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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 01-18 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER Ilr' THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 18, 1978 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Vice- Chairman Joyce Tolve at 7:36 p.m. Roll Call Vice-Chairman Joyce. Tolve, Commissioners Jerome Campion, Michael Miller, Edith Johnson, Eleanor Bradway, Forrest Castle and Jayne Kuhar. Also present were Councilman Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. The Secretary announced that Chairman Al Weyrauch had informed him that he would be late to this evening's meeting. • Moment of Silence Vice-Chairman Tolve requested a moment of silence in memory of Hubert H. Humphrey. Introduction of New Commission Member Vice Chairman Tolve introduced and welcomed Jayna Kuhar whose appointment to the Human Rights Commis- sion by Mayor Nyquist was confirmed by the City Council on January 9, 1978. She noted that Commis- sioner Kuhar's term is effective through Dpcember 31, 1979 and that she is filling the vacancy of former Commissioner Mary Stire. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Bradway and seconded by 9/28/77 Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of the September 28, 1977 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Com- 11/16/77 missioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the Nov- ember 16, 1977 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Appointment of The Secretary announced that Chairman Weyrauch had Vice-Chairman reappointed Commissioner Tolve as Vice-Chairman of the Commission for 10.78. 1978 Meeting Schedule Vice-Chairman Tolve introduced the next item of busi- ness on the agenda, that of a review of the Hurnan Rights Commission meeting schedule for 1978. She -1- 1-18-7'8 s explained that Commission meetings are scheduled for ;,;rely other month beginning in January.- She noted that meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month and begin at 7:30 p.m. The Secretary commented on the meeting schedule and -noted that it is a tentative schedule in that it is subject to change upon prior notification. Councilman Lhotka added that.if items come up that need the Duman Rights Commission's attention during one of the off months a special meeting can be scheduled. The Secretary stated that if these occasions arise every effort si'D be made to schedule a special meeting on the third Wednesday of that month. f' he Secretary reviewed and distributed correspondence t'hat has been received since the last Commission meeting whi3c'hi consisted of copies of the FquFaHty Issue of the State DeparLme,nt of Human Rights for November--December, 1977 and January--February, 1978 and a :.opy of the Metropolitan Transit Commission quarterly report dated January, 1978. Vic;e-Chairman Tol:ae announced that members of the Com- mission had received an ihr itation for the League of Human 1~' hts Commission's Tenth Anniversary Program to be held on Saturday, January. 21-, 1.978 at the St. Paul Civic Center Theater beginning at 9:30 a.m. She urged members of the Commission to attend this prograrz. Vice-Chairman Tolve introduced the next item of business, that of a discussion regarding- the updating of the Commis- sion's accessibility booklet. She explained that Marilyn iv cD*ermi.t of Line iVlulti-R esounce Center is present this eve-ping to discuss a project she is working on for the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and also to exchange ~ C: IaS "A;ith the Co:-,-imission regarding the updating of the accessi.lility booklet. t r b ica 1 hairma-n-1olve recognized Ms. Ivicrerrait who stated t1lat she was working on a research project located in Brooklyn Center and tliat the project is being done for the Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation- Prograrn. She briefly explained .tile proiect and commented that it is-their intent to interview approximately 23-01 disabled persons in an attempt to determine the types of services these people are seeking and also the . need. for additional services. She anti::ipated that tra,rs- portation would be a big problem and concern for most disabled persons. She noted that the project also included conducting an agency survey to determine the hypes of services provided. and to also inquire as to how those agencies are prepared tc serve disabled persons in terms of the accessibility oaf their services. She !"toted that there are approximately 65 agencies Correspondence Accessibility Booklet 1-18-78 -2- of this type in the area. She commented that the project will also seek information regarding agency policies and regulations in an attempt to determine what a disabled person would have to go through to utilize the services provided. She noted that upon completion of this project, recommendations will be made to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Ms. McDermit stated that she has had the opportunity to review Brooklyn Center's accessibility booklet and. is very impressed with the Commission's awareness _ of the problem of accessibility. She further stated that she felt that she could be a resource to the Commission in their attempts to update the accessibility booklet by providing information regarding agencies and services available for disabled persons. Ms. McDermit then introduced Mr. Andy Bates who works out of the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council on a