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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984 10-10 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 OCTOBER 10, 1984 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER: The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Kuhar at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Lemke, Mayleben, Rabine,Kieselhorst and Stoderl. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioners Trautwein and Misfeldt were absent from this evenings meeting and were excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MAY 16, 1984 AND JUNE 13, 1984 There was t--motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Stoderl to approve the minutes of the May 16, 1984 and June 13, 1984 Human Rights Commission meetings as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON DOMESTIC ASSAULT INTERVENTION PROJECT Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the status of the Domestic Assault Intervention project in Brooklyn Center and explained that the City has budgeted $18,000 for funding of the program in 1985. He explained the project is continuing to work very well in the City of Brooklyn Center from the City's point of view and noted that in addition to providing a service to victims it also provides a valuable service to the Police Department. He explained that the advocates are trained specifically to deal with abuse situations and that it also frees up a sworn police officer to spend more time on duties that must be handled by sworn personnel. Commissioner Rabine commented that the City of Minneapolis does not allow jail visitors and that this is a problem with this aspect of the program. She also noted that the apparent trend in Brooklyn Center is that arrests appear to be increasing. She also noted that the support group affiliated with the program has about 15 to 20 participants per week. REPORT ON YEAR 2000 STUDY Councilmember Lhotka reviewed the status of the Year 2000 study and explained that the project is an effort to examine the issues and problems that will confront the City in the next 20 years. He explained that the group is comprised of elected officials, City staff members and community leaders including representatives from the business community, school districts, and churches. In addition to reviewing the future issues facing the City, he explained the committee is also trying to develop a picture of what the City population will be like and also where the City will be in the next 20 years. Commissioner Rabine pointed out that the Year 2000 committee is also asking input from each of the City's advisory commissions regarding their views of their role as commission members. Chairperson Kuhar reviewed the Council's enabling resolution which created the commission and commented on past discussions by the Human Rights Commission 10-10-84 -1- regarding its direction. She added that in 1968 when the Commission was created the issues were somewhat different than they are today and that the Commission's direction has really changed from a Human Rights approach to one of a Human Services approach. She requested that Commission members take some time and think about their role as commission members as they see it and that the Commission would again address this issue at the November meeting. Commissioner Rabine commented on one concept from the Year 2000 committee, that being the use of ad hoc committees instead of advisory commissions. DISCUSSION ON CHILD ABUSE Commissioner Rabine reported on the Parents Anonymous group in the northwest area and explained that they are looking at expanding in the northwest suburban area. She indicated that the key element in creating a Parents Anonymous group is the provision of child care and that this is essential to the success of any program. She also invited a member of the Human Rights Commission to sit on the Parents Anonymous board and indicated that the primary needs of the Parents Anonymous group are publicity and child care. She added that the Parents Anonymous group in the northwest area is now in an information gathering stage with regard to expansion. Councilmember Lhotka commented it would be possible that the Commission could be a clearinghouse for information and groups such as Parents Anonymous. Commissioner Rabine stated she would report at the next meeting on the status of the Parents Anonymous group forming in Brooklyn Center. KALEIDOSCOPE 1985 Chairperson Kuhar noted that Kaleidoscope may be coming up in April of this year and inquired whether the Commission would like to get involved. Commissioner Lemke stated that she believed Kaledoscope would be an excellent place for public relations for a child abuse project. Councilmember Lhotka stated he would like to see the Commission participate in Kaleidoscope in 1985. Chairperson Kuhar requested Administrative Assistant Bublitz to double check on the dates for Kaleidoscope in 1985 and to have it as an agenda item for the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Rabine and seconded by Commissioner Mayleben to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Chairperson • • • 10-10-84 -2-