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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 04/10/1997• HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - April 10, 1997 Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 11 Council Liaison: Ann Azari I Staff Liaison: Gabe Serenvi 11 Chairperson: Bob Lank Phone: 493-5809 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on April 10, 1997 in the Human Resources Conference Room, 200 W. Mountain Ave. HRC Members present: Viviane Abt, Judy Berg, Leslie Frantz, Joe Jaramillo, Bob Lank, Man Oberoi, Ramona Robertson and Joe Stern. HRC Members absent: Lori Lenard. Staff Members present: Gabe Serenyi, HRC Staff Liaison Lori Fonken-Joseph, Human Rights Officer Lt. Brad Hurst, Fort Collins Police Services Greg Tempel, Assistant City Attorney Guests present: Lu Fisk, Commission on the Status of Women, Leroy Gomez and Ed Levereen. Meeting was called to order by Bob Lank, Chair, at 5:32 p.m. II. Bob Lank asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the March 13, 1997 meeting. Leslie Frantz made the motion to approve, and was seconded by Joe Jaramillo. The minutes were approved by the HRC with no changes. Ill. Gabe Serenyi reported that Kathy Lassen, Chair, Commission on Disability, had called and asked to be re -scheduled for the May meeting due to an unexpected conflict. IV. Subcommittee Reports Human Resource Grants Committee. Leslie Frantz reported that the Committee had its third meeting. The group is working on revising the letter of intent and proposal documentation forms. Grant requestors will be required to provide more detailed and comprehensive information to the Committee this year. On -site visits will begin in June. Human Relations Awards. Gabe Serenyi reported that he had met with the Awards subcommittee to review logistic details for the awards breakfast and the selection of awards winners. Members of the subcommittee were given assignments to complete prior to the breakfast Joe Stern announced that Keith Miser, Vice-president, Student Affairs at CSU had agreed to be the Human Rights Commission April 10, 1997 Page 2 speaker at the breakfast. Gabe also announced that to date only two nominations had been received, but that typically people tended to wait till the last minute to submit nominations. A discussion took place at this point to generate ideas about how to get additional nominations prior to the deadline. Leslie Frantz and Joe Stern volunteered to call some of the agencies that had been contacted earlier by letter. Youth Advisory Board. No report. Diversity Subcommittee. No report. Police Subcommittee. Joe Jaramillo reported that the subcommittee had met on March 31. Joe briefly reviewed the HRC's recommendation to Council a year ago to either enlarge the current HRC or to create a new commission which would deal exclusively with police related issues. Joe Stern indicated that he had drafted a memo to be sent to Council recommending that a separate Police Commission be formed (he reads the text of the memo). Viviane Abt inquired as to why some of the recommendations regarding enforcement powers that were discussed at the subcommittee meeting were not included in the text of Joe Stern's draft memo. Joe Jaramillo indicated that specific responsibilities and powers (such as subpoena powers) of the commission should be discussed, and recommendations made to Council, following Council's decision to establish such a commission. It would be premature to do so at this point. Joe Stern made the motion to recommend to Council that a separate commission be established to deal exclusively with police related issues. The motion was seconded by Joe Jaramillo, and passed unanimously by HRC members present. Judy Berg asked if there needs to be an interim process to deal with police related issues prior to the time a police commission is established. Bob Lank responded that there already is a process in place, as specified by City ordinance. Viviane Abt inquired if it would be appropriate to get public input regarding ways to make the HRC more effective in dealing with police related issues. A lengthy discussion took place at this point about the appropriateness of issuing a press release announcing the HRC's vote to recommend the establishment of a separate police commission. The press release could also include information about the dates and times of police subcommittee meetings, and extend an invitation to the public and media to attend. No final decision was made on this proposal. Committee on Executive Delegation. Bob Lank reported that the subcommittee had met on March 27th and discussed a number of additional changes to the draft Human Rights Ordinance (HRO). The group also discussed some citizen opposition that had surfaced recently, primarily objecting to gays being identified as a protected class, and to some provisions that seemed onerous to employers. Because of these objections, Council had postponed the May 13 study session until a later date. Assistant city Attorney Greg Tempel reported that a group of 6 - 7 attorneys had voiced their opposition to the changes to the HRO. Some of their concerns related to the imposition of criminal penalties for violations of the ordinance, and to the expansion of the number of protected groups. These attorneys had requested a meeting with the City Manager. • Human Relations Commission April 10, 1997 Page 3 The CED had made a number of minor changes to the HRO. Bob Lank briefly reviewed these changes which were highlighted in the copy of the HRO that was mailed to HRC members. Judy Berg made a motion to approve the changes. Leslie Frantz seconded the motion. The changes were approved unanimously by HRC members present. V. Old Business None. VI. New Business None VII. Announcements • Bob Lank announced that the Interfaith Council was sponsoring an educational forum to discuss the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) on April 29th at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. He encouraged all HRC members to attend. • Bob also reported that Cross Currents, a monthly forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters, will be televised by Channel 27 on April 24th, and will deal with the Human Rights Ordinance. Bob will be one of four panelists discussing the HRO. The panel will also include Alma Vigo -Morales, and probably two individuals who are in opposition. • Leslie Frantz reported that eight calls were received on City Line. Six were in support, with four specifically mentioning that the protections for gays should be left intact. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.