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Home My WebLink AboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 11/12/2008FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting — November 12, 2008 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: Lisa Poppaw IlStaff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell 11 Chairperson: Elaine Boni 11 11 A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, November 12, 2008 in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elaine Boni Kelly Evans Joann Ginal Maya Jairam James Ross Karen Wong -Brown EXCUSED ABSENCE: Cristina Lane (nee Matsushima) Kent Bryans UNEXCUSED ABSENCE STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Chair Elaine Boni. PUBLIC INPUT. None 2. GUEST SPEAKER. Lisa Poppaw, Council Liaison. Lisa thanked the Commission for their invitation and asked for questions. There was an exchange of information on the following issues: a. Members asked how to be effective in their role as advisors for City Council and benefit the community? Lisa suggested: • memorandums to City Council on topics of interest, • attendance of City Council meetings, • partnerships with other boards • meetings with individual Council members HRC November 12, 2008 — Page 2 • Lisa said the Council appreciates the advice of Boards and believes they have a lot of influence in forming policy. She believes Council appreciates a sustained pattern of involvement b. How are candidates selected for vacancies? Lisa said she looks for: • interest • knowledge • understanding of the time and commitment required • can they serve equally well in a leadership and team member role • what are the Commission's pressing needs Members would like to see flexibility and the desire to help as needs are identified. c. What did Lisa think about non-residents (non US citizens) serving on Boards & Commissions? Lisa said she believes (because Fort Collins is the home to CSU and many international residents) that it would be an idea that could be explored further. d. Lisa would like to see the HRC participate in support of domestic partner benefits for city employees. Because of the biennial budget, it's important to time collaborative efforts as appropriate in the budget cycle. She believes what might be required is: • a request made before City Council • the support of three council members • time for staff to assess program and establish project costs • press releases in support of the change e. Would the Council consider waiving the 18 years of age requirement for youth to serve on boards and commissions? Lisa said the Youth Advisory Board (where members younger than 18 are enlisted to serve) is the place where youth have an opportunity to provide feedback to City Council. Council Liaison Poppaw thanked everyone for their time and encouraged the Commission to invite her again. 3. AGENDA REVIEW. No Changes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Karen Wong -Brown made a motion to approve the October 9 11 HRC minutes. Kelly Evans seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 5:0. Maya Jairam arrived. BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES Becky reported that the HRC has an available balance of approximately $1,570. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Executive Committee/Elaine. No report. Government Relations/Kelly. Kelly reported she's been in contact with Steve Chavez, Director of the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD.) The CCRD is charged with enforcing the state's anti -discrimination laws in the areas of employment, house and public accommodation. Kelly has been in conversations with Mr. Chavez relative to the CCRD current effort —a study on affordable housing in Larimer County. The Commission asked Kelly to invite Steve to speak at the January 8 meeting —it'll give HRC November 12, 2008 — Page 3 both parties an opportunity to learn about the other and to seek opportunities for helping him relative to an affordable housing event to take place in Fort Collins in a February, 2009 timeframe. Educational Outreach/Joann & Karen Karen reported the October 13 Coffee Talk on the issue of Japanese Internment Camps was very well attended —she estimated 50 people were in attendance. She mentioned they stopped by after the event to ask when the next topic was scheduled! Karen mentioned that Coffee Talk followed an ERACISM film/discussion on the same topic the previous night and that probably contributed to its success. The Commission gave kudos to Karen for her work. There were no new PowerPoint Information updates. Karen made an HRC presentation at the NIOTA Forum on October 14. She provided general information on the Commission, the subcommittees, the annual Human Relations Award (HRA) breakfast, invited HRA nominations and noted the current vacancies on the Commission. Media & Community Recognition/James & Cristina Elaine reported she forwarded the Soapbox approved by the Commission for a December publication in the Coloradoan. Becky reported a Lincoln Center room has been secured for the 2009 Human Relations Award event and there is an approximate budget balance of $1,570. Maya reported that Cristina was working with the caterer who provided food for the 2008 event —she's negotiating in the range of $1,250 for the food for 2009. Cristina Plans to get a caterer's invoice to Becky in an early December timeframe. Maya reported she did not complete a Letter to the Editor on Amendment 46 in the timeframe required and expressed how happy she was that it was defeated by the citizens of Colorado. 