Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 07-10 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 JULY 10, 1996 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights and Resources Commission was called to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Chair Lerbs, Vice Chair Nesseth, Commissioners Braziel, Forrest, Yang, Nyquist. Also present were Council Liaison Hilstrom, Councilmember Carmody, Staff Liaison Gohman. Members absent and excused: Commissioners Doucette, Achtelik; and Maddox. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 12. 1996 There was a motion by Vice Chair Nesseth and seconded by Commissioner Yang to approve the June 12, 1996, minutes. The motion carried. • APPROVAL OF AGENDA - TULY 10. 1996 There was a motion by Vice Chair Nesseth and seconded by Commissioner Braziel to approve the agenda for July 10, 1996. The motion carried. REFOCUS: GROUP INVENTORY AND OPEN DISCUSSION The Commission had a discussion about communication, procedures, and open discussions at meetings. Commissioner Yang stated that the group may have lost the human touch that we need to create a channel or mechanism to play together such as having a picnic, etc. Commissioner Forrest stated that he thought this group would be more tolerant due to the nature of the group and it appears this is not happening. Vice Chair Nesseth stated she agreed with Commissioner Yang. Chair Lerbs stated that getting the group together is a good idea but there are concerns with the open meeting law. The Commission is involved in the joint meeting, the Heritage Fest and Earle Brown Days Parade. These events allow the HRRC to get together on a more social basis as a Commission as suggested. Council Liaison Hilstrom stated that if the group would want to do a social event, they could do so just make sure to post notice of the meeting to comply with the open meeting law. The Commission. continued discussion on conduct at its meetings. Council Liaison Hilstrom stated that if Commission members see there is a problem with group discussion just as the Chair can say point of order Commission members can say point'of order and get the discussions bapk on track. Vice Chair Nesseth suggested that they use the procedural grid developed by League Human Rights and also it would be a good idea to put "group inventory" on the agenda from time to time. 07/10/96 -1- BIAS RESPONSE PLAN There was a general discussion about the bias response plan and the Council recommendations from the July 1, 1996, work session. Council Liaison Hilstrom stated that it was the consensus of the Council to develop a clear concise and specific bias response plan so it can be used now but also in the future. If there are changes in Commission members, we need to ensure that the plan can be followed and understood by new members and it is clear on how to use the plan. It is important to layout clearly who will respond, for example an incident occurs at a school in Brooklyn Center, the school may want to handle the response. Legal rights of individuals must also be taken into consideration. It was the consensus of both Council Liaison Hilstrom and Councilmember Carmody that the Commission review the Council recommendation on the bias response plan from the July 1, 1996, work session and incorporate it into the plan. Vice Chair Nesseth stated that the subcommittee had developed Draft B and is concerned that the Commission should vote on this draft before it goes back to Council. Council Liaison Hilstrom stated that at the work session of July 1, 1996, the Council reviewed Draft B and made recommendations based on Draft B. Chair Lerbs emphasized that input from Council, Attorney, and City Manager should all be combined and put together into the bias response plan. All those pieces were not available at the HRRC meeting at this time; and a suggestion that they wait until we receive the documentation from the Council minutes. It was the consensus of the Commission to review Council minutes from July 1, 1996, before making additional changes to the bias response plan. There was a general discussion about the response list which is attached to the bias response plan. The discussion centered around the question should be a generic list or all inclusive list with many organizations as contacts. The consensus of the Commission was the contact list would no longer be part of the bias response plan, the bias response plan will be a two page document. The phone list would be used as a tool by Commission members as needed when the plan is adopted by Council. It was the consensus of the Commission to discuss the bias response plan when the minutes from the July 1, 1996, Work Session of the City Council are distributed to the Human Rights Commission. HUMAN RIGHTS BROCHURE Staff Liaisori Gohman handed out the human rights brochure and reminded the Commission that this brochure was created within the last two years. COMMUNITY LEADER'S PHONE LIST Commissioner Braziel obtained a list of community leaders from the Chamber and passed it out to the Human Rights and Resources Commission. There was a general discussion about the brochure. The Commission discussed the purpose as stated in the HRRC brochure. The purpose of the Commission was created by Council and adopted in a resolution when Commissions were created. In order for the purpose to be changed the Council must approve a change in the purpose as it. is in Resolution No. 93-76. Council Liaison Hilstrom stated that if the Commission is in agreement about changing the purpose she could bring this discussion forward to the City Council members at an upcoming work session to see if the Council is interested in changing the purpose for the HRCC. There was a general discussion of who to decides what the purpose is. Council Liaison Hilstrom • 07/10/96 -2- stated that the Council created a Human Rights & Resources Commission to assist and advise the 40 Council on issues related to human rights. Council also from time to time, may direct Commissions to study and work with various issues. Commissions are advisory to the Council and they make recommendations to the City Council and the Council is final authority in determining to act or not act on recommendations. Commissions are not independent in their action. There was a general discussion about Council/ Commission relationships. OTHER BiJSINESS Commissioner Yang presented a letter requesting a leave of absence to conduct a research project and will be absent from the Commission until December 19, 1996. It was the consensus of the Commission to approve leave of absence for Commissioner Yang as he requested. INVOCATION Council Liaison Hilstrom discussed the invocation at the past regular City Council meeting. There may be concerns about the invocation that may involve human rights. The Council will deal with the concerns at an upcoming Council work session. There was a general discussion about the invocation and the prayer breakfast. Vice Chair Nesseth recommended that a letter be sent to the prayer breakfast about the past invocation. The Human Rights & Resources Commission expressed their appreciation to Council Liaison Hilstrom for informing them about the invocation. PARK BENCH - NEW PARKAND RIDE Vice Chair Nesseth stated that there was graffiti on a new bus bench at the new park and ride. Staff • Liaison Gohman stated that she will look into the matter. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Yang and seconded by Commissioner Braziel to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. • 07/10/96 -3-