HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/09/1985 Maplewood Human Relations Commission
Business Meeting - July 9, 1985
Special presentation by Bill Davis, State Department of Human Rights
He is a liaison with the State to the Commissions
Present: Hoyt, Williamson, Kwapick, Larsen
Davis
Updating commission rosters
Reading ordinances and by-laws
Legislature has given authority for the formation of county human
rights commissions. 1985 state appropriations bill. These county
commissions can be formed by representatives of cities within a
county or by representatives of various counties banding together
to form one commission. Only represent cities without a commission;
there will be no overlap into established commissions. Developing
a model for county commission using a small city and a large city.
Talked about model commissions and used St. Louis Park as an
example. They have a group of 18. Commissioners come from all the
service groups within the city e.g. the school board. A council
member also attends meetings and only votes in case of a tie.
(Golden Valley' s staff liaison is the Chief of Police; interesting! )
Brought us greetings from Commissioner. Backlog is being cleaned
up. Early fall completely cleared. Department now closing out more
cases than they are taking in.
Davis ' primary function is as liaison for the local commissions
around the State . Funnels information to us and brings back
information and commission concerns .
Work Share Agreement: Between us and the Department. Will assure
that Department will provide us with training and the tools necessary
to report and implement.
Ideally, local commissions should have four certified members; one
of the four should have advanced certification training. Working
on this .
He is chairing special committee on NFG training composed of members
of the League, private sector, public sector, State. Will rework
entire program.
Asked what our local concerns were, what our training needs are
and talked about City Ordinance.
Don' t wait for NFG as our only reason for existence; look beyond.
"Preventative educational strategies" .
2-MHRC Business Meeting
July 9, 1985
Potential : funds available for fair housing program. Community
development block grant. (We told him about our well run HRA
program who would be tapped into that kind of information) .
Commissions oversee and implement the program in the city. Will
get back to us about it.
Williamson: Very confusing for local commissioners to be contacted
by individuals who have first contacted the Department.
The intake officer has written up charge ,a copy of which we will
receive from one-three weeks later. There should be a wait by
grievant until charge is in commission hands. We could then contact
them. Davis said point well taken and has been a concern of other
NFG officers. Under advisement.
Intake officers are "officers of the day" ; rotate daily. After
intake determine if there are NFG officers in the community where
the grievance has taken place and if so refer to that commission.
(Grievant still has the option to remain at State level but is
strongly guided to go local) .
Talked about the proper use of the intake form; many times used
incorrectly even by the Department intake officers. New forms
being made up half of which will be filled out by the intake
officer and the second half by the local commission.
Training will include overheads , use of VCR, role playing, inter-
action by the participants, a pocket size handbook for easy
reference -- in advance of training send out packet of material
that will familiarize trainee with departmental language, funda-
mentals of the law etc. Trainee will evaluate program. Certifi-
cate of completion will be sent promptly. Training will have three
classifications: (this is in the talking stages)
1st level: for commissioners, localofficials, elected officials
and city staff. Sit in and observe. Give them a certificate of
participation.
2nd level: Commissioners only with exam. Certificate of
Compliance.
3rd level: Completed level #2 plus advance certification.
Explain theory of discrimination, adverse impact, etc. and do
intake in more detail. Investigative process would be dealt with.
When training program is implemented (in whatever form is finally
chosen) all commissioners (including those that have previous
training) will be asked to participate. We will also be asked to
recertify every three years .
3-MHRC Business Meeting
June 9, 1985
**Spoke about ways to create visibility:
. booth at fairs
. open house for city hall at which all service agencies would
be represented
. direct mailings to local organizations, church groups, fraternal
groups, etc.
. service brochure (we have one) ; place in libraries, chamber of
commerce offices, city offices, churches, special agencies (like
those for seniors and handicapped, etc. )
. work with teachers within school district
. observe HR Day (this year December 4)
. talk to senior groups and high school groups
. landlords, renters
. establish speakers bureau
. some communities use cable TV
. letters to the editor
. review AA policy of the city
. establish special committees
Commission action plan. Committees would make up action plan;
what, where,why, when and with whom; would make up budget; they
add structure to commission (unfortunately, we do not have enough
members to do this) .
32 local commissions on books; 26 active. One of his duties is to
find out why some of them have become dormant. The 26 active
commissions need to be nurtured and cultivated. Not interested in
starting up new commisions until we bolster old ones.
Q. Is State Department sitting on some of the referrals . A. No!
If a referral is kept back it shows up on a weekly report and must
be explained at that time.
** . throw annual commission dinner, luncheon, whatever; give a HR
award at that time to an individual/organization/business .
Use the press extensively to publicize. If timing is right,
even State/Commissioner could be involved. Get council involved;
have them select business awardee; let Mayor select organization
or individual; many ways to go about this . Mayor could select
one area, commission another, council another -- etc. etc.
Very interesting meeting --- very! ! ! Gave us lots of food for
thought. This will be only agenda item for August 6th business
meeting. Especially, the concept of a HR award (s) .
Maria Larsen, Secretary