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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 06/10/2004Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes June 10, 2004 HRC Members Present: Jack Coleman, Caroline Tu Farley, Mary Gomez, Ken Gordon Jr., Maryanne Ingratta, Rita Klepec, Parker Preble, Elaine Boni, Joanne Ginal. HRC Members Absent: None Staff Members Present: Kelly DiMartino Call to Order. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Mary Gomez at 5:35 p.m. II. Public Input. Adam Bowling, a Fort Collins resident and representative for the Lambda Community Center introduced himself and spoke of what the organization stands for as well as its current projects. He spoke of different venues sponsored by the Lambda Community and of the upcoming event in Library Park on June 19. He spoke of the benefits of domestic partnership benefits for City employees and commented on the need to create an open atmosphere and believed the local economy would benefit by doing so. III. Agenda Review and Approval. Parker stated he wanted to move his discussion item, Leadership Critique Reprise, after the Subcommittee Reports in hopes that Ken Gordon would then be present. IV. Minutes. Jack moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 13 as amended and approved. Second by Caroline. All voted in favor. V. Subcommittee Reports Diversity: Maryanne reported that Parker would be researching the Institute for Healing Racism. Parker reported that he would be personally funding a visit to Texas to interview participants who have attended the Institute for Healing Racism to substantiate the programs benefits. Jack recommended that Parker consider visiting Michigan as it has numerous Institutes. Police: Elaine reported that she met with Assistant City Attorney Greg Tempel and Lt. Jim Broderick to discuss information regarding the Citizen Review Board's (the "CRB") Complaint Review Process. She passed out a section of the Code relating to the Citizen Complaint Process. She urged the Commission to familiarize themselves with the process and reviewed for the Commission the "charge" of the CRB, which is only to review for sufficiency and accuracy of the investigation. Elaine stated Council has asked HRC to review the CRB process and see if it is easy and confidential. She stated that an informal committee of 5 to 7 community members would be formed to review the process. Human Relations Award Subcommittee: Everyone was in agreement the event went well and discussed possible changes to the event for the next year. They all thanked Caroline for her efforts. Items to be considered by next year's planning committee: nomination process needs to be reviewed i.e., past nominations , can HRC nominate, one nomination per nominator; consistent length of speeches for presentations. Executive Delegation Subcommittee: Mary stated the committee didn't meet due to scheduling conflicts. Mary clarified what the duties of the Executive Delegation Committee were and Parker read the by-laws defining the responsibility of the Executive Delegation Committee. VII. Liaison Reports Community Based. Parker reported that he has resigned from the Northern Colorado Multi -Cultural Corporation. Face to Face. Elaine reported on the June 8th meeting and noted that Dec 10th is International Human Rights Day. She reported that Navigations, a sub -group of Face to Face, received a grant for publishing information to be distributed to new immigrants on how to get "around" in the City. She spoke of the Service Learning Fair scheduled for September 7-8, 2004. Business: No Report. Education: No Report. Faith Based: No Report. Vill. HRC Task Force Parker stated the meeting went well. He clarified that the Task Force would make their recommendations to the Commission, and then the Commission would forward the recommendations and additional comments to City Council. The Commission discussed that there might be a need for a special meeting prior to making a recommendation. IX. Budget Report Kelly reported the catering for the Awards Breakfast was less than expected,and stated she needed all receipts before an update can be completed. X. Old Business Discussion was held on the proposal to re -organize the HRC sub- committees. There was broad support for the re -structuring, with some adjustments to the original proposal. Maryanne asked for clarification on whether or not the executive delegation committee would remain. Some members expressed concern about having a quarterly HRC Awards, stating it detracted from the annual breakfast. Parker indicated that the Chair could change the committee structure. The Commission discussed various elements of the Bylaws and talked about appropriate way to appoint people to the sub -committees. Mary clarified that each HRC member would only be on one subcommittee, not two subcommittees as is the current practice. Joanne stated there was nothing included about age/seniors and suggested adding that to the Cultural Awareness Committee. After a brief discussion, Ken clarified the Executive Subcommittee would remain. Ken commented briefly on a column that would appear bi- monthly in the Coloradoan, and commented that citizen of the quarter could be featured in the column. Ken spoke of various methods to recognize citizens receiving HRC awards. He spoke of the need to be more visible to the public and encouraged implementation of an HRC Citizen of the Quarter. He clarified the criteria would be different from the annual awards. Caroline made a motion to delete "HRC Citizen of the Quarter' Award. Maryanne seconded the motion. Yeas: Parker, Joanne, Maryanne, Caroline. Opposed: Jack, Ken , Mary, Caroline. Rita: abstain. The "HRC Citizen of the Quarter" program remains. Maryanne made a motion to amend the language under the Media and Community Recognition heading to read: "Draft, solicit and submit soapboxes...". Caroline seconded the motion. After a brief discussion the vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Maryanne made a motion to change the language support "cultural awareness" to support "ALL" subcommittee. Caroline seconded. Motion carried. Jack made a motion, seconded by Elaine to change the name to Cultural Education Subcommittee. The Commission discussed the use of the word education in the title. The Board voted and the motion failed. Jack made a motion to name the subcommittee "Educational Outreach Subcommittee". Rita seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. Joanne made a motion to add "age and disability" to the phrase "Educate public regarding specific cultural, ethnic, racial, gender or diversity specific issues. Rita seconded. The motion carried. Mary made a motion to include under Government Relations, add Monitor, update and analyze and Board and Commission Diversity Data. Jack seconded. The motion carried. Jack made a motion to add under the Educational Outreach Subcommittee the following: Generate unity and diversity programs for the City of Fort Collins. The motion died due to lack of a second. Jack made a motion to add: Use forums to address and heal Fort Collins discrimination problems. The motion dies for lack of a second. After further discussion, Rita made a motion to add "through the use of forums, talk shows, articles etc ... to the bullet about educating the public. Jack seconded. Motion carried. Jack made a motion, seconded by Caroline, to adopt and approve the subcommittees as amended. The motion carried. (See attachment "A") Ken stated what has been adopted is only what the Commission will present to Council with regards to the Subcommittees. Ken made a motion to table discussion of the size of the Human Relations Commission. Rita seconded the motion. The motion carried. Gay Marriage Ban Maryanne wanted the Commission to draft a statement expressing the Human Relation Commissions support of the efforts of the gay and lesbian community to submit to City Council. After further discussion it was decided that the Diversity Subcommittee would draft a letter for HRC consideration. The Board discussed how it would handle issues relating to carrying banners when representing the HRC. Maryanne made a motion that she be allowed to take the HRC banner to the Gay Pride Celebration scheduled in June. Elaine seconded the motion. The motion carried. X c. Meeting Reflections: Leadership Critique Reprise Parker stated that they have the strongest leader the commission has had in years and thanked Chairman Gordon for all his efforts and spoke of his observations of the pros and cons of this leadership style. XI. NEW BUSINESS Elaine stated that she will continue to attend Citizen Review Board meetings. Mary stated that the Commission would vote on Chairs for the Subcommittees at the next meeting. Ken gave a brief explanation to the Commission on how nomination procedures for the subcommittees. Kelly DiMartino clarified she would check with the City Attorney's office regarding whether or not secret ballots could be used. XII. Adjournment Ken made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Meeting adjourned. Approved: Ken Gordon, Jr., Chair OR `AA4 K Ily iMartino, Staff Liaison