HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 10/14/2021HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – In Person/Virtual
October 14, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 pm
CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO
CALL TO ORDER
● Meeting was called to order by Chair, Beth Jaeger, at 5:30pm
ROLL CALL
● Present: Jean Runyon
Beth Jaeger Vic Smith
Phil Walker Oscar Felix
● Absent: Wendy True
● Staff Present: Carol Thomas, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager,
HRC Liaison
● Public Participant: Barb Kistler
AGENDA REVIEW
● No changes were made to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
● Motion to approve the September minutes. First by Jean Runyon. Seconded by Vic
Smith. All in favor 6-0.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
● Barb Kistler, an applicant for HRC membership, was present at the meeting.
BUDGET REVIEW
● HRC’s annual budget is $5,900. Projected costs as of today:
o $1700 for TWP sessions o $1200 for HR Awards o $500 for minute recording services from Elijah Foltz.
NEW BUSINESS
● Goals and Priorities of DEI Leaders: Claudia Menendez, City of Fort Collins;
Kauline Cipriani, CSU; and Abenicio Rael, FRCC:
• HRC is interested in exploring how it can collaborate with Fort Collins DEI
officers, and the methods by which would make the greatest impact on
the community.
o Claudia Menendez, born in El Salvador, has lived in Fort Collins for the past
12 years. Before her current role as the City’s DEI officer, Claudia worked for
Trees, Water, and People for several years, then worked for the Poudre School
District for 9 years.
● Has been serving in the role for 40 days.
● Beginning stages of her job have been spent learning the ways in which
local government operates, and how equity, inclusion, and diversity can
be promoted.
● The effectiveness of City government and the welfare of the community
overlap in different areas. Work is being done to improving the City’s
response to marginalized individuals and groups.
o Abenicio Rael, currently serves as the director of equity and inclusion at Front
Range Community College. Previously, he worked at University of Colorado-Denver.
• A team was put together at FRCC to further educate the staff and
students on the true meaning of equity.
• Goal is to produce equitable outcomes for marginalized groups.
o Kauline Cipriani, started August 1st as CSU’s Vice President for Inclusive
Excellence
• Work has been focused on assembling diversity excellence
groups.
• The goal of these groups is to explore and address the needs of
marginalized students.
▪ The mission of HRC is to advocate for equity, inclusion and social justice in the City of Fort
Collins. Collaboration with partners is the most effective way to accomplish this goal.
Committed to working together to recruit and keep diverse talent in Fort Collins.
▪ HRC will explore organizing a DEI Leader Forum in 2022; to be included in the HRC 2022
work plan.
OLD BUSINESS
“Our Commitment to Self and Society” Initiative - Follow Up:
• Have not received any update from Rabbi Kitzer and Reverend
Williams, and the website has not been updated.
• Keeping with the original plan regarding HRC’s response until
there is more understanding of the progress, goals and
timelines for this work.
Clarification RE: HRC’s Quasi-Judicial Rôle - Comment RE: City Code Description:
• HRC will further explore its quasi-judicial role and scope of work; to be included in the
HRC 2022 work plan.
• Schedule discussions with Claudia Menendez and Emily Francis.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Education Outreach- Update RE: TWP Training Sessions
■ Sessions begin Monday, October 18, at the Fort Collins Senior
Center. o Currently has 25 attendees. o 30 people max per session. o 2 separate sessions. o Located in the Foxtail room. o Masks required except when food is served at the
beginning.
Media/Community Recognition Committee-Update RE: HR Awards and
Ceremony; (Work Plan and Draft Program Agenda):
• Nomination Period ends October 24.
• Plan is to gather as many nominations as possible for HRC
consideration.
• Selection of recipients at November 11th meeting.
• Practice date for program to be scheduled.
• Motion to Approve a Spanish and Sign Language Interpreter at
the HR Awards. First by Vic Smith. Seconded by Phil Walker. All
in Favor: 6-0
Government Relations
o Executive - Update RE: New Members; 2022-23 Work Plan Due 11/30/21;
Annual Report Due 1/31/22:
• Work plan is due by the end of November.
• Committee Chairs to send a Work Plan Draft to Beth Jaeger by
November 1st.
• City has closed applications for HRC membership.
• In need of 3-4 new members by the end of 2022.
• HRC Staff Liaison, Carol Thomas announces that she will be retiring on
December 3rd. HRC expresses its heartfelt appreciation for Carol’s outstanding
support and dedicated work throughout the years.
Meeting Action Steps – Beth to send out.
November 11th Agenda Items - Selection of HR Award Recipients; TWP Training
Review and Next Steps; 2022-23 HRC Work Plan:
ADJOURNMENT
● Motion to adjourn by Vic; second by Phil. Approved 6-0
● Meeting adjourned: 7:22pm