HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 01/16/2004Human Relations Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2004 5:30 — 7:50 p.m.
www.lcgov.com/ci clerk/tiuman-relattons.php
Council Liaison: David Roy Staff Liaison: Angelina Powell
_Phone_V: 407-7393 Phone: 221-6525
Chairperson: Ken Gordon Phone: 217-6317
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on January 16, 2004 at the CIC Room,
300 W. Laporte Avenue.
HRC Members present Elaine Boni, Jack Coleman, Kimberly Clouser, Caroline Tu Farley,
Maryanne Ingratta, Mary Gomez, Ken Gordon Jr., Rita Klepac, Parker
Preble
Staff Liaison present Angelina Powell
I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ken Gordon at 5:30 p.m.
II. 2003 Annual Report. Chair Ken Gordon invited comments on the final draft of the 2003 Annual
Report. Parker Preble thanked everyone (especially Chair Ken Gordon) for their contributions to
the report. Parker Preble made a motion to approve. Kimberly Clouser seconded the motion. All
voted in favor of accepting the report (due in the City Clerk's office on January 31.)
III. Training. Chair Ken Gordon & Vice -Chair Mary Gomez developed a training program for all
members but especially for members who had not participated in the March, 2003 Retreat. in a
February/March timeframe they'd like to dedicate 4-1/2 hours on a Friday evening (Human Rights
Office processes and Team Building) and 8 hours (Brown Eyes/Blue Eyes Film, Listening Skills,
and Diversity Training) on a Saturday for training. Members asked for revisions such as breaks
after 2 hours of training, interactive exercises, not just race (but other disenfranchise groups) be
considered with the diversity training, and that training start no sooner than 5 p.m. to allow
members to take care of family commitments. Parker Preble made a motion to accept the
curriculum. Jack Coleman seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
Various dates were considered. Maryanne Ingratta moved that February 13 and 14 be selected for
training. Parker Preble seconded the motion. All voted in favor. (A backup of March 5-6 was
recorded.)
IV. Comparative Analysis of City of Fort Collins Boards & Commissions Diversity &
Demographics. To prepare for a discussion on this topic with City Council at their January 27`h
Study Session, the Commission reviewed whether their report (document set was complete) and
ready for City Council with a synopsis of the information and the Commission's recommendation.
The Commission agreed the analysis of the data shows when minority applications are received
Board & Commission appointments proportionately reflect the same ethnic groups as 2000 census
data. Their recommendations are:
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• The City re-evaluate their method for seeking minority applications. The Commission
suggests a target marketing system that focuses on distributing Board & Commission
applications to increase minority applicants.
• The City revise their ethnic groupings on the Board & Commission application. Those
ethnic groups currently listed are too vague for the number of minority groups and many
applicants are lumped in the "other" category.
Jack Coleman made a motion to approve the above recommendations. Kimberly Clouser seconded
the motion. All voted in favor.
V. Ken's Requests at Retraction of Resignation. The following are requests Chair Ken Gordon
made to City Council at the time of retraction of his resignation:
1. That City Council, Human Rights Office and HRC schedule a retreat to develop
initiatives aimed at making Fort Collins more racially sensitive, more welcoming to
minority cultures, and more racially inclusive.
2. That City Council work with the appropriate organizations to draft and pass a local
racial profiling statute.
3. That City Council schedule a study session with the appropriate organizations to
discuss and evaluate a Human Rights Protection ordinance or resolution.
4. That City Council, Human Rights Office and HRC jointly sponsor a community wide
diversity forum entitled, "Understanding the Nuances of Racism" to build an
opportunity for those who feel Fort Collins is color blind to openly dialogue with
those who know it isn't.
He invited comments from Commissioners. Are they in agreement? There was concern about
supporting local laws for racial profiling. Would state and federal laws supercede and could
those laws be used to avoid racial profiling in Fort Collins. There was also some concern about
the community wide diversity forum ... its name and content. Would it be for all discriminated
groups and not just people of color? Maryanne higratta made a motion to approve in principal
with the understanding that there would be wordsmithing later. Jack Coleman seconded the
motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
VI. Human Rights Protection Ordinance. Chair Gordon confirmed as a group that the Human
Relations Commissions stands by their letter of support of the Human Rights Protection
Ordinance of November 13. (That letter was submitted to City Council at their meeting of
November 1, 2003.) They are also aware that since their initial support of the ordinance,
differences in objectives have arisen among the groups that support the ordinance. The
Commission is interested in hammering it out" (participation in a solution that works for
everyone.) They look forward to working with City Council at the January 27a' Study Session
and hope to identify next steps for determining whether the ultimate solution is an ordinance or a
resolution.
VII. Announcements: The agenda for the February 12 meeting will include:
• A visit with Barbara Catbagan, Human Rights Officer re: community wide forum using a
program format developed in the past year, sponsors for funding, and potential for
volunteer staff.
• Guest Speak Kelly Ohlson on How to Become an Effective Commission.
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• Election of Officers on the slate developed at the January 8, 2004 meeting.
VIII. Adjournment. Kimberly Clouse made a motion to adjourn. Parker Preble seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the HRC is Thursday, February 12, 2004, 5:30 p.m. at the CIC Room,
300 W. Laporte Avenue.
Angelina Powell, Staff Liaison