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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 01/12/2006FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting — January 12, 2006 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: David Roy 11 Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell IlChairperson: Parker Preble II II A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, January 12, 2006 in the Council Information Office at 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elaine Boni Caroline Tu Farley Maryanne Ingratta Parker Preble Moin Siddiqui Lester Washington BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Jack Coleman Joann Ginal Paige Backlund Jarquin COUNCIL LIAISON David Roy was present STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager Rebecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Parker Preble at 5:30 p.m. 2. PUBLIC INPUT: None 3. GUEST SPEAKER Parker welcomed Council Liaison David Roy and wanted to recognize his actions in supporting the commission especially his remarks at Council review of the Human Rights Protection Ordinance --those remarks were very profound, succinct and cogent. Despite its defeat and the Hispanic community disappointment, it has been a learning experience for the Commission and they are very appreciative of Mr. Roy's support. Mr. Roy introduced Assistant City Manager Wendy Williams who for the past six weeks has been participating with other staff members (including the City Attorney) in review of the removal of the Human Rights Office (due to budgetary constraints) and its potential impact on the HRC. They also had a task of having the City Code accurately reflect the services the City can reasonably expect to provide. HRC January 12, 2006 — Page 2 Ms. Williams reported that no decisions have been made. Her purpose tonight is to report the staff committee's work and to elicit feedback from the commission. The primary questions have been: • Are there ways to work with other entities to provide the services previously provided by the Human Rights Office (HRO?) • Does it make sense to change the code since resources are no longer available for investigating complaints of discrimination? • Does it make sense to collaborate with the Northern Colorado Multicultural Commission (NCMC) for providing education and training functions previously provided by the HRO? • Should the NCMC take over the Dialogue Series? Additionally, the Language Exchange of Northern Colorado has offered to maintain the Cultural and Holy Day Calendar. Elliott Cisneros reported that he handled seven formal complaints and that most of the service he provided was answering questions. The staff committee is also exploring the use of the Neighborhood Services Mediation program. The commission noted the services needed were more intercultural services and not conflict resolution. Lester wondered if the services needed might not be provided by members (himself & Dr. Siddiqui) of the commission. (There were reservations on this point as the offer was good only for the period the members served on the commission and it is unknown if the requests/time commitments could be met by members.) Maryanne wondered if an outside source could be hired to handle the complaints. Lester wondered if that investigatory body would have the enforcement "teeth" required to do the job. Caroline mentioned that one of the goals of the HRC is education and training but they did not, however, have the budget to undertake more than what is already in their work plan. Parker asked David Roy if it was reasonable for the HRC to apply for grants to fund their efforts. David suspected it would be okay but he would have to check further. Ms. Williams mentioned she had asked Elliott to explore grants as a funding source and that he had not found any designed for what we're hoping to accomplish related to the services provided by the HRO. Caroline also asked Roy if it the HRC could accept gifts and/or donated items for HRC events from community sponsors (i.e.: award plaques, food vendors), without risk of losing the HRC base funding. Ms. Williams invited the commission to contact her if they had any further thoughts on the topic 4. AGENDA REVIEW 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Elaine Boni made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2005 as revised. Maryanne Ingratta seconded the motion. The motion passed. 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Executive Delegation. • Elaine or Parker will follow-up up with Council and request to be included in deliberations Council has planned to form a policy regarding holiday symbols on public property. • Caroline wrote a letter to Jack Coleman regarding his intentions to continue as a member of the HRC. Jack sent an email on January 9 to Caroline/Parker and David Roy and mentioned he would be willing to return if the Commission would support HRC January 12, 2006 — Page 3 the Institute on Healing Racism. The Commission has reviewed his request and decided there would be no re -vote regarding the Institute of Healing Racism. Staff Liaison Becky O'Donnell will investigate what other condition for termination (besides automatic end of service for non-attendance) would apply. Caroline will follow-up with Jack as to his intentions to return as an active member of the HRC. • Moin requested that the HRC chair clarify in writing the HRC objectives and prioritize issues including racism and education. 7. Education & Community Outreach. Joann was called away on an emergency at the last minute. Per Elaine, there's much to report and Joann will do that by email. a. Government Relations • Elaine wondered how many of the current Commission had been trained to for the Police Department's Citizen Liaison program. (Elaine, Parker & Caroline have completed training.) • Elaine attended the Community Visioning event on January 2151. It follows the Community Vision event that took place on November 2nd and 3rd and was lightly attended. • Elaine distributed the City Council meeting calendar and asked for volunteers to monitor two meetings. b. Media & Community Recognition • Lester provided an update on the 2006 HRC Awards Breakfast. The Canyon West room has been secured as well as the caterer for Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Lester will work with committee members on the time line of activities that need to take place in the next few weeks and months. • Lester reported he sent a schedule of when Coloradoan articles need to be submitted about 3 months ago. Basically, articles are needed every two months starting in January. They're due the 3rd week of the month for publication in the 41h week. Upcoming schedule is: January --article Caroline wrote and the Commission approved some time ago, February —article Lester will write on Black History Month if additional article approved by Pat Ferrier, March --Elaine will write an article on HRC Award nominations. There is a policy of not approving articles by email so please plan for approval at a meeting prior to the deadline. 8. LIAISON REPORTS a. Northern Colorado Multicultural Commission (NCMC) Maryanne reported NCMC was moving forward with visioning and they were open to anything the HRC would like to do. b. NIOT Alliance. No report. c. Latino Action Council. No report. d. Interfaith Council. No report. e. ERACISM. Caroline reported at the end of the last series (October, 2005) the committee was taking a break. 9. BUDGET REPORT Per Staff Liaison O'Donnell the Commission currently has a remaining balance of $3850.00. Becky was asked to confirm whether HRC monthly meeting meals are deducted from their budget. 10. OLD BUSINESS a. Meeting Reflections HRC January 12, 2006 — Page 4 • Parker asked Elaine to research/report what's happening relative to the Greeley ICE (Immigration) office. • Parker looks forward to hearing from Council Liaison David Roy whether the HRC could apply for grants. • Parker read an article in the Denver Post that reported that people with ingrained biases might also be diagnosed with a mental health affliction. Becky will email the article to all members. • Human Rights Day is December 101h every year. Let's do something in the Education Committee. b. CSU Hip Hop Explosion. Caroline to draft a response to the anonymous writer (via CSU department contact) relative to the Commission's impressions/opinion of the CSU Hip Hop Explosion incident. c. Homeless 10. NEW BUSINESS a. HRC Sub -Committees and Chairs. • Executive Delegation - Parker (Chair), Caroline. • Education and Community Outreach - Joann (Chair) Maryanne, Moin, Paige. • Government: Elaine (Chair), Paige, Maryanne. • Media and Community Relations - Lester (Chair), Caroline, Parker, Jack. MLK March. Commission members (Elaine, Parker, Caroline, Moin, Maryanne and Joann) will meet at Ben & Jerry's (downtown) at noon. Maryanne will bring the HRC banner. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 P.M. 4 2- q-66 Parker Preble, Chairperson Re ecca O'Donnell, lataff Liaison