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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - MINUTES - 05/08/20255/8/25 – MINUTES Human Relations Commission REGULAR MEETING Thursday, May 8, 2025 – 5:30 PM City Hall: CIC Conference Room, 300 Laporte Ave and Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:35 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Commission Members Present – Beth Jaeger (Chair), Barb Kistler (Vice Chair), Rachel Bryan, Teresa Cribelli, Kori Wilford, Diana Prieto, Everton Brossus b. Commission Members Absent – Masood Ahmad c. Staff Members Present – Liz Messenger, Lead Equity & Inclusion Specialist and Joe Wimmer, Utilities Finance Director d. Guest(s) – None 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Jaeger reviewed the agenda items. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 10, 2025 Commission member Wilford motioned to approve the April 10, 2025 minutes. Commission member Prieto seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. 6. BUDGET REVIEW Chair Jaeger stated the budget as of March 5th was $5,884.95, much of which has been earmarked for networking events, the neurodiversity program, and the Human Relations awards. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Presentation: ¼ Cent Capital Sales Tax Renewal (CCIP) – Joe Wimmer, City of Fort Collins Utilities Finance Director Joe Wimmer, Utilities Finance Director, noted the dedicated ¼ cent capital 5/8/25 – MINUTES sales tax has a long history of approval in Fort Collins, and if renewed per voter approval in November, would continue for another ten years beginning in 2026. He discussed the overall City tax base and noted dedicated taxes such as the Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) are not charged on groceries. Wimmer outlined the previous prominent projects that have been funded by the tax, including the Whitewater Park, Downtown streetscape improvements, Gardens on Spring Creek improvements, and an affordable housing fund. Wimmer stated the ¼ cent tax will generate around $11 million annually, which will generate approximately $110 million for projects over the course of the next ten years, though that may change depending on growth. He noted there are $166 million in proposed projects at this point, and public outreach is now occurring to narrow the list to the number of projects that can be funded. He also noted projects are widely varied, including those from active modes, engineering, transit, affordable housing, parks and recreation, cultural services, and environmental, and he discussed specific projects that may be included as part of the overall package. Wimmer stated staff will be attending a Council work session on May 27th with a proposed list of projects and the tax could be referred to the ballot at the last Council meeting in July. Commission member Brossus asked about the review process for the past ten years of projects. Wimmer replied the list was similarly developed and prioritized and noted not all projects have been completed as taxes are still being collected to go to some of them, including the Southeast Community Center. He stated major intersection improvements, including College and Trilby, bicycle infrastructure improvements, pedestrian sidewalk installations, the Carnegie Center for Creativity, the Whitewater Park, and some affordable housing projects were part of the past ten years’ worth of projects. Commission member Cribelli asked how much climate change has factored into the Transfort and transit expenditures. Wimmer replied Transfort has started to move toward a more electrified fleet and the Transit Optimization Study is currently underway to look at efficiency in the overall transit system. Messenger noted Transfort has a fleet electrification program with a goal of 100% electric fleet by 2040. Additionally, mobility hubs, micro-transit, and bus rapid transit are all being investigated as options as roadways become more congested. Commission member Cribelli commented on the importance of considering climate change in park design as well. b. Update: Collaboration with the JEDI Coalition, including potential summer networking event Vice Chair Kistler stated the small planning group subcommittee of the JEDI Coalition/HRC/County DEI Board has discussed having a networking event in November connected to CSU’s Symposium event. Additionally, she and Wilford discussed the HRC hosting an event in the summer, possibly with the 5/8/25 – MINUTES theme ‘Community Connections and Belonging in Fort Collins.’ She stated the plan would be to use the indoor/outdoor space at the Senior Center for the event and the HRC could provide some type of grab and go snacks. She asked members to provide input on the possible idea. Members discussed ideas for the event and goal to provide a safe, welcoming environment for a more informal gathering. Chair Jaeger supported having some type of activity to get people involved in conversation. Members discussed using the theme ‘NoCo Community Connections and Belonging.’ Commission member Wilford commented on purchasing food from a local, potentially minority-owned business and Vice Chair Kistler mentioned the possibility of having music, local leaders for a meet and greet, and inviting families. Chair Jaeger noted the Senior Center location could be tight if families were involved. Commission member Prieto motioned that the Human Relations Commission pursue a summer networking event with the theme of ‘NoCo Community Connections and Belonging.’ Commission member Bryan seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Vice Chair Kistler and Wilford agreed to meet prior to the next HRC meeting to discuss what will be needed. Members agreed to look at July 16th or 17th as a possible date. c. Update: Potential Collaboration with Other Boards and Commissions Chair Jaeger stated she and Vice Chair Kistler reached out to the Chairs, Vice Chairs, and staff liaisons for the Disability Advisory Board, the Senior Advisory Board, the Women and Gender Equity Advisory Board, and the Youth Advisory Board for a possible collaborative meeting. She stated it appears the meeting will fall on Tuesday, June 17th from 5:30-7:30 PM, and she, Vice Chair Kistler, and Messenger will be there to represent the HRC. Chair Jaeger stated this could provide a good opportunity to create partnerships moving forward and to bring resources together. Additionally, she stated the plan is to invite those members to the Juneteenth reception and proclamation. d. Update: 2026 Human Library Program Chair Jaeger stated there are no updates about the Program; however, the Museum of Discovery will be submitting for a County grant to fund the early 2026 Human Library Program. She also noted she has been informed that Front Range Community College is considering doing a Human Library Program with a target audience of the College’s students and staff. 5/8/25 – MINUTES 8. OLD BUSINESS a. Committee Reports • Community Recognition: December 11, 2025 Human Relations Awards Commission member Bryan provided a document of monthly action items, including a communications plan, and stated she has updated the award categories and rubrics. Commission member Bryan motioned to finalize the selection rubric as presented. Vice Chair Kistler seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. Commission member Bryan motioned to utilize the award categories as presented. Commission member Brossus seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0. • Education Outreach: Neurodiversity Educational Program Commission member Brossus stated the Senior Center has been identified as a good location to host the educational program and the plan is to promote the event for three to four weeks prior. It was noted the October 23rd date is already reserved at the Senior Center. Commission member Brossus stated there is a plan to reach out to the Disability Advisory Board as a potential collaborator. Daisy Montgomery and Anais Campbell were identified as contacts. Commission member Cribelli stated she is happy to collaborate with Montgomery or others on the presentation. Chair Jaeger requested the conversation with the DAB occur prior to the June HRC meeting. Commission member Brossus stated he will be meeting with Commission member Cribelli and will come to the next HRC meeting with a more finalized project timeline. • Government Relations: Update Commission member Prieto noted the State legislative session just ended and there is a deadline of June 6th for the Governor to sign or veto bills. She highlighted some bills that passed in this session, including ‘Accessibility Standards in Building Codes,’ ‘Gender Identity Certificate of Death,’ a bill protecting the freedom to marry, and ‘Medical Necessity Determination Insurance Coverage,’ which assures insurance coverage for mental and behavioral health. 5/8/25 – MINUTES Vice Chair Kistler noted at one point the HRC wanted to take more action around gun legislation, but was advised not to do so. She noted a number of gun legislation items were passed at the State level, including raising the age to purchase gun ammunition to 21, and requiring four to twelve hours of training for anyone purchasing a semi-automatic gun. Additionally, there is a bill that has yet to be signed by the Governor that would provide an additional 12 weeks of leave for parents whose infants have to be in the NICU. Vice Chair Kistler stated there is another bill that would expand how the anti-discrimination act applies to trans individuals, though it also has yet to be signed. Another bill eliminated the cap on the number of vet students can be at CSU at any given time. Vice Chair Kistler also commented on a bill related to social media protections for youth that was vetoed by the Governor. Chair Jaeger noted local legislators are having an end of session meeting at CSU this Saturday from 10:00-11:30 AM. She also noted there may be a special session if federal cuts to Medicaid are proposed. Commission member Prieto noted an executive order was signed at the federal level titled ‘Restoring Equality of Opportunity in Meritocracy.’ She commented on unintentional discrimination related to disparate impact and stated this executive order revokes that concept and speaks to requiring discrimination by using disparate impact. • Executive: Update Chair Jaeger reported on meeting with Danyel Addes, the Coordinator of Community Engaged Learning in the Institute for Learning and Teaching and the Office for Undergraduate Research and Artistry at CSU. She stated Addes is interested in getting students placements or experience in the community so they can test what they are learning and test their interests, and she expressed interest in possibly placing a student with the HRC. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Jaeger stated she and Vice Chair Kistler had lunch with Phil Walker, former HRC member, yesterday. She noted he plans to attend upcoming HRC programs. Commission member Cribelli stated she worked with the Poudre Libraries equity coordinator to put together an Autistic Joy event which was a large success. She stated the event will occur again next April. Vice Chair Kistler thanked those who voted in the Health District election. She noted the District is tax funded and offers dental care, assistance with accessing Medicaid and Medicare, and mental health services for adolescents. 5/8/25 – MINUTES Commission member Bryan noted New Belgium is hosting a Pride event on June 7th. 10. NEXT STEPS a. Meeting Action Items b. Next Meeting – June 12, 2025 – Agenda ideas? • Extend an invitation to Council liaison Emily Francis for July • Jo Buckley – Community Health Improvement Plan Coordinator – priority areas of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP): all around belonging and inclusion 11. ADJOURNMENT a. 7:25 PM Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 06/12/25 Signature: