HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/12/20151
City of Fort Collins
Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2015, 5:30 PM
CIC Room, City Hall West
300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
The Human Relations Commission promotes acceptance and respect for diversity through educational
programs and activities to discourage all forms of discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race,
religion, etc.
Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Beth Sowder
Recorder: Michele Scalva
Commissioners Present: Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christy Doyon, Christine Hays, Joseph D. Leske,
Jimena Sagas, Preety Sathe, Victor Smith and Mary Vivo
Guest Presenters/Citizens: Guest presenter Kim Barman, CanDo and citizen guest Flora Teran
Excused Absent: None
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting commenced promptly at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT
Ms. Teran teaches a class on Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Ms. Teran has been researching two
books she is writing about sustainability and asked what the City of Fort Collins is doing to address
sustainability, specifically climate change. Staff Liaison Sowder responded to her inquiries.
GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION – Kim Barman, CanDo
A program overview hand-out was provided with the CanDo vision, mission, goals and strategies. CanDo
addresses increased levels of obesity by engaging community members and organizations in the prevention of
chronic disease through education, capacity building, advocacy and by increasing access to healthy foods.
There are over 300 CanDo coalition members and four local staff members who work in Fort Collins and
Loveland.
Meeting Highlights Summary:
1. Guest speaker Kim Barman, Obesity Prevention Supervisor with the Coalition for Activity and
Nutrition to Defeat Obesity (CanDo), discussed the goals and strategies of that organization to
support health and health equity within the community.
2. HRC congratulated Beth Sowder for her appointment as Director of Fort Collins’ Department of
Social Sustainability.
3. The Commission held an election of committee members and chairs:
HRC: Victor Smith – Chair; Colleen Conway – Vice Chair
Educational Outreach: Christy Doyan – Chair; Christine Hays; Jimena Sagas
Government Relations: Joseph Leske – Chair; Preety Sathe
Media and Community Recognition: Mary Vivo – Chair; Myles Crane
4. HRC members assessed the results of the well-attended March 10th Mental Health Forum: Mental
Health Issues Impacting Law Enforcement and the Penal System. HRC discussed plans for the
next two Mental Health Forums to be held May 12th and July 14th, both at 7:00 PM at the
Harmony/Shields Public Library.
5. HRC discussed establishing guidelines to endorse community groups.
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Q&A:
CanDo focuses on livability issues in low-income neighborhoods, provides technical assistance and site
specific options for employers to create workplace wellness programs.
Locally, the Food Bank of Larimer County supplies fresh foods to its customers. Live Well Colorado works at
the state level to reduce obesity and provide access to fresh foods.
CanDo is implementing a program to work with physicians to address weight and eating issues with patients.
The CanDo website is www.candoonline.org.
AGENDA REVIEW
Chair Crane asked if there were changes to the agenda. There were none.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Crane asked for a motion to approve the February HRC meeting minutes. Commissioner Hays
motioned for approval. Commissioner Doyon seconded and it passed 9:0.
BUDGET REPORT
Staff Liaison Sowder provided a budget report with a stated balance of $3589.17. Commissioner Smith
motioned for budget approval and Vice Chair Conway seconded. It passed 9:0. Commissioners’
discussion clarified that any unused portion of the budget may not be carried over to the next calendar
year. Also, when commissioners make purchases for HRC events, they will be reimbursed after receipts
are submitted to Staff Liaison Sowder.
OLD BUSINESS
2015 Meeting Speakers:
The following schedule of meeting speakers was organized by the commissioners.
April – Nancy Jackson, Executive Director, Disabled Resource Services; Commissioner Doyon is organizing
May – Toni Zimmerman, CSU; Commissioner Smith is organizing
June – City of Fort Collins Staff, Affordable Housing Strategic Plan; Staff Liaison Sowder is organizing
July – Commissioner Vivo, A Place of Grace; suggested by Vice Chair Conway
August – Possibly Fort Collins Police Services; suggested by Chair Crane
New commissioners’ orientation/community liaison:
Chair Crane asked commissioners to select organizations they would like to participate in or follow the
work of, and be responsible for sharing any relevant information and updates with the HRC. The
commissioner community liaisons are as follows:
Chair Crane – Larimer County Office on Aging, Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities (PAFC),
Community Healthy Improvement Program
Vice Chair Conway – American Civil Liberties Union, the monthly meeting is Saturday at 11 a.m. at the
library
Commissioner Doyon – CanDo Program, Shared Alliance for Youth and Caring and Sharing
Commissioner Hays – The Women’s Commission, Youth Advisory Board and The Commission on Disability
Commissioner Leske – Center for Public Deliberation, Creating Community Solutions Colorado, Fort Collins
Citizens Advisory Board
Commissioner Sagas – Northside Aztlan Advisory Committee, State Advisory Committee for Parent
Involvement in Education, Poudre School District Accountability Committee, and will share other CSU
diversity activities and inclusiveness issues
Commissioner Sathe – Court Appointed Special Advocates of Larimer County
Commissioner Smith – Project Self-Sufficiency, Senior Advisory Board, Affordable Housing Board
Commissioner Vivo – Health District of Northern Larimer County, Touchstone and Homeward 2020
Elections of officers, committee chairs and volunteer committees:
Chair Crane updated commissioners on the withdrawal of his intention to continue as HRC Chair. He had
spoken informally with commissioners to find a replacement. Chair Crane provided a hand-out with a
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proposed election slate of commissioners to fill the roles of HRC Chair, Vice Chair, Committee Chairs, and
committee assignments and discussion followed.
