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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/09/2025 - HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - AGENDA - Regular MeetingHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 300 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Microsoft Teams – See Link Below 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 14, 2024 6. BUDGET REVIEW Participation for this Human Relations Commission Meeting will be in person at: CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Avenue You may also join online via Microsoft Teams, using this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting Meeting ID: 240 263 045 832 Passcode: 9X4zk9Wm Dial in by phone +1 970-628-0892,,306081147# United States, Grand Junction Find a local number Phone conference ID: 306 081 147# Online Public Participation: The meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:20pm, January 09, 2025. Participants should try to sign in prior to the 5:30pm meeting start time, if possible. For public comments, the Chair will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Teams session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Board or Commission. To participate: • Use a laptop, computer, or internet-enabled smartphone. (Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio). • You need to have access to the internet. • Keep yourself on muted status. Masks Strongly Recommended in Indoor Public Spaces While there are currently no public health orders in place, Larimer County Public Health officials strongly recommend that well-fitting, high-quality masks are worn in crowded indoor spaces. For more information, please visit fcgov.com/covid HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Approval of HRC 2024 Annual Report – due January 31, 2025 8. OLD BUSINESS a. COMMITTEE REPORTS: • December 12, 2024 event; Discuss potential 2025 activities based on HRC’s 2025 Work Plan • Education Outreach: Discuss potential 2025 activities based on HRC’s 2025 Work Plan • Government Relations: Discuss potential 2025 activities based on HRC’s 2025 Work Plan • Executive: Update re: 2024 Human Rights Day Proclamation – December 3, 2024 City Council Meeting; County EDI Advisory Board liaison; HRC Social Event 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS 10. NEXT STEPS a. Meeting Action Items b. Next Meeting – February 13, 2025 11. ADJOURNMENT Human Relations Commission REGULAR MEETING Thursday, November 14, 2024 – 5:30 PM City Hall: CIC Conference Room, 300 Laporte Ave and Zoom 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:36 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Commission Members Present – Beth Jaeger, Barb Kistler, Phil Walker, Rachel Bryan, Coronda Ziegler, Teresa Cribelli, Miho Yoshioka (late arrival) b. Commission Members Absent – Masood Ahmad c. Staff Members Present – Liz Messenger, Lead Equity & Inclusion Specialist d. Guest – None 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Jaeger reviewed the agenda items. She explained the DEIJ Networking Event follow-up will also be discussed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 10, 2024 Vice Chair Kistler motioned to approve the October 10, 2024 minutes. Commission member Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 6. BUDGET REVIEW Chair Jaeger noted the commission had a remaining budget of $3,050 before recent expenditures; an updated 2024 budget will be reviewed at the January meeting. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. DEIJ NETWORKING EVENT Vice Chair Kistler explained that efforts to find a suitable place to house a DEIJ directory had been unsuccessful. She also noted that 15 individuals had completed the form to be included in the directory, and other had expressed growing concerns regarding the political climate and the potential risks of publishing such a list. Given these factors, Kistler proposed putting the directory on hold for the time being. Kistler stated that the JEDI Coalition is doing similar work to the DEIJ Networking subcommittee. Instead of duplicating work, she asked for the Commission’s support to allow the subcommittee to connect with the JEDI Coalition and bring information back to the Human Relations Commission regarding next steps. Vice Chair Kistler motioned to approve putting a publishable directory on hold and to allow the subcommittee to connect with the JEDI Coalition. Commission member Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. b. APPROVAL OF HRC 2025 WORK PLAN Vice Chair Kistler motioned to approve the 2025 work plan with the amended language under Community Recognition Committee, bullet five to “explore opportunities and collaborate.” Commission member Cribelli seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Chair Jaeger will submit the final work plan to the City by November 30th. c. UPDATE RE: 2024 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY PROCLAMATION – DECEMBER 3RD CITY COUNCIL MEETING Commission member Ziegler confirmed she will accept the Human Rights Day proclamation. 8. OLD BUSINESS a. COMMITTEE REPORTS: • MEDIA/COMMUNITY RECOGNITION COMMITTEE: HUMAN RELATIONS AWARDS • SELECTION OF 2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS Commission members reviewed and discussed award nominations. Commission members motioned to approve the 2024 award recipients – all were approved by a voting majority. • DETERMINE HRC ROLES AT THE DECEMBER 12 EVENT Commission members reviewed and assigned roles for the Awards Ceremony. • PLAN VIRTUAL PROGRAM REHEARSAL A virtual meeting will take place on December 4 to allow commission members to review the program flow and to rehearse their remarks. • REVIEW WORK PLAN AND CONFIRM ASSIGNMENTS Chair Jaeger reviewed the Awards Work Plan and explained the timing of notifications that will go out to recipients, finalists, and nominators. Vice Chair Kistler suggested listing the names of all nominees in the program. All commission members supported this recommendation. b. EDUCATION OUTREACH c. