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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 01-28 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 28, 1976 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Weyrauch at 7:35 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Blomberg, Martinsen, Campion and Miller. Also present were Councilman Robert Jensen and Administrative Assistant Ron Warren. The secretary reported that Commissioner Tolve had been excused from this evening's meeting due to a prior commitment. Approval of Minutes The secretary noted that there were two correc- 11-19-75 tions to the November 19, 1975 minutes, one being a typographical error at the bottom of page 1, the other being a correction to page 5. The secretary then proceeded to pass out to the Commission members the corrected page 5 and asked that the corrected minutes be approved. Motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by Commissioner Blomberg to approve the minutes of the November 19, 1975 meeting as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. Correspondence Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had received no correspondence since being appointed as Chairman. He stated that correspondence would be a regular agenda item, at which time the Commission would review any human rights related information that has been brought to our atten- tion. Appointment of Chairman Weyrauch introduced the next item of Vice Chairman business on the agenda, that being the appoint- ment of a Commission Vice Chairman. He stated that it was his intention to contact Commis- sioner Joyce Tolve to seek out her reaction to an appointment as Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission. He noted that he had been unable to contact Commissioner Tolve and stated that he would do so prior to the February Commis- sion meeting. He further stated that he would tentatively appoint Commissioner Tolve as Vice Chairman. Chairman Weyrauch next recognized the secretary who read a letter of resignation from Commis- sioner Velma Sugimura which stated that the Com- missioner was forced to resign due to a conflict with her employment. The secretary noted that the resignation left three openings for terms of three years each on the Human Rights Commission. He further noted that any persons interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission should contact Mayor Philip Cohen for consideration. Chairman Weyrauch commended the services rendered by Commissioner Velma Sugimura and former Commission Chairman Don Davis, stating that both persons had been a credit to the Human Rights Commission. Chairman Weyrauch introduced Mr. Steve Wrbanich who had requested the opportunity to address the Human Rights Commission on transportation problems for handicapped people. Mr. Wrbanich stated that he was a member of the United Handicapped Federation (UHF) and the National Paraplegia Foundation (NPF) and that both of these organizations have filed a suit in federal court against the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) over the inaccessibility of transportation for the handicapped. Wrbanich further stated that it is their opinion that the MTC is in violation of several laws which explicitly dictate that mass transportation be accessible to handicapped persons. Wrbanich went on to explain the laws that he felt were being violated, which include the following First, amendments in 1970 to the Urban Mass Transportation Act requiring special efforts be made toward making transporta- tion services available to the elderly and the handicapped. Second, 1974 amendments to the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973 requiring mass transit projects funded under this Act be fully accessible to the elderly and the handicapped. Third, the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1975 requiring mass transit projects, paid for out of that appropriation, be accessible to the elderly and the handi- capped. Commission Resignation Guest Speaker Mr. Steve Wrbanich 0 1-28-76 -2 Fourth, 1974 amendments to the Urban Mass Transit Act prohibiting the use of funds to support procurements utilizing exclusionary or discriminatory specifications. Fifth, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requiring all federally assisted programs to be fully accessible to the handicapped persons, including transportation programs. Wrbanich stated that the UHF and the NPF interpret these laws to mean that the MTC has the legal obligation to provide accessible transportation for handicapped persons. Wrbanich further stated that these organizations have met with and attempted to pursuade the MTC to purchase buses that are completely accessible to the handicapped. He explained that their goal was to eventually have all buses, operated by the MTC, completely accessible to the handicapped. Wrbanich reported that they have not had much success in pursuading the MTC to accept their position. He stated that MTC Chairman, Mr. Douglas Kelm, has claimed that the MTC has no legal or moral obligation to provide a totally accessible transit system in distinction from specialized service. He explained that this difference of opinion resulted in a law suit that was heard on Friday, January 23, 1976. He noted that the Judge has taken the case under advisement and will be issuing an opinion in the near future. Mr. Wrbanich reported that the MTC does have a program for handicapped persons, called "Project Mobility", whereby handicapped persons, provided they give 24 hour notice, can obtain a special ride from the MTC. He explained that a van-type vehicle is used which gives the handicapped person curb-to-curb service. He reported that the concept is good, but, because of the prior notice required, it limits the usability of the