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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/10/1990E Present: Karen Hoerlein Lucius Drake Elaine Boni Mary Daniel Gary Wells Harold Wallace Harriet Calkins Human Relations Commission Minutes of May 10, 1990 Council Information Center Staff: Jaime Mares Becky O'Donnell Guests: Chuck Mabry David Lipp I. The May meeting of the HRC was called to order by Acting Chair Lucius Drake at 4:35 p.m. II. Agenda was amended. Council liaison Chuck Mabry wanted to spend a few minutes talking to HRC about the recent publicity associated with the dismissal of Steve Francis, Chairperson of the HRC by City Council, and the very recent resignation of Mohan Limaye, HRC member. Mr. Mabry asked that the HRC, with it's 3 new members, and new acting chairperson, take time to refocus on it's mission statement as a commission, review the bylaws associated with the commission and review the 1990 workplan for the commission. Items of concern were: Council and Commission Communication: It was stated by Elaine Boni that HRC members had to read about Steve Francis dismissal in the newspaper. Stating it would have been more appropriate for the City to have notified them in advance. Mabry advised of the timing associated with Francis' dismissal did not allow for immediate communication, however, he would make efforts to see that this didn't happen again, as would the staff support for the HRC. HRC Member Communication: Elaine Boni and Mary Daniel stated that though Steve Francis was acting as a citizen, not an HRC member, regarding the City Ordinance of discrimination. Mr. Francis should have communicated with HRC members before he made his statement regarding a donation of $1500 to the HRC. Though it was not his intent, this associated the HRC in his citizen complaint, causing difficult situations for some HRC members. HRC Dismissal Clarification: Lucius Drake asked for Council clarification of procedure based on terminating commission seats. Mabry stated that members serve at the pleasure of the City Council, and need to serve the best interests of the City. It is Council's discretion that if they believe the 'best interests of the City are not being served' by a commission member, which was the case with Steve Francis, that they can dismiss a commission member. Drake stated it was his concern, as well as Mohan Limaye who resigned in protest of Mr. Francis dismissal by Council, that B&C members must now question their conduct and statements continually, so as not to be ousted at the discretion of the City Council. Mr. Mabry stated that communication had been made with Mr. Francis by Susan Kirkpatrick regarding his statement involving the HRC and other issues, Mr. Francis chose to disregard Ms. Kirkpatrick's suggestions, thus leading to his dismissal. Mr. Mabry also advised this was not common practice for City Council, that dismissal of B&C members is avoided if possible. Human Relations Commission Minutes of May 10, 1990 Page 2 of 3 Suggestions- 1. Letter to the Editor. Lucius Drake advised he had sent a letter to the Editor of the Coloradoan, related to the Francis incident, however, it had not appeared in the Coloradoan as of yet and he would follow- up to see if they had plans of publishing the letter. 2. Appearing before Council: Mabry suggested other avenues of communicating their concerns is to appear before City Council, this was another avenue of making sure their statements do become public knowledge, should the press choose not to publish articles or letters. 3. HRC Retreat: It was suggested that HRC retreat again to refocus on their mission statement, bylaws and 1990 workplan. 4. Communication: It was suggested by members that communication between HRC members along with to and from City Council become a priority as related to HRC issues. Councilmember Mabry thanked HRC for amending the agenda so he could address HRC/Council concerns, advising he was the new HRC Council Liaison and would not be able to attend all monthly meetings, but would attend at the request of the HRC. Advising efforts would be made toward improved communication. HRC members thanked Mr. Mabry for clarifying their concerns and his suggestions. III. Committee reports: A. EEO/AA: Lucius Drake advised he has not received an EEO/AA report and Jaime Mares advised he would follow-up. B. Police: Elaine Boni stated she talked to Lt. Deryle O'Dell from the FCPD who handles citizen complaints, who stated there were no citizen complaints at present. He and Boni talked of possible training for police subcommittee members. It was suggested that this could become an annual training session related