HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 02/09/2006FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting — February 9, 2006
5:30 p.m.
IlCouncil Liaison: David Roy 11 Staff Liaison: Becky O'Donnell 11
11 Chairperson: Parker Preble 11 11
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, February
9, 2006 in the Council Information Office at 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Elaine Boni
Caroline Tu Farley
Joann Ginal
Maryanne Ingratta
Paige Backlund Jarquin
Parker Preble
Moin Siddiqui
Lester Washington
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jack Coleman
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Becky O'Donnell, Staff Liaison
Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Parker Preble at 5:30 p.m.
2. PUBLIC INPUT: Frank Gibson (and Mark Smith) of the Mennonite Peace & Justice
Committee asked what the HRC could do under their charter relative to the alleged racial
harassment by neighbors of Ron Pittman. The Commission referred Mr. Gibson to
Neighborhood Services Community Mediation Services Coordinator Jenny Kidd. They
also recommended Mr. Pittman work with Police Services Professional Standards Unit by
commencing an internal administrative investigation into the matters, as recommended by
Mayor Hutchinson in his letter dated to January 18 to Mr. Pittman's attorney, George C.
Price.
3. GUEST SPEAKER: Parker Preble welcomed Mr. Lloyd Spawn, Larimer County Office
on Aging Advisory Council who provided a presentation on services that agency provides
to individuals aged 60 and older. After the presentation Commission members wondered
what Mr. Spawn recommended as a way for the Commission to interact more with that
population. Mr. Spawn advised them to work with the City's Senior Advisory Board (SAB
representative James Downey had recently approached Staff Liaison O'Donnell asking for
HRC minutes) and/or consider naming a liaison to Office on Aging Advisory Council.
HRC February 9, 2006 — Page 2
4. AGENDA REVIEW
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Elaine Boni made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 12, 2006 as revised.
Lester Washington seconded the motion. The motion passed.
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Meeting Reflections
• Parker reflected on Moin's question regarding the HRC's purpose. He
reviewed Section 1 of the Commissions' Bylaws. A copy can be found at
http://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/pdf/bc-docs/humanrelations/0314051503. pdf
and includes: education and advise City Council on topics related to equal
opportunities with regard to employment, housing, public accommodation,
government -community relations. That would be accomplished by the
following means: special subcommittees, study/support of laws, aid from other
social agencies, perform such functions as are committed by ordinance and
resolutions.
• Staff Liaison Becky O'Donnell reviewed what type(s) of administrative support
can be expected with the available resources.
b. CSU Hip Hop Explosion. No response was received to letter drafted by Parker
and sent to the anonymous writer relative to the Commission's impressions/
opinion of the CSU Hip Hop Explosion incident.
c. Becky reported that a $3,900 budget was available in 2006. $900 for meals and
$3,000 for the Human Rights Award Breakfast.
d. Becky reported she's conferring with the City Clerk's office on what the
Commission's options are relative to Jack Coleman's decision not to participate as
a HRC member —including not attending meetings the past few months.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Executive Delegation.
• Current topics already covered in an earlier part of the meeting.
• Timed agenda. How's it working? What should be done in the way of
managing time when a member of the public poses questions? (Paige
recommended taking under advisement, discussing at the appropriate time,
and closing the loop in a timely fashion with the individual making the
request/asking the question.) How will time be managed when there's a guest
speaker? (When extending the invitation, let the speaker know there's 15
minute for their presentation and 5 minutes for questions/answers. When
making the introduction, remind all of the time budgeted for that topic.)
b. Education & Community Outreach.
• Joann reported the committee normally meets on the 15` Monday at the Bean
Cycle, 144 N. College, 6:30-7:30 p.m. In January, however, they met on the
19`h—Joann, Moin, Maryanne & Paige attended.
• They've scheduled a "Community Chat" in the same location on Monday,
February 27 on the topic "Psychology of Hate." It begs the question why is
hate such a motivator? The subcommittee will meet on 21s' to formulate the
questions they'll pose to the community.
