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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/11/2004Human Relations Commission Minutes March 11, 2004 5:30 — 8:35 p.m. ___._ www fegov com/cityclerk/human relations php Council Liaison David Roy Staff Lia►son: Kelly D►Martmo Phone V 407-7393 Phone 416 2028 Chairperson: Ken Gordon Phone: 217-6317 Vice Chairperson: Ma Gomez Phone: 491-3702 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on March 11, 2004 at the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue. HRC Members present: Elaine Boni, Jack Coleman, Caroline Tu Farley, Maryanne Ingratta, Mary Gomez, Ken Gordon Jr., Rita Klepac, Parker Preble City Staff present: Angelina Powell & Kelly DiMartino Steve Roy, Greg Tempel and Barbara Catbagan for a time I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ken Gordon at 5:30 p.m. II. Public Input. Leroy Gomez and several members of the community were present. Several CSU Journalism Majors were present as observers. III. Agenda Review. Maryanne Ingratta had several questions about Diversity Subcommittee related topics being spread in various agenda categories such as Subcommittee Report and Liaison Reports. She had concerns the agenda design did not reflect the work groups and reporting links. IV. Guest Speakers City Attorney Steve Roy & Senior Asst. City Attorney Greg Tempel. Mr. Roy was available for questions. The following questions were discussed. 1) Parker Preble asked if the Commissions' constituents were citizens or City Council. Response: Citizens are involved in and affected by the work of the Commission. Who the Commission's constituents are depends on the context of the situation. (2) What are the directives being given by City Council in Resolution 2004-37, 2(b) which states "Establish a citizen taskforce ... to review the issues raised in the draft human rights protection ordinance that has been suggested to the Council by the HRC, and to provide to the City Council any recommendations made by such taskforce ... If the recommendations of the taskforce or the HRC include the adoption of any new legislation by the Council, such recommendations shall be submitted to the Council for its consideration, prior to the drafting of any such legislation, so that the Council may decide, pursuant to its established policy, whether the preparation of such legislation for Council consideration is supported by three or more members of the Council. "? Response: Council has directed that the recommendations made by the task force be reviewed by the Human Relations Commission and forwarded to Council. Any proposed legislation will be drafted by the City Attorney's office if three or more members of Council give that direction. (3) How is a City Commission given direction by City Council? Response: Council gives direction via motion, ordinances or resolutions at a regular meeting. (Study sessions are not regular meetings.) Human Relations Commission Page 2 (4) The Mayor's February 3`d Memorandum —follow up to the January 27`h Study Session — is not entirely the same as Resolution 2004-037. Which controls? Response: The resolution supercedes the memorandum. (5) How should the HRC communicate with Council? Response: Generally, through the Council liaison. As to the task force, the Resolution overrides that general rule. Any communications going to Council on that subject should be drafted by the Commission and sent directly to City Council with a copy to the Council liaison. The Task Force's verbatim recommendations should be accompanied by any additional comments or recommendations the HRC may have. (6) What would be the City Attorney's recommendation for communicating Police Complaint process recommendations? Response: Invite Councilmember Roy to the meeting at which the question is considered. Then send any recommendations to Council through Councilmember Roy. Mr. Roy thanked the Commission for the opportunity to answer the questions and suggested that future questions could be directed to the Commission's legal counsel, Greg Tempel, with copies to Mr. Roy. Mr. Roy provides counsel for City Council and will be kept apprised by Mr. Tempel as needed. Leroy Gomez, a Hispanic Citizen Activist, was invited to address the HRC. Mr. Gomez has been in Fort Collins since a job transfer to Anheuser Busch brought him to the area. He believes racism exists in Fort Collins. He believes it's not as overt as 40 or more years ago when he saw signs hung in downtown businesses that stated "No dogs or Mexicans allowed." He believes the HRC is being proactive with their work on the Human Rights Task Force. Some commission members had questions for Mr. Gomez including: Q: What kind of program do you suggest for healing racism? A: "Deal with it head on." He suggested they invite minorities to be representatives on policy making boards. He knew several Hispanic speakers affiliated with Metro State in Denver who could speak to the question. Q: To whom do they speak? How do you organize programs that do not "speak to the choir?" A: Through the media, go to their areas with posters, go to people they trust to advocate their attendance. V. Minutes. Chair Ken Gordon entertained a motion for acceptance of minutes for the February 12, 2004 meeting. Elaine Boni made a motion to approve the minutes. Jack Coleman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. VI. Subcommittee Reports. Diversity Subcommittee The subcommittee met on March 4. The subcommittee under the