Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 11-10 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 NOVEMBER 10, 1982 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Kuhar at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Lemke; Mayleben, Trautwein, Paulos and Rabine. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioner Yencho was absent from this evenings meeting and was unexcused. REPORT ON NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING Commissioner Rabine reported to the Commission that the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council held their monthly meeting and invited County Attorney Tom. Johnson to participate. She explained that Mr. Johnson reviewed the County Attorney's disposition guidelines regarding criminal sexual assalut of children. She explained the guidelines were prepared by a committee composed of professionals in the field. She added that Mr. Johnson indicated the next project of the County_ Attorney's office would be a disposition guideline on battered women. Commissioner Rabine reviewed for Commission members the October 28 meeting of the Family Violence task force. She explained that a film was shown on the Duluth project which was an intervention approach to battering. She explained that a task farce will be formed in Brooklyn Center to consider the best way to approach the problem in the City. Commissioner Mayleben reviewed the Rotary meeting of November 2 at which the City prosecutor discussed certain recommendations regarding the battered woman problem. He noted the City prosecutor pointed out that there are no advocates for either the victim or the abuser currently available and that there are long delays before the trial which usually result in a dismissal. Commissioner Rabine noted that the next meeting of the tri-community group consisting of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Crystal will meet on December.2nd at the Fair Community Center between 7:30 and 9:30. Chairperson Kuhar suggested sending a delegate from the Human Rights Commission to the December 2nd meeting. Commissioner Trautwein volunteered to attend. Commissioner Rabine suggested writing a letter to the County Attorney reporting the project which would develop a disposition guideline on battered women: Commissioner Rabine discussed the task force forming in Brooklyn Center and noted that the membership includes Ann Marshal, a representative from the League of Women Voters, a public health nurse, representatives from North Memorial Hospital, 11-10-82 -1- Chief of Police Lindsay, and other professionals in the field. She noted that she is chairing the group and that they will be meeting on January 6 of next year. Chairperson Kuhar appointed Commissioner Mayleben to work with the task force group as a representative of the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Paulos and Lemke also expressed a desire to attend the task force meeting. Councilmember Lhotka.will be representing the City Council at the task force meeting. Commissioner Rabine discussed the role of advocates and pointed out that ongoing training for advocates exists at the Domestic Abuse project and also-at battered women's shelters. She explained that advocates are intended to work both with the victim and abuser to provide counseling and assistance in battering situations. REPORT ON VOLUNTEER PROJECTS Commissioner Trautwein stated that he had recently attended a meeting in Bloomington which focused on the potential of a public/private partnership to deal with existing community problems. He explained that the Brooklyn Center Chamher of Commerce is also focusing on a similar project and that the next meeting of that group will be on December lst at the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout office in Brooklyn Center: He added that the Brooklyn Center Chamber project has other areas of interest and that it is not restricted entirely to a discussion of volunteerism. Because of the big number of upcoming meetings it was decided that Administrative Assistant Bublitz would mail out a schedule of upcoming meetings to Commission members. A discussion ensued among Commission members concerning the role of the Commission with regard to family violence. Councilmember Lhotka suggested that the Commission would likely learn a great deal from the task force and hopefully something specific may emerge for the Commission to accomplish. Commissioner Lemke stated that she would like to hear from someone who works in the area of child abuse. HERITAGE FAIR Chairperson Kuhar stated that she had recently become aware of a project being conducted by Independent School District #281. She explained the project was a Heritage Fair to be held April 17, 1983 at Robbinsdale-Armstrong Senior High. She explained the purpose of the Fair was to serve as a mini-parade of nations including ethnic food, displays, ethnic dancing, etc. She explained that the school district is hoping that the Human Rights Commission can provide some publicity in the area to make people aware they can participate in the program. She explained that she will be attending an organizational meeting January 11 of next year. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Trautwein and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:16 p.m. Chairperson • 11-10-82 -2-