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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 09/14/1978DATE: october 5, 1978 TO: Hunan Relations Commission FRT1: Mary Ann Kennaugh, Administrative Aide RE: Minutes of the September 14, 1978 Regular Meeting I. Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Shoemaker at 7:45 p.m. in the Community Services Building, 1715 W. Mountain Ave. II. Roll Call Members Present Staff Jim Iong John D. McGraw, Community Services Director Don Shoemaker Rosita Bachmann, Hunan Rights officer Kelsey Smith Mary A. Kennaugh, Administrative Aide Paul Thayer Mike Powers, R ployee Development Director Elery Wi]marth Paul Salas Pam Sysun Members Absent Guests Judy Duran Don Deagle, Assistant City Attorney Bob Zimdahl,(excused) Cecil Reck Eric Incas, Triangle Review Coloradoan Reporters Lt. Clarence J. Davis, Police Department III. Approval of Minutes Commission Member Wilmarth moved approval of the August 10, 1978 regular and the August 17, 1978 special meeting minutes. Commission Mienber Thayer seconded and motion passed 6-0. Ayes: Commission members Long, Shoemaker, Thayer, Wilmarth, Salas and Sysmun. Nays: None. (Commission Member Smith arrived later). IV. Hunan Rights Report The Human Rights semi-annual report was distributed to the Commission members. Following were points of discussion:. - Names of the complainant and the respondent are not made public unless both parties agree to do so. City of Fort ColljW Human Relations1Commission Minutes of the Sr 14, 1978 Regular Meetinc* October 5, 1978 Page 2 Most complaints are in the area of employment. Informal complaints are a mixture of many different types of needs,--e.g. questions to be answered, fear of filing a formal capplaint, etc. The educational seminars held last year in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce have helped the employers to be more comfortable in dealing with the Human nights Office and to call when they haveemployment discrimination questions. V. Appointments to City Boards and Commissions Update Item deferred until the next meeting. Committee assigmaments were discussed with general statements made RE: functioning of the Handicapped Advisory, Housing Improvanent, and Police Community Relations Ccnmittees. C.onmmission Member Long volunteered to serve on the Handicapped Advisory Committee. Chairman Shoemaker asked that the first person listed for each committee (see attached) serve as Chairperson for that committee. VI. The Citizenship Issue In Housing Commission Member Thayer indicated that there had been a meeting of landlords at the Public Library which he attended and so did Rosita Baclmnann(HRO), the meeting was called, Jim Graham (CSU Foreign Student Advisor). Thayer noted that the parties present seamed willing to work together and that many of the problems expressed could be resolved through education e.g. informing students of their responsibilities as well as their rights as renters. The CSU foreign student advisor indicated that he and the foreign students would like to pursue the issue of amending the Hunan Rights Ordinance to include.citizenship as a protected category. The commission was infornma3 by Don Deagle that the City legal staff is researching the matter and that there isn't a problem with changing the ordinance, but that City Council would like to have another work session with the specific complainants. City Council preferred to not change the ordinance butwoulddo so if the problem was not resolved. The Ordinance as it currently reads pre- cludes citizenship but includes national origin, i.e. discrimination against a particular national origin would be covered. City Council has not yet acted on the Hunan Relation Commission's recommendation, but will schedule to meet with the Human Relation Commission on the citizenship issue at a work ,session in October. Chairman Shoemaker referred the matter to the City Council Advisory Committee for future reports on the status of this issue. vii. Update on Police Grievance Procedure A. Paul Hart Following were points of concern expressed regarding the effective- ness of the Commission's role in the Police Grievance Procedure: Commission members Wilmarth and Salas questioned whether or not the Camaissic n's findings and/or recommendations have any impact City of Fort Collop Human Relations Comnission Minutes of the Sr 14, 1978 Regular Meeting* October 5, 1978 Page 3 - The uniqueness of the Hart case, and problems with the Procedure which arose during the hearing of this case were discussed. It was noted that the Procedure is a policy not an ordinance, adopted by the City. - It was questioned whether or not the City administration had accepted the Ccmmission's participation in the Procedure. B. Cecil Reck Mr. Reck indicated that he had entered into dialogue with the City Manager via written correspondence in the matter. He stated