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS d. CANCEL DECEMBER 12 HRC MEETING Commission member Walker motioned to cancel the December 12 meeting. Cribelli seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS 10. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 pm. Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on XX/XX/XX 11/14/24 – MINUTES Page 1 1 FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION 2025 WORK PLAN November 30, 2024 MISSION As community leaders and advisors, the Human Relations Commission collaborates, educates, and advocates for equity and inclusion 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, inclusion 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 and 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: 2  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 THE 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 relations by maintaining and building updated contact lists  Organize and track efforts by developing, in collaboration with the City, detailed communication plans for specific programs and events  Explore opportunities and collaborate with other DEIJ-focused groups and organizations to build community DEIJ efforts and impact, e.g., DEIJ networking events, ERG meet-ups, etc.  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 that educate community members and recommend actions that promote positive relationships in the city, all in the most accessible and equitable way  Plan and deliver interactive public forums and discussion sessions facilitated by Commission members and/or guest speakers  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 and/or City Council priorities  Document committee events to increase efficiency in future programming  Evaluate the impact of programming by surveying participants  Report monthly to the HRC 3 THE GOVERNMENT 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  Explore scope of HRC quasi-judicial work with city leaders as requested. 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 2024 Annual Report DRAFT 1.9.25 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 2024 Human Relations Commissioners included Masood Ahmad, Rachel Bryan (appointed 4/1/24), Teresa Cribelli, Kevin John Goff (resigned 6/2/24), Beth Jaeger, Barb Kistler, Kyle Teramoto (term ended 3/31/24), Phil Walker, Miho Yoshioka, 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: Kathleen Baumgardner, Executive Director, ChildSafe, shared the organization’s history and information about services offered to community members (4/24). Kristy Volesky, Assistant Chief, Criminal Investigations Division, discussed DEIJ initiatives within Fort Collins Police Services (5/24). Emily Francis, Mayor Pro Tem and HRC Council Liaison, discussed City Council priorities and HRC support of City initiatives (7/24). Arpi Miller, Executive Director of the Interfaith Solidarity & Accompaniment Coalition (ISAAC) shared information about the organization’s programs and advocacy work within Northern Colorado (8/24). Rabbi Hillel Katzir attended several 2024 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:  Met with members of the Larimer County EDI Advisory Board on March 27 th to discuss each group’s areas of focus and explore potential collaboration.  In collaboration with the Larimer County EDI Advisory Board, the HRC organized two DEIJ Networking Events designed to bring together individuals and organizations focused on advancing equity and inclusion in our community. These events were held on February 4th (113 attendees) and September 22nd (60 attendees) at the North Aztlan Community Center. COMMUNICATION WITH CITY LEADERS The HRC communicated with City leaders regarding the following topics:  At the request of City Council and the City Manager, on February 10 th, the HRC submitted its recommendation to Council regarding a proposed resolution related to a ceasefire in the Israel Hamas war.  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 1st Council meeting.  The HRC received the International Human Rights Day proclamation that was read at the December 3rd City Council meeting.  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.  The 2024 Awards Ceremony was held on December 12 th at City Hall with approximately 160 attendees. The following Award recipients were celebrated: Individual Award: Arpi Miller Individual Award: Nina Rubin Organization/Team Award: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Organization/Team Award: Project Self-Sufficiency Education and Outreach Committee:  Organized and delivered “The Human Library” program held on August 4 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, the Poudre River Public Library District, the Yarrow Collective and Larimer County Behavioral Health Services. The program was designed to promote understanding of individual differences – to unjudge a human “Book” by its cover. Approximately 180 “Readers” attended the program and 32 human “Books” shared their stories of intolerance and bias. Due to the success of the program, the HRC will support a third Human Library program in February 2026.  On October 9th, the City’s Equity & Inclusion Office and the HRC sponsored the “Understanding Cross Cultural Communication and Why It Matters” educational program at the Senior Center. This session was facilitated by Alma Vigo-Morales and Barb Kistler, HRC Vice Chair, and approximately 115 community members attended. 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. 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 2025, 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.