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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 04/16/2008City of Fort Collins Women's Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday April 16, 2008 215 N. Mason, Room 1-B Attendees: Pat Lewis, Holli Kopp, Sue Baccari, , Kristen Sergi, Shellie Leach Members absent: Barbara Goff (excused), Annette Zacharias O. L IV;t N IA+ - Liaisons present: none J Staff Liaison: Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson Chairperson Pat Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:35pm. Pat asked that Commission members and visitors introduce themselves. Five CSU students introduced themselves and asked to talk to the Commission about safety issues. The students, who live off campus, have concerns about their neighborhoods — most of which are the older parts of town. They feel that the lighting is not adequate and adds to safety issues for students and residents walking in these neighborhoods after dark. Specific concerns raised include inadequate lighting and a concern that newer or more wealthy neighborhoods have better lighting. They're interested in promoting a safer community and would like the Women's Commission to support them in their efforts to improve safety in these neighborhoods and on campus. They asked for suggestions on how to address their concerns and asked if the Commission would support them if they went before City Council to raise these concerns. Suggested approaches for the students to consider included: Contacting the City's Building and Neighborhood Services (Ginny Sawyer and Beth Souder), check on neighborhood associations in the areas where they live, talk to community services officers and/or CSU PD, take photos of the areas that are poorly lit and compare them to areas that have better lighting, look at crime statistics in the areas where they're concerned, etc. Shellie moved that the Commission support the students in their quest to get more adequate lighting and addressing safety issues in and around neighborhoods where students live. Pat seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Commission invited the students to come back and provide an update on their progress. Acceptance of Minutes Shellie moved acceptance of the minutes from the March 2008 meeting. Hollie seconded the motion — the motion passed. The Commission briefly discussed various level of detail on the minutes. They expressed a preference to continue the same level of detail that's been in effect. Old Business Essay Contest — updates Pat left a phone message with Kevin Darst at the Coloradoan. She's waiting on a phone call back. Hollie dropped off the essays that were available for release, to the newspaper. It's possible the Coloradoan may do an article on the essay contest. Sue sent pictures to Hollie and Pat, and requested help in identifying the students and teachers in the photos. Four students attended the City Council meeting in April. Pat, Hollie and Shellie will work to identify the students in the pictures. Sue will then try and get the pictures with captions on the community website. Shellie will send the list of donors and the items they donated to Sue for thank you notes — she thinks there may be 12-15 notes to be written. Shellie also suggested saving the donor list — and working from that in 2009. In 2009, Hollie will again co-chair the essay contest — and Kristen will serve as the other co-chair. Hollie will review the timeline line again, and work with Cindy to confirm the dates for the presentation to the School Board. She'll also check to make sure that the essay contest dates work for the school calendar. Suzanne reminded Commission members to turn in any receipts they have for expenses for the Essay contest reception — she can get them reimbursed for them. MNW award No nominations have been received thus far — the Commission agreed to extend the deadline until May 23, 2008. Sue agreed to research getting the award listed on the Coloradoan's community calendar. Annette was asked to look for additional ways to publicize the award. Teen Parenting Program Hollie and Pat met with Mike Roberts, the principal at Centennial High School. The Teen Parenting Program has been at Fort Collins High School for many years, but is being considered for movement to Centennial. Centennial is more centrally located and is also on a bus line. Centennial also has a physician's assistant onsite several times each week, which would be beneficial to the teen parents. Hollie and Pat were very impressed with Centennial. Maggie Payne, the current program director has met with both Mike R. and Manny Ortega at PSD. The Commission is waiting to hear her thoughts and suggestions before making a final decision on whether to support the move to Centennial. A couple of the concerns around the change to Centennial is that the Teen Parent program currently has a self guided curriculum with available tutors and flexibility around tardy and absences. There's a concern that Centennial might not provide this flexibility. An additional point is that students can chose to remain at their `home' high school, and not attend the teen parent program at all. Poster Update Hollie is still working on a poster for the Commission, as part of one of the classes she teaches at FRCC. She'll include a place on the poster for the most recent version of the Commission's newsletter. Kristen has access to a poster printer and volunteered to have it printed once it's final. Suzanne was asked to review the history of the Commission and get a summary to Sue and Rollie. Newsletter Barb has drafted an article for the newsletter, but wasn't able to provide it at this meeting, due to a time conflict. Rollie will provide a write up of the essay contest. Annette was asked to provide a write up of the MNW award. Annette was identified as being able to provide information on self sufficiency. Sue will distribute the articles to the commission and requested their review and comment. There was consensus that the current format and color scheme works well. New Business Pride in the Park - does the Commission want to have a table? High School students to be members of the Commission - please add this to the Apil meeting agenda. L -) 8:30pm Sue moved that the meeting adjourn. Shellie seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned. Next Meeting ,,i. Apfi121, 2008 C- K:30-8:30pm 215 N. Mason, Rm 1-B Suggested Topics: MNW Award Newsletter Poster Update Pride in the Park High School Student as member of the Commission