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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 04/09/20151 City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes April 9, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Location: CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Beth Sowder Recorder: Michele Scalva Present: Myles Crane, Christy Doyon, Joseph D. Leske, Victor Smith and Mary Vivo Guest Presenters/Citizens: Nancy Jackson, Executive Director of Disabled Resource Services and citizen guests, Mr. Donald N. Leske, and Ms. Sara Frazier Absent: Colleen Conway, Christine Hays, Preety Sathe and Jimena Sagas CALL TO ORDER The meeting commenced at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC INPUT Mrs. Frazier has attended the HRC Mental Health Forums and shared her interest in the topic. GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION – Nancy Jackson, Executive Director, Disabled Resource Services (DRS). DRS informational brochures were provided. DRS supports community members living with disabilities in Larimer and Jackson counties. Core services include: information and referral, advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and transitions e.g. nursing home to home. AGENDA REVIEW No agenda changes requested. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The March meeting minutes were approved unanimously. BUDGET REPORT Budget report from Liaison Sowder: current balance is $3,187.82. It was approved unanimously. OLD BUSINESS May 12th and July 14th Forums: Christy & Vic The May forum is planned and will be facilitated by Commissioner Hays. Chair Smith highlighted plans for July’s forum; the presenter will be Toni Zimmerman. Procedures for 3rd Party Endorsements: Commissioners discussed “partnering with” 3rd parties versus “endorsing”. The discussion was tabled to May’s meeting. Meeting Highlights Summary: 1. Guest speaker Nancy Jackson, Executive Director of Disabled Resource Services, discussed ways her organization helps clients live as independently as possible in their homes and communities. 2. HRC discussed preparations for the 05/12/15 Mental Health Forum: Mental Health Issues Impacting Homelessness, Joblessness and Poverty. 3. HRC approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities. 4. HRC received an update on the 03/23/15 Conversation on Homelessness and the Redtail Ponds Housing facility. 5. Congratulations to Commissioner Mary Vivo for her appointment to Program Director of the Murphy Center. 6. Commissioners discussed ideas for community education that would support the goals of the HRC. 2 Commissioners unanimously approved signing a memorandum of understanding with the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities. Scheduled Speakers Liaison Sowder will invite staff from the City’s Special Agency Court to speak at the September meeting. NEW BUSINESS March 23rd Conversation on Homeless Community agency service areas and gaps were identified and next steps established. Redtail Ponds Liaison Sowder provided information about this permanent supportive housing facility that is staffed 24 hours/day for 60 residents. Congratulations to Mary Vivo Congratulations to The Murphy Center’s new Program Director. Women’s Commission Collaboration Breakfast Commissioners Vivo and Leske will attend on May 19th. Coloradoan Editorial Board March’s Mental Health Forum panel members will present to the editorial board on May 6th at 9 a.m. All commissioners are invited. Contact Chair Smith for details. HRC Mission Statement Clarification Commissioners reviewed the existing mission statements. Discussion was tabled until May’s meeting. HRC Minutes Format The Commission voted to revise the format of the minutes. It passed unanimously. Other per Commissioners The Commission will thank outgoing council members and welcome incoming members. STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Executive Committee (EC) Combining Liaison and Committee Reports: A list of community liaison assignments was provided. Chair Smith suggested giving liaison and committee reports together. Government Relations Committee (GR) City Council Update: Refer to the HRC planning calendar for Council meeting assignments. Educational Outreach Committee (EOC) Ideas generated from the 3/25/2015 meeting: Report was emailed by Commissioner Doyon. Commissioners added the discussion of minimum wage to the 2016 community education possibilities. Media & Community Recognition Committee (M&CR) Publicity for 5/12/2015 forum: Commissioners will write a soapbox to promote the May forum. 3 CHIP: Larimer County Department of Health and Environment’s CHIP (Community Health Improvement Plan) Team is re-evaluating its process for developing a 5-year plan for community mental health and emotional wellness. UPCOMING Events/Announcements Department of Social Sustainability Announcements: Project Homeless Connect is Friday, April 10th at Northside Aztlan Center. The Summit on Aging is Thursday, May 7th at the Senior Center. Stop Sexual Violence campaign meeting is next week. Contact Liaison Sowder if interested. A two-day multicultural conference is planned for September 2015 in Pingree Park. Per Commissioners: Reminder of the HRC Council review process. City meeting on recycling and water conservation is next week. Meeting Highlights/Discussion Recap and Approval (See above.) CLOSING/Call for Adjournment Commissioners unanimously approved to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Next HRC meeting is Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.