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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 02-12 HRRMt f, 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 FEBRUARY 12, 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 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Jayne Kuhar, Commissioners Diane Lemke, Mike Miller and Ember Reichgott. Also present were Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz and Council- member Gene Lhotka. Chairperson Kuhar noted that Commissioner Al Weyrauch would not be in attendance at this evening's meeting and was excused.. She also indicated that Commissioner Edith Johnson was not in attendance at this evening's meeting and was not excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 1-17-80 Chairperson Kuhar stated that the approval of the January 17, 1980 Human Rights Commission minutes would be carried over to the March 12, 1980 Human Rights Commission meeting. REPORT ON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORIENTATION MEETING FOR THE NO-FAULT GRIEVANCE PROGRAM _ Chairperson Kuhar noted that the guest speaker had not yet arrived a„r? thAt the Commission could take up the report ol, uliu ut ic,LtaLdon session f~~ 1,c program and requested Administrative Assistant Bublitz to report on the session. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that he had attended the State Department of Human Rights No-Fault Grievance Orientation Session held on January 22, 1980 in St. Paul. He explained that Marilyn McClure, the Commis- sioner of Human Rights, and John Greco, one of the Department's staff members, made the presentation. He,explained that, in addition to the orientation session, another requirement of the State for local commissions to become involved in the No-Fault program was to send at least one commission member to a six hour training session on the No-Fault process to be held in March of this year. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that Commissioner McClure indicated that the old memorandum of agreement concept, where local human rights commis- sions acted as agents of the State, is not the policy of the No-Fault•program. He noted that she explained local commissions are not and cannot be agents of the State, one of the reasons being they have not undergone the training that the Human Rights Department staff has received. He explained that Commissioner McClure indicated that local commissions will receive their authority for im- plementing the No-Fault program from their respective city council's and not from the State. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that he posed the on-going questions of the Commission regarding liability and data privacy to Ms. McClure and Mr. Greco at the orientation session. With regard to the liability question Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that Ms: McClure emphasized the fact that local commissions could be held liable by a grievant if they have exceeded the six month period in handling the case at the local level. He indicated that Commissioner McClure stated that, with regard to data privacy, the State does 2-12-80 -1- P not require much detailed written information from the local commissions concern- ing their No-Fault cases. Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that Mr. Greco explained to him that it is not possible to determine the number of cases originating from individual cities since the information is not yet computerized, but that beginning in May of 1980 the State Department of Human Rights will be able to collect this infor- mation for individual cities. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that Mr. Greco emphasized the fact that the No-Fault program is established as a process which is not designed to find fault but only a resolution of the problem is sought. He stated that Mr. Greco reviewed the old memorandum of agreement which required a meeting of the grievant and the respondent at a commission meeting and explained that the No-Fault process does involve hearing both sides, (e.g. the grievant and the respondent), but not necessarily together at a commission meeting. He explained that Mr. Greco described the No-Fault program noting that a chairman of a local commission could appoint various commission members to handle the No-Fault grievances which would not necessitate them being handled at a regular com- mission meeting. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that Mr. Greco emphasized the fact that the No-Fault process is a conciliatory process and that local commissions must be committed to maintaining an impartial stance in undertaking a No-Fault program. • GUEST SPEAKER REPRESENTING LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS ric.uuxtt:i_SLiciL.ive As8lstanc Bub1iL4 i1iL.Luc ut;ed Ms. Connie ScuLL, SuctC .aly of tile League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions to the Commission members.. Admin- istrative Assistant Bublitz explained that Ms: Scott had been invited by the Commission so that the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission members could learn about the activities of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. Ms. Scott stated that approximately 85% to 900 of the State's local human rights commissions belong to the League. She added that one of the League's current projects is to act as the liaison with the State Department of Human Rights to implement the No-Fault Grievance program. She explained that one of the primary roles of the League is to sponsor workshops in the area of human rights noting that recent programs sponsored by the League included a program on discrimination against women and a seminar on handicapped rights. She also informed Commission members that a current program sponsored by the League will be a human relations seminar focusing on police officers. She added that the workshops are generally held at the League's annual board meeting. Ms. Scott explained that, for purposes of electing directors to the League, the State is divided into districts and that there are directors at-large elected and also directors of a particular district. She noted that the direc- tors are elected at the annual board meeting and that there are directors meetings held monthly. Chairperson Kuhar inquired what kinds of programs the League sponsors. Ms. Scott explained that the League tries to sponsor at least two seminars per year and that it is also willing to help local commissions sponsor seminars and cited the example of Rochester where a seminar on handicapped persons was presented. She explained that she feels education is a primary responsibility of local commissions and that it is also the primary role of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. 