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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 07/14/2005Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes July 14, 2005 HRC Members Present: Parker Preble, Elaine Boni, Lester Washington, Joann Ginal, Maryanne Ingratta, Moin Siddiqui, Paige Backlund Jarquin HRC Members Absent: Caroline Tu Farley, Jack Coleman Staff Members Present: Kelly DiMartino, Kelly Courkamp I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m. II. Public Input No report. III. Guest Speaker No guest speaker. Kelly Courkamp, Executive Administrative Assistant in the City Manager's Office, introduced to group as new staff member. IV. Agenda Review V. Approval of Minutes Commission members requested corrections to June 9, 2005 minutes. Elaine moved to approve the minutes; Lester seconded motion. Minutes approved unanimously. The Commission requested staff provide a summary of key decision points and action items for the minutes of future meetings. Parker asked that Kelly DiMartino investigate whether minutes from previous meetings had been signed. VI. Committee Reports A. Executive Delegation The Commission discussed their position on initiating contact with individuals who have potentially been discriminated against. After discussing several perspectives, members agreed that the HRC's job is to provide resources to individuals, not investigate issues. Kelly DiMartino offered to provide HRC members with brochures to give to citizens if members are approached about such issues. B. Education and Community Outreach Human Relations Commission Minutes July 14, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Joann updated the group on the progress of the HRC brochure; members remained supportive of getting the brochure out. Joann also initiated a discussion about terrorism as a violation of human rights and proposed that the group make terrorism a topic of discussion. Joann will email Ron Uthman with Poudre Fire Authority and ask him to speak about the City's preparedness in dealing with terrorism at the next meeting. Joann also suggested that HRC members have informal meetings, such as a coffee talk, with the community to discuss HRC topics. After discussion, it was agreed that the Education and Community Outreach Committee will plan one meeting in September to see how it goes and that someone will write an article to promote the event. C. Government Relations Regarding her meeting with Sgt. Dave Pearson on the topic of providing police complaint forms, Elaine reported that Sgt. Pearson agreed to provide forms at the library and Northside Aztlan Center, have forms translated into Spanish, and have forms available on the web to download. Sgt. Pearson conveyed the importance of having all forms physically signed by the person making the complaint. Elaine will discuss the forms with managers at the locations they are provided so that managers can make employees aware of the forms. Elaine reported that she continues to watch videos of Council meetings to stay updated about Council business. Joann requested that Council Liaison David Roy come talk to the commission regarding ideas and expectations, current Council business, and how the HRC can assist Council. Elaine will invite Councilmember Roy to attend the September meeting. D. Media & Community Recognition Lester reported that Media & Community Recognition committee has approved an article from Moin Siddiqui for publication in the Commission's Coloradoan opinion column. After discussion, Lester moved to submit "The Day an Unprecedented Amount of Attention" as the primary article with another article as backup. Maryanne seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously. Lester noted that the committee would screen all articles submitted for publication and forward only two or three to the Commission for consideration. Maryanne suggested the committee encourage or schedule each member to write an article for publication. Lester agreed to do so. The Commission also discussed whether HRC members should identify themselves as HRC members in articles not approved by the HRC but published nonetheless. While members agreed that the author should make it clear to readers that he or she is not speaking on behalf of the HRC, opinions were mixed on whether it was permissible for individuals to identify themselves as HRC members. Elaine offered to contact Greg Tempel for guidance on this issue. VIL Liaison Reports A. Northern Colorado Multicultural Corporation (Maryanne) Human Relations Commission Minutes July 14, 2005 Page 3 of 4 Maryanne had nothing to report from the last meeting as it was a social event. She shared that the multicultural and diversity calendar is in the process of being created. B. NIOT Alliance (Jack) No report as Jack was absent. Phil Koster had sent minutes. C. Latino Action Council (Paige) Paige reported that preparation for Hispanic Heritage Month continues to move forward. Paige also shared that the Action Council scheduled a community meeting for July 16. D. Interfaith Council (Moin) No report. E. ERACISM Film Series (Caroline) Caroline sent her report to Parker via email; Parker summarized email to Commission. Caroline would like to share liaison role with Lester and Paige. Lester stated he will try to attend film series. Paige cannot. VI1I. Budget Report Kelly DiMartino reviewed the budget report (provided through the end of May) with the Commission. She noted that the balance did not include meals from the June or July meetings Although the HRC's budget is essentially gone, Kelly assured the group that the City, specifically the Human Resources department, would cover meals for the remaining 2005 meetings per the Boards and Commissions policy. Maryanne moved that the HRC instruct Kelly DiMartino to ask the City Manager for an email account for the Commission. Joanne seconded; motion passed. IX. Old Business A. Human Rights Protection Ordinance Kelly DiMartino reported that the taskforce voted in favor (6-2) of lobbying for the ordinance. The Commission discussed whether the HRC will support the taskforce in lobbying for the ordinance. Parker reported that he had met with Chief Harrison about the HRPO. Chief Harrison is against lobbying for the ordinance and would like it presented to Council as it is written without lobbying. Kelly shared that the HRPO has been rescheduled to September 6 due to the number of items on the agenda for the August 16 Council meeting. Human Relations Commission Minutes July 14, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Kelly also shared that the media had begun making inquiries about the ordinance and asked which Commission member should be the contact regarding the HRPO; Parker stated he should be the contact person. The Commission also discussed the presentation of the HRPO to Council on September 6. Lester noted he would like to see the issues being raised by citizens via email. Maryanne suggested letting the taskforce present. Kelly clarified that it was appropriate for Parker to make the presentation to City Council as the HRC Chair. Elaine motioned that the HRC direct Kelly DiMartino to notify the taskforce to proceed with lobbying for the HRPO. Moin seconded; motion passed. Moin and Lester agreed to collaborate on an article about the HRPO; they will email the article to the Commission in August. B. Meeting Reflections None. X. New Business & Announcements Members discussed a letter from Hal Mansfield regarding NIOT training in Loveland. Mr. Mansfield had requested help from the HRC. HRC decided it was appropriate to remain focused on Fort Collins right now. Cheryl Distaso contacted Elaine about a conference at CSU in mid -September regarding grassroots movements. Because it was unclear with Ms. Distaso needed from the HRC, Elaine offered to contact her for clarification and report back to the Commission. Commission members agreed that in general it is good for them to talk to the public and receive information. Paige notified members that a group called Operation Save America was coming to Denver. The group is trained in protest against abortion, synagogues, mosques, and churches. XL Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Parker Preble, Chair Signed on this date: /// elly amino, btall Liaison