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.. STATE OF MINNESOTA t DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS I 240 BREMER BUILDING. (612) 296"5663 · SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55101 November 2, 1979 Telephone: 296-5665 Honorable James Senden, Mayor City of New Brighton Dear Mayor Senden: In the past few months I have been in touch with local human rights commissions around the state several times to clarify and strengthen the working relationship that exists between thi s depat~bnent and cOfl1missions. i am very interested in re- vitalizing and renewing a spirit of cooperation and good will among us since we share many goals and concerns related to human rights. I There are two topics in particular that I have focused on in my contact with com- missions that I would like to take this opportunity to share wHh you since your approval and support will be sought and certainly needed before we proceed. Two procedures, the No-Faul t Grievance Process and the r'1emorandum of Agreement, were developed by the department in the past as vehicl es through which commissions and the department could conduct {j mutually satisfactory working arrangement. Since I have assumed my duties as Commissioner of Human Rights SOli1e seven months ago, I have reviewed both of these procedures. I There were several factors that I kept in mind while I evaluated these two pro- cedures. I firmly bel ieve that rather than imposing procedures and requirements upon commissions that alter' the way in which commissions intend to operate, the department should be very concerned about developing cooperative working arrange- ments that are compatible with local commissions' purpose, organization, and present way of operating. I recognize that commissions are most often composed of volunteers, community members that are will ing to give freely of their time and talent to be the human rights consciences of their cities and towns. Inasmuch as members of commissions have assumed this responsibil Hy, they must be famil iar with human rights issues, and 1aws, but I do not think that the department should expect commission members to act as professional enforcement staff. I am also aware of the variety of problems that commissions encounter in terms of clerical support and varying degrees of authority and freedom to act. I considered these factors whil e I reviewed the No-Faul t Grievance Process and the Memorandum of Agreement. I have decided that the best interests of commissions and the department would be served by el iminating any further activity related to the Memorandum of Agreement. It 'is my be"lief that the Memorandum, as it is presently devised, shifts too much of an investigative or enforcanent burden to commi ssions, a responsibil ity that should more appropriately rest with the department. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ' . a~li~y @