• Joann will be attending the B&C Training classes.
• Joann spoke with Laura Patrilla, Colorado Trust (a grant funding foundation,)
who said funding of a city commission is not a problem. Parker asked Becky
HRC February 9, 2006 — Page 3
to follow up with the City Manager's office/David Roy about HRC making
application for grant funds.
c. Government Relations
• Elaine researched the Greeley ICE office story. "The issue was whether
Greeley City Council members, who are elected in nonpartisan balloting, would
follow the lead of Republican political leaders who advocate opening a U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. The federal agency was split off
from the now -defunct immigration and Naturalization Service. After a series of
protests, community forums and postponed decisions that inflamed emotions,
Greeley council member unanimously agreed at a packed meeting that they
had no standing to endorse opening of ICE office. Instead they came out
foursquare for enforcement of all laws, including immigration ones. They did
not specifically endorse or oppose the question of the ICE office."
• Elaine and Maryanne compiled B&C member diversity data —creating a report
to forward to City Council. The Commission recommended Elaine prepare a
cover memo that spoke to the content, conclusions, and recommendations that
would be a part of the transmittal to them.
• Elaine attended both the Citizen's Review Board meeting on February 8ch and
the Office on Aging meeting on February 9`h. She wanted to give kudos to
Moin who did a fine presentation.
d. Media & Community Recognition
• Lester's reported work continues on the planning the HRC Breakfast. Norberto
Valdez has agreed to be the keynote speaker. Nominations have been posted
on the City's website (www.fcgov.com/hra/) and a write up will be the March
utility bill insert. Various HRC members will be making special visits to the
Hispanic community and junior/senior high schools seeking nominations. They
have changed submittal requirements —two references (not reference letters)
will be required.
8. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Northern Colorado Multicultural Commission (NCMC) Maryanne attended the last
NCMC meeting. She noted the commission has been revitalized with Mims
Harris's participation. Also, they currently have 8-9 members and would like to get
to 18 or 19. The have a new website, www.northerncoloradodiversity.com
b. NIOT Alliance. Phil Koster is looking for members. He suggested that individuals
who have checked in by email be considered candidates —those who receive the
highest votes become board members. Those being considered on the HRC are
Elaine, Moin, Maryanne, Lester, and Caroline.
c. Latino Action Council. Paige reported both Rich & Maria have stepped down --the
group wants to shift to a networking group. On February 171h they will be meeting
with First Call representatives regarding adding cultural competencies resource
notations to First Call's database. Additionally, Paige would like to talk to NCMC
about Latino Actions Council efforts.
d. Interfaith Council. Moin reported the Interfaith Council is hosting a Valentine Day
Celebration to Word, Music and Song on Sunday, February 12, 3-4:30 at the
Lincoln Center. They're inviting Abrahamique, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist or
Muslins to participate by singing a song or sharing from their faith tradition
something about love. Everyone is welcome.
e. ERACISM. Parker reported Margie is scheduling a meeting the 3rd week of
February.
9. BUDGET REPORT. See inTormation in Old Business (above.)
HRC February 9, 2006 — Page 4
10. NEW BUSINESS
a. Homeless. Paige spoke with Reverend Thebo by telephone. He reported he's
been receiving threatening phone calls from donors concerned about services for
undocumented individuals. Also, individuals have issue with woman who is five
months pregnant —irresponsibly expecting charity when not responsible for her
own actions. Reverend Thebo could use HRC's help —what that looks like is
unknown. Paige will invite him to be the guest speaker for March.
b. Parker reported he attended the Mayor/City Manager's State of the City
presentation. He'd spoke to both the Mayor and HRC Council Liaison Roy about
his disappointment about lack of reference to diversity or ethnic inclusion.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
CL
Parker Preble, Chairperson
Re ecca O'Donn Il, Staff Liaison