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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 09-20 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 SEPTEMBER 20, 1978 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Tolve at 7:50 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Jerry Campion, Michael Miller, Eleanor Bradway, Jayne'Kuhar and Joyce Tolve. Also present was Administrative Assistant Mary Harty. Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Edith Johnson, Forrest Castle and Diane Lemke were unable to attend this evening's meeting and were excused. Councilmember Lhotka arrived later in the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 8-16-78 Motion by Commissioner Bradway and seconded by Commissioner Campion to approve the minutes of the August 16, 1978 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence to discuss. DISCUSSION: UPDATE ACCESSIBILITY BOOKLET Commissioner Campion explained he and Commissioner Kuhar, as a Commission subcommittee, were willing to put the accessibility booklet together in order to be printed. He further explained Commissioners Castle and Lemke had volunteered to prepare the introduction to the accessibility booklet. -Commissioner Bradway had volunteered to complete the necessary typing for the booklet. Commissioner Campion indicated N.S.P. had published the accessibility booklet in the past and it was hoped they again would publish the accessibility booklet. Commissioner Tolve suggested the subcommittee of Commissioners Campion and Kuhar should put the booklet together in final format to be presented to the Commis- sion at the next meeting, November 16, 1978. - The accessibility booklet could be presented to the Human Rights Commission at that time for final review. The Commission also discussed the problem of getting businesses and organizations to return the questionnaire. Commissioners reported the businesses and organiza- tions which had not returned the questionnaire had been contacted by phone in an attempt to encourage ' them to return the questionnaire. Of those contacted by phone, a limited number had returned the questionnaire. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS Mary Harty referred the Commissioners to several memos which had been included in their agenda packets on the subject of Community Development Block Grants. 9-20-78 -1- The history and the purpose of Community Development Block Grants was briefly explained. Additionally, the types of programs possible through Community Develop- ment Block Grants was also briefly reviewed. Mary Harty noted the Council had spoken in favor of asking the various City Commissions to provide input in formula- ting possible programs for use of Community Development Block Grant money. Commissioners Campion and Tolve indicated a willingness to serve on a committee, if it was the recommendation of the City Council, in order to help formulate program plans for use of Community Development Block Grants. It was the concensus of the Human Rights Commission that as Human Rights Commissioners, they could provide valuable input in suggesting programs for use of Community Development Block Grants. There was a motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by Commissioner Kuhar to support the City's involvement in the Community Development Block Grant Program and to offer the Commissioners involvement, if.and when such involvement would be helpful. Commissioner Kuhar asked that the Human Rights Commission be kept abreast of public meetings being held on the subject. CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE PROTECTS Commissioner Tolve asked the other Commissioners for suggestions for future 6rojects for the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Campion explained at the last Human Rights Commission meeting, Commissioner Lemke suggested the Commission might be interested in participating in some way in the planning stages and the implementa- tion of a 1980 special camp for the handicapped. Commissioner Tolve suggested that Commissioner Lemke be contacted and asked to prepare a brief outline of the project including specific suggestions as to how the Human Rights Commission might become involved. It was decided this item would be placed on the November agenda for the Human Rights Commission meeting. Commissioner Campion suggested another project might be a type of educational program in the schools either for students or through Community Education for adults. A type of educational program could include films, guest speakers or Commissioners could direct classes. A brief discussion ensued as to various subjects which could be used in the educational program. Suggestions were made on various subjects including rape, battered women, handicapped, and mentally retarded. It was decided to discuss an educational program, sponsored by the Human Rights Commission, at the November meeting of the Human Rights Commission. At that time, Commissioners are asked to provide additional suggestions concerning a possible educational program. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Campion stated he had received a request from the Local 320 to present a request before-the Human Rights Commission. The members of the 320 union asked that they be allowed to come before the Human Rights Commission under an opei p forum type of format in which they could discuss with the City administration the topic of health insurance as it relates to the availability of insurance for single members of the department as opposed to married members of the department. Mary Harty stated, it was her belief, this was a contract issue already dealt with between the 320 union and the City through contract negotiations and, therefore, was not an appropriate issue for the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Campion asked that a response to this request be made by the administration. 9-20-78 -2- • In additional other business, Mary Harty suggested that the Commission might be interested in inviting Mary O'Hara, Director of Handicapped Housing with the Metropolitan Council to speak about Handicapped Housing. Mary O'Hara was a speaker at the Housing Awareness Seminar co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Center Housing Commission and the Brooklyn Center League of Women Voters. The Human Rights Commission indicated they would be interested in hearing a presentation by Mary O'Hara at a Commission meeting in the future. ADTOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by Commissioner Bradway ' to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Chairman 0