Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 01-17 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COMM OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 17, 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 7:36 p.m. 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 tonight's meeting and was excused and that Councilmember Lhotka would be late for this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 12-19-79 There was a motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Reichgott to approve the minutes of the December 19, 1979 Human Rights Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. REPORT ON NO-FAULT GRIEVANCE PROCESS Chairperson Kuhar turned to the first item on the agenda and requested Admin- istrative Assistant Bublitz to report to the Commission on the No=Fault Grievance process. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that he had discussed the No-Fault ?!4}h the City Manager and that the City Manager was reluctant , to SupPUL U LIM: Pd0-rctult_ Vzievance process at this time because of iac Kuc~ aJ a i that remained unanswered regarding the process. He explained that the City Manager shared the Commission's concerns over the questions of the liability of individual Commissioners, the Data Privacy law, and the Open Meeting law as they relate to the No-Fault process carried out at the local level. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she felt the Commission should continue to seek answers to these questions from the State Department of Human Rights and. also request statistical information from the state regarding how many human rights cases are currently originating from Brooklyn Center. 'Administrative Assistant Bublitz stated that he would be attending the State Human Rights Department's No-Fault- Grievance Program on January 22, 1980 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, at the Bremer Building in St. Paul and inquired whether any of the Commission members would also be attending that session. Commis- sioner Lemke and Chairperson Kuhar stated that they are planning to attend the No-Fault program. LETTER: FROM LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS Chairperson Kuhar introduced the next agenda item which was a letter from the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions inviting the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission to join the League. She requested Commissioner Weyrauch to comment on the past history of the League. Commissioner Weyrauch explained that in his recollection the League of Minn- esota Human Rights Commissions is primarily involved in sponsoring workshops 1-17-80 -1- and seminars on various human rights topics and is also involved considerably in lobbying activity. He also noted that the League had previously rearrested the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission to join but that the dues were a, problem for the Commission since the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission was no official budget. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she thinks an exchange of ideas is important with other Commissions and that she feels it may be valuable to invite someone to speak to our Commission from the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by-Commissioner Lemke to invite a member of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions to speak at the next Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT ON DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAM Chairperson Kuhar requested Commissioner Reichgott to report on the subcommittee meeting held to discuss the Commission's drug education and awareness program. Commissioner Reichgott stated that one of the major points the subcommittee discussed was the problem of finding an event where enough people would attend to present the program. She noted that the subcommittee felt that Kaleidoscope may be one of the best events to present such a program. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that Kaleidoscope is presented on an every other year basis and would not be presented in 1980. Commissioner Weyrauch suggested contacting Jim Norwick with the Community Educa- tion Program for his thoughts on coordinating the Commission's program with community education. Commissioner Reichgott stated that the subcommittee did r it W_a i:-^portwnt - _ivic _vent espc. al, i -1.. cI t _act parents. She felt the event wouia provicre publicity for the Commission's drug .r ~iV-.. wild iti V YMw ?q a3 s etplained that. the gnkgommittee's tentative plans were to have speakers and films in its program. She also noted the possibility of having a brochure aid other handouts along with a display. w A general discussion ensued concerning the development of an approach to pre- senting a program. Commissioner Lemke reminded the Commission members of organizations such as Alateens where speakers for the program could be obtained. Commissioner Reichgott posed the possibility of tying the program into the D.F.L. and Independent Republican conventions. Councilmember Lhotka arrived at 8:25 p.m. Councilmember Lhotka suggested a refinement of the subcommittee's plan to fit into such events as Early Bird Days and possibly St. Al's Fun Fair. He explained that some booth type of display might be workable and that to his knowledge it had never been done in Brooklyn Center before. Commissioner Weyrauch suggested. contacting+St.'A1's to determine the possibility of presenting the program at St.,Al's Fun Fair. :`---Commissioner Lemke suggested a possibility of using some type of computer game ;,or electronic approach to the display part of the program and also suggested the possibility of involving ex-drug users in the program. Commissioner Weyrauch noted that St. Al's Fun Fair attracts a wide variety of people and is really a nondenominational event. Commissioner Reichgott stated that she wants to focus on being a resource for community-groups along with the display aspect of the program. