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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 05-13 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 MAY 13, 1981 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, Stacy, Mayleben, Yencho, and Trautwein. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioners Reichgott and Pualos were absent from this evenings meeting and were excused. She also noted Commissioner Coop was absent from this evenings meeting and was not excused. GUEST SPEAKER: LISA COHEN, NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL STAFF Chairperson Kuhar introduced Lisa Cohen, the Community Social Service Act Planner with the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. Ms. Cohen stated she would like to discuss the Community Social Service Act with Commission members this evening. She explained the Community Social Service Act was passed by the state legislature in 1979 and makes the county board the responsible agent for insuring that the necessary social services are provided, and for distributing,state funds to the social service programs. She explained one of the requirements of the CSSA is that a two year social service plan must be developed and that as part of the process of formulating the plan the county must have citizen involvement in the planning process. Ms. Cohen proceeded to review the planning process for Commission members noting that the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council is working with existing advisory committees and special interest groups to make sure that their view points are passed on to the county as part of the CSSA planning process. in conjuction with this process Ms. Cohen stated she would welcome input from the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission regarding their views and priorities regarding input into the CSSA plan. Ms. Cohen stated she would like to involve the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission in the CSSA planning process in order to get as much input as possible from local agencies. She explianed the process of gathering infor- mation-from local committees and agencies has been approved by the Northwest Hennepin Human Service Council. Commissioner Stacy pointed out what part the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council plays in recommending how the social service funds are spent. Ms. Cohen explained that the NWHHSC'is responsible for gathering input for recommendations on social service programs for the county board and the Hennepin County Community Services Department. Commissioner Trautwein inquired as to the size of the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council staff. -Ms. Cohen explained that she works half time for the Council and that there is one full time director and one full time administrative assistant on the staff. She explained that interns were used for much of the staff work. She explained the council has a contract with Hennepin County and also northwest suburban cities explaining that the dues paid by the cities 5.13-81 _1_ to the council are based on population. Ms. Cohen explained the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council is not part of the County government and was formed by a joint powers agreement among the northwest suburban communities and is responsible to the cities participating in the joint powers group. In response to a question from Commissioner Stacy-Ms. Cohen stated that she was soliciting input from the Human Rights Commission to make recommendations to Hennepin County regarding expenditures for various social services programs. Commissioner Stacy then asked if she was requesting that some type of needs analysis be developed for social services in Brooklyn Center. Ms. Cohen explained she would invite the Human Rights Commission to develop a list of priorities for social service programs in Brooklyn Center. Chairperson Kuhar stated she would be interested in obtaining an 1982 preliminary social services budget in order to review it and become familiar with current programs and priorities. A discussion then ensued among Commission members regarding the input process for the CSSA plan as described by Ms. Cohen.. Council member Lhotka suggested that before the Commission commits itself to providing any kind of input on the CSSA plan he would like to invite Dr. Orn and Dorothy Buckingham to the next Human Rights Commission meeting to discuss the CSSA planning procedure since Or. Orn and Ms. Buckingham are Brooklyn Centers' representatives on the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. There was a general concurrence among Commission members that they would be receptive to providing any input into the CSSA plan but that they would first like to meet with Dr. Orn and Ms. Buckingham to discuss the process with them. 504 PROGRAM Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that Commissioner Paulos and he had prepared the specifications for the consultants bidding-on the-504 Program for the City. He briefly reviewed the specifications for Commission members and invited comments from them on the specifications as prepared. Chairperson Kuhar stated she would like to have a chance to review the specifications prior to the next Commission meeting and at that meeting discuss them in detail. Chairperson Kuhar introduced Wendy Elmstrand of 6230 France Avenue North and invited her input on handicapped accessibility in the Brooklyn Center area as as handicapped person. Wendy explained to Commission members that with regard to public facilities in Brooklyn-Center the Civic Center pool area is a problem for accessibility. She also explained that there are many businesses in Brooklyn Center that are not completely accessible to handicapped individuals. Admini- strative Assistant Bublitz explained that the staff is aware of the access problem in the pool area and that as part of the 504 program he would expect the consultant to address this and recommend a specific improvement. Chairperson Kuhar noted that in the preparation of the 504 program it will be necessary to involve local handicapped individuals and invited Ms. Elmstrand to participate in the 504 process explaining that the Commission would notify her when the program is under way. Chairperson Kuhar invited any other addi- tional comments that Ms. Elmstrand might have regarding accessibility and Ms. Elmstrand responded by noting that the stop lights at 63rd across Brooklyn Boulevard and the lights at 55th and Brooklyn Boulevard are too slow on the green and walk sequence. She explained it is difficult to cross Brooklyn Boulevard because of the timing of the lights. Chairperson Kuhar thanked Ms. Elmstrand for her comments and noted that the Commission would be in touch with her regarding the 504 program. Chairperson 5-13-81 -2- also noted that she would like to review the handicapped accessibility booklet prepared by the Commission and update the booklet as a Commission project. For the June agenda she noted that the Commission will be reviewing the preliminary draft of the specifications for the 504 program and would hopefully be discussing the CSSA plan citizen participation procedures with Dr. Orn and Dorothy Buckingham. Chairperson Kuhar stated she would like to thank Commission members for parti- cipating in Kaleidoscope and noted that she believed it was quite successful and appreciated the effort of Commission members. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Stacy and seconded by Commissioner Mayleben to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Chairperson 0 5-13-81 -3-