HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 11/08/2012FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – November 8, 2012
5:30 p.m.
Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Rebecca O’Donnell
Chairperson: Karen Buchanan
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, November 8,
2012, CIC Room, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Elaine Boni
Karen Buchanan
Myles Crane
Christine Hays
James Lesco
Preety Sathe
EXCUSED ABSENCE:
James Owiny
Colleen Conway
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE:
Kent Bryans
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rebecca O’Donnell, Staff Liason
Melissa Herzog, Human Resources Rep
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Karen Buchanan at 5:35 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT
Bob Overbeck, FTC Public Access Station, Comcast channel 97, presented the HRC with two
unedited DVD copies of the Elder Abuse Forum. Bob Overbeck stated that he is continuing to
edit the original copy to one hour for television. Bob also stated that the HRC has permission to
make copies as needed.
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes were made to the Agenda
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Karen Buchanan stated that there were several minor edits to the October minutes that needed
to be reviewed and finalized.
HRC November 8, 2012 – Page 2
Christine Hays made a motion to approve the October 11, 2012 minutes as amended.
James Owiny seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0.
BUDGET REPORT
Rebecca O’Donnell reported that there is an HRC available balance of $583.84 including
charges of $93.62 from the Elder Abuse Forum. Myles Crane submitted an invoice for
reimbursement.
Rebecca O’Donnell commented that if the HRC wishes to utilize the remainder of their
2012 budget, they may want to consider that 2013 HRAward facility and caterer deposits
be made this year to secure services; and/or, consider a new HRC table banner.
Vendor invoices would need to be obtained and approved for payment at the December
13 meeting. The deadline for the HRC securing 2012 budget dollars is December 20,
2012.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive Committee
Karen Buchanan reported that the HRC 2013 Special Work Plan meeting will take place
November 13, 2012, at 5:15pm, at 4913 Langdale Court. Karen suggested that HRC
members forward goals they would like the HRC to accomplish to Christine Hays in
preparation for the Work Plan Meeting. Christine Hays volunteered to assign topics to
HRC members in order to facilitate discussion. Karen Buchanan commented that the
HRC would be capturing much data for the 2013 Work Plan and would need to make a
motion to accept the 2013 Work Plan. Rebecca O’Donnell stated she would post the
meeting and she and Melissa Herzog would attend to record the meeting.
Karen Buchanan stated that Preety Sathe would not be attending the 2013 Work Plan
meeting on November 13, 2012.
Karen Buchanan and Christine Hays attended the October 29, 2012 Board and
Commission Collaboration meeting hosted by the Women’s Commission. Karen stated
she will be attending a follow up meeting on November 9, 2012 with the planning
committee from the Women’s Commission.
The Collaboration Meeting addressed several topics:
Definition and roles of Boards and Committees.
Create common interest groups across Boards.
Training and education - provide overall training for new members.
Create “Best Practices” list from existing Boards.
Define roles and expectations of Boards, Staff Liaisons and Council Liaisons.
HRC November 8, 2012 – Page 3
Create standard methods of communication between Boards, Council Liaisons and
Council as a whole.
Align Council and Board goals and work plans.
Share minutes and work plans across Boards.
Include standing agenda item on Council Agenda for Council Report on Boards and
Commissions.
Karen Buchanan also reported at the Collaboration Meeting that the Youth Advisory
Board stated they did not have access to board and commission member email
addresses.
Government Relations Committee
Preety Sathe stated that the Human Rights Day Proclamation will be presented by the
HRC on December 4, 2012 at the City Council Meeting. The additional HRC members
attending will be Preety Sathe, Elaine Boni, Myles Crane and Karen Buchanan.
Preety Sathe inquired what the functions are under the City Liaison program and
whether HRC’s role is advisory or facilitative. Greg Tempel’s input is requested, wanting
the interpretation of the Charter in order to re-write the Bylaws. Myles Crane proposed
that Greg Tempel attend the January HRC meeting so that the new members would be
present. Rebecca O’Donnell will inform Greg Tempel of the meeting request for the
January HRC meeting.
Elaine Boni attended the City Council meeting on October 18, 2012.
Colleen Conway will be attending the November 20, 2012 City Council meeting.
