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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/08/1979DATE: TO: FROM: RE: I. C J MEMORANDUM May 3, 1979 Fort Collins Human Relations Commission Mary Ann Kennaugh, Administrative Aide Minutes of the March 8, 1979 Regular Meeting Call to Order Called to order by Chairman Shoemaker at 7:40 PM in the Community Services Building, 1715 W. Mountain. Roll Call Members Present Dan Keating Jim bong Don Shoemaker, Chairman Kelsey Smith Elery Wilmarth^ Bob Zimdahl, Vice Chairman Manbers Absent Paul Thayer Staff Present John McGraw, Com mity Services Director Rosita Bachmann, Hunan Rights Officer Mary Ann Kennaugh, Administrative Aide Guests Victor Bueno Ernie Miranda Terri Cotten, Coloradoan Consider Approval of the March 8, 1979 Notes Commission Member Jim Long moved approval of the March 8, 1979 notes. Commission Member Smith seconded and notes were approved 5 - 0. Ayes: Commission members Keating, Long, Shoemaker, Smith and Zimrlahl. Nays: None. (Commission Menber Wilmarth arrived later.) -2- IV. Presentation by Concerned Chicanos Ernie Miranda and Victor Bueno were present to discuss the article in the Coloradoan newspaper regarding "Chicano Unrest" March 9, 1979 in the cammmnity. Both expressed their feelings that publicity regarding the Chicano community has been unfair to the Chicano community as a whole, focusing on small incidents and implicating the entire Chicano community, stereotyping and discrediting Chicanos, creating problems that do not exist, printing hearsay rather than facts, escalating what does happen, etc. Also discussed were police -community relations: Incidents of "unrest" as portrayed in the presentation to the Human Relations Commission by officer McWilliams last month and by recent news- paper articles are "nothing unusual that haven't happened before; there has always been a problem between the Chicano community and the Police Department". Some factors contributing to this situation are: - the feeling that Chicano youth are becoming increasingly aware of their rights and continue to be "victims" of the police who use then to obtain information. • - feelings of mistrust. - feelings that the Chicano community does not receive the same level of service from the Police Departnent as the rest of the community. - past relations with the Police Department (i.e. a demonstra- tion against the Police Department approximately 10 years ago, treatment of Chicanos). Asked if they felt the re-establishment of a police -community relations task force would be helpful, Ernie and Victor indicated that a task force had been instrumental in the past in getting the curfew ordinance changed, but that the police officers wham the Chicano community had complaints against did not attend the pre- vious police -community relations workshop or get involved in the task force working towards better police -community relations. Ernie and Victor suggested that "knowledge" expressed by police and media be based on fact rather than hearsay, and, that the Human Relations Commission review and follow-up on recommendations made in the Pomeroy report of 1971. Commission Member Zindahl moved that the Human Relations Commission discuss their perceptions of feelings expressed tonight with the Police Chief and with other media representatives (e.g. Bob Iauffer, 40 Managing Editor of the Coloradoan newspaper) and then meet again -3- with Victor Bueno and Ernie Miranda to tell than the results and determine possible future actions. Commission Manber Long seconded. Discussion as follows: Chairman Shoemaker will schedule meetings with Police Chief Smith and other media repre- sentatives and notify the Commission members. As many nmbers as possible will attend these meetings. It was stressed that all discussions tonight and at the future meetings are to express feelings, perceptions and concerns; not to make any accusations. Motion was approved with a vote of 5 - 0 with 1 abstention. Ayes: Commission Members Keating, Long, Shoemaker, Smith and Zimdahl. Nays: None. Abstentions: Commission Member Wilmarth. Staff will notify Victor Bueno and Ernie Miranda of the next Human Relations Commission meeting. The Human Relations Comiission also requested Victor's and Ernie's assistance in getting minorities to apply for menbership on the Commission. V. Handicapped Advisory Committee Comnission Member Long gave a brief report on the last Handicapped • Advisory Committee meeting and reviewed their reccmTendations for appointment to the Committee. Comnission Member Long moved approval of the recommendation s for appointment to the Handicapped Advisory Committee. Commission Member Keating seconded and motion passed 5 - 0 with 1 abstention. Ayes: Commission Members Keating, Long, Shoemaker, Smith and Zimdahl. Nays: None. Abstention: Commission Member Wilmarth. VI. Vacancies on the Hunan Relations Comission A copy of Pam Sysum's resignation letter was reviewed by the Commission members. Elery Wilmarth announced his resignation from the Commission because of his recent election to the City Council. A news release advertising current board/commission vacancies was read to the Commission, calling for appointments to be made May 1. Cc mission members expressed individual commitrnents to "recruit" people who would like to serve on the Cannission. Commission Member Zimdahl moved that the Human Relations Commission members meet at 12:00 noon on April 30th to review the applications for menbership on the Co adssion. Commission Menber Smith seconded and motion passed 5 - 0 with 1 abstention. Ayes: Commission Members Keating, 0 0 I* • -4- Long, Shoemaker, Smith and Zimdahl. Nays Commission Member Wi]marth. VII. Report on Status of ombudsman Proposal None. Abstentions: Rosita Bachmann indicated that she has been researching the con- cept of an ombudsman to work on City/citizen Taints. She indicated that she is waiting to receive some research material on the subject. Active vs. passive role was discussed. General consensus of the Commission is that this person should be a regular staff member and should take an active advocate role. Rosita indicated that she would get back to the Human Relations Commission members with the material when she received it. VIII. Other Business Staff will make a copy of the Pomeroy Report and the Crisap, McCormick and Paget Report available to the Commission for their review. The Human Relations Commission thanked Elery Wi7marth for his contributions to the Commission. IX. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM. 0 M E M O R A N D U M DATE: April 27, 1979 TO: Human Relation Commission Members (See Distribution List Below) FROM: Don Shoemaker, Chairman RE: Motion to meet with Chief of Police and News Media regarding image and communication with Chicano community The following appointments have been confirmed: 4:00 PM, Wednesday, May 2 with Chief Ralph Smith at his office 3:30 PM, Wednesday, May 9 with Bob Lauffer, Managing Editor of the Coloradoan at his office. The consensus was that those members who can make the time available will represent the Commission; hopefully, at least two or three for each of the scheduled appointments. iFor your information --- Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission will be advertised through the end of May with appointments to be made in June and terms to begin in July. Please call Mary Ann if you have questions, DS/sd Distribution: Dan Keating Jim Long Don Shoemaker Kelsey J. Smith Paul Thayer Robert L. Zimdahl John McGraw Rosita Bachmann •