Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/1995 Work Session . . . ., , ~ City of Springfield Joint Work Session MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL AND THE SPRINGFIELD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11,1995 The City of Springfield Council met in Joint Work Session with the Springfield Human Rights Commission at Springfield City Hall, Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, September 11, 1995, at 6:10 p.m. with Mayor Morrisette presiding. ATTENDANCE Present from the Council were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Also present were Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi, City Recorder Eileen Stein, Development Services Director Susan Daluddung, and members of staff. Present from the Human Rights Commission were Tonya Johnson, Dorothy Isabell, Melody Kelsay, Bill Eikenberry, John De Wenter and Mandy Oglesby. 1. Review of Human Rights Commission Activities Assistant City Manager Gino Grimaldi stated the Council periodically meets with the it's advisory boards commissions and committees to touch base and discuss any current issues or items of city-wide interest. Human Rights Commission Chair Tonya Johnson provided an overview of the commission and asked for council review and approval of the Commission's proposed workplan and bylaws changes. Ms. Johnson introduced commission member John DeWenter. Mr. DeWenter provided an overview of planned activities of the protected class and culture subcommittee. He stated the subcommittee/commission needs specific direction as to what they should be doing before they can develop programs for the community. Ms. Johnson recognized commission member Bill Eikenberry for his efforts to organize the Human Rights Commission booth at the 1995 Filbert Festival. Mr. Eikenberry explained the activities of the health education and youth subcommittee. He indicated that the sexual abstinence program was dropped due to the outdated nature of the material as well as the feeling that the Commission was not adequately prepared to promote an effective abstinence program with such information. Commission member Melody Kelsay provided and update of the public relations subcommittee efforts. She stated they need direction from the City Council before they can effectively communicate with the community about the Commission's purpose and mission. They currently disseminate the information about the programs that the other two subcommittees are doing. Ms. Johnson reiterateq the need for Council direction on the activities of the Human Rights Commission. Mayor Morrisette stated the original purpose of the commission was to be a resource for the community for people in need. He gave an example that at St. Alice's soup kitchen, which doesn't serve singlesunless they volunteer to help. He felt that the St. Alice issue is an example of helping people in the community. He further stated the Interfaith Emergency Center program is languishing and that shelter is a human right that needs to be addressed. There is a runaway education program that the commission could assist with that the School District is currently developing. . . . , .. City of Springfield Joint Work Session - 9/11/95 Page two Mayor Morrisette stated the role of government is to facilitate the connection between needs and community resources. He explained his examples are just a few ways the Human Rights Commission could get involved in serving the community. Commission member Dorothy Isabell stated she does not see the need for the commission to exist. There are many other organizations in the community that are already serving community needs outside of the commission. Councilor Shaver stated the brochure/logo were nicely done and he supports the booth at the Filbert Festival. He likes the presentation of yearly human rights awards, as it sets a positive image for Springfield and hopefully encourages and heightens human rights awareness. Councilor Shaver asked how many complaints are received annually. Mr. Grimaldi replied, two to three, with only one ever prompting an inquiry by the city attorney to determine if an investigation is needed, and it was not. Councilor Maine explained the Springfield Coordinating Council exists for the purpose of determining where the social service agencies are not meeting the needs of Springfield residents. The Council and commission discussed the proposed basic human rights plan and the purpose and mission of the commission. They also discussed basic human rights, especially those that are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the ability of the commission to guarantee and protect those basic human rights. They discussed the many social and financial needs of people in the community as a result of societal and political changes over the past couple of decades and how these changes have affected their basic human rights. Councilor Burge felt that a community needs assessment is warranted to determine what the specific needs are in Springfield before the Commission can move forward with developing a basic human rights plan. He felt that with only two complaints per year, maybe the focus of the commission should be different, but still have a need for the commission. Councilor Beyer felt if the commission is doubting the human rights plan, then it is difficult for her to endorse the plan as a Councilor. She stated she does not want to see the commission be unfocused and continue to exist without a community need. Mr. DeWenter stated Springfield does have a human rights ordinance, but state laws are much stronger and so most people address their complaints at that level. He felt the balance of the complaints that the commission gets are the ones that are less weighty or are less clear. When complaints do come in that are clear violations, staff encourages them to process the complaint through the State Bureau of Labor. Mayor Morrisette stated the commission should continue to be a clearinghouse of information for people who don't know about the social service agencies in the community. Councilor Burge asked how the commission make a distinction between the people who genuinely need the help versus those that have chosen to have the government take care of their needs as a chosen lifestyle. Mr. Eikenberry stated a real issue in the community is domestic violence and parents that do not have the right to supervise their children. He felt this is a need that the commission should address. .. .. .. . . . . City of Springfield Joint Work Session - 9/11/95 Page three Ms. Johnson specifically referenced a commission bylaw regarding how commission officers are selected by the City Council and requested that it be changed to officers being selected by the members of the Human Rights Commission, annually. Mr. Grimaldi clarified that the proposed changes primarily have to do with how the student positions are selected based on past changes made to the bylaws regarding the term expiration of adult commission members. He explained the bylaws will be brought to council for formal approval at a regular council meeting at a future date. Ms. Kelsay spoke regarding the appointment of members to the commission. She explained there is not the same amount of turnover as there was previously and the commission should not have to wait until the end of the year to fill positions. She requested a bylaw change to automatically begin the appointment process when the level of adult members falls below nine members. Councilor Burge stated it should be policy, not a bylaw change. Councilor Shaver stated he would like to talk to the other Council members to see if some direction can be provided to the commission. He discussed his personal experience with wanting to volunteer and serve the community, but not having any direction from the governing board or the jurisdiction. Ms. Johnson thanked the Council for meeting with the commission. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Eileen Stein @~~ ATTEST: ~~ City Recorder