HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/07/1984Maplewood Human Relations Commission
Business Meeting February 7 , 1984
Present : Eiden , Fischer , Haynes , Heimerl , Hoyt , Larsen , Rostron
Welcomed new commissioner Ronald Heimerl .
Minutes : Business meeting January 3 , 1984 . Accepted without change .
HRA Appointment
Question on why Mary Eiden was appointed to Maplewood Housing &Redevelopment Authority Board without voting powers . After somediscussion,consensus ; a mix-up . Will be clarified by chair.
Peter Fischer
Had hoped to remain on Commission even though working in Eau Claire .Now it is obvious this will not be possible . Formally submittednoticeofresignation; will serve until new appointee is made ;
accepted with regret .
Election of Officers
Tabled to the end of the meeting to allow for arrival of a commissioner.
No Fault Grievance Update - Larsen
Secretary had made a record of the disclaimers that had been sent bytheState. Each one is a case that could have been handled at our
local level if the state were referring cases . There were six, two
of them lodged in January of 1984. Based on real property/familial
status ; sex discrimination in employment ; discrimination on the basis
of disability; reprisal ;
Q. What is a"Commissioner ' s Charge" .
A. When a particular matter of discrimination impacts on a large
number of the citizenry, the Commissioner will lodge a charge
in their name. E. g. "ladies night" at the Rickshaw Disco and
Garrity' s Lounge . This would be discrimination on the basis
of sex.
The Commissioner received much criticism for lodging these and similar
charges as they are inconsequential compared to some of those that are
backlogged. reasonAnother for criticism is that a Commissioner ' s
Charge receives every priority and these and similar charges had not
been acted upon at State level .
Q. What is a Federal Payback for investigation of cases?
A. It is an EEOC ploy. Criteria is based on:
1 . employment cases where the employer has more than 15
employees .
2 . Based on race, color , creed , relition , sex or national
origin ONLY.
The fee is $400 for each case acted upon.
The State Department also contracts with other agencies e . g. HUD.
2-Business Meeting 2/7/84
The most poorly covered charges at State level are those based on
public accommodation , public service , credit and age .
Will insert in Secretary ' s book, the special report on the LeaguemeetinginJanuary.
NFG case referral has been suspended. Our liaison, Peter Lewon hasbeenputoncasework.
By this business meeting we were aware that three top positions attheStateDepartmentlevelhadbeencut , including the commissioner .It may be a blessing in disguise because the Blue Ribbon Task Force
feels the local commissions have a great deal of potential for case
dispatching.
Case Update : Sexual harrassment. Case # . Case had been resolved
with the firing of the manager doing the harrassing. Now, he had
been hired back but would be working strictly with male attendants
and male clients . Firm has a right to hire him back. Nothing inthelawprohibitsthis .
New case : Discussed. Does not fall under purview of the act .
Larsen will call and advise grievant accordingly.
Case Update : AFDC status . Case settled by respondent in favor of
grievant. Awarded ten months rate abatement . ,,,o 0.,;,,,
MAPLEWOOD IN MOTION Insert
Along the lines of last spring; emphasis on NFG and membershipdesirability. Deadline February 17th, 1984.
PROCLAMATION - Human Relations Year for Maplewood
Too important to use just in publication.
Should be brought to the attention of the City.
Bring to the attention of the City Council . Request that
Mayor issue a citywide proclamation.
Passed out suggested copy (attaching in secretary ' s minutes) .Approved.
Hand-out : Suggestions for becoming sensitive to human rights/relations .
Poster : Suggested poster for showing in libraries , schools , public
buildings etc . Larsen will check out cost of printing thruSchooldistrict #622 .
League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions
Discussion of Board report previously made . Much of the material
was incorporated under NFG discussion. Also ,
We will get as many commissioners to the Annual Meeting as
possible . One day meeting this year with banquet in the evening.
Will check status of Peter Lewon before March meeting.
3-Business Meeting 2/7/84
Election of Officers
White ballot for : Patricia Williamson , Chair
Scott Rostron , Vice Chair
Maria Larsen, Secretary
Human Rights Education Packet
Sister Claire said she would be happy to make the special presentationsifshecanfollowaspecificsyllabus . Fischer will follow up.
Annual Report
City Manager ' s secretary in the process of putting on the finishingtouches . Hopes to have in our hands by March meeting.
Maplewood State Bank
Letter of thanks was written on the use of the electronic messageboardforHumanRightsDayonDecember10 , 1983 .
Next meeting March 6 , 1984 .
Maria Larsen, Secretary