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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 07/18/1994MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN JULY 18, 1994 Present: Amy Beuschlein, Sue Cottingham, Audrey Faulkner, JoAnn Ginal, , Doreen Kemp, Stephanie Lane, Diane Lathrop, Sally Miles, Laima Skuja, Lynne Warner, Chris Wood Absent: Carolyn Duff, Lu Fisk, Dana Hiatt, Stevie Honaker Guest: Alma Vigo -Morales Staff Support: Joan Busch Jaime Mares Council Liaison: Gina Janett Sharon Roulier NEW COMMISSION MEMBER/STAFF LIAISON: Audrey Faulkner introduced new Commission member Diane Lathrop. Diane is an attorney in Fort Collins and current President of the Larimer County Bar Association. Jaime Mares, Employee Development Director introduced Sharon Roulier the City's new Personnel Specialist. Sharon will serve as the Commission's staff liaison. Sharon joined the Employee Development staff in June and is looking forward to working with Commission members. MINUTES Minutes from the June 20, 1994 meeting were approved as written. PROGRAM Alma Vigo -Morales, Human Rights Officer for the City of Fort Collins, spoke about the duties of her new position. Alma will review and address charges of discrimination involving Fort Collins citizens. Alma will be working closely with the Human Relations Commission as individuals who have filed a complaint and disagree with the findings of the Human Rights Officer have the option of filing an appeal with the HRC. In some situations, the complaint may be directed to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Details on this referral process are currently being developed. As her position evolves, Alma would like to address the need for education on diversity issues, and the need for mediation at the neighborhood level. Alma would like to use the Commission as a resource for ideas and as a "sounding board". She encouraged members to call her with suggestions or concerns. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes July 18, 1994 Page 2 Council member Gina Janett reported that Larimer County, Front Range Community College and Poudre Valley Hospital have petitioned to join the new Multi -Cultural Commission. Appointments are pending. Council has approved free rides on Transfort for children under 18 through December. This is a pilot program to encourage youth ridership and will be evaluated at the end of the year. In order to meet federal funding qualifications, the City will review and develop its transportation plan for the next five years in the coming months. Also, a future Council work session will address transportation issues for seniors. OLD BUSINESS Chris Wood reported on the "Parental Notification Initiative" which is a potential ballot initiative. Members discussed whether or not it is appropriate for the Commission to take a position on this issue. Jaime reminded members of the "Campaign Reform Act" which prohibits government entities from spending public funds on ballot issues. The Commission is able to make recommendations to Council and then Council can determine policy or make a statement regarding an issue. Steve Roy, City Attorney, previously drafted a memorandum regarding Commission involvement on ballot issues. Joan will send a copy of this memo to all members for their review. Members discussed that more information was needed in order to assist members in determining what action, if any, they will take on this issue. Sally moved that the Commission watch a film on reproductive rights obtained from Planned Parenthood. Motion was seconded. Further discussion suggested presenting both sides of the issue. Diane amended the motion to state that a speaker representing the opposing view be available at the same meeting. Motion was seconded. Motion was further amended to state that a speaker representing each side of the issue be present at the August meeting and that a video may be included if time permits. Motion was seconded and passed. Sally and Chris will arrange for the speakers and videos representing each side of the Parental Notification Initiative for the August 15 meeting. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes July 18, 1994 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS o Task Force on Traditional Activities Chris Wood reported that the proclamation for Women's Equality Day will be presented at the August 16th City Council meeting and each council member will receive an Equality Day button. Marcile N. Wood Award nomination forms are being distributed and Chris has provided information on the award to the media. The deadline for nominations is August 12. The Award will be presented at the City Council meeting on August 16 in conjunction with Women's Equality Day. o Celebration of Commission's Work Members set a date of Wednesday, August 24 to recognize the achievements of the Commission for this past year; to welcome and get to know new members; and to acknowledge the contribution of former members. Volunteering to plan the details of the celebration are: Audrey Faulkner, Amy Beuschlein and Sally Miles. o Preparation for the 1995 Study As a participant on the original Task Force on Women's issues, Alma Vigo -Morales shared information on the process the Task Force used to compile their report. Alma reported that the Task Force had one year to complete the project and used sub -committees to address areas of interest. Data was collected through community meetings and also private interviews. Small group interviews were used to gather information when a specific area was not represented at the community forums. If an issue was controversial, it was noted to that effect and kept in the report. The entire Task Force met once a month and sub -committees met once a week. Members wrote the report, however, an intern compiled the data and helped write the introduction. Alma suggested finding an intern interested in women's issues and committed to the project, and contacting other original task force .members for additional idea sharing. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes July 18, 1994 Page 4 o Brainstorming of Specifications/Structure of Study This item was deferred to the August 15 meeting due to time limitations. o Survey from Women's Bureau of U.S. Department of Labor Discussion of this survey was moved to the August 15 meeting due to time limitations. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.