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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Human RightsCITY up WE J()SKPH MEETING DATE: February 18, 2010 AGENDA ITEM: Human Rights SUBMITTED BY: Administration BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Council Agenda Item 6 PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: In 2007 the area Cities stated the discussion to create a regional human rights office. The discussion started with the six area Cities and three area Counties. As the process was worked through only St. Joseph and Waite Park continued to discuss a joint venture. The joint venture would have created a Regional Human Rights Office and Human Rights Commission to provide services (education; outreach; enforcement; and mediation) to the participating Cities. In April of 2008, the City had to make a commitment as to whether or not St. Joseph would help fund the St. Cloud Human Rights Office. On April 17, 2007 the City Council considered the venture and on a motion to enter into a JPA, the motion failed with a vote of 2 -3. At this time Waite Park was the only City left discussing a joint venture. Due to the unallotement and budgetary issues, the City of Waite Park subsequently withdrew their support as well. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In January of this year, I received an email from the St. Cloud City Administrator, Mike Williams, as did the City of Waite Park, inquiring if St. Joseph and Waite Park would be interested in pursuing the human rights initiative again. The City of St. Cloud was contemplating using the City of St. Cloud CDBG dollars to fund the Human Rights Office. The initial concept was utilizing grant funding for a period of five years, with an annual grant amount of $ 70,000. The initiative was illustrated at a cost of $110,000. With grant funding in the amount of $ 70,000, the balance of $ 40,000 would be the responsibility of each participating agency. Using a per capita formula the City of St. Joseph and Waite Park would be charged $.58 per capita, which is approximately $ 2,800 for the City of St. Joseph. If St. Joseph is the only participating partner, the anticipated annual cost is $ 3,100.00. Since it will take a little while to establish the office, the contribution will be reduced to the cost for the actual time the office is running. For example, if the program is implemented in July, the costs would be reduced by 50%. At the February 4, 2010, the Council requested that a representative from St. Cloud attend the meeting to facilitate the discussion. Mike Williams will be present at this meeting BUDGET /FISCAL IMPACT: Annual expenditure of approximately $ 3,100 ATTACHMENTS: Council Action of April 17, 2008 REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: It is my understanding that the grant application must be submitted by February 24, 2010 so a decision should be made at this meeting. 6:1 April 17, 2008 Page 7 of 8 Symanietz made a motion to approve Resolution 2008 -005 authorizing the cooperative Design and Construction Agreement with the Pool Capacity Attachment as recommended by the SCAWAC. The motion was seconded by Frank and passed unanimously. Regional Human Rights Effort: Weyrens stated that the Council must make a determination if the City of St. Joseph will be participating in the Regional Human Rights Office. Since the joint meeting in Waite Park, a proposed resolution has been prepared if the Council moves forward. The resolution provides for a constant per capita fee for a four year period and sunsets at the end of that period as well. With regard to the advisory committees, the will be defined after it is determined the number of entities participating. Rassier stated that he does not believe the Regional Human Rights Office is designed how the joint venture was initially proposed. At the beginning of the process the office was to be a cooperative effort amongst all the area Cities and the three Counties. Rassier further stated that he was of the understanding that office would have a greater focus on enforcement and has concerns to the level of service that can be provided with only three entities. Rassier stated for these reasons he does not believe he can support the joint venture at this time as it is his opinion it will not be an additional benefit to the residents of St. Joseph. Symanietz stated that she too has concerns with the proposed regional office and stated that the residents are currently paying for Human Rights services through their taxes and the additional funds for the office could be considered double taxation. Frank advised the Council that he is in support of the creation of a Regional Human Rights Office. He stated that when he was questioned about this in the fall, he gave his support and he plans to keep supporting the effort as it is the right thing to do. According to Frank, there are some that think the office will work with ethnic issues entirely; however, he stated that they will also deal with veteran's rights as well as age discrimination, etc. In the long run, he believes that supporting the regional office will save the City money. Frank added that if more cities were to join in the regional human rights effort, there would be more consistency throughout the area. Rassier stated that they are using a rate of $1.50 per capita to determine the costs for the project which would amount to approximately $8,000 this year. He also corrected Frank by stating that Veteran's rights will not be dealt with at this office, rather they will be referred to the VA for assistance. Schultz questioned what other entities have turned down their support of the regional office. Symanietz stated that all of the area cities and counties have turned it down so far except for Waite Park. Weyrens stated that it was anticipated that once the office is running the remaining area Cities would request to participate. Frank made a motion to approve Resolution 2008 -006 Supporting a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of St. Cloud and Interested Area Cities for the Purpose of Creating a Regional Human Rights Office. The motion was seconded by Symanietz. Discussion: Wick stated that he will not be supporting the resolution, not because he does not support human rights, rather the residents are already being taxed for the service through the State of Minnesota. Wick further stated that when the Commissioner of Human Rights was asked if she could open a new office where would it be located, it was not St. Cloud. St. Cloud was in the top five but not the top three. He further stated he has concerns with the proposed Joint Powers Board and one entity have majority control. During his research he discovered there are currently over fifty Human Rights Commission in the State of Minnesota with only three having investigatory powers. During the presentation from the Commissioner of Human Rights she also indicated that the education and outreach will be outsourced. Based on this research, St. Joseph could form their own Human Rights Commission how would assist with the educational resource piece Ayes: Symanietz, Frank Nays: Wick, Rassier, Schultz Motion Failed 2:3:0 6:2