HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 05-06 HRRMMinutes of the Proceedings of the
Human Rights Commission of the
City of Brooklyn Center In the
County of Hennepin and State of
Minnesota
March 6, 1972
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called
to order by Chairman Ordner at 8:10 P. M.
Roll Call: Chairman Ordner, Commissioners Gustafson, Hastings, Kyle,
Merv` Meyer, Weyrauch and Zerban. Also present was: Administrative Assistant
Daniel Hartman.
Motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner Mero
to approve the minutes of the February 8, 1972 meeting. Motion passed unanimously,
Commissioner Ordner announced that City Manager Donald Poss was unable
to attend the meeting due to a conflict in scheduling. He noted that W. Poss
should be available at the next meeting in April. to speak before the Commission.
Chairman Ordner also announced that he had talked with Reverend Mensing
about his position on the Human Rights Commission. It was Reverend Mensing's
opinion that he could not give enough time to the Human Rights Commission, there-
fore he was in the process of tendering his resignation,
The first order of business was the proposed by-law amendments which
Chairman Ordner and Commissioner Weyrauch presented to the Commission,.
Chairman Winkelman arrived at 8:16 P.M.
After an extensive discussion Commissioner Hastings made a motion
to approve the proposed by-law amendments. The motion was secaaded by
Commissioner Meyer. Motion passed unanimously.
The next item of business was discussion of senior citizen housing in
Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Hastings introduced Mrs, Shirley Nelson, second
Vice President of the League of Women Voters, and Chairman of a housing survey
for senior citizens. Mrs, Nelson handed out copies of the survey forms being
distributed to senior citizens in Brooklyn Center and then in detail explained the
survey procedure. She also explained the Senior Citizens Tax Refund. She noted
that the Community Center was in the process of developing hand-out information
for senior citizens informing them of the many programs that are offered through
the Community Center,.
Chairman Ordner then asked what was the major problem encountered
with the survey. Mrs. Nelson responded that location of the senior citizens
was the major problem. She felt that once senior citizens have been located,
organizations in the community could help them with their needs.
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Councilman Britts was recognized and asked Mrs. Nelson what type
of housing the elderly citizens wanted. Mrs., Nelson responded that they do
not want high rise apartments.
• The meeting recessed at 9:00 P, M. and resumed at 9;25 P. M.
The Commission commended Mrs, Nelson on her presentation and the
work the League of Women Voters is doing in determining the needs of senior
citizens.
Chairman Ordner established an ad hoc committee, with Commissioner
Hastings as Chairman, to coordinate with and assist in the League of Women
Voters survey. Commissioner Hastings was instructed to contact the members
of the Human Rights Commission to find out if it would be possible for them to
participate in this survey.
Motion by Commissioner Zerban and seconded by Commissioner Weyrauch
to commend the work of the League of Women Voters relative to the needs of
senior citizens and to request that the information received from the league survey
be made available to the Commission to supplement the Commissicn's work in
the area of housing. Motion passed unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was the establishment of a Housing Committee,
Commissioner Winkelman commented that such a'committee was needed to investi-
gate the housing needs in Brooklyn Center. He also noted that Bloomington's
• Housing Ordinance was a fine example of what could be done in the area of housing
maintenance regulation,
Commissioner Weyrauch then commented that the goals and objectives
in the area of housing had to be clarified before the establishment of a Housing
Committee. The Secretary noted that copies of this proposed ordinance will be
made available to the Commissioners. It was the consensus of the Commission
to invite Mayor Cohen and a representative from Bloomington to a special meeting
to discuss the gels and objectives in the area of housing.
It was also noted that Brooklyn Center Industrial Park, Inc. is in the
process of developing a high rise housing unit for low income and elderly people.
Chairman Ordner stated that he would get in contact with B.C. I. P. to investigate
their proposed high rise building.
Chairman Ordner presented certain communications he had received for
the Human Rights Commission, He stated that the Minnesota Human Rights
Commission was hosting the Minnesota Human Rights Conference, March 24th and
25th in St, Paul. It was the consensus of the Commission that Chairman Ordner
and Commissioner Mere attend as representatives of Brooklyn Center's Human
Rights Commission. He had also received information pertaining to the 79th
Annual Minnesota Welfare Conference to be held March 12th through March 15th
• in Minneapolis. It was also the consensus of the Commission that Commissioner
Meyer,, Winkelman, and Hastings attend this conference as the Commission repre-
sentatives,
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' - The Commission had also received a communication from the Archdiocese
of St, Paul's Urban Affairs Center. The information was in reference to housing
in the urban area and it was Chafrman Ordnee s feeling that this information should
. be made available to the proposed Housing Committee. Chairman Ordner also
commented on a meeting to be held in Robbinsdale dealing with busing in School
District 281. Commissioner Winkelman volunteered to attend the meeting and
to report to the Commission,
Chairman Ordner then appointed Commissioner Winkelman as Vice Chairman
of the Human Rights Commission, He also appointed Commissioner Winkelman as
Public Information Coordinator in conjunction with the Vice Chairman's position,
Commissioner Weyrauch commented on the Federal Manpower Executive
Order making it mandatory that government agencies notify the Manpower Office
in respect to job openings. Commissioner Weyrauch felt that it pertained to the
hiring of veterans,
Commissioner Hastings then reported on an American Indian Workshop
she had attended February 12, 1972, She stated that in May there would be a
week devoted to the American Indian, She felt that the Human Rights Commission
should support the organization of Indian Week in Brooklyn Center,
Motion by Commissioner Zerban and seconded by Commissioner Hastings
to adjourn the meeting, Motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human
Rights Commission meeting adjourned at 10:28 P. M.
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Secretary
Chairman
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