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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992 06-10 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 JUNE 10, 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 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Stoderl, Commissioners Carmody, Achtelik, Eckman, Larsen and Eoloff. Also present were Mayor Todd Paulson and Recording Secretary Geralyn Barone. Commissioner Windsor was excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 13, 1992 Commissioner Achtelik referenced the last paragraph of page 6 of the May 13, 1992 minutes, noting that she is identified as "Chairperson" Achtelik rather than "Commissioner" Achtelik. She suggested the minutes be amended to reflect the change. There was a motion by Commissioner Carmody and seconded by Commissioner Achtelik to approve the minutes of the May 13, 1992, meeting with the amendment on page 6, changing "Chairperson" to "Commissioner" before commissioner Achtlelik's name. The motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Stoderl noted the city council changed the human rights and resources commission's enabling resolution so the chairperson must now be elected by the commission members. She noted this must be done before proceeding with the rest of the meeting. Chairperson Stoderl noted she is willing to chair the commission until her term expires in December, at which time she will rethink about what role she would like to have on the commission. There was a motion by commissioner Larsen and seconded by commissioner Carmody to appoint Donna Stoderl as Chairperson of the human rights and resources commission. The motion passed. TRANSPORTATION Mayor Paulson pointed out the difference between transit and transportation, noting Brooklyn Center does not have much left to improve with its transportation, which as an example is the 6-10-92 -1- freeway system. He added transit is what needs to be improved. Mayor Paulson said it is good to have the senior transportation program stopping at people's homes now, and he anticipates, once the word is out, that more people will use it which will require more service. The Recording Secretary explained the Five City Senior Transportation program has expanded to include home pick- UP- Mayor Paulson said in the bigger metropolitan area, there is a lot of regional coordination of transit plans for the- future. At the Minnesota legislature, there is talk regarding short-term programs. The Regional Transit Board (RTB), Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) are working as a coalition on transit plans. The RTB's vision for transit includes setting up hubs at locations like Brookdale with local dial-a-ride and busses coming into the hubs. Mayor Paulson said everyone agrees on what needs to be done; however, the money is not there to do it. He added there is some agreement at the legislature on having a dedicated transit fund. Mayor Paulson described some of the activities of the MTC, including team transit between the MTC and the MNDOT. Certain roadways are being dedicated as high occupancy vehicle (HOV) and diamond lanes to save time for commuters. He said with regard to the City's own internal transit, we need to pursue looking at getting grant or start-up money from the RTB. He noted this commission could advocate for a local dial-a-ride program which could possibly be a pilot program for the RTB. Mayor Paulson said there is a Success By Six subcommittee on which he serves, along with Jerry Eisermann, who is Brooklyn Center's representative on the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Advisory Commission. Eisermann has a large map of the northwest suburbs which plots the bus services and the needs of residents. Commissioner Achtelik said there are no busses running on Brooklyn Boulevard, and kids cannot get to Brookdale for part-time jobs. Mayor Paulson said the MTC will look at the metro area busses where people get on, get off, and where they are going. In December, there will be some results available to assist in making some changes to get people where they need to a lot faster. Commissioner Carmody pointed out the City's request for a dial-a- ride system has already been turned down by the RTB, and she asked how sure it might be to try again. Mayor Paulson said nothing is for sure, although during the last legislative session efforts became closer to assuring this. Commissioner Carmody said none of the commissioners are overwhelmed with the Five City Senior Transportation program, and she asked if it is possible to withdraw from this. The mayor responded affirmatively. Chairperson Stoderl pointed out the RTB had said it would not support a new program if the City withdrew from another. Mayor 6-10-92 -2- Paulson suggested if the City expands it could provide a more inclusive system. There was a discussion about Metro Mobility and how this would tie into the regular transit system in the future. Commissioner Carmody asked the mayor if he is recommending the City reapply to the RTB, and Mayor Paulson suggested it is worth a try. Commissioner Carmody asked what the deadline for submitting an application is, and Mayor Paulson said he is not sure. Chairperson Stoderl pointed out the City has already done most of the work on preparing a grant application. Commissioner Eoloff asked if the City should contact the MTC, and Mayor Paulson said money could be channeled to the MTC for allocation. Chairperson Stoderl suggested the City resurrect its work already done, and this would be a good place to start in September. The Recording Secretary will resurrect the application and send it to the commissioners. Mayor Paulson noted there has been discussion in the legislature regarding a transportation utility that might be a possible source of funding for the local level of government. Chairperson Stoderl noted the City of Roseville has a round up for trees on its utility bills. For example, if a resident has a $13.50 water bill, he or she could