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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 01-17 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 17, 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 7:43 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Edith Johnson, Eleanor Bradway, Jerry Campion and Michael Miller. Also present was Administrative Assistant Mary Harty. Chairman Weyrauch noted Commissioner Tolve had called and would not be present. Commissioner Lemke had indicated she would be out of town for the January meeting. Chairman Weyrauch explained Councilmember Lhotka would be attending the meeting but would be late. Chairman Weyrauch also noted he had spoken with Commissioner Castle and Commissioner Castle had indicated he was going to resign from the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Kuhar was excused from -the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 12-13-78 There was a motion by Commissioner Bradway and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the December 13, 1978 Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion nc''ssed tjnanimnijSl,? RESIGNATION Commissioner Bradway presented a letter of resignation to Chairman Weyrauch indi- cating she was going to be moving out of Brooklyn Center to the City of Minneapolis. She expressed her regret at having to leave the Commission and noted she had enjoyed the work the Commission had done and the people who had served on the Commission. Chairman Weyrauch expressed his recognition of and gratitude to Commissioner Bradway for her work on the Commission. , OTHER BUSINESS Administrative Assistant Mary Harty explained she had attempted to acquire copies of a book mentioned by the Public Information Officer from the State Council for the Handicapped, Mr. Kurt Strom. The accessible architecture book suggested by Mr. Strom is no longer available. Administrative Assistant Mary Harty also explained a date for the 1979 Kaleidoscope had been set as April 22, 1979. She inquired whether the Human Rights Commission was interested in participating in Kaleidoscope this year. There was a consensus amongst the Commissioners present that the Human Rights Commission would like to participate in Kaleidoscope, 1-17-79 -1- GOAL SETTING FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Chairman Weyrauch explained in discussion at the December 13, 1978 Human Rights Commission meeting, it was decided to hold a task orientated meeting in January to: 1) review the past work of the Human Rights Commission, 2) discuss the purpose and intent and need for existence of the Human Rights Commission, 3) formulate goals for the Human Rights Commission, if appropriate. Chairman Weyrauch also ex- plained as part of these major areas of discussion, the appropriateness of the name Human Rights Commission should be discussed and also the frequency of meeting times. He indicated a newspaper article entitled "Human Rights Agencies Only Dying Paper Tigers" had been sent to the Commissioners in hopes that the article would facilitate this discussion. Administrative Assistant Mary Harty distributed the enabling resolution which estab" lished the Human Rights Commission and outlined the parameters of responsibility for the Commission. The Commission briefly reviewed the resolution. Chairman Weyrauch noted he had given considerable thought to changing the name Human Rights Commission to something else and indicated he had had second thoughts about the appropriateness of changing the name. Commissioner Miller indicated he felt the name was not the stumbling block. Chairman Weyrauch stated the Commission dealt with the rights of all human beings so the name Human Rights Commission might still be the best name. Councilmember Lhotka arrived at 8:00 p.m. Campion stated the name most Popular ssems to be Human Resources at3s~.J Javas.:a 1...y Commission but Commissioner Campion noted that name does not say very much.. Commissioner Campion explained he felt the purpose, duties and responsibilities of the Human Rights Commission were clear as stated under the 'name Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Campion stated he felt the Commission had barely scratched the surface of possibilities of things to do and that rather than changing the name, the Commission should concentrate on doing the things that were set out in the enabling resolution for the Human Rights Commission. Chairman Weyrauch called the Commission's attention to Subdivision 3, (2) and indicated he felt this particular subdivision gave the Commission a great deal of leeway in terms of possible activities. Commissioner Miller stated he would like to see the Human Rights Commission go in the direction of educational programs in such areas as social programs, housing, programs for youth. He indicated it was important to make more people aware of these types of programs. Commissioner Miller noted he was not in favor of putting together another booklet but saw other vehicles as educational possibilities. Commissioner Campion noted the problem with the human rights issues are that many of the human rights issues are simply no longer being discussed. 