HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969 12-09 HRRMMinutes of the Proceedings of the
Human Rights Commission of the
City of Brooklyn Center 1h the County
Of Hennepin and State of Minnesota
December 9, 1969
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and in
the absence of quorum was called to order by Chairman Leon Binger
at 8:11 P.M.
Roll Call: Mark Sazama, Mrs. Leon (Bea) Rankin, John
Winkleman, Leon Binger, Arthur Gustafson, Jesse Sandoval and
Reverend Roy Lindquist. Also present was: B. E. Peterson.
Motion by Jesse Sandoval and seconded by Rev. Roy Lindquist
to approve the minutes of the October 14, 1969 meeting as
submitted.
Chairman Binger called for announcements, there were none.
He requested that the Commission consider committee reports.
In the absence of Commissioner Backes, Chairman of the Education
Committee, Chairman Binger called upon Rev. Roy Lindquist to
report to the Commission. Commissioner Lindquist filed a report
with the Commission and then explained the responses he had
received to a questionnaire which he had sent out to all churches
in Brooklyn Center regarding Human Relations action. Commissioner
Lindquist stated that nine churches out of twenty four responded
and that the comments came directly from the individual pastors.
Following this discussion Chairman Binger announced that the
completion of the Education Committee report will be made at a
subsequent Human Rights Commission Meeting.
In the absence of Commissioner Marvin Stavig, Chairman of
the Employment Committee, Chairman Binger called upon Commissioner
Sandoval to bring the Commission up to date on that committee's
activities. Commissioner Sandoval reported that so far the
Employment Committee has interviewed major employers in the City
as well as the City of Brooklyn Center regarding personnel
practices in hiring minorities. He stated that the committee
will form a draft and will present it at the next Commission
meeting. Chairman Binger then reported on his interview with
the City Manager regarding the City's practices on hiring
minorities. He stated that future job openings for City employ-
ment may be made known to the Human Rights Commission so the
Commission can pass this information on to minority groups.
Commissioner Sandoval further elaborated on his meeting with
Sears, Dayton's, and Donaldson's regarding these firms minority
employment practices. Commissioner Sazama asked Commissioner
Sandoval if any attempt was made to interview employed minorities
on their attitudes towards their employer's employment practices.
Commissioner Sandoval responded stating that the Employment
Committee has not done so.
Councilman Theodore Willard arrived at 9:01 P.M.
For the next committee report Chairman Binger called upon
commissioner Gustafson, Chairman of the.Housing Committee, to
present his report. Commissioner Gustafson filed the Housing
Corxnittee's October 27, 1969 minutes and then brought to the
Commission's attention the Suburban Housing Opportunities, Inc.,
a non-profit organization dedicatOd to helping low income
-1-
families obtain home ownership. At this time Councilman Willard
gave his interpretation of the purpose of the Suburban Housing
Opportunities, Inc. and encouraged the Human Rights Commission
to take a position to support or not to support this organization.
After some discussion among the Commission members, Chairman Binger
requested that Commissioner Gustafson have the Housing Committee
consider the Suburban Housing Opportunities, Inc. and its purpose
and report back to the Commission with its recommendations.
Councilman Willard then informed Commission members that the
City Council is presently considering a draft Housing Maintenance
and Occupancy Ordinance. Chairman Binger requested that members
of the Housing Committee study this draft housing code and be
prepared to discuss it with the Commission at the next meeting.
Committee member James Monahan arrived at 9:40 P.M.
The Commission recessed at 9:40 P.M. and resumed at 9:58 P.M.
Under the item of old business Commissioner Rankin asked if
the Housing Committee could comment about possibilities for low
income housing in Brooklyn Center so that the Public Information
Committee could inform the public through a press.:-release.
Commissioner Sazama commented that the play "in White
America" was performed in Brooklyn Center and that attendance was
poor. Committee member Monahan responded that the same play
will be performed early in 1970 - again in Brooklyn Center.
Under the item of new business Chairman Binger stated that
the following reports will be considered by the Human Rights
Commission at its next regular meeting, Tuesday, January 13, 1970:
Critique on November Communication Workshop Sessions; Draft
Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinances and completion of
the Education Committee:'-s report.
Motion by Commissioner Winkleman and seconded by Commissioner
Rankin to adjourn. The Human Rights Commission adjourned at
10:01 P.M.
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Secretary Chairman