HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-22-1993 Special 1MINUTES
STUDY SESSION
MARCH 22, 1993
A special meeting study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by
Mayor Bergman at 5:25 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center,
3400 Plymouth Blvd., on March 22, 1993.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councihnembers Edson, Helliwell, and Vasiliou
ABSENT: Councihnember Tierney
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson. Community Development Director
Dillerud, Public Works Director Moore, Park Director Blank, and City Clerk
Rauenhorst
OTHERS PRESENT: Park and Recreation Advisory Commission members Anderson,
Wahl, Burk, and Gutzke
City Manager Johnson stated the purpose of the study session is to discuss
establishment of a Human Rights Commission and to review the Park and Recreation
Community Survey.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
City Clerk Rauenhorst stated that on November 30, 1992, the Council
conducted a study session on the issue of human rights. At the conclusion of
this meeting, staff was requested to research and provide information so the
Council could decide whether to reestablish the Plymouth Human Rights
Commission.
Human rights commissions are voluntary groups appointed by city councils to
advise and promote matters relating to human rights under the State Human
Rights Act 363. Commissions usually provide the following services: 1)
Provide educational activities about human rights laws and issues; 2) Serve as
an advisory body to the Council on human rights laws, issues, policies, and
programs; and 3) Participate in the State of Minnesota Department of Human
Rights No Fault Grievance Procedure to mediate human rights complaints.
The City previously had a Hunan Rights Commission that was established
essentially to conduct the No Fault Grievance process. An ordinance rescinding
the Commission was adopted by the Council in 1984. She explained the No
Fault Grievance process and the nonprofit organization, The League of
Council Study Session
March 22, 1993
Page 2
Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, which serves as a resource to local
human rights commissions.
Clerk Rauenhorst presented results of a survey conducted of cities with human
rights commissions and reviewed membership, whether no fault grievance is
conducted, major activities conducted, budget, and staff support. She suggested
that the Council determine whether to move forward to reestablish a Plymouth
Human Rights Commission. If the Council wants to move forward, she
requested that the Council provide direction on number of members, terms of
office, geographic or other representation, non-voting members, involvement of
school districts, selection of officers, No Fault Grievance, funding and staffing,
powers and duties of the Commission, and membership in the League of
Minnesota Human Rights Commissions.
Mayor Bergman stated establishment of a local human rights commission would
be something the City could do to be proactive in the area of human rights
education and to diffuse potential problems.
Councilmember Vasiliou suggested that the Public Safety Education Specialist
could serve as a staff liaison member.
Councilmember Helliwell stated there should be involvement by the four school
districts.
The Council discussed whether the school districts' involvement should be
through the Council appointing a school board member and youth member,
and/or through a citizen appointee to represent each school district.
Councilmember Edson stated the school district representative(s) could be
appointed by each school board.
Councilmember Vasiliou suggested that staff send a letter to each school
district's Administrative offices informing them that the City of Plymouth is
forming a human rights commission and requesting input on how they would
like a representative to be selected. The letter could also measure their level of
interest.
The Council also discussed whether it may be possible to establish an area
human rights commission that could serve several cities. Staff was requested to
contact adjacent cities to determine if there is interest in pursuing a joint human
rights commission.
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March 22, 1993
Page 3
PARK AND RECREATION COMMUNITY SURVEY
Park Director Blank introduced Pat Schomaker from the Minnesota Center for
Survey Research.
Ms. Schomaker presented a pre-test draft of the survey and reviewed each of the
survey questions, and noted additions, deletions, and modifications suggested by
the City Council and Park and Recreation Commissioners.
The City Council authorized Ms. Schomaker to proceed with administering the
pre-test. The results of the pre-test will be shared with the Council.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
City Clerk