HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 11-08 HRRMMinutes of the Proceedings of the Human
Rights Commission of the City of Brooklyp
Center In the County of Hennepin and State
Of Minnesota
November 8, 1971
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called
to order by Chairman Winkelman at 8:10 P. M.
Roll Call: Chairman Winkelman, Commissioners Gustafson, Rasmussen,
Martinsen, Hastings, Weyrauch and Sazama. Also present was: Administrative
Assistant Assistant Blair Tremere.
Motion by Councilman Sazama and seconded by Commissioner Hastings
to approve the minutes of the October 11, 1971 meeting as corrected. Yotion
carried unanimously.
Chairman Winkelman distributed lists of Commissioners and the dates
of City Council meetings to which each of the Commissioners was assigned to
represent the Commission. He noted that the staff will inform each Commissioner
of the specific date of upcoming Council meetings and he asked each individual
to be responsible for finding a replacement.
A discussion ensued concerning the appointment of a permanent Chairman
for the Human Rights Commission. Chairman Winkelman stated that he acted in
this capacity as Vice Chairman since James h.onaghan left the City earlier in the
year and that no appointment of a permanent Chairman had been made.
Motion by Commissioner Sazama and seconded by Commissioner Weyrauch
to request that the Mayor name a permanent Chairman of the Human Rights
Commission as soon as possible. Motion carried unanimously.
The next item of business was a report by Commissioner Rasmussen
relative to the recent WCCO Radio symposium held at Bethel College concerning
suburbia. She stated that the session had been very informative and thought
provoking and that she had devoted much of her time to a housing workshop.
She further stated that the new State Human Rights Director, Mir. Sam Richardson,
had spoken about the goals and needs of human rights efforts on a metropolitan
and a state level.
Commissioner Rasmussen also discussed a survey of the senior citizens
in Brooklyn Center which is being prepared under the auspices of the Brooklyn
Center Chamber of Commerce. She explained the intent of the survey as well
as the questionnaire which will be used. Commissioner Rasmussen also stated
that the Chamber sought the endorsement of the Human Rights Commission for
this project.
A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the format of the questionnaire
as well as specific questions which would be asked of senior citizens.
Commissioner Sazama and Martinsen had particular objections to the wording
of certain questions.
Motion by Commissioner Sazama and seconded by Commission Weyrauch
to endorse the concept of the Chamber of Commerce's project to secure informa-
tion relative to senior citizens in Brooklyn Center noting however, that the
Commission has serious reservations concerning various aspects of the format
and certain questions of the questionnaire. Motion carried unanimously.
The next item of business was a report by Commissioner Weyrauch relative
to a recent Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinating Committee meeting. He
stated that the featured speaker was Mr. Sam Richardson, Director of the State
Human Rights Department. Topics discussed included employment opportunities,
federal compliance reviews, and the use of local human rights commissions in
meeting the human needs throughout the metropolitan area.
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Commissioner Weyrauch said similar topics were discussed at a meeting
of the suburban coalition of human rights commissions which includes primarily
south and southwestern suburban communities. Additional topics discussed at the
coalition meeting were busing, housing, day care facilities, employment, and
the role of the local human rights commissions,
Commissioners Weyrauch and Martinsen offered comments as to the
nature of federal compliance review policies and procedures.. Commissioner
Weyrauch noted that municipal governments as well as private businesses are
susceptible to such review and he suggested that the Commission determine whether
the City of Brooklyn Center was prepared.
Motion by Commissioner Gustafson and seconded by Commissioner
40 Martinsen to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The Human
Rights Commission meeting adjourned at 10:10 P. M.
Secretary
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Chairman
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