HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 03/13/2008FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting — March 13, 2008
5:30 p.m.
IlCouncil Liaison: Lisa Poppaw 11Staff Liaison: Rebecca O'Donnell 11
11Chairperson: Maryanne Ingratta II II
A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, March 13, 2008
in the CIC Room, 300 W. Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kelly Evans
Joann Ginal
Maryanne Ingratta
Maya Jairam
James Ross
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Elaine Boni
Cristina Matsushima
Karen Wong -Brown
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rebecca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison
Angelina Sanchez -Sprague, Recorder
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT. None
2. GUEST SPEAKER. None.
3. AGENDA REVIEW.
Chair Ingratta recommended an agenda change —add James Ross's announcement to New
Business.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kelly Evans made a motion to approve the February 14th HRC minutes.
Joann Ginal seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 5:0.
BUDGET REPORT/APPROVED EXPENDITURES
Becky reported the only expenses taken from the $3,900 budget were the January and
February meals. The $125 appropriation approved at the February 14`h meeting —
conference registration for Karen, Joann & Kelly's attendance NIOTA's April 12, 2008 Cults,
Gangs and Hate Groups Conference will be paid in a March 201h timeframe.
HRC March 13, 2008 — Page 2
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive/Maryanne. Maryanne reported she and Elaine conferred by telephone on
committee subjects. Maryanne attended the Freedom to Marry event on February 23rd.
Maryanne wondered what Commission members' plans are relative to the Resolution
City Council approved by City Council on February 19`" That resolution makes training
mandatory for all current board and commission members (who have not previously
attended the training program in their current term) to do so by July 1, 2008. Maryanne
and Kelly will be attending the training on March 26. Maryanne will check with Maya,
Cristina and Karen to see if they've previously had the training, plan to attend the March
26'h session, or plan to meet the requirement with the DVD training.
Government Relations/Kelly. Kelly reported the committee (Kelly, Elaine & Joann) met
and discussed their work plan and goals. Their plans include reviewing City Council's
six-month planning calendar including topics such as Exterior Property Maintenance
Code and Rental Housing Standards to see how it affects citizens at a poverty level.
They are also interested in reviewing the topic of the City's Role in Youth Issues,
especially as it relates to Restorative Justice. It's their intent to study the topics and offer
the Commission's perspective to HRC Council Liaison Lisa Poppaw prior to the City
Council vote.
An upcoming taping of a Cable 14 A City at a Glance program is scheduled with Chief
Harrison. At the committee meeting Elaine reported they'd also like a HRC member
representation. More information will be available later.
Education/Community Outreach Joann. Joann reported the committee (Joann, Kelly,
Karen & Maya (special assignment) met to discuss their work plan. Additionally, they
would like to schedule their monthly meeting in conjunction with the Government
Committee meeting. That means Education will meet on 2Id Mondays, Bean Cycle
Coffee Shop on North College, 7:15-7:45 p.m., and Government will meet on that same
day and place at 7:45 p.m.)
Their work plan includes:
a. Updating the Commission's PowerPoint presentation. They will be reviewing the
proposed changes during the Guest Speaker portion of the April 10d' meeting. (Their
long-term hope is to prepare all members for requests for HRC information
presentations.)
b. Update the HRC Brochure. Joann to submit the changes they'd like to see to
Maryanne who will do the graphics work.
c. Identified topics such as homelessness, hate crimes, elder abuse, discrimination,
and human rights to further educate the Commission for expanded conversations.
d. Reinstitute Coffee Chats starting June 2008. First topic will be Opposing Viewpoints
of What Human Rights Are. In a mid -May timeframe, they will be sending letters and
public service announcements to the media.
e. Education Committee Members plan to act as liaisons and regularly attend the
following groups' meetings (Elaine: Senior Advisory Board, Office on Aging, and
Citizen Review Board. Joann: Women's Commission. Karen: Commission on
Disability. Kelly: Youth Advisory Board.)
f. Select special events taking place in May, June or July the Commission could
consider supporting.
g. Create a Rotating Rapid Response Team process for when community topics arise
that require a quick turnaround time. An example of how it might work is an
HRC March 13, 2008 — Page 3
individual member reads something in the paper they think deserves a
response/counterpoint, draft a paragraph or two, email that draft to fellow
commission members titled URGENT, members suggest revisions, schedule a time
when five members can formally act on the piece, and finally submit to the
newspaper.
Public Relations & Community Recognition/Cristina & James. James reported the
committee (Christina & James (co-chairs) and Maya) have been working on tasks
related to the Human Awards Breakfast including trying to make contact with the
Coloradoan regarding placing inserts that provided information on the Human Rights
Awards/nominations in the daily prior to delivery. They've not gotten any response.
Maya is working on securing a keynote speaker. James says the centerpieces created
by children are coming together. Becky spoke with staff at Cable 14 about providing a
video link to the 2007 awards program at the www.fcgov.com/hra website.
Need more nominations. The commission wondered if they were restricted in their
method for getting nominations or could they actively work to submit nominations
themselves. They agreed they were not limited by bylaws or by City Council charter.
They do appreciate that if they played an active part in submitting a nomination they
would excuse themselves from a vote on that particular nomination when the award
selection decisions are made. They'll see where they are at March 315`—the deadline
for nominations.