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he agrees with 1-17-80 -2- Commissioner Reichgott and noted that the people.attending St. Al's Fun Fair are members of many different community groups. Chairperson Kuhar noted that a presentation at St. Al's may be a preparation for next year's Kaleidoscope. She suggested that Commission members explore what is available to present in a drug awareness program and also to check on the dates of upcoming events. Councilmember Lhotka noted that Arnie Mavis of the Park and Recreation Department has information on Early Bird Days. He suggested the Commission contact other persons and groups involved in the drug abuse problem as a resource for informa- tion. He noted the importance of reaching as much of the community as possible and suggested several possibilities for publicity inclucing the manager's news- letter and a mailout in the water bills. Chairperson Kuhar suggested that Commission members begin contacting various resources for the development of their program. Commissioner Lemke stated that she would contact the Adult Education Program and report back to the Commission. There was a general consensus by Commission members to contact a professional in the field of drug abuse to speak at the next Human Rights Commission meeting. Commissioner Weyrauch stressed the fact that the representatives from School District #286 focused on the problems of the parents with regard to drug abuse. Chairperson Kuhar questioned Commission members whether they agree that the Commission should concentrate on parents in its program. Commissioner Reichgott noted that this was the original consensus of the Commission but that she felt the program should be broadened to include all kinds of groups. Councilmember Lhotka stated that he felt it was extremely important to involve the parents in any type cf progra-ri the Commission would develop. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Weyrauch to invite a professional in the field of chemical dependency and drug abuse to speak at the next Human Rights Commission meeting. In discussion of the motion, Councilmember Lhotka'requested that at least one speaker from a nongovernmental agency be invited to speak to the Commission. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Commissioner Reichgott and seconded by Commissioner Weyrauch to eliminate the speaker from the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions for the next Human-Rights Commission meeting if the speaker for the drug program can be contacted. The motion passed unanimously. In summary, Commissioner Reichgott noted that Commissioner Weyrauch will contact St. Al's for information related to the Fun Fair, Commissioner Johnson will gather information on Early Bird Days, and Commissioner Lemke will contact the Community Education Program. Chairperson Kuhar suggested contacting the Jaycees to determine if it would be feasible to present a program at their carnival. Councilmember Lhotka noted that the Jaycees carnival is held about the same time as Early Bird Days. Com- missioner Reichgott stated that she would contact the Jaycees for more informa- tion and report back to the Commission. Chairperson Kuhar suggested that Commission members begin researching what programs are available and added that alcohol would be included in the drug education pro- gram. 1-17-8G -3- DISCUSSION OF 1980 MEETING DATES Chairperson Kuhar introduced the next agenda item which was a discussion of 1980 meeting dates. There was a general discussion by Commission members concerning what dates and times would be most workable for regular meeting dates in 1980. It was the general consensus of Commission members to move the regular meeting date from the third Wednesday every month to the second Wednesday each month. There was a motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Reichgott to set the regular Human Rights Commission meeting dates for the second Wednesday in each month. The motion passed unanimously. In discussion of the February meeting date it was the general consensus of C)&- mission members to set the February Human Rights commission meeting date for February 12. There was a motion by Commissioner Lemke and seconded by Commissioner Reichgott to set the February Human Rights Commission meeting date for February 12, 1980. The motion passed unanimously. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN Chairperson Kuhar stated that part of her responsibilities as Chairperson of the Commission is to appoint a Vice-Chairperson to the Commission who shall assume the Chair in the absence of the Chairperson. Chairperson Kuhar appointed Com- missioner Ember Reichgott to serve as vice-Chairperson to the Human Rights Commis- sion. ADJOURNMENT . There was a motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Lemke to adjourn the Human Rights Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. • Chairperson • I-17-80 -4-