HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 10/10/2020 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – Zoom Format
September 10, 2020 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Zoom Online, Fort Collins, CO
9 /10/2020 – MINUTES Page 1
o CALL TO ORDER
o Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson, Beth Jaeger at 5:32 pm
o ROLL CALL
o Present: Eva Amason Vic Smith
Cindy Davis Wendy True
Beth Jaeger Phil Walker
Jean Runyon
o Absent: Julia Mackewich
o Staff Present: Carol Thomas, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager, HRC Liaison
o Observers: Kit Baker
o PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
o Kit Baker stated that he was observing this meeting to get a feel for what the HRC does
o AGENDA REVIEW
o No additions made. Accepted as written. Reminder that there are only 2 meetings remaining in
2020
o APPROVAL OF MINUTES
o Motion to approve made by Wendy True. Second by Eva Amason Vote 6-0
o BUDGET REVIEW
o Per Carol Thomas, all Boards and Commissions’ budgets remain frozen
o However, the City recognizes the importance of the HRC Awards, especially during this time of
pandemic and unrest, and has released $1200 for the purchase of awards and support of the award
ceremony
o GUEST PRESENTATIONS
o Emily Gorgol – City Council Member & Council Liaison to HRC
Beth Jaeger asked Emily Gorgol to update the HRC on the Boards & Commission’s
Reimagining and the Community Impact Ad Hoc Committee
Boards & Commissions reimagining: Honore DePew presented the most current
information and suggestions for change to the City Council 1 month ago. HRC received
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notes from this meeting. Tier 1, 2, & 3 changes were discussed. There are no additional
updates at this time. Honore DePew will be holding discussion groups this fall
Emily did request feedback from the HRC regarding the first round of City Council
discussions
• Vic Smith: suggests going to where the people are to get more people
involved
• Cindy Davis: opposed to paying people to serve. Preferred remaining with 4
year terms on HRC for stability but adding ad hoc members. Creativity in
membership i.e. Students, non-voting members
• HRC requests to be involved in further discussions
Community Ad Hoc Committee: ultimate goal is to provide for a safe and equitable
community at the conclusion of the committee (April 2021). With the acknowledgement
that this won’t occur by that date but that ongoing work will be needed.
Committee areas of study: Community Stories. Police outcomes. Equity indicators.
Identifying issues that create a barrier to a safe and equitable community. What are the
factors? Collect data. Identify gaps. Desire to not just identify but initiate movement to
create change. Come back with plans
• Partnering with Social Sustainability Department.
• Principles of Community being developed
• Working with Meaghan Overton (Home2Health) and Leo Escalante (CPIO
Office)
• Vic Smith suggested the use of films, in addition to the Ray Martinez video.
Feels that there needs to be more stories than just “pull yourself up by the
bootstrap” videos. Comment: Home2Health has additional videos posted
Community Stories has created a webpage to gather stories
• HRC will play a role. Repository for stories and posting stories for those who
require anonymity. Emily Gorgol has concerns that all submitters must give their
email address. Ginny Sawyer will keep us informed as to our role.
Fort Collins Police Services
• Police outcomes are being identified
• One identified area is that there is not any racial or ethnic data. This will
change as a new Colorado statute requires all police departments to collect
this data. Adequate data will not be available for 3 years,
• HRC questions:
o Wendy True: Are the police looking to bring more people of color
onto the force? Emily: The Chief wants greater diversity although
the FCPS current diversity matches the benchmarks for percentage
of officers in regard to demographics of FC. Chief also wants to
recruit more women.
o Beth Jaeger: Will there be any defunding of the Police Department?
Emily: It is not as simple as moving money but City Council is
looking at funding. Chief Swaboda views dealing with mental health
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issues as the greatest need.
• Jean Runyon will contact Emily Gorgol to share changes to Front Range
Community College’s police curriculum
o NEW BUSINESS:
o City Council has appointed Patrick Michael Dawson to the HRC
o OLD BUSINESS:
o Carol gave an update on appointment on new member to the HRC. Interviews have been occurring. A
decision will be made by August 19, 2020.
o Chairpersons’ of the Standing Committees gave a report on revised plans for 2020.
Eva Amason: Media Committee.
o Nomination letters (emailed) have been sent to non-profits, interfaith council, high
schools. Some regular mail letters remain to be sent.
o One nomination has been received. Eva will share all received nominations with the
members of the HRC
o Ceremony: we will be able to purchase the awards/paintings. Suggestion was
made that we do not hold a virtual ceremony. Jean Runyon opposed this. Feels it is
necessary – especially at this time. Cindy Davis suggested also introducing the
winners at the City Council meeting.
We will invite the City’s IT department to tell us what is possible. Vic, Jean
and Eva will form a sub-committee to plan the proposed celebration. Carol
will provide technical assistance from the City.
o Eva brought up the topic of changing the categories for the Awards. Carol Thomas
explained her thoughts on changing the Police/Emergency Service category. The
HRC decided to expand the category to Public Service Personnel as an opportunity
to celebrate the many public servants in our community. Carol will change the
website. Vic will inform Chief Swaboda.
o Nominations will be reviewed and winners selected at the HRC November meeting
Phil Walker: Education Committee.
o Phil emailed the Transforming White Privilege materials to the HRC.
o There is a tremendous amount of material/information designed to be presented in a
2 day training. Too much for the HRC to accomplish online
o Phil suggested the HRC hold a 90 minute Zoom workshop for us to
review/experience the material and prepare us for our next steps. Phil will send out
options for dates and times. Carol will set up a Zoom platform via the City. This will
not be a meeting where any business is conducted.
o In October we will determine is this is something we want to promote in the
community.
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Jean Runyon: Government Committee. Jean has been monitoring City Council and City
Government activities and projects and continues to keep the HRC members abreast of
recent developments.
Reflections on HOA incident regarding the Black Lives Matters sign. Wendy True cannot
publicly share any information at this time. Discussion tabled.
o ADJOURNMENT
o Motion to adjourn was made by Phil Walker. Second by Wendy True. Vote to approve: 7-0. Meeting
was adjourned at 7:16 pm
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