5. OLD BUSINESS
• Recruiting New Members. Becky reported the City Clerk's office received three
applications for the current vacancy. The applicants were interviewed on March 11 th
and the Council Committee selected Kent Bryans. That recommendation will go before
the full Council on March 18`h
6. NEW BUSINESS
Request from Clint Skutchan. The Commission noted they'd received a request from
Natural Resources Advisory Board member Clint Skutchan. He requested the
Commission forego meals provided by the City and donate funds saved to Natural
Resource efforts. The commission elected not to adopt his suggestion.
Sunset Review. In 2008, a Colorado Department of Regulatory Agency (DORA)
Sunset Review of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission will take place. To that end a
policy analyst for DORA will be in Fort Collins seeking feedback on Thursday, April 3, 10
a.m. NIOTA has requested a HRC member attend. For prior review and
recommendation see http://www.dora.state.co.us/oor/archive/98CivRights.pdf
James Ross Announcement. James announced at the Democratic County Assembly he
was selected as the Democratic candidate for House District 49 (the seat currently held
by Kevin Lundberg.) At this point in time, he does not foresee scheduling conflicts with
his work for the Commission.
Deliberative Democracy Facilitator Training. Maryanne announced late today she
forwarded an email from Martin Carcasson of CSU's Center for Deliberative Dialogue.
He invited members to participate in facilitator training to take place over a three day
period —starting Thursday, June 19`h and continuing through Saturday, June 2151
Maryanne asked members to respond directly to Martin if they are interested in
participating.
HRC March 13, 2008 — Page 4
7. UPCOMING EVENTS
2008
Disability Rights Forum
Join us on March 150 from 2-4pin at the Ben Delatour Room of the Fort
Collins Main Library. Watch this bulletin for more details or email CJPE or
call us at 419-8944.
Reducing Barriers and Changing Attitudes:
A forum for and by Disabled Community Members and their Allies
Panelists:
Terry Schlicting, Chair of the Fort Collins Commission on Disabilities
Vivian Armendariz, Public Access Transit Group
Michael Devereaux, Public Access Transit Group
IMarch 4, Tuesday
City Council Meeting 6 p.m.
March 13,Thursday
Regular HRC BOARD MEE'rING 5:30 p.m.
March 18, Tuesday
City Council Meeting 6 p.m.
March 18, Tuesday
24 Hours to Help the Homeless is an alternative spring break project,
designed to educate Poudre School District junior and senior high students
about the issues of affordable housing and homelessness in our community
and to encourage them to take action in their communities through
volunteerism and advocacy. During the 24-hour period, March 18-19,
students will volunteer at a number of community organizations who work to
address these issues and build awareness around these issues by hosting a
soup supper and talking to city council and community members. They then
create a "cardboard city" where they sleep -out overnight in downtown Fort
Collins. Students also attend three training sessions before and after the event
and collect pledges from friends, neighbors, and businesses to sponsor the
cardboard city."
March 20, Thursday
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
....... .. ...... -- — ---------
March 26, Wednesday
---- _ - -- ------- ---
Training for Boards and Commission Members 5:30- 9 p.m.
April 1, Tuesday
City Council Meeting 6 p.m.
April 8, Tuesday
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
April 10, Thursday
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m,
April 12, Saturday
Conference on Cults Gangs and Rate Groups
April 15, Tuesday
City Council Meeting 6 p.m.
April 17, Thursday
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
April 28, Monday
Studio 14 TV program "focusing on the Human Relations Commission".
It's due to bey April 28 at 3 p.m.
MAY
ped
Cinco de Mayo
M' ay7f,fitirsday . .... .. - -----
. 11 11 RC I'll Awards - 11 - Breakfast I I
May 6, Tuesday
City Council Meeting 6 p.m.
May 8, Thursday
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
May 13, Tuesday
------------ - ,____ -- ----- ------------ - -- -
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
----- -- . ....
May 15, Thursday
PR/CR'Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
HRC March 13, 2008 — Page 5
May 20, Tuesday
June 3, Tuesday
June 7, Saturday
June 10, Tuesday
June 12, Thursday
June 19, Thursday
j June 19, Thursday
July 8, Tuesday
July 10, Thursday
July 17, Thursday
August
August 14, Thursday
August 21, Thursday
SEPTEMBER
September 9, Tuesday
September l I, Thursday
,24,25
October 9, Thursday
October 14, Tuesday
October 16, Thursday
Meeting 6 p.m.
City Council Meeting 6 p.m.
PRIDE IN THE PARK
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
Juneteenth Celebration
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
Regular HRC BOARD MELTING 5:30 p.m.
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
_... _ _._. __...
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING x30 p.m.
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
CSU Diversity Conference
� 4 Regular IIRC BOARD MELTING 5 A0 p.m.
Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
November Native American Awareness Month
November 11, Tuesday Education Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
November 13, Thursday Regular IIRC BOARD MEETING 5:30 p.m.
November 20, Thursday PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
December 9, Tuesday
December 10, Wednesday
December 11. Thursday
Committee 6 p.m. Mugs
Human Rights Day
Regular HRC BOARD MEETING .5:30 p.m.
consider patttcipating in a charitable endeavor instead of
PR/CR Committee Meeting 5:30 at Mugs
8. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Maryan a in ratta, hairp rson
Rehfacca O'Donnell, Staff Liaison