Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/09/1974N N M I N U T E S FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Members present: Staff present: May 9, 1974 Margaret Batson Ben Napheys James Baird Jim Nichols Ann Azari Sam Van Why Edward Ostertag Elizabeth Dyer Chuck Solano Jerry Templer John McGraw Members of News Media Several Interested Citizens Chairman Baird called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Minutes of the last meeting were approved. Sam Van Why of the Grievance and Investigation Committee reported on a complaint from Nancy Ryan against Woodward Governor for wearing skirts and dresses too short. After some discussion and after a point brought up by Ben Napheysthat Woodward Governor is outside the city limits and possibly outside jurisdiction of the HRC, Sam Van Why moved we table this complaint for further investigation. It will be reported on at the next meeting. Chairman Baird welcomed the interested guests present to the first public hearing of the proposed Human Rights Ordinance, and he encouraged discussion and questions to be directed to the Commission. Chairman Baird asked Father Ostertag to give a preliminary opening statement about the HRC, its history and its function over the years up to the present time. Sam Van Why made several comments concerning the proposed new ordinance, its purpose and function, giving some examples as to how it could benefit the community. Chairman Baird pointed out that the new ordinance would relieve the HRC as a hearing board of complaints and allow them time to work in areas of education on human rights. Floyd Spelts of the Fort Collins Board of Realtors asked if the new ordinance actually adds new laws not now in existence or just a ramification of existing laws that never seem to be carried out. Sam Van Why answered by stating that the new ordinance would help most by expediting all complaints to a speedy conclusion. Also, the complainant would have the right to carry his case on to w Fort Collins Human "ons Commission Page 2 May 9, 1974 the State level if the Fort Collins Human Rights Officer does not fulfill his obligation. Complete reports are to be furnished to the State Civil Rights Office on all cases. Mr. Spelts fully endorsed the new ordinance and believes it would be very helpful in the area of housing and accommodations. Ben suggested that Mr. Sandman, State Civil Rights Officer, be invited to attend the next public hearing. Ed Ostertag so moved; Sam Van Why seconded; motion carried. Ed Ostertag made a motion that members of the HRC should meet with the Fort Collins Housing Authority and also invite members of the School Board to attend. Motion was seconded and carried. Wally Beck, an interested citizen and guest, expressed his endorsement of the ordinance and also expressed his concern about traffic safety for women and children, especially the children. Nancy Johns also strongly endorsed the passing of the ordinance. She said she had formerly worked in the State Civil Rights Office and saw how bogged down and ineffectively many cases are handled. She said a local ordinance like this would be most helpful. She also is helping to form a YWCA in Fort Collins. Roy Jones also voiced his support of the ordinance, and said it would bring a national principle down to the local level. Ben Napheys gave subcommittee reports on HRC organization restructure and Revenue Sharing. Final reports are due at the June 13th meeting. Applications for Revenue Sharing will be sent out soon to many social service organizations to determine needs and qualifications. Ann Azari suggested better communications among HRC members with advanced literature and information prior to each meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. The next public hearing will be held on May 15, 1974, 2 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, Jerry ampler, Acting Secretary Minutes Fort Collins Human Relations Commission May 9, 1974 RE: Proposed Human Rights Ordinance Public Hearing Number 1 Members Present: Margaret Batson Ben Napheys James Baird Jim Nichols Ann Azari Sam Van Why Edward Ostertag Elizabeth Dyer Chuck Solano Jerry Templer Staff Present: John McGraw Other: Members of news media Concerned citizens (These minutes contain only the discussion related to the proposed Human Rights Ordinance. Tapes of the hearing are available to clarify any points covered herein. Chairman Baird called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Introduction by Ed Ostertag: In 1964 The Fort Collins City Council passed Ordinance 35 establishing the Fort Collins Commission on Human Rights. From that time until now the Commission tried to respond to needs brought to them. But one weak spot became evident in regard to grievances and investigation which showed a lack of power to do any thing about complaints. The Commission began to look to other communities especially Boulder, to see how they dealt with grievances. The Proposed Human Rights Ordinance is based on t?.iese findings, which is more adequate in dealing with grievances and gives more power to act upon complaints. Explanation of Ordinance by Sam Van 1,'hy: Three main areas of concern in the ordinance: 1. No discrimination because of a person's race or color, religion, sex, or national origin, and, in employment age --specifically those persons between 40-65 years old: 2. Discrimination in employment, hcusing, and public accommodations is unlawful. 3. This is not creating a new law but paralleling state and federal civil rights ligislation bringing judicial authority to the municipal court. The main thrust is the appointment of a human rights officer by the City Manager to conciliate cases outside the courts, but having the authority to give complaints to the City Attorney to take to court. M M Minutes of May 9, 1974, continued Baird: The proposal would relieve the H.R.C. as a hearing board, although it would be available to hear citizens not satisfied with the City Manager's action. More time would be allowed for the H.R.C. to work in educational programs. Floyd pe is-- e for epresentative of Ft. Collins Board of Realtors: Mr. Spelts pointed out that the Code of Ethics of the Board was in keeping r with the ordinance, and because of this, he felt that real estate people were most conscious of those principles. He saw that there was nothing that was not covered by federal, state and local laws. He felt that another law may be repetitious, but if the new ordinance made those laws better in such a case, he was for the new ordinance. He felt that we could find support from realtors against discrimination. Hally Beck --Private citizen: Interested in the new law because of his interest in rights for women and children. He was interested in knowing more about the Human Fights commission from the stand point of more child care and the traffic problem in downtown Ft. Collins. Nancy Johns-- Citizen Because of her work in the women's mnvement and her work with the State for two years, she has seen a lot of discrimination, but no where to take the complaints in a reasonable fashion for those discriminated against. At the present she is interested in forming a Y4dCA. The philosophy of the international 17VICA is to irradicate racism at any cost. The Human Rights Ordinance is a good start at this. The emphasis should be at home so needed teeth could be put into the federal law. The time span for a complaint with the state or federal commissions makes it difficult for a poor person to wait around a year for a job. This is also true of divorced women who are discriminated against in housing. Besides, going to Denver with a complaint is difficult for the poor, along with the fact that everyday people are afraid to present their problem because they find public officials unreceptive. End of .lay 9 meeting.