HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 04/11/2019HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
April 11, 2019 5:30 – 7:30 pm
CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 1
• CALL TO ORDER
o Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Julia Mackewich at 5:30 pm
• ROLL CALL
o Present: Eva Amason Julia Mackewich
Colleen Conway Wendy True
Cynthia Davis Vic Smith
Sean Dellenbach Phil Walker
o Absent: Jean Runyon
o Staff Present: Carol Thomas, HRC Liaison, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager
• AGENDA REVIEW
o Julia Mackewich asked that we separate the topics of Memo to City Council from the review of Dr.
Clayton Hurd’s 2015 report
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
o Eva Amason moved that the March 14, 2019 minutes be approved. Second by Phil Walker.
Vote to approve 7-0
• PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
o None
• PRESENTATIONS
o None
• BUDGET REVIEW
o Current funds available are $4983.47
o The charge of $68.16 is from the November Express Personnel invoice. It was received too late to
be included in the 2018 fiscal year.
o The payment for the photographer from the December 2018 Awards Ceremony has not yet been
recorded on the April BTA report. Carol Thomas will investigate
o To date: $447.23 spent on Cracking the Codes
o Carol Thomas and Cindy Davis will meet with Wendy Bricher to investigate ways to maintain budget
accuracy
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 2
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
o Fort Collins Sustainability and Social Inclusion Research Project
This project was conducted in 2014 by Dr. Clayton Hurd and reported out in 2015. At that time,
City Council asked the HRC to respond to the report but it was decided to wait until the second
phase of the project was completed. To our knowledge, this second phase was researched but
not published, thus the HRC never responded to City Council. Colleen Conway brought this topic
to the HRC to ask if we should report out now.
Eva Amason stated that the information was heartbreaking.
The question was asked if the City’s Sustainability Office had received the report. It is believed
that they had but that City Council had not.
Wendy True asked for clarity on HRC’s response and if the second phase was ever completed.
HRC did not respond and it is unknown if a second report was ever issued
Since the data is now 5 years old we believe we should not respond to the original report but
instead ask for input from the original collaborators. They are: Cheryl Distaso and the Fort Collins
Community Action Network, Betty Aragon, Musea de las Tres Colonias and David Bartecchi,
Village Earth. We are looking for input specific as to actions taken or not taken on the original 5
recommendations made by Dr. Hurd.
A question was asked by Sean Dellenbach if we should conduct a survey. Past feedback says the
communities feel over-surveyed and under-served. It was suggested we first begin by reaching
out to the original collaborators.
We will invite the collaborators to a future HRC meeting. Vic Smith will reach out to Dr. Hurd. Julia
Mackewich will contact David Bartecchi. Colleen Conway will contact Betty Aragon and Cheryl
Distaso. Depending on responses we will report out to either the entire City Council or begin with
HRC CC Liaison Susan Gutkowsky.
o Memo to City Council regarding Identity Evropa activity in Fort Collins
In January we decided to send a memo to City Council to make a statement that we do not
tolerate actions of hate in Fort Collins. The memo was not sent and when it was discussed at
the March meeting, it was felt it was too late to send at that time. Discussion was tabled until
the April meeting.
The HRC has decided to write a “statement of belief” to be shared with City Council in both
writing and orally. Julia Mackewich will write the statement, Jean Runyon, Vic Smith and Cindy
Davis will edit.
The statement of belief includes the following: We want the Mayor, City Council and City
Government to take a proactive stance against hate. Do not be silent. Silence can be
interpreted as acceptance.
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 3
The new City Council will be seated in April and we will take our Statement of Belief to the May
7, 2019 meeting. Cindy Davis made the motion to write and send our statement of belief to
City Council, as well as, read this statement of belief at the May 7, 2019 City Council meeting.
Second – Vic Smith. Vote 8-0
• NEW BUSINESS
o HRC Student Liaison
HRC needs to determine criteria for selection. How many student liaisons? We should begin
with 1. Grade Level? Sophomores or juniors. Length of term? Begin with 1 year. Option to
do a second year. Application - Julia and Sean will continue to develop. References: At least
one teacher reference. A second from another adult?
Timeline: For this first liaison we will send out applications in August and the liaison will serve
a shorter term. For the future we will determine a timeline that gets the applications out sooner
so the term will run from August to July.
Wendy True will compile a list of high schools in Ft Collins. District Administrators need to be
made aware that we will be contacting their schools. The announcement and application will
be sent to principals with the encouragement that they are distributed to clubs, teachers, etc.
We can also let others know this announcement has been sent.
Further discussion will take place at the May HRC meeting
o HRC Community Advisors
The HRC met with Community Advisors on September 13, 2018. They gave us input on concerns
within our community and shared what they need from us. It was included in the 2019-20 Work Plan
that we would continue developing this relationship. Should we invite them to a meeting in 2019 to
follow up on what we’ve accomplished and to hear any new concerns or requests?
Vic Smith asked the following questions: Do we need to meet with the same people? Do we need to
meet every year?