5. OLD BUSINESS Becky forwarded the 2009 Work Plan approved by the Commission to the City Clerk's office The Commission reviewed a copy of the December 10"' Human Rights Day Proclamation to be read by the Mayor on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Maya Jairam made a motion to approve the Human Rights Day Proclamation. Kelly Evans seconded the motion. The motion passed 6:0. Commission members Elaine Boni, Kelly Evans, Joann Gina], James Ross & Karen Wong - Brown will be in attendance on December 2nd and plan to speak. Commission members agreed they'd like to have a two sided generic HRC business card with the tag line in both English and Spanish on the back side; rather than individual HRC member cards since membership is continually in flux. The "generic card" would have Becky's phone number as the contact number and a place for them to write their name when distributing copies. Becky will coordinate printing of the business cards. The order to be placed would be for a quantity that would give each member approximately 50 cards. HRC November 12, 2008 — Page 4 The agreed upon change is a notable cost savings and demonstrates responsible stewardship of City resources. Maya Jairam made a motion to approve a two-sided generic bilingual tagline card. Joann Ginal seconded the motion. The motion passed 6:0. Elaine reported that reported hate crimes were up in Colorado. In 2007 there were 138 cases. In 2008 there have been 156 cases 6. NEW BUSINESS The Commission agreed to cancel the December 11'" regular meeting. A Commission social event is planned for December 12. Maya Jairam made a motion to cancel the December 1Vh regular meeting. Kelly Evans seconded the motion. The motion passed 6:0. 7. CURRENT EVENTS None reported. 8. LIAISON REPORTS Karen reported the ERACISM film/discussion on Japanese Internment on October 12 broke attendance records--120 people were there. Karen left the meeting at 7:05. Elaine reported she attended the November 12`h Citizen Review Board meeting and the Larimer County Office on Aging meeting. She distributed copies of the Answers on Aging "Yellow Book" and recommended it as a comprehensive, one -stop resource information source. Joann has not been able to attend any of the Commission on the Status of Women meetings but she will review the minutes posted on the City's website and will check in with their Chairperson. James said he'd be interested in serving as the liaison to the Youth Advisory Board. He plans to make contact with Staff Liaison Steve Budner to speak to them about their needs and collaborating with them on issues of mutual interest. 9. OTHER Maya informed the Commission she cannot attend the January meeting. Becky reported she will send a copy of the 2007 Annual Report to commission members. Elaine asked that members review and send their 2008 Annual Report committee updates The 2008 Annual Report is due to the City Clerk's office on January 31, 2009. Elaine wanted members to start thinking of the slate of officers for 2009. HRC November 12, 2008 — Page 5 Joann asked members to consider what month and which facilitator they'd like to have for a 2009 retreat at her home. 10. UPCOMING EVENTS 2008 November Native American Awareness Month November 4, Tuesday -City Council Meeting - CANCELLED FOR ELE( ---- � November 11, Tuesday y VETERANS DAY - City y offices closed Educational Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle Government Relations at 6:00 p.m_ Bean Cycle November 13, Thursday Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m. November 18, Tuesday City Council Meeting - Yearly evaluations of City Manager, Attorney, Municipal Judge, no other items of business to be scheduled. November 20, Thursday Media/Community Recognition Committee Meeting 5:30 at December 2, Tuesday City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. - Human Rights Day Proclamation read at 5:30 p.m. w___._ i __ ___.___.___.-_--___-_---__----_--_______.._..__ ....._................. December 9, Tuesday i Educational Outreach at 5:30 p.m., Bean Cycle Government Relations at 6:00 o.m.. Bean Cvcle December 11, December 16, December 18, Thursday n p.m. PR/Outreach Chairs Cristina & James / Maya / Kent NG 11. ADJOURNMENT James Ross made a motion to adjourn. Maya Jairam seconded the motion. The motion passed 5:0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. laine f3oni, Chairperson Re cca O'Donnell, S ff Liaison