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Home My WebLink AboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 08/14/2008FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting — August 14, 2008 5:30 p.m. lCouncil Liaison: Lisa Poppaw 11Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell 11 (Chairperson: Elaine Boni II II A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, August 14, 2008 in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elaine Boni Kent Bryans Maya Jairam James Ross Karen Wong -Brown EXCUSED ABSENCE: Cristina Matsushima Joann Ginal Kelly Evans STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by interim Chair Elaine Boni. PUBLIC INPUT. None 2. GUEST SPEAKER. None. 3. AGENDA REVIEW. Karen Wong -Brown made a motion to approve the updated August 14 HRC agenda. James Ross seconded the motion. The agenda was approved 5:0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kent Bryans made a motion to approve the July 10 HRC minutes. Maya Jairam seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 5:0. BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES Becky sent information that the HRC has spent $1,331.90 YTD for 2008. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Executive/Elaine. No report. Maya wondered where we are in filling the current Board vacancy as an individual she knows has expressed interest. Angelina noted that Becky reported last month that HRC will be a part of the annual recruitment process. Advertising will begin late August through September. Appointments are scheduled for December 16. HRC August 14, 2008 — Page 2 Angelina also suggested the individual go to the City Clerk's website (specifically htto://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/bcaaalication-link3.php) where application information is available. Karen Wong -Brown reported that she's completed an application and will seek a new term. Elaine reported she's spoken to Cristina Matsushima who let her know she will be completing her term (which expires December 31, 2008) but will not be renewing. At the July meeting Elaine stated she will be renewing her HRC membership, however, she does not want to continue as Chair. She is willing to serve in that capacity until the election of officers which normally takes place near the end of the year. • Government Relations/Kelly. Elaine reported that Kelly is continuing her efforts to contact the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC). • Education/Community Outreach Joann Elaine reported that no one except for her was present at the Education Subcommittee meeting on August 13-- Joann was out of town, Kelly was sick, Karen notified Joann she could not attend, and Maya did not remember. Elaine reminded folks that if a meeting is not going to take place, it is critical the chair notify Becky so she can adjust the web calendar and keep the public apprised. Kent Bryans and Karen Wong -Brown reported they were making progress on the collection of information for their contributions to the HRC PowerPoint presentation. Karen had spoken to the Denver Chief of Police regarding Hate Crimes. Kent had spoken to staff at the City of Greeley re: Graffiti. They are willing to make a presentation but are reluctant to share data. Maya stated no one attended the Coffee Talk: "The Guru: fact vs. fiction" on Sunday July 13, 2008 at Mugs. Also, only four people attended the Library presentation on the same topic. Kent, who was in attendance at the Library, complimented Maya on a well presented topic. Maya, who had brought the presentation and a projector to share with HRC members will bring them back on September 10th (the next meeting) so more members can view. • Public Relations & Community Recognition/Cristina Kent reported the committee worked on more ideas for updating the HRC website. They are gathering pictures and data for City MIS staff. In general, it'll be more then Human Relations Award Breakfast information. James reported on the State Department sponsored CSU Iraqi Students summer program. State Department confirmation and funding was late in arriving so CSU staff scrambled to assemble a meaningful/successful experience for their guests. As one of the staff working on designing the program, James worked hard to promote interaction with the HRC/City Council. In fact, they had an opportunity, with Councilmember Ben Manvel hosting, to get information on how City of Fort Collins city government works. During the course of their July 10 to August 12 stay; they received information on public policy, leadership, and governance. They also interacted with the Center for Public Deliberation and seemed to enjoy their total experience and the interchanges they had with local hosts. HRC August 14, 2008 — Page 3 Elaine mentioned she'll be working on an article on the HRC for NIOTA to be published in a December 2008 timeframe. Members may have seen the regularly published articles —the most recent written by a blind woman who's on the Loveland Commission for Disabilities. Elaine will have a draft for the Commission's review prior to submitting to NIOTA. Members noted the August 21 PCRC Subcommittee meeting is cancelled. Angelina to apprise Becky who'll edit the community calendar found at www.fcoov.com. 5. OLD BUSINESS Elaine spoke with Maryanne Ingratta checking on the status of completion of business cards and any HRC brochure updates the Education Committee may have requested. Maryanne, who is busy preparing for her son's wedding on August 16, assured her she plans to complete soon. 6. NEW BUSINESS Elaine asks that Liaison Reports be permanently added to the bottom of the HRC agenda template so those members who've attended another agency's meeting can share information. Karen reported on the 2008 Eracism Film series films. The series, which will take place on the following dates, will start at 6:30 p.m. and take place at the Public Library, 201 Peterson. More information is available at http://www.fortnet.org/eracism/. (The Q&A facilitator is listed after the date.) • Made in L.A. September 21 with Janet Barrett of DARRT, Denver Area Racial Reconciliation Team • America at a Crossroads: The Muslim American, September 28 with a facilitator from the Fort Collins Islamic Center • The Canary Effect, October 5 with community activist Paul Barrie. • Children of the Campus, October 12 with Former Colorado State Senate President Stan Matsunaka • In Sickness and in Wealth, October 19 with Richard Breaux, CSU Ethnic Studies Professor Karen mentioned the opening of a new Japanese Museum in Denver located near Sakura Square. Elaine reported she'd been to the following meetings: Larimer County Office on Aging and the City of Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board. Both seemed to be concerned about how the financial hard times are affecting seniors including the effect it has on volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers and the need for local heart patients to go to the Medical Center of the Rockies for services. 7. UPCOMING EVENTS 2008 August 5, 2008 _ City Council Meeting / CANCELLED For Neighb August 12, Tuesday 1 Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., BE j Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle ARC August 14, 2008 — Page 4 August 14, Thursday I Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. August 19, Tuesday j City Council Meeting 6 p.m. August 21, Thursday PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs SEPTEMBER HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH i September 2, Tuesday i City Council Meeting 6 p.m. September 9, Tuesday ; Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle September 11, Thursday [ Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. September 16, Tuesday ' City Council Meeting 6 p.m. j September 18, Thursday ; PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs j September 23, 24, 25 ' CSU Diversity Conference mOctober 7, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. October 9, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. October 14, Tuesday Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle _ Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle October 16, Thursday PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs October 21, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. November Native American Awareness Month November 4, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. November 11, Tuesday Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle November 13, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. November 18, Tuesday ;City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. November 20, Thursday PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs December 2, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. December 9, Tuesday Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle j Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle a December 10, Human Rights Day Wednesday December 11, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. December16, Tuesday consider Particdeavor instead of meeting ipating in a charitable en City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. December 18, Thursday 1 PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs 8. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Zoni, Chairperson R ecca O'Donn I, Staff Liaison