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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - MINUTES - 03/13/20253/13/25 – MINUTES Human Relations Commission REGULAR MEETING Thursday, March 13, 2025 – 5:30 PM City Hall: CIC Conference Room, 300 Laporte Ave and Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:31 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Commission Members Present – Beth Jaeger (Chair), Barb Kistler (Vice Chair), Rachel Bryan, Masood Ahmad, Teresa Cribelli b. Commission Members Absent – Coronda Ziegler and Phil Walker c. Staff Members Present – Liz Messenger, Lead Equity & Inclusion Specialist d. Guest(s) – Stephanie Watson Lewis, BIPOC Alliance Chair Jaeger noted that though they are not present, this will be the last meeting for both Phil Walker and Coronda Ziegler. She commended Commission member Walker’s service to the Commission and stated Commission member Ziegler brought a wonderful perspective to the Commission’s discussions. 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Jaeger reviewed the agenda items. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – FEBRUARY 13, 2025 Commission member Bryan motioned to approve the February 13, 2025, minutes. Commission member Ahmad seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. 6. BUDGET REVIEW Chair Jaeger stated the Commission’s annual budget is $6,250, and as of March 6th, $5,775.60 remains. (**Secretary’s Note: The Commission considered items in a different order from what is shown in order to maximize time.) 3/13/25 – MINUTES 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion with the BIPOC Alliance – Stephanie Watson Lewis, Director of Advocacy and Outreach Stephanie Watson Lewis, BIPOC Alliance, shared her history in advocacy work from the time she was a teenager. She stated her work at the BIPOC Alliance has been centered around educating the community on upcoming bills and how people can get active around issues that are important to them. She stated BIPOC’s accountability team has been meeting regularly to discuss how to provide support for various groups and bills. She stated she aims to meet with individuals who feel their civil rights are being harmed and also reaches out to the community at meetings such as this. She noted major changes come from community roots. Chair Jaeger asked about the history and mission of the BIPOC Alliance. Watson Lewis replied the Alliance’s mission centers around decolonizing, accessing joy, education, and grassroots efforts. She stated it is important to realize not everyone is going to agree on everything, and that is what makes each individual unique; however, those difficult conversations need to be held. She stated the BIPOC Alliance believes in cultivating culture, sharing joy, and growing together as a community while highlighting and accepting differences. Additionally, she noted there is a weekly breakfast held to offer support to community members and problem solve as a group. Watson Lewis stated BIPOC’s focus this year is on joy, creating spaces for people to rejuvenate, educating people on what is happening in legislation, and connecting with community. She commented on serving on a panel for an organization that is centered around supporting women and connecting them together. Commission member Ahmad asked if the BIPOC breakfast gatherings are relatively unstructured and requested further discussion of the comment around decolonization of culture. Watson Lewis replied decolonizing is necessary to tap into culture and it is important to not focus on the way society wants us to see our culture, but to embrace people learning about their lineage, roots, and culture. She stated it is important for people to have the ability and right to understand their culture. Commission member Ahmad stated it is important to find a balance between what immigrants bring, but to also be part of the melting pot that is America. He asked about the three major accomplishments of the BIPOC Alliance over the past year. Watson Lewis replied connection is the major theme for events and the work of the Alliance. Additionally, the idea of culture in general has been a focus. She citied the Day of the Dead and Juneteenth celebrations hosted by the Alliance. The third accomplishment she mentioned was grassroots advocacy. She discussed reaching out to the BIPOC Alliance when her son was being racially bullied in school. 3/13/25 – MINUTES Watson Lewis highlighted a BIPOC Alliance program called Dandelions, which is a program for families to learn how to navigate cultural issues and participate in family activities. Chair Jaeger stated the Commission has been able to contribute more to the community when it connects with other organizations. Messenger commended the work and passion of the Commission members. Watson Lewis stated the BIPOC Alliance would like to collaborate and connect with the Commission moving forward. Vice Chair Kistler asked how the BIPOC Alliance is funded. Watson Lewis replied the main funding source is grants. She also noted the organization is accepting applications for its Board. She stated Boardmembers need to understand that all voices belong at the table. Commission member Cribelli asked about the BIPOC breakfast schedule. Watson Lewis replied they are Wednesday mornings beginning at 8:30 AM at the BIPOC Alliance office. She noted the Alliance is looking for funding sources and sponsors for the breakfasts. b. Updates Regarding: Potential 1) 2025 Collaboration with the JEDI Coalition, and 2) 2026 Human Library Program Vice Chair Kistler stated she