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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/1996 MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Wednesday, November 6, 1996 *NOTE DATE CHANGE* 6:45 p.m. - Interview Candidate #1 7:00 p.m. Conference Room A AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA IV. OLD BUSINESS 'A. Continue planning Diversity Event(s) including update from Mike, Carol and Regina on cost and feasibility of Diversity Calendar - All V. NEW BUSINESS ✓A Discuss sponsoring Community Event - All VB. Plan for soliciting donations - All VI. OTHER BUSINESS VII. REPORTS A. City of Maplewood B. Agenda items for next time VIII. ADJOURNMENT Adjourn by 8 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Interview Candidate #2 8:15 p.m. Interview Candidate #3 (if necessary) 8:30 p.m. Interview Candidate #4 (if necessary) C:\WPWIN601HRCWGENDA 10.18/96 13:52 FAX 612 297 1329 Labor & Industry not Maplewood Human Relations Commission Minutes from Oct 1, 1996 Present Marie Koehler, Gordy Heininger,Regina Laroche-Theune,Lynne Croes, Maria Cantu-Costilla,Linda Wainio, Carol Cude Ex-officio:Mike McGuire, Sherrie Le. Approval of minutes: A motion to approve the minutes was moved_ A request to change a few items was made. One concerned Maplewood's Night Out and the videotape that was made about it_ Secondly, two comments concerning the community center were discussed. The motion to approve the minutes as amended was seconded and passed_ Approval of oda: A motion of approve the agenda was made_ Two items were added to "other business_" The agenda as amended was seconded and passed_ Old Business A School Phone numbers: Carol is working on the list and there are a lot of changes_ The school system is now on one phone system and there were a lot of personnel changes_ She will try to have it completed by the next meeting. B. Review'96-97 draft calender of events: Two small changes were made but otherwise the calender is complete. C.Review of Mixed Blood Theater performance: The program was very well done, but we had a small turnout Discussion as to why this happened included such ideas as how it was and wasn't publicized, the mention of tickets in the announcement in the Maplewood in Motion and other ideas. Ideas to generate more awareness of diversity issues included running a semi-regular editorial in the Lilly paper, contacting the Pioneer Press to have these kinds of issues appear in articles in the Metro section concerning Maplewood, include a member of the HRC in the 40th Anniversary celebration as the planning committee is including a diversity theme. The next planning meeting is Oct_ 9_ Gordy will be attending as part of another group but will report to us on their plans. New Business A Advertise for Vacancy on Commission:We reviewed the recommendations for the application and interview process that were submitted by Maria and Linda several months ago_ A discussion on who should interview the candidates ensued: Should they come before the entire group or a sub-group?When should the interviews occur? Before the regular meeting, during the meeting or at a separate time? Each member was asked to give an opinion and the consensus was that we should all be present for the interviews,but only three people would ask questions_ Gordy,Linda and Maria will work on interview questions and the advertisement and get them to Sherrie_ The candidates will get the questions prior to the interview_ B Discuss DiversitvAwazd Event(s): Gordy's desire is to continue with what we are doing but for us to have more personal contact with the school contacts. For most of the members,this isn't feasible as we are employed full time. We thought that if there were more public recognition of 10. 188.96 13:53 FAX 612 297 1329 Labor & Industry- z 003 the winners it would entice more to participate. Could this be expanded into secondary school by having more variety of entries allowed such as poetry, stories, art, plays? A suggestion was made to have a calender made that would picture twelve entries or publish a book. This could be something ready for the 1997 open houseVnight out. Carol will contact NSP about calenders they put out.Regina will check into other options.Mike will check with a printer about the costs involved. Other Business Lynne passed around a brochure on a domestic violence workshop sponsored by Metro State on Oct_ 18. The November meeting date needs to be changed as the regular night is election day. We will meet on Wed.,Nov. 6. Reports A. City of Maplewood: *The Fire Department has reached an agreement but more details need to be worked out. *They are dealing with some sensitive personnel issues. *Dayton's opens Oct 12. *The City is accepting applications for the police department_ B. Agenda for November meeting: Interview HRC candidates, more discussion on diversity award event and solicitation for donations for awards, start discussion on community event. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 8:50 pm, seconded and passed. Respectfully submitted, Lynne Croes Recording Secretary HRC Applicant Interviewing Guidelines: 1. Interview candidates individually, other candidates not in the room. 2. Entire Commission stays in the room but the questions are asked by a panel of three Commissioners. (Other Commissioners can add comments or ask a questions if they wish, but primary interview questions will be asked by the panel.) 3. Schedule candidates in 15 minute increments. One could be just prior to the meeting at 6:45 p. m. If more, begin 15 minute increments at 8:00 p.m.. Be sure to end meeting by 8 p.m.. 4. Candidates will be sent the questions when scheduled for the interview. They will also be notified of #1 and #2 above. HRC APPLICANT QUESTIONS 1 . Why would you like to serve on this Commission? 2. Has something heightened your awareness or motivated you to be active in human rights activities? Please describe. 3. Identify the skills, knowledge and abilities that you would bring to the Human Relations Commission. 4. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself? 5. Do you have any questions for us? 10/96 CITY OF A 1#%t Olft"' D 1830 E. COUNTY ROAD B MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA 55109 OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 612-770-4560 MEMORANDUM TO: City Council and Human Relations Commission FROM: Maplewood Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Committee Gordy Heininger, Chairman. SUBJECT: Handicap Parking Stalls Surrounding Public and Private Facilities DATE: October 17, 1996 In accordance with our mission statement, "The Maplewood Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Committee is committed to the support of older adults and persons with disabilities in the City of Maplewood. This committee functions as a liaison between community residents, service providers and city government assessing the diverse needs of these populations and identifying resources to respond to those needs," we are calling to your attention the need to assess the placement of handicap parking stalls surrounding both public buildings and private businesses in Maplewood. It is our observation that even though these buildings do have the correct number of handicap stalls, the placement is often a handicap in itself. Too often a person using a handicap place must cross a physical barrier such as a landscape feature or a lane or two of traffic. Our new library (public building) and Cub Food (private) are "good" examples of correct number of stalls, but in poor and unacceptable locations. Consideration for the users needs and safety should be the top priority in the placement of these stalls, not just the correct number. We are confident in our bringing this to your attention that you will encourage and educate the public and private sectors of this overlooked situation and trust that you will pursue by way of ordinance, or whatever avenue you deem appropriate to correct this community problem. Thank you. mb/GH Equal Opportunity Employer MEMORANDUM TO: Gordon Heininger, Chair Maplewood Seniors& Persons with Disabilities Committee FROM: Michael A. McGuire, City Manager DATE: October 21, 1996 RE: Request regarding Handicap Parking Stalls As you requested, the memorandum from the Committee has been forwarded to the City Council and the Human Relations Commission. From the City's perspective, we will do what we can through staff efforts to encourage property owners to locate handicap parking stalls in ways that are preferred by the disabled community. City staff is already doing so as opportunities arise in new developments or with redevelopment projects. We would agree that "consideration for users' needs and safety should be the top priority in the placement of these stalls, not just the correct number." The City's authority is limited to what is specified in the Uniform Building Code. As long as a property owner provides handicap parking within the quantity and location requirements,the City can do little except offer suggestions about better placement. Education of the public and private sectors is an on-going activity of the City, albeit with little fanfare. Progress is made one project at a time. Perhaps the members of the Committee could take some initiative by contacting owners of affected properties around Maplewood and voicing their concerns.