HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 03/17/1997COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
Minutes of March 17,1997 Meeting
Present: Dana Hiatt, Joann Ginal, Loma Reeves, Audrey Faulkner, Lu Fisk, Danielle
Johnson, Doreen Kemp, Lynne Warner, Nancy Meginness, Stephanie Lane,
Megan Murphy, Lorna Reeves, and Gina Janett.
Excused
Absences: Diane Lathorpe, and Micki McMillan
Unexcused
Absences: Toni Chavez
Guests: Cindy Coopersmith, Women's Center
Council
Liaison: Gina Janett
City
Liaison Laurie Fonken-Joseph
Call to
Order: Doreen Kemp called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
Minutes: Minutes from February 24, 1997 meeting were approved with two changes:
Audrey sited page 5 "Bob Keister, the County Manager" should be changed to "the
County Budget Manager". Correct page 1 spelling of Gina "Janette" to "Janett".
Additions
to Agenda: Addition requested by Audrey Faulkner to discuss acknowledging Gina as
she departs. Also, put Equal Opportunity Act of 1997 on agenda to recommend to
City Council that they lobby against it.
Announcements:
► Larimer County Women's Network, Diane Lathrop liaison, will have a meeting at
Fort Collins Library on April 1
► The Marcile Wood committee should coordinate soon, mailing list is being
worked on. Chairperson was chosen, Doreen Micki, Daniele and Megan.
Applications don't get out fast enough, need more time. August 26 to be Quality
Day.
► Recognition was given to Megan Murphy for accepting Doctoral Program at the
University of Georgia. She leaves in August to study Marriage and Family
Therapy. Congratulations.
► Dana Hiatt is appointed to the state's Commission on Civil Rights and there was a
Commission on the Status of Women 1 March 17, 1997
may dedicate bills next year to Affordable Housing. He is asking CARE for ideas.
Gina stated that he could help finance the capital costs, bonding and the like. 3) Human
Rights Ordinance will be coming up for under discussion May 13th. 4) Gina's fourth
concern she calls a sleeper: the deregulation of Electric power industry. Private
industry could then sell electricity to large Fort Collins customers such as HP at lower
rates while the rates would go up for residential customers. Could be very disruptive.
Keep ears open. Low income will, be devastated. Audrey asked what can be done.
Gina responded saying to keep aware. This issue has not been well publicized. Seniors
are concerned. Stephanie responded by saying we would hope that HP would like to
be part of community and would no choose to purchase their power elsewhere. We can
influence the large businesses not to buy from others and make it clear that Fort Collins '
rates are comparatively low. Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont own Platte River
Power Authority. There is a debt. Also, State level legislation may still ward off the
problem.
Business Items:
Update on Focus Groups:
Audrey: We are about done doing what we're going to do. The attendance was sparse.
Women of Color group had only 2 in attendance, the Senior Group had only 3. Other groups
were better attended, all were productive, and they helped with the survey. I will send out thank
you letters to facilitators and recorders. Have had a lot of people indicate they wanted copies of
the report. Report to be completed at the April Retreat. Doreen said that once recommendations
are listed we can give to people who can offer advice in specific areas. It shall be ready for
Council in June. Printing costs are an issue. Nancy will see if County print shop can help.
• Letter:
Audrey reported that several weeks ago she called members of this Commission to ask you to
contact your legislator concerning House Bill 1299 which does away with Affirmative Action in
the State education sector. It has passed the house and will have further consideration by the
Senate and respective committees. This bill has enough potential detriment to women and people
of color that we should ask all to defeat the bill. Motion: we send a letter to Council that we go
on record as being against it and ask the City to support the lobbyist who will go against it. Gina
stated the City has a diversity policy that would support that. Attending sessions always helps,
for example the camera radar session had citizens. Should act soon. Blair may be able notify us
of session schedules. Dana noted that the Governors office may pull it and resubmit it as a
referendum. It may loose a year that way. At this point it has not been voted on. The motion
to send a letter to City Council was seconded. The letter is to be drafted by Audrey. Gina said
she would see Blair right away and that we need to act quickly.