Christine Hays will be attending the December 18, 2012 City Council meeting and
James Lesco stated that he may be able to attend the December 18, 2012 meeting as
well. Rebecca O’Donnell stated that the January 1, 2013 City Council meeting is
cancelled.
Rebecca O’Donnell stated that Angelina Sanchez-Sprague will no longer assist the HRC
as recorder and Melissa Herzog will be taking over as HRC Staff Liaison beginning
January 1, 2013. A new recorder will also be provided for 2013.
Educational Outreach Committee
Karen Buchanan facilitated the After Action Review of the Make It Stop: Elder Abuse
Forum with three questions: What happened? What did we expect? What can we learn
from the gap?
Karen Buchanan recorded the answers in the form of: What Went Well; Surprises;
Suggested Action Items.
Myles Crane reported he will be attending the Senior Advisory Board and the Youth
Advisory Board meetings next Thursday for collaboration.
HRC November 8, 2012 – Page 4
Media & Community Recognition Committee
Christine Hays presented an HRC Awards questionnaire handout for the awards
selection criteria 2013. Christine Hays will make minor edits in preparation for
reformatting the HRC Award nomination form.
NEW BUSINESS
Myles Crane submitted an invoice for the Elder Abuse Forum for $93.62.
James Owiny moved to approve the invoice submitted by Myles Crane, Elaine Boni
seconded. The motion was approved 6:0.
Elaine Boni commented that the MLK Parade will take place during the Presidential
Inauguration.
Myles Crane reported that 12 members of the Larimer County Office on Aging attended the
Elder Abuse Forum. At the November 7th meeting, Katy Mason, Program Coordinator,
mentioned that the issue of mandatory reporting will again be addressed in the 2013 General
Assembly. It was also reported that the Governor had proposed a $5 million increase in funding
for APS programs to protect Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens whether young or old."
OLD BUSINESS
Voting and Standing Committee Question
Karen Buchanan reported that she sent Greg Tempel an email with four questions regarding
voting about issues from or at Standing Committee meetings.
Greg Tempel responded to Karen Buchanan’s email stating that:
1. Unless the Standing Committee meeting was advertised as a special meeting of the
entire HRC, then action taken at the Standing Committee meeting is the action only of
the Committee and not the entire HRC.
2. Members can participate in a meeting and are counted towards a quorum if they
participate by speaker phone so that all members can hear each other.
3. It is correct to bring items from a Standing Committee meeting where there isn’t a
quorum of HRC members present to the larger HRC meeting to vote on the items as
long as there is quorum at the larger HRC meeting.
4. A member need not have been present at the meeting to vote to approve the minutes of
the missed meeting.
OTHER
The following November 8, 2012 bullet points will be sent to City Council Members as well as
the Housing Authority and Affordable Housing Board, Transportation Board, Senior Advisory
Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Human Relations Commission, Women’s Commission,
Youth Advisory Board, CDBG, Commission on Disability, Economic Advisory Board.
HRC November 8, 2012 – Page 5
Human Rights Day is December 10, 2012, so members of the HRC will be
presenting a Human Rights Day Proclamation at the December 4, 2012 City Council
Meeting.
The HRC conducted an “After Action Review” of the “Make It Stop”: Elder Abuse”
Forum to consider positive outcomes, surprises and action items to build on the
success of the Forum and identify steps to improve future community educational
programs and forums.
Captain Jerry Schiager of the Fort Collins Police Department will be attending the
December 13, 2012 HRC meeting to provide training for our Citizen Liason Program.
Preety Sathe made a motion to approve bullet points. Christine Hays seconded the
motion. The motion was approved 6:0
ADJOURNMENT
Karen Buchanan called for a motion to adjourn. James Owiny made the motion.
Christine Hays seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6:0. The meeting was
adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The next meeting of the HRC will be held on December 13, 5:30 p.m. in the CIC Room.
Minutes approved by majority vote of the Commission on December 13, 2012
STANDING COMMITTEES
Executive Chair Karen Buchanan and Vice Chair Elaine Boni
Government Relations Chair Preety Sathe / Kent Bryans, Elaine Boni
Educational Outreach Chair Myles Crane/ Colleen Conway, Christine Hays
Media/Community
Recognition
Chair James Owiny/ James Lesco