leadership of new Chair Maryanne Ingratta reviewed the HRC Bylaws/Diversity Committee & and the2004 Work Plan. The committee determined: • An ongoing analysis of diversity data of Boards & Commissions would be performed every other year. At a subsequent meeting they would discuss how to increase target marketing to increase minorities on Boards & Commissions. Human Relations Commission Page 3 • Requested Rita Klepac continue with her work as the HRC Liaison for the Eracism Film Series. • Outreach would include the community wide forum for which Caroline Tu Farley is taking lead. The subcommittee would like to review the idea of study circles as they view it a great opportunity for dialoguing with the public. Also want to review the possibility of sponsoring programs like the Institute for Healing Racism. • Interpreted publicizing culturally relevant events & programs as the work Elaine Boni does with Face to Face. • At subsequent meetings will discuss a marketing plan for publicizing sources for help for those who have complaints relating to human relations issues (both formal and informal.) • Barbara Catbagan reported she had heard from Rose Salamanca of the Department of Justice who was interested in inviting the HRC to help with a Hate Crime Response Team Institute set for May 17, 2004. An organizational meeting will be taking place on March 25. Barbara to forward information on their request to Vice Chair Mary Gomez who will share that information with the full Commission. Police Subcommittee. The subcommittee met on March 1. The subcommittee, under the leadership of new Subcommittee Chair Elaine Boni, plan to review the Fort Collins complaint process checking for ease of use and that complaint data is secure. The subcommittee plans to check the process for similar cities. Elaine met with Lt. James Broderick of Police Services prior to the CRB meeting. Jim oversees Internal Affairs and is the Staff Liaison for the Citizen Review Board. Elaine attended the Citizen Review Board's February meeting. She will return for their April meeting (no meeting in March) when their Council Liaison, Mayor Martinez, will attend. Human Relations Award Subcommittee. No report. Community Wide Racism Forum. Project lead Caroline Tu Farley, shared the proposal that she with Elaine Boni & Maryanne Ingratta had developed. Caroline wondered if the title, "Is Fort Collins a Racist City?" was acceptable to the Commission. Yes. Caroline had made reservations for a room on both April 3 and May 1 and wondered if the dates were acceptable to the group. Chair Gordon suggested the date be set after the Commission had a chance to meet with the NCMC (who are interested in cosponsoring the event.) Kelly DiMartino, with her experience in planning like events, advised it would take a minimum of six months to develop and effectively publicize it. Caroline asked if the mix of recommended speakers was acceptable. Some commission members had concerns about the mix of speakers and their ability to represent minority opinions. Would the speakers articulate well and be interesting? What visible part would the HRC play that day? Who would be the facilitator? No consensus was reached. Executive Delegation Subcommittee: Ken & Mary met to review the work plan including all the projects the Commission has currently taken on. They will be sharing information later on their ideas of expectations/roles of subcommittee chairs. Very shortly they hope to begin work on the HRC brochure needed for neighborhood walks and other venues where information on the HRC can be shared. Chair Gordon thanked Vice Chair Mary Gomez for her efforts in securing funds, with the help of Council member Tharp, to print the brochures. VII. Liaison Reports Northern Colorado Multicultural Corp. NCMC Liaison Parker Preble did not attend the last NCMC but Chair Michael Esters was in the audience and extended an invitation to the HRC to attend the NCMC meeting on Thursday April 1, 4:30 p.m. in the Mt. Antero Building on the campus of Front Human Relations Commission Page 4 Range Community College. Besides providing an opportunity to interact, they are looking for ways to work together and share resources. Erasicm Film Series. EFS Liaison Rita Klepac met with that group on March 4. There are two new members —both Library personnel. One of the new group members is Hispanic and the other is an expert on the topic of audio/visual, including knowledge on public rights (copyrights.) The opening film has to do with Federal Housing Administration and the challenges presented to minorities. The committee has also invited a Native American speaker to participate in the series. Face to Face. F2F Liaison Elaine Boni attended their March meeting. Senate Bill 194, the anti - affirmative action bill is currently being considered. Individuals are being encouraged to write to their Colorado legislators discouraging them to support the legislation. Latimer County Workforce Diversity & Economic Vitality Committee. Liaison Ken Gordon reported that group met on March 10. Their purpose is to promote diversity to enhance the economic vitality of the region. At their meeting they received information on minority representation of City of Fort Collins staff as well as a report on community demographics. Ken asked help from the Diversity Subcommittee on an assignment he'd received. By April 13, the Work Force would like to get information on entities committed to diversity. Maryanne Ingratta, Diversity