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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 12/12/20131 City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 12, 2013, 5:30 p.m. CIC Room, 300 Laporte Avenue, City Hall West Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 The Human Relations Commission promotes acceptance and respect for diversity through educational program and activities to discourage all forms of discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race, religion etc. Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Melissa Herzog Recorder: Michele Scalva Commissioners Present: Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christine Hays (joined the meeting at 6:19 p.m.), Faith Sternlieb, Mary Lyons, and James Owiny (left meeting at approximately 7:00 p.m.) Others Present: Vanessa Fenley, Homeward 2020 Excused Absent: Preety Sathe CALL TO ORDER Chair Myles Crane called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. PUBLIC INPUT There was no public input. AGENDA REVIEW The Agenda was distributed to members present. Chair Crane asked for a motion to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Sternlieb made the motion and Commissioner Owiny seconded it, the motioned passed 5:0. MINUTES REVIEW Chair Crane asked if there were comments or changes to the November 14, 2013 Minutes. Commissioner Lyons motioned for approval, Vice Chair Conway seconded the motion and it passed 5:0. BUDGET REPORT Staff Liaison Herzog discussed the year to date budget. The Commission reviewed anticipated expenses through year end. Chair Crane asked for a motion to approve the budget. Commissioner Lyons made the motion and Commissioner Owiny seconded it, the motioned passed 5:0. GUEST SPEAKER Vanessa Fenley, Project Director for Homeward 2020 delivered an informative presentation. The ambition to address homelessness in Fort Collins began seven years ago with conversations to revitalize the areas around and north of Old Town. Community members and leaders were brought together, and with knowledgeable professionals from the State who had experience addressing homelessness, they looked at current community resources for the homeless population and identified resource gaps. Meeting Summary: 1. Guest speaker, Vanessa Fenley, Project Director Homeward 2020 discussed her organizations activities and plans. 2. The Commission discussed an interim draft of its brochure. 3. HRC approved the Draft 2013 Annual Report. 4. 5. 2 Homeward 2020 began in 2010 to identify vulnerable populations, shorten the cycle and find quick exits out of homelessness. Their organization’s vision is to make homelessness rare, short-lived and non-recurring. Its approach is to first provide housing and then follow up by addressing other important issues such as illness, addiction, mental health, unemployment and so forth. Redtail Ponds Project is the first housing complex for this population that will have case management services onsite to address the residents’ needs. Another housing model is Rapid Re-Housing, where people are moved into housing for one month to 24 months to get stabilized. As it continues, Homeward 2020 will partner with experts and collaborate with other community organizations. Its three- pronged purpose includes: 1. Serve as a data driver – to collect data on the local homeless population; 2. Be a convener and catalyst – Homeward 2020 is not a service provider, but they want to bring the right individuals together and support them in addressing the needs of the homeless population; 3. Advocate – increased supportive services needed and establish more housing, etc. Chair Crane referenced a recent Harvard University study corroborated by Housing and Urban Development communications that housing costs are a significantly increasing proportion of people’s incomes. Vanessa Fenley agreed and commented that the median monthly rentals in Fort Collins are perhaps currently the highest in the State. Chair Crane also mentioned that the HRC had been advised that the Fort Collins homeless population is currently estimated at 250-500 people. He inquired about transient homeless people not captured during point of time surveys. Vanessa Fenley concurred that there are significant numbers of people sharing spaces and living with friends and family not included in the surveys which state statistics estimate on average could be as much as 1 1/2% of a city’s population. Commissioner Owiny addressed the need for transportation support for homeless individuals in order to achieve stability. Vanessa Fenley responded that she understood that bus passes are available at some organizations and that there are some creative circumstances where people are helping each other such as bartering a ride exchange for childcare. Commissioner Owiny also inquired about funding for Redtail Ponds Project to which Vanessa Fenley referenced various Federal and other grants. Commissioner Sternlieb further asked about the transient homeless population. Vanessa Fenley responded that Homeward 2020 tries to capture this group to the extent possible in doing their data collection. Commissioner Sternlieb noted that the HRC had requested Homeward 2020 to invite a representative of homeless people to be present and would continue to welcome a homeless person to share their perspectives. Chair Crane thanked the speaker for the helpful information she provided to the HRC. STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Executive Committee - Myles Crane and Colleen Conway Re. CPD/CSU and LCOA: Chair Crane previously emailed a status report to the HRC. Re. ACLU: Vice Chair Conway said that for Human Rights Day the ACLU is sponsoring a speaker, Mark Goldberg, editor of the UN Dispatch. Commissioner Sternlieb added that the presentation will be Sunday, December 15th, 2:30 p.m. at Colorado Meeting Room, 1300 Riverside Avenue. Government Relations Committee – Faith Sternlieb and Preety Sathe Re. International Human Rights Day Proclamation: on behalf of Commissioner Sathe, Chair Crane circulated the official Proclamation Commissioner Sathe had received from Mayor Karen Weitkunat. 