• Guest Speakers:
Cindy Coopersmith from the Board of Directors of the Women's Center:
Cindy came to tell of a project they are doing on the Service Net. It is a joint venture between
FortNet and the Women's Center. They are wanting to put human resources information on the
Commission on the Status of Women 2 March 17, 1997
Internet. At a retreat, a new sub -committee was formed to focus on education and advocacy.
It was realized that there isn't a good list of women's groups, hence the idea of creating a
database of women's groups and resources in the Fort Collins area. The Women's Center has
made a commitment to go on with the project. They are looking for lists, even old lists, any
information to help make their database comprehensive. Doreen mentioned the Women's Yellow
Pages. Cindy is looking for names of associations and groups that meet and have their focus on
Women. Gina suggested the Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie gave an update on the progress
of our group's list, saying that it will include downtown Women's Business Groups, largely non-
profit and service groups, and will have about 1500 names. It is now in its infancy. Should be
close to being ready in two months. Doreen said the Women Business Owners's Board of
Directors and Executive Committee were not that enthused about providing data base
information. Cindy said they want their list to not only give the name of the organization, but also
show their mission statements. Ramey Little says she would call each group and get an ok to use
their name on the Internet. The plan of the Women's Center is to have each group listed to take
on responsibility of keeping there own listing current. A motion was made to share our list when
its completed with the Women's Center and the motion was seconded.
• Human Rights Ordinance Update:
Lu reported that the Human Rights Ordinance has been revised. The inclusiveness is the same,
but there are language changes. There is low public interest. At the February meeting, more staff
attended than members. It was urged not to support the ordinance on the Citizens' Review
Board. Gina said the Citizen Review process exists but doesn't get used much. We could
improve the one we have by working out some of the logistics. For example, the Police look at
Citizen Review Boards as less stringent on police than their own management. The Roybal
shooting has brought about a lawsuit against the mayor and the City. Thursday night the League
of Women Voters are to introduce those running for Council to the current issues. Candidates
appear to be interested in the Human Rights Ordinance. Laurie said she has had many requests .
for copies of it. Watch for Peter Trosen. Lu said the Health and Safety Committee are to make
their recommendation to Council in April. Laurie told of a meeting sponsored by Green Party,
Ann Azari, Birchie, Byrnes, Mason, in which support is given. It will come up at the May 13 City
Council Study Session.
• National Women's History Month:
Lorna and Joann received over 100 essays from Poudre School District students. Due to the
overwhelming response the awards cannot be presented tomorrow night. Joann has read them,
Becky has them now. It is difficult to choose. The award shall be presented at the April 1 City
Council meeting at 6:15 p.m.
The Proclamation shall still happen tomorrow night as March is Women's History month and
Loma agreed to accept the Proclamation.
• Status of the "Draft"
A Technical Writer meeting is coming up April25th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Opera Galleria
in Diane's office. The April 19 meeting date has been changed to April 9 at 405 Canyon 5:30-
7:30 pm.
Commission on the Status of Women 3 March 17, 1997
A half -day retreat will happen to finish and fill the gaps. It is scheduled for April 26th from 9-4
at Doreen's house. It will be good to have a 10 year study on status of women. The next step
is to identify seven experts the report should go to to be reviewed and commented on. Carol
Plock would be happy to look at health care area. Brett from CSU formatted the report. Several
possible layouts were passed around for review.
Laurie announced that a full time positioq is open in her office as Mike is leaving. The
responsibilities include the coordination of meetings, retreats, processing of data.
Dana offered to bring April refreshments. .
Open discussion ensued. The meeting adjourned at p.m.
• Next meeting scheduled for 4/21/97.
Commission on the Status of Women TMarch 17, 199:7