United Way project dealing with the needs of the elderly in the Northwest Hennepin County area. She also introduced Pat Whalen who is with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the Brooklyn Center, area office at 6500 Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Bates briefly reviewed the project that he is con-, , ducting and stated that this needs assessment project is an attempt to develop a clear picture of the character- istics of the senior community and to solicit the senior's own perceptions of their needs which should aid in the development and review of such services. He;;noted that by pinpointing the needs of the elderly, it wild,,_ be possible to develop new programs and assess existing services in a rational manner. He commenteo that the project will follow a course of action that is~ ; divided into three steps: problem identification; resource identification; and problem analysis. Mr. Bates stated that the first step, problem i:denttf- cation, will entail the actual determination of needs. and will include gathering demographic data concerning the elderly such as the percentage of the population over 65 years of age; income levels and poverty rates;_, where senior citizens live; and social indicators concerning the elderly such as old age assistance levels and mortality statistics. He explained that the second step, resource identification, will determine what services and resources presently exist for the elderly. He noted that the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council has already compiled a list of the -3- 1-18-78 social and health services available in the Northwest l ennopin area. tie explained Mat Lhe Final step, problem aralysi.s, wall involve determinint', the ir.iplicati.ns of the findings to make rerommendations for fining gaps -in the types and amounts of services provided. He noted that it is :heir intention to establish a task force of elderly persons and service providers to review the results of the study, suggest areas needing actions and identify any conflicting or overlapping services. He concluded by stating that it is hoped that the r-esults of this study will. be useful to various agencies in the area for reviewing and evaluating new programs as well as coordinating the provision of stew services. He noted that hopefully this pr3ject will be com- pleted by ?august 1, 1978. Councilman Lhotka stated he was very interested in the project that Mr. Bates had described and added that he would like to receive the results, particul3riy the demo- graphic data concerning the elderly. Pat Whalen.of Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation, the. Brooklyn Center area office was then recognized. She stated '.h.at the area office series Northwest Hennepin County with staff of seven members. She explained that their office -ras various information on making buildings more accessible tY,) handicapped or disabled persons. She next distributed an ann-uai report of Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation and explained that they are concerned with finding compe- titive employment for disabl:=:d persons. She noted that they arc becoming more involved with affirmative action and trying to get private industry to place disabled persons in jobs. She added that they provide a wide range of services ; rid hoped that the Human Rights Commission would i.itil.ize 'Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation as a resource in up- dating their accessibility booklet. A brL-34' discussion ensued relative to the reports with his.. TvIUDermit stating that she 'roped the Commission would be ab e.tv' some of the information provided by these e)rganizations. Vice-Chairman Tolve thanked Nis. McDefinit, l~-i Whalen and Mr. Bates for taking the tifne to bring this i:nfOrmation to the Commission's attention. V ce--Gha rman Tolve introduced Mayor Dean Nyquist to Introduction of mambers of the Commission. I,,Mayor %yquist commented on New Mayor his appreciation of the Humar Rights Commission, for the s~-ruic.o they provide to the community. T11-ib Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission recessed Recess at X3:25 p.m. I* 1•-18-78 -4- Chairman Al Weyrauch arrived at 8:45 p.m. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission resumed at 8:52 p.m. Accessibility Booklet The Secretary stated that Commissioner Campion had Continued developed an article to be given to the Brooklyn Center Post explaining the Commission's project to update the accessibility booklet. He distributed a copy of the news release and a brief discussion ensued relative to its contents. The Secretary explained that it is hoped to use this news release in conjunction with a proposed mail out to area businesses and other establishments regarding the accessibility of buildings in the community.. It was the concensus of the Com- mission to utilize Commissioner Campion's news release in publicizing the updating of the booklet. Chairman Weyrauch stated that he felt it would be important for the Commission to verify the results of the questionnaires returned- to determine if there are any discrepancies in the information obtained. He noted that when the booklet wa s first developed no such effort was made by the Commission and that there have been some comments that some of the establish-7. ments contained in the booklet are not as accessible as they claim to be He referred in particular to a... designated handicapped parking stall at a