to Police procedure and interviewing techniques for members of the Police Subcommittee. C. Human Relations Award: Mary Daniel stated Latimer County would again co-sponsor the Human Relations Award with the City of port Collins. Nomination letters have been sent to over ISO individuals and organizations in Latimer County. Coloradoan newspaper advertisement i has been released advising applications would be accepted through May 25. The awards breakfast is scheduled for Friday, June 22, 1990 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Becky O'Donnell, staff support, stated she had been advised that Loveland HRC was interested in having an annual HR award, however, their commission had not pursued the idea this year. She had talked with Ted Borst from the Loveland HRC who stated their interest in co- sponsoring along with Latimer County the HR Award. HRC members did not oppose the including Loveland HRC as co-sponsors in the annual HR Award program. It was suggested to review the nominations received, and consider including Loveland HRC as co-sponsors for the 1990, with more likelihood of co -sponsoring the 1991 Human Relations Award Program. D. Community Action Board: Boni and Daniel advised the CAB still needs another member from the HRC. HRC committee members were asked to consider involvement with the CAB. Human Relations Commission Minutes of May 10, 1990 Page 3 of 3 E. Education Committee: Boni talked with Lee Hansen, PR-1 Administrator, concerning PR -Vs commitment to human relations. Boni stated Mr. Hansen explained PR -Vs active role in incorporating cultural awareness in their curriculum and with parents and staff. Daniel also stated that CSLrs active role should be recognized by the community. It was then suggested by Drake for the HRC to consider sending letters of recognition to organizations who are making efforts toward better human relations, possibly including newspaper articles, publicizing local efforts. More discussion would take place at next meeting. IV. Old Business: A. City Ordinance: Jaime Mares advised that minutes from April 12, HRC meeting were drafted for Council agenda packets and sent to Council prior to their Tuesday, April 17 Council meeting with suggested revisions by the HRC. Council however, chose to duplicate the State and Federal ordinance related to discrimination for consistency in City/State/Federal codes. B. HRC Information Brochure: Karen Hoerlein advised she found a printing company who would print the HRC brochures at 1 cent per page/$10.00 for 1000 brochures. They only requested their logo be placed on one of the pages, advertising their sponsorship. It was also stated the brochures would need to be printed on white paper/recycled, with brochures also indicating recycled use. It was agreed by all HRC members to pursue printing of brochures with Alpine Printing and Binding C. HRC July vacancies: Drake/Francis/Hoerlein/Limaye vacancies. O'Donnell advised that City Clerk's office had received 7 applications for the 3 HRC vacancies. With Limaye's resignation there are presently 4 vacancies. Appointments were to have been made June 5, however, B&C appointments have been tabled until June 12. V. New Business: A. Mohan Limaye's resignation from HRC. Drake read letter addressed to him from Mohan Limaye, effective May 8. Drake expressed his feelings as similar to Mr. Limaye. Boni made a motion that a letter be sent to Limaye thanking him for his service to the HRC. Drake will draft the letter with a copy to City Council. Motion was seconded by Daniel and passed unanimously. It was suggested by staff that HRC members need to somehow close the issue related to Steve Francis, either through the press, council letter or communication with Mr. Francis. Harold Wallace made a motion that Drake's letter to the Coloradoan acknowledging some of the positive actions initiated by Mr. Francis as an HRC member be followed -up on. Boni also suggested a letter to drafted by Drake to Mr. Francis also thanking him for his positive contributions to the commission. Motion was seconded by Daniel and passed unanimously. VI. Next Meeting: Thursday, June 14, 1990, Council Information Center, City Hall West, 300 LaPorte Avenue. New member appointments should be made June 12. The June 14 meeting could be used to bring new members up to date with the HRC's past year activities as they relate to the 1990 work plan, review subcommittees of the HRC, time frame involved with each subcommittee - to avoid overlapping if possible. Retreat to be considered in July. Motion to adjourn by Daniel, seconded by Hoerlein, unanimously passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.