HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 02-08 HRRMr - Minutes of the Proceedings of the
Human Rights Commission of the
City of Brooklyn Center In the
County of Hennepin and State of
Minnesota
February 8, 1972
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was
called to order at 8:05 P.M. by Chairman James Ordner.
Roll Call: Chairman Ordner, Commissioners Gustafson, Hastings,
Martinson, Hero, Meyer, Weyrauch, Winkelman and Zerban. Also present
were: Administrative Assistants Blair Tremere and Daniel Hartman.
Following the introduction
Commission members, there was a
committee structure. The Secre
By-Laws stipulated that there s
to function in the areas of edu
information. There ensued a di
committees.
of the new Chairman and the new
discussion of the Commission's
ary explained that the Commission
all be four permanent committees
ation, employment, housing and public
cussion of the goals of each of the
Commissioner Weyrauch commented that the committee structure
was too rigid and that provisions should be made to designate
• committees which would be relevant to current problems and projects
which the Commission decided to pursue. He stated that a more
flexible committee structure would permit the assignment of as-many
Commissioners as necessary to the prevelant problem areas.
Commissioner Kyle arrived at 8:35 P.M.
Chairman Ordner then polled the Commission as to individual
preferences for serving on the existing committees. He then made
the following appointments:
Education
Commissioner Kyle
Commissioner Meyer
Commissioner Zerban
Housinq
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
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Hastings
Martinson
Me ro
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EmAlovment
Commissioner Martinson
Commissioner Weyrauch
Public Information
Commissioner Gustafson
Commissioner Kyle
Commissioner Winkelman
f Further discussion ensued relative to the flexibility of the
committee structure. The Secretary explained that if the committee
structure were to be altered, it would be necessary to amend the
By-Laws according to the procedure set forth under Article IX,
amendments. He stated that there were several other sections of the
By-Laws which needed amending as the result of Council Resolution
No. 71-211 which reduced the size of the Commission.
Chairman Ordner then appointed Commissioners Hastings, Weyrauch,
and Zerban to an ad hoc committee, chaired by himself, to evaluate
and recommend amendments which would update and modify the By-Laws.
Commissioner Zerban commented that he had contacted the area
school districts relative to the possibility of naming a student
representative to the Commission and/or its committees. He stated
that the Robbinsdale and Osseo School District Administrations had
indicated an interest.
A discussion ensued concerning a youth representative and the
Secretary stated that should a younger person be considered for
membership on the Commission, it should be comprehended as gaining
youth perspective on human rights matters, since there was an
advisory commission to the Council which dealt primarily with youth
related matters.
A discussion ensued relative to the activities of other
suburban human rights cissions, and Commissioner Martinson
suggested that the Brooklyn Center Commission arrange to visit other
commissions as well as inviting visitation by the other commissions.
The next item of business was determination of projects for
Commission research and consideration during 1972. Commissioner
Weyrauch noted that Councilman Britts was present and asked him if
he had any suggestions as to what directions the Commission might
take. Councilman Britts responded that he was not the designated
liaison from the Council, but that he had some personal ideas,
including a determination of the needs for elderly and minority
housing, youth, women's rights, and the determination of the
various economic and social needs of Brooklyn Center residents.
He stated that there was not a lack of needs and problems in
Brooklyn Center to which the Human Rights commission could direct its
attention, and that it was vital that the Commission be active in
providing the City Council with the information and recommendations
necessary for meaningful action.
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Chairman Ordner stated that Mayor Cohen had indicated that the
Commission should research the matter of housing in Brooklyn Center,
• particularly housing for the elderly, and that hopefully a workable
proposal for providing housing for the elderly could be derived
before the next session of the Minnesota State Legislature.
Chairman Ordner further stated that in his opinion housing for
the elderly and housing needs in general should be given high
priority. He stated that further projects would include various
aspects of individual rights as well as the prospects for developing
a housing and maintenance code.
Commissioner Hastings stated that the League of Women Voters was
in the process of determing the needs for housing in Brooklyn Center,
particularly among the older citizens, and that possibly the
Commission could assist the League in surveying.She further commented,
in response to a question by Commissioner Kyle, that an attempt was
being made to contact each of the senior citizens in the City
utilizing census data.
The Commission meeting recessed at 9:30 P.M. and resumed at
9:50 P.M.
A brief discussion ensued ccncerning dates and times for
Commission meetings. There was a motion by Commissioner Zerban and
seconded by Commissioner Gustafson to establish the meeting day as
Monday, normally the first Monday of the month, at 8:00 P.M. The
motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Ordner named Commissioner Martinson to be Chairman of
the Housing Committee so that deliberations could commence based
upon Commission discussion, prior to the next regular meeting.
Commissioner Hastings then reviewed various ongoing projects
of possible interest to the Commission, including efforts by the
Palmer Lake VFW to secure employment opportunities for veterans,
proposed open schooling or bussing in the Osseo School District,
and the ramifications of the recent court decisions relative to
Indian control of natural resources in the Leech Lake area.
Commissioner Winkelman reported on a January 11th meeting held
in Minneapolis relative to the desegregation of inner-city and
suburban schools. He stated that three basic plans had been pro-
posed and were to be officially reviewed by the school board in
April following meetings in the City of Minneapolis as well as the
nearby suburbs.
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Relative to the hiring of veterans Commissioner Weyrauch stated
that the Department of Labor Office in Chicago had informed
contractors in the Minneapolis area that the contracting authority
under the Manpower Development Training Act Program was to expire in
October. He suggested that the Commission submit a letter opposing
this action. Chairman Ordner directed Commissioner Weyrauch to
prepare a letter to that effect and submit it to the staff.
Motion by Commissioner Winkelman and seconded by Commissioner
Weyrauch to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The
Human Rights Commission adjourned at 10:35 P.M.
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