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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 11/09/1995C HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - November 9, 1995 Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. IL Council Liaison: Ann Azari Staff Liaisons: Jaime Mares Gabe Serenyi A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on November 9, 1995 in the Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave., Suite A. HRC Members present: Linda Beardsley, Rickie Calkins, Letty Coykendall, Bob Lank, Man Oberoi, Shari Olson, Ramona Robertson and Betty Sutton. HRC Member absent: Daniel Cordova Guests present: Lu Fisk, Commission on the Status of Women and Lt. Deryle O'Dell, Fort Collins Police Services. Staff Member present: Gabe Serenyi. I. Meeting was called to order by Linda Beardsley, Chair, at 5:32 P.M. Chair Beardsley asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 12, 1995 meeting. Shari Olson made the motion to approve, and was seconded by Betty Sutton. The HRC approved the minutes with no changes. 11. Subcommittee Reports Committee on Executive Delegation. Bob Lank reported that the subcommittee had met on November 1 st and discussed two issues. The first had to do with the possibility of adding an item to the 1996 CED Workplan. The Greeley Human Relations Commission had started a program where they would provide an opportunity to discuss human relations issues in a public forum. The CED wanted to explore the possibility of organizing such public educational forums in Fort Collins. Linda Beardsley asked for some specific examples of topics that Greeley had sponsored. Bob indicated that the following topics had been presented: migrant awareness, disability awareness, gay and lesbian issues, homeless awareness and Hispanic issues. Bob indicated that the only thing the CED wanted to do in 1996 was determine how successful these forums were in Greeley, and evaluate the feasibility of doing them in Fort Collins. The entire HRC will be involved before any decisions are made to proceed beyond these objectives. The other topic discussed by the CED was the response to the Colorado for Family Values Community Standards resolution. Bob suggested that this topic be discussed later during the meeting when the issue was scheduled for discussion. Bob also reported that he had attended a meeting of a group called Child Watch. This program is sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, and focuses on child oriented issues, problems and solutions. Human Relations Commission November 9, 1995 Page 2 Human Resource Grants Committee. Shari Olson reported that funding recommendation for the various agencies had been forwarded to the agencies providing financial support. The Grant Committee had not heard if the amounts were approved. HRC members had been sent a summary of all the agencies requesting funding, a description of their mission, and the specific dollar amounts recommended by the committee. Man Oberoi asked why some agencies were not recommended for funding. Shari responded that the committee evaluates many things, including how much money they get from other sources, how much money they raise themselves, and how the agency benefits the community. All those factors are taken into account, and those agencies not meeting the committee's criteria are not funded. Linda Beardsley asked if there should be any changes to the Grants Committee Workplan for 1996. No changes were indicated. Police Sub -committee. The subcommittee did not meet this month. Linda Beardsley reported that she had been called by City Manager John Fishbach to set up a meeting about the Citizen Liaison Program (CLP). Linda felt that this would only be a preliminary meeting to find out what John's thoughts were about the CLP, and planned on attending herself. Letty Coykendall indicated that she would be interested in attending the meeting as well. Linda also asked HRC members if they had any changes to the subcommittee workplan for 1996. No changes were suggested. Linda indicated that she would try to arrange a meeting with representatives of Police Services to discuss how the procedures recommended in the workplan could be implemented. Man Oberoi asked if any citizen complaints had been received by Police Services. Lt. Deryle O'Dell responded that a few had been received, but none involved human rights violations. Consequently, the complaints had not been forwarded to the HRC. Gabe Serenyi reported that had received a call from a citizen requesting that a CLP representative be assigned to a case involving her son. She had also arranged a meeting with Sgt. Jack Taylor of Police Services to resolve the issue. Gabe suggested to her that she call back if the issue had not been resolved as a result of the meeting with Sgt. Taylor. The woman in question never called back, so we can assume that Sgt. Taylor took care of her son's issue. Diversity Sub -committee. Rickis Calkins indicated that she would like to have an HRC member designated to take over Bryan Merchant's work in collecting and compiling the diversity data for City employees and Boards and Commissions. The individual should be good with numbers and statistics. Linda Beardsley indicated that she could provide a spreadsheet software program that is designed to analyze EEO data, such as underutilization. Linda asked if any HRC member would like to volunteer for this activity. Bob Lank indicated that he would be willing to do it. Rickie proposed a motion that Bob be officially designated to take on these responsibilities. The HRC approved the motion. Linda Beardsley asked if there were any changes to the subcommittee's 1996 Workplan. Rickie indicated that #7 from the draft Workplan be deleted (dealing with joint activities with the Women's Commission), and the substance of the item be added to #2. Human Relations Commission November 9, 1995 Page 3 Human Relations Award. No report. III. Old Business Bob Lank distributed the latest revision of the Community Standards Resolution (dated 11/95) developed by Colorado for Family Values. The indication is that the resolution may never be presented to Council, the PR-1 School Board, or the County Commissioners, but Bob felt it was important to send the letter to Council in order to let Council know the HRC's position on the matter. At this point a lengthy discussion took place about the language in Bob's draft letter to Council. A number of changes were made, and Bob indicated he would send a disk with the changes to Gabe who would distribute the letter to each individual Council member, as well as to the cc addressees. Linda Beardsley asked for a motion to distribute the letters. Rickie Calkins made the motion, and it was seconded by Ramona Robertson. The motion was approved by the HRC. IV. New Business Bob Lank asked for the HRC's guidance regarding his continued participation in Child Watch. Linda Beardsley suggested that he evaluate the group's efforts, and make a decision based on his assessment. V. Announcements Bob Lank announced that there would be a memorial service for Yitzhak Rabin on November 1 Oth at 7:30 P.M. at Congregation Her Shalom. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 P.M.