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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 07/13/2006FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting — July 13, 2006 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: David Roy 11 Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell Chairperson: Parker Preble A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, July 13, 2006 in the Council Information Office at 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Caroline Tu Farley Paige Backlund Jarquin Joann Ginal Maryanne Ingratta Parker Preble Moin Siddiqui BOARD MEMBERS WITH EXCUSED ABSENCE: Elaine Boni Jeffrey Van Fleet Lester Washington STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: 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 Jim Downing of the Senior Advisory Board complimented the Commission on the Human Rights Award Breakfast. They've submitted nominations and attended the event. He believes it's a worthwhile event. Karen Schwartz was interested in sharing her impressions on the City Holiday Display Policy and the outcome of City Council's review of that question at their July 11th Study Session. She believes the status quo is not acceptable. She is working actively to challenge that decision with a topic article to run Monday, July 17 in the Coloradoan. She also believes the decision can be challenged legally as the City may be violating the Establishment Clause (not promoting a particular religion.) She requests the HRC continue to support a more inclusive policy and asks them to match a $1000 donation to run a full page advertisement in the Coloradoan and to devote time the collection of 8,000 signatures for a citizen initiative. Parker thanked Ms. Swartz for her time, let her know the commission would take it under advisement and would let her know the outcome of their discussion/decision. 3. GUEST SPEAKER Shay Bright of CSU's Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Services and a NIOTA member came before the Commission to enlist their support on a city-wide Civility Campaign. She presented information she'd gleaned from the internet including City of Phoenix's diversity outreach programs, National Civic HRC July 13, 2006 — Page 2 League's Community Services Facilitates Neighborhood College Programs, and National League of Cities' Racial Justice and Race Relations Project. Parker thanked Ms. Bright for her time, let her know the commission would take it under advisement and would let her know the outcome of their discussion/decision. 4. AGENDA REVIEW Maryanne asked if Committee Reports could be discussed before Liaison Reports. The group agreed. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Paige Backlund Jarquin made a motion to approve the June 8, 2006 minutes. Joann Ginal seconded the motion. The motion passed. 6. OLD BUSINESS • Meeting Reflections. Parker's seen the video of the Human Rights Award breakfast and wanted to give kudos to all involved who participated in its success. He suggests you go to www.fcciov.com to see it. • Pride in the Park. Maryanne Ingratta, Jeffrey Van Fleet, Elaine Boni and Joann Gina[ were there on June 17 to support the event and to distribute HRC brochures. • Special Meeting. Paige is working with Alma Vigo -Morales to complete planning of the retreat agenda. The public notice will read "HRC Retreat" and be posted at City Hall as required for gatherings of more than 3 commission members. Holiday Display Policy —City Council's July 11`" Study Session. Parker Preble, Caroline Tu Farley, and Elaine Boni were in attendance to support the Commission's recommendations. Parker reported on Council's discussion and their conclusion that while they support being inclusive, they were concerned about opening it up to what could potentially be 85 Internal Revenue Service registered groups. They wouldn't know how to choose so their recommendation is to continue with status quo —a City Manager's Office administrative policy. Parker reported he had spoken to Assistant City Manager Wendy Williams who said staff would continue to investigate the possibility of displays on private property that would be advertised on the City's website. Wendy said a request for an interview on the holiday display topic had been received from a Denver Post reporter. At the Commission's suggestion she'll direct them to the appropriate member. The group agreed that person should be Caroline Tu Farley who has been active with other commission members in investigating the topic and drafting the recommendation. Joann suggested the Commission adopt a resolution for changing the status quo and/or write an article for the Coloradoan to that effect. Caroline offered to add an introductory paragraph including the recommendation points, which will go to the Media Committee to be submitted to the Coloradoan along with the Juneteenth article. The commission approved that plan. Joann will thank Karen Schwartz for her time and let her know what the Commission had decided. • City-wide Civility Campaign. Caroline will thank Shay Bright for her time and let her know the Education