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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 03-13 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 MARCH 13, 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 Achtelik, Braziel, Doucette, Forrest, Maddox, Nyquist, and Yang. Also present Council Liaison Hilstrom and Staff Liaison Gohman. INTRODUCTION Chair Lerbs introduced the two new members to the commission welcoming Nancy Doucette and Charles Forrest to their first meeting. Members of the commission introduced themselves to the new members. • APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 14. 1996 There was a motion by Commissioner Nesseth and seconded by Commissioner Nyquist to approve the February 14, 1996, HRRC minutes. The motion carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA OF MARCH 13. 1996, There was a consensus to move the bias response plan discussion training up on the agenda and under other business discuss cultural diversity training. There was a motion by Commissioner Nyquist and seconded by Commissioner Doucette to approve the agenda of March 13, 1996. The motion carried. BIAS RESPONSE PLAN Police Chief Scott Kline appeared before the commission to discuss the proposed bias response plan. The Chief had concerns regarding data practices. Certain information, by law, is closed during the police department investigation period, therefore, during the investigation information cannot be released to the commission. There was a general discussion regarding data practices. The HRRC asked if the police department could notify the victim that there are support groups available to help deal with bias response incidents. Chief Kline talked about how the police department handles calls on possible bias crime and reporting requirements to the State of Minnesota. The Chief stated that it may be effective to put a plan together where a staff member in the police department would pass along information to the HHRC Staff Liaison (Nancy Gohman) and the Staff Liaison would then 03/13/96 -1- z~ contact the bias response committee with information and they could get in touch with the victim. There was the consensus of the commission that the State reporting form would be sufficient to be forwarded to the HRRC so the police department doesn't have to deal with an additional form. (Elimination of BCHRRC Bias Response Complaint Form). It was also the consensus of the commission that incidents from the police department would come from the Chief of Police to Staff Liaison Nancy Gohman. The next step would be for the Staff Liaiion to get in touch with the contact person of the HRRC bias response team. It was the consensus of the commission to work with the Chief of Police to coordinate the HRRC bias response plan. There was a discussion on members who will be interested in part of the bias response team. Those interested were Commissioners Maddox, Braziel, Lerbs, Doucette, Yang, Nesseth, Achtelik, and Nyquist. The commission was reminded that they could not have more than four HRRC members on the bias response team to make sure they are not in violation of the open meeting law. There was a motion by Commissioner Yang and seconded by Commissioner Nyquist to table this item until the next meeting due to the need to discuss the essay contest. Vi<~ o er4me~rd#s* amendments to end this bias respdhse discussion up at 8 p.m. (Friendly amendment accepted). The motion carried. In regard to the bias response plan, the things that need to be addressed in the future are as follows: -Design and Build Team -Permission to Contact Victim -Talk to Mort Rywick at the League of Minnesota Human Rights -Talk to Patti Wilder NWHHSC regarding the final peace training for bias response. -What/how to keep paper work Commissioner Yang wants to contact Neighborhood Watch groups to educate people on the bias response plan. Council Liaison Hilstrom suggested that information on the bias response could go out in packets that are handed out to Neighborhood Watch groups. ESSAY CONTEST The commission received 13 essays in response to the essay contest. The Commissioners ranked the essays according to qualifications set up in the contest. The scores were compiled and winners were ranked one through eight. Essay contest winners are as follows: 1. Tina Marie Ziskovsky 2. Adam Graves 3. Steph Harmon 4. Niriksha Bhakta 5. Brian Hanka 6. James Bush 7. Andy Betsinger 8. Yimeem k The listing of others who submitted essays who will receive certificates are: Malcolm Heard, Matt 03/13/96 -2- Seledic, Sheila Zene, Brian Carlson, and Crystal Gilbertson. Bonds which were donated from local financial institutions will be given to the top eights essay contest winners. All essay participants will receive certificates. The top eight will be invited to the April 8, 1996, Council meeting where awards will be presented by the Mayor, Commissioner Yang, and Chair Lerbs. It was the consensus of the commission that we will write a letter to the top eight winners and their parents inviting them to the April 8th meeting. Also to invite the teachers at the school and to the bank institutions who donated the savings bonds. Commissioner Yang will put together the presentation of the awards. The commission will ask the Mayor to present the bonds and recognize the businesses for their contribution. The top essay will then be forwarded to the Brooklyn Center Sun-Post with a request that the Sun-Post publish the essay. WORK PLAN There was a general discussion regarding the work plan. The question was raised whether the EBHC will participate in the Earle Brown Days Parade. There was a motion by Commissioner Yang and seconded by Commissioner Doucette that the HRRC participate in the parade. The motion carried. Commissioner Nesseth will contact Brookdale Dodge to see if they can get a vehicle donated to use in the parade. Chair Lerbs stated that he has the magnetic signs. Commissioner Yang stated that he would be the contact person for the parade. CULTURAL DIVERSITY TRAINING Staff Liaison Nancy Gohman, stated cultural diversity training was in progress for city staff, commission council members. The police department is also currently involved in a more intense specialized cultural diversity training. One additional general training session on cultural diversity will be given in April, and notices will be mailed to Council and commission members in the near future. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Nesseth and seconded by Commissioner Nyquist to adjourn at 9 p.m. The motion carried. to 03/13/96 -3-