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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 10/13/2005Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes October 13, 2005 Council Liaison: David Roy Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell Chair: Parker Preble HRC Members Present: Parker Preble, Paige Backlund Jarquin, Elaine Boni, Jack Coleman, Caroline Tu Farley, Joann Ginal, Maryanne Ingratta, Moin Siddiqui, Lester Washington Staff Members Present: Kelly DiMartino, Rebecca (Becky) O'Donnell, Joan Busch I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m. II. Public Input None. III. Guest Speaker Postponed to next meeting. IV. Agenda Review Elaine requested that Face to Face be added under Liaison Reports. V. Minutes Moin moved that the minutes from the September 8, 2005 be approved as corrected. Maryanne seconded. Motion passed unanimously (9-0). VI. Committee Reports A. Executive Delegation Parker announced that Lester will work on business cards. Caroline thanked Kelly for her work as staff liaison and said that she would be missed. Kelly introduced Becky O'Donnell as the new staff liaison and Joan Busch who will be taking minutes. Parker gave Becky a membership list and asked her to update. Caroline asked if elections of officers could be held in December rather than February so new officers could start in January rather than March. Kelly advised that new board members typically start in January and the intent is to have them attend at least one meeting before elections are held. Kelly/Becky will follow up with the City Clerk's office to see if elections could be moved up. B. Education and Community Outreach Joann reported that most of the committee's efforts were to prepare for the Human Rights Protection Ordinance (HRPO) presentation to City Council. There will be a regular meeting next month. Human Relations Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 2 of 2 C. Government Relations Elaine reported that thanks to Paige the translator list has been updated and she will give Becky a copy next month. Elaine reminded members that City Council has requested this be kept up to date. Maryanne, Moin and Elaine participated in a panel discussion at the Connect People Create Community Conference held on September 17. Their topic "Diverse Voices in Community" was well attended. Elaine thanked Caroline, Lester, Joann and Jack for attending the presentation. Elaine asked members to commit to monitoring City Council meetings by signing up to monitor two meetings per year, specifically the public comments at the beginning of each meeting. Members can either watch the meeting or check out a tape from the library. Kelly advised that the December 6 City Council meeting has been changed to November 29 and that the Human Rights Month proclamation needs to be moved up as well. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. and information regarding the proclamation needs to be to the City Clerk's office by November 16. Maryanne and Elaine will start again tabulating the diversity data for boards and commissions applicants. Kelly said that boards and commissions applications are submitted on-line and perhaps this information is stored in a data base which would make tabulating the data easier. Kelly advised November 2 and November 15 are Council 2006-2007 Budget readings and funding for the Human Rights Office and the Dial -A -Ride evening service has not been included in the budget. D. Media & Community Recognition Committee Lester thanked everyone for their work on the HRPO. Lester advised that he and Jack met to discuss HRPO follow up and any future comments will be through the Coloradoan's "soapbox" column. Lester will follow up with the Coloradoan asking why Moin's article wasn't published. Future articles should be sent to Pat Ferrier. Maryanne suggested a schedule for members to submit articles. Lester said he would identify some topics, meet with the Coloradoan staff and get a commitment. Joann suggested inviting the new publisher to an HRC meeting. It was also suggested that the articles be published in other newspapers such as the Bullhorn. Lester mentioned that the HRC wasn't invited to participate in CSU's Diversity Summit and expressed his concern that the HRC isn't on a contact list. Also the Multicultural Retreat and Students of Color Retreat are held annually. Lester suggested that HRC submit a proposal in April/May requesting participation. Human Relations Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 3 of 3 Maryanne advised that the HRC's 2006 Work Plan is due to the City Clerk's office by November 30. Maryanne asked if there should be a special meeting just to identify and focus on goals for next year and not just copy the work plan from the prior year. Parker said members should let him know if anyone wants to hold a special meeting. VII. Liaison Reports A. Northern Colorado Multicultural Corporation Maryanne reported that NCMC wrote a letter in support of the HRPO. B. NIOT Alliance