that the City Manager's response to his (Beck's) letter addressed City Procedures generally, indicating they would be looked into and changes forth owning. However, Beck felt that procedures and actions taken by the City to date have been insufficient and don't really address his initial complaint. He stated that nothing concrete has yet been done and that his purpose in caning before the Camnission was to see if any action was being taken. Reck stated that while filing his camrolaint Lt. Davis indicated that, if his complaint contained any civil action, he (Davis) would not take the complaint because he (Davis) might have to testify in court against sane of his officers. When asked by Commission Member Salas if he was considering civil action, Reck indicated that he was seriously considering it at the time he filed the complaint because he felt there definitely were sane illegal acts committed. Assistant City Attorney Deagle indicated that it was his understanding that Mr. Reck no longer wanted to pursue the matter through the Human Relations Commission and the Police Grievance Procedure Commission members felt that irregardless of whether or not Mr. Reck files an appeal, dialogue with the City Manager should not be discontinued. When questioned by Commission members as to whether or not he wanted to pursue his appeal with the Commission, Mr. Reck indicated "yes". Commission Member Salas moved that a meeting be set on September 28th to consider the appeal of Mr. Reck and his complaint filed with the City Manager. Commission Member Thayer seconded. Discussion as follows: Don Deagle indicated that the report of the case as previously received by the Commission was determined to be insufficient. The Police Department has since conducted another investigation, the results of which will be given to Mr. Reck and he should then decide whether or not he wishes to pursue his appeal with the Commission. Chairman Shoemaker suggested that Salas withdraw his motion and further in- dicated that he (Shoemaker) would schedule a meeting as soon as he hears from Reck as to whether or not he wishes to pursue the matter. Cannission Member Salas withdrew his previous motion and moved to leave the matter of Reck's case in abeyance until Reck indicates his desire to pursue the matter with the Human Relations Commission. At such time Chairman Shoemaker is authorized to immediately request City of Fort Coll' Hunan Relations Commission • ' Minutes of the Semmber 14, 1978 Regular Meeting October 5, 1978 Page 4 a copy of the Police Department's report and set a date for the hearing. Commission Member Thayer 2nded and motion passed 7-0,. Ayes: Commission Members Long, Soemaker, Smith, Thayer, Wilmarth, Salas and Sysum. Nays: None. VIII. Police Grievance Procedure Six Month Review Commission Member Wilmarth moved that the Police Community Relations Committee meet with Lt. Davis and such others who are appropriate to cone up with reconnendations, revisions, or amendments to the Police Grievance Procedure as necessary. Commission Member Thayer seconded and motion pased 7-0. Ayes: Commission Members Long, Shoemaker, Smith, Thayer, Wilmarth, Salas and Sysum. Nays: None. There was general discussion as to how extensive any amendments should be. It was felt that the current Procedure is at least a basis to work with and that the review would hopefully generate suggestions as to how the current ordinance can be amended so that it works. It was sug- gested that individual Commission members contact the sub -committee members with any input they might have. The report of the sub -com- mittee will be on the agenda for the next regular meeting. IX. Human Relations Commission Year Review Chairman Shoemaker noted that the Human Relation Commission year review had been included in the Hunan Resources Department annual report. Cmmission Member Thayer moved that the Human Relation Commission meet informally in a work session to discuss goals and objectives for next year. Commission Member Salas seconded and motion passed 7-0 Ayes: Commission Members Long, Shoemaker, Smith, Thayer, Wilmarth, Salas and Sysum. Nays: None. Thayer indicated he would draft an agenda and set October 20th as a tentative date for the session. It was suggested that staff be present also. X. Other Business John McGraw asked for Human Relation Commission members input regarding the possible transfer of responsibility,for staff assistance for the Commission to the Employee Development Department. McGraw indicated that Rosita Bachmann was being transfered to that department. After sane general discussion Commission Member Wilmarth moved that the matter be deferred to the upcoming work session. Commission Member Sysum 2nd and motion passed 7-0, Ayes: Commission Members Long, Shoemaker, Smith, Thayer, Wilmarth, Salas and Sysum. Nays: None. XI. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.