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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 08/29/1989 - Joint Meeting MINUTES JOINT MEETING CITY COUNCIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND SERVICES COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1989 7:3O P.M. - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Gary Peterson, Richard Anderson, Jean Harris, Patricia Pidcock and Douglas Tenpas COMMISSION MEMBERS: Gail Leipold - Chair, Bette Anderson, William Jackson, Peg Johnson, Gary Perkins, and Melanie Voris COMMISSION STAFF: Natalie Swaggert, Director of Human Resources and Services, Pat Barker, and Karen. Michael , Recording Secretary a I. ROLL CALL Council members Jean Harris and Patricia Pidcock were absent. II . APPROVAL OF AGENDA : MOTION: Anderson moved, seconded by Tenpas, to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried unanimously. III . INTRODUCTIONS Director of Human Resources and Services introduced members of the Human Rights and Services Commission and noted areas of interest and expertise of each member. IV. MISSION Commission Chair Leipold stated that the Commission was a working commission using sub-committees to focus on specific goals. Leipold said the Commission was proud of its accomplishments and would continue to be advocates for those who live and work in Eden Prairie. V. GOALS A. Funding Gary Perkins gave an overview of the funding process and reviewed the criteria used in determining funding. The forms used in the process were explained. Perkins addressed how the Commission made its recommendation to the Council for funding and the use of the contingency fund. The Commission' s on-going monitoring of agencies was also outlined. B. Human Services Coordinating Council Peg Johnson, the Commission's representative on the Human Services �. Coordinating Council , briefly reviewed the history of the Council and noted the representation on the Council . She called attention to the Mission Statement which was included in the packets. The Council has looked into the need for and the possibility of United blay funding for a human services center. She reported that the Council 's current issues are focusing on the needs of low-income residents and child care. Johnson called attention to the joint meting of the Human Services Coordinating Council and the Human Rights and Services Commission to be held on October 30th in the School Board Room in the School Administration Building. At that time there will be a presentation by the Hennepin County Health Department. Johnson noted that this joint Commission/Council meeting is an annual event. Pat Barker reported that a survey is being conducted on the income basis used to determine sliding fee scales in the City. As a part of i that survey it was :earned that 8% of the student lunches served last r year by the school district were subsidized. Council member Anderson asked if the school district has a breakfast program. No one was M aware of one being offered at this time. Mayor Peterson asked that the City Council be sent notices of the October 3Oth joint meting. C. Transportation Virginia Gartner said the Commission was increasing its awareness of transportation problems in Eden Prairie as well as surrounding communities. Beverley Miller. Southwest Metro Transit Administrator, is scheduled to speakr to the Commission during the coming year. The transportation issue was an important aspect in the review of the E1im Homes project. Gartner stated that the South Hennepin Human Services Council is currently conducting a transportation survey. Mayor Peterson asked if this survey would also examine the unmet needs of the handicapped. Swaggert said she believed the survey would cover all aspects of transportation. 0. Communication Bette Anderson addressed the internal and external communication networks. She called attention to the roles Commission members play in other organizations and noted that Commission members have sought out positions on other boards and commissions to broaden the knowledge and influence of the Commission. Commission members have conducted on-site visits this past year to the agencies funded and have found these visits to be most helpful. Mayor Peterson asked why the Commission was represented on Pride Institute 's Board and not on the Board of Humphrey Residents or Welcome Home. Pride Institute had requested that a Commission member serve on its board. i i t J E . No-Fault Grievance Training Gail Leipold reported that sever, of the nine Commission members have been trained in the no-fault grievance process, the remaining two members will be trained this fall . The Commission has a "Workshari ng Agreement" with the Department of Human Rights which outlines the roles each will play. This year the Commission has submitted news articles to local newspapers which explained the no-fault grievance process; presentations have been made to various civic organizations; and members are developing a bulletin board piece which will further advertise the process. Mayor Peterson asked if people other than Commission members can be trained in the process; Leipold said that is not possible under the Worksharing Agreement. F . Hennepin County Kent Barker said that $500 million was spent on human services by Hennepin County this last year. Because Eden Prairie has approximately 4% of the County's population, it would seem that $20 million should be allocated to Eden Prairie's needs. Even though human service needs seem to be less in Eden Prairie, the County does a t spend about $12 million for AFDC, general assistance, medical assistance, child protection, and family counseling. Barker related that Hennepin County now has an intake worker at the PROP offices two days each week to service Eden Prairie residents. He also called attention to the fact that a representative from Hennepin County's Health Department will be at the October 30th Joint Meeting with the Human Service Coordinating Council . Doug Tenpas asked if there were statistics available regarding the number of families in Eden Prairie receiving assistance from the County. Johnson said that Commission has figures as of October 1988 at which time there were 118 families receiving AFDC, 34 receiving General Assistance, 119 receiving Medical Assistance, and 141 receiving food stamps. G. Human Rights Bill Jackson said that the Commission had been represented at a recent dinner held by the NAACP and that the Commission had as a speaker early last year Frank Taylor, President of the Southwest Area Branch of the NAACP. The Commission has a sub-committee which will meet next week to work on plans for a Martin Luther King celebration on January 21, 1990. Jackson and Michael attended a meeting in Bloomington recently at which time representatives from Edina, Richfield, and Eden Prairie heard about Bloomington's successful celebration last January. Jackson noted that Gary Gorman, representing the State Department of Human Rights, will speak to the Commission at its September meeting. Mayor Peterson asked if the NAACP is reaching out to minority groups. Jackson said that the Southwest Area Branch seems to be reaching out to corporate executives and those in power such as mayors and council members; this is not necessarily the way the organization does things at the national level . f 11. Renta 1 Code { Virginia Gartner stated that this was a project undertaken by the Commission in about 1985. Kevin Schmieg, Director of Facilities, Inspections & Safety , is scheduled to nake a presentation to the Commission this Fall . The questions posed to the City are usually those which would not, be covered under a rental code; many of the questions can be addressed by referring to the Uniform Building Code. I . Senior Services Melanie Voris said that the Commission was increasing its knowledge of services and programs offered to seniors. During the past year Sandy Werts and Willie Emry had made presentations, a visit was made to the Senior Outreach offices , Commission members made a presentation on the no-fault grievance process at the Senior Center, the Commission supported a program whereby a Senior Outreach worker was present at the Senior Center three days each week; support was giver, for strengthening the level of service provided by the H.O.M.E. i n program, the Elim Shores project was reviewed, and a sub-committee was established to research other senior programs. Dick Anderson suggested that this is an area where there could be 1 more coordination between the seniors and the recreation staff. He said he is especially concerned about those seniors who find themselves without a partner and yet willing to do things. He said it is particularly important to reach out to that population. Voris :1 said there is also a fear on the part of seniors to ask for help because they are afraid of losing their homes. P1. Development Proposals Peter Iversen said that a sub-committee had been formed to review the Elim Shores project ; once the project is completed, Commission members want to schedule a tour. He said the Commission would like to be viewed as a resource to the Council. He thanked the City staff for its help in preparing Commission members to carry out their role. VI . DISCUSSION Leipold asked the Council if the Commission was fulfilling its charge. The Mayor said it was and expressed its thanks to the Commission members for an excellent presentation. Tenpas staged he had recently done a "ride along" with the Police Department and was able to see some of the community 's needs at that time; he said he was impressed with the Commission members involvement and what the Commission is doing in the community. a Leipold said there are some very good services available and it is the Commission 's desire to bring the best of those to Eden Prairie. flayor Peterson said he was impressed with the organizational structure of the Commission and how it is looking at the meeting the needs of the residents. He said he wished there was a way for all the residents of Eden Prairie to know what this Commission does. Tenpas said if the people in Eden Prairie were aware of how many Eden Prairie residents are in need maybe the checkbooks would open and there would be more money available to serve the needs of Eden Prairie residents. VII. AQJOURN.1ENT MOTION: Tenpas moved, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. a k T �y