Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/12/2009FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting — March 12, 2009 5:30 p.m. 11 Council Liaison: Lisa Poppaw 11 Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell 11 11 Chairperson: Jennifer Lowe 11 11 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, March 12, 2009 in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Bryans Kelly Evans Maya Jairam Jennifer Lowe James Ross Jason Thiel Karen Wong -Brown EXCUSED ABSENSE: Elaine Boni Joann Ginal STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Jennifer Lowe at 5:31 p.m. PUBLIC INPUT. None 2. GUEST SPEAKERS None. 3. AGENDA REVIEW. Jen would like to add under Media/Community Recognition, Coloradoan article approval and under New Business Minutes Procedures. APPROVAL OF MINUTES James Ross made a motion to approve the February 12, 2009 HRC minutes. Jason Thiel seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 7:0. BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES Angelina reported Becky had forwarded budget information --to date $234.54 has been spent. HRC March 12, 2009 — Page 2 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Executive Committee/Jennifer & Elaine. Jen said she had received community feedback from individuals expecting to attend a subcommittee meeting who found that it would not take place and no cancellation was posted. Jen asked when members become aware that a meeting will not be taking place and it's too late to post a cancellation (at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting), the Chair plan to report to the meeting site to confirm community members are not affected. • Government Relations/Kelly & Jason. Kelly reported the last meeting was cancelled due to member conflicts. Maya said she's spoken to her father about attending an HRC meeting and as one of the newest members of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC) speak to the HRC about the CCRC and topics of mutual interest. Mr. Jairam asked Maya to develop a list of questions he could address at the time of his visit. Kelly reported she'd been working with HRC Council Liaison Lisa Poppaw on Domestic Partners Benefits for City of Fort Collins employees. • Educational Outreach/Joann & Karen Karen reported that the subcommittee has been working on planning the May 201h, 6:30 p.m., Senior Center forum to consider the issues related to elder abuse. They have developed a format that includes an introduction, information on the ombudsman program, a video (currently available on YouTube/produced by University of California - Davis), and audience participation. Karen is drafting a flyer and plans to get a draft to Joann and Elaine next week. Joann is planning to write a letter to the editor or a soap box advertising the event. Jen asked the committee to coordinate the submittal of articles with the Media committee due to the Coloradoan's publishing restrictions (60 days between soap box article submittals and 30 days between letters to the editor submittals.) The Media and Community Recognition subcommittee is also planning submittals (lust approved) related to the Human Rights Award breakfast. Karen reported the subcommittee is planning a well attended follow up event similar to what took place Fall 2008 after the ERACISM film on Japanese Internment Camps. In 2009, they are considering the topic of Poverty in Fort Collins and have approached a local community activist Betty Aragon to speak. • Media & Community Recognition/Kent Kent reported the Committee will be meeting next week (March 19, 6:30 p.m.) They will be concentrating on advertising, getting sufficient nominations by the March 31 deadline, securing a keynote speaker, and acting as the selection committee. Besides the one nomination received, several are in the works. Members considered where they should visit to seek nominations. Ideas included the Poudre School District, Police/Emergency service agencies, churches such as Plymouth Congregational Church, the Collegian, and the Senior Center. Jen recommends that in addition to making the initial contact that members follow-up with the individuals completing nomination forms. Kent is aware that once the number of attendees is known, they need to confirm that number of reservations with the caterer (Sackits). HRC March 12, 2009 — Page 3 James said the committee will collectively be preparing a response to the Coloradoan Editorial Board article they wrote about the February 17'' City Council meeting Right to Marry issue. The HRC's City Council approved charter is education and inclusion and was presented in a negative light. They think some clarification is necessary. Jason Thiel moved to table (a report from Kelly, Joann and Kent, who participated in the Martin Luther King event on January 19). Karen Wong -Brown seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. Suggestions for improving the Commission's participation at the annual event will be discussed at the April meetinq. 5. OLD BUSINESS Table for Pride in the Park Jen Lowe said setup for Pride in the Park starts at 8 a.m. She asked Karen, because of their early registration, to contact Arne Anderson about an approximate prominent booth setup location. It'll be marked and ready for the person doing setup for the event. Closer to the June 6w event, Karen plans to distribute a booth coverage sign-up sheet. Review of the HRC Brochure Jen Lowe moved to table the HRC Brochure review discussion. Jason Thiel seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. 