local restau-- rant which, by the nature of its location, is not really of benefit to a person confined to a wheelchair. He noted that possibly the managerilent of this restaurp'T t had erected the handicapped parking sign in good faith but are really not aware of the problems it poses to handicapped persons. He added that he intends to talk to the manager of that restaurant about-this problem and possibly some changes can be made. He further stated that he felt it was very important that the accessibility booklet be as accurate as it . possibly can. Chairman Weyrauch also stated that he is pursuing the matter of getting the updated booklet printed. e noted that it seems favorable at this time that the Commission can get the booklet printed at no cost.,__,. Y Councilman Lhotka suggested that the Commission further discuss the manner in which they plan to up-., date the accessibility booklet. He stated that he felt a plan of action was necessary, so that the Commis- lion would have a guide for updating the booklet.. _ -5- 1-18-78 - Cominis ioner'folve suggested chianging the title of the booklet to be more in line with the expandcd information the C ornml:: iron xs planning to put into the booklet. A brief discussion ensued relative to the questionnaire to be utilized in the survey of businesses. it was sug- gestec that Section VIII dealing with miscellaneous information: be modified so as to read "please describe any additional features you feel would affect the accessi- bility or mobility of a wheelchair user." It was also suggested that a new section be added to the booklet on bus transportation and where bus stops are located within the community. It was also suggested that question #8 in Section III dealing with interior access be modified to read "if elevators, does open door provide at least 32 inches clear opening and are they clearly marked for the hapdicapped?" A discussion: then ensued relative to a letter to accompany the questionnaire. Commissioner Tolve stated -that she favored a separate letter to persons responding to the Commission's last questionnaire thanking them for their participation and informing them of the Commission's i ~:ent to update the booklet and to also inform there as to planned number of copies to be distributed. She, added tin it it would also be worthwhile to ask these people to urgP_ other businesses and establishments to respond to the questionnaire. Cha niian.'ATcyrauch appointed Commissioner Campion to chili an Ad Hoc Committee to make reco . niendations re- garding a title, the size, style; color, etc. of the booklet. Commissioners Miller and Castle, as well as Chairman W t yrauc `J)ol.'u teered-ti; assist Commissioner Campion. area Secretary reported that if the Commission is prepared to- 3 O ? ;d " ' vJ._t ii the mailing out of T ~a .:11aStiS3..i'l. naire to local go i + iT':PSISCs it `JVoUld be appropriate for thlE'. C omn.iissl.on C%hair- n a,a to address the City Council to requesc such an authorization and also to inform the City Council F j-- tO the Human Rights C:o a,mission's plans ,with respect to t ds project. Councl-h- an Lhotka stated. that he had, requested that C.E:A.F. C . r; . t . bo discussed as an agenda Item during this evenlrg's .meeting. He stated that he was sure all of the C orrimi s sioner,s wcr , well aware of the fir' which hind d3 stro ed S.E.A.P. locate rd in the old City Hail. He stated th t(',.F.A.F. has found, a temporary location to conduct its operation. He stressed ti at this location is only temporUry and tinat dope-. _`ully C . E . Viz. P . will find a permanent lor;atlon wlthlln the neXt few months. He added that during this time C.E.A.P. may well be in need of assistance itself and suggested that this Commission might want to lend its support to them. A- brief discussion ensued relative to the C E.A.P. situation with Commissioner Miller expressing his concern and willingness to help in any way. Following- the discussion, it was the concensus of the Human Rights Commission to provide C.E.A.P. with whatever,7 help it could. Home Improvement The Secretary explained that the Housing Commission,. Grant Program at its last Commission meeting, had recommended various ranking criteria for the Home Improvement Grant program to the City Council. He explained that one of the ranking criteria would provide- preference y points for handicapped persons wishing to make improvements to their home. He noted that this prefer- ence point would be awarded if a handicapped person , meets the other eligibility criteria of the program. _ e, . also explained that the Minnesota Housing Finance,,, Agency has a special fund for handicapped persons,"" r{., wishing to make accessibility, improvements to their..' . , homeand that persons interested in making use of grant should contact the Minnesota Housing Financ4., • ,.t Agency. Commission Membership Chairman Weyrauch stated that there is one remaining vacancy on the Commission and added that he and Councilman Lhotka are reviewing a number of appli ,4-; tions to fill this vacancy. He reported that it is intention to make a recommendation regarding that vacancy to the Mayor and that hopefully a new Conl±,. missioner would be on board by the next Human Righto Commission meeting. r Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Castle and seconded by (C"4 f missioner Tolve to adjourn the meeting. The motion'' passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 10;00 p.m. 41ta. Chairman -7- 1-18-78