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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 03-15 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGI-14 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER: Ila' THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 15, 1978 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met im • regular session and was called to order by Chairman Al Weyrauch at 7:38 p.m. ii Roll Call C Chairman Al Weyrauch Commissioners Jerome ampion l Michael Miller, Edith Johnson., Forrest Castle, Jayne Kuhar and Diane Lemke. Also present was Administra Assistant Ronald Warren. i Chairman Weyrauch reported that Commissioner Bradw l and Councilman Lhotka were unable to attend this evening's meeting and were excused. Y~ Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Castle and seconded by Com- 1/18/78 missioner Campion to approve the minutes of the January 18, 1978 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Weyrauch, • Commissioners Campion, Miller, Johnson, Castle and Kuhar. Voting against: none. - The motion passed. Commissioner Lemke abstained as she was not a memb of the Commission at that time. Introduction of New Chairman Weyrauch introduced and welcomed Diane s Commissioner Member Lemke whose appointment to the Human Rights Commi sion by Mayor Nyquist was confirmed by the City Council on February 13, 1978. He noted that Commis sioner Lemke's term is effective through December 1978 and she is filling the vacancy of former Commis- sioner James Lacina. He stated that with this appoint nt ' the Human Rights Commission is now at full membershi . Correspondence Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had not received any correspondence since the January Human Rights Commission meeting. The Secretary distributed a copy of the Equality Issue prepared by the Minnesota Depart- ment of Human Rights for March-April 1978. Human Rights Commission Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had been invited Presentation at Shingle by Commissioner Castle to make a presentation to Creek Towers persons living at the Shingle Creek Towers Apartments H f th l ti t th d ti d ibiliti uma re a ng o respons es o e e u es an Rights Commission. He requested Commissioner Castl. '',1 -1- 3-15-78 to brief the Commission on the type of presentation given. Commissioner Castle stated that Chairman Weyrauch had given the presentation and that there had been much dis- cussion relating to accessibility and transportation in the City. He explained that Chairman Weyrauch was well received by those living at the apartment and that he felt the presentation was worthwhile and informative. Commissioner Castle requested to deviate fromv the agenda somewhat and to discuss transportation problems for handi- capped persons in the area. He cited an example of an exorbitant charge by a medicab company to transport a wheelchaired individual living at Shingle Creek Towers. He stated that it was his opinion that the medicab or handicab - system is a tragic and hideous situation and that handicapped persons are being ripped off. He noted that there was a- recent article in the Minneapolis paper regarding this type of transportation for handicapped persons and that it seems that one individual has almost a virtual monopoly on this function. He noted than normal cab companies do not pick up handi- capped persons because they do not carry the insurance nec- essary to transport these people and have difficulty getting them into the cabs. He pointed out that because of this, van type vehicles are used to transport handicapped persons and that ridiculous fares are charged. He further stated that it was his understanding that this private medicab company was attempting to also become a part of M.T.C.'s Project Mobility. A discussion' ensued relative to Commissioner Castle's comments with members of the Commission expressing concern over this situation. It was suggested that the Commission attempt to Invite spokesman from the-se handicab organizations to appear before the Commission to discuss the service they provide at some future Commission meeting. Chairman Weyrauch reported that he had addressed the City Council on February 13, 1978 to review with the Council the Commission's plans to update Its accessibility booklet and seek authorization to conduct a mailout survey of local businesses a',nd other establishments. He reported that the report to the Council was well received and they had enthu- siastically lent their support. The Secretary reported that he is in the process of developing a list of businesses to send questionnaires to. He requested feedback from the Commission regarding the type of letters they wished to include with the mailout surveys and also how 'they, wished to proceed with further development of the book. City Council Action on Accessibility Booklet 3-IS-78 -2- Commissioner Lemke commented that she felt the booklet was a worthwhile endeavor but pointed out that, handicapped persons, such as the blind, have some unique difficulties with respect to the accessibility of a building. She noted that restroom identification is important to blind persons as is elevator identification She relayed examples of the difficulties blind persons have with inadequately marked restrooms and elevatorsi , and inquired if it would be possible to somewhat expans~ the accessibility questionnaire to include questions regarding these concerns as well. Commissioner Campion suggested that it might be more- beneficial to establish a second project to address the needs of blind as well as other handicapped persons. t; He pointed out that the questionnaire developed for the i' accessibility booklet deals primarily with architectural type barriers experienced by the wheelchaired Nandi-- capped. He commented that he did not feel it would be possible at this time to utilize the present questi0r ire to include such information. ' The Secretary stated that the accessibility questionnai is based on the standards contained in state law and that that the questions refer in many cases to specific distances of door openings, the location of doors,. the height of tables, and whether or not handicapped rest- if, room facilities are available. He added that the ;r+r accessibility problems of the blind are significant but doubted whether or not the current questionnaire could:. a be effectively utilized to gather the needed information'' to include such information in the updated accessibility ` booklet. He reported that further research would have.:. to be undertaken to determine if there are specific . standards or specific requirements for such things as J'n restroom and elevator identification that are required: in the s to to law. ,T ~ A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the possibility, of expanding the current accessibility booklet to inclu&W, questions relating to the accessibility needs of handi- capped persons other than those confined to wheelchair Action to Proceed with Following the discussion there was a motion by Com Accessibility Booklet missioner Campion and seconded by Commissioner Castle to continue with the current project of updating the Commission's handicapped accessibility booklet j''~. and to direct Commissioners Campion, Castle, Kuhar • and Lemke to study the feasibility of developing a similar project for the blind and other handicapped, persons for a future Commission project. The motion` passed unanimously. I I ' -3- 3-15-78 I Motion by Commissioner Kuhar and seconded by Com- missioner Campion to direct the Secretary to develop two mailouts of the accessibility questionnaire, one being for businesses that had previously responded to the Commission's questionnaire and the other for new businesses being asked to respond to the questionnaire. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Campion reported that he had been directed to develop recommendations regarding the style, size, and title of the updated booklet. He stated that the style and size of the booklet would depend primarily on the printing available. He suggested that the Commission consider the title "Brooklyn Bridge" for the booklet. He explained that the .title would symbolize bridging architectural barriers and recommended that in small type the worsts "A Guide for the Handicapped and Elderly" also be. on the cover of the booklet. The Secretary reported that Northern States Power. Company has agreed to publish the Commission's updated access- ibility booklet at no charge. He explained that he has been in contact with Millie Mann of N.S.P.'s Consumer Affairs Department and added that she has requested that the Commission give her some lead time once the booklet is ready for print. It was the ccncensus of the Commission to accept Com- missioner Campion's recommendation regarding the title of the booklet and to direct Commissioner Campion to develop the design and format of the booklet. Chairman Weyrauch directed the subcommittee composed of Commissioners Campion, Castle, Kuhar and Lemke to hold a meeting to develop a recommendation regarding whether or not the Commission should undertake an accessibility project for the blind. Pcllowi.n.g a brief discussion, it was decided that a sub- com:n,^:ittee meeting be meld on Wednesday evening, April 15, 1975 at- 7:30',p.m. in the City Hall Library Conference room. Coriimissioner Castle inquired if it would be possible to obtain statistics on the number of people tagged for illegally parking in handicapped parking areas for a report to the Commission at a future Commission meeting. The Secretary responded that he would attempt to provide the Commission with this information. 3-15-7$ -4- Action Directing Mailout Report on Booklet Publishing of Accessibility Booklet Subcommittee Meeting Other Business Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Com- missioner Castle to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:25 p.m. I Cha irmanu. Y i 4 r N', Y P F. i.i . I Y < k ' 9. -5- 3-15-78