HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/10/2022
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – In Person/Virtual
March 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 5:32 pm
ROLL CALL
● Present: Masood Ahmad Oscar Felix
Beth Jaeger Barb Kistler
Fabiola Pascual Luna Phil Walker
● Absent: Jean Runyon
● Staff Present: Claudia Menendez and Rachael Johnson, City Equity Office,
HRC Liaisons
AGENDA REVIEW
● No changes were made to the agenda. The primary purpose of this meeting is to further
the work on the HRC’s 2022 work plan.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
● Motion to approve the February 10th minutes made by Phil Walker; seconded by
Barb Kistler. All in favor 6-0.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
● None
BUDGET REVIEW
● $5900 yearly budget.
● Deadline to request additional budget amount is April 20th.
NEW BUSINESS
● Discussion of HRC’s Role - Jenny Lopez Filkins, Senior Assistant City
Attorney
● Ms. Filkensʼ presentation provided an overview of the City Code and City
Charter relating to boards and commissions and, in particular, the
HRC’s Quasi-Judicial role.
o City Charter (on city website) is the constitution of the
city, which is established by City Council. It allows for
the creation of boards and commissions.
o City Code Section 2-175 pertains to the Human Relations
Commission and its maximum composition of nine
members.
o Boards and Commission manual is adopted by the city
council (should be the first reference for questions) The
Code and Manual requires an annual work plan from
HRC.
o Public Meetings- all meetings are open, unless there is
2/3 vote for an executive session. The notice for the
executive meeting must be posted.
o Quorum (five members) is required to make decisions by
voting on motions.
o Any meetings or correspondence regarding HRC
business that includes three or more members is
considered a public meeting (includes emails). Public
notice of the meeting, agendas and minutes must be
made available.
o Basic concepts of meeting procedure: Chair is in charge.
If a disagreement arises, the entire board votes. To
initiate a vote, a motion must be made.
o It was clarified that the HRC cannot endorse or sponsor
events, organizations, etc. independently.
o Follow-up action: Motion made by Masood to contact the
City Clerk re: recommended changes to the Board and
Commission Manual, including HRC membership (off-
cycle appointments to reach nine members) and quorum
rules (based on majority of appointed members).
Seconded by Barb. Approved 6-0. Beth and Barb will
write a request to the City Clerk.
• Overview of City Equity Indicators- Claudia Menendez and Rachael
Johnson, Equity & Inclusion Office
• Claudia Menendez: Equity and Inclusion Work
o Office of two, but is currently in the process of hiring a
third staff member.
o 2022 Strategic Objective: Does not want race, ethnicity,
religion, gender, age, class, sexual identity, and abilities
to be a determinant of opportunities and outcomes.
(Suggestion to add gender identity to this list, as well as
faith and belief systems).
o First set of indicators: Criminal Justice and Public Safety,
Economic Health and Opportunity, Housing. Indicators
Pending: Civic Engagement, Public Health,
Environmental Justice, Transportation.
o There will be an Equity Indicators Community Forum on
April 28th, from 5:30-7:30pm at the Fort Collins Senior
Center.
o Rachael will provide more information about the Cityʼs
connection with the Indigenous community at our April
meeting.
o The Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association
(NCIPA) Powwow is scheduled for April 8-10 at the
Northside Aztlan Community Center.
OLD BUSINESS
■ Committee Reports: Discussion RE: 2022 Focus Areas and
Recommended Actions
o Education Outreach: Meeting to discuss the co-
creation of events with the City will be scheduled.
o Media/Community Recognition Committee: None
o Government Relations: Barb is sitting in on City
Council and local legislator Town Hall meetings.
Barb will report on the “Human Libraries” program
at our April meeting.
o Executive: Beth expressed thanks for the HRCʼs
support in advocating to City Council to pass a
resolution in support of Ukraine.
o Larimer County Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Board has posted their members, but no meeting
plans yet.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT STEPS: Next Meeting- April 14, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
● Motion to adjourn by Oscar Felix; seconded by Barb Kistler. All in favor 6-0.
● Meeting adjourned: 7:31pm.