HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 02/24/1997E
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
Minutes of February 24, 1997 Meeting
Present: Dana Hiat, Joann Ginal, Becki Fosha, Lorna Reeves, Audrey Faulkner, Lu Fisk,
Danielle Johnson, Doreen Kemp, Lynne Warner, Nancy Meginness, Stephanie
Lane
Excused
Absences: Toni Chavez, Diane Lathorpe, Megan Murphy and Micki McMillan
Guests: Kathy Snell and Blair Leist - guest speakers; Libby James - Technical Writer
Council
Liaison: Laurie Fonken-Joseph
Call to
Order:. Doreen Kemp called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
Liaison
Report: Gina Janett was not present - no report provided.
Minutes: Minutes from January 27, 1996 meeting approved with amendment that new
officers are to take office in July instead of April as stated in the minutes.
Additions
to Agenda: Addition of Media Committee
Correction: Laura Harpin-Reeves for Women's History
Addition of Proclamation for Contest
Announceu;rnts:
A letter of response was received from Gina Janette re: dissatisfaction of the CIC room
arrangement for the Marcile N. Wood award reception. In the letter, Gina stated that the
room reservation practice will be reevaluated to avoid repetition of the problem.
A letter was received from John Fishbach re: City budget preparation. The letter is asking
for suggestions on key budget issues for 1998-99. "'he budget is being chanecd to a two-year
cycle. Laurie Fonken-Joseph will help with suggestions to give to City Manager's office.
Pamphlets regarding the National Network for Women's Employment, Disability Awareness
Week at CSU, National Breast Cancer information, Multi -Cultural, and the Federally
Employed Womens Chapter were passed around.
The Women of Color Seminar will be March 13th and 14th. Information, n the speaker will
be included in the packets distributed to Committee members.
Commission on the Status of Women 1 February 24, 1997
Guest Speakers: Blair Leist - Legislative Affairs Coordinator and Assistant to the Director of
Administrative Services for the City of Fort Collins and Kathy Snell from Larimer County
Will be speaking on welfare reform tonight.
Audrey Faulkner answered some questions and discussed some background information on
the Welfare Reform: a letter was sent to the mayor expressing concerns about inadequate
child care, available jobs, training, etc. and indicating that welfare reform legislation was
aimed at getting people off welfare but not getting women out of poverty. No response was
received. A follow-up letter was sent supporting Senator Rupert's bill, which focuses on
getting women out of poverty. A discussion of various bills and appeals followed.
Kathy Snell will recommend to county commissioners what bill should be supported. She
would recommend total autonomy - the county could be more innovative than if the State
had some control. There are many welfare recipients who are not ready for the work force.
Business Items:
Update on Focus Groups:
Lesbian Group - 10 people participated and had many responses to questions. There were
many good recommendations/concerns about child care, employers providing medical/health
care for partners (currently being taxed as income), and denial of medical services (fertility
clinic turned away lesbian couple for in vitro -fertilization).
Women's Center - Stephanie Lane - the focus group was wonderful. It brought to light that
some things have improved, but could use more improvement (i.e. transportation). Health
care is going well, but dental is a major problem. The children's clinic now has a dentist.
The focus group sees themselves as a core of the community within 10 years. They are also
working on having an application for various assistance programs on the Internet in the
future. It was suggested that a representative from the Women's Center come to a meeting in
the future - possibly March or April.
Senior Center - Lynne Warner - Some of the concerns discussed were: filling out forms - they
would like to see a social worker coordinate one central site for this; having an income
criteria established; the welfare bill; the need of transportation; safety issues (slipping on ice,
etc.); inflation eroding income; rising medical costs (many are purchasing supplementary
insurance); affordable housing; and feelings of vulnerability - no family/contacts to check on
them (this is of concern particularly to the single women). Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson had a
time -bank suggestion: the seniors could volunteer time to help baby sit children of working
mothers and in return, the mothers could help with transportation. They were also concerned
with fees being raised at the Parks and Recreation sites - this becomes a wellness issue for
them.
This focus group would like to see their talents matched to jobs available and a coordination
of day care. They would like the social isolation (categorization by income, poverty and age
- it's not ok in this culture to be poor) and the transportation issues addressed. They are
pretty scared about the future.
Commission on the Status of Women 2 February 24, 1997
Disabled Women - Audrey Faulkner - Audrey reported a good session.
Stephanie Lane mentioned that the Colorado PTA has a program called "Give Kids Five".
Child care is a big problem. The Head Start program has a long waiting list, and is too
expensive. She wanted to make everyone aware of the Child Care Improvement Fund on the
Colorado State tax return. This one-time $5.00 donation helps to improve the child care
facilities in Colorado. Please check the box on the tax form and share this information with
family and friends.
Guest Speakers: Blair Leist and Kathy Snell.
Welfare Reform
Blair Leist - City of Fort Collins:
The City is tracking about 100 different bills - 10 of these they are tracking closely. At this
time, the welfare bill is not being closely tracked due to the fact that the county is tracking it
closely.
Kathy Snell - Larimer County:
The Coffman and Feely's bills are merging - they are very similar.
The Rupert & Leiba Bill - #97170 - this is not a valid bill - it's not going anywhere.
What it means to Larimer County: a 3-day, invitation only, intensive strategic planning
session may be possible in June. A representative from the Commission on the Status of
Women is invited to be there.
Because of a better economy, AFDC case loads have fallen all over the state. A 20%
exemption Will be allowed - who is to be exempt will be determined. The County will ask to
be able to determine this at a local level. Larimer County has more resources than other
counties. The County can pool all their resources together and do a better job of screening
and helping pe-)ple. There are multi -disciplinary teams in various places in the county to
screen applicants. A group is being formed to work on the day care issue and a grant has
been written to refurbish day care centers and to have sliding pay scales.
Human Development in the County is cognizant of affordable housing, but is not doing
much. Working mother's must have day care, transportation, and affordable housing. We
have to build bridges and forge new partnerships. Now is the time to plan and form
community partnership-- . we have two years to do it.
The Mayor of Loveland is looking for ways to impact people . They are looking at
subdivisions of a certain size and "charming" people to donate day care space. Loveland,
Fort Collins, and Larimer County join to fund non -profits yearly but only 7% goes to day
care. The investment strategies as communities need to be looked at. The Mayor of Ft.
Collins is thinking of a human services investment strategy. Input from boards and
commissions is needed to help stay on the path.
Thoughts on Welfare Reform:
- Community education is needed. Public buildings could become multi -use.
Commission on the Status of Women 3 February 24, 1997
-Even if the Commission on the Status of Women did just ONE thing, that would help
improve things.
- The City is striving for local control.
HRC Report:
Lu Fisk - All positions filled and the people are enthusiastic. There have not been many
requests to discuss Human Rights.
Essay Contest:
Loma Harpin-Reeves - the deadline is 3/7/97 and scheduled on the City Council agenda for
3/18/97. Everything has been sent out to the schools and are awaiting responses. The
winners will be announced and a $50, $30, or $20 check (Ist, 2nd and 3rd prize,
respectively) and certificate presented 3/18/97. Members need to be therefor support. Loma
Harpin-Reeves, Megan Murphy and JoAnn Ginal will be reviewing the essays.
Media Committee:
Stephanie Lane - discussed the data base which will be critical to continuing the future of the
Commission on the Status of Women Commission. Would like to get as many female
business owners, non-profit agencies, etc. to add to data base. Ideas for what to do when the
study is completed were discussed. Possibly a mini -seminar with breakout groups for topical
areas or a get-together with a presentation from the Mayor were discussed. We need to be
looking for donations for scheduling a facility and to start asking for women business
owners/caters to bring something to the celebration.
Feedback:
- Would like to promote report at celebration.
- It would be nice to have the introduction of the report be something where people could
participate. Follow-up focus groups for more detailed discussion regarding day care,
transportation, etc. could be held.
- Multi -Cultural Summit - will determine committee at the 4/3/97 meeting. No report has
been issued to the community that we are aware of (every 6 months was the plan).
- Should there be public notification of the event or just internal? Maybe have article
written in newspaper about event and survey. Media coverage would be helpful.
- At minimum, would like to have something similar to kick-off to give closure.
- Would prefer to see contributions for printing the report instead of soliciting donations for
the event. The City may be willing to contribute.
- Could have "Women at Noon" presentations.
- Could have "Working Women" present report.
- The National Association of the Commission on the Status of Women convention is in
Phoenix. Would like to send a representative to present the report.
Report Status:
Bret is formatting the report and is ready to start. He is not charging for this. Copies of what
has been written so far will be mailed to members for review and comments at the 3/13/97
meeting. Everyone needs to review the report and share comments/thoughts with the group.
If everyone is willing to take the time needed to review the report and make suggestions, a
creative report can be developed. Input on the order of segments is needed (alphabetical,
Commission on the Status of Women 4 February 24, 1997
topical, etc.). A section of what was not covered in the report will be included. The tables
may need to go in as appendices. Audrey Faulkner is willing to work with Karen Johnston on
this.
To think about for future meetings:
- How to present the report to City Council; and
- A committee needs to be formed to discuss soliciting donations to print the report.
Funding
Funding was discussed with John Clark. He suggested a focus group of women entrepreneurs.
Two women in particular are Lydia Doty of Style Magazine and Marge Yoder of Travel
Connection. Nancy Meginness suggested we talk to Bob Keister, the County Manager, but he
probably would not view this as a county priority at this time.
The technical report could be on the City's homepage with a link to the County home page.
This may cut down on printing costs.
Next meeting scheduled for 3/17/97.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Commission on the Status of Women 5 February 24, 1997