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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 02-16 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Off" THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE • STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 16, 1977 CITY HALL Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Weyrauch at 7:35 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Campion, Miller, Lacina, and Johnson. Also present were Councilman Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Ronald Warren. The Secretary reported that Commissioner Tolve had informed him that she had a prior commitment and was unable to attend this evening's meeting and, therefore, was excused. Introduction of New The Chairman introduced and welcomed new Commission Commissioners member James Lacina whose appointment by the Mayor was confirmed by the City Council on December 6, 1976 and also new Commission member Edith Johnson whose appointment by the Mayor was confirmed by the City Council on January 3, 1977. Introduction of New Chairman Weyrauch introduced City Councilman City Council Liaison Gene Lhotka who was given the oath of office on January 3, 1977 and had been assigned by the Mayor as liaison to the Human Rights Commission. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by 10-20-76 Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of the October 20, 1976 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Weyrauch, Com- missioners Campion and Miller; voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioners Lacina and Johnson abstained as they were not members of the Commission at that time. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by Com- I1-17-76 missioner Miller to approve the minutes of the November 17, 1976 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. • Voting in favor: Chairman Weyrauch, Commissioners Campion and Miller; voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioners Lacina and Johnson abstained d -1- 2-16-77 as they were not members of the Commission at the time of that meeting. Chairman Weyrauch appointed Commissioner Tolve as Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Commission for 1977. He explained that Commissioner Tolve had served in the capacity of Vice-Chairman during 1976 and that he felt it would be appropriate that she again be appointed to the position in 1977. He stated that although Commissioner Tolve is not present at this evening's meeting to accept the appointment, he has contacted her and she has stated that she will serve as Vice-Chairman for 1977. Chairman Weyrauch introduced the next item of business on the agenda., that of a review of a proposed meeting schedule for 1977. He stated that the Secretary had devised the schedule which calls for regularly scheduled meetings on the third Wednesday of every other month. beginning at 7:30 p.m. He explained that if the need arises special meetings of the Human Rights Commission could be called with advance notification being given to the Commission members. Following a brief discussion there was a motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by Commissioner Miller to approve the proposed meeting schedule for 1977 as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. The Chairman introduced the next item of business on the agenda, that of a review of correspondence received since the last Human Rights Commission meeting. He stated that he had received a letter from Jim Norwick, Director of Community Education at Brooklyn Center High School, inviting the Human Rights Commission to partici- pate in BC Kaleidoscope '77 which is to be held on Sunday, April 24, 1977 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Brooklyn Center High School. He suggested that the Commission consider participating in the event by having a display booth with information relating to the Human Rights Com- mission. A brief discussion ensued relative to the Human Rights Commission participation in Kaleidoscope with it being the consensus of the Commission to participate in the event. It was suggested that copies of the Human Rights Commission Accessibility Booklet, in addition to other information, be available at Kaleidoscope. The Chairman next referred to a news release from H.I.R.E.D. (Helping Industry Resolve Employment Dis- abilities) explaining that. organization's employment training programs, funded through CETA, which serve the Greater Metropolitan Minneapolis and St. Paul area. He explained that H . I . R . E . D . has recently opened a Appointment of Vice-Chairman 1977 Meeting Schedule Correspondence 0 • • Brooklyn Center office at 5650 N. Lilac Drive to serve the residents in the Northwest Hennepin County area. The Chairman next referred to a. copy of a letter received from the Metropolitan Council regarding a mortgage insurance application for the Spanish quarter in Brooklyn Center. He explained that the letter is an informational item and that the Metro Council is required to notify potentially affected units of government, environmental commissions, and Human Rights Commissions to inform them that a review of the application is taking place and also to invite questions or comments on the application. He distributed the letter for the Commission's review. The Chairman then reviewed copies of the Metropolitan Council Weekly Review, the Metropolitan Transit Com- mission Quarterly report and a copy of Prospectives which this quarter deals with the problem of aging. Commission Projects The next item of business was a discussion of potential Human Rights Commission projects for 1977. Chairman Weyrauch suggested that it was time to review and up- date the Handicap Accessibility Booklet. 'Commissioner Lacina stated that in the past the Commission had discussed various services for senior citizens and inquired as to the status of such a project. Chairman Weyrauch responded that this type of project was only in the preliminary discussion stages. A brief discussion ensued relative to the possibility of arranging various human relations or inter-personal relations workshops through Brooklyn Center Community Education. Chairman Weyrauch noted that Commissioner Tolve had suggested this idea at a previous meeting. He stated that it would be appropriate to get further comments at the March meeting from Commissioner Tolve regarding this subject and also other suggested items and projects contained in her letter to the Commission. Commissioner Johnson stated that it seems that the Com- mission does not have a good handle on what are the needs of various groups such as senior citizens and young people and that it would be beneficial to establish a procedure, such as a questionnaire, to find out these needs so they possibly can be addressed to. Chairman Weyrauch commented that the Fridley Human Rights Com- mission has shown an interest in the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission's Handicapped Accessibility Booklet and that there may be a possibility of some type • of joint cooperation between the two Commissions re- garding projects for handicapped individuals. Commis- sioner Lacina stated that in addition to a general question- naire it might be