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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 03-12 HRRM MINUTES 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 MARCH 12, 1980 CITY HALL E 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. I ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Johnson, Reichgott, Weyrauch and Lemke. Also present was Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioner Miller would not be in attendance at this evening's meeting and was excused. Councilmember Lhotka was absent from the meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1- 17 -80, 2 -12 =80 There was a motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Lemke M to approve the minutes of the January 17, 1980 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Commissioner Lemke and seconded by Chairperson Kuhar to approve the minutes of the February 12, 1980 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. GUEST SPEAKER FROM METRO DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM Chairperson Kuhar introduced Mr. Jeff Sileski representing the Metro Drug Aware- ness Program. She explained that Mr. Sileski was here this evening to address M the Commission on community based drug abuse prevention programs. Mr. Sileski explained that the Metro Drug Awareness Program was a bureau within the Minneapolis Health Department and that their major areas of concern were in the drug prevention and drug education areas. He explained that Metro Drug Awareness is funded through the Department of Welfare. Mr. Sileski proceeded to explain the history of drug abuse prevention over the past few years. He noted that the old approach to drug abuse prevention involved scare tactics focused on young people but that these early efforts did not achieve success. The next approach, he explained, was an educational and informational approach to the problem which also did not realize much success. In 1973 and 1974 he noted that the approach to drug abuse prevention changed to a developmental approach making use of such things as coping skills and self- awareness. He emphasized that, information alone is not adequate to deal with the drug; abuse problem. He explained that Metro Drug Awareness programs focused on increasing the self- esteem of individuals and developing and improving their decision making skills. In summary, he explained that current drug abuse programs focus on the whole individual and his or her total 'personal development I rather than only focusing on their drug problem. Mr. Sileski explained that the Metro Drug Awareness Program is part of the Minnesota Prevention Support System which includes the Department of Education and the Minnesota Prevention Resource located in St. Cloud. He noted that Metro Drug Awareness offers various services including a film library, street 3 -12 -80 -1- drug analysis, a newsletter, parents programs, family programs, and school programs. He explained that Metro Drug Awareness has been in operation for over ten years and that their primary approach to the problem is to work with the community, noting that he believes community involvement is essential to any drug abuse prevention program. He emphasized the community based task force approach as essential in developing plans of action for drug abuse prevention programs. He noted that Metro Drug Awareness is able to help communities plan and implement programs. Commissioner Weyrauch questioned whether Metro Drug Awareness -had problems with involving parents in their programs." Mr. Sileski explained that one of the problems in attracting parents to programs is the stigma attached to the-term drug abuse. He explained that Metro Drug Awareness does not like to label the programs drug abuse programs and noted an example of one of their programs entitled "PAR" which stands for parents are responsible. Commissioner Johnson inquired whether the schools are requesting programs from Metro Drug Awarenesss. Mr. Sileski explained that the Metro Drug Awareness staff does not usually speak directly to students, instead the staff consults with the teachers and other school staff members who are with the students on a continuing basis. He explained that the ongoing contact of teachers and other school staff is important in any program.- Mr. Sileski pointed out the fact that the drug abuse problem is present in all areas of the State, urban and rural, affecting persons regardless of economic or educational status. Chairperson Kuhar relayed to Mr. Sileski a brief history of the Human Rights Commission's involvement in the drug abuse problem. She explained that the Commission's interest in the problem arose from a communication with the local school district where school administrators indicated that the drug abuse problem was a mayor problem in the schools. She added that the Commission`ha's met with representatives from the Brooklyn Center School District and that the Commission is 'attempting to address the problem with some type of program. She questioned Mr. Sileski regarding what he thought the Commission might be able to do in the area of drug abuse prevention.. Mr. Sileski explained that he believes a broad based prevention support system is necessary in any com- munity program attempting to deal with the drug abuse problem. He added that a broad based prevention program may be easier to accomplish in a rural setting since community leaders are more easily identified in a smaller town and simply because the population is more accessible in a smaller setting. He indicated that establishing a program in a metropolitan area may be more diffi- cult but that it could be accomplished if a program is identified and volunteers are recruited to work at it. He explained that the Metro Drug-Awareness Program has some very structured programs for parents including speakers and films and that sometimes these types of programs are a spark for something more to happen: Mr. Sileski suggested focusing on one specific area of the community such as churches or schools and to attempt to create a general community awareness program,. Chairperson Kuhar inquired whether there were any other cities or commissions conducting these types of programs currently. Mr. Sileski stated that to his knowledge there were none in the metro area currently. Commissioner Weyrauch explained that the representatives from the Brooklyn Center School District were particularly concerned with the role of parents in drug abuse prevention. Mr. Sileski suggested that the Commission may wish to identify a specific program and then use the school as a vehicle to include the parents in the program. He emphasized the fact that the Commission would have to develop a "grassroots" type group to work at the problem. 