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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 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, 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 7:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Weyrauch, Johnson, Reichgott, Stacy, and Mayleben. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublit.z. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioner Lemke would not be in attendance at this evening's meeting and was excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 4-9-80 There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Reichgott to approve the minutes of the April 9, 1980 Human Rights Commis- sion meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. STAFF-REPORT ON SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that Section 504 was part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and that Section 504 states that: "no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or_be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance". He explained that the final regulations for the implementation of Section 504 were approved by 'the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in 1977 and that over thirty other federal agencies are in the process of preparing regulations to implement Section 504, including HUD. He explained'that Section 504 has implications for any local jurisdiction receiving federal funding and that the requirements of Section 504 provide that accessibility must be provided for handicapped individuals in three basic areas including physical access- ibility, program accessibility and accessibility in employment. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that the first task of cities with regard to Section 504 is to do an evaluation on the status of the aforementioned accessibilities within the city and that this would be an appropriate project for the Human Rights Commission to assume. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he believes this would be a worthwhile project for the Commission to pursue. Chairperson Kuhar stated that she concurred with Councilmember Lhotka's comment but that she was also concerned with the priorities of the Commission and in her opinion, she believes that the number one priority should remain the drug awareness program. Commis- sioner Reichgott stated that she agrees with Chairperson Kuhar with regard to the priorities of the Commission. DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM Chairperson Kuhar recognized Mrs. Dorothy Clark, a-member of the Osseo Human Advisory Council, who was present at this evening's meeting. Mrs. Clark stated that she wants to keep in touch.with the Brooklyn Center Human Rights 5-13-80 -1- Commission and that the Osseo group is continuing its work also. She indicated that she believes parents are the key to solving the drug problem and supports the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission in their efforts. Commissioner Reichgott opened the discussion and suggested that the Commission members concentrate on the direction of the Commission with regard to the drug awareness program. Councilmember Lhotka stated he believes its time to be specific and determine whether we are aiming at parents, children or both. Commissioner Weyrauch stated that, in thinking back to the meeting with the school district representatives, they stated that it was important to reach the parents in this issue and that they in particular need to be convinced of the seriousness of the drug problem. Commissioner Reichgott suggested that the Commission needs to establish a specific program then attempt to involve the parents in it. Chairperson Kuhar questioned Mrs. Clark regarding what type of program she believes is most effective. Mrs. Clark suggested asking the parents and that the PTA's may be a good place to start. Commissioner Stacy brought up the question of whether the Commission should offer a specific program or refer parents to a program. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he believes getting parents to recognize the problem is an essential first step. Com- missioner Reichgott stated that she feels the first goal of the Commission' should be awareness. She added that she views the Commissions' function as coordinating existing programs and resources for the benefit of parents awareness of the problem. Councilmember Lhotka.stated that he agrees with this view but that he would not want to eliminate the possibility of Com- mission members becoming directly involved in a program also. Chairperson Kuhar suggested that Commission members work as a team to coordinate the presentations. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she feels the function of the Commission currently is to set up a mechanism for a program which would involve Commission members seeking out existing resources and Commission members setting up specific groups to speak to specific audiences. Chairperson Kuhar asked Commission members if they would volunteer for the tasks outlined by Commissioner Reichgott. Commissioner Stacy stated that he would work on finding speakers for a program. Chairperson Kuhar stated that the presentation as she views it will be given to an existing group rather than have the Commission attempt to attract an audience. Mrs. Clark addressed the Commission and stated that she had attended a tour of the Pioneer House and thought that this might be worthwhile for the Commission to experience. Commissioner Mayleben suggested that the Commis- sion might find it beneficial to visit a program such as the Pioneer House. Commissioner Reichgott suggested that-the resource list that will be developed by the Commission could be made available to the public and indicated that she will talk to the new Pioneer House with regard to arranging a visit for the Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Stacy stated that he would agree to coordinate the speakers contacted by other Commission members. In summary, Chairperson Kuhar stated that the Commission members will contact speakers and other resource groups and will coordinate them through Commis- sioner Stacy. A discussion of the various resources to be contacted by Commission members ensued and Commissioner Stacy noted that he had a six page list of intervention and referral resources. Commission members decided that it would be most efficient to have each Commission member an assigned page of the intervention and referral resources and the following assignments 5-13-80 -2- were made: page 1 - Councilmember Lhotka; page 2 - Commissioner Reichgott, page 3 - Commissioner Mayleben, page 4 -.Commissioner Johnson, page 5 - Chair- person Kuhar, and page 6 - Commissioner Weyrauch. Commissioner Stacy was assigned an additional contact list received from the Metro Drug Awareness Program. Chairperson Kuhar indicated that, Commission members should keep in mind that the contacts should be informed that the program will probably be organized this fall. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Kuhar suggested that the Commission should send a letter of appreciation to former Commission member Michael Miller upon his recent resignation. She requested Administrative Assistant Bublitz to draft a letter of appreciation for her signature for Mr. Miller. Chairperson Kuhar noted letters of recognition received by Commissioner Mayleben and Commissioner Stacy from Congressman William Frenzel congratulating them on their appointment to the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Stacy to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously a4d the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Chairman • 5-13-80 -3-