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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 05-17 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN REG TS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MAY 17 , 1978 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Al Weyrauch at 7:35 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Al Weyrauch, Commissioners Joyce Tolve, Jerry Campion, Michael Miller, Eleanor Bradway, Edith Johnson, Forrest Castle, Jayne Kuhar and Diane Lemke. Also present was Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had been informed that Councilman Lhotka would be unable to attend this evening's meeting and was excused. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Castle and seconded by Cori-. 3/15/78 missioner Campion to approve the minutes of the March 15, 1978 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Campion, Miller, Bradway, Johnson, Castle, Kuhar and Lemke. Voting against: none. The motion passed. ,Commissioner Tolve abstained as she was not at that meeting. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by 4/13/73 Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of the April 13, 1978 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Tolve, Campion, Miller, Bradway, Johnson, Castle and Kuhar. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioner Lemke abstained as she was unable to review those minutes. Chairman's Comments Chairman, Weyrauc h commended members of the Human Rights Commission for their input and the way they conducted themselves during the April 13, 1978 special session of the Human Rights Commission which involved hearing the Concerned Black Parents and Independent School District #286 regarding the termination of a black high school counselor. He stated that this was a difficult issue and that the Commission had done an excellent job. -1- 5-17-78 Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had received a thank you note from Commissioner Joyce Tolve for the planter and card that had been sent to her from the Com- mission while she was in the hospital. The Secretary read a letter from Robert Spies, Board Chairman of Brooklyn Center Independent School District #286 thanking the Commission for the opportunity and for the manner in which the April 13 meeting was conducted. The letter also indicated that the school district wished to reaffirm that it will continue to recruit with the objective of adding minority personnel to the school staff. The Secretary next read an article entitled "Handicapped Hotline Begins State-Wide Operation" which appeared in the January/February` 1978 Opportunity Knocks Newsletter put out by Opportunity Workshop, Inc. The article gave information about a handicapped hotline in which people will be able to obtain informs tion or assistance in finding an agency or individual who can help solve a problem related to a physical or mental disability. He stated that the number to call in the Twin Cities area is 296-6785. The Secretary also distributed a copy of the May/June 1978 Equality Issue from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and a copy of the Metropolitan Transit Commission 1977 Annual Report. The Secretary reported that the Commission has been supplied with a list containing those businesses, estab- lishments and organizations that have been sent accessibility questionnaires. He explained that the letters and question- naires were mailed out on Thursday, May 11, 1978 and, thus far, approximately 25 responses have been received. He requested the Commission to review the mailout list and to indicate any additional businesses, establishments or organizations that should be included. A brief discussion ensued relative to the Secretary's report with Chairman Weyrauch stating that in the near future, following the return of more accessibility surveys, he will be assigning Commission members with the task of following up on questionnaires not yet received. Commissioner Campion suggested that the Secretary send a copy of a letter and questionnaire to Bridgeman's at Brookdale. He also requested that he be provided with a list of returned question- naires so that pictures can be taken for the accessibility booklet. Commissioner Tolve requested the Secretary to send an accessibility questionnaire and letter to St. Paul Book and Stationary. Correspondence 0 Accessibility Booklet Mailout 5-17-78 -2- Discussion of Future Chairman Weyrauch reported that a subcommittee Commission Project meeting of the Human Rights Commission was scheduled to be held on April 19, 1978 to discuss whether or not the Commission should undertake an accessibility project for the blind. He noted that because of certain conflicts, the meeting had been cancelled and inquired of the Commission if they. wished to discuss this matter this evening or hold another subcommittee meeting for that purpose. Commissioner Lemke commented that it was her under- standing that a Commission project would not only include the blind but other handicapped as well. Following a brief discussion, it was the concensus of the Commission to hold a subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Library Conference Room. Handicapped Parking at Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had the opportunity Jimmy's Lemon Tree to speak with the owner of Jimmy's Lemon Tree regarding the handicapped parking stalls at that restaurant. He- stated that there had been much discussion among the Commission in the past as to the accessibility of the - location of the two handicapped parking stalls at the restaurant. He explained that the owner of the Lemon • Tree stated that at the time the handicapped parking was installed, they had added a bar entrance to the restaurant. He stated that the owner claimed that the City and a member of the United Handicapped Federa- tion (U.H.F.) had requested that the two stalls be where they are currently. The Secretary stated that he has spoken with the Building Official about this recommendation. He ex- plained that the Building Official had indicated that at the time he preferred to have the handicapped stalls located in the vicinity of the main entryway but that there were certain difficulties because no curb stops were available and access around cars to the building might be difficult. He further stated that the Building Official had also explained that the possibility was discussed of placing handicapped parking across the parking lot but that it was his feeling that this would not be beneficial. He stated that a representative of the U.H.F. had reviewed the site and had indicated that they felt the present location of the handicapped parking stalls was good. The Secretary pointed out that although 40 there seems to be a somewhat steep grade in the location -3- 5-17-78 of the handicapped parking stalls, there is a ramp that goes into the parking lot and that accessibility to the building is provided. ' , In other business, Chairman Weyrauch congratulated Com- Other Business missioner Campion on his recent appointment to the Brooklyn Center Charter Commission. Commissioner Campion stated that he does not intend, at this time, to resign from the Human Rights Commission, but will attempt to serve on both Commissions as long as it is possible. The Secretary reported that Commissioner Castle had in- quired at the March 15, 1978 meeting if it would be possible to obtain statistics on the number of people tagged for illegally parking in handicapped parking areas. The Sec- retary reported that he had obtained such statistics from January 1, 1978 through May 15, 1978 and that the total number of tags issued was 148 for that 4-1/2 month period. He explained also that information was available as to the number of tags issued at certain locations such as Brookdale Shopping Center, the Earle Brown office building, Westbrook Mall and other nonspecific areas. He explained that in January, 1978, 32 handicapped parking violations were written; 22 at Brookdale, 5 at the Earle'Brown office building, 0 at Westbrook Mall and 5 at other locations. He stated that in February, 36 handicapped parking violations were written 28 at Brookdale, 5 at the Earle Brown office building, 0 at Westbrook Mall and 3. at other locations. He stated that in March, 1978, 24 handicapped parking violations, were written; 19 at Brookdale, 0 at the Earle Brown office building, 1 at Westbrook Mall and 4 at other locations. He reported that in April, 1978, 46 handicapped violations were written; 36 at Brookdale, l at the Earle Brown office building, 0 at Westbrook Mall and 9 at other locations. He concluded by stating that between May 1 and May 15 of this year, 10 handicapped violations have been written; 8 at Brookdale, 0 at Earle Brown office building, 0 at Westbrook. Mall and 2 in other locations. Commissioner Lemke requested that she be excused from the Request to be Excused July Commission meeting, stating that she would be out of town during that month. Commissioner Johnson inquired if it would be possible to find out what other Human Rights Commissions are doing in the area. She also inquired if it would be possible to obtain information on where black children can go to get information on what types of grants or scholarships are available for further education. 5-17-78 -4- Commissioner Campion asked the Secretary to provide him with copies of the accessibility questionnaires as they are returned so that he can proceed to write the narrative portion of the accessibility booklet. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Tolve, seconded by Commis- sioner Castle to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Com- mission adjourned at 8:33 p.m. Chairman 0 -5- 5-17778