HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 04/12/2007FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting — April 12, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Council Liaison: David Roy Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell
Maryanne Ingratta
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, April 12,
2007 in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Paige Backlund Jarquin
Elaine Boni
Joann Ginal
Maryanne Ingratta
Maya Jairam
Cristina Matsushima
James Ross
Karen Wong -Brown
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Lisa Poppaw-Schinnerer (recently elected to City Council will be resigning.) Becky
reported that after the new City Council's Council Liaison assignments are approved at
the May 1st meeting, the City Clerk's office will work with the HRC Council Liaison to
identify a candidate to fill the vacant position.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rebecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison
Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Maryanne Ingratta at 5:32 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT Caryl & Robert Schonbrun, after seeing the Soapbox on Hate Crimes
in the Coloradoan, asked to speak to the Board. Mrs. Schonbrun is chemically injured
and is very sensitive to any exposure to chemicals. A neighbor, while informed about
the risk to her health, has chosen to ignore their request to cease and desist using
garden chemicals that pose a serious health risk to her. She and her husband have
tried to several avenues to resolve the issues, including speaking directly with that
neighbor, attempting to use the City's mediation services (in which he elected not to
participate,) calling the Police, speaking to City Council, and making inquires with a
private attorney. They have not been successful on any path.
They'd like to ask the Board to help them answer the question. "Will the Police (who
have previously said they could not help her) be able under the hate crime "not do
personal injury" language be able to help her?". Commission members, offered their
sympathy. They let her know that it appeared that she's used every avenue available
to her that they could recommend. Additionally, Elaine Boni volunteered to intercede
on her behalf to ask the Chief of Police the question posed to them. Elaine promised
to close the loop with them in as short a timeframe as possible.
HRC April 12, 2007 —Page 2
2. GUEST SPEAKER. Ruth Cucher, local coordinator of the national organization
CODEPINK, spoke to the Commission. CODEPINK is a women -initiated grassroots
peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and
redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life -affirming activities.
They reject the current administration's "fear -based politics that justify violence," and
instead call for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to
international law with an emphasis on joy and humor.
She offered contact information including the national organization's website
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/codepinkfortcollins and invited the Commission to
upcoming events in support of their mission.
3. AGENDA REVIEW
No changes were made to the agenda as proposed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the minutes for regular meetings on February 8 and March 8, 2007 and
special meetings on February 19 and March 5 were tabled until the May 10t" meeting.
Maryanne asked Becky to redistribute the minutes to the members so they'd have a
chance to review them prior to the May meeting.
BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES
Becky reported $3,281.14 of the 2007 Budget was still available with the lion share of
those funds dedicated to the Human Relations Awards program set for May 1, 7:30-
9:00 am at the Lincoln Center.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive/Maryanne. Elaine attended the April NCMC meeting. Martin Carcasson,
coordinator of the Public Deliberation effort, was the featured speaker. Mr.
Carcasson was looking for a commitment from both the NCMC and the HRC to be
a part of that community effort. A number of HRC members had committed to
continuing with Deliberative Dialogue training, which will most likely take place the
1" Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. at Front Range Community College. The
completion of that training would prepare them to work with Public Deliberation
initiatives.
• Government Relations/Elaine. The soapbox drafted by Elaine, Lisa & Chief
Harrison and approved by the Commission was published by the Coloradoan on
April 0.
Elaine needs feedback from members on the best day and time for her to arrange
Citizen Liaison Program -Internal Affairs training module training with Sgt. Russ
Reed. Most members agree that a Thursday, after 5:30 p.m. might work best for
them. Elaine will get a couple of dates and finalize the planning with all the
affected parties.
Educational Outreach/Joann. The Committee has met and had agreed the 15t
Thursday of each month, 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita (coffee shop near Pulse on S.
Shields) will be the time and place for their regular meetings.
HRC April 12, 2007 — Page 3
Karen has been in communication with Maria Jones at CSU relative to the HRC's
proposal for a panel discussion at the CSU Diversity Conference September 25-
27. The proposal is due Tuesday, April 17. The committee's initial
recommendation is sharing information on the HRC, including their efforts to
facilitate future discussions of a holiday season public display of the menorah.
The content might include a history of the HRC, how it fits in the City's Board &
Commission system, their mission and their liaison efforts. Reservations were
expressed about making the HRC the focus of the panel discussion. Elaine made
a motion the Commission support Karen's efforts in making a proposal on a
general topic such as Inclusiveness. (The Commission believes that once the
broadly framed proposal is submitted they'd have time to more fully flesh out the
specifics.) Paige seconded the motion. All in favor —the motion passed.
Maya made the suggestion the Education/Community Outreach Committee
sponsor a forum bringing representatives of the Jewish community on both sides
of the question —should the Menorah be displaced in a public play during the
holiday season-- together to review the question.
Public Relations & Community Recognition Paige. Members of the committee
reported on their efforts for the Human Relations Award (HRA) Breakfast set for
Tuesday, May 1, 7:30-9 a.m., Lincoln Center.
• The Committee will be meeting Monday, April 16 to finalize logistics and
identify members responsible for completing the tasks.
• The nomination deadline is Sunday, April 15.
• Maya is working with past nominees to select the 2007 award recipients.
She'll distribute nominations to them once the collection period closes.
• Cristina reported the keynote speaker will be Eric Aoki, a CSU Professor of
Speech Communication.
• Cristina is finalizing planning with the caterer's Sackits — Catering to You.
• Becky reported on her efforts with the City's graphics staff to complete
program documents. Final nominee information is due to them by April 23.
She's also made arrangements with Cable 14 staff to video the event. She
reported tasks that still remain are: prepare the Mayor's talking points,
create biographic sketches of all the nominees, and assign that information
to HRC members who'll read biographical information for each award
category.
• Maya has made arrangements for articles on the 2007 Human Relations
Awards with the North Forty and Fossil Creek News.
Paige has been working with HRC Retreat facilitator Mims Harris. She's identified
potential dates of May 19, June 2nd and June 23rd and will work with members to
set the date. The retreat will take place on the selected date from 8 am to noon at
Joann's home.
James has left messages with Editorial Page Editor Kathleen Duff. He's hoping to
get her buy -in for HRC articles every other month.
The committee will select a regular monthly meeting day, time and location after
the Human Relations Award breakfast.
HRC April 12, 2007 — Page 4
5. OLD BUSINESS
Review Committee Member Assignments/Regular Meeting Dates.
The Education/ Community Outreach Committee have selected a regular meeting
date --it will be 1"Thursday of each month, 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita (coffee shop
near Pulse on S. Shields)
The PR/Community Recognition Committee will select a regular monthly meeting
day/time after the HRA Breakfast.
Liaison Assignments. Elaine will continue as the NIOTA liaison. Maryanne will
provide contact information for Margie (Chair of the ERACISM Film Series
Committee) to Karen so she can make contact and serve as their liaison.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Dial -a -Ride. Karen wishes to seek the Commission's help in sorting out the
problems her sister (a disabled individual) is experiencing in making application for
Dial -a -Ride services and being eligible for services given certain priority service
criteria such as ill or a snow day. A six -page application form, an extensive
doctor's referral form, and denial of service in certain situations have been
daunting. Elaine mentioned she'd heard of the same obstacles at the Larimer
County Office on Aging. She suggested Karen's sister seek the assistance of the
Office on Aging Ombudsman Program or the City's Commission on Disability.
City Council Elections. Congratulations to Lisa Poppaw-Schinnerer and Wade
Troxell—the City's newest City Council members. The Commission looks forward
to working with them.
7. UPCOMING EVENTS
2007
April 2, Monday Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m. at the Bean Cycle
April 3, Tuesday Election Day/no City Council Meeting
April 10, Tuesday Special City Council Meeting - Oaths of Office -Newly Elected Mayor and
Council Members
April 12, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
April 12, Thursday 7-9 pm City Council Chambers
About the War Learn about the true human, moral, and financial cost of the War and
Escalation in Iraq, and learn what you can do to get involved!! Our panel is
diverse and will include wide perspectives: The panel will be moderated by
May Fu, from the Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity at
Colorado State University Panelists include:
Roger Dodds, of Strength Through Peace
Ben Schrader, of Iraq Vets Against the War
Mary Carraher, of Project Self-sufficiency
James Johnson of Colorado Progressive Action
After panelists speak, there will be a speak out for all participants
Sponsored by Strength Through Peace and Colorado Progressive Action For
more info, contact STP at 419-8944
HRC April 12, 2007 —Page 5
April 17, Tuesday
May 1, Tuesday
May 1, Tuesday
May 3, Thursday
May 10, Thursday
May 15, Tuesday
June 5, Tuesday
June 7, Thursday
June 14, Thursday
June 16, Saturday
June 19, Tuesday
July 3, Tuesday
July 5, Thursday
July 12, Thursday
July 17, Tuesday
July 24, Tuesday
August 2, Thursday
August 7, Tuesday
August 9, Thursday
August 21, Tuesday
September 6, Thursday
September 13, Thursday
September 25-27
'.. October 4, Thursday
October 11, Thursday
November 1, Thursday
y Council Meeting (James)
AWARDS BREAKFAST: Lincoln Center 7:30 - 4:00 am.
City Council Meeting (Maya)
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting (Elaine)
City Council
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting (Karen)
City Council Meeting
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
Kegular HHU 15UAKU MEET INU 5:3U p.m.
City Council Work Session with periodic review of
Boards & Commissions including the HRC
Education Committee
p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
City Council Meeting
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
CSU Diversity Conference is September 25-27.
CSU Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity 970-491-5836
Education Committee Meeting 5.30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
November 8, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
Work Plan must be finalized.
December 6, Thursday Education Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m., La Dolce Vita. 222 S. Shields
December 13, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
8. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Marynn gratta, Cha' rson