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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/08/1997HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - May 8, 1997 Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Liaison: Ann Azari I Staff Liaison: Gabe Chairperson: Bob Lank Phone: 493-5809 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on May 8, 1997 in the Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. HRC Members present: Viviane Abt, Judy Berg, Joe Jaramillo, Lori Lenard, Bob Lank, Man Oberoi, Ramona Robertson and Joe Stern. HRC Member absent: Leslie Frantz. Staff Members present: Steve Roy, City Attorney Gabe Serenyi, HRC Staff Liaison Lori Fonken-Joseph, Human Rights Officer Sgt. Mike West, Fort Collins Police Services Greg Tempel, Assistant City Attorney Guests present: Ann Azari, Mayor, Lu Fisk, Commission on the Status of Women, Kathy Lassen, Commission on Disability, and Loren Due. I. Meeting was called to order by Bob Lank, Chair, at 5:34 p.m. II. Bob Lank asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the April 10, 1997 meeting. Joe Jaramillo made the motion to approve, and was seconded by Joe Stern. The minutes were approved by the HRC with no changes. III. Comments by Mayor Ann Azari. The mayor indicated that she wanted to thank the HRC for their hard work on the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO). She related that she was a commission member when the last proposed revisions to the HRO were written in 1988. At that time the HRC had two members who were practicing attorneys who could provide a lot of help in developing the ordinance. The current HRC does not have any practicing attorneys as members, making the task of developing the ordinance even harder. She indicated that she understands the frustration HRC members are experiencing because of the recent challenges to parts of the ordinance by members of the business community. Some modifications may need to be made because concerns by all citizens must be taken into consideration. IV. Presentation by Kathy Lassen, Chair, Commission on Disability. Kathy wanted to relate her commission's support for the HRO. She also spoke about plans currently being made for an "Awareness Event" in October. Individuals and groups from the community and the City will be asked to participate on the planning committee for this event. City staff person Blair Leist will send out a memorandum explaining more about this event. Kathy also mentioned that she is looking forward to E Human Relations Commission May 8, 1997 Page 2 working on more joint projects with the HRC, and invited HRC members to attend Commission on Disability meetings (third Monday of each month at 2:00 p.m., CIC Room, City Hall West). V. Recommendations by City Attorney Office regarding possible changes to the Human Rights Ordinance. City Attorney Steve Roy recommended that the HRC go into executive session so that he could make comments and recommendations for changes to the HRO. Executive session was needed to protect the attorney/client privilege. A motion was made by Joe Stern to go into executive session. The motion was seconded by Ramona Robertson, and approved unanimously by HRC members present. The HRC went into executive session at 6:05 p.m. At 6:50 p.m. Joe Stern made the motion to go out of executive session. The motion was seconded by Viviane Abt, and approved unanimously by HRC members present. At this point Joe Stern made a motion stating that the City Attorney's recommendations be given serious consideration by Council Health and Safety Committee. No member seconded the motion since there was no indication that Council Health and Safety Committee would not take the recommendations seriously. Gabe Serenyi suggested that an optional approach would be for HRC members to voice that support at the Council Health and Safety Committee meeting. Viviane Abt indicated that she was uncomfortable in supporting the motion because she had not had the opportunity to study the City Attorney's recommendations. This did not mean that she would not support them, but wanted more opportunity to review the document. Steve Roy recommended that the HRC should identify those sections of the recommendations that are of concern, and also those sections that are acceptable, and provide that input to Council Health and Safety Committee. Several HRC members discussed their concerns about the current HRO draft. Viviane Abt brought -up the issue of readability and the importance of making the HRO a more accessible document. Also it will be important to expand the preface statement to the HRO to clarify the objectives of the HRO. People should not feel intimidated by the document. Man Oberoi felt it would be important to frame the ordinance so that it would be consistent with State law. He felt there was no need for the City ordinance to be more inclusive than what is already protected by State law. Bob Lank felt that the City ordinance should be more comprehensive, and pointed out that Northern Colorado has a bad reputation with minorities because the area has a reputation of not welcoming diverse people into their communities. Many employers have pointed out that they have a hard time recruiting minorities into Fort Collins because of this image. Human Relations Commission May 8, 1997 Page 3 At this point Steve Roy thanked Greg Tempel for his hard work in researching, developing and preparing the various documents outlining the issues and concerns about the proposed HRO. Bob Lank also thanked both Steve Roy and Greg Tempel for all their help and time commitment during this process. VI. Subcommittee Reports Committee on Executive Delegation. See above discussion about the Human Rights Ordinance. ..u,r :- . - ., .0 11 . -.. Human Relations Awards. Joe Stern thanked Man Oberoi and Leslie Frantz for all their work in preparing for the awards breakfast. Diversity Subcommittee. Ramona Robertson reported that one of the ideas currently under consideration by the Diversity Subcommittee is the formation of a panel made up of recently appointed members of the boards and commissions. The panel would make a presentation to council outlining their experiences (both good and bad), and discussing ways to make women and minorities feel more welcome on the boards and commissions. Gabe Serenyi suggested that Ramona contact the mayor and discuss the idea with her, and get her feedback. Police b ommitt . Gabe Serenyi reported that the City Manager was disappointed that the HRC was so quick in making a recommendation for a separate police commission. The City Manager suggested that the HRC consider and evaluate other options before making a final recommendation. Ramona Robertson felt that it was not a rush decision. The HRC has discussed and considered the issue for over a year. Bob Lank stated that the situation had changed as a result of the recent defeat by voters of the Citizen Review Board. The City Manager had made a commitment to Council that he would make a recommendation to them by September. The City Manager felt that the HRC should have provided him with as many options as possible so that he could present a well thought-out recommendation to Council. VII. Old Business None. Vill. New Business None IX. Announcements None The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.