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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 02/28/1994• MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN FEBRUARY 28, 1994 Present: Amy Beuschlein, Sue Cottingham, Kathy Everett, Audrey Faulkner, Lu Fisk, Dana Hiatt, Stevie Honaker, Doreen Kemp, Stephanie Lane, Brownie McGraw, Sally Miles, Lynne Warner, Chris Wood Absent: Carolyn Duff Council Liaison: Gina Janett MINUTES Staff Liaison: Colleen A'Hearn Minutes from the meetings of December 6, 1993 and January 24, 1994 were approved as written. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT o Proclamation Gina suggested .that a proclamation be prepared in celebration of Women's History Month. o Youth Advisory Board Gina advised that Council is interested in feedback re: the establishment of a youth advisory board, similar to that recommended by the Commission in September of 1990: Brownie & Kathy have provided an ongoing liaison function re: youth issues/activities in the community. They will meet with Colleen and provide feedback for inclusion in the March packet. o Boards & Commissions Workshop/Related Issues Gina queried if the Commission had plans to sponsor a workshop again this year, and if yes, would it be marketed to more diverse groups than in past years. She also wondered if any follow-up has been done regarding the recommendation of the Cultural Diversity Task Force to provide child care for board & commission meetings. Gina is also interested in receiving recommendations on how Council might improve the interview and selection process for boards & commissions, in order to obtain greater diversity in applicants. Mary Zamora has recently resigned, resulting in a current vacancy on the Commission. Members prefer that the position be filled in July, following the upcoming recruitment and selection process for all other board & commission vacancies. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes February 28, 1994 Page 2 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Kathy provided an update on current legislative issues. There are a couple of gun bills still alive; several domestic violence bills related to sentencing and treatment programs. The latter have hefty fiscal notes attached to them, indicating they could potentially cost the state a lot of money and may not proceed as a result. Public response received to date by the legislature on concealed weapon bills has been overwhelmingly in favor, but polls indicate that 65% of the general public is not in favor. Special interests in favor have been very vocal. Looks as though there will be a concealed weapons bill; those who have strong feelings one way or the other should contact legislators individually. Kathy advised that the City's Green River Ordinance governing door to door solicitations will be up for review in the near future; a public hearing is scheduled for Thursday evening,, March 3 at 281 No. College Ave. from 4-6 p.m.. She has recently discussed this issue with former Mayor Susan Kirkpatrick; there is a concern that door to door sales can present a major safety issue for women. Kathy suggested that the Commission should be prepared to take a position on this ordinance, if need be. This could include forwarding a letter to Council. Kathy will follow-up on this issue and make a report at the March meeting. OLD BUSINESS o Retreat Follow-up Commission discussed mission statement and revisited discussion of what actions are appropriately taken as a Commission and what is more appropriately and effectively handled on an individual basis. Consensus was reached that members may have to accept that every issue can't necessarily be a priority of the Commission as a whole. Individuals may need to pursue some issues on their own. Chris suggested that on some issues, the Commission may choose not to take a position, but those with a dissenting opinion should have an opportunity to communicate that dissenting opinion in a formal fashion. Sally would like to see the Commission take a more active role in formally advocating/communicating positions on women's issues to City Council, at a minimum. Issues will have to be handled on a case by case basis. Members Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes February 28, 1994 Page 3 are encouraged to place issues on the agenda for discussion, in advance of the meeting. o Women's/Pace Per Chris' memo included in the February packet, Dan McArthur is no longer willing to provide a dedicated column for women's issues. Chris recommended that she explore potential for a dedicated article in The Coloradoan and members concurred. Sue and Sally will assist Chris as required. o Task Force Report on Women's History Month Flyers have been distributed to area junior high schools regarding the annual "Women in Your Own History Essay Contest". Deadline for submission is March 14. Chris is working cooperatively with Carol Ann Hixson of Poudre R-1 in advertising a "Women in Your Own History Poster Contest". Letters announcing the contest will go out to 46 different schools. Posters will be on display at the mall. Students