HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 01/08/2004Human Relations Commission
Minutes
January 8, 2004 5.30 — 7:50 p.m.
Council Liaison: David Roy Staff Liaison: Angelina Powell
Phone V: 407-7393 Phone: 221-6525
Chairperson: Ken Gordon Phone: 217-6317
Vice Chairperson: Mary Gomez Phone: 491-3702
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on January 8, 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
Council Liaison present David Roy
Staff Members present City Attorney Steve Roy, Senior Assistant City Attorney Greg Tempel and
Staff Liaison Angelina Powell
Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ken Gordon at 5:30 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes. Chair Ken Gordon entertained a motion for acceptance of minutes for the
December 11, 2004 meeting. Elaine Boni made a motion to approve the minutes. Jack Coleman
seconded the motion. All voted in favor of accepting the minutes as presented.
III. Welcome New Members. New members Caroline Tu Farley and Maryanne Ingratta were
welcomed by Chair Ken Gordon. Introductions of all commission members were made. Both
Caroline & Maryanne shared information on their background and why they were interested in
serving on the HRC.
IV. Other Business
City Code: Human Relations Commission Charter. Council Liaison David Roy thanked the
Commission for their enthusiasm and efforts. He'd offered to attend the January meeting with the
City Attorney Steve Roy (and Greg Tempel) when questions had arise about the Commission's
charge and scope of responsibilities after the resignations of both Chair Ken Gordon and Vice
Chair Mary Gomez. He offered resources available for clarification with the attendance of City
Attorney Roy and Senior Assistant City Attorney Greg Tempel.
The Commission was primarily interested in understanding their quasi-judicial responsibilities (as
an appeal body for complainants of discrimination after the determinations of the City Manager
through the Human Rights Officer. Section 13-23(b)) City Attorney Roy noted the Commission's
primary role was advisory to City Council as defined by Section 2-263 of the City Code. He also
noted commission members are acting on behalf of the City only when they act within the scope of
their appointed duties and functions. If they act outside those bounds, they risk exposing
themselves to personal liability.
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At 6:15 p.m., when an audio recording device was in place, Parker Preble made the motion: "As
authorized by City Code Section 2-31(a)(2), I move to go into executive session for the purpose of
meeting with the City Attorney to receive legal advice regarding potential litigation and the manner
in which the board's actions may be affected by existing law." Elaine Boni seconded the motion.
All voted in favor of the motion.
The Commission returned to their regular meeting at 6:37 p.m
V. Subcommittee Reports.
Human Relations Award Subcommittee. The Subcommittee did not meet in December but work
had been done to update the City's website to accept applications for nominations and Kimberly
Clouser would be working with the Mayor's assistant to set a date for the annual awards breakfast
that would work on the Mayor's calendar.
Diversity Subcommittee No meeting in December.
Police Subcommittee. No report.
Executive Delegation Subcommittee: Met to discuss the topics of the January 8 agenda and the
Human Rights Protection Ordinance.
VI. Liaison Reports
Northern Colorado Multicultural Com. Chair Gordon on 12/30 met with NCMC members Renata
Trefor and Michael Estes at the home of Dorothy Bland.
Erasicm Film Series. In 2003-276 people attended a series of films that ended mid October. This
past year publicity was increased due to the participation and support of the Coloradoan. Funding
came from the Coloradoan, Fort Fund and the Interfaith Council. In the future, the film series will
not have affiliation with the Foothills Unitarian Church.
Face to Face. Elaine Boni attended their last meeting and had announcements about the Martin
Luther King Day activities, the Multicultural Retreat on February 26 and 27, 2004, (note: four
HRC Commissions (Ken Gordon, Mary Gomez, Jack Coleman & Elaine Boni) are planning to
attend), and an Affirmative Action Summit in Denver on January 17a .
VII. Budget Report. No report.
VIII. Old Business.
Institute for Healing Racism. Chair Gordon suggested moving the work related to the Institute
for Healing Racism to the Diversity Subcommittee. Rita Klepac reported that she had made
contact with some individuals in Michigan and has information she can share with Diversity
Subcommittee members.
Human Rights Protection Ordinance. Chair Gordon and Vice Chair Gomez continue to work with
the Coalition for Peace, Justice and the Environment. The group is making their focus more and
more an illegal immigrant issue and Ken's not sure it should be their focus. Work continues on
racial profiling. Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 26, 7 p.m., Northside
Aztlan Community Center.
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IX. New Business.
Slate of Officers.
Maryanne Ingratta moved that a slate of officers be set for the upcoming year. Kimberly Clouser
seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
Position
Nominee
Nominee
Accepts
HRC Chair
Ken Gordon
Yes
HRC Vice Chair
Mary Gomez
Yes
Diversity Subcommittee
Chair
Maryanne Ingratta
Yes
Police Subcommittee Chair
Elaine Boni
Yes
Human Rights Award Subcommittee Chair
I Kimberly Clouser
Yes
Parker Preble moved to close the slate. Rita Klepac seconded the motion. All voted in favor of
the motion. Election of officers is set for the February meeting.
HRC in the News. Parker Preble asked that the minutes show the publicity the HRC received in
over the past year. The Coloradoan: 1/7/2004, HRC Chair / Vice Chair Resignation Withdrawal;
12/13/2003, HRC Chair / Vice Chair Resignation; 12/27/2003, Ken Gordon Soapbox;
12/23/2003, Letter to the Editor about Ken Gordon; 12/21/2003, Letter to the Editor about Ken
Gordon and Mary Gomez; 7/ 16/2003, Ken Gordon Soapbox; 7/7/2003, Mayor Ray Martinez
Soapbox; 9/18/2003, Eracism Film Series article. Fort Collins Weekly: 12/17 - 12/ 23, HRC
Chair / Vice Chair resignations (Page 13). There will be an article in the edition that comes out
this coming Wednesday - 1/14. Rocky Mountain Bullhorn: 12/18 - 12/24, HRC Chair / Vice
Chair resignations (Page 8). Please make sure you see the cartoon and article on Page 6. 1/8 -
1/14, HRC Chair / Vice Chair Resignation Withdrawals (Page 8); 1/8 - 1/14, Ken Gordon Q &A
(Page 10); 1/14/2004, Ken Gordon on "The Bullhom Talk Show", 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm, live on
88.9, KRFC. KRFC various short features daily since HRC Chair / Vice Chair resignations:
l/l/2004, 30 minute Random Access with Ken Gordon concerning race & the HRPO. KUNC:
Various short features daily since HRC Chair / Vice Chair resignations; broke the story on
1/6/2004 that Chair / Vice Chair were withdrawing; in-depth interview planned on race in Fort
Collins — TBD.
IX. Adjournment. Kimber Clouser made a motion to adjourn. Parker Preble seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
A special meeting of the HRC will be held Friday, January 16, 2004, 6:00 p.m. at the CIC Room, 300
W. Laporte Avenue.
Approved:
M3
Ken Gordon,
Angelina Powell, Staff Liaison