round this up to $14.00; the money is then earmarked for purchasing trees. Mayor Paulson suggested the City should make another contact with RTB and possibly have someone from the RTB come out and update this group. There was discussion regarding the cities that had opted out from the MTC and run a local transit system. Chairperson Stoderl pointed out the commission is considering becoming involved in the no-fault grievance process and is also looking at children's issues. There have been no decisions made on either of these yet. Mayor Paulson left the meeting at this time. Chairperson Stoderl said the issue of transit will be placed on the September agenda, and she requested the minutes from discussion by the commission on transportation be included in the agenda packet. It was suggested that the RTB be contacted to discuss the possibility of available funding. UPDATE ON MINNESOTA LEAGUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS, Commissioner Eoloff said at the last MLHRC board meeting, there was discussion regarding the league's conference set for September. There was also talk about the riots in Los Angeles. With regard to the no-fault grievance (NFG) process, the Recording Secretary presented a letter from American Risk Services (the 6-10-92 -3- City' risk consultant) regarding potential liability for commissioners involved in NFG. She added the work sharing agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights has been reviewed by the City attorney, and there are no objections to it. After review of the letter from American Risk Services, Commissioner Achtelik asked if the City would pay the $5,000 deductible referenced in the letter. Chairperson Stoderl said she assumed so, and the Recording Secretary will verify this. Commissioner Achtelik said she spoke with a representative at North Hennepin Mediation Project (NHMP) to determine if NHMP handles discrimination cases. Commissioner Achtelik said she was told that NHMP has handled some of these. She added NHMP does receive some cases from the State of Minnesota Human Rights Department. Commissioner Larsen said the way things are going in society, she expects that we will be dealing with discrimination cases more often. There was discussion regarding a recent lawsuit at Brooklyn Center High School. The commissioners discussed the work sharing agreement. Chairperson Stoderl reviewed the training requirements and asked who would be interested and willing to work with the NFG for at least three years. Commissioners Eoloff, Eckman and Achtelik expressed interest in doing so. Chairperson Stoderl asked the commissioners where they want to go from here on the NFG issue. Commissioner Eoloff suggested the commission amend the work share agreement to read it the way the commission feels most comfortable and then present this to the city council for its approval. Chairperson Stoderl inquired as to whether or not the commission would have the right to refuse cases, and Commissioner Carmody said she thinks the representative from the Minnesota Human Rights Department said we could. It was suggested that this be included in the work share agreement. Commissioner Achtelik discussed the statute of limitations and timing of getting cases to the commission. The Recording Secretary will check on how soon after a case is received by the human rights and resources commission that closure is necessary. There was discussion on when training might be provided to the interested commissioners, and Commissioner Eoloff will determine when this could be done. There was a motion by Commissioner Eckman and seconded by commissioner Achtelik to recommend to the city council that the human rights and resources commission is in favor of pursuing the no-fault grievance process and will have more information for the council. The motion passed. • 6-10-92 -4- The commissioners agreed that they would like to make a formal presentation to the city council once the work share agreement is clarified and issues regarding training are known. REPORT ON STRATEGY FOR INVOLVEMENT WITH CHILDREN'S ISSUES, Commissioner Achtelik provided information-regarding a forum on children's issues that will be held at St. Joseph's Church in New Hope. She would like some of the commissioners to attend, if possible. There was discussion regarding children's rights, and Chairperson Stoderl said this item will be kept on the commission's agenda. CULTURAL DIVERSITY Chairperson Stoderl said this item should be placed on the fall agenda. The Recording Secretary suggested the commission may want to look at what various groups in our community are already doing on this issue, particularly the schools and the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. OTHER BUSINESS (CONTINUED), Chairperson Stoderl said the joint meeting of the city council and advisory commissions was to be scheduled this September. There was discussion regarding the timing of this, and the commissioners agreed that it may be best to wait until after the first of the year to hold this meeting. There was a motion by Chairperson Stoderl and seconded by commissioner Carmody to recommend to the city council that the joint meeting of the city council and advisory commissions be postponed until February of 1993. The motion passed. There was discussion regarding the meeting format for reviewing applications for contractual services. The commissioners agreed that presentations should be limited to fifteen minutes each. The Recording Secretary will notify the applicants and invite them to the September 9, 1992, human rights and resources commission meeting. Commissioner Eoloff noted the annual MLHRC conference will be held in September and the topic is leadership in human rights. Commissioner Eoloff asked if the commission will be discussing switching its meeting nights and times. Chairperson Stoderl asked that this be added to the September agenda. 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 9:05 p.m. 9 6-10-92 -5- chairperson • • -6- 6-10-92