Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969 05-20 HRRMThe Minutes of the Proceedings of the Human Rights Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center in the County of Hennepin and State of Minnesota may 20, 1969 The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Leon Binger at 8:08 P.M. Roll • Call: Mrs. Majel Berg, Leon Binger, Arthur Gustafson, Reverend Roy Lindquist (arrived at 9:00 P.M.), Mrs. Leon Rankin, Mark Sazama (arrived at 8:29 P.M.), Jesse Sandoval, Neil Smeaton, Eugene Sullivan (arrived at 8:39 P.M.) and John Winkleman. Also present was: B. E. Peterson. Motion by Neil Smeaton and seconded by Jesse Sandoval to approve the minutes of the April 8, 1969, meeting as submitted. At this time, Chairman Binger announced that James Knight and Floyd Anderson have resigned. Commissioner Arthur Gustafson will replace James Knight as Chairman of the Housing Committee. In addition, Chairman Binger announced that Mayor Cohen and Councilmen Theodore Willard and Howard Heck will fill the vacancies left by Commissioners Anderson and Knight. Chairman Binger next presented to the Commission the first annual report issued by the Minnesota State Department of Human Rights and proceeded to give a brief review of its contents. Chairman Binger next announced that black business directories are available to members of the Commission. • The next item of discussion related to Committee reports. Chairman Binger announced since Adrian Dorenfeld was absent that vice-Chairman Winkleman would report on the Robbinsdale School District Advisory Committee. Vice-Chairman Winkleman gave a brief review of Commissioner Dorenfeld's report which covered the following areas: 1. Three meetings of this committee have been held to date. 2. The first two meetings were primarily get-acquainted and discussion sessions. 3. Specific recommendations are now being formulated for presentation to the Robbinsdale Board of Education. Chairman Binger next called on Commissioner Sandoval to report on the Brooklyn Center School District Advisory Committee. Commissioner Sandoval explained that it was the consensus of the Brooklyn Center School District Advisory Committee to examine the following areas: (1) curriculum, (2) teacher recruitme t., (3) in-service-training, (4) resource materials, and (5) 4XV involvement, and to look for ways for possible implementation. Commissioner Sandoval stated that hopefully by the next Human Rights Commission meeting that this committee will have presented these proposals to Brooklyn Center's School Board. Under the item of old business, Chairman Binger gave a brief review of the May 18, 1969, "Minneapolis Sunday Tribune" article regarding the proposed budget for the State Human Rights Department. Chairman Binger then mentioned that he had spoken with State Human Rights Commissioner Frank Kent on -2- the legislative status of the State Human Rights Department's proposed amendments to the 1967 Human Rights State Statutes. Chairman Binger next brought the commission up-to-date on what the legislative and budget status was on the State Human Rights Department's legislative bill in the House and the Senate. After a discussion, Chairman Binger stated his intent to send on behalf of the Human Rights Commission telegrams to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Finance committees asking them to support the Governor's initial budget for the State Human Rights Department. The next item of discussion related to new business. Chair- man Binger called upon Commissioner Smeaton to read Article 6, Sections 1-4 of the Human Rights Commission By-Laws for the benefit of the audience. At this time, Chairman Binger announced that the non-commission members would be introduced by the respective committee chairmen. Chairman Binger next appointed for one year two non- commission members to the Human Rights committee on Education: Mrs. Helen Steffen and Mrs. Marvin Cooper. The Education Committee Chairman, Vernon Backes, then introduced the two new committee members to the Commission and gave a brief review of their backgrounds. Commissioner Backes stated that the statement of purpose of the Education Committee is two-fold: (1) to foster a better understanding of human relations in the schools, churches, and libraries, and (2) to aid these insti- tutions in implementing policies and programs to improve human relations. Chairman Binger announced that since Marvin Stavig, the • Chairman of the Employment Committee was absent that the two non-commission appointments for this committee will be appointed at a. subsequent Human Rights Commission meeting. Chairman Binger next appointed for one year two non-commission members to the Human Rights Committee on Housing: Mrs. Marie Rasmussen and Mr. Carl Sandstrom. The new Housing Committee Chairman, Arthur Gustafson, then introduced Mrs. Marie Rasmussen and gave a brief review of her background. Housing Committee Chairman Gustafson announced that Mr. Carl Sandstrom would be introduced to the Commission members at a subsequent meeting. Chairman Binger next appointed for one year two non- commission members to the Human Rights Committee on Public Information: Mrs. Toyce Kyle and Mr. Jamos Monahan. Commis- sioner Rankin introduced Mrs. Toyce Kyle and Mr. James Monahan, and gave a brief review of their backgrounds. in addition, Commissioner Rankin stated that the Public Information Committee serves a two-fold purpose: (1) to keep the community informed of the activities of the Commission and to coordinate the programs being carried on, and (2) to promote informational programs in the community which will foster better understanding in Human Rights Field. Commissioner Rankin added that this might include liaison with other community Human Relations groups with similar concerns. At this time, Chairman Binger announced that the Public Services and Accommodations Committee appointments of non- commission members will be made at a subsequent Human Rights commission meeting. For the benefit of the newly appointed committee members present, Chairman Binger stated that each of them will be presented with the official By-Laws of the Human Rights Commission and the Resolution creating a Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adopted by the City Council February 19, 1968. Chairman Binger also announced that each -3- 40 0 of these five committees will meet once a month. Each committee should feel free to seek out resource persons for purposes of gathering information or providing other assistance. In a brief review, Chairman Binger cited that the Human Rights Commission has 15 members, that it is in the process of appointing 10 non-commission members, thus bringing a total of 25 citizens working on the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission recessed at 9:00 P.M. and resumed at 9:30 P.M. At this time Chairman Binger introduced each of the members of the Human Rights Commission to the newly appointed committee members. Motion by Commissioner Jesse Sandoval and seconded by commissioner Vern Backes to adjourn. The Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Sec etary Chairman G