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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 06/04/1985 - Joint Meeting AGENDA JOINT CITY COUNCILAUMAN RIGHTS & SERVICES COO-7-IISSION TUESDAY, JUNE 4 , 1985 6:00 PM, SC1400L ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BOARDROOM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Gary Peterson, Richard Anderson, George Bentley, Patricia Pidcock and Paul Redpath HUMAN RIGHTS & SERVICES GOt14ISSION: Doug Beardsley, Woodrow Rjork, William Jackson, Margaret "Peg" Johnson, Elizabeth Kelly, Leslie Thoreson and James D. Van Horn CITY STAFF: Human Services Coordinator Jan Flynn, Director of Coarnun i ty Services Bob Lambert, City Manager Carl J. Jullie, Assistant to the City Manager Craig W. Dawson, and Recording Secretary Karen Michael I. ROLL CALL 1I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA III. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION A. 1PAa ' of Cif Code! rding rega duties and responsibilities of Human Rights & Services Conmission � B. Role of Comni ssi on C. Procedures for directives from Council to the Commission IV. NEW BUSINESS V. ADJOURNMENT. 1 a _ :. — — — APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL JOINT MEETING HUMAN RIGHTS & SERVICES COMMISSION TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985 6:00 PM, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BOARDROOM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Gary D. Peterson , Richard Anderson . Geor(w Bentley, Patricia Pidcock and Paul Redpath HUMAN RIGHTS & SERVICES COMMISSION: Doug Beardlsey, Woodrow Bjork, William Jac ,,on . Margaret "Peg" Johnson , Elizabeth Kelley, Iv,-lie Thoreson and James D. Van Horn CITY STAFF: Human Services Coordinator Jan Calhoon. Di r f.,ct or of Community Services Bob Lambert, City Managor- Carl J. Jul 1 i e, Assistant to the City Manaoct- Craig Dawson, and Recording Secretary Karen Michael . (Also present was Gerry Beckman. PROP. ) I . ROLL CALL All members of the COUncil and of the Commission were uresent. ='PROVAL OF AGENDA ITION: Redpath moved, seconded by Pidcock , to approve the Agenda as publ i shad. otion carried unaniriously. I 1 I . ITEMS OF DISCUSSION • A. Role of Co► i-nission Commission Chair Kelly gave an overview of the role of the Commission over the years. She noted the Commission was formed in May of 1968 about the time the State Civil Rights Act was adopted ; issues at that time were more civil oriented. In 1976-77 the Louise Whi tbeck Fraser Homes were present i nq their plans to the City and the impact of group homes was the issue. A Cornnunity-hased Services Board was set up with the purpose of assisting all supervised residential programs and social rehabi l i tiation programs by providing a conduit for resolving problems and integrating the homes into the community, In late 1977 the Human Rights Conunission changed its name to the Human Rights and Services Commission and its emphasis from civil rights concerns was changed to more humanistic issues . By 1979 needs were growing and agencies were beginning to request funding and wanted to be located in Eden Prairie. The Commission determined guidelines and defined needs for long range ideas were necessary. South Hennepin Human Service; Council was asked to use its resources and develop a study which would inventory the agencies , establish priorities for funding, reduce duplica- tion of set-vices . and document unmet needs. In 198U the "No-fault Gricv.mcc' Joint Meeting Mi mutes, -2- Julie 4, 11),1`_, proces! was established to negotiate cases at the local lcvrl which would, in turn, reduce the case load at the State level . ( ram 1981 - 1933 the Conunission focused on implementation of the f indincl-, of the Comprehensive Study. The Conni ssion is presently dealing with the information derived from the 1980 census as well as with cicniographic information relating to Eden Prairie 's development. Woodrow Bjork reviewed the City Code provisions covering the Conunission. He noted that sections A, B and C are clear and the Commission has no questions regarding them. The Conurri ssion would like to have Section D clarified. Sections E and F are ok. Sections G - Q deal with group homes. The role of the Conuni ssion has expanded over the years and those areas should be included. Doug Beardsley gave an overview of the types of issues the Commission has dealt with during the past year including child tarn. decentralization of mental health facilities , Meals ala car, low income housing. Summer employment, elderly housing projects and the no-fault grievance process, He noted the target areas which had been developed by the Commission (see attached. ) Leslie Thoreson spoke to a specific example -- the Prairie Village Apart- ments -- and how the Commission had experienced a great deal of confusion because it was not involved in the review process from the beginning. The Conuvrission wishes to be involved in the process from the beginning and not as an afterthought. The Commission would like to he the initiator of guidelines and asked the- Council if this would be an appropriate role. �. Jim Van Horn addressed the issue as to how the Conmvission is working on solutions and ideas as to its scope. The Conwi ss i on would like some overall direction from the Council ; it would like to sec the Code updated. with the sections dealing with group homes tempered ; it would 1 i ke to review elderly housing needs in light of the Metropolitan Council 's goal-, and could foresee the need for the expertise of a housing spec i al i st f ron, time to time; and the Commission would like to have a checklist of thing; the Council would like to see it deal with. Mayor Peterson compl invented the Conmi ssion for its very well thought out presentation. Redpath related his experiences with attempting to help an elderly individual find housing in Eden Prairie, Bentley said he felt the Connnission should, by all mr.ans , he the initiator of guidelines ; the Connvii ssi on should always feel it can look at things he.