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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/2024 - HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - AGENDA - Regular Meeting HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING City Contact Person: Melanie Clark, Executive Administrative Assistant, Office of Equity & Inclusion – MCLARK@fcgov.com or hrc@fcgov.com January 11, 2024, 5:30 – 7:30 pm In-Person Location: CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Avenue Remote Meeting Participation: To join the Zoom meeting online (through web browser or Zoom app): Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/99439209110 Or One tap mobile : US: +17209289299,,99439209110# or +12532158782,,99439209110# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 720 928 9299 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 994 3920 9110 ________________________________________________________________________________ This information is available in Spanish or other language at no cost to a person who would like this information translated to or communicated in Spanish or other language. Please call 416-4254 or titlesix@fcgov.com to make a request for information in other languages. Esta información está disponible en español u otro idioma, sin costo para la persona que le gustaría esta información traducida o comunicada en español u otro idioma. Favor llame al 416 -4254 o a titlesix@fcgov.com para solicitar información en otros idiomas. Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. TTY: please use 711 to call 970.416.4254.; other _________________________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES – NOVEMBER 9, 2023; REVIEW NOVEMBER 30, 2023 SPECIAL MEETING NOTES 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 6. BUDGET REVIEW 7. NEW BUSINESS O UPDATE: FEBRUARY 4TH DEIJ NETWORKING EVENT; DISCUSSION OF DEIJ “DIRECTORY” O REVIEW: HRC 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 8. OLD BUSINESS • COMMITTEE REPORTS: O EDUCATION OUTREACH O MEDIA/COMMUNITY RECOGNITION COMMITTEE – DECEMBER 5TH HUMAN RELATIONS AWARDS: PLUS/DELTA O GOVERNMENT RELATIONS – MEETING WITH JENNY LOPEZ FILKINS RE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEAPON ORDINANCES O EXECUTIVE – FINAL 2024 HRC WORKPLAN; FOLLOW -UP RE: MARCH MEETING WITH THE LARIMER COUNTY EDI ADVISORY BOARD 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS 10. NEXT STEPS O MEETING ACTION ITEMS O NEXT MEETING – FEBRUARY 8, 2024 – AGENDA ITEMS? O ADJOURNMENT HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Day, November 09, 2023 – 5:30 PM City Hall; 300 Laporte Ave, CIC Conference Room Zoom: https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/99439209110 Webinar ID: 994 3920 9110 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:33 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – Beth Jaeger, Barb Kistler, Phil Walker, Kevin Goff, Masood Ahmad, Coronda Ziegler, Teresa Cribelli, Kyle Teramoto b. Board Members Absent – Miho Yoshioka c. Staff Members Present – Liz Messenger, Lead Equity & Inclusion Specialist, Melanie Clark, Staff Liaison d. Guest(s) - none 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 12, 2023 Phil walker motioned to approve the minutes from October 12, 2023. Teresa Cribelli second the motion. The motion passed 8-0 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - none 6. BUDGET REVIEW Beth Jaeger, Commission Chair, provided a brief overview of the current budget. She noted some of the expenses for the Microaggressions training were not yet showing and that the cost of the awards was higher than expected. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. SELECTION OF THE 2023 AWARD RECIPIENTS Commission members reviewed and discussed award nominations. Commission members discussed having more criteria about the review process. They felt strongly that personal biases should not be included in the discussion and the information provided in the nomination form is all that should be reviewed and discussed. Commission members motioned to approve award nominees as discussed. Motion passed 8-0. All nominees will receive an email notifying of their nomination status and inviting them to the awards ceremony. b. FINALIZE PROGRAM FLOW AND HRC ROLES – SCHEDULE REHEARSAL Commission members discussed the start time for the evening and reviewed the flow of the ceremony and each members role. Beth suggested that presenters should reach out to the recipients they will be introducing in order to get to know them and have accurate speaking points. Coronda suggested having food tables along the front of CIC room instead in the usual space. Beth would like to schedule a brief one hour zoom meeting with Commission members to go over the schedule and what each will be saying. They agreed to meet on Thursday, November 30 at 6pm. Melanie will send a calendar invite and will post the public meeting notice. Melanie will make arrangements for Spanish and ASL interpretation if requested and will make arrangements to have the event video recorded. c. FINALIZE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY PROCLAMATION The HRC reviewed the Human Rights Day proclamation that will be read at the December 5th ceremony. Kevin will receive the proclamation on behalf of the HRC. d. FINALIZE HRC 2024 WORK PLAN – DUE NOVEMBER 30TH Coronda motioned to approve the 2024 Work Plan. Teresa second the motion. Motion passed 8-0. 