HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 06/12/2008FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting —June 12, 2008
5:30 p.m.
ICouncil Liaison: Lisa Poppaw Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell I
(Chairperson: Elaine Boni 1 11
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in
the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Elaine Boni
Kent Bryans
Kelly Evans
Maya Jairam
Cristina Matsushima
Karen Wong -Brown
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
James Ross
Joann Ginal
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rebecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by interim Chair Elaine Boni.
PUBLIC INPUT. None
2. GUEST SPEAKER. None. Aaron Montoya, CSU Media Student attended to observe a
public meeting.
3. AGENDA REVIEW.
No changes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Karen Wong -Brown made a motion to approve the May 8 HRC minutes. Kelly Evans
seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6:0.
BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES
Becky reported HRC has spent $1,083.62 YTD.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Executive/Elaine No Report
• Government Relations/Kelly. Kelly stated she is continuing efforts to contact the
Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC). Elaine reported nothing new on a date for
the Cable 14 A City at a Glance video taping with Police Chief Harrison and the HRC.
HRC June 12, 2008 — Page 2
• Education/Community Outreach/Kelly
Elaine provided information from Joann that the Coffee Talks have been moved to begin
in September. Members are still working on PowerPoint programs.
• Public Relations & Community Recoanition/Cristina
• Cristina stated the PR/CR subcommittee will meet in June to begin working on
updating the HRC and HRA websites.
• The 2008 Human Relations Award video is on Cable 14 and it was noted that the
audio is not in sync with the video. Becky will contact the City cable staff to correct
the error.
• Elaine provided an update from James on the Iraqi Youth Leadership Exchange
Program. The project is nearing full swing and asked If HRC would like to participate
in a Diversity Training session on tolerance and diversity with the CSU Apartment
Life staff on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 22. htto://www.worldlearnina.orci/141.htm
Partnering with CSU in this global educational effort was agreed upon by members.
Maya, Kelly and Karen offered to volunteer and follow up with James to provide more
details for the July 10, HRC meeting. Elaine suggested that the HRC promote the
Iraqi Youth Leadership Exchange Program at a July Council Meeting.
• Elaine stated that NIOTA invited the HRC to write an article for a December
Coloradoan Soapbox column publication. NIOTA solicits, receives, reviews, edits
and submits articles on diversity topics as provided by community members, and the
articles are published bimonthly. Maya offered to write an article with James about
the CSU Iraqi student program for a timely August Coloradoan publication; and Kelly
suggested that the December NIOTA soapbox article be an article about the HRC.
Maya also suggested the HRC check into other local publications who may allow the
HRC to publish a monthly or bimonthly article.
Kelly made a motion to approve the HRC's participation in the Diversity Training
session with CSU on July 22; as well as; draft articles for Coloradoan Soapbox
publication for: August 2008 on the Iraqi Youth Leadership Exchange Program, and
for December 2008 on the HRC. Cristina seconded the motion. The motion was
approved 6:0.
5. OLD BUSINESS
Elaine stated that the Pride in the Park event on Saturday, June 7 from 11 am to 4pm was
well attended. The HRC members hosted a table and displayed the HRC banner and
handed out brochures to participants. Becky stated on Monday June 9 she received a call
from a concerned citizen as to the HRC's involvement in the event. Attempts were made to
speak with the citizen, however, voice messages were the only exchange. Becky explained
in a voice message that HRC members approved funding of $25.00 to host a table and
promote respect and diversity in Fort Collins. The citizen was invited to attend an HRC
meeting to discuss her concerns.
Becky stated that Maryanne advised she would be providing business cards to members in
the near future. Becky will also follow up with Maryanne to obtain the electronic HRC
brochure so that it can be updated by the HRC in the future.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Karen stated she is attending Commission on Disability meetings as a citizen and as HRC
liaison. The current issue they are addressing is that the wheelchairs are not allowed on
HRC June 12, 2008 — Page 3
bike paths on public roadways. Disabled individuals need to use the bike lanes in streets
due to uneven/hazardous or non-existent sidewalks.
Elaine stated the Office on Aging is addressing issues related to senior transportation given
rising gas prices and senior's restricted budgets. The Center of the Rockies located on
south 1-25 near Loveland now houses the heart clinic, which many senior citizens frequent.
Elaine stated that the Pathways for Poverty program spoke about the increasing poverty
level in Fort Collins especially related to single mothers. And that Project Self Sufficiency's
participant wait list is a year long.
Karen requested HRC funding assistance for her to attend the Peace Circle Training
through CSU on July 14. Kelly mentioned that Deliberative Dialogue training is taking place
June 19-21. Kelly offered to explore program similarities for cost efficiency. Karen was
asked to provide detailed information as to the training and cost of the Peace Circle Training
class at the next HRC meeting.
Maya stated that a recent movie release, 'The Love Guru" received harsh criticism
and is under fire and being protested by Hindu groups. Although intended as a
comedy, the disrespect portrayed in the movie is not a laughing matter.
Elaine stated City Council is not meeting in June. Volunteers to monitor the City
Council Meeting "Opening Mike" sessions are Christina -July 1; and Kelly -July 15.
7. UPCOMING EVENTS
2008
June 10, Tuesday
j Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle
Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle
June 12 Thursday
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
June 19, Thursday
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs _._.
June 19, Thursday
Juneteenth Celebration
scm
July 1, Tuesday
u n mAnvx
i City Council Meeting 6 p.m. / Cristina
July 8, Tuesday
Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle
Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle
July 10, Thursday
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
July 15, Tuesday
City Council Meeting 6 p.m. / Kelly
July 17, Thursday
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
August 12, Tuesday
Education/Community Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle
Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle
August 14, Thursday
HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
August 21, Thursday
{Regular
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
septemoer a, i uesaay toucationiuommunity uutreacn at o:su p.m., tsean t
Government Relations at 6:00 p.m., Bean Cycle
September 11, Thursday I Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
September 18, Thursday j PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
HRC June 12, 2008 —Page 4
Chair Joann / Kelly / Karen / P
Chair Kelly / Elaine / Joann
Chairs Cristina/James /Maya
8. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Elaine Boni, C person