Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 04/08/2004Human Relations Commission Minutes April 8, 2004 5:30 — 8:35 p.m. www fegov com/cityclerk/human relations.ph ------ -.. Council Liaison David Roy 1§tafiriiaison: Kelly DiMartino Phone V. 407-7393 Phone_ 416 2028 Chairperson: Ken Gordon Phone: 217-6317 mm Vice Chair erson: Ma Gomez Phone: 491-3702 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on April 8, 2004 at the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue. HRC Members present: Elaine Boni, Jack Coleman, Caroline Tu Farley, Maryanne Ingratta, Mary Gomez, Ken Gordon Jr., Parker Preble City Staff present: Kelly DiMartino and Barbara Catbagan I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ken Gordon at 5:35 p.m. II. Public Input. No public in attendance III. Agenda Review. Jack Coleman moved, seconded by Caroline Tu Farley, to approve the agenda as distributed. IV. Guest Speakers Barbara Catbagan from the City's Human Rights Resource and Education Office -distributed and reviewed a list of Resources for the HRC (Attachment 1) she had developed, showing Fort Collins organizations that are involved in human rights. Barbara shared information about Face to Face. Barbara also discussed the complaint process and distributed a Summary of Discrimination Complaints Processing, Fort Collins Code Sections 13-16 through 13-25 (Attachment 2). The commission reviewed and discussed with Barbara the process for taking complaints: • Commission members should understand the need to separate the person or organization taking the complaint from the Commission, which hears the appeal. • The members of the commission can't take a complaint, but should refer the person to Barb's office. • Barb can only take written, notarized complaints. She cannot write it for the complainant, but can refer them to someone who can help them. • When someone takes a complaint, they should get as many details as possible, including dates. • Anyone taking a complaint should not guarantee anything to the complainant except that it will be read and reviewed. The complainant should be given a verbal summary of the review process. Only Barb can make a determination about what will happen next. Human Relations Commission Page 2 • As soon as someone tells a commission member their story he or she becomes too involved with the complaint process and would have to recuse him or herself from any appeal involving that particular case. • The City's Human Rights and Resources Office only takes complaints regarding acts that happen within the City of Fort Collins, not including acts on the campuses of CSU and Front Range Community College, which have their own processes. Complaints can also go directly to the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) or a person can file a complaint with CCRD if their complaint was not answered by CSU or FRCC. Once a finding has been made by the Colorado Civil Rights Division, the City can't process another complaint. Discussion among HRC members and Barb re: this process included the following: • Maryanne Ingratta asked whether statistics are kept on restaurants and other public facilities against which multiple complaints have been received and Barb replied that no statistics are kept. • Jack Coleman said people often say that they just had the feeling they were being discriminated against —like things were said behind their backs, and so on. Barbara confirmed his understanding that there needs to be something substantive, something actionable in order for the office to be able to file against the offender, but her office will take a complaint and review it regardless of whether it looks actionable at the time. The office often takes action even when a complaint is not filed. Sometimes mediation is done without a formal complaint. The office will work with people even if they don't file a formal complaint. • Maryanne asked about feedback to the business against which a complaint was filed. Barb said a letter is sent to the business being complained about whenever a complaint is filed Barb distributed copies of a draft brochure that outlines how to file a complaint, how to access the services, etc. (Attachment 3). The brochure will be in all City offices, at all educational forums, and in other appropriate places. Kelly DiMartino, staff liaison and City of Fort Collins Communications & Public Involvement Coordinator outlined resources available to the HRC from the City of Fort Collins. • Promotion through the City Website. Maryanne noted that she had a hard time finding the resources on the website. Kelly explained the links through Boards and Commissions page. • City News, a newsletter that goes out with utility bills. This resource is limited because of lead time and limited space. • Television —Cable 27. - Bulletin Boards are free - TV Programs, such as talk shows, call in shows. Cost is about $100 for set up/tear down plus $50 per hour. • Media Relations —Kelly's office works with all local media outlets, daily and weekly newspapers, radio, TV. Kelly's office can provide help by acting as a liaison with community communication outlets and can provide help preparing communications. • The City can provide design services for publications and brochures. All design work provided free to boards and commissions. Print and material costs must be paid through Human Relations Commission Page 3 commission budget. Kelly reviewed approximate pricing for HRC brochure, saying that prices vary depending on colors, paper, number of brochures. V. Minutes. Several members of the commission noted changes to the minutes of the meeting of March l 1, 2004. Elaine Boni moved, Jack Coleman seconded the motion to accept the minutes as amended (see attached). All voted in favor. VI. Subcommittee Reports Diversity Subcommittee: Chair Maryanne Ingratta distributed a list showing Fort Collins businesses and organizations that are diversity friendly (Attachment 4). Maryanne asked whether it might be appropriate to respond to a very negative response in order to clarify the role of the HRC and