1-17-79 -2- • Commissioner Johnson noted she was in agreement with setting a goal for the Human Rights Commission in the area of educational programs but indicated the question before the Commission was how to get that type of thing off the ground. Commissioner Bradway suggested the Commission might wish to consider serving as a go between with a coordination function being primary. Commissioner Campion suggested the Kaleidoscope scheduled for April might be a starting point in an educational program in that the Commission could compile materials of an educational nature for Kaleidoscope. F Commissioner Bradway suggested the Commission might also wish to consider working with handicapped to mainstream the handicapped with help in the areas of housing, recreation, employment and transportation. Councilmember Lhotka suggested the Commission might wish to consider work in the area of employment such as a program similar to the Y's program of rent a kid. In further discussion the Commission reached a consensus that two goal areas were education and employment. The Commission further discussed how these goals might be carried out in specific activities. It was decided the Commission would brainstorm and get as many possibilities listed at this time. The list could then be narrowed ar.d specific activities could be chosen. The list of ideas is as follows: 1. Employment for youth, handicapped, and seniors. t. C.areet 4. 1V:r St.... Vlity. for 3. Career day for women out of the labor force for a long period of time. 4. Workshop for people trying to get into the labor force. 5. Workshops on human rights issues for educators. 6. Programs to deal with unemployment. 7. Programs for retired persons such as seminars on housing and employment. 8. A workshop on how to write a resume and how to interview for a job. 9. Information on laws pertaining to employment. 10. Affirmative action plans. 11. Information on types of employment which will supplement a person's income. 12. Working with community businesses encouraging them to hire handicapped, aged and youth. 13. ' Working with the media to inform people on various human rights issues. 14. Setting up a program whereby students could spend time observing or participating in various businesses. 15. Educational programs on housing. 16. Educational programs on crimes against persons, such as rape, child beating, assault, wife battering. 17. Drug awareness and chemical dependency educational programs. 18. Educational programs centering on agencies which can help people with -various types of problems. 19. Setting up a referral number. 20. Educational program for Kaleidoscope. 1-17-79 -3- • 21. Setting up various types of classes on human rights issues in the senior high and/or junior high. 22. Organifng various workshops on human rights issues. 23. Programs to deal with landlord/tenant problems. 24. Educational programs in the area of legal services available to people. In further discussion the Commission decided that when the Commission had decided on goals and activities for the upcoming year it would be a courtesy to present this information to the Council. Commission members decided it would be helpful for each Commission member to choose a specific area of interest and explore possibilities in that area and bring back information to the total Commission at the February meeting. Commissioner Johnson chose the area of housing. Commissioner Campion chose the area of infor- mation on sex crimes, and violent crimes against people, and the area of chemical abuse. Commissioner Miller chose the area of educational programs for youth. Chairman Weyrauch chose the area of educational programs for students and suggested that he would contact the school districts. Councilmember Lhotka chose the area of employment programs for youth and also drug awareness and chemical dependency programs for the youth. It was decided that at the February meeting a specific decision as to goals and specific activities would be made. The Commissioners decided that they would take the area of their choice and research what resources were available in the. area, what ...r,..,~ ~y.rla,}t~,.i ra....,.,.rz.-+a '"..+uld b-c , yl""iui.li;.v.,.;~l, c:.i i1..~ t :.t • atas ii vt x ii3 U'~v.: via... .:ya..a , w~i vi...+x i.+.. i t, at ..rpvvific area and bring that type of information back to the rest of the Commission so a deci- sion could be made at the February meeting. At this time, Chairman Weyrauch suggested the Commission might-wish to consider meeting on a monthly basis. Chairman Weyrauch suggested many of the Commissioners had spoken with him about that and there seems to be agreement that a monthly meeting would be appropriate. In discussion of this suggestion, the Commission reached a consensus that they wished to meet on a monthly basis. It was decided the next meeting would be held February 21. Chairman Weyrauch suggested he would contact the Commissioners not present and explain to them what the Commission had discussed and what tasks they were under- taking. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Weyrauch again asked the Commission if there was other business to be considered. Commissioner Campion explained he had prepared a draft of a majority of the accessibility booklet. He also explained the reason for the delay and ex- plained that putting together the actual booklet was very time consuming because he had made a commitment to authenticity-and accuracy. Commissioner Campion noted he could personally guarantee the accuracy of the booklet because he had visited- the businesses listed in the booklet. Commissioner Kuhar had taken respon- sibility for other sections of the booklet. Commissioner Campion noted the body of 1-17-79 -4- the booklet was completed and the next step was to get together with the printer and decide on a cover, etc. Commissioner Campion noted he would be in touch with Commissioner Kuhar and continue to work towards the completion of the booklet. Chairman WeYranch commended Commissioner Campion for the work and time he had put into the booklet. ADTOURNMENT The Human Rights Commission meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. 19 Chairman `3 0 1-17-79 -5-