HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 08/08/1996•
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HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting - August 8, 1996
Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Ann Azari I Staff
Chairperson: Shari Olson Phone: 498-5128 (w) 223-6206 (h)
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on August 8, 1996 in the Human
Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave.
HRC Members present: Carl Cooper, Leslie Frantz, Bob Lank, Man Oberoi, Shari Olson, and Ramona
Robertson.
HRC Members absent: Daniel Cordova and April Troy.
Staff Members present: Lt. Brad Hurst, Police Services
DeEtta Jones, Human Rights Officer
Gabe Serenyi, Human Resources Department
I. Meeting was called to order by Shari Olson, Chair at 5:36 P.M.
II. Gabe Serenyi informed the HRC that Pete Dallow would not be able to attend the meeting this
evening because of an unexpected commitment in Denver. He asked Gabe to pass -on information
about the selection process for the Human Rights Officer. DeEtta Jones had been appointed to the
Human Rights Officer position on a contract basis without the position being advertised. There are too
many time sensitive issues going on at this time that had to be addressed by the office (Diversity
Retreat, Human Rights Ordinance, etc.). The position will be posted within a year, and a full open
recruitment process will take place. DeEtta had worked for Alma Vigo -Morales for several months as
an intern, and was familiar with the responsibilities of the position.
III. Chair Shari Olson asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the July 11, 1996 meeting. Carl
Cooper made the motion to approve, and was seconded by Man Oberoi. The minutes were approved
by the HRC with no changes.
IV. Election of Officers and Subcommittee Members
A. Election of HRC Officers.
The following HRC members were elected to offices:
Shari Olson, Chair
Bob Lank, Vice Chair
Leslie Frantz, Secretary
Human Relations Commission
August 8, 1996
Page 2
B. Appointment of Subcommittee Members and Liaisons
The following HRC members were appointed to various subcommittee and liaison assignments:
lei 4a]
Bob Lank, Chair
Carl Cooper
Shari Olson
POLICE
Carl Cooper, Chair
Man Oberoi
Ramona Robertson
HUMAN RELATIONS AWARD
Ramona Robertson, Chair
Bob Lank
Leslie Frantz
Carl Cooper, Chair
Shari Olson
Leslie Frantz
Ramona Robertson
Shari Olson, Chair CAB - Man Oberoi
Man Oberoi Youth Advisory Board - Bob Lank
Leslie Frantz Library Diversity Grant - Ramona Robertson
V. Review of July 18, 1996 Meeting with Council Health and Safety Committee
Bob Lank reported on his presentation to Council Health and Safety Committee members about the
proposed changes to the City's Human Rights ordinance. His presentation was based on the summary
of the proposed changes, and was well -received by the committee.
Council members made the following comments and requests:
They wanted the HRC to develop a strategic plan of how to communicate the changes to the
public.
They asked the HRC to develop some consensus building strategies to obtain support in the
community for the proposed changes.
They liked the idea that the HRC was making presentations about the proposed changes to a
number of the other boards and commissions.
Bob Lank also mentioned that he had the opportunity to talk with Chuck Wanner, a member of the
Health and Safety Committee who was unable to attend the meeting on July 18th. Chuck had
indicated general support for the proposed changes. He had only a few concerns about some specific
items, such as the section dealing with unnecessary clothing restrictions.
VI. What issues to expect at the August 15th meeting with Council Health and Safety Committee.
Assistant City Attorney Bobbie Burnette will provide written guidance to the HRC re how the
Human Rights ordinance changes will impact employers in the areas of clothing restrictions and
coverage of people over 18 years of age.
Human Relations Commission
August 8, 1996
Page 3
Chuck Wanner may have some general questions about the ordinance since he did not attend
the July 15 meeting.
Council members will probably want some ideas of how best to communicate the ordinance
changes to the public at large.
Council members will want to know what processes other cities had used to "sell" similar
ordinances (Gabe Serenyi was asked by Chris Kneeland to obtain this information).
A discussion took place about the resources available within the HRC to make presentations about the
ordinance changes to larger groups outside the City's boards and commissions. The decision was
made to request assistance from Council, and possibly use other City resources in this effort.•
VII. New Business
Shari Olson requested that either the Diversity subcommittee or CED revise the existing brochure about
the Human Relations Commission. The current edition is several years old, and does not reflect the
current structure and role of the HRC. Bob Lank indicated that the CED would review it.
Vill. Announcements
Shari Olson announced that Jaime Mares called her and asked her to represent the HRC on the
Citizen's interview panel which will be part of the interview process for Police Chief applicants.
Lt. Brad Hurst indicated that he will send out a copy of the quarterly report of police complaints
in the September HRC packet. He asked HRC members to review it prior to the September
HRC meeting so that he could go over the details of the report.
Lt. Hurst also requested a meeting with the new Police Subcommittee so that he could bring
members up to speed on the various police related issues currently before the HRC, such as
the Citizen Liaison program and the various proposals for a citizen review board.
Shari Olson informed the HRC that she will try to contact Alma Vigo -Morales and encourage
her to apply for the vacancy on the HRC.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.