The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1974 05-23 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 MAY 23, 1974 CITY HALL Call to order The Brooklyn Center Duman Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Davis at 8021 p.m. Roll. Call Chairman Davis, Commissioners Weyrauch, Sugimura and Tolveo Also present were Councilman Robert ie-.sen and Administrative Assistant Daniel Hartman. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded 3-28-74 by Commissioner Sug',mura to approve the minutes of the March 28, 1974 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. BC Kaleidoscope "74 Chairman Davis thanked the Commissioners for their participation in, BC Kaleidoscope "74. Needs of the Commissior..rr Tolve next, reported on needs Handicapped in of the handicapped in Brooklyn Center, She 8rc,c,k,lyn, Center stated that many handicapped individuals in the community are in need of some type of transportation. She commented that it is very hard for handicapped citizens to travel around the community. She commented that it is important for the Cc,mmission to understand the handicapped in terms of what are their basic needs and what can be done to help them. She continued her report by stating that transportation is a problem since it involves not just travel costs but insurance and other factors which must be taken into con- sideration. She stated that the Mayor feels a public transportation program would have to be developed through the Metropolitan Transit Commission. Cr,rrzmassir;ner °T'c;lve then distributed informa- ticn, that she had received on the handicapped ~)nd reviewed a guide book from the City of San Francisco which outlines location of buildings in the community and facilities for the, handicapped. She stated that such a b(_;,c;k,let would be invaluable to the citizens -n Brr,r_,kly Center, Commissioner Tolve continued by stating that she had discussed such a guide booklet with the Community Education Council in School District No. 286 and they favored the con- cept. Crmmi.ssicner Sugimura commented that she had met w:~th handicapped individuals in the com- munity a.nd their needs seemed to fall into three catagorieso access to public buildings, transportation and special parking spaces. Chairman Davis stated that such a booklet would also give the Human Rights Commission a better understanding of the needs of the handicapped in Brooklyn Center. T h-, secretary then recommended that an Ad Hoc Committee be established to look into the development; of such a booklet. He stated that such a booklet would involve many hours c,-f research in its development. Ccmmissioner Martinsen arrived at 8046 p.,m. Chairman Davis established an Ad Hoc Committee t„ develop an informational booklet for the handicapped made up of Commissioner Tolve as chairman, Commissioners Sugimura and Weyrauch d Ms. Marilyn, Albrecht Chairman Davis next introduced Mr. Lou Howard, Review of the chairman of the Housing Commission, who Housing Maintenance prese~'It.ed the Housing Maintenance and occupancy, and occupancy (-,rd _narnce He stated that such an ordinance Ordinance is ;r,.eeded in Brooklyn Center to make sure hc->u,siriq is maintained at a quality which will prcavi.de for a high standard of living in the c (munun,ity A, len_g*~,hy discussion ensued relative to the Hc-)using Code a Chairman Davis stated that he pelt there was a need for such a Code in Sr'rc)klyn Center since it would be a way for -2- 5®23®74 people to keep their homes maintained. He asked Mr. Howard if some provision has been made for those individuals who have a genuine hardship in terms of maintaining their homes. Mr. Howard commented that such hardships would be realized by the City and help would be offered. Commissioner Sugimura then made reference to certain sections within the Code® She asked about the definition of family and its impact in terms of occupancy in a dwelling unite A discussion ensued relative to the occupancy requirements with the comments being made-in reference to the Zoning ordinance as well as the Housing Maintenance and occupancy Code. The secretary commented that the Code has been modeled after the National Housing Maintenance Code and restrictions on the Code are minimal. Councilman Jensen commented that the Code would not supersede the Zoning ordinance which addresses itself to families living in a single family home. The secretary stated that if sections of'the Code are unrealistic in terms of restrictions, they must be brought to the attention of the Housing Commission. Motion by Commissioner Weyr.auch and seconded by Commissioner Sugimura to endorse the pro- posed Housing Maintenance and occupancy ordinance. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Davis then thanked Mr. Howard`f6r his attendance. Recess _ The Commission recessed at 10:06 p.m. and resumed at 10:15 p.m. Social Services After a short discussion on the social services Avrailable in available in Brooklyn Center, Chairman Davis Brooklyn Center appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to develop an informational booklet outlining social services • available in the community. He appointed himself, Commission ers Martinsen and Mero to the Ad Hoc Committee. -3- 5-23-74 G =n~ss c^er SugiTur_- the,-. questioned the Adult Lounge i1(,Iicy I,c,.a.icy I the Ccnununit.y Ccnter fcr thy: use in Community C~ nte;r.' r_:.f the adult lounge. She asked if the age limit would be reduced to eighteen in light of the current change in the membership r status of adults. The secretary commented that he would lank into the matter. `hairman Davis left. the table and Commis- sioner Martinsen assumed the chair at. 10:20 p.m. it was the general consensus of the CGmnnissi(;-. Summer Meeti.n.g that no formal meeting be held during the Schedule months of June, July and August to allow the Aid Hoc Committees time to research and prepare reports for the Commission. It was the feels^g of the Commission that informal sessions hr,uld be held to work can, the Committee pr& jects. Commissioner Tolve reported that she has Ccaununity Educat:ixiie prc.~pcsed the development of a sign language ,Sign Lanau---ge --curse to the Community Education Council program.) for the deaf. She also commented on a pro- gram being developed by C.E,A.P. c:,n chemi ,i dependency. Mc,ticn by Commissicner Sugimura and secL,.-sded Adjouraniant by Ccmmissioner Tclve to adjourn the meeting. The mcticn passed unanimously. The Brooklyn ~Ze, ter Human Rights Commission adjourned at C 30 c.m.. Chi i rmar_ -4- 5-23-74