8. OLD BUSINESS 9. STAFF REPORTS a. COMMITTEE REPORTS: • EDUCATION OUTREACH – EVALUATION RESULTS: “UNMASKING MICROAGGRESSIONS” PROGRAM – OCTOBER 5TH 33 responses were received in response to the evaluation. 75% of the feedback received said that the event met or exceeded their expectations. Other feedback received was: • Have food that folks can grab and go instead of needing to make or build • People would like more training on white supremacy as opposed to white privilege • People are loving the ability to access these trainings from the City and are wanting more Melanie recommended recording these types of training in the future. Commission members agreed. The location was good due to the space and parking. Barb and Coronda will talk about recommendations for future trainings. Teresa would like to be part of these conversations, especially around white supremacy. • MEDIA/COMMUNITY RECOGNITION COMMITTEE • GOVERNMENT RELATIONS City Council elections were this week. Next City Council meeting is next week. Land Use Code is a big topic. Barb is hearing rumblings that the community wants to undue this once again. This is important to the Commission as it ties into housing and the availability of affordable housing. The biggest issue is that the ordinance makes it easier to create ADUs followed by U+2. Beth & Barb attended the CSU symposium designed around data networking. The event Beth and Barb are proposing regarding the DEIJ Networking event will be very different than what CSU did. HRC’s DEIJ networking event will take place on February 4 th. Barb would like to get the subcommittee together to start planning. Coronda, Phil and Beth volunteered for the subcommittee. Melanie will reserve Senior Center from 2-4 pm. • EXECUTIVE – DISCUSSION RE: SOCIAL GATHERING WITH THE LARIMER COUNTY EDI ADVISORY BOARD Larimer County has a similar board called the Larimer County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board. Commission members and Larimer County would like to have a social function to bring the two together with spouses. The idea is just to meet the other board. Beth likes the idea of a social gathering and then having a joint meeting to discuss activities. Barb will work on getting this scheduled. Commission members preferred an evening or weekend time. This would take place after the first of the year. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS Beth and Barb will be meeting with Laura Valdez of FCMoD and to discuss a human library event in 2024. They will also be meeting with Jenny Lopez Filkins the Attorney Liaison to the Commission to discuss gun control/ban at City wide events. 11. NEXT STEPS a. MEETING ACTION ITEMS b. NEXT MEETING – JANUARY 11, 2024 (DECEMBER 14, 2023 MEETING CANCELED) 12. ADJOURNMENT a. 7:27 pm Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 01/11/2024 1/09/2023 – MINUTES Human Relations Commission SPECIAL MEETING Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 6:00 PM Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:05 PM 2. ROLL CALL b. Board Members Present – Beth Jaeger, Barb Kistler, Kevin Goff, Kyle Teramoto, Miho Yoshioka, Phil Wallker c. Board Members Absent – Masood Ahmad, Teresa Cribelli, Coronda Ziegler d. Staff Members Present – Melanie Clark, Staff Liaison e. Guest(s) - 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 5. 2023 HUMAN RELATIONS AWARDS a. PROGRAM REHEARSAL • Commission Chair, Beth Jaeger asked Commission members to arrive at City Hall by 2:30 to assist with set up and to greet guests as they arrive. Commission members read their speeches and received feedback. • Presenters will introduce the next and will also ask the award recipient to come to the podium with them. Once the presenters have made their speech, they will step back to allow the recipient to make their speeches and then guide them to Mayor Pro Tem Francis to receive their award and have pictures taken. Beth will come up at the end. She will ask all recip ients to come back up to the podium with their awards. She will make a speech and pictures will be taken. b. REVIEW EVENT WORK PLAN AND FINALIZE ACTION ITEMS Beth requested that everyone send her their remarks so that she has a copy on hand the night of the program. 6. NEXT STEPS a. NEXT MEETING – JANUARY 11, 2024 7. ADJOURNMENT a. 6:46 p.m. FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION 2024 WORK PLAN November 30, 2023 MISSION As community leaders and advisors, the Human Relations Commission collaborates, educates, and advocates for equity and inclus ion in the City of Fort Collins. VISION Embracing differences and giving value to every human being. PURPOSE The Fort Collins City Council established the Human Relations Commission (HRC) in 1964 to promote acceptance, equity, inclusi on and respect for diversity through educational programs and to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council. LONG RANGE GOALS Cultivate relationships with the community and media that support the mission and vision Provide educational outreach that promotes equity and inclusion Advocate for an equitable and inclusive environment in city government and community The Fort Collins Human Relations Commission will continue a broad plan for enhancing productive human relations and supporting social sustainability issues that are pertinent to the City of Fort Collins and are consistent with the City Charter and the City Code. The Commission will strive to be informed about diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice issues within Fort Collins an d will recommend appropriate action to City Council. The Commission will recommend programs, policies, and activities that promote positive human relations and equitable outcomes and greater opportunities for all. The Commission also may create and deliver programs and activities in furtherance of this objective. HRC goals and responsibilities are divided among four standing committees for procedural reasons, but are not exclusive to any one committee. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL: • Determine meeting agendas for monthly and special HRC meetings • Maintain regular communication with the HRC’s City Council Liaison and City Council • Collaborate with and support the City’s Office of Equity & Inclusion programs and initiatives • Delegate issues for resolution to standing or special committees • Provide support to HRC standing committees as needed • Call special meetings as needed • Adopt an “open door” policy and meet with Commissioners as needed • Explore opportunities to collaborate with other Boards and Commissions, and DEI-focused organizations in the community THE MEDIA/COMMUNITY RECOGNITION COMMITTEE SHALL: • Plan, coordinate and execute an annual Human Relations Awards event; consider both “live” and “virtual” options; promote early nominations for Award recipients; redefine award categories as needed to better reflect community diversity and inclusion • Recommend updates and refinements to the HRC website content so that its message and branding are clear • Expand HRC’s community and media relations by maintaining and building an updated contact list • Organize and track efforts by developing, in collaboration with the City, detailed communication plans for specific programs and events • Report monthly to the HRC THE EDUCATION OUTREACH COMMITTEE SHALL: • Create a better understanding of equity and inclusion through educational programs and events, including, for example, collaborating with community organizations to host a “Human Library” event. • Seek to deliver programs and events in the most accessible and equitable way • Plan and deliver interactive public forum or discussion sessions • Propose collaboration opportunities with local organizations or other boards or commissions to respond to new or long-standing community issues or topics as identified in the City’s Equity Plan • Educate citizens and recommend actions that promote positive relationships and outcomes within our City • Document committee events to increase efficiency in future programming • Evaluate the impact of programming by surveying participants • Recruit speakers and facilitators • Report monthly to the HRC THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE SHALL: • Monitor City Council activity and attend meetings as needed • Review proposed legislation, policy changes or other governmental actions at the Federal, State or Local level which may affect human rights in Fort Collins and recommend actions as appropriate • Establish consistent lines of communication with community leaders and partners, including periodic meetings with elected officials, candidates for local and state offices, etc. focused on topics related to equity and inclusion (for example, public health, housing, transportation and employment issues) • Align HRC’s priority objectives with local and state priorities as appropriate • Advocate for people of color to join City Boards, Commissions and Government • Collaborate with other organizations whose primary mission is social justice in Fort Collins • Explore scope of HRC quasi-judicial work with city leaders. The HRC’s quasi-judicial role is to defined as follow in section 2-175 (b)(2) of the city code: To assist residents of the City in utilizing the complaint procedure under Chapter 13, Article II of the code and to hear appeals from decisions of the City Manager as provided in Subsection 13-23 (b) of the Code; provided, however, that any members of the Commission who have rendered assistance to particular complainants shall refrain from participating in the Commission’s review of any decision of the City Manager related to such complainant. • Report monthly to HRC Human Relations Commission 2023 Annual Report DRAFT 1/5/24 HRC MISSION STATEMENT As community leaders and advisors, the Human Relations Commission collaborates, educates and advocates for equity and inclusion in the City of Fort Collins. INTRODUCTION The 2023 Human Relations Commissioners included Masood Ahmad, Teresa Cribelli (appointed 7/23), Kevin John Goff (appointed 8/23), Beth Jaeger, Torin Kaletsky (resigned 5/23), Barb Kistler, Fabiola Pascual Luna (resigned 8/23), Kyle Teramoto, Phil Walker, Miho Yoshioka (appointed 7/23), and Coronda Ziegler. The HRC continued with a broad plan for supporting human relations issues that were pertinent to the City of Fort Collins, aligning its goals with City Outcome Areas of: Neighborhood Livability and Social Health, Safe Community and High Performing Government. Consistent with City Code and HRC’s Mission Statement, as community leaders and advisors to City Council, the HRC researched, deliberated and took proactive and responsive measures to promote the dignity of individuals and groups in Fort