (MLHRC) • ACTIVITIES Commissioner Eoloff reviewed the activities of the MLHRC annual 10-21-92 -2- conference. She noted she will no longer serve on the board of directors for the MLHRC, although Commissioner Carmody will now do so. Commissioner Eoloff said Sharon Roe-Anderson was the speaker at the conference, and she spoke about leadership. Commissioner Eoloff noted many human rights commissions have budgets used for promotional items, such as brochures and stickers. Chairperson Stoderl said the commission should discuss proposing a budget for activities such as this. Chairperson Stoderl requested that, as a future agenda item, the commission discuss its goals and direction, including establishing a possible budget. WORK SHARE AGREEMENT WITH MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS Commissioner Eoloff said the commission may want to wait on this item since the State of Minnesota does not want to train new people in the no-fault grievance process. She noted MLHRC is looking at ways to provide training. Commissioner Eoloff asked if copies of the no-fault grievance handbook could be distributed to the commissioners, and Barone said she will take care of this. It was requested that this item be placed on a future agenda. FEBRUARY JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND ADVISORY COMMISSIONS Chairperson Stoderl asked that this item be added for discussion at the November commission meeting. There was brief discussion regarding the format of the joint meeting. It was suggested there be a presentation by each commission's chairperson to review their current projects. It was also suggested that City department heads provide presentations with an overview of the activities of each department. NOVEMBER MEETING DATE Because of the Veteran's Day holiday, the November meeting date has been set for November 18, 1992, at 7:00 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS The correspondence received from the Coon Rapids human rights commission has been deferred to the November meeting. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Carmody and seconded by Commissioner Eoloff to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center human rights and resources commission adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Chairperson 0 10-21-92 -3-