Jack advised that there were no reported hate crimes for 2-3 months in Fort Collins, although there could be incidents that weren't reported. C. Latino Action Council Paige reported that LAC will hold a meeting on October 22, 8:30 a.m. at the Harmony Library. Everyone is welcome. A guest speaker will talk about Latino issues. HRPO defeat had quite an effect on the Latino committee. D.Interfaith Council Moin reported that 200 people attended the September 29 meeting at the Lincoln Center. There was a very good representation of various religions. Future meetings will be held on October 2 at Plymouth Church, October 8 at Har Shalom, October I I at University Center. Moin said this was a wonderful experience for all religions and this event will probably be repeated every year. E. Face to Face Elaine reported that this group only meets twice a year and is coordinated by the Human Rights Office. Some of their activities include "Cans Around the Oval", religious holy days and a newspaper article published once a month. Maryanne asked if the City has a contingency plan on how to handle complaints without the Human Rights Office. Kelly explained that the education component will go away and that the complaints are very few. Elaine said that currently complaints go to the City Manager's office and then are delegated to the Human Rights Office. F. ERACISM Film Series &—Mapyarme advised that Sunday, October 16 is the last movie in the series "Not in our Town". The series is getting more popular and will start again in January. Members are to let Maryanne know of any films that might be of interest for the next series. a-^O- iIol-K,4, .�- VIII. Budget Report Kelly advised that the HRC's request to fund the award breakfast was approved. There is approximately $3,000 funded. No additional funding was approved. Parker suggested finding Human Relations Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 4 of 4 sponsors for the awards breakfast. Lester will follow up on reserving a date with the Lincoln Center. IX. Old Business A. Meeting Reflections Caroline stated that she didn't feel very good when she left last month's meeting. It didn't feel that members respected each other and should be more cognizant of other's ideas. Parker said he supported Caroline's comments and wants to conduct meetings openly but with decorum, dignity and professionalism. If in the future, he doesn't see that, then he will comment. B. Human Rights Protection Ordinance (HRPO) Parker said that the fact this ordinance was voted down (5-2) made a statement. He thought Karen Weitkunat's reason for voting against it was a good one, which was consideration of other ways to this message across other than an ordinance. The Task Force did look at other options but chose an ordinance. Parker said he plans to learn from this experience. Elaine commented that the HRC's role was to support the Task Force but not direct it, and that some roads were built in the community. Lester said it did get the issue in people's minds. Moin commented that this was an emotional issue and it will not go away unless addressed. Maryanne suggested that any follow through to keep the HRPO would be to work through the Human Rights Office. Caroline commented that perhaps the HRC could put their energy towards continuation of funding for that office. Kelly said that the City Council work session on October 25 is when Council will give the City Manager direction on the budget. Joann suggested drafting a letter of support for the Human Rights Office. Kelly said she had the official record copy of all HRPO documentation and members could review as needed. C.HRC/NIOTA — Healing Institute of Racism Jack finished his presentation from the previous meeting on NIOTA and asked if the HRC would be willing to provide a meeting place and refreshments in support. Members asked questions regarding other groups and if this only addresses racism. Jack confirmed that racism is the focus. Members also expressed concern on the lack of budget for providing refreshments. Jack moved that the HRC support NIOTA by making room arrangements and be listed as a sponsor. Caroline seconded. Discussion included comments that the group's focus isn't broad enough. Members voted and the motion failed 4-4 with 1 abstention. In favor: Moin, Caroline, Jack and Lester. Opposed: Maryanne, Elaine, Joann, Parker. Abstention: Paige. Parker declared that in the case of a tied vote the motion fails unless research determines otherwise. Kelly or Becky will follow up with the City Clerk's office. D. Homeless Paige said this topic is for future discussion. Human Relations Commission Minutes October 13, 2005 Page 5 of 5 X. New Business Maryanne had a question about the email account. Kelly advised that if anyone sends a message to HRC everyone is copied. XI. Adjournment Caroline moved to adjourn. Joann seconded. Motion passed unanimously (9-0). Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. / Parker Preble Chair Re cca O'Donnell,Staff Liaison Signed on this date: