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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 02/09/2023 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION February 9, 2023, 5:30-7:30pm CALL TO ORDER ● The meeting was called to order at 5:32pm by Chair Beth Jaeger. ROLL CALL ● Present: Beth Jaeger Coronda Ziegler Barb Kistler Fabiola Pascual Luna Kyle Teramoto Phil Walker Torin Kaletsky ● Absent: Masood Ahmad ● Staff Present: Rachael Johnson ● Public Participation: None APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 12, 2023  Motion to approve the January 12, 2023 HRC meeting minutes made by Fabiola; seconded by Barb; approved 5-0. BUDGET REVIEW  Beth indicated that we have yet to receive a final 2022 budget report from the City. NEW BUSINESS  DISCUSSION RE: DIWALI CELEBRATION – MAYA JAIRAM Former HRC Chair, Maya Jairam, joined the meeting to discuss a possible City-sponsored Diwali celebration. When she was Chair in 2011, the HRC planned a Diwali celebration – a festival of lights in Indian culture – that had received City approval and was to be held in Council Chambers. The event was publicized and, due to a threat to sue by a community resident because the event was considered religious rather than cultural, the celebration had to be moved from Council Chambers. In order to consider any advocacy of this issue, the HRC requested Rachael to contact our liaison in the City Attorney’s Office to understand the City’s current policy re: sponsoring religious or cultural events. Beth will contact Maya with that information once it is received in March.  UPDATE RE: LARIMER COUNTY EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ADVISORY BOARD – RABBI HILLEL KATZIR Due to technical issues, Rabbi Katzir was not able to join the meeting. This discussion will be rescheduled to a future HRC meeting date.  DISCUSSION RE: HRC 2023 DIRECTION AND PRIORITIES Beth asked the group where we wanted to put our energy and resources in 2023? After discussion, the HRC agreed to the following actions: The Committee Chairs (Coronda, Kyle, Barb, Beth) will consider the following recommended programs/actions/ideas/etc. and report back at our April 13th meeting with suggested 2023 priorities. Also, as Torin suggested, creating a pros/cons document will support our decision-making. Education: - It was noted that the Human Library program may generate ideas for future educational events. - Fabiola will send Coronda the list of program ideas generated by the Bias program attendees. - What program topics will improve community culture? How do we contribute to building a more welcoming Fort Collins? Media Relations: - How to start planning for the Human Relations Award ceremony in December? Do we want to secure an event site outside of Council chambers? Government Relations: - Do we want to advocate for City resources to manage discrimination cases brought forward by Fort Collins residents? Executive: - Do we want to revisit advocating for stricter gun control laws in Fort Collins? A pros/cons document will be helpful in discussing this issue. - Continue to discuss a potential DEI networking event that must be coordinated with other similar activities happening in the City. - Possible future meeting guests: - Mayor Pro-Tem Emily Francis - HRC Council liaison - Rabbi Hillel Katzir - Larimer County Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board - Christina Taylor and Logan Mansanarez - Equity in early childhood education and the economics of accessible early childhood education - Dr. Valerie Small - City of Fort Collins Native American Community Relations Specialist - Representatives from the City's affordable housing, police services, and economic development offices to discuss their Equity Indicators data and current actions in response to that data. OLD BUSINESS  COMMITTEE REPORTS: o Education Outreach – Update re: Human Library program scheduled for Sunday, February 26th, from 2:00-5:00pm at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Rachael reported that the City’s CPIO will be actively promoting the program both externally and internally, and will be coordinating efforts with the Museum and Poudre Library communications staff. Barb requested that all HRC members send program invitations to their personal and professional contacts. Fabiola and David Garrison from the Museum will be finalizing a digital evaluation process. Kyle and Torin offered to volunteer at the event; Beth and Barb will contact them as volunteer needs are better defined O Media/Community Recognition Committee o Government Relations – Status of City Council’s review of HRC’s request to modify anti-discrimination language in municipal Code, Chapter 13, Article II – Barb reported that the first reading on December 20th passed unanimously and the second reading was subsequently included in the City Council’s January 17th Consent Agenda, which passed unanimously. Beth thanked the HRC for their advocacy of this impactful City Code amendment. o Executive NEXT STEPS o NEXT MEETING – Due to several schedule conflicts, the March 9th HRC meeting was canceled. The next HRC meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023. ADJOURNMENT O Motion to adjourn made by Phil; seconded by Kyle; approved 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.