who participate will 'receive a bookmark with a picture of an important woman in history, with a paragraph on her life. Women's History Month materials will also be displayed at the Fort Collins Public Library. Chris and Carolyn will be participating in a radio show on KLOV regarding Women's History Month. Program is scheduled.for March 9 at 10:05 a.m. It will be a 30 minute broadcast, hosted by Michael Rael. o Task Force on Racism Report Pete Dallow, Administrative Services Director for the City, has met with the Task Force on Racism and the Multi -cultural Advisory Committee regarding what the City should be looking for in a Human Rights Officer. A revised draft of the job description, announcement, and advertisement were distributed at the meeting. Please review and provide feedback to Jaime Mares by no later than March 10. Task force also met with Parents Against Gang Involvement. Members of the parents group shared photos of gang graffiti they have learned to decipher. They estimate that there are over 1,000 gang members in the community. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes February 28, 1994 Page 4 o Human Relations Commission (HRC) Liaison Report Lu reported that the HRC is exploring having their Subcommittee on Diversity working actively with the City on its diversity plan. More detailed information is available in HRC minutes. o Resignation Mary Zamora formally submitted her resignation from the Commission for health reasons. With Mary's departure, there will be no women of color on the Commission. Mary and the Commission are hopeful that Council will be committed to recruiting and appointing women of color in the upcoming selection process for boards & commissions. The Task Force on Racism will discuss this issue and draft a letter to Council, advising what existing Commission members feel are important characteristics to search for. o Youth Issues Colleen will meet with Brownie & Kathy on March 9, to gain their input on the establishment of a youth commission or youth advisory board by City Council. Brownie & Kathy have a considerable amount of expertise on this issue and were instrumental in drafting a proposal to Council in September of 1990, advocating the establishment of a youth commission. An update on youth issues will be provided at the March meeting. o Domestic Violence Coordinator Sally provided a draft of a letter, supporting a funding proposal for the Domestic Violence Coordinator position in Larimer County. The position is currently funded by a state judicial grant. Currently the $50.00 fee charged to domestic violence offenders is sent to judicial, then is ultimately forwarded to the state general fund. County probation officials prefer that the fees remain in Larimer County and that they be utilized to directly fund the Domestic Violence Coordinator position on an ongoing basis. The fee would be increased to $60.00 in order to cover administrative overhead costs. Sally will revise letter of support per feedback received and will give to Colleen or Joan when finalized. Letter will be sent over Audrey's signature, as Chair of the Commission, with copies provided to City Council. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes February 28, 1994 Page 5 o Task Force on Sexual Harassment The Task Force on Sexual Harassment has conducted a significant amount of research and has developed a list of criteria that is important to include in any sexual harassment policy. A letter has been drafted to all those who responded to the Commission's survey on sexual harassment policies. Copies of the letter and guidelines will be provided to City Council and the City's Diversity Team. Prior to distribution, Colleen will provide copies to Steve Roy and Mary Crumbaker in the City Attorney's Office for their review and feedback. It will be important that whatever the Commission sends is not construed as providing legal advice. Steve or Mary may wish to provide specific wording to include in a cover letter. Lynne suggested that criteria #7 be amended to read: Top management must be committed to the policy, and all levels must be held accountable for its implementation. c Boards & Commission Workshop Commission voted unanimously not to sponsor a boards & commissions workshop this year, as has traditionally been offered in the past. Lynne, Doreen, and others who are interested will meet to review alternate formats/ideas for this year and next. The traditional format may be replaced with a different type of forum. May want to pursue going to various groups in the community, vs. inviting them to come to a workshop. A status report will be provided at the March meeting. o Task Force Assignments Commission members signed up to participate on the following task forces for the coming year: - Traditional Activities: Amy, Stephanie, Chris, Brownie (Essay Contest), Sally (Women's History Month, writing articles) - Sexual Harassment: Doreen, Brownie - Racism: Sue Cottingham - Other: Sex Education (Chris); Economic Equity (Doreen, Stevie); Youth (Brownie); Domestic Violence (Sally) Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 p.m.