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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 11/08/2007FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting — November 8, 2007 5:30 p.m. 11 Council Liaison: Lisa Poppaw IlStaffLiaison: Rebecca O'Donnell 11 IlChairperson: Maryanne Ingratta 11 I) A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elaine Boni Kelly Evans Joann Ginal Maryanne Ingratta Cdstina Matsushima James Ross EXCUSED ABSENCES Maya Jairam, excused absence • Karen Wong -Brown STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC INPUT. Harry Edwards, Chair of the Citizens Review Board (CRB) was in attendance. At the end of the meeting, Harry commented that there were 12 cases reviewed in 2007 by the CRB and their recommendations to Chief Harrison and City Manager Atteberry sustained the original findings or determined the complaint to be without merit. He reported that in one-half of the cases alcohol is involved. The Chief has been superlative in his support of the Board. 2. GUEST SPEAKER. James Ross, who is on the Board for the Center for Public Deliberation, invited Martin Carcasson to discuss how the HRC can work in conjunction with the Center. Martin provided information on the "big picture" -- history of public deliberation on a national level, CSU's Center for Public Deliberation (CPD,) and suggestions for potential CPD/HRC collaboration. • CPD is a non -partisan effort of CPD staff and "Student Associates" which focuses on the process of deliberation. Deliberation requires a safe place for citizens to come HRC November 8, 2007 — Page 2 together, good and fair information to help structure the conversations, and skilled facilitators to guide the deliberative process. He highlighted recent community efforts: health care reform and rising poverty in Larimer County. In fact, a task force had been formed with United Way and the Coloradoan on the subject of poverty. Steps they are taking are: clearly define the impact goal, identify best practices, identify what's already being done in Larimer County, identify potential partners and collaborative efforts, create an impact strategy, determine how to measure success and a strategic plan. He suggested one way the HRC could collaborate with them is in co -sponsoring study circles on topics of community interest such as racism, immigration, poverty, and education. The steps of a study circle are in a series of meetings: meet each other, create a vision, study the problem, find solutions, and plan for action. Maryanne asked if the goal in taking on an issue is develop action items or to open peoples' minds. Martin said there could be multiple goals. Do you have a specific end in mind? Do you want participants to see different perspectives? Is it an exercise in deliberation? Is it to capture opinions for decision makers? Do you hope to spark action? Maryanne asked what role Martin envisioned HRC playing. Martin responded by asking if the HRC's area of interest is co -hosting, handling publicity, provided funds or working on a task force. Elaine Boni suggested they might be able to help by providing accessibility to City services/facilities. Maryanne asked Martin on what topics he thought the HRC could collaborate. Martin responded possibly diversity, immigration, facing racism. Maryanne thanked Martin for his time and let him know the Commission would consider the idea further. 3. AGENDA REVIEW No changes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Elaine Boni a motion to approve the October 11t' HRC minutes. Joann Ginal seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6:0. BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES Becky reported a balance of $1,059.66. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS Executive/Maryanne. Maryanne reported she attended an Access to Justice Hearing at the Larimer County Justice Center on October 30'". The group's purpose is to provide legal assistance for poverty level community members. They reported their greatest effort has been in the area of domestic abuse. Also in attendance were Colorado State Representatives and a Colorado State Senator. Maryanne reported that Adam Crow, who was interested in applying for the vacancy on the Commission called making inquiries about the Commissions' work. NOTE: Becky reported that one application (Karen Miller) had been received, that City Council would be interviewing candidates in a November/early December HRC November 8, 2007 — Page 3 timeframe and that board appointments would be made at City Council's • December 18" meeting. • Government Relations/Elaine. Elaine reported she attended the NIOTA Forum on November 16`h and had both HRC brochures and Human Rights Award nomination forms —announcing their availability. Elaine reported she'd not heard from Chief Harrison regarding the Channel 14 program on Hate Crimes and will follow up. A Human Right's Day Proclamation will be presented by Mayor Hutchinson at City Council's December Vh meeting (5:30 p.m., City Council Chambers.) All Commission members are invited to attend. Please let