HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 06-07 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
JUNE 7, 1983
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 and Rabine. Also present was
Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz.
Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioners Paulos and Yencho were absent from this
evenings meeting. She also noted that Commissioner Trautwein was absent and
excused from this evenings meeting. It was noted that Councilmember Lhotka was
out of town and would not be present at the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 13, 1983
A motion was made by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to
approve the minutes of the April 13, 1983 Human Rights Commission meeting as
submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
REPORT FROM COMMISSIONER MAYLEBEN
Commissioner Mayleben stated that he had recently attended a meeting in St. Louis
Park where the Commissioner of the State Department of Human Rights spoke. He
explained that the Commissioner reviewed the Human Rights Department's role in
Human Rights issues and explained that the Department has an existing backlog of
3,300 cases due to budget cuts. He also noted that, at the meeting in St. Louis
Park, the no-fault grievance process was discussed.
Chairperson Kuhar inquired whether any comment was made by the Commissioner on
local no-fault grievance programs. Commissioner Mayleben pointed out that the
Commissioner did not really address no-fault programs underway in this area.
Chairperson Kuhar inquired whether any particular types of discrimination cases
were discussed. Commissioner Mayleben pointed out that the Commissioner
discussed the 3-M case and noted that the primary focus of the Commissioner's
discussion was on discrimination against women.
Chairperson Kuhar briefly reviewed the hisotry of the no-fault grievance process
in Brooklyn Center and explained that one of the reasons the Human Rights Commission
decided not to become involved in the process was that the Commission could not
get a satisfactory answer from the State Department of Human Rights with regard to
the legal liability of Commission members participating in the no-fault program.
Commissioner Mayleben continued his report to the Commission and explained that
he had pursued inquiries at local hospitals with regard to how abuse cases were
handled at the hospitals. He explained he had stopped at Unity Hospital to find
out how abuse cases were handled there. He explained, the hospitals policy is
that a 72 hour hold is put on children if abuse is suspected. He also noted that
the hospital also turns over any reported abuse cases immediately to the local
police department.
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Commissioner Mayleben reported that he met with Deanna Earl, head of the Emergency
Receiving Department at North Memorial Hospital. He explained that Ms. Earl stated
that North Memorial follows Hennepin County procedures for abuse cases. He noted
that this involved referring victims to crisis counseling centers if they do not
require hospitalization. 40
Commissioner Rabine explained that the Home Free Shelter is exploring the possibility
of having an advocate located at North Memorial Hospital. She explained that,
among other duties, one of the responsibilities of the advocate would be to provide.
an information portfolio for abuse victims.
The Commission proceeded to discuss the progress of the Domestic Abuse Intervention
Project in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Rabine pointed out the need for educational
programs in the schools.
Chairperson Kuhar then discussed the poster used in Duluth for their intervention
project and stated that she felt it was not appropriate for our use. The Commission
then discussed the possibility of producing a poster and brochure regarding the
problems of abuse. The Commission proceeded to discuss the format for the brochur.
Commissioner Rabine suggested that the Commission develop a brochure to be forwarded
to the City Council for their review.
Commissioner Lemke expressed concern that child abuse should also be addressed in
any educational program on abuse.
There was a concensus of the Commission members present to again address the issue
of the development of a brochure and poster at the next scheduled Human Rights
Commission meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human
Rights Commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Chairperson
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