worthwhile to poll other Commission's to see what types of projects they are involved in. -3- Z-16-77 In response to an inquiry, the Secretary stated that it has been suggested that the Human Rights Commission change its name to Human Services Commission or Human Relations Commission. He added that the sug- gestion is not only to change the name but to also change the Commission's direction. Commissioner Lacina stated that he supports the name change idea and feels that Human Relations or Human Services would be a more appropriate title for the Commission. Commissioner Campion commented that the change in name and also the change in direction would open up a variety of areas in which the Commission could pursue such as drug awareness presentations in area` schools. The Secretary stated that each Commissioner should seriously look at the Commission's enabling resolution to determine appropriate changes which would affect the Commission's scope and responsibility that could be recommended to the City Council. Following further discussion it was the consensus of the Commission to again discuss Commission projects at the March 16, 1977 Human Rights Commission meeting. Chairman Weyrauch next reported on the status of the Human Rights Commission. He stated that the Com- mission has under gone almost a complete membership change within the last few months. He further stated that presently there are three vacancies on the Commis- sion and that there is one outstanding application which will be reviewed by Council-man Lhotka and himself and that hopefully a recommendation for appointment to the Commission can be made to the Mayor within the next few weeks. He noted that Commissioner Kathy Miller has resigned from the Commission and that he is expect- ing a formal letter of resignation to be submitted by her. Chairman Weyrauch reported that Mayor Cohen has informed him of the possibility that a 19 year old blind person may be making an application for appointment to the Commission. He stated that hopefully an individual of this nature can be recruited for the Commission. He further stated that it would also be beneficial to recruit an elderly person for membership on the Commission in order to maintain a balance that would represent a variety of individuals from the Community. Commissioner Campion stated that in order to attract well qualified people the Commission has to be attractive. He added that although the Commission has done things for the handicapped, such as the Accessibility Booklet, little has been done for such groups as the elderly and the young. He referred to a gentleman living in the Shingle Creek Commission Membership • • • -4- 2-16-77 Towers Apartments, Mr. Forrest Castle, who has done much to organize the elderly in that building. He explained that Mr. Castle is blind and perhaps would be a good resource person or contact person for the Human Rights Commission. He added that Mr. Castle might also make a good Commission member. Chairman Weyrauch suggested that Commissioner Campion contact Mr. Castle and attempt to have him appear at the March 16, 1977 Commission meeting for purposes of discussion relating to activities the Human Rights Com- mission could pursue for senior citizens. Other Business Chairman Weyrauch stated that he thought the Commission would have a visitor at this evening's meeting to dis- cuss a situation that has recently occurred. He referred the matter to Councilman I hotka who explained that the situation involves a complaint filed with the State De- partment of Human Rights alleging that the City had discriminated against a woman employee in the Park and Recreation Department. He stated that he felt the Commission should be aware of the allegation. The Chairman stated that he has recently talked with the City Manager about the charge and was informed that the City was in the process of responding to the complaint. • In response to an inquiry by Councilman Lhotka regarding whether or not formal affirmative action plans are man- dated for local governments, Commissioner Lacina stated that Brooklyn Center, because it is not heavily involved with various Federally funded programs, is not required to have a formally drafted affirmative action plan. He pointed out that the City of Richfield, where he is employed, on the other hand is so heavily involved with Federal financial allocations that they are mandated to have a formal affirmative action plan. He briefly commented on affirmative action plans stating that in many cases the plans are used only to meet various Federal requirements and for no other purpose. He further commented that whether or not a City has a formal written affirmative action plan is not as important as how a City actually conducts its recruiting, hiring, promoting and discharging of employees. He added that many affirmative action plans are a farce. The Secretary briefly reviewed the incident which in- volves a female part-time clerk that feels she has been discriminated against because she was not given a salary increase similar to that given to a male building super- visor. He explained that the two positions are quite -5- 2-16-77 differen~ in terms of duties and responsibilities and also qualifications for the position which are reflected in the two different pay classifications. He further explained that the salary increase given to the male building supervisor was within the budgeted amount for that position and was based on that person's eligibility for the salary increase. He commented that at the time the building supervisor was given a salary increase the clerk was not eligible for an increase in her salary because of budget limitations. Councilman Lhotka briefly commented on his perception of the Human Rights Commission. He stated that he would like the Commission to take a positive approach to their duties and responsibilities and undertake projects that would be worthwhile to the Commission, the citizens and Brooklyn Center as a whole. Commissioner Campion stated that as a member of the Brooklyn Center Police Department he has had the opportunity to be involved in Police Officer recruiting and that he knows, first hand, that the City has in the past, and presently, practices equal employment oppor- tunity. He added that he also knows the sincerity of the City Administration regarding equal employment opportunity. He commented that even with these facts in mind it might be worthwhile for the City Council to consider a resolution that expresses and reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity. A brief discussion ensued relative to Commissioner Campion's suggestion with Commissioners Lacina and Miller commenting that such a policy statement would be beneficial to pursue. Following the discussion it was the consensus of the Commission to direct the Secretary to prepare a draft policy statement expressing and reaffirm- ing the intent of the City to provide equal employment opportunity for the Commission's consideration at its next meeting for the purpose of advising the City Council on this matter. Motion by Commissioner Campion and seconded by Com- Adjournment missioner Miller to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Chairman 0 • • -6- 2-16-77