HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970 08-11 HRRMW
Minutes of the Proceedings of the
Human Rights Commission of the
City of Brooklyn Center in the
County of Hennepin and State of
Minnesota
August 11, 1970
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called
to order by Chairman Leon Binger at 8:00 P.M.
40 Roll Call: Chairman Leon Binger, Commissioners Al Weyrauch, Robert
Zerban, Arthur Gustafson, James Monaghan, Mark Sazama, Mrs. Delores Hastings,
John Winkelman and Jesse Sandoval. Commissioners absent were: Adrian Dorenfeld,
Rev. Wayne Mensing, Mrs. Jeri Niznik, and Mrs. Marie Rasmussen. Others
present were: B.E. Peterson, Messrs. Al McCain, Charles Grigsby and
Mrs. Ivan Nelson.
Following a reading of the minutes a motion was made by Commissioner
Monaghan and seconded by Commission Weyrauch to approve the May 12, 1970
Human Rights Commission minutes as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Binger briefly announced the following:
1. That for the month of June and July the Human Rights
Commission held committee meetings instead of regular
meetings.
20 That Commissioners Vernon Backes resigned in June and
Neil Smeaton in August.
3. Introduction of two new Commissioners: Mrs. Delores
Hastings, who was appointed by the City Council on
July 27, 1970 to replace Vernon Backes. Mrs. Hastings
term expires on December 30, 1970. (Chairman Binger
appointed Mrs. Hastings to the Education Committee)
Mr. Robert Zerban who was appointed by the City Council
on August 10, 1970 to replace Neil Smeaton. (Chairman
Binger appointed Mr. Zerban to the Public Service and
Acaomodation Committee) Mr. Zerban's term expires
on December 31, 1972.
4. That there are two vacancies on the Commission and
four non-Commission appointments still to be filled by
the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission.
Commissioner Sazama next made a presentation to the Commission
regarding the Public Information Committee proposal to do a series of articles
for the local newspapers regarding the buy black campaign and availability of
services from local black businessmen. Commissioner Monaghan will examine
Indian history and present a report at a subsequent Commission meeting. In
addition, Commissioner Sazama commented that the Human Rights Commission
should possibly seek out youth who would be interested in sitting on the '
Commission. The Secretary responded that some of the members of the newly
formed Youth Organization Steering Committee have indicated an interest in the
Human Rights Commission.
The Commission next heal a progress report from Commissioner
Gustafson ardiM housing conditions in the southeast neighborhood,
He commented that the Housing and Public S.etv#oe and AccommodattoW
CommftWes have viewed houses #om 53rd &vwxis Worth
through 57th Avenue North and from the river to Highway 100 and formed a
series of six categories to classify housing conditions. Altogether there were
37 homes viewed. Commissioner Gustafson commented that the next step of the
committee will be to meet with the City Assessor to determine the number of
homesteaded and non-homesteaded single family dwellings in the area. The
-1r
Commission next discussed the role of the Human Rights Commission in housing
and the assistance available to local governments such as establishing a housing
authority and various federal subsidies. Commissioner Hastings commented
on the experience of Hammond, Indiana where the City purchases homes which
have been foreclosed or homes that are for sale from estates and then in turn
rents them out to low income families.
The Commission recessed at 9:04 P. M. and resumed at 9:20 P.M.
Commissioner Sazama commented that he received a letter from the
Minnesota State Human Rights Department regarding seminars for local government
Human Rights Commissions.
For the remainder of the evening the Commission discussed the
work Experience Career Exploration Program WECEP), a joint proposal by the
Employment and Education Committees as presented by Commissioner Weyrauch.
Motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded by Commissioner
Zerban that the Education and Employ went Committees propose that the Brooklyn
Center Human Rights Commission recommend to the Brooklyn Center School District
that it consider establishing a local work Experience Career Exploration Program
(WECEP) within its school system utilizing the basic steps:
a. Education and Employment Committee Human Rights
Representatives meet with the superintendent, principal
and counselor of Brooklyn Center Jr. High School to
present WECEP;
b. Education and Employment Committee Human Rights representative
and administrative representative meet with the Brooklyn Center
School District Board of Education to recommend adoption
of a WECEP; ff-eyC"',/V~
c. Brooklyn Center schools must then apply for federal funding
and help from Minnesota State WECEP chairman in establishing
an active program;
d. After the WECEP program is established, the Education Committee
would assume an inactive role, except for providing communica-
tions between the school district and the Human Rights Commission;
e. After the WECEP program is established, the Employment
Committee would offer its services, if needed, to secure job
openings within Brooklyn Center for WECEP students.
The motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Commissioner Weyrauch and seconded
by Commissioner Monaghn to ajourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
The Human Rights Commission adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
Secretary Chairman
-2-