its funding. Ken felt it would not be useful in this case. Other members agreed. Diversity Forum: Caroline reviewed the format of the subcommittee. The subcommittee had decided there should be one facilitator, but Caroline suggested two facilitators due to length of meeting. Following discussion, Caroline stated that she will facilitate, Parker Preble will mentor her since she is new to the role. All HRC members should arrive by 9:00 AM to help with setup. The panel will be comprised of eight people, representing a good range of diversity. Maryanne asked Ken for clarification about what direction the Diversity Subcommittee should take next. Ken expressed his concerns about the Diversity Subcommittee. He had attended the last subcommittee meeting, but did not get the final information via e-mail. Discussion followed re: the sharing of information and what was expected. Maryanne indicated that any exclusion was not intentional and apologized that information was not what was requested. Ken shared further concerns about interactions with Maryanne. Lengthy discussion was held between the two about the interpretation of what happened in past HRC meetings and sub -committee meetings. No agreement was reached. Police Subcommittee. Elaine has contacted a number of police departments both in the state and in cities outside the state. In some cities, the HRC trains citizens to help take complaints, interpret, and so on, which would help the keep the Commission from crossing over the line discussed above and would provide a larger number of people to help with complaints, and in many cases, help people come forward by providing someone to talk with in their own communities. She reviewed a survey of the police profiling complaint process. Human Relations Award Subcommittee. Caroline Tu Farley reported that the subcommittee met March 23. They sent out 280 letters throughout the community soliciting nominees for the award. The ceremony will be held on June 8, 2004, in the Lincoln Center Canyon West Room. The subcommittee has arranged a caterer and set up all particulars. Only have two nominations have been received so far, but more are expected. Stan Matsunaka will be the keynote speaker. Human Relations Commission Page 4 The HRC discussed whether members of HRC can submit nominations and it was determined to be acceptable. Executive Delegation Subcommittee.- Mary Gomez reported that the subcommittee had met, established an agenda, and written content for a draft brochure. Liaison Reports Northern Colorado Multicultural Corp. Parker Preble had no report. Erasicm Film Series. Now under the Diversity Subcommittee. There was discussion of how this became part of commission. Face to Face. Elaine Boni reported that the forum met on May 17 and a film was shown. Larimer County Workforce Diversity & Economic Vitality Committee. No report. Pioneer Charter School - Mary and Ken went to the school and were impressed with some of the things they are doing. They will be working with them more in the future. Faith Based-FCCN. Mary and Ken will be at the Mennonite Church on April 22. VII. Budget Report. Kelly reported that on April 8, 2004, the budget is $2,100 excluding a couple of small expenditures, but the Awards Breakfast will put the commission over Budget. With a lower attendance anticipated, the board felt there will likely be less expense than last year. IX. Old Business Hoff appeal - The HRC has received a copy of the final determination from the attorney. Jack asked whether it was appropriate for the HRC to send a letter to the Attorney General regarding this case. Ken said it could only come from an individual and that Jack should check with the HRC attorney before doing so. Awards Breakfast/Budget — see above Human Rights Task Force - Ken encouraged all HRC members to attend the task force meetings. Meeting Reflection There was considerable discussion of conflict between Ken and Maryanne and the effect of it on the meetings and on the Commission itself. There was some discussion of providing sensitivity training for people who are serving on the Human Relations Commission. Jack stated that he would like to add a setting priorities session to the next agenda. He felt the HRC needs to review and set some priorities. Ken agreed, stating that this should come from the subcommittees. Ken asked each subcommittee to bring back to the commission at the next meeting a report of priorities for the balance of this year. Parker suggested that the HRC attend the Task Force meetings. X. New Business Human Relations Commission Page 5 Ken is concerned with the makeup of the commission, feeling it is not diverse with only 3 people who would be considered members of a protected class. He stated nothing can be done about it now, but it is a concern. Publicity/Activity Archives. Restated as stated in the corrected minutes of March 11. Gay Marriage Ban — Maryanne asked what action the HRC might take regarding a position on the national gay marriage ban. Ken stated that this is a very controversial topic and it is unlikely that the members would come to a consensus. The commission needs to discuss this and find out what the HRC can agree to at least by a majority. A time will be set at the next meeting. Chairing HRC Meetings. Ken will not be yielding the chair to other facilitators due to the issues and conflict he perceived at the previous meeting. Diversity Subcommittee: Ken reviewed the work plan for the HRC. He said broadly speaking, everything the HRC does could reasonably be under the Diversity Subcommittee. He threw out tc commission the idea that the role of the Diversity Subcommittee is too broad and probably should be narrowed. Discussion followed. No formal revisions were made at this time. XI. Announcements. None. X. Adjournment. Parker Preble made the motion to adjourn. Elaine seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next meeting of the HRC will be held Thursday, May 13, 2004, 5:30 p.m. in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue. Approved: OR ] & Ken Gordon, Jr. Chair ly DiMa ino, Staff Liaison