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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/1993MINUTES MAPLEWOOD HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Thursday, November 9, 1993 7:00 PM Maplewood City Hali Maplewood Room PRESENT Karla Sand Pat Williamson Mike McGuire Gordon Heininger Shelly Strauss Carolyn Ganz Carol Cude (8:00 p.m.) Peter Fischer CALL TO ORDER ABSENT Jim Garrett The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairperson Pat Williamson. A. Agenda Approval The November 9, 1993 agenda was approved with the following change: - moved V. B to follow III. C. II. NOMINATION OF SECRETARY Shelly Strauss was elected as Secretary of the HRC. Her term will end December 31, 1993, coinciding with Officer Elections in January. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. June 1993 - minutes were approved as read. B. September 1993 - minutes were approved as read. C. October 1993 - minutes were approved as read. D. Chemical Abuse Clinic Ordinance The HRC reviewed the November 2 memorandum and proposed zoning changes for further regulating chemical abuse clinics in Maplewood. Mike McGuire provided the HRC with background on the clinic and prior public hearings. Peter Fischer, a member of the Parks & Rec Commission and past member of HRC, spoke against the proposed ordinance changes citing the fact that the methadone clinic meets all zoning regulations, that opposition to the clinic lacks tangible statistics for measuring perceived problems and that the proposed changes furthermore target a specific group of people. �y� ' Currently, there is a motorium of any further chemical abuse clinics until legislation/regulation can be determined. The Planning Commission opposes changes in the ordinance although a large number of residents are concerned and upset at the location, proximity to residential property and perceived traffic and other factors. City Council has asked the HRC to consider the proposed changes and make a recommendation in support or opposition. After much discussion, the HRC unanimously voted to oppose the proposed changes due to the fact that the proposed ordinance targets a specific population. Pat Williamson was directed to write a letter to the City Council stating the HRC's position on the issue. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. City response to Acts of Bias/Prejudice The League of MN HRC is currently working on something similar. Pat Williamson will bring a copy of the MN plan for committee review. Jim Garrett sent a message saying Harvey Bartz, Director of East Community Services, will assist in the preparation of the booklet/pamphlet. V. INTERNSHIP/MINORITY PROGRAM Per Mike McGuire, North St. Paul is not interested in pursuing a tri-area proposal. In a related matter, Pat spoke with Councilperson Sherin Timmerman of Oakdale. Oakdale will be pursuing an HRC for their City. Karla contacted Dave Martens from the Cadet program in Minneapolis. This program has been around for five years. The purpose is to encourage minorities to serve in law enforcement in the City of Minneapolis. The requirements for a cadet are a four- year degree and at least 21 years of age. The City of Minneapolis sends cadets to Mankato State for six months of intensive law enforcement. After completion rookies are hired as officers. The dropout rate is approximately 25%. The City of Minneapolis invests six months tuition and stipend ($1,000 tuition and $1,166 stipend per month) which is the same a5 the monthly salary of a new hire. The only difference is they have to pay for six months prior to receiving services for their investment. The new recruits must stay with the City for two years. Other cities have used a two-list system, one list being for protected classes, for hiring to fulfill their needs for a multicultural police force. Pat suggested we invite Dave Martens and any other representatives to attend our next meeting. Mike McGuire suggested several City staff and Police Chief Ken Collins sit in on the presentation to hear first hand. It was mentioned that the HRC should come to a decision to pursue or not to pursue this avenue since it seems to be a continued topic of discussion. �- - C. Human Rights Award Only one application received. After discussion it was decided to layover any action on this issue and to have Gordon do a site visit. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Commission Application Carol Cude sent in an application to the HRC in August. A resident of Maplewood and special education teacher for Learning Disabled, Emotionally Disabled and other health related disabled; Carol has strived to promote "barrier-free" access. Although Carol's husband is employed by the City of Maplewood, she feels her volunteer efforts for the HRC would not cause any conflict. The HRC unanimously recommends Carol Cude for the HRC. Her term would fulfill the current vacancy through December 1994. Mike or Carolyn will schedule this item on the Maplewood City Council agenda. IV. REPORTS A. League of MN Human Relations Commission Friday, December 3, is the 10th Annual Conference on Human Rights. If interested call the Maplewood HRC office by next week (Terrie at 770- 4524). B. City of Maplewood Carolyn announced the lunch session in St. Paul "Surviving the Killing Fields: What's Next for Cambodia" on December 1. C. Grievances No new grievances D. Other No items to report VII. ADJOURNMENT Adjourn 8:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Shelly Strauss