HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 06/12/2003Human Relations Commission Community Room
215 N. Mason
June 12, 2003, 5:30 — 7:30 p.m.
www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/human-relations.php
Council Liaison: David Roy Staff Liaison: Angelina Powell
Phone V:407-7393 Phone 221-6525
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Chairperson: Ken Gordon Phone: 217-6317
Vice Chair erson: Ma Gomez Phone: 491-3702
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on June 12, 2003 in the CIC Room,
300 W. LaPorte Avenue.
FIRE Members present Kimberly Clouser, John Coleman, Mary Gomez, Ken Gordon, Jr., Parker
Preble, Erik Rush
HRC Members absent Elaine Boni, Rita Klepac, Christina Serrano
/with notification
Staff Members present Angelina Powell, Staff Liaison
I. Call to Order. The meeting was officially called to order by Chair Ken Gordon, Jr. at 5:32 p.m.
II. Guests. Staff members of the Coloradoan (including Executive Editor Mike Limon, Editorial
Page Editor Kevin Duggan, and Business Editor Pat Ferrier) were invited to become better
acquainted with the newly seated commission and the direction they'd like to take. Coloradoan
staff members were given background information related to history of the commission, their
accomplishments and their current work efforts.
From the Coloradoan's perspective, they were grateful for the invitation and offered to help "shine
the light on key issues." As space and time allowed, they offered to help the commission weigh in
on community wide diversity issues. Additionally, they also offered to add members of the
commission to their resource database.
III. Approval of Minutes. Parker Preble asked that a correction be made to the May 8`h, Old
Business, Public Relations item. He asked the word soapbox be changed to press release.
Kimberly Clouser made a motion to approve the minutes for May 8, 2003 with the change. Jack
Coleman seconded the motion. All voted in favor of accepting the minutes with the change.
IV. Subcommittee Reports.
Human Relations Award Subcommittee. Subcommittee Chair Kimberly Clouser thanked
everyone for their work in hosting the event and participating as MCs. She's looking for members
of the subcommittee (including checking the interest for returning members Ken Gordon & Parker
Preble.) She expects to begin work for the 2004 awards process in July, 2003.
Diversity Subcommittee The subcommittee met on May 28 to assess where they were in the
completion of data collection and analysis of the diversity of applicants for vacancies on City's
Boards & Commissions. Some data still needs to be entered. The subcommittee plans to bring a
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preliminary report with questions that have been generated by the analysis to the larger group at
their meeting on September 11.
Police Subcommittee. With the resignation of subcommittee Chair Richard Miller, the Chair
entertained nominations for Chair of the Police Subcommittee. Park Preble nominated Christina
Serrano. Erik Rush seconded the motion. Nominations were closed. The group, on hearing
Christina had agreed to consideration as the chair, voted unanimously to approve her appointment.
Executive Delegation Subcommittee: The Executive Delegation Subcommittee met in May to
develop the agenda for the June 12 meeting. At their next meeting they will review the 2003
Work Plan.
V. Liaison Reports
Northern Colorado Multicultural Corp. There has not been a meeting of the NCMC for the past
two months. As previously suggested, Parker will invite Chair of the NCMC, Keane Richardson,
to be the guest speaker for the commission's September I It" meeting.
Eracism Film Series. No report.
VI. Old Business.
Retreat Followup. Chair Ken Gordon received suggestions for the one -line mission statement that
embodied a description of the focus of the Human Relations Commission. Did commission
members agree that "Promote acceptance and respect for diversity" would be acceptable?
Kimberly Clouser moved to accept the one -line mission statement. Erik Rush seconded the
motion. The group voted unanimously to accept the statement. At the commission retreat in
March, there was discussion that an additional 4 hour retreat might be necessary to complete work.
Ken wanted to know if the group still believed a 4 hour retreat was in order. Parker Preble made a
motion not to schedule a four hour retreat. Mary Gomez seconded the motion. All but one
commissioner (Jack Coleman) voted to accept the motion.
Budget. Chair Ken Gordon submitted the Commissions' budget requests by the April 281h
deadline. He wanted to investigate the Institute for Healing Racism idea further before offering it
as a suggestion to the City Manager for his recommended budget. Chair Ken Gordon offered one
half hour for discussion of the Institute at the September meeting. Ken also wanted to come to
some understanding that the Chair & Vice -Chair represent the collective decisions on budget of
the commission. When sharing your personal opinions please be wary of giving the impression to
our City Council Liaison David Roy that you represent the commission as a whole. At the very
least, please keep Ken or Mary apprised of the conversation.
Public Relations Parker Preble didn't think a formal Public Relations Subcommittee with
members Parker Preble, Rita Klepac and Christina Serrano was needed. Kimberly Clouser
thought if individuals were willing to take on "weighty topics" (write about them with some
depth) and we made it a regular agenda topic, it might be okay to do away with the idea of a
standing committee. Parker Preble made the motion that no special public relations committee be
formed. Erik Rush seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to not create a standing Public
Relations Subcommittee.
VII. New Business.
Commitment/Attendance. The topic was tabled to the August meeting as several members were
absent and others (Kimberly Clouser, Jack Coleman, Parker Preble and Christina Serrano) would
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not be present in July. Chair Ken Gordon's would like to open the topic for discussion. He'd like
to recommend members commit a minimum of six hours to the commission (two hours for the
regular monthly meeting and two hours participating on two subcommittees.)
Business Cards/HRC Brochure. Chair Ken Gordon circulated a layout for business cards that his
place of business will underwrite. If you were not present at the meeting, please let Ken know
what, if any, telephone and email address you'd like to use. Also circulated was a copy of a dated
HRC brochure. Please review and offer suggestions for changes.
VIII. Announcements Parker received a copy of an email that is circulating. The message is racist
in tone and directed to the US Postal Service intent to create a stamp celebrating the Muslim
religion.
IX. Adjournment. Parker Preble made a motion to adjourn. Kimberly Clouser seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next HRC meeting will be July 10, 2003, 5:30 p.m. in
the CIC Room, 300 W. LaPorte Avenue.
Approved:
Ken Gordon, Jr. Chair
OR'—
n elina Powell, Staff Liaison