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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION - MINUTES - 09/08/2022UNOFFICIAL DRAFT – NOT APPROVED BY HRC HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting – Hybrid September 8, 2022, 5:30-7:30pm CALL TO ORDER ● The meeting was called to order at 5:32 pm by Chair Beth Jaeger. ROLL CALL ● Present: Beth Jaeger Kyle Teramoto Barb Kistler Masood Ahmad Phil Walker Torin Kaletsky Oscar Felix Coronda Ziegler ● Staff Present: Rachael Johnson ● Presenters: Karen Schwartz Rabbi Finestone ● Public Participation: [None] APPROVAL OF MINUTES ● The August minutes were approved. Motion to approve was made by Oscar; Barb seconded. Approved 8-0. BUDGET REVIEW ● Will be strategic in using remaining 2022 funds to cover 2023 budget items. NEW BUSINESS ● Discussion with Rabbi Firestone and Karen Schwartz o Karen Schwartz and Rabbi Firestone shared a presentation and led a discussion on anti-Semitism in Fort Collins. They shared examples of hate UNOFFICIAL DRAFT – NOT APPROVED BY HRC groups and speech, especially around the CSU campus, and examples of not being included, for example on City banners that include many languages, but not Hebrew, and not being included in the City’s oral history project or in the HRC Awards. o Beth shared information about the Human Library event as one way to begin increasing support for Jewish community members. o Barb asked what would be the most helpful thing HRC could do for the Jewish community? Rabbi Firestone said that the community would very much like to not be invisible, to feel that they have allies in government and in the community, and to be considered and mentioned in equity work. ● Barb shared a proposal for: “FOCO Equity Collective: The Power of Networking” o The proposal is to bring DEI-focused group together 2-3 times per year, perhaps fall, winter, and spring. o The could eventually lead to a directory of groups doing DEI work in Fort Collins. Groups would need to have DEI work as a core component of their mission. o HRC members showed interest in the idea, and discussed targeting mid- January as an ideal launch date for this group. o Barb asked that the group work collectively to edit the document, making suggestions of groups to work with and o Beth asked for a motion to approve the proposal. Phil made the motion, Torin seconded it, and it passed 8-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS Education Committee: ● Fabiola was not able to join this evening, so Barb shared information on her behalf. o Barb reported on the results from the first Bias event. o The second event is coming up on October 19th. Barb will be sending out reminders starting in mid-September. o Fabiola will post the survey results in the HRC Google Drive. ● Human Library Program o There have been two planning meetings since the August HRC meeting, including staff from the City, the Museum, and the Library. o The current title is “Being Me in Fort Collins” o The group met with the leader of the Human Library group. He shared a great deal of information about how to best organize a Human Library event. ▪ The Library will be the official sponsor, as the Human Library international organization rules prohibit groups connected to elected officials from sponsoring. UNOFFICIAL DRAFT – NOT APPROVED BY HRC ▪ The group will be paying a $99 licensing fee to be able to use Human Library branding and training for the initial event. ▪ Conversations in the event should not be videoed or photographed. ▪ The most critical piece will be recruiting “books.” Books must be at least 18 years old and should be in a good place to share their story (e.g. at least two years out from an experience). ▪ The event will most likely be on a Saturday in late February. ● Media/Community Recognition Committee o Kyle is interested in serving as chair of the Media/Community Recognition Committee. o Beth proposed the chair become the new chair of this committee, Phil seconded, and the motion passed 8-0. o Beth suggested removing the restriction that past recipients cannot be awarded a second time and asked for feedback. ▪ Masood suggested that perhaps we consider implementing a time frame – for example, someone cannot be awarded more than once in 5 years. ▪ “Individuals and organizations who have been awarded in the last 4 years cannot be nominated.” ▪ Masood suggested that we consider an additional qualifier that recipients cannot be awarded for the same contributions in a period of 4 years. ▪ Beth will continue to wordsmith the language. o Beth asked for a motion that we move forward with this plan. Kyle made the motion, Coronda seconded, and it passed 8-0. o Planning for the Human Relations Awards is ongoing ▪ 4-5pm on December 6th ▪ Nomination period: Sept 19-Oct 24 (5 weeks) ▪ Website updates have been promised by September 18th. o Beth asked that all HRC members share the request for nominations broadly with their networks. ● Government Relations o Barb shared a letter of support to the Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission for the Heartside Hill affordable housing project, which would include a total of 71 new rental homes: ▪ 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom apartments; 9 single family homes built by Habitat for Humanity, and 2 neuro-inclusive homes by L’Arche Fort Collins for individuals in intellectual and developmental disabilities. o Oscar made a motion to approve this letter of support, Kyle seconded, and the motion passed 8-0. UNOFFICIAL DRAFT – NOT APPROVED BY HRC o At City Council on Tuesday there was discussion around a living wage in Fort Collins. Barb suggested that HRC may want to provide a letter of support to City Council for a livable wage. ● Executive Committee o Jenny Lopez Filkins, who was our HRC liaison, has been appointed in the Larimer County 8th judicial district as a judge. o HRC discussed following up on the previous non-discrimination work we were engaged in with Jenny Lopez Filkins. o Everyone is invited to the City’s Volunteer Appreciation Picnic – there is free food, music, lawn games, and volunteer opportunities. September 14th 5:30-7:30 at the Gardens on Spring Creek. o We are still looking for someone to take notes in future HRC meetings – please send leads to Rachael or Beth! o The HRC Work Plan is due at the end of November. ADJOURNMENT ● Torrin made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Phil. It passed 8-0 and Beth closed the meeting at 7:35 pm.