service. He stated that it is not feasible to use the service on a short notice basis. He further stated that features such as this make a totally accessible transit system more desirable. -3- 1-28-76 Wrbanich claimed that Mr. Kelm has stated that a program such as "Project Mobility" which provides specialized services, rather than a program of total accessibility, is in the best interest of the tax payers. Wrbanich stated that totally accessible buses will allow even the nonhandicapped better accessibility, and explained that the ' equipment on these buses is a benefit to people carrying packages and parents with children. He further stated that better accessibility for all persons is in the best interest of the tax payers. Wrbanich noted that there are approximately 126,000 handicapped in the seven county Twin Cities Metropolitan area between the ages of 16 and 65® He further noted that the MTC daily ridership is approximately 131,000. He stated that handicapped persons, using a totally accessible and integrated transit system, can have a great effect on MTC ridership. He explained that programs such as reduced fares for the handicapped are of no benefit if a bus is inaccessible to a person in a wheelchair. Wrbanich also claimed that some specialized programs such as the "Dial-A-Ride" program in the inner city have been proven unsuccessful in producing revenues to pay for the program. He stated that based on these and other factors it seems that a totally accessible and integrated transit system would be of more benefit than a specialized system with inaccessible buses. In response to a question from Councilman Robert Jensen, Mr. Wrbanich stated that the MTC has collected revenues in excess of $239,000 to be used for handicapped services. He further stated that these monies have been partially used for, among other things, "Project Mobility" and reduced fares for the handicapped. He explained that it would be better to use these funds to purchase totally accessible buses or to upgrade present buses to make them accessible. He then explained that it costs approximately $15,000 to upgrade old buses with handicapped equipment, while it only costs $5,000 more than the original cost to purchase new buses that are totally accessible. Wrbanich noted that the MTC has agreed to purchase 10 accessible buses out of approximately 350 buses purchased this year. He stated that this is en- couraging, but that he feels that all buses purchased 0 0 • 1-28-76 -4- should be totally accessible in order to provide a totally accessible and integrated transit system. He further stated that it is more reason- able to purchase new accessible buses than to upgrade, at a higher cost, old buses. Mr. Wrbanich concluded his presentation by asking the Human Rights Commission to adopt a resolution, to be directed to the MTC, supporting the United Handicapped Federatiods position and urging the incorporation of a totally accessible transit system. Chairman Weyrauch thanked Mr. Wrbanich for his presentation and stated that before the Human Rights Commission would consider any kind of resolution it would, in fairness to all parties concerned, extend an invitation to a representative of the Metropolitan Transit Commission to review their side of the controversy. Recess The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission meeting recessed at 8:20 p.m. and resumed at 8:45 p.m. Review of 1976 The secretary then presented a copy of the 1976 Meeting Schedule Human Rights Commission meeting schedule. He stated that all Commission meetings will be held at City Hall on the third Wednesday of the month, except where noted, and will begin at 7:30 p.m. He further stated that the meeting schedule is subject to change upon prior notification. Distribution of The secretary distributed to the Commissioners A Guide forthe copies of the accessibility booklet, A Guide for Handicapped the Handicapped. He noted that booklets have been sent to all participants listed in the booklet and to various organizations interested in handicapped accessibility. He explained that the booklets are available at no cost at City Hall and urged Commission members to encourage people to obtain a copy of the booklet. Chairman Weyrauch took this opportunity to thank in particular former Commission Chairman Don Davis and Commissioners Erv Blomberg and Jerry Campion for their fine efforts in preparing this booklet. Letter of Appreciation Chairman Weyrauch next recognized Commissioner Blomberg who distributed a copy of a letter he . had prepared expressing appreciation to Mr. John L. Sullivan of General Mills, Inc. for the services that company had provided in publishing the accessibility booklet. He stated that Mrs. Adele Cox and Mr. Doug Smith were specifically -5- 1-28-76 mentioned in the letter for the excellent work they had done. He recommended that copies of the letter be directed to Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Cox and Mr. Smith. Following a brief discussion on the letter, it was the consensus of the Commis- sion that the letters of appreciation be sent. Chairman Weyrauch requested Commission members to give some thought prior to the February 18 Commission meeting regarding projects and programs to be undertaken by the'Commission in 1976. He stated that he would like to see the Commission undertake, on a very low profile, a project in conjunction with the City staff to develop a policy statement relative to an affirmative action plan. He concluded his remarks by stating that proposed projects and/or programs for 1976 will be a possible discussion item at the February meeting. Motion by Commissioner Martinsen and seconded by Commissioner Blomberg to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9®®® P.M. Chairman 1976 Commission Project Adjournment 0 1-28®76 -6-