Collins. MONTHLY MEETINGS A number of guest speakers were invited or requested to speak to the HRC in order to build community relationships, learn about issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in Fort Collins, and to advocate for social justice. Some of the HRC’s monthly meeting guests included: Maya Jairam, community member and former HRC chair, requested that the HRC support a Diwali celebration in conjunction with the November Holiday Lighting Ceremony in Old Town Square (2/23). Emily Francis, Mayor Pro Tem and HRC Council Liaison, discussed City Council priorities and HRC support of City initiatives (4/23). Ginny Sawyer, Project and Policy Manager, presented information regarding the City’s Sustainable Funding efforts (7/23). Claudia Menendez, City Equity and Inclusion Officer, presented the City’s Equity Plan (9/23). Rabbi Hillel Katzir attended several 2023 meetings as Larimer County’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board liaison to the HRC. HRC INITIATIVES In addition to the actions and activities outlined below, the HRC: • Ensured that City public facing documents, e.g., resolutions, proclamations, ordinances, etc., did not include the term “A.D.” with any noted dates. By removing this term, the language in these documents is inclusive of all faiths. • Held an informal get together with the Chairs and Co -Chairs of four other Boards and Commissions with similar missions to better understand each other’s goals and explore possible collaboration. • Continued its efforts to organize a DEIJ Networking Event designed to bring together individuals and organizations focused on advancing equity and inclusion in our community. This event, in collaboration with the County’s EDI Advisory Board, will be held on February 4, 2024 at the North Aztlan Community Center. COMMUNICATION WITH CITY LEADERS The HRC communicated with City leaders regarding the following topics: • At its January 17th meeting, City Council adopted modified language in the City Municipal Code, Chapter 13, Article II anti-discrimination language to include “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.” This action was initiated by the HRC’s November 2022 memo to Mayor Jeni Arndt and City Council advocating for this change. • In September, the HRC sent Mayor Jeni Arndt and City Council a memo advocating for a Diwali celebration in conjunction with the November Holiday Lighting Ceremony in Old Town Square. The City responded with options to hold such a celebration at Oak Street Plaza. • At the Mayor’s request, the HRC and Disability Advisory Board collaborated to develop a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month that was read at the October 17th Council meeting. • In November, the HRC provided input to the City’s 2024 Strategic Plan outcome areas. • The HRC Chair and Co-Chair met frequently with members of the City’s Equity and Inclusion Office to advance various HRC activities. HRC COMMITTEE REPORTS Media/Community Recognition Committee: • The HRC organized the annual Human Relations Awards ceremony to recognize individuals and organizations in our community that promote equity, inclusion and respect for diversity. In addition, the event included the reading of the Human Rights Day Proclamation. • The 2023 Awards Ceremony was held on December 5th at City Hall and celebrated the following recipients: Youth Award: TAC212 Individual Award: Karen Wong-Brown Individual Award: Laura Michelle MacWaters Organization/Team Award: Cultural Enrichment Center Organization/Team Award: Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association Government Relations Committee: • Attended and monitored City Council meetings. • Monitored the City Council Calendar to stay informed about upcoming issues. • Monitored public input at Council meetings for topics that were relevant to the HRC. Education and Outreach Committee: • Organized and delivered “The Human Library” program held on February 26 th at the Museum of Discovery in collaboration with the program co -sponsors: the City of Fort Collins Office of Equity & Inclusion, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, and the Poudre River Public Library District. The program was designed to promote understanding of individual differences – to unjudge a human “book” by its cover. Approximately 130 “readers” attended the program and 25 human “books” shared their stories of intolerance and bias. Due to the success of the program, the HRC will support a 2024 Human Library program in late summer. • On October 5th, the City’s Equity & Inclusion Office and the HRC sponsored the “Unmasking Microaggressions” educational program at the Senior Center. This session was facilitated by Dr. Coronda Ziegler, HRC member, and approximately 100 community members attended. Executive Committee: • Scheduled agendas for HRC monthly and special meetings. • Ensured appropriate communication with the Council Liaison and City Council. • Delegated issues to committees as appropriate. • Provided support to HRC committees as needed. CONCLUSION: As we enter 2024, the HRC is excited to begin its work. The commission will continue to advocate for equitable advancements in our community, while remaining alert and responsive to current events. The HRC will act in an advisory capacity to City Council, with a vision to enhance human rights and social justice in our growing community.