Vic Smith will send out the compilation of comments from the 2018 meeting to all HRC members
HRC will set up an email group with our original Community Advisors. A summary of what has been
accomplished since 9/13/18 will be sent to them; along with a request for feedback on what we’ve
accomplished, any additional suggestions and the invitation to continue to give us feedback as
appropriate. Vic Smith will create the email group and send the initial email
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 4
• BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
o Education Outreach Committee: Phil Walker, Chair. Update given on Cracking the Codes
educational program.
o The presentation of Part 1 of Cracking the Codes was a success. The first session of Part 1 was
held on March 28 with 20 people attending. The second session on March 30 had 30 attendees.
This was accomplished with limited publicity
o Part 2 will be held on Saturday, April 20 with Tony Goggans facilitating and on Wednesday, April 24
with Melanie Potyondy from the Women’s Commission facilitating. Both sessions will be held at
FRCC.
o Part 3 will be held on Saturday, May 18 with Tony Goggans facilitating. The second session has not
yet been scheduled.
o Carol Thomas will get the new flyer posted to all of the City’s social media outlets. HRC members
are asked to share the information with their own social media, personal contacts. Data indicated
that the majority of attendees at the first sessions learned of the program via personal contacts.
o Colleen Conway will procure food and coffee for the Part 2 sessions.
• OTHER BUSINESS
o Name Tags. Wendy True requested that engraved name badges be ordered for the HRC members
so that it is easy to identify our members and looks professional. Cindy Davis will order new name
badges from Craft Trophy.
o The annual NCIPA Pow-wow will be held at the North Side Aztlan Community Center in Fort Collins
the weekend. April 13 and 14.
o HRC Pamphlet needs to be updated. Carol Thomas says the City can help create a new pamphlet.
Carol can procure the printing but HRC will need to fund this. Wendy True and Carol will work on the
design of a new pamphlet
• ADJOURNMENT
o Motion to adjourn was made by Vic Smith. Second by Sean Dellenbach. Vote to approve: 8-0.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 5
This information is available in Spanish or other language at no cost to a person who would like this information
translated to or communicated in Spanish or other language. Please call 416-4254 or titlesix@fcgov.com to
make a request for information in other languages.
Esta información está disponible en español u otro idioma, sin costo para la persona que le gustaría esta
información traducida o comunicada en español u otro idioma. Favor llame al 416-4254 o a titlesix@fcgov.com
para solicitar información en otros idiomas.
Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. TTY: please use 711 to call 970.416.4254.
________________________________________________________________________________________
City Contact Person: Carol Thomas, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager
970.416.4254, cathomas@fcgov.com
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
April 11, 2019 5:30 – 7:30 pm
CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 1
• CALL TO ORDER
o Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Julia Mackewich at 5:30 pm
• ROLL CALL
o Present: Eva Amason Julia Mackewich
Colleen Conway Wendy True
Cynthia Davis Vic Smith
Sean Dellenbach Phil Walker
o Absent: Jean Runyon
o Staff Present: Carol Thomas, HRC Liaison, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager
• AGENDA REVIEW
o Julia Mackewich asked that we separate the topics of Memo to City Council from the review of Dr.
Clayton Hurd’s 2015 report
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
o Eva Amason moved that the March 14, 2019 minutes be approved. Second by Phil Walker.
Vote to approve 7-0
• PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
o None
• PRESENTATIONS
o None
• BUDGET REVIEW
o Current funds available are $4983.47
o The charge of $68.16 is from the November Express Personnel invoice. It was received too late to
be included in the 2018 fiscal year.
o The payment for the photographer from the December 2018 Awards Ceremony has not yet been
recorded on the April BTA report. Carol Thomas will investigate
o To date: $447.23 spent on Cracking the Codes
o Carol Thomas and Cindy Davis will meet with Wendy Bricher to investigate ways to maintain budget
accuracy
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 2
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
o Fort Collins Sustainability and Social Inclusion Research Project
This project was conducted in 2014 by Dr. Clayton Hurd and reported out in 2015. At that time,
City Council asked the HRC to respond to the report but it was decided to wait until the second
phase of the project was completed. To our knowledge, this second phase was researched but
not published, thus the HRC never responded to City Council. Colleen Conway brought this topic
to the HRC to ask if we should report out now.
Eva Amason stated that the information was heartbreaking.
The question was asked if the City’s Sustainability Office had received the report. It is believed
that they had but that City Council had not.
Wendy True asked for clarity on HRC’s response and if the second phase was ever completed.
HRC did not respond and it is unknown if a second report was ever issued
Since the data is now 5 years old we believe we should not respond to the original report but
instead ask for input from the original collaborators. They are: Cheryl Distaso and the Fort Collins
Community Action Network, Betty Aragon, Musea de las Tres Colonias and David Bartecchi,
Village Earth. We are looking for input specific as to actions taken or not taken on the original 5
recommendations made by Dr. Hurd.
A question was asked by Sean Dellenbach if we should conduct a survey. Past feedback says the
communities feel over-surveyed and under-served. It was suggested we first begin by reaching
out to the original collaborators.