3 Re. Citizen Liaison Program Procedures: Commissioner Sathe had circulated an email supporting HRC’s documentation of this process. Chair Crane requested a motion to authorize Commissioner Sathe to send the document for review by the City Attorney’s office. Commission Owiny motioned and Commissioner Lyons seconded, and it was approved 5:0. Educational Outreach Committee – Christine Hays and Mary Lyons Re: SAB and livable communities’ project: Commissioner Lyons previously emailed a comprehensive status report on the SAB to the HRC. Regarding livable communities, Commissioner Lyons reported that at least a dozen organizations are collaborating in an effort to evaluate how Larimer County can become widely recognized as a livable aging-friendly community. A workshop of community leaders will be held in February 2014 to discuss next steps in this ongoing process and to identify gaps in community services. An additional 15-18 organizations are anticipated to be participating. Commissioner Lyons stated she would distribute talking points about this workshop to the HRC. Media and Community Recognition Committee - James Owiny Regarding the draft HRC Brochure, various HRC members provided email feedback prior to the meeting. The HRC thoroughly discussed the draft brochure content and made further helpful recommendations. The 2012 previous HRC Chair Karen Buchanan and Vice Chair Elaine Boni also were contacted by Chair Crane to provide input. Both responded promptly with helpful feedback. Commissioner Hays joined the meeting during the brochure discussion at 6:19 p.m. Commissioner Owiny said the finalized brochure would be translated to Spanish and Commissioner Hays proposed a translator with whom she was familiar. Chair Crane requested that Staff Liaison Herzog try to secure a commitment, if possible, from a printer before year end for budgeting purposes. Commissioner Lyons suggested making a deposit with printer. With the Commission’s support, Staff Liaison Herzog agreed to move forward with coordinating a printer. HRC Awards Breakfast Commissioner Owiny presented the information he had gathered for planning the HRC Awards event. The following locations would come with conference/event support services. 1. Drake Center: CSU may not have a lease for it in Fall, so it may not be an option. The approximately cost for the event to be held there is $900. 2. Lory Student Center: the approximately cost is $475. 3. University Center for the Arts (UCA): the approximate cost is $1500-$2200. Commissioner Owiny focused on event locations and providers who might offer table set-up, takedown and related services. Commissioner Sternlieb asked about using a City owned facility. Commissioner Owiny also stated a consideration for holding the event before a City Council meeting. HRC discussed all the above. Chair Crane suggested making an early deposit for the Awards event once details are determined and approved by HRC. On a related topic, Commissioner Lyons suggested providing refreshments at the library-hosted events for the Educational Outreach Committee’s forums on mental health. In subsequent discussion, HRC considered this recommendation an excellent idea which Commissioner Hays said that she would follow-up and coordinate as appropriate. Commissioner Lyons also mentioned possibly making some financial contribution, consistent with City Code and the HRC’s budget for other initiatives that the HRC supports such as the collaboration regarding livable communities. Commissioner Owiny had to leave at approximately 7:00 p.m. for a personal/family commitment. OLD BUSINESS Chair Crane attended the recent Social Sustainability presentations hosted by the City and briefly discussed highlights of these meetings. 4 NEW BUSINESS Vice Chair Conway emailed the Human Relations Commission 2013 Draft Annual Report to members for feedback and stated that the recommended changes from Commissioners had been incorporated. There was discussion to clarify any additional changes. The annual report will be filed with the City Clerk as required by City Code on or before January 31, 2014. Commissioner Lyons motioned to approve the Draft as the final Annual Report with changes as provided by HRC members to Commissioner Conway. It was seconded by Commissioner Sternlieb, passed 5:0. Chair Crane proposed January 6, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. as a possible date for welcoming and saying farewell to new and leaving HRC members. Chair Crane will coordinate details with HRC. There was general discussion about how to organize the event and provide information to new members, etc. UPCOMING EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS HRC congratulated Staff Liaison Herzog on her birthday December 12th. Elaine Boni, former HRC Vice Chair, prepared homemade peanut brittle which she arranged to deliver to the HRC prior to their meeting. Staff Liaison Herzog announced that the City of Fort Collins was requesting feedback on what budget priorities should be for 2014. She will email this to the HRC. This discussion items will be on the agenda for the January HRC meeting. Chair Crane announced that Council Liaison Mayor Karen Weitkunat plans to attend the HRC’s January’s meeting. Senior City Assistant Attorney Greg Tempel will also attend. In addition, Fort Collins Police Chief John Hutto is scheduled to make a presentation to the HRC regarding Body Worn Cameras. Commissioner Lyons mentioned that she had talked briefly with Wade Turner, outgoing Chair, Senior Advisory Board (SAB), about selection of an individual for the HRC seniors’ award. Chair Crane said that he was hoping to attend a future Senior Advisory Board meeting to express further support for a greater role for SAB to nominate a deserving individual for this award. CLOSING/CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Hayes motioned to adjourn the meeting. This was seconded by Commissioner Sternlieb and it passed 5:0. The meeting ended by 7:18 p.m. The next HRC regularly scheduled monthly meeting is Thursday, January 9th at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.