Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 11-26 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 NOVEMBER 26, 1979 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 Johnson, Lemke, Miller, Kuhar and Reichgott. Also present was Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz and Councilmember Gene Lhotka. Chairman Weyrauch noted Commissioners Campion and Tolve were not present and had not been excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- 8-15-79 There was a motion by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Kuhar to approve the minutes of the August 15, 1979 Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF LETTERS AND INFORMATION FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS Chairman Weyrauch introduced the first agenda item by requesting Administrative Assistant Bublitz to comment on the recent letters and information received from the State Department of Human Rights. In response to Chairman Weyrauch's request, Administrative Assistant Bublitz commented on recent correspondence received from the State Department of Human Rights noting that the information received essen- .tially discussed the No-Fault Grievance process with regard to local Human Rights Commissions. He noted the correspondence from the State encouraged participation in the No-Fault process but that it did not provide any detailed information on the process and did not address the Commission's concerns over the No-Fault pro- cess expressed in the past. He noted that the State had planned upcoming training sessions on the NO-Fault process and that it was also producing a manual on the process to be used by local commissions. Commissioner Johnson arrived at 7:45 p.m. Chairman Weyrauch noted that the Commission had not received a response to a letter dated July 23, 1979 sent to the State Department of Human Rights and posing certain questions regarding the liability of individual Commissioners with regard to the No-Fault process and the Data Privacy Laws and Open Meeting Law requirements as they relate to the No-Fault process. Councilmember Lhokta stated that he feels we have made no progress on the No-Fault process and suggested that the letter be resubmitted to the new Commissioner of the State Human Rights Department. Chairman Weyrauch indicated that he agreed with Council.member Lhokta's suggestion to resubmit the questions to the State Department of Human Rights. Commissioners Reichgott and Kuhar both expressed a concern about the upcoming training sessions on the No-Fault process proposed by the State and indicated that they would be very interested in attending the programs. Commissioner Reichgott noted-that she was unclear regarding the training session and did not understand whether one or all of the Commission members were invited to attend the training session. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that he would check into the specifics of the upcoming training session and attempt to find 11-26-79 -1- out whether all Commission members would be invited or if only a representative from each Commission would be invited. Chairman Weyrauch asked Commissioner Miller if he had any background in the No- Fault process. Commissioner Miller commented that he feels the State is still unclear on the No-Fault process and that he believes the State Department of Human Rights is still shaky on developing a No-Fault program. Commissioner Kuhar indicated that she thought perhaps the City of Bloomington could give an idea of how the No-Fault process is working in its city. A general discussion ensued concerning the No-Fault process and Commission members generally were interested in following up on the training sessions but generally felt un- comfortable with any requirement that they be required to train their fellow Com- mission members in the No-Fault-process after participating in the State's training session. Chairman Weyrauch stated he would contact Bloomington's Human Rights Commission and attempt to arrange a speaker from that Commission to speak at the next Human Rights Commission meeting. Commissioner Reichgott suggested that if a speaker from Bloomington cannot be arranged perhaps Brooklyn Center's Commission could attend one of Bloomington's Human Rights Commission meetings. Chairman Weyruach also suggested contacting Richfield's Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Reichgott indicated that she feels it is important for the Commission to send at least one person to the State's training session, and suggested'that we resolve that at least one person be designated to attend the upcoming training session to be held by the State Department of Human Rights.. Chairman Weyrauch noted that. Administrative Assistant Bublitz will attempt to find out the specific dates of the upcoming training sessions. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Kuhar to resolve that Commission members make an effort to attend the State's upcoming training session on the No-Fault process and that the Commission should send at least one member to the training session. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF LETTERS FROM WALLACE M. BERNARDS, PRINCIPAL, BROOKLYN CENTER JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND DOUGLAS M. ROSSI, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Chairman Weyrauch introduced the next agenda item by noting that the letters received from Mr. Rossi and Mr. Bernards are the only definite responses received from any of the school districts. Chairman Weyrauch proceeded to read the letters from Mr. Rossi and Mr. Bernards to the Commission members. He noted the major points in the letters appeared to deal with the Detached Worker program and in the area of drug and alcohol education. Councilmember Lhotka indicated that he felt a drug education program for parents mentioned in the letter was worthwhile. pursuing. He also noted that the Detached Worker program for 1980 will be funded by the City of Brooklyn Center and will involve one Detached Worker. Commissioner Miller suggested that the Detached Worker be invited to the next Human Rights Commission meeting to explain the problems he is dealing with in the schools. Chairman Weyrauch indicated that he did not think it advisable to overload the December 19, 1979 Commission meeting but that if the information on the No-Fault process does not fill the agenda we could possibly invite the Detached Worker and Mr. Rossi or Mr. Bernards to address the Commission. Chairman Weyrauch noted that the emphasis of Mr. Bernards letter was that the most difficult problem in drug education facing high school teachers and administrators is dealing with the parents. Chairman Weyrauch noted he would expect some information at the December 19 meeting on No-Fault but that the Commission could possibly key on the problems expressed in Mr. Rossi's and Mr. Bernards' letters. 11-26-79 -2 Commissioner Kuhar suggested the possibility of forming a subcommittee to inves- .tigate what kinds of programs are available from the State in the area of drug education. Commissioner Johnson suggested that perhaps it would be advisable to talk to the school district to see what they are doing in this area before we make any attempt to talk to other agencies. Chairman Weyrauch stated he would contact Mr. Rossi in an effort to find out what types of programs the school district may be interested in with regard to the Commission's involvement in drug and alcohol education. Councilmember Lhotka•noted that there are a number of programs through the State and County and suggested that we invite someone from one of these agencies to speak to the Commission on the problem of drug and alcohol education. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she feels dealing with parents in this area will be an ongoing process and that she does not want to neglect the progress in the No-Fault Grievance process. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he feels both areas could be covered on the next Commission agenda. In summary, Chairman Weyrauch noted several areas which would be investigated further prior to the December 19, 1979 Human Rights Commission meeting including: contacting Richfield and Bloomington's Human Rights Commission, contacting Mr. Rossi, contacting the State regarding the upcoming training sessions on the No-Fault process, resubmitting the questions of the Commission concerning the No-Fault process to the State, and inquiring of the City Manager when the City Attorney will be able to provide his opinion on the No-Fault process as applied to the Human Rights Commission and its members. REVIEW OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Chairman Weyrauch introduced the next item on the agenda and requested Adminis- trative Assistant Bublitz to comment on the City's Comprehensive Plan. Admin- istrative Assistant Bublitz explained that the plan is a requirement of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act of 1976. He explained that the rationale for the law was based on the fact that -suburban communities are contiguous areas of land and the development activities in one community are likely to affect neighboring communities. He added that the Legislature felt that Comprehensive Plans should be undertaken to coordinate development in the metropolitan communities, thereby eliminating potential development and planning problems and conflicts in the metro area communities. Councilmember Lhotka explained:that the plan is quite detailed and that trad- itionally and legally the Comprehensive Plan has served as justification for enacting a zoning ordinance. He invited Commission members to relay any comments they might have on the plan to him, Administrative Assistant Bublitz, or the Planning Commission. Chairman Weyrauch then asked if there were any comments on the Comprehensive Plan by Commission members. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Reichgott requested that she might be able to address the Commission on the shelter for battered women in the northwest suburban area. She indicated that no-State funding was received for this shelter and that the Northwest Human Services Council Task Force met with County Commissioner Olkon to attempt to secure funding. She noted that the shelter will be funded and will house approximately twelve to fifteen beds. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Lemke'and seconded by Commissioner Reichgott to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Chairman 11-26-79 -3-