We will invite the collaborators to a future HRC meeting. Vic Smith will reach out to Dr. Hurd. Julia
Mackewich will contact David Bartecchi. Colleen Conway will contact Betty Aragon and Cheryl
Distaso. Depending on responses we will report out to either the entire City Council or begin with
HRC CC Liaison Susan Gutkowsky.
o Memo to City Council regarding Identity Evropa activity in Fort Collins
In January we decided to send a memo to City Council to make a statement that we do not
tolerate actions of hate in Fort Collins. The memo was not sent and when it was discussed at
the March meeting, it was felt it was too late to send at that time. Discussion was tabled until
the April meeting.
The HRC has decided to write a “statement of belief” to be shared with City Council in both
writing and orally. Julia Mackewich will write the statement, Jean Runyon, Vic Smith and Cindy
Davis will edit.
The statement of belief includes the following: We want the Mayor, City Council and City
Government to take a proactive stance against hate. Do not be silent. Silence can be
interpreted as acceptance.
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 3
The new City Council will be seated in April and we will take our Statement of Belief to the May
7, 2019 meeting. Cindy Davis made the motion to write and send our statement of belief to
City Council, as well as, read this statement of belief at the May 7, 2019 City Council meeting.
Second – Vic Smith. Vote 8-0
• NEW BUSINESS
o HRC Student Liaison
HRC needs to determine criteria for selection. How many student liaisons? We should begin
with 1. Grade Level? Sophomores or juniors. Length of term? Begin with 1 year. Option to
do a second year. Application - Julia and Sean will continue to develop. References: At least
one teacher reference. A second from another adult?
Timeline: For this first liaison we will send out applications in August and the liaison will serve
a shorter term. For the future we will determine a timeline that gets the applications out sooner
so the term will run from August to July.
Wendy True will compile a list of high schools in Ft Collins. District Administrators need to be
made aware that we will be contacting their schools. The announcement and application will
be sent to principals with the encouragement that they are distributed to clubs, teachers, etc.
We can also let others know this announcement has been sent.
Further discussion will take place at the May HRC meeting
o HRC Community Advisors
The HRC met with Community Advisors on September 13, 2018. They gave us input on concerns
within our community and shared what they need from us. It was included in the 2019-20 Work Plan
that we would continue developing this relationship. Should we invite them to a meeting in 2019 to
follow up on what we’ve accomplished and to hear any new concerns or requests?
Vic Smith asked the following questions: Do we need to meet with the same people? Do we need to
meet every year?
Vic Smith will send out the compilation of comments from the 2018 meeting to all HRC members
HRC will set up an email group with our original Community Advisors. A summary of what has been
accomplished since 9/13/18 will be sent to them; along with a request for feedback on what we’ve
accomplished, any additional suggestions and the invitation to continue to give us feedback as
appropriate. Vic Smith will create the email group and send the initial email
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 4
• BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
o Education Outreach Committee: Phil Walker, Chair. Update given on Cracking the Codes
educational program.
o The presentation of Part 1 of Cracking the Codes was a success. The first session of Part 1 was
held on March 28 with 20 people attending. The second session on March 30 had 30 attendees.
This was accomplished with limited publicity
o Part 2 will be held on Saturday, April 20 with Tony Goggans facilitating and on Wednesday, April 24
with Melanie Potyondy from the Women’s Commission facilitating. Both sessions will be held at
FRCC.
o Part 3 will be held on Saturday, May 18 with Tony Goggans facilitating. The second session has not
yet been scheduled.
o Carol Thomas will get the new flyer posted to all of the City’s social media outlets. HRC members
are asked to share the information with their own social media, personal contacts. Data indicated
that the majority of attendees at the first sessions learned of the program via personal contacts.
o Colleen Conway will procure food and coffee for the Part 2 sessions.
• OTHER BUSINESS
o Name Tags. Wendy True requested that engraved name badges be ordered for the HRC members
so that it is easy to identify our members and looks professional. Cindy Davis will order new name
badges from Craft Trophy.
o The annual NCIPA Pow-wow will be held at the North Side Aztlan Community Center in Fort Collins
the weekend. April 13 and 14.
o HRC Pamphlet needs to be updated. Carol Thomas says the City can help create a new pamphlet.
Carol can procure the printing but HRC will need to fund this. Wendy True and Carol will work on the
design of a new pamphlet
• ADJOURNMENT
o Motion to adjourn was made by Vic Smith. Second by Sean Dellenbach. Vote to approve: 8-0.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:28 pm
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING: 4/11/19
4/11/2019 – MINUTES Page 5
This information is available in Spanish or other language at no cost to a person who would like this information
translated to or communicated in Spanish or other language. Please call 416-4254 or titlesix@fcgov.com to
make a request for information in other languages.
Esta información está disponible en español u otro idioma, sin costo para la persona que le gustaría esta
información traducida o comunicada en español u otro idioma. Favor llame al 416-4254 o a titlesix@fcgov.com
para solicitar información en otros idiomas.
Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. TTY: please use 711 to call 970.416.4254.
________________________________________________________________________________________
City Contact Person: Carol Thomas, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager
970.416.4254, cathomas@fcgov.com