2-12-80 -2- t Commissioner Reichgott questioned Ms. Scott regarding the activities of the Plymouth Human Rights Commission. Ms. Scott explained that the Plymouth Human Rights Commission sponsored a seminar on discrimination in business covering federal and state laws regarding this area including employment discrimination: She added that Plymouth also sponsored an educational workshop for police and fire personnel. Ms. Scott also noted a recent seminar held by the Edina Human Rights Commission on families. Chairperson Kuhar inquired whether the League would help arrange speakers for a local commission. Ms. Scott replied that the League does become involved in arranging speakers along with the State Department of Human Rights. Commissioner Reichgott questioned what the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Com- mission could expect as a dues paying member of the League. Ms. Scott stated that the League needs the dues for its existence and that it is a nonprofit group. She explained that, as yet, the League has no tax exempt status which would allow them to solicit funds. She explained the dues were for the cost of a telephone, post office box, printing and mailing the newsletter, and educational materials. Commissioner Reichgott inquired whether the League became involved in the Legislative process. Ms. Scott explained that the League has done some lobbying in the past with regard to human rights legislation but that it is not presently involved in lobbying. Administrative Assistant Bublitz questioned what kind of budget the Plymouth Human Rights Commission had to operate with. Ms. Scott stated that she is nbt sure: of the exact budgeting process for the commission but,that such things as edt.ot==:w_' cr n-+rs are sponsored with City funds. She explained that the P]ymouLn c:1Ly k.cuiici l encourages the Plymouth Htunan Rights Commissivu a5 au educational arm of the City and that it encourages them to sponsor seminars and workshops. Chairperson Kuhar asked Ms. Scott whether the Plymouth Human Rights Commission is working under the No-Fault program now. Ms. Scott replied that the Plymouth Human Rights Commission had operated under the old memorandum of agreement and that the Commission is now waiting for the State's final training session before it formally begins the No-Fault program,. Commissioner Miller questioned whether the City of Plymouth supports the No-Fault program. Ms. Scott stated that she sees no problems with implementing the No-Fault program in Plymouth and that the City appears to be in support of the program. Commissioner Lemke questioned whether the Plymouth Human Rights Commission has processed any complaints. Ms. Scott replied that they had not processed any human rights complaints as yet. Administrative Assistant Bublitz questioned what kind of time commitment is the Plymouth Human Rights Commission looking at with regard to the No-Fault program. Ms. Scott stated that she could not give a good estimate but that it would be handled on a case-by-case basis. Councilmember Lhotka stated that one of the concerns that the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission has with the No-Fault program is the possibility of an unresolved grievance going to court and resulting in a situation where individual Commission members would be subpoenaed to testify. Chairperson Kuhar added that another of the Commission's concerns related to a determina- tion of the potential number of cases originating in Brooklyn Center. Admin- istrative Assistant Bublitz explained that he had questioned Mr. John Greco of the State Department. of Human Rights and was informed that it is not possi at this point to obtain an account of human rights cases originating in individual municipalities. 2-12-80 -3- ble I Ms. Scott invited the Commission members to attend one of the League's monthly meetings held on the fourth Saturday of each month at Hamline University in Sorin Hall. She added that it is a breakfast meeting beginning at 8:00 with the business portion of the meeting beginning at 9:00. Chairperson Kuhar thanked Ms. Scott on behalf of all the Commission members for taking the time to attend this evening's Commission meeting. Chairperson Kuhar posed a question to Commission members asking whether they felt the Commission was at a stage where an ordinance relating to the No-Fault program is desirable. Councilmember Lhotka suggested discussing the possibility of drafting an ordinance with the City Manager before any formal action is taken by the Commission and that the Commission might possibly invite the City Manager to a future Commission meeting. Councilmember Lhotka requested Administrative Assistant Bublitz to contact Mr. Bill Keefer to enlist his assistance in determining the number of human rights cases originating in Brooklyn Center. Chairperson Kuhar stated that Administrative Assistant Bublitz and Councilmember Lhotka would discuss the No-Fault program with the City Manager before the next Commission meeting: She also requested Administrative Assistant Bublitz to determine what the dues would be for the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission to join the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. REPORT ON DRUG AWARENESS/EDUCATION PROGRAM Chairperson Kuhar introduced the next agenda item and stated that Commissioner Reichgott would report to the Commission. - - . _ . :r,:,~i , ..,.:cernin l:Cmm1SSlUrier RelCrlyotiG @XNlaittcou t.iaia., oiler iinil ,,,v.,~.ciC~.2d Ld,.aaei ; g, th'e po-9.Si1A-1-kty of presenting the Commission's drug awareness program at the St. Al'~ Fun"Fair. She stated that Father Lowry informed her that he did not feel it was appropriate to have the drug program presented at St. Al's Fun Fair since there were so many other groups requesting space for similar programs which he had also denied. She noted that Father Lowry was very supportive of the Commission's project and he explained that he has a six part program presented for families in the fall and he would be agreeable to devoting one evening of the program to the Commission's program. Commissioner Reichgott suggested the development of a year long program which could be used by various civic organizations. Chairperson Kuhar stated that she agreed with this concept and that she would also check with the Edina Human Rights Commission to get information on the family seminar which they held recently. She also explained that she is trying to obtain information on a parents group working in Naples, Florida who are • also developing a program of drug awareness. REVIEW OF H.E.W. GRANT APPLICATIONS Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that he had received a letter from the Metropolitan Council informing the Human Rights Commission of two grant applications under Title III-B of the Older Americans Act. He explained that the Metropolitan Council submits the applications for review to human rights commissions and city councils who are in the jurisdiction of the applicant. He explained that the projects involved assisting isolated elderly residents to remain safely in their homes with certain types of homemaker assistance. He added that the project would also assist elderly patients being discharged from the hospital or nursing home to maintain or regain their independent living status. He noted that the grant applications were being submitted by CEAP and by North Memorial Hospital and that the Commission could comment on the appli- cations to the Metropolitan Council. 2-12-80 -4- OTHER BUSINESS Commission members discussed the possibility of preparing a letter from the Human Rights Commission to Joyce Tolve and Jerry Campion commending them on their past work with the Commission. Chairperson Kuhar requested that Admin- istrative Assistant Bublitz prepare draft letters to be sent to Joyce Tolve and Jerry Campion from the Commission commending them for their past work with the Commission. Chairperson Kuhar also requested Administrative Assistant I Bublitz to prepare a letter thanking Ms. Connie Scott for her appearance at this evening's meeting. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by commissioner Lemke and seconded by commissioner Miller to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Chairman • • 2-12-80 -5-