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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/12/2022 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting – In Person/Virtual May 12, 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: Beth Jaeger Barb Kistler Fabiola Pascual Luna Phil Walker ● Absent: Masood Ahmad Oscar Felix Rachael Johnson ● Staff Present: Claudia Menendez, Office of Equity & Inclusion, HRC Liaison ● Public Participant: Torin Kaletsky AGENDA REVIEW  Due to the fact that only four HRC members were present, we did not have a quorum for this meeting. Therefore, no votes were taken on agenda action items. A special HRC meeting will be scheduled before the regular June 9th HRC meeting to vote on required ac- tion items. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Due to a lack of quorum, the vote to approve the April 14, 2022 meeting minutes will be moved to the special HRC meeting agenda. BUDGET REVIEW:  HRC has $5,900 budget this year. It is anticipated that the Annual Human Relations Award Ceremony will require approximately $1,500. Costs for potential educational programs will be estimated before approval; the Cityʼs Equity Office will pay for program facility costs. NEW BUSINESS ● Criminal Justice and Public Safety Equity Indicators Discussion with Fort Collins Police Services: Chief Jeff Swoboda, Deputy Chief Greg Yaeger, and Kate Kimble, Public Relations Manager ● The HRC discussed with FCPS leaders how they focus on and continu- ally improve relevant equity indicators to advance ethical and unbi- ased policing in our community. ● The HRC thanked FCPS for its commitment to building trust and collabo- ration in the community ‒ and will keep FCPS informed about oppor- tunities to broaden community conversations about policing in Fort Collins. ● Additional Follow Up: April 28th Equity Indicators Community Forum ● The HRC congratulated Claudia and her City colleagues for a very suc- cessful community Forum. Claudia welcomed the HRC to send her any feedback about this Forum. ● The next Forum topic will be Economic Health. ● HRC Membership Update ● Beth acknowledged Jean Runyonʼs resignation from the HRC due to an incredible professional opportunity as the new President of Piedmont Vir- ginia Community College. The HRC thanked Jean for her significant con- tributions to the HRC and congratulated her on her new role. ● At its April 26th meeting, City Council approved a mid-year recruitment process to fill vacancies on Boards and Commissions. Recruitment will begin in May; interviews will be held in June. Beth will send application information to all to encourage qualified individuals to join the HRC. Cur- rently, the HRC has three positions to fill. ● Election of Vice Chair and Media/Community Recognition Committee Chair ● Due to Jeanʼs resignation, the HRC needs to fill its Vice Chair and Me- dia/Community Recognition Committee Chairs roles. Due to a lack of quorum, this action item will be moved to the special HRC meeting agenda. OLD BUSINESS ■ Committee Reports: Discussion RE: 2022 Focus Areas and Recom- mended Actions o Education Outreach: Fabiola Pascual Luna  Fabiola and Barb reviewed their proposals for two trainings: “This Thing Called Bias” and the “Human Library” program. Several ideas were presented, including dates, sites, participants, etc.  Barb will submit an application to the “Human Library” program to secure more details about this training.  Claudia will check on the availability of the Senior Center for both programs.  The updated program proposals will be reviewed and voted on dur- ing the upcoming special HRC meeting. o Media/Community Recognition Committee: None o Government Relations:  Barb met with David Reid, currently with First United Methodist Church as Community Organizer. David is working to start a North- ern Colorado chapter of Coloradoans for Common Good. This group will work to establish strong relationships with institutions and organizations who are interested in partnering around social justice issues. o Executive: Beth Jaeger  Beth reported that Barb had followed up with Commissioner Kristen Stephens about the HRCʼs interest in exploring options to collabo- rate with the Larimer County Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advi- sory Board. This idea will be discussed at their June meeting.  Beth, Barb, Claudia and Rachael will meet with Jenny Lopez Filkins on June 2nd to discuss the Cityʼs non-discrimination policies and explore the inclusion of “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression” in protected class language.  Beth reported that Fabiola met Spanish speaking community mem- bers who wish to be involved in the HRC. If Fabiola wishes to in- vite these individuals to the next HRC meeting, Claudia will arrange for Spanish interpretation.  Barb and Beth will discuss bringing together representatives of “like-minded,” DEI-focused community groups to better understand the collection of DEI efforts in Fort Collins and explore potential col- laboration. NEXT STEPS Meeting Action Items: Beth will send out action items for next meeting and will schedule a special HRC meeting to vote on required items. Next Meeting- June 9, 2022- Agenda Ideas: Rachael has confirmed Brittany Depew and Meaghan Overton from the Cityʼs Housing Office; it was suggested that Rachael also invite representatives from the Murphy Center and the Cityʼs Affordable Housing Board to join our discussion. ADJOURNMENT ● Meeting ended at 7:30pm.