HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969 01-14 HRRMMinutes of the Proceedings of the
Human Rights Commission of the
City of Brooklyn Center in the
County of Hennepin and State of
Minnesota
January 14, 1969
The Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was
called to order by Chairman Leon Binger at 8:03 P.M.
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. Roll Call: Leon Binger, Floyd Anderson, Neil Smeaton, Bea
Rankin, Vernon Backes, James Knight, Jesse Sandoval, Majel Berg,
Arthur Gustafson, John Winklemen, Eugene Sullivan, Adrian
Dorenfeld, and Mark Sazama. Also present was: Bambridge Peterson
Ktion by Jesse Sandoval and seconded by Eugene Sullivan to
approve the minutes of the December 10, 1968, meeting as submittee
Chairman Binger mentioned that a meeting was to be held by
the State Department of Human Rights on February 1, 1969.
Chairman Banger then mentioned the previous resignations of
Mike Friedman, Reverend Wendell Shiell and Charles Nichols. The
new commission members were introduced by Chairman Binger and
brief backgrounds were presented on each new member. The new
members are: Mark Sazama, Reverend Roy Lindquist and Vernon
Backes. All three terms were appointed and ratified by the City
Council and declared to be effective by January 14, 1969.
Chairman Binger then discussed the meeting dates of the
Commission for 1969. He mentioned that the second and fourth
Tuesdays may have been a good meeting date for 1968, however,
he wondered if the Commission would like to change the meeting
• dates for 1969. Discussion ensued and it was the consensus of
the Commission that the second and fourth Tuesdays were generall,:,
acceptable.
Commissioner Floyd Anderson then presented a report on
human relations proposals for the Osseo School District #279 by
the Ad Hoc Committee on Human Relations for the Osseo School
District. A discussion followed on this report. Commissioner
Dorenfeld pointed out that American History has generally been
downgraded in the public school system and that without a forum
there may be no effective way to convey to the students the role
of minorities in America's history. Commissioner Smeaton reported
on the Robbinsdale School District Committee meeting. He stated
that courses have been made available to the staff, but these
are not mandatory.
Chairman Binger stated that the Human Rights Commission
should be alert to a possible tendency to downgrade the emphasis
on American history in public schools.
A report on the activity to date of the Human Rights Advisory
Committee of the Brooklyn Center School District was presented
by Commissioner Sandoval. Commissioner Sandoval mentioned that
the meeting of this committee was held at his home and among
items discussed was the role of human relations in this public
school district. Progress to date has been limited.
Chairman Binger then stated that a Human Rights Week project
was approved at the Commission Meeting of December 10.
c"ozienisaioner ma in Stavig has been appointed Chairman, for this
project. Chairman Binger then called upon commissioner-James
Knight to give a report in Commissioner Stavig's absence on plans
to date for an area-wid Human Rights Week. Commissioner Lindquist
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will work with Stavig.in enlisting the cooperation of churches
in the area. Chairman Binger cited Richfield's Human Rights
Week'as an example of this type of public project.
Chairman Binger then reported on the c:.;nciliation meeting
held by the State Department of Human Rights with the Brookdale
European Health Spa. The terms agreed to at this meeting were:
the European Health Spa would offer Mrs. Chase a membership at
the Spa's regular rates, and that the Spa would cease any
discrimination practiced in the signing of members. Chairman
Binger also stated that it was his impression that the
conciliation terms required that the Spa communicate this non-
discriminatory policy to the public. Chairman Binger said that
part of these terms have been met already, and added that all
terms must be complied with. If the terms of the conciliation
agreement are not met, the State Commissioner of Human Rights
will issue the equivalent of a "cease and desist" order to the
Spa. Chairman Binger staed that most cases are satisfactorily
adjusted on a conciliation basis.
Chairman Binger stated that at its December 16, 1968,
meeting, the Board of Education of the Robbinsdale School District
voted to establish a Human Rights Advisory Committee. The
Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission has been asked to submit
the names of three Commissioners to the Robbinsdale Board of
Education. The Board will then select one of the three names
submitted to serve on what will be a 20 member committee. The
names of Commissioners Backes, Dorenfeld, and Gustafson have
been submitted to the Board of Education.
Commissioner Smeat o n then presented to the Commission the
Proposed By-Laws for the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission.
Chairman Binger suggested that the proposed by-laws be discussed
and voted on at the next meeting.
Councilman Ted Willard discussed with the Commission the
future of the Brooklyn Center Civil Rights Action Committee.
One possibility suggested was that CRAC be adopted as an auxiliai.,
of the Human Rights Commission. Another suggestion was the
continuation of an independent course of action by CRAC.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Meeting
adjourned at 10:08 P.M.
Roll Call at adjournment: Leon Binger, Neil Smeaton, Bea
Rankin, Vernon Backes, James Knight, Jesse Sandoval, Majel Berg,
Arthur Gustafson, John Winklemen, Adrian Dorenfeld, and Mark
Sazama.
41 Secre ary Chaiiman