Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 12/09/1976• 0 CITY OF FORT COLLINS MEMORANDUM DATE: January 3, 1977 TO: Human Relations Commission FROM: Mary Ann Kennaugh, Secretary RE: Minutes of the December 9, 1976 Regular Meeting I. Called to order by Acting Chairman Napheys at 7:30 p.m., City Council Chambers. II. Role Call Members Present Ben Napheys Art Jackson Kelsey Smith Ed Ostertag Ken Drieth Don Shoemaker Steve Smith Gloria Hershberger Members Absent Margaret Batson, Excused Guests Loretta Burdette Staff John D. McGraw, Executive Director Rosita Bachmann, Human Rights Officer Mary Ann Kennaugh, Secretary III. Ken Drieth moved approval of the November 11, 1976 meeting minutes. Art Jackson seconded and the minutes were approved by consensus. IV. Goals and Objectives - 1977 Acting Chairman Napheys read the 1976 Goals and Objectives and opened the floor for discussion. The following points were discussed: - Recommendation by Art Jackson that the Police Grievance Procedure be retained as a 1977 objective. - The possibility of making various regular meetings specialized meetings to discuss one specific topic. - The recommendation that the sub -committees be a more active part of the Commission. Acting Chairman Napheys asked for specific goals and objectives. Ed Ostertag moved that the Human Relations Commission accept the following as their 1977 Goals and Objectives: -GOAL- To enhance the quality of human relations in Fort Collins. Minutes of the Decem• 9, January 3, 1977 Page Two 1976 Regular Meeting • -OBJECTIVES- 1. Support and encourage, as much as possible, the work of the Human Rights Office of the City. 2. To work toward the education of the community in the following specific areas: a. To work with the Chamber of Commerce in reaching new businesses within the community and make them aware of the Human Rights Ordinance. b. To sponsor workshops to acquaint the community with the amended Human Rights Ordinance. c. Promulgation of the Human Rights Manual. d. Coordination and cooperation with other communities and their commissions. 3. To work more vigorously in Police -Community Relations, specifically in the area of the Police Grievance Procedure. Gloria Hershberger seconded, and motion passed 8-0. V. Responsibilities of a Commission Member: This item was deferred until the next meeting. Acting Chairman Napheys requested that the members submit their choices, in order of preference, for participation in the following subcommittees: - - ----- 1. Education 2. City Council Advisory 3. fund Expenditure Members submitted these choices and Acting Chairman Napheys indicated he would give them to Chairwoman Batson. VI. Gloria Hershberger indicated that Police Chief Smith, City Manager Brunton, Assistant City Attorney Lucia Liley and other police officers met December 10, 1976 to discuss the grievance procedure. The Police Department already has an internal grievance procedure for citizen complaints and for police officers. The City Administration's view is that a citizen should be able to come to the Human Relations Commission as a "friend of the court", that a copy of the investigation of a complaint should be available to the complainant throughout the entire process, and that the Human Relations Commission can go to the administration when questioning the investigation of a complaint. All who attended this meeting indicated support for the Human Relations Commission involvement in the grievance Minutes of the Deceriil5er 9, 1976 Regular Meeting • January 3, 1977 Page Three procedure. Gloria Hershberger indicated that another meeting was scheduled sometime around Christmas. Possible future Human Relations Commission agendas suggested, in relation to the review of the Police Grievance Procedure, include: 1. A meeting where by the various courses of action are outlined; followed by 2. A meeting with only Human Relations Commission members; followed by 3. A public meeting. VII. Loretta Burdette..from Poudre-R-1 addressed —the _"Child -Find" Section of. the Handicapped :Chi ldrens Act. The purpose of the •Child Find Program-----_ is an attempt •ta.find- children (marry with "hidden handicaps") -who might benefit -from the school system and _also 'to lead to parental responsibility -_- - -- and moral-- support. --for-the =parents— - Loretta indicated thatthere-is a> v classroom -set u1i at the-old<Mobhtain View `Schdol, with 'teachers who have. _ backgrounds in special- `educatiorn'and dealing 'with the handicapped.td -= help these children. She wanted the Commission to be aware of the program .:= f and to' support it privately by making 'parents aware of the Program .and - publicly by making social service agencies aware of the program. A sheet describing the program was distributed. VIII. Other Business Rosita Bachmann. indicated that.the Human Rights. Office -had taken a - housing complaint resulting in the .issuance of a°temporary restraining::::, order with -a hearing scheduled for January 10, 1977. :This wi11`be the first_ time the 'Ordinance has-been taken to court. She further'indfcated i_ that two people -had talked to her about filing a discrimination case - because of physical - handicap. but I that the 'cases could not be accepted - as they had occurred before the amendment was in effect. IX. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.