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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 09-15 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 SEPTEMBER 15, 1982 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Commissioner Mayleben at.7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Mayleben, Lemke, Trautwein and Rabine. Also present were Council- member Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Ms. Ann Marshal from the Home Free Shelter was also present at the meeting. Chairperson Kuhar and Commissioners Paulos and Yencho were absent from the meeting. Chairperson Kuhar and Commissioner Paulos were excused from this evenings meeting. Administrative. Assistant. Bublitz noted that he had talked to Chairperson Kuhar earlier and that she had requested that Commissioner Mayleben chair this evenings meeting. DISCUSSION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE Commissioner Trautwein stated that he would like to see the Commission go on record as committing to Family Violence as a Commission project. There was a general consensus among Commission members present to accept Commissioner Trautwein's recommendation. Commissioner Mayleben recognized Ms. Ann Marshal representing the Home Free Shelter. Ms. Marshal updated the Commission on the battered women situation with regard to current Community projects. She stated that on October 6th she will meet with Chief Lindsay, a probation officer, Mary Ellen and Pastor Rabine, Judy, the facilitator from Home Free, a public health nurse and also an individual from the Duluth project. She briefly reivewed the Duluth project for Commission members and noted that the Police Chief in Duluth had required Police Officers to arrest on a probable cause basis. She added that she has been impressed with the Brooklyn Center Police Department's performance with regard to their handling of battered women situations. Commissioner Rabine noted that after October 6th the Rotary officers will also be holding a meeting with Ms. Marshal where she will show a film and discuss the possibility of forming a task force. Ms. Marshal stated that the existing family violence task force, which is a subcommittee of the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council, is planning to target Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and Crystal. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he would like to have some Human Rights Commission members present at the 10-15-82 -1- task force meeting. Commissioner Mayleben noted that Commissioner Rabine will be present at the meeting. Commissioner Lemke added that she would like to have some representatives from the handicapped community present at the informational meeting held by the,Rotary. Administrative Assistant Bublitz discussed various components of the family violence and battered women problem and noted that the three major areas to be addressed.appear to be the victim and abuse, the courts, and public awareness of family violence and battered women. He added that the question for the Commission is to determine where they can best fit into these components. Ms. Marshal suggested that perhaps the Commission could get involved in accepting information and act as an information clearing house on the problem. Commissioner Mayleben suggested that possibly the Commission could serve in some capacity to provide publicity to the problem. Ms. Marshal added that she would agree with this and that she would hope the issue could be kept out before the public. Discussion continued among Commission members regarding the Commission's role in a family violence project and it'was decided by the Commission that it would be a discussion item for the next Commission meeting. HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY/504 PROGRAM Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the current status of the Commission's project and noted that the completed accessibility study is being used by the City building and grounds department when renovations or remodling is done on any City owned building or facility. Councilmember Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Bublitz addressed the problem of locating and determining the type of handicapped persons living in Brooklyn . Center. Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the Commission's efforts at trying to determine the number and type of disabled people living in the City. ,He noted that no other governmental agency or any other group that he was aware of could offer any specific information with regard to this problem. Councilmember Lhotka suggested that the City's representatives, Senator Luther and Representa- tive Ellingson be contacted to request them to provide any information they may have gained as a result of campaigning in the fall election. Commissioner Lemke inquired whether the City Council could pass a resolution regarding current actions at the Federal level with regard to Public Law 9142. She explained that the law basically says that all handicapped children have a right to a public education. She explained the changes being proposed are that the control over the type of education given to handicapped individuals would be given to local school districts rather than the Federal government. She inquired whether the City Council could take some action to oppose any change in the current legislation. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that it is usually the Council's policy not to support or oppose specific legislation that does not directly affect the functions of the City. Discussion continued among Commission members regarding the proposed changes in Public Law 9142. The Commission took no formal action on any recommendation regarding the law. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Mayleben inquired if any Commission members had any other business they wished to discuss at this evenings meeting. There was no other business proposed and Commissioner Mayleben entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.- 10-15-82 -2- ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Lemke and seconded by Commissioner Trautwein to adjourn the meeting.. The motion passed unanimously and the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Chairperson • 10 -15 -82 -3-