3 -12 -80 -2- Chairperson Kuhar inquired whether the Metro Drug Awareness Program has ever conducted any programs in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Sileski explained that Metro Drug Awareness has had contact with a pharmacist in the Brooklyn Center area who was interested in initiating some type of prevention program, and noted that he would try to get more information to the Commission regarding this individual's interest in starting a program.; He explained that the Metro Drug Awareness Program has also worked with the Brooklyn Center Junior- Senior High School in giving seminars. Mr. Sileski suggested that the Commission might join with existing local organizations to sponsor some kind of general community awareness night which might consist of a two to three hour program. He indicated that this program might be used 'as a kickoff where interested persons 'could continue on from the initial program. He emphasized the need to plan with a sponsoring agency to obtain the grassroots kind of support necessary for pro- grams. Commissioner Lemke indicated that there was an active Ala -Teen group operating in Brooklyn Center and inquired whether Mr. Sileski believed this type of group would be helpful to include in a program. Mr. Sileski indicated that he would generally not include this type of group but rather 'seek out organizations that had a more community wide representation. He suggested aligning with an existing group where a regular meeting time is already slotted. He suggested contacting civic 'leaders to see if the program the Commission wants to promote is an area of interest for them. He explained Metro Drug Awareness can provide I speakers and information to the groups and suggested that the Commission not put itself in the role of promoting any particular program. He noted that i Metro Drug Awareness has conducted fifty of the parents are responsible (PAR) programs in the metro area which included audiences ranging from 30 to 300 at each session. Commissioner Reichgott questioned whether Metro Drug Awareness has access to any existing operating groups. Mr. Sileski explained that Metro Drug Awareness is concerned with setting up networks with other groups and that he would pro- vide information to the Commission regarding what Metro Drug Awareness is doing in other areas of the metro area. Chairperson Kuhar thanked Mr. Sileski on behalf of the Human Rights Commission for attending this evening's meeting and sharing his thoughts with the Commission members. Commissioner Reichgott stated she believes the Commission should begin estab- lishing community contacts as suggested by Mr. Sileski. Chairperson Kuhar suggested the possibility of meeting with civic groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Kiwanis etc. Commissioner Weyrauch suggested the possibility of including LEAP in the Commission's contacts. Commissioner Reichgott expressed an interest in canvassing various civic groups in order to begin establishing a network with the City's civic organizations. Commissioner Weyrauch stated that he believed the vacancies on the Commission should be filled with persons who.will be able to spend time on a project that the ,Commission should decide to pursue. Commissioner Lemke suggested that Commission members invite representatives from various community groups to the next Human Rights Commission meeting. A general discussion ensued among Commission members concerning how the Commission might approach the drug abuse, prevention problem with particular concern on how the Commission might include civic organizations and groups in a program. Com- missioner Reichgott suggested the possibility of presenting a program, such as .3 -12 -80 -3 one that the Metro Drug Awareness Program has prepared, to an existing civic organization. Chairperson Kuhar suggested that, between now and the next Commission meeting, Commission_ members seek out and invite representatives from community groups to the next meeting. Commissioner Johnson left the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she is willing to make contacts with community groups and invite representatives from them to the next meeting. Chairperson Kuhar suggested that the P.T.A. could also be contacted. Commissioner Lemke- stated that'she would take responsibility for contacting the Lions and the Jaycees. Commissioner Reichgott indicated that she would contact the Brooklyn Center Post to place an announcement explaining the purpose of the April Human Rights Commission meeting. UPDATE ON NO FAULT GRIEVANCE PROGRAM Administrative Assistant Bublitz introduced two letters to Commission members from the Department of Human Rights. He noted that one letter, received from Judith B. Langevin, Assistant Commissioner in the Enforcement Bureau, was in response to the questions submitted by the Commission to the State Department of Human Rights regarding the concerns the Commission had with the No Fault program including liability of individual Commissioners, Open Meeting law, and the Data Privacy law. The second letter from the State Department of Human Rights requested the Commission members to submit written permission from the City Council to participate in the No Fault program. Administrative Assistant Bublitz informed Commission members that he had spoken with Mr. Tom Donaldson, former Deputy Commissioner of the State Human Rights Department. He explained thatlMr. Donaldson believes there is great potential for individual commission members to be held liable for their actions in the No Fault program. He added that, Mr. Donaldson informed him that he would not advise any local commissions to participate in the No Fault program. Admin- istrative Assistant Bublitz also added that Mr. Donaldson stated that he sees no great need for the No Fault',program since the State Department of Human Rights and the Federal government, through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, are both located in Minneapolis and that these agencies can adequately handle any grievances that arise in the metropolitan area.` A discussion ensued among Commission members regarding the No Fault program and the two letters submitted to the Commission by the State Department of Human Rights, whereupon a motion was made by Commissioner Weyrauch °and seconded by Chairperson Kuhar to table indefinitely any action on the No Fault program. The motion passed unanimously. LETTERS OF APPRECIATION FOR JOYCE TOLVE AND JERRY CAMPION Chairperson Kuhar proceeded to read the letters of appreciation which were prepared for Joyce Tolve and Jerry Campion. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner'Weyrauch to send the letters of appre- ciation to Joyce Tolve and Jerry Campion. The motion passed unanimously.: OTHER BUSINESS Administrative Assistant Bublitz informed Commission members that the revised Handicapped Accessibility Booklets had been printed and were ready for distri- bution. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Weyrauch to authorize the distribution of the Handicapped Accessibility Booklet. The motion passed unanimously. 3 -12 -80 -4- ADJOURNMENT There was a-motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10;05 p.m. Chairperson • 3-12-80 -5-