Subcommittee Chair, accepted the request on behalf of the subcommittee cautioning that in that time frame it would not be an exhaustive study and promising to do what they could. In fact, depending on how the survey instrument was developed, it might lend itself later to providing anecdotal information on discrimination (racism) in Fort Collins for the City Council assignment. Pioneer Charter School. The charter school is interested in promoting diversity. They have asked Ken Gordon and Mary Gomez to attend a future meeting. He will share more information later. Faith Based-FCCN. Ken and Mary will be speaking at the Mennonite Fellowship Hall on Sunday, May 2 on the subject of Healing the Spirit of Fort Collins. VIII. Budget Report. At March 12, $2,099.88 of the HRC budget is available. IX. Old Business Awards Breakfast/BudQet. The Commission discussed the value of continuing the breakfast if the majority of the budget is dedicated to that one activity. Maryanne Ingratta suggested the Commission consider the mix of funding activities. Parker Preble believed it was a tradition the Commission should consider continuing. Chair Gordon advised that funding alone should not be the determining factor. His recent experience had been that Council had been helpful in securing funds. He believed if the need was there, and a good case could be made for it, funds could be made available. Chair Gordon asked for a new subcommittee chair (as former chair Kimberly Clouser had resigned) to take lead on coordinating the breakfast. Parker agreed. Caroline To Farley made a motion naming Parker Preble as Chair of the Human Rights Award Subcommittee. Jack Coleman seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Human Rights Task Force. Chair Gordon offered a slate of names as prospective task force members and asked for a motion to approve the membership. Parker Preble made a motion to approve the following individuals as members of the Human Rights Task Force: Olivia Abeyta, Barbara Catbagan, Cheryl Distaso, Michael Esters, Leroy Gomez, Kim Salinas, Blaine Harding, Dennis Harrison, Janet Laughon, John Lincoln, Socorro Prado, Mohammad Sidiqqui, and Norberto Valdez. Maryanne Ingratta seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the Human Relations Commission Page 5 motion. The first meeting of the Task Force is set for Thursday, March 18, 6-8:30 p.m. in the 215 N. Mason Community Room. Meeting Reflection. Four members of the Commission had recently attended the Multicultural Retreat in Estes Park at which about 70 people participated. HRC members who attended were Elaine Boni, Jack Coleman, Mary Gomez and Ken Gordon. All had favorable comments about the experience. In fact, some are interested in attending the Level II retreat in April. Members who had not been able to attend wondered if handouts could be made available. X. New Business Publicity/Activity Archives. For historic purposes, Maryanne asked individuals who saw articles referencing the Human Relations Commission to please cut them out and bring the articles in for the HRC archives. Not any one person might happen on all the related articles so everyone was encouraged to bring what the found (duplicates would be tossed.) Ken asked new liaison Kelly DiMartino to maintain a file of information for the commission. Chair Gordon asked commission members to consider writing diversity related topic columns and to bring them to the Commission for their review. It's his hope that at least once a month, an HRC article would be published in a local publication. It was suggested the Commission approach Barbara Catbagan to ask if a HRC Commission "note" might be included in her monthly Coloradoan article. Gay Marriage Ban. Maryanne Ingratta asked if the Commission might consider sharing their perspective on the topic of gay marriages. She believed it is a delicate, controversial and timely topic that deserved the Commission's consideration. Would it be appropriate to more actively collaborate with Community members/groups addressing the issue of constitutional amendment? Chair Gordon believed that the topic would remain for some time and with what is currently on the Commission's plate, sometime in the future might be a better time. Chairing HRC Meetings. Chair Gordon would like to make a change in who will chair the HRC meetings. He'd like to see the subcommittee chairs take a turn with him and Vice Chair Gomez. In advance of the agenda distribution, Ken & Mary would like to meet with Elaine (for April,) Maryanne (for May,) and Parker (for June) and the Staff Liaison to plan upcoming future meetings. XI. Announcements. Aurora HRC The Aurora HRC contacted Chair Gordon. They are interested in collaborating. Staff Liaison. The March 11`h meeting was the last meeting for Staff Liaison Angelina Powell. Angelina had served the commission for a little less than four years. The commission members thanked Angelina "profusely" for her contributions to their efforts and invited guests to stay for the refreshments Mary Gomez & Elaine Boni provided. The new liaison will be Kelly DiMartino, Communications and Public Involvement Manager. X. Adjournment. Parker Preble made a motion to adjourn. Elaine Boni seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Next meeting of the HRC will be held Thursday, April 8, 2004, 5:30 p.m. in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue. Human Relations Commission Page 6 Approved: OR G-a- Ken Gordon, Jr., Chair K# DiMar 'no, Staff Liaison