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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 - Human Relations Commission - Annual Report Human Relations Commission 2022 Annual Report 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1  HRC MISSION STATEMENT As community leaders and advisors, the Human Relations Commission collaborates, educates and advocates for equity and inclusion in the City of Fort Collins. INTRODUCTION The 2022 Human Relations Commissioners included Masood Ahmad, Oscar Felix, Beth Jaeger, Torin Kaletsky (appointed 8/22), Barb Kistler, Fabiola Pascual Luna, Jean Runyon (resigned 5/22), Kyle Teramoto (appointed 8/22), Phil Walker, and Coronda Ziegler (appointed 8/22). The HRC continued with a broad plan for supporting human relations issues that were pertinent to the City of Fort Collins, aligning its goals with City Outcome Areas of: Neighborhood Livability and Social Health, Safe Community and High Performing Government. Consistent with City Code and HRC’s Mission Statement, as community leaders and advisors to City Council, the HRC researched, deliberated and took proactive and responsive measures to promote the dignity of individuals and groups in Fort Collins. MONTHLY MEETINGS A number of guest speakers were invited or requested to speak to the HRC in order to build community relationships, learn about issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in Fort Collins, and to advocate for social justice. Some of the HRC’s monthly meeting guests included: Reverend David Williams, Rabbi Hillel Katzir and Nina Rubin discussed the “Our Commitment to Self and Society” community initiative (2/22) Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens discussed the Human Relations Commission 2022 Annual Report 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2  County’s newly formed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board (2/22) Jenny Lopez Filkens, Senior Assistant City Attorney, discussed the HRC’s role (3/22) Rachael Johnson, City of Fort Collins Senior Equity Specialist, delivered a presentation regarding the City’s connection with the Indigenous community (4/22) Chief Jeff Swoboda, Fort Collins Police Services, discussed criminal justice and public safety equity indicators (5/22) Brittany Depew, City of Fort Collins Homelessness Response & Solutions Lead Specialist, Meaghan Overton, City of Fort Collins Housing Manager, David Rout, Executive Director of Homeward Alliance, John Singleton, Chair of the Affordable Housing Board, and Bob Pawlikowski, Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Board, discussed initiatives to advance housing equity in Fort Collins (6/22) Adam Crowe, Larimer County Economic Development Manager, and Yvonne Myers, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, discussed workforce development programs and initiatives (8/22) Rabbi Sally Finestone and Karen Schwartz discussed anti-Semitism in Fort Collins (9/22) Angela Pena, City of Fort Collins Senior Specialist for Environmental Sustainability, discussed the City’s Our Climate Future initiative (10/22) HRC INITIATIVES The City’s Equity and Inclusion Office and the HRC co-sponsored two sessions of “This Thing We Call Bias” on July 28th (49 participants) and October 19th (35 participants) at the Senior Center. These training programs were facilitated by Alma Vigo-Morales and Barb Kistler, Diversity Solutions Group, and explored the concept of bias and how it interferes with decisions at work and life in general. COMMUNICATION WITH CITY LEADERS The HRC communicated with City leaders regarding the following topics: Human Relations Commission 2022 Annual Report 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Page 3   Email to Mayor Pro Tem Emily Francis advocating that City Council consider passing a resolution in support of an independent and democratic Ukraine (3/22)  Memo to the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission in support of the Heartside Hill Affordable Housing Project (9/22)  Memo to Mayor Jeni Arndt and City Council advocating for modification of the City Municipal Code, Chapter 13, Article II anti-discrimination language to include “sexual orientation, gender identify and gender expression” (11/22)  Monthly meetings attended by Beth Jaeger, HRC Chair, Barb Kistler, HRC Vice Chair, Claudia Menendez and Rachael Johnson, City of Fort Collins Equity & Inclusion Office, to discuss HRC priorities and projects. HRC COMMITTEE REPORTS Media/Community Recognition Committee:  Organized the annual Human Relations Awards ceremony to recognize individuals and organizations in our community that promote equity, inclusion and diversity. The Awards Ceremony was held on December 6, 2022 at City Hall and celebrated the following recipients: Youth Award: Olivia Christiansen Individual Award: Janet Krech Individual Award: Queen Johnson Organization Award: Heart of the Rockies Christian Church Organization Award: 8th Judicial/Larimer County Competency Docket Public Service Personnel: Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik Government Relations Committee:  Attended and monitored City Council meetings.  Monitored the City Council Calendar to stay informed about upcoming issues.  Monitored public input at Council meetings for topics that were relevant to the HRC. Human Relations Commission 2022 Annual Report 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Page 4  Education and Outreach Committee:  Organized and delivered the “This Thing We Call Bias” training in July and October 2022.  Advanced the delivery of “The Human Library” program scheduled for February 26, 2023. This program is co-sponsored by the City of Fort Collins Office of Equity & Inclusion, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, and the Poudre River Public Library District. Executive Committee:  Scheduled agendas for HRC monthly and special meetings.  Ensured appropriate communication with the Council Liaison and City Council.  Delegated issues to committees as appropriate.  Provided support to HRC committees as needed. CONCLUSION: This annual report was based on HRC’s 2022 Work Plan. Some goals were altered due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the lack of resources due to several Commissioner vacancies until August 2022. As we enter 2023, the HRC is excited to begin its work. The commission will continue to advocate for equitable advancements in our community, while remaining alert and responsive to current events. The HRC will act in an advisory capacity to City Council, with a vision to enhance human rights and social justice in our growing community.