- cause its recommendations will come back to the Council . tie felt revi s i na the City Code was a good idea. Bentley expressed concern ahout the Metro- pol i tan Counc i l 's plans for dispersion of elderly housing, group homes . etr . particularly in light of Federal cutbacks. The validity of this concept { must he reviewed -- can the City handle the levels that are expected by tho Metropolitan Council based on the services we are able to provide. Joi nt Meeti nq Mi rout es -3- Ouns, G Kelly said the Conurission would like to put together guided int-, for elderly housing. She wondered if there would be money available to hire a consultant to aid in this process . Bentley stated that sorietirnes the City can ask a developer to pay for a study when the Council feels it is a part of the process. He also noted there is a reserve in the City budget which is retained for items such as that which ►,a•, suggested. Anderson said he regards this Commission as the conscience of the City. He said he Knows there is a need for housing for those confined to wheelchairs. Anderson expressed a concern about the need for infant day care. He also said there is a need for something for kids to do in the summer. Peterson asked who takes the initiative when it comes to reviewing development proposals in light of human rights/services and at what point does the Commission review housing for the elderly proposals. Calhoun stated the Commission had reviewed the Prairie Village apartment proposal just prior to 2nd Reading. Redpath said that several years ago the Council had talked about how long the Ci ty' s review rwoce ss takes and it was determined that only the Planning Conurission and the Parks , Recreation h Natural Resources Commission would review proposals unless a real need was demonstrated. Peterson said he would appreciate the Commission' s comments on proposals it felt warranted its review. Pidcock said she felt the Commission should be able to act rather than react. 4 Bentley said he would like to see the Commission provide the Council with 1 a periodic update on trends in the community such as discrimination, sexual harassment, etc. He said he would like to have the City Council apprised as to what is going on and where the problems might lie. Anderson asked what the City's responsibility is regarding harassment and discrimination. Calhoun said the City does not have a sexual haras,,rrxrnt policy. Anderson asked if the City needs such a policy. Beardsley said yes. Jackson said this would then bring the City in compliance with State law. City Manager Jullie said the City is governed by the State Department of Humans Rights regarding this . He said it would he a good idea to have a written policy so the City would be fully covered and would not he operating in a vacuum. Anderson suggested the Commission review a sexual harassment policy and forward it to the Council . Sjork noted the conununity is experiencing cheat growth as indicated by the census. The Conurission feels a little uneasy because, Edon Prairie is known for its quality of life and the Connrii ss i on feels that the services expected by the residents roust be provided. lie said he feels this Conurission is more important than anyone realizes. Pidcock said she would like to see the Cannnission develop guidelines and that proposals which have human service concerns should rice before this Crnunission. Jullie noted that the City cannot request a developer to do more than what is required by State Statutes and Codr-:, . Joint Meeting Minutes -4- Jun(- 4 . 19t , Peterson said the City must look at whether or not somethirliy is regulatory vs. advisory. Red path said he would like to see the Commission look into the battering g probl em. Bentley said he would like to hear more on what the Cominission feels should be done regarding drug awareness and communication regarding this within the community. Anderson said he felt there was a definite gap in the conununity when it comes to what is available for kids in the summer time. Calhoun stated that has been an on-going discussion item. t . MOTION: Bentley moved, seconded by Anderson, to direct Staff to work t with the Commission to draft new Code provisions. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Bentley moved, seconded by Anderson, to direct Staff to work with the Commission in determining study needs , consultant services needs , and possible funding needs. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Bentley moved, seconded by Anderson, to direct Staff to direct all City issues relative to the identified target areas to the Human Rights and Services Commission prior to Council review. Motion carried unanimously. i MOTION: Bentley moved, seconded by Pidcock, to ask the Commission to provide the Council with periodic updates on the human rights and services needs and trends in the community; and to review a sexual harassment policy for the Council 's consideration. Motion carried unaninxlu.,1y. Peterson thanked the Commission on behalf of the Council . Kelly thanked the Council on behalf of the Commission. The meeting was adjourned at 7: 25 p.m. r a�F'er�„S"