HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 11/12/20151
City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2015, 5:30 p.m.
Location: CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
Council Liaison: Councilmember Bob Overbeck Staff Liaison: Beth Sowder Recorder: Michele Scalva
Present: Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christine Hays, Joseph D. Leske, Jimena Sagas, Victor Smith and
Mary Vivo
Absent: Preety Sathe
Guest Presenters and Citizens: Pete Iengo, Travis Page and Lance Smith, City of Fort Collins Staff, Low
Income Utility Assistance and Lynn Thompson and Lynn Barker, Homeless Coalition.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting commenced at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT
Lynn Thompson from the Homeless Coalition commented on the proposed camping ordinance and
noted that resting is a right and should not be ticketed. She stated that financial punishments for people
who are resting perpetuates the cycle of homelessness. A lack of public rest rooms and safety concerns
were listed as issues that affect homeless populations.
Lynn Barker shared her experiences of being homeless and the challenges of establishing stability.
Councilmember Overbeck thanked the Commissioners for their work and thanked the guests for
providing input.
Meeting Highlights Summary
1. Pete Iengo, Utilities Community Engagement Program Coordinator, explained existing and proposed
programs to provide utility payment assistance to low income community members.
2. Plans were finalized for the December 1, 2015, HRC Award Ceremony.
3. Members agreed to provide input to Council re: possible changes to the Camping on Public Property
Ordinance.
4. Members agreed to explore issues re: short term rentals and possible effects on community
members.
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GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION
Pete Iengo, Utilities Community Engagement Coordinator, piengo@fcgov.com, 970-221-6847.
Mr. Iengo presented the City programs that provide financial assistance to low-income community
members. There is a recognized need for utility assistance with about 12% of customers considered low-
income who pay a higher percentage of their incomes for utilities.
City Utilities provides assistance with: rate adjustments, administrative services, funding and
conservation, and energy efficiency education. A proposed rate adjustment program is scheduled to
begin August 1, 2016.
Q & A:
• Energy Outreach Colorado and customer donations are currently used for utility payment assistance.
• A Medical Assistance Program is a new financial support service offered by the City.
• When the City is at net zero energy consumption (planned for 2050) there will still be costs.
• Over 5% of utility expenses go to the rebate programs. Low-income customers are less likely to be
able to take advantage of the rebate programs.
Pete will email the HRC a presentation he plans to present to Council in February. Commissioners agreed
to review it and possibly send a recommendation to Council re: the proposed ideas.
AGENDA REVIEW
The agenda was reviewed and unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The October meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
BUDGET REPORT
The budget report with a balance of $2,515.00 was unanimously approved.
Motion to reimburse Commissioner Crane for his costs to attend the Multicultural Retreat was
unanimously approved.
MEETING BUSINESS
The slate of Human Relations Commission award candidates discussed at the October 29th committee
meeting was unanimously approved.
HRA ceremony will be Tuesday, December 1st, 4-6pm at City Hall. Details were reviewed and
coordinated.
Council decisions regarding Municipal Code Section 17-142, the Public Indecency Ordinance, were
briefly reviewed.
Lemay realignment plan is for Lemay to be rerouted east of Andersonville. Current traffic flow in the
area does not warrant installation of a light according to City Traffic Engineers. The possibility of touring
the Fort Collins Traffic Operations Center was discussed.
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Possible changes to the camping ordinance were reviewed. A motion passed unanimously for Chair
Smith to draft a memo to Council recommending that when shelters are full, citations for camping on
public property will not be issued.
Short-term rental issues were discussed, including: lack of accommodations for disabled individuals,
study results showing reduced rental fees collected by minority owners, and opportunities for people to
supplement their income by renting out a portion of their property. Further discussion will resume at a
future meeting.
A motion to accept and submit the 2016 – 2017 HRC Work Plan passed unanimously.
The HRC 2015 Annual Report is being drafted by Vice Chair Conway and will be emailed for review and
edits.
A motion to cater the December gathering passed unanimously.
Other per commissioners
A gathering to welcome and orient new commissioners will be planned for January, 2016.
STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Executive Committee (EC): Updates are sent via email.
Government Relations Committee (GR): Updates are sent via email.
Educational Outreach Committee (EOC): Educational programming updates sent via email by
Commissioner Sagas.
Media & Community Recognition Committee (M&CR): Commissioners Vivo and Crane provided HRA
updates as stated above. Commissioner Crane sent a liaison report via email.
UPCOMING EVENTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Department of Social Sustainability announcements: Announcements will be sent via email.
CLOSING/Call for Adjournment
Commissioners unanimously approved to adjourn at 7:38 p.m.
Next HRC meeting is Thursday, January 13, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.