6. NEW BUSINESS Advocacy vs. Advisory James asked the Commission to consider how they determine their role in advocacy or advisory to City Council so as to maintain a respective role as advisors to City Council. He used as an example the HRC's work on an immigration ordinance in 2007, and how important it was to respect the line in advocacy in order to be credible advisors on behalf of the entire community. Ultimately City Council deemed it was under Federal purview and it would be inappropriate for them to act in the manner requested by some community members. Maya suggested, in the future, when someone brings an issue seeking the support of the HRC they act as a community "linchpin" taking a bipartisan approach and documenting both sides of a question when bringing an issue before City Council. She recommends to the best of their ability bring a perspective that serves the greater good. Jason suggested being proactive and when appropriate support a position paper being written by a third party. Jen suggested the Commission review the by-laws as relates to advocacy vs. advisory and including all community stakeholders' perspectives in a position take by the HRC. Jen Lowe moved to consider the topic at the next HRC retreat. Jason Thiel seconded the motion. One member abstained from the vote. The motion was approved 6:0. Minutes Procedures In an effort to "go green", Jason suggested the following process changes. He suggested members review draft minutes recommending changes prior to the meeting; then when they come to the meeting they are ready to make a motion/vote—saving time. He also wanted to suggest that rather than providing paper copies of the agenda at the meeting, arrangements HRC March 12, 2009 -Page 4 be made for a pro4ector/pc setup so the agenda (or any documents to be considered) could be projected on the screen. Jason Thiel moved that the above procedural changes be adopted. Kent Bryans seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. 7. CURRENT EVENTS None 8. LIAISON REPORTS James reported interaction with the Youth Commission is still pending. Karen continues to work with the ERACISM and the ACLU on their film series. 9. UPCOMING EVENTS ME April 7, Tuesday City Council Meeting - CANCELLED FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION April 9, Thursday Regular HRC _BOARD MEETING-5.36-p.m. -April 14, Tuesday ....... . .... .... . .. . .... .. Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 p.m., Bean Cycle, 144 N. College Avenue April 16, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. April 21, Tuesday ... ..... .... ... ... .. ...... . . ....... _.- ..... .... .... .. . ....... - ------------ City Council Meeting 6 p.m. May 1, Friday HRC Awards Breakfast May 5, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. May 14, Thursday _kc461ar HRC-BOARD MEETING May 12, Tuesday Government Relations,5:30p.m.&Educational Outreach, 6:30 Bean Cycle, 144 N. College e Avenue May 19, Tuesday _p.m., City Council Meeting 6 p.m. May 20, Wednesday Community Conversation on Elderly Abuse, 6:30 p.m., Senior Center May 21, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Avenue. June Juneteenth Celebration June 2, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. June 6, Saturday Pride inthePark, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Civic Center Park June 9, Tuesday Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 . . .. p.m.., Bean Cycle, 144 N. College Avenue . . June 11, Thursday . ............ ........ . ........ . Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. June 16, Tuesday City Council Meeting - CANCELLED FOR COLO. MUNICIPAL June 18, Thursday -LEAGUE Media/Community Recognition, 61:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. July 7, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. July 9, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. HRC March 12, 2009 - Page 5 July 14, Tuesday Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 --- ---- - -- - -- - - - - I p.m., Bean Cycle 144 N. College Avenue -.._- .-..... July 16, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. July 21, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. August 11, Tuesday Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 t p.m., Bean Cycle, 144 N. College Avenue August 4, Tuesday City Council Meeting- CANCELLED/NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT OUT August 13, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. August 18, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. August 20, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. September Hispanic Heritage Month - ---- - -- ----- ---- ---- September 1, Tuesday ... ..................... .. - - -- ------- City Council Meeting 6 p.m. September 8, Tuesday a -Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 p.m., Bean Cycle, 144 N. CollegeAvenue September 10, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. - September 15, Tuesday -- ...... .. ......... _... ---- - .........._............ __...... ..-.._... - City Council Meeting 6 p.m September 17, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. September 22, 23, 24 CSU g`" Annual Diversity Conference October 6, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. October 8, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. October,13, Tuesday Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 p.m., Bean Cycle, 144 N. College Avenue _ October 15, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. _ October 20, Tuesday _ _ City Council Meeting 6 p.m: November Native American Awareness Month 771 November 3, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. November 10, Tuesday Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 p.m., Bean Cycle, 144 N.-College,Avenue November 11, Wednesday Veteran's Day - City offices closed November 12, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. November 17, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 p.m. November 19, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, '6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. December 1, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. - Human Rights Day Proclamation read at 5:30 p.m. December 8, Tuesday Government Relations, 5:30 p.m. & Educational Outreach, 6:30 p.m., Bean Cycle, 144 N. College Avenue December 9, Wednesday Human Rights Day December 10, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. December 15, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6 HRC March 12, 2009 — Page 6 December 17, Thursday Media/Community Recognition, 6:30 p.m., Mugs, 261 S. College Ave. STANDING COMMITTEES Executive Chair Jennifer Lowe / Vice -Chair Elaine Boni Meets as needed Government Relations Chair Kelly Evans, Co -Chair Jason Thiel / Joann, Karen Meets 2°d Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle Educational Outreach Chair Joann Ginal, Co -Chair Karen Wong -Brown / Elaine, Kelly, Maya Meets 2"d Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Bean Cycle Media/Community Recognition Chair Kent Bryans / Jennifer, James, Maya Meets 3`d Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Mugs (Downtown) 10. ADJOURNMENT , Jen Lowe made a motion to adjourn. Maya Jairam seconded the motion. The motion passed 7:0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.