and Chair Jaeger have a meeting with the JEDI Coalition interested members, United Way representatives, and potentially CSU representatives on Monday, and a report will be made in April. She stated she was not certain whether CSU would be hosting its Inclusive Excellence Symposium in the fall. Vice Chair Kistler stated the Museum Director has indicated the Museum will be applying for the Human Library grant from Larimer County that was received last year, assuming funding is available, and stated nothing will be known until June. She also noted the Denmark Human Library is running again. Commission member Ahmad asked if a web-based Human Library is being considered. Vice Chair Kistler replied the international program does web- based and virtual programs, which were paused for a year, but are back on- line now. She stated the Fort Collins program would be done in person. Messenger commented on the Municipal Innovation Fund grants, which benefit City employees from an internal perspective. Vice Chair Kistler stated the program cost could range from $2,500 to $10,000, and the large cost in the past has been the Museum rental, which is $6,500, though the partnership with the Museum, which was the recipient of the grant, made that feasible. She stated the Senior Center, for example, would be much less expensive. 3/13/25 – MINUTES 8. OLD BUSINESS a. Committee Reports • Community Recognition: 2025 Human Relations Awards Commission member Bryan stated City Hall was booked for December 11th for the ceremony and Melanie will be putting together an expense report to estimate costs for the program, including the interpreter, physical awards, food, and beverages. Messenger noted the request has gone out to the executive administrative staff regarding the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem’s availability for the award ceremony. • Education Outreach Chair Jaeger stated the election of new officers will occur in April and noted a new member will be selected to head up the education space. Commission member Cribelli stated a time and place need to be determined for the neurodiversity workshop. Chair Jaeger stated the group has already determined the workshop should be held in the fall, likely in October, and noted the Senior Center could be a possible location. Commission member Cribelli noted the last two events at the Senior Center were successful and stated that would be her first choice for a venue. Chair Jaeger asked if there is still an appetite to partner with the Disability Advisory Board for the event. Vice Chair Kistler stated she would be happy to work with Commission member Cribelli on the event and that contact. • Government Relations Vice Chair Kistler recommended watching the ‘Know Your Rights’ webinar on Cathy Kipp’s website. She also noted some bills have been formulated to update the Colorado affirmative action process, though she was unaware of details at this time. Vice Chair Kistler noted she, Chair Jaeger, and staff will be meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Francis, the Commission’s Council liaison, regarding the City’s commitment to DEIJ work and the Commission’s ability to pursue its programming. Additionally, she noted CSU has not been as clear as the City regarding maintaining a full DEIJ focus and calling it such. She noted about 1/3 of CSU’s budget comes from the federal government, which is a significant difference from the City. Vice Chair Kistler commented on open forums being hosted by state 3/13/25 – MINUTES representatives and stated the state budget now has a $1.3 billion shortfall. Chair Jaeger noted there will be a virtual issue forum this Saturday from 10-11 being hosted by Senator Kipp and others with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser speaking about the legality of various federal actions. Commission member Cribelli also commented on attending a ‘Know Your Rights’ workshop and stated higher education is reeling with the threat to withdraw federal funding if DEI programs exist. She also noted there is fear and worry, particularly from the disabled community, about Medicaid funding. Vice Chair Kistler stated 60% of Medicaid dollars fund senior care, either in assisted living or nursing homes, and the impact on the senior community will be staggering should that change. • Executive Chair Jaeger stated three new Commission members will be present in April, including Diana Prieto, the Human Resources Director at CSU STRATA, Everton Brossus, a marketing strategy expert, and Kori Wilford, the Communications and Technology Manager for the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. She also noted the Commission will need to hold elections for the HRC officers for the next year. Fatima Prieto, EDI Advisory Board liaison, stated Claudia will be coming to the June meeting to share information on updated equity indicators and she invited the Commission to join that meeting. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Messenger noted the Equity Office has completed its 2024 impact report. She commended the work of the Equity Office team and the Commission. Vice Chair Kistler noted she and Chair Jaeger submitted the report from the two networking events to Laurie Kadrich, Messenger, and Mayor Pro Tem Francis. She noted April 4th is the social event for the Commission at her home. 10. NEXT STEPS a. Meeting Action Items b. Next Meeting – April 10, 2025 – Welcome new HRC Members, Election of HRC 2025-26 Officers 11. ADJOURNMENT a. 7:09 PM 3/13/25 – MINUTES Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 04/10/2025 Signature: