HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 06/14/2007FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting — June 14, 2007
5:30 p.m.
IlCouncil Liaison: Lisa Poppaw 11 Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell 11
IlChairperson: Maryanne Ingratta II 11
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, June 14,
2007 in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Joann Ginal
Maryanne Ingratta
Maya Jairam
Cristina Matsushima
James Ross
Karen Wong -Brown
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Paige Backlund Jarquin
Elaine Boni
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. None.
GUEST SPEAKER. None.
3. AGENDA REVIEW
No changes were made to the agenda as proposed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Karen Wong -Brown made a motion to approve the May 10th HRC Minutes as revised.
Cristina Matsushima seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6:0.
BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES
Becky reported all of the Human Relations Award (HRA) Breakfast related expenses
had been paid, leaving an available balance of $1, 934.18. Total 2007 expenses for
the HRA breakfast were $1,771.84, which does not include the 2006 $270 prepaid
Lincoln Center room rental expense.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Executive/Maryanne. Maryanne attended the NCMC meeting on June 7'" (1s'
Thursday at the Front Range Student Center Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.) where
HRC June 14, 2007 — Page 2
she learned the Chamber of Commerce will take responsibility for the MAC
Awards. The Chamber will also maintain the list of businesses that will serve the
business needs of minorities (such as individual who can cut hair for people of
African descent or who can provide specialty foods.) At their July meeting, they'll
decide if there is member interest in moving forward or disbanding.
Maryanne spoke with Council Liaison Lisa Poppaw who plans to attend the HRC
Retreat on June 23. Maryanne also invited former Council Liaison David Roy but
he's not yet heard if he'll be able to attend.
• Government Relations/Elaine. No report.
Education/Community Outreach/Maya & Karen. Maya reported that she and
Karen met to consider the holiday display community issue. They wanted to put
forward a suggestion for a Season of Lights" beginning in October when Kwanza,
Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions could all be honored. They would
recommend the community consider doing away with a specific holiday reference
and adopt a universal designation. Their suggestions were primarily related to
community displays. They also recommended the City take a leadership role in
the outreach.
Becky reported that staff person Tess Heffernan, was assigned lead in organizing
a task force with representatives with various perspectives on the question of
holiday displays. Council Liaison Lisa Poppaw had recommended a member of
the HRC be on the task force and the Commission agreed. Maya Jairam made a
motion the HRC make an effort to participate as a representative on the Holiday
Display Task Force. James seconded the motion. The motion passed 6:0. Becky
will follow-up with Tess.
Karen stated the proposal she submitted for 2007 CSU Diversity Conference is
unrecoverable on her PC. The Commission is still interested in learning more
about the process for selecting panelists/topics for the annual CSU Diversity
Conference held each fall so they will be successful in participating in the future.
Karen has suggested to the Eracism Film Series Committee for the Fall of 2008
that they consider co -sponsoring a nationally known speaker, Lee Men Wah. The
Eracism Series could show his film the "Color of Fear" and ask Mr. Wah to
facilitate a discussion of the content of the film. Mr. Wah could also be a featured
speaker at the 2008 CSU Diversity Conference. Karen, who knows Mr. Wah, is
working on drafting a proposal to be considered by the HRC, the Eracism Film
Series Committee to be presented as a proposal to the CSU Diversity Conference
Committee for 2008.
Public Relations & Community Recognition Paige. Cristina reported the committee
met May 21. (Regular monthly meetings have been set for 3`tl Mondays, 6:30
p.m., Coopersmith's.) The Committee considered changes to the planning and
execution of the Human Relations Award (HRA) Breakfast including:
• Getting all nine HRC members involved in the work
• Relying more on technology (online nominations submittals) and allowing for
the submittal of nominations all year long.
• Continuing to develop an enhanced work plan
HRC June 14, 2007 —Page 3
Consider business sponsorship of tables, food, awards/plaques, etc. Becky
stated she would check if this was appropriate given the HRC charge and City
Code.
The committee will continue to consider the submitting of newspaper articles of
interest to the community. At their next meeting they will develop a list of themes
and a simpler approval process.
The Commission retreat is set for Saturday morning June 23rd at Joann's home
and all is ready for Mims Harris to facilitate. Becky will provide flip chart stands for
retreat use.
Paige had submitted her resignation as chair of the committee. The Commission
regretfully accepted her request and Maya nominated Cristina Matsushima.
Joanne seconded the motion. Cristina accepted the nominations. The motion was
approved 6:0.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Pride in the Park A signup list of individuals able to setup/tear down the display
and "man/woman" the table on Saturday, June 17, Civic Center Park from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. was completed.
Board & Commission Periodic Review Questionnaire. The Commission
considered completing a review of a draft completed by Maryanne of the HRC
Board & Commission Periodic Review Questionnaire at the retreat. At that time
they could consider: how can the HRC be more inclusive and diverse; how could
they reach out on the broader issues; how could their work affect the lives of
individuals; how can their actions be more board —not predicable for any given
issue or constituency. Maya asked if rather than considering at the retreat, they
set aside time at a regular meeting to consider the questions.
• Liaison Connections. No report.
6. NEW BUSINESS
• Consultant Sherry Albertson -Clark Becky reported that she had been approached
by a consultant for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant). The consultant
had been contracted to conduct a survey relative to equal and fair housing. She
was asking if the HRC had worked on any fair housing issues in the last five years.
HRC members did not recall any projects they worked on related to housing
discrimination, and suggested checking the Human Rights Office records.
• Guest Speakers. Maryanne asked members to consider and invite guest speakers
to make presentations before the Commission.
HRC June 14, 2007 - Page 4
7. UPCOMING EVENTS
2007
June 7, Thursday
June 14, Thursday
,...June 16,Saturday ......
June 18, Monday -_
June 19, Tuesday
June 23, Saturday
July 3, Tuesday
July 5, Thursday
July 12, Thursday
July 16, Monday
July 17, Tuesday
July 24, Tuesday
August 2, Thursday
August 7, Tuesday
August 9, Thursday
August 20, Monday
August 21, Tuesday
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
Pride in the Park 2007 - Civic Center Park**
PR/Community Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. Coopersmiths
City Council Meeting (Karen)
HRC RETREAT (Joann's house)**
City Council Meeting/CANCELLED
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
PR/Community Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. Coopersmitbs
City Council Meeting (Joann)
City Council Work Session/review of B&C including the HRC
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita
City Council Meeting CANCELLED
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
PR/Community Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. Coopersmiths
City Council Meeting (Joann)
September 4, Tuesday City Council Meeting (Maryanne)
September 6, Thursday Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita
September 13, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
September 17, Monday
September 18, Tuesday
September 25-27
PR/Community Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. Coopersmiths
City Council Meeting -...
CSU Diversity Conference is September 25-27.
.......... _ . _ ........ .
October 2, Tuesday City Council Meeting
October 4, Thursday Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita
October 11, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
October 15, Monday PR/Community Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. Coopersmiths
October 16, Tuesday City Council Meeting
November 1, Thursday Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La doice vita
November 6, Tuesday City Council Meeting
November 8, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
Work Plan must be finalized.
November 19, Monday PR/Community Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. Coopersmiths
HRC June 14, 2007 — Page 5
November 20, Tuesday
December 6, Thursday
December 13, Thursday
December 17, Monday
City Council Meeting
Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
mccmm-unity Relations Meeting 6:30 p.m. cooper -smiths
B. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
7becca O' Don ell, Staff Liaiso