Maryanne know if you'd like to participate in the comments portion of the presentation. City Council meeting monitoring schedule follows: James, November 20`h; Maryanne & Elaine, December 4. • Education/Community Outreach/Maya & Karen. Joann reported she believed a meeting did not take place due to member conflicts with meeting day and time. She did not know if Maya or Karen had made contact with NIOTA's Caroline Tu Farley regarding specifics the committee would be handling relative to the NIOTA's April 2008 forum. Kelly expressed interest in being on the Committee. • Public Relations & Community Recognition/Cristina. On the topic of Human Relations Award Breakfast she has been in conversation with Anne Hutchinson at the Chamber of Commerce. Anne has offered to make an electronic announcement about nominations via the Chamber's email distribution list. That topic is currently being reported in the utility bill insert for November. Cristina reported that Maya will be drafting an article on the December 10"' Human Rights Day topic for submission to the Coloradoan. James reported that if accepted, it will be published within a week. James reported the Holiday Display Task Force completed its work and submitted a recommendation to City Council for consideration at their November 20'h The recommendation has been receiving local (Coloradoan, Fort Collins Now), regional (Denver radio talk show host Dan Caplis) and national (Fox News O'Reilly Factor) press. A member of the task force, Seth Anthony, has been acting as the task force's spokesperson. The recommendation includes: multi -cultural (secular and non -secular displays at the Fort Collins Museum) and interior and exterior displays in/on City buildings. Oak Street Plaza, it was discovered, has some constraints due to the fountains and rocks located there. Later on, MOCA will be supporting the arts in creating visual representations of multi -cultural images. The Commission thanked James for his dedicated efforts as the HRC representative on the task force. 0 HRC November 3, 2007 — Page 4 5. OLD BUSINESS Tao Line for Business Cards The Commission tabled discussion of whether "Promoting inclusion through dialogue and action" could easily be translated into Spanish. • Name taps. Kelly Evans reported the cost of one name tag is approximately $15. • How to spend remaining 2007 funds. The Board considered areas where an estimated $1000 of projected unused 2007 budget funds could be used. Maryanne Ingratta moved that $150 of available 2007 funds be dedicated to name tags. Cristina Matsushima seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0. Maryanne Ingratta moved that $100 of available 2007 funds be dedicated to DBA Bucks. Cristina Matsushima seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0. Cristina Matsushima moved that the remaining approximately $750 available 2007 funds be dedicated to prepaying the caterer (Sackett's) for the 2008 Human Rights Breakfast. Kelly Evans seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0. Maryanne asked if the Commission wanted any changes before she'd entertain a motion for approval. Elaine asked for some changes in the Government Relations section from "address City Council monthly" to "address City Council as needed." Cristina Matsushima moved to approve the 2007 HRC Work Plan as amended. James Ross seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0. 6. NEW BUSINESS • Kelly reported she would be interested in monitoring upcoming City Council topics through a HRC filter and preparing briefs for the Commission/Council Liaison Poppaw to consider prior to City Council's deliberation. Maryanne suggested more consideration of this topic —maybe Kelly could provide an example of how a particular upcoming topic would be studied and reported. • The Commission considered canceling their December meeting and having a social instead. The group agreed to have a brief business meeting. F HRC November 8, 2007 — Page 5 L-1 ft 7. UPCOMING EVENTS 2007 November November is National Native American Awareness Month The FC Museum and CSU's Native American Student Services Office presents a Kick Off Celebration on November 2, from 5 7 pm. November 6, Tuesday Education Committee Meeting 5:30 at La dolce vita November 6, Tuesday City Council Meeting November 8, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. Work Plan must be finalized. November 16, Friday NIOTA Forum November 19, Monday PR/Community Recognition 5:30 p.m. Mugs (Old Town) November 20, Tuesday City Council Meeting Holiday Display Task Force Recommendations November 22, Thursday THANKSGIVING November 30, Friday WORK PLAN due to City Clerk's office December 1, Saturday World Aids Day December 4, Tuesday City Council Meeting December 10, Monday Human Rights Day December 13, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. December 17, Monday PR/Community Recognition 5:30 p.m. Mugs (Old Town) December 25, Tuesday CHRISTMAS 8. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 1 Maryan a gratta, Ghai erson 'Ribbecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison