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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/12/1998w HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - March 12, 1998 Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Staff Liaison: Chairperson: Bob Lank Phone: 493-5809 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on March 12, 1998 in the Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. HRC Members present: Viviane Abt, Brian Carroll, Leslie Frantz, Joe Jaramillo, Lori Lenard, Bob Lank, and Man Oberoi. HRC Members absent: Judy Berg and Joe Stern. Guest present: Lu Fisk, Commission on the Status of Women Staff Members present: Gabe Serenyi, HRC Staff Liaison Greg Tempel, Assistant City Attorney Lt. Brad Hurst, Fort Collins Police Services Laurie Fonken-Joseph, Human Rights Officer I. Meeting was called to order by Bob Lank, Chair, at 5:33 p.m. II. Bob Lank asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the February 12, 1998 meeting. Lori Lenard made the motion to approve, and was seconded by Joe Jaramillo. The minutes were approved by the HRC with no changes. III. Subcommittee Reports Committee for Executive D .I gation. Bob Lank reported that the CED did not meet as a committee in February. He also reported that the Human Rights Ordinance had passed unanimously on both the first and second readings in Council. However, a notice of protest had been filed with the City Clerk's Office against both ordinances on March 9th. The petitioner has ten days from that date to get the wording for the petition approved by the City Clerk's Office, and then twenty days to get the required number of signatures (1783). If the required number of signatures are received by the City Clerk's Office, Council has two options as to how it can proceed. It can repeal the ordinance, or it can refer the ordinance to the voters. The referendum can be scheduled on or before the next City election, which will be held in the spring of 1999. One option would be to place it on the ballot this coming November. Bob also reminded HRC members that if the ordinance is going to be referred, the HRC will not be able to use City funds to promote the ordinance. Human Relations Commission March 12, 1998 Page 2 The question came up if HRC members could participate in any activities promoting (or working against) the ordinance as representatives of the HRC, or would they need to act as individuals. Assistant City Attorney Greg Tempel indicated that as individuals not representing the HRC, any member could participate in any activity he or she desired. In order to act on behalf of the HRC, however, a vote would have to be taken by HRC members endorsing the action or activity in question. Greg was asked by the HRC to develop guidelines as to what HRC members can and cannot do legally during the upcoming months prior to a vote on the Human Rights Ordinance. Human R so r.. Grants Committee. Lori Lenard reported that the committee voted to allocate $700 from its contingency fund to support a research study to assess the impact of welfare reform on child care issues. Police bcomm ttpp. Brian Carroll reported that the subcommittee had reviewed another Police Department internal investigation involving the actions of a Fort Collins police officer who allegedly used excessive force in dealing with a Front Range Junior College student during a riot. Brian indicated that the subcommittee had drafted a memo to Chief Harrison with its recommendations and observations about the case. A discussion then took place about the forthcoming Council action on the proposed Police Review Board Ordinance that will receive its first reading at the April 7th Council meeting. One of the remaining issues to be decided is the method of selecting and appointing members to the board. One of the two options being considered is the current method of appointing members to all boards and commissions: citizens would apply, and Council selects the members (this option is favored by Council member Chris Kneeland). The other option under consideration (favored by Mayor Azari and Council member Chuck Wanner) would involve the establishment of a list of potential members (taken from the list of all citizens who apply) by a committee made up of two Council members and the City Manager. Council would then appoint five members from the list provided by the committee. Council will need to decide which of these options will be included in the final version of the ordinance. Lt. Brad Hurst announced that two additional Police Department internal investigations are being prepared by the department for Police Subcommittee review. Lt. Hurst also distributed a copy of the latest agreement between the Fort Collins Police Department, the Larimer County Sheriff's Department and the Poudre R-1 School District regarding the School Resource Officer Program. He also distributed the latest evaluation of the program. Lt. Hurst offered to have someone from the school district and someone from the police department who are familiar with the program come and make a presentation to the HRC at the next meeting. Brian Carroll suggested that HRC members read the materials, and make a decision at the April meeting whether to invite these two individuals at a later date. The question came up whether the HRC wanted to provide Council with input about the latest draft of the Police Review Board ordinance. Most HRC members felt uncomfortable about doing that until they had an opportunity to review the latest draft of the ordinance. Greg Tempel indicated he would mail each HRC member a copy. The subcommittee would then schedule a meeting to discuss the ordinance. All HRC members would be welcome to attend the meeting. Diversity S uhr� omm tree, Leslie Frantz reported that the subcommittee is still working on activities related to the Universal Celebration of Human Rights. Bob Lank reported that many letters had been sent to numerous organizations in the area announcing the celebration, and inviting their participation. Human Relations Commission March 12, 1998 Page 3 Some additional discussion took place about the NPR broadcast that was discussed at length at the February meeting. Laurie Fonken-Joseph reported that she had some discussions with the Mayor and City Manager about the possibility of the Mayor appearing on the Colorado Public Radio program called Fresh Aire to respond to the NPR broadcast. There was also some discussion about Dr. Al Yates appearing on the same program to discuss the different things CSU is doing to promote diversity. No final decisions had been made at this point. Human Relations Awards. Viviane Abt reported that Dorothy Bland, publisher of the Coloradoan, had a conflict and would not be available to speak at the awards breakfast. Viviane had also contacted Sonny Lubick to find out about his availability. Sonny's potential conflict was a golfing trip to St. Andrews in Scotland. Other possible speakers being considered were CSU or Red Cross personnel who were involved in the flood relief efforts last year. Leslie Frantz reported that the Rainbow Restaurant will again cater the breakfast. Gabe Serenyi indicated that the newspaper display ads announcing the awards and requesting nominations will appear in the March 21st and April 5th issues of the Coloradoan. IV. Old Business None V. New Business Gabe Serenyi reported on his recent meeting with Mayor Azari. The Mayor would like to invite all HRC members for lunch one day in April to thank them for their dedicated and hard work on the Human Rights and Police Review Board ordinances. After some discussion, HRC members decided on April 9th as the date that would work for everyone for the luncheon meeting. The Mayor had also indicated that it was her hope that the HRC would continue its work in promoting dialog and education programs relating to civil rights and diversity issues. This would be especially important if the Human Rights Ordinance is referred to the voters. Another important area for HRC focus would be building community and working with the neighborhood groups in promoting diversity related issues. The Mayor feels that the HRC should have a key leadership role in these areas. VI. Announcements Bob Lank announced that applications for Boards and Commissions are now available, and due in the City Clerk's Office by April 15th. Bob encouraged HRC members to contact qualified applicants they may know. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.