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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 10-08 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HEN14EPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 8, 1980 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Kuhar at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Lemke, Reichgott, Stacy, Mayleben, Paulos, Coop, and Yencho. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 8-13-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Stacy to approve the minutes of the August 13, 1980 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. PREPARATION OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY QUESTIONNAIRE Chairperson Kuhar briefly reviewed the Commissions past efforts regarding the development of a chemical dependency and drug awareness questionnaire which the Commission had been planning to send to various agencies throughout the metro area. She requested Commissioner Reichgott, who headed the subcommittee that prepared the questionnaire, to explain her work on the questionnaire. Commissioner Reichgott explained, the questionnaire would be prepared in conjunction with a drug awareness and information seminar planned tentatively for the early part of 1981. She noted the questionnaire had a two-fold purpose, one being a directory of resources available for individuals in the community and the other being a list of resources available for the Commission. She explained that, in November it was tentatively planned to contact the speakers for the upcoming seminar and that during the month of October the questionnaire would be mailed to various agencies in the Twin City Area. Chairperson Kuhar opened the meeting for the purposes of a discussion on the questionnaire prepared by Commissioner Reichgott. Commissioner Yencho stated that he believed it was important to determine whether the agency was privately or publicly funded. Councilmember Lhotka suggested adding a question regarding the availability of support groups from the agencies. Commissioner Yencho stated, the work of support groups is usually associated with aftercare programs. Chairperson Kuhar suggested adding a question regarding the availability of family treatment on the questionnaire. Commissioner Yencho also suggested inquiring whether the agency provided evaluation services and Commissioner Mayleben suggested adding a question on whether or not the agency provided counseling services. Regarding question number two on the questionnaire, Commissioner Yencho stated that most treatment agencies do not differentiate between the types of drugs and suggested using three categories, those being mood altering drugs, alcohol and both. A rather lengthy discussion ensued regarding the development of questions for the 10-8-80 -1- questionnaire with numerous Commission members making suggestions for revisions and additions to the final questionnaire. Commissioner Yencho suggested that, in addition to the more commonly known treat- ment agencies in the area, the questionnaire should be sent to school districts also. Chairperson Kuhar stated that a cover letter would be necessary to go along with the questionnaire. Commissioner Paulos noted he had prepared a cover letter for the questionnaire which he read for Commission members. Commissioner Yencho suggested changing the terminology of the letter to state "Chemical abuse/ dependency" and also suggested adding the statement that the questionnaire would be available for general distribution by the Commission. A discussion ensued among Commission members regarding the date for the proposed seminar. Chairperson Kuhar suggested January 1981 as a seminar date and it was tentatively agreed by Commission members to hold the seminar either on the 24th or 31st of January. Chairperson Kuhar opened the meeting for the purposes of a discussion on establishing a list of resource group- ':D which the questionnaire would be mailed. Commissioner Yencho state, one of the ,:ncies he was aware of was the Annex in Robbinsdale. Chairperson Kuhar also s-_:,~;ested using the booklet entitled First Call For Help, which is published by t,.<,i United Way. She also stated the. questionnaire should be sent to the schools serving Brooklyn Center including the High Schools and the Junior High Schools. She also suggested sending the questionnaire to past guests of the Commission including Jeff Sileski, Robert Beck, Ed Wishart, Mike Forsberg, Dorothy Clark, Mike Thompson, and Jerry Johnson. Commission members discussed a tentative timeline for the completion of the questionnaire and the development of the seminar and suggested that, at the November meeting the Commission should discuss which speakers it may use for the seminar, and choose a date, time and location for the seminar also. In December, Commission members planned to finalize the preparation of the directory, have the directory printed and also develope some publicity for the directory and seminar. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE DISABLED PERSON (IYDP) Commissioner Lemke reviewed the activities fo the International Year of the Disabled Person in Minnesota and stated she was working with the state coalition on this project. She explained the kick-off for the IYDP would be October 10-11 at the Governors conference on handicapped. She added, there was a special regional planning meeting for the IYDP which would be held on November 6, 1980. She explained that she would be in attendance at the meeting and also requested participation from another Commission member. Chairperson Kuhar stated that she would be able to attend the meeting on November 6-and that the designation of a liaison for the IYDP should be placed on the November meeting agenda. 504 PROGRAM A brief discussion of the Commissions involvment in the development of a 504 Program ensued and Councilmember Lhotka suggested that this item be placed on the November agenda as a discussion item. He stated he felt the development of a 504 Program by the Commission should be a priority item. Commission members generally concurred that, at the November meeting a subcommittee to work on the 504 Program could be appointed. Administrative Assistant Bublitz 0 0 10-8-80 -2- stated he would be sending information on the 504 Program to Commission members prior to the next Commission meeting. RECOMMENDATION OF APPOINTMENT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that, the Community Development Advisory Committee is a committee which was created to make recommendations to the City Council regarding the expenditure of Community Development funds. He added, each of the City's Commissions has a representative on the committee in addition to other members of the community who are appointed to that committee. He explained, there is an opening for a representative from the Human Rights Commission on the committee and explained the procedure for appointing a person is to recommend to the City Council an individual to be appointed to the committee. Chairperson Kuhar inquired if there is anyone who wished to serve on the committee. Commissioner Stacy stated he would be willing to serve on the Community Development Advisory Committee. There was a motion by Chairperson Kuhar and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to recommend Commissioner Roger Stacy as the Human Rights Commission representative to the Community Development Advisory Committee. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Lemke and seconded by Commissioner Yencho to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Is Chairman 40