Commissioner Hays motioned to accept the proposed election slate and Commissioner Sathe seconded.
It was approved 9:0.
The elected positions and roles are as follows:
HRC Chair, Victor Smith
HRC Vice Chair, Colleen Conway
Executive Committee: Victor Smith, Committee Chair and Vice Chair Conway
Government Relations: Joseph Leske, Committee Chair and Commissioner Sathe
Educational Outreach: Christy Doyon, Committee Chair and Commissioners Hays and Sagas
Media and Community Recognition: Commissioner Vivo, Committee Chair and Commissioner Crane
Review of HRC Committees:
Newly elected Chair Smith asked commissioners to provide a brief review of each committee’s work.
Executive Committee: Commissioner Crane and Vice Chair Conway stated this committee’s work is to
prepare meeting agendas and structure the business of the HRC from month to month. It resolves any
concerns and issues appropriately and is essentially an administrative role. It also calls any emergency
meetings and coordinates completing the annual plan and report.
Government Relations: Commissioner Sathe stated this committee attends the Citizen Review Board
(CRB) meetings and coordinates commissioner attendance to City Council meetings. It is in
communication with the Police Department through the CRB, it stays up-to-date with any legislation that
falls under the HRC mission and any policy updates from the City.
Educational Outreach: Commissioner Hays stated this committee generates and organizes educational
topics to present to the public.
Media and Community Recognition: Chair Smith stated this committee organizes and hosts the annual
awards event and promotes HRC events.
Discuss guidelines for potential HRC memberships and endorsements:
Commissioners reviewed and discussed issues around formally endorsing and not endorsing other
community groups. Commissioners discussed an option for third parties to apply for HRC endorsement,
such as an online form that is submitted and reviewed by the commissioners for approval.
Commissioner Hays offered to be part of a sub-committee that develops questions for an application
requesting HRC endorsement. Commissioners Hays and Leske and Vice Chair Conway will meet and work
on developing these questions.
Commissioner Sathe asked clarifying questions about what actions are considered endorsements.
Other per commissioners:
None stated.
NEW BUSINESS
HRC self-assessment questionnaire: Periodic Review by Council:
Staff Liaison Sowder will find out the review date and any available parameters. The HRC Chair and Vice
Chair will meet with the Council for the review.
Update of City’s Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (AHSP):
A copy of the City’s Affordable Housing Strategic Plan presentation hand-out at the Boards and Commissions
Super Meeting was provided. On page 5 of the hand-out, the five AHSP goals are listed along with three
questions that encourage responses about the goals and other affordable housing issues.
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Before the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan is submitted, the Department of Social Sustainability will send a
draft to all boards and commissions for feedback.
Community and Neighborhood Livability:
None stated.
High Performing Government:
None stated.
Other per commissioners:
Commissioners discussed facilitation options for the July Mental Health Forum about breaking down the
community stigma associated with mental illness.
Commissioner Hays suggested planning a Spanish-speaking forum for September or later.
Commissioners reviewed the protocol for providing responses to Council when they are requested.
Commissioners are welcome to write emails and letters to City Council as private citizens.
STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Executive Committee (EC)
CHIP, CPD/CSU, LCOA, PAFC, ACLU:
(Community Health Improvement Program, Center for Public Deliberation, Colorado State University,
Larimer County Office on Aging, Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities, American Civil Liberties Union)
Commissioner Crane provided a report via email.
Government Relations Committee (GR)
City Council Meetings:
Chair Smith and Commissioner Leske provided reports via email.
Citizens Liaison Program:
No report
Educational Outreach Committee (EOC)
Review March 10th Mental Health Forum:
Positive feedback was received.
May 12th 2015 MH forum planning status:
A planning meeting will be organized for this event by EOC Chair Doyon.
Media & Community Recognition Committee (M&CR)
Publicity for MH forums:
To be coordinated.
Initial Planning for Human Relations Awards:
Will be addressed in future meetings.
UPCOMING Events/Announcements
Department of Social Sustainability announcements:
There is a follow-up event to the Conversation on Homelessness that was held in January. The next event
is an invitation-only facilitated conversation on March 23rd. Staff Liaison Sowder will provide a report at
April’s meeting.
Redtail Ponds housing complex opened on Tuesday with its first resident. This is permanent housing for
homeless individuals with a mixture of veterans, individuals and families.
Staff Liaison Sowder recently attended a presentation by Lloyd Pendleton from Utah, who directed a
program that reduced homelessness in Utah by 72%.
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The Department of Social Sustainability is working on a strategic plan and Staff Liaison Sowder will be
seeking feedback from the HRC.
Per Commissioners:
Commissioner Hays will not be at the April meeting.
Meeting Highlights/Discussion Recap and Approval
Chair Smith suggested the following meeting highlights: 1) the presentation from Kim Barman, CanDo; 2)
election of commissioners to the proposed slate of positions and roles; and 3) discussion about
participating in and/or endorsing third party organizations.
CLOSING/Call for Adjournment
Chair Smith requested a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hays motioned and Commissioner Crane
seconded. It passed 9:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The next HRC regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.
Meeting Hand-outs and brochures:
CanDo Overview
Budget report
Proposed election slate of officers and roles
HRC considerations for membership, participation and endorsement of third party groups
Endorsement document edited by the Assistant City Attorney
PAFC MOU edited by the Assistant City Attorney
Affordable Housing Strategic Plan