and Community Outreach Committee with Elaine Boni will review the proposal. (The Committee would like to see how the proposal already HRC July 13, 2006 — Page 3 fits into efforts being made by the Commission and consider how to organize a community -wide collaboration. They'll bring any recommendations back to the full Commission.) Agenda Format. Moin asked the Commission to consider redesigning the agenda. The Commission agreed that: o Liaison Reports should be later in the meeting and definitely after Committee Reports o Liaison reports should be short and sweet o At agenda review chose an order that allows for the highest priority topics to be covered. o Current Events, New Business & Announcements should be earlier in the agenda (possibly after approval of minutes.) o Commission should create a work plan that's attuned to the community's diversity events (such as the Juneteenth Celebration.) Agendas should be set in timeframes that allows for discussion and planning for support (Media & Community Recognition Coloradoan's article schedule/event attendance & support.) o Extend meetings to 8:00 p.m. to accommodate more discussion of topics. o Do away with noting time limits and rely on the Chair to facilitate the discussion (including allowing time but summarizing and moving along to have as effective a meeting as possible.) 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Executive Delegation. Parker reported speaking to individuals who've been residents of other Colorado cities such as Greeley, Boulder and Colorado Springs who said Fort Collins is the most welcoming to diverse populations. Commission members asked for a discussion of the social Parker had proposed as a good way of bringing community leaders to a gathering with less privileged individuals. Commission members questions were: to what purpose? How would you break down barriers/avoid offending some? Moin noted that former CSU Presidents have hosted like events. The Commission asked Parker to prepare a proposal for the Commission's consideration. • Education and Community Outreach. Joann reported the next Community Chat (July 17 @ 6:30 p.m.) would be the first in a series on morality, legality and equal rights. The next in the series will be September 18—Expressing your Religion. The Committee asked if gift certificates of $100 for Alma Vigo -Morales (facilitator for August 5th retreat) and $35 for volunteer recorder could be given. The Commission agreed and directed Angelina to facilitate that expenditure with Paige taking lead on purchasing the Downtown Bucks gift certificates. The Committee asked that the topic --Resolution in Support of GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bi-sexual & Transgender) be added to the August agenda. Government Relations. Via email Elaine reported Jeff Van Fleet attended the June 14 Citizen Review Board meeting. Dave Pearson of Fort Collins Police Department reported the Police complaint application is now available on the city's website. Elaine will continue to work with him on the Spanish translation of the form. HRC July 13, 2006 — Page 4 The HRC was invited to attend Diversity Training offered by the City of Aurora's HRC. So far no one has responded he/she could attend. Media and Community Recognition. Parker asked if everyone had a chance to review the Juneteenth newspaper article. The article content was not supported by the majority of commission members. Moin made a motion to approve the article submitted by Lester. Paige seconded the motion. By a vote of 2 yes/4 no the motion was defeated. Caroline volunteered to share the Commission's feedback with Lester and submit under his name only or rewrite and resubmit to the Commission for approval. 8. LIAISON REPORTS • Northern Colorado Multicultural Corp. Maryanne will remain as the HRC Liaison for the NCMC. The group is compiling a list of books and movies that inform/educate on the topic of diversity. There was a discussion of the messages in the movie "Crash." • NIOT Alliance. Caroline gave a report on NIOT's upcoming October 4 community meeting and asked if the HRC wanted to be a co-sponsor. More information was requested and will be provided by Caroline at the August meeting. • Commission on the Status of Women. No report. • Latino Action Council. Paige reported the group supports the El Voto Latino program —an effort to get eligible Latinos to register and vote. A coalition of immigration rights groups have a target of 8,000 registered voters. The group supports a "progressive alliance' with an agenda of: immigration rights, abortion rights, women's reproductive rights, and lesbian issues. The impact of recently approved Colorado legislation has already appeared in the application for Medicare benefits. Paige has invited a member of the group to be the Guest Speaker for the August 10t" meeting. • Interfaith Council. No report. • ERACISM Film Series. No report. • Larimer County Office on Aging. Elaine attended the June 14t" meeting. 9. BUDGET. No Report. RNMENT. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Parker Preble, Chairperson becca O'Donn ll, Staff Liaison