HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 02/10/2022
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – In Person/Virtual
February 10, 2022 5:30 – 7:30 pm
CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO
CALL TO ORDER
● Meeting was called to order by Chair, Beth Jaeger, at 5:31pm
ROLL CALL
● Present: Jean Runyon Masood Ahmad Oscar Felix
Beth Jaeger Barb Kistler
Fabiola Pascual Luna Phil Walker
● Absent: None
● Staff Present: Claudia Menendez and Rachael Johnson, Equal Opportunity &
Compliance Managers, HRC Liaisons
● Public Participant: Cher Huesers
AGENDA REVIEW
● HRC’S internal business will take place prior to guest presentations.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
● Motion to approve January minutes made by Jean Runyon; seconded by Barb
Kistler. All in favor 7-0.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
● Cher Huesers: Wants to become more involved with DEI. Excited to see how she can offer
advice and help within the community.
BUDGET REVIEW
● $5900 yearly budget. If the HRC wishes to increase its budget, requests must be
submitted to the City by March 14th.
NEW BUSINESS
● Update: “Our Commitment to Self and Society” Community Initiative –
Reverend David Williams, Rabbi Hillel Katzir, and Nina Rubin
● HRC is eager for an update on the status of the initiative and its goals, and
wants to explore how HRC might support them in their mission.
● The message of the initiative has been revised and there is a public re-
launch on February 27th regarding “A History of Racial Equity in Fort
Collins.”
● The goal is to encourage businesses and individuals to make
commitments to social justice and celebrate it. Many positive and
exciting responses have been received, including from the City of Fort
Collins, the United Way of Larimer County and Hewlett Packard.
● Ways HRC can support:
o Get the word out about the Initiative, and promote the
February 27th program.
o Encourage businesses to contact them about supporting the
Initiative.
o Refer resources for technical support of the Initiativeʼs
website, etc.
■ Larimer County Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board – County
Commissioner Kristin Stephens
● HRC is very interested in the Board and its vision and mission, and
exploring ways to collaborate.
● The Board was organized after COVID and Cameron Peak fires. After
many communities in Northern Colorado were underserved during
the fires, the county assembled a diverse group to deal with
community problems.
● Ways HRC can collaborate:
o Once the Board has convened, Commissioner Stephens will
initiate a discussion regarding ways to work collaboratively to
serve the City, County and region.
OLD BUSINESS
■ Committee Reports: Discussion RE: 2022 Focus Areas and
Recommended Actions
o Education Outreach: Fabiola Pascual Luna
Fabiola presented several ideas for educational programs to
promote equity and inclusion in the community. It was suggested
that the HRC deliver two educational programs in 2022; late spring
and fall.
In regard to long range goals, it was proposed that the HRC cultivate
relationships with the community and media that support our mission
and vision, and to measure the impact of those efforts.
o Media/Community Recognition Committee: Jean Runyon
Jean recommended that we first hear reports from other committees,
and then align the Media/Community Recognition Committee goals
to support the other committeeʼs goals.
This committee will also be working on the HR Awards at the end of
2022.
o Government Relations: Barb Kistler
Barb presented several recommendations for this Committeeʼs work,
including:
Attending City Council Meetings. The Council has done an
excellent job of integrating diversity and inclusion into the
meetings.
Working on getting clarification on the quasi-judicial abilities of
HRC.
Promoting more national holidays.
Look into the inclusivity of the city’s non-discrimination
ordinance. Also change its rhetoric in regard to sexual
orientation and gender identity.
o Executive: Jean Runyon and Beth Jaeger
Beth reviewed this Committee’s accountabilities detailed in our
2022 work plan. No additions or changes were recommended.
- All will review committee recommendations, our 2022 work plan, and the
City’s initial Equity Indicators to begin to identify and refine 2022 priorities.
And, Committee Chairs will consider budget requirements to determine if we
need to request additional monies form the City by March 14th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Beth will contact Vic Smith re: meeting with Magistrate Zehe regarding the
8th District Judicial Juvenile Services Planning Committee Racial and
Ethnic Disparities Initiative. Barb, Fabiola and Oscar are interested in
joining.
Barb provided information regarding the Queer Memory Project; Rachael
will send a website link to review information about his work.
ADJOURNMENT
● Motion to adjourn by Phil Walker; seconded by Jean Runyon. All in favor 7-0
● Meeting adjourned: 7:24pm