HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 04-03 HRRMMinutes of the Proceedings of the
Human Rights Commission of the
City of Broo'.:lyn Center in the County
of Heanepin avid State of Minnesota
April 3, 1972
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called
to order at 8:00 P. M. by Chairman Ordner.
Roll Call: Chairman Ordner, Commissioners Hastings, Martinsen,
Mero, Meyer, W'eyrauch and Zerbaa. Also present were: City Manager Donald
Poss, and Administrative Assistants Daniel Hartman and Blair Tremere.
Motion by Commissioner Martinsen and seconded by Commissioner
Hastings to approve the minutes of the March 6, 1972 meeting. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chairman Ordner introduced City Manager Donald Poss who stated that
he was investigating the subject of subsidized housing, and that in Brooklyn
Center there seems to be a need for senior citizen housing.
Mr. Poss then discussed the types of subsidized housing stated
• that there are two basic types of housing: public housing through a public
housing authority and privately developed F. H.A. "235" single family homes and
F. H.A. "236" high rise apartment complexes.
He said in Brooklyn Center there are 20 homes built under the "235"
program on a scattered site basis. He also stated that the Brooklyn Center
Industrial Park in the the process of developing an apartment proposal under the
"236" program.
The Iv anager stated that environmental amenities constituted a very
important factor in the placement of subsidized housing. The proximity of
shopping facilities, open space, public transportation, day care facilities,
churches, and the sophistication of governmental services constitute such
amenities. In those terms, he stated that the Metropolitan Council and HUD
found Brooklyn Center and certain other inner-ring suburbs attractive subjects
for subsidized housing. He then described some of the subsidized housing
developments he had visited and stated that within approximately thirty days
a proposal for a subsidized "236" development in the Industrial Park would be
presented to the City Council.
It was pointed out that local communities commit a share of the housing
subsidy through a 50%a state imposed reduction in property taxes that such develop-
ments must pay.
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Following further explanation and discussion of the features of sub-
sidized housing, Chairman Ordner inquired of the City Manager's opinion regarding
Brooklyn Center's need for a housing authority. The City Manager responded
• that to a great extent, subsidized housing could be provided by private enterprise
as proposed in the Industrial Park and that he sae no crisis-type need for a local
housing authority. On the other hand, he stated certain advantages that a housing
authority could provide in meeting certain housing needs and in revitalizing
certain areas of the community, but he urged that any such housing authority be
structured along the lines of housing authority enabling legislation enacted for
Bloomington in the 1971 session of the Legislature. He commented that his
investigation to date showed a strong need to coordinate housing and renewal
efforts with City planning and City services and to avoid unnecessary redundancies
and expenses and related conflicts.
The City Manager stated a tentative schedule for developing the
Industrial Park subsidized housing proposal and indicated that he would arrange
to present a conceptual presentation of the specific proposal to the Human Rights
Commission for recommendation to the City Council.
Commissioner I.artinsen asked if Brooklyn Center needed an ordinance
dealing with discrimination in rental property. Mr. Poss replied that the way
to control rental discrimination was through licensing landlords.
The meeting recessed at 9:40 P. M. and resumed at 10:00 P. M.
Chairman Ordner announced an upcoming Housing Workshop in
Bloomington. Commissioner Uartinsen volunteered to represent the Human Rights
Commission at the workshop.
Chairman Ordner and Commissioner T:'ero then commented on the
N. innesota Human Rights Conference they had attended.
Commissioner Hastings presented a report on the Welfare Conference
that she had attended.
It was the consensus of the Commission that a recommendation be
made to the N_ayor pursuant to the Human Rights Commission By-Laws that
Reverend Mensing's position be filled as soon as possible.
Chairman Ordner inquired whether the Commission should establish
a Housing Committee. He felt that there was a need to investigate the Housing
Authority approach to public housing.
It was the opinion of the Commission that certain amount of investigation
was in order in the area of public housing relative to the establishment of a public
housing authority. Chairman Ordner then established an Investigation Committee
made up of Ordner, Vdeyrauch, and N:artinsen to look at certain housing authorities
in the metropolitan area. Commissioner Nartinsen was appointed Chairman of
this ad hoc committee.
Motion by Commissioner tiVeyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Niero
to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
Secretary -2- Chairman
BY-LAWS
of the
• BROOKLYN CENTER HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Adopted March 6, 1972
Pursuant to Resolution No. 68-44, adopted by the City Council of the
City of Brooklyn Center on February 19, 1968, as amended by Council Resolution
No. 71-211 adopted November 1, 1971, relating to and providing for the establish-
ment, appointment, organization and responsibilities of the Brooklyn Center Human
Rights Commission, the said Commission does hereby adopt the following by-laws
and rules for the conduct of its affairs.
Article I. Officers
Section 1. Personnel
The officers shall consist of a Chairman
and Vice-Chairman.
Section 2. Duties
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and
shall appoint committees and committee chairmen.
The Vice-Chairman shall perform such duties as
may be assigned by the Chairman, and shall assume
the Chair in the absence of the Chairman,
Article II. Meetincrs
The Commission shall hold regular public meetings. Special
meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman upon
sufficient notification to all Commission members,
Article M. Quorum
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members
of the Commission.
Article IV. Attendance
Absence on the part of a Commission member from three
consecutive regular meetings shall constitute grounds for
the Commission Chairman to recommend to the Mayor
the r l of sold meuikw.
Article V. Minutes.
Minutes of each regular meeting shall be provided to each
Commission member in writing prior to the commencement
of the succeeding regular meeting.
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Article VI. Committees
• Section 1. Structure
The Commission may create standing and ad hoc
committees to investigate those areas where prob-
lems relative to human rights are recognized. The
Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Commission
shall serve as ex-officio members of the committees.
Section 2, Membershin
Each committee shall consist of at least two
Commissioners and one citizen-at-fie appointed
by the Commission Chairman,
Section 3, Duties of Committee Chairmen
a, Each Chairman shall appoint a secretary from
the Committee membership. The secretary shall
record and maintain minutes of Committee meetings.
These minutes shall be submitted to the Commission
Chairman.
b, Each Chairman shall schedule regular Committee
meetings.
Article VII. General Provisions
a. No member of the Human Rights Commission or its
Committees shall be authorized to speak on behalf
of the Commission publicly, unless the Commission
has first considered and approved such statements.
b, The Chairman may appoint a member of the Commission
to act as Public Information Coordinator, An press
releases must be approved by the Commission Chairman
or by the Public Information Coordinator.
Article VIII, Parliamentarv Authority
Robert's Rules of Order shall be the governing authority
for all meetings of the Commission and for its Committees.
Article IX. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of
the Commission provided that ten days advance notice
in writing has been given all Commission members.
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