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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 04-13 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 APRIL 13, 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 7:42 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar,, Commissioners Lemke, Mayleben and Trautwein. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioners Paulos and Yencho were absent from this evenings meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 12, 1983 A motion was made by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Trautwein to approve the minutes of the January 12, 1983 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. . Commissioner Rabine arrived at 7:45 p.m. BROOKLYN CENTER DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION PROJECT Commissioner Trautwein reported that he had met with Senator Reichgott who had introduced a bill requiring mandatory arrest of domestic abusers. He explained the bill had passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. He added that Senator .Reichgott has offered to come out and speak at a Human Rights Commission meeting regarding current legislation. Commissioner Rabine pointed out a recent study done on domestic abusers in conjunction with the Minneapolis Police Department. She also noted that there was a 90 minute program on Channel 2 that reviewed the project and that she had made a video tape of the program. Chairperson Kuhar requested that Anne Marshall's role in the intervention project be reviewed again and explained that her role was discussed at the March Human Rights Commission meeting but that no quorum was present so no official record was made. Commissioner Rabine explained that the current activities in the intervention project include training for female advocates to be done at the end of April and training for male advocates to be done at the end of May. She also noted that the City Ministerial Association will be receiving information on the project at their next meeting. Commissioner Rabine also pointed out that the public private partner- ship task force will be holding an evening meeting to discuss the project. Commissioner Trautwein commented on the public private partnership task force training sessions and noted that the training sessions, in his opinion, have moved quite slowly. 4-13-83 _1_ Commissioner Rabine noted that at the next Mayor's Prayer Breakfast an author of a book on wife abuse Iwil.l speak. She noted that she met with Ms.. Ellen Pence of Minnesota Program Development Incorporated who expressed the fact that an effective way of communicating was through signs, such as billboards and posters done on a specific theme. She also noted that she recently met with the student council at Brooklyn Center High School regarding the intervention project. Commissioner R,abine also pointed out the existence of a "who do you tell" program in the Osseo school district. She explained this program informed school children about who they should contact if they are having problems with adult abuse. At the request of Chairperson Kuhar, Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project to be conducted in Brooklyn Center. He explained the project is funded by Minnesota Program Development Incorporated located in Duluth and that the Director of the MPID board, Ellen Pence, is coordinating the project with Anne Marshall who is the. Advocate Coordinator for the Brooklyn Center project. He explained that the Advocate Coordinator position will be responsible for training volunteer advocates for both victims and abusers. He also noted that the City's involvement in the program includes the Police Department and City Prosecutor working with the Advocate Coordinator. He explained that the question for the Human Rights Commission is to determine where they may fit into the process. In past discussions with Anne Marshall, City Staff and Councilmember Lhotka, the area of community education appeared to be a likely area where the Commission could work. Included in the community education area would be churches, schools, _ hospitals and business organizations. In summary Administrative Assistant. Bublitz pointed out that on one side of the intervention project organization chart is the MPID board with the Director and Advocate Coordinator directly underneath and followed by the volunteer advocates. On the other side of the chart is the City Council and directly following is the Human Rights Commission, Police Department and City Prosecutor. The next segment is community education which includes churche hospitals, schools and business organizations. He added that the concept of the intervention project and the Commission's role in the project is offered for Commission review and discussion. Councilmember Lhotka noted that the Human Rights Commission has not formally accepted the concept described by Administrative Assistant Bublitz. There was a general concensus of Commission members present to support the project concept as described by Administrative Assistant Bublitz. A motion was made by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to support the development of the program concept and commit the Commission to serve as the Community Education facilitator for the project. The Commission continued to discuss the motion and Commissioner Trautwein stated that he was impressed with what Commissioner Rabine has done with regard to her involvement in the project and that he would like to see the entire Commission participate. Discussion continued concerning groups that may be interested in programs. Upon a vote being taken on the motion the following voted in favor: Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Lemke, Mayleben,, Trautwein and Mayleben. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Commissioner Rabine discussed the possible participation with hospitals and pointed out that some victims have experienced intimidation at hospitals and in some cases are treated as if they the victim were the problem. She noted that Hennepin County General Hospital has a program for abuse procedures. 4-13-83 -2- The Commission continued to discuss the Commission's role in the project and what groups they would be working with. Councilmember Lhotka suggested that the Human Rights Commission could be available to a number of groups. Chairperson Kuhar suggested obtaining material regarding the programs that are in operation in local hospitals. She appointed Commissioner Mayleben to pursue this project with the hospitals. She also requested Commissioner Rabine to pursue the poster concept and requested' Commissioner Rabine to report to Administrative Assistant Bublitz. It was decided the next Commission meeting would be May 11, 1983. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Trautwein and seconded by Commissioner Mayleben to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Chairperson • • 4-13-83 -3-