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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 02/12/1998HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - February 12, 1998 Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Council Liaison: Ann Azari I Staff Liaison: Gabe Chairperson: Bob Lank Phone: 493-5809 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on February 12, 1998 in the Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. HRC Members present: Viviane Abt, Judy Berg, Brian Carroll, Leslie Frantz, Lori Lenard, Bob Lank, and Joe Stern. HRC Members absent: Joe Jaramillo and Man Oberoi. Guest present: Lu Fisk, Commission on the Status of Women Staff Members present: Gabe Serenyi, HRC Staff Liaison Greg Tempel, Assistant City Attorney Lt. Brad Hurst, Fort Collins Police Services Laurie Fonken-Joseph, Human rights Officer I. Meeting was called to order by Bob Lank, Chair, at 5:35 p.m. II. Bob Lenk asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the January 8, 1998 meeting. Judy Berg made the motion to approve, and was seconded by Lori Lenard. The minutes were approved by the HRC with no changes. III. Subcommittee Reports Human Resource .rants Committee. Leslie Frantz reported that the work of the committee has been completed. Two organizations (the Women's Center and Turning Point) had appealed the Committee's decision not to provide them funding. Because the Committee had a contingency fund available, both organizations were given money, but not the amounts that they had originally requested. Lori Lenard reported that it was made clear to both agencies that they needed to submit the required budget and financial data that was requested in the RFP in order for them to be eligible for future funding. Human Relations Awards, Leslie Frantz reported that the subcommittee had met the previous day. She announced that the awards breakfast will be held on Friday, May 29th at 7:30 a.m. at the Columbine Room, Lincoln Center. During the subcommittee meeting the names of several possible individuals were discussed who might be appropriate speakers at the breakfast. One strong candidate was Dorothy Bland, publisher of the Coloradoan. Other suggestions included CSU President Al Yates. Leslie asked HRC members to recommend other individuals who might be appropriate. Human Relations Commission February 12, 1998 Page 2 Diversity. Leslie Frantz reported that subcommittee members had met several times with Laurie Fonken-Joseph to discuss planned activities that will be tied in with the Universal Celebration of Human Rights. This year is the 50th anniversary of the celebration which was founded by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1948. Laurie Fonken-Joseph reported that she was approached by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom about being the local coordinator for related activities. A number of organizations around the country are working on a series of events to celebrate the anniversary. She will be working with Judy Berg and Lori Lenard of the HRC to coordinate local activities. She will be sending letters to numerous organizations around town asking them if they would be interested in sponsoring specific activities related to the celebration. Lori Lenard made a motion that the HRC support the various activities related to the Universal Celebration of Human Rights. A vote was taken, with six members in favor, and none opposed. Bob Lank asked if the HRC budget would allow the expenditure of $50 to spend on rental of a facility for the December commemoration of the anniversary. Gabe Serenyi indicated that the money would be available. Bob Lenk encouraged all HRC members to participate in the planning and coordination of the above mentioned activities, not only members of the Diversity subcommittee. Police 6 ommitt Brian Carroll asked the HRC for permission to contact Leroy Gomez and his group to start some discussions to make sure the two groups are not working against each other regarding police review board issues. Brian wanted to find out if Leroy had some concerns or issues that he wanted to discuss with the HRC. A discussion took place at this point about the role of police officers in the schools, and their responsibilities to inform parents and guardians about the activities of their children. Brian Carroll reported that the Police Subcommittee had been requested by the Police Department to review a case involving the use of deadly force. Brian distributed a draft copy of the subcommittee's recommendations, and asked HRC members for their input. Bob Lank commented that the HRC does not discuss the subcommittees recommendations during regular HRC meetings. Greg Tempel indicated that City confidentiality regulations prohibit the discussion of the subcommittee recommendations because individual police officer names and discipline are mentioned in the document. He requested that copies of the draft recommendations be returned to Brian, and that HRC members not discuss the contents outside of the room. Lt. Brad Hurst reported that the Police Subcommittee will be asked to review another case very soon. Lt. Hurst also passed out copies of the State law that defines "ethnic intimidation". He also passed out federal guidelines for "hate crimes" that have to be reported by police jurisdictions to the federal government. Gabe Serenyi reported that he wanted to correct some information that was included in a handout distributed by Joe Stern at the January HRC meeting. The handout stated that the City had terminated a black Transfort employee because he had failed to report a previous criminal conviction. The facts of the case indicated, however, that the employee in question had resigned from the City. About a year later he asked to be reinstated to his previous position. The City refused to Human Relations Commission February 12, 1998 Page 3 rehire him because of his previous unsatisfactory work record. Committee for Fxpcutive Delegation. The CED did not meet the past month. Bob Lank reported on the public forum that was held by the City to give citizens an opportunity to provide further input about the Human Rights Ordinance. Judy Berg asked the question whether the proposed Human Rights Ordinance extends special rights to gays and lesbians, or whether it just extends existing rights to those groups. The question was also posed whether the ordinance would place gays and lesbians into a protected class. A lengthy discussion took place about these issues. IV. Old Business V. New Business Bob Lank reported that he had participated in a news conference sponsored by the Interfaith Council following the vandalism at the Islamic Center. He spoke on his own behalf, but mentioned that he was the Chair of the HRC. Bob asked the group if they had a problem with him acting as a spokesperson in those types of situations without getting prior HRC authorization. The feeling of those present was that Bob could act as the spokesperson for the HRC when commenting on non -controversial issues. Comments on more controversial issues would need prior HRC authorization. VI. Announcements None. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.