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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 08/09/2012FORT COLLINS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting – August 9, 2012 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Rebecca O’Donnell Chairperson: Karen Buchanan A regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission was held on Thursday, August 9, 2012, CIC Room, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elaine Boni Kent Bryans Myles Crane Colleen Conway Christine Hays James Lesco James Owiny EXCUSED ABSENCE: Karen Buchanan Preety Sathe STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Angelina Sanchez-Sprague, Recorder CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Elaine Boni at 5:35 p.m. PUBLIC INPUT None AGENDA REVIEW Addition under Executive Committee: Meet with Becky O’Donnell regarding: support and transition issues related to Vice Chair Elaine Boni’s and Chair Karen Buchanan’s terms ending 12/31/12. Also to determine guidelines to improve communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Elaine Boni asked the Commission members to delay the approval of the July 12, 2012 minutes until all members have had an opportunity to review them. Kent Bryans made the motion to delay approval of the July 12, 2012 minutes. James Lesco seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. HRC August 9, 2012 – Page 2 BUDGET REPORT Angelina Sanchez-Sprague reported for Staff Liaison Becky O’Donnell that there is a budget balance of $770.35 available. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Executive Committee Guest Speaker, Amy Drayer, Vice President of Strategic of Initiatives of the Center (formerly known as LAMBDA) spoke. Base operations are in Denver (www.glbtcolorado.org) with Fort Collins being a satellite of that longer established office. She said the Center Northern Colorado offers programming for youth, elders, and the transgender community as well as social opportunities and legal resources and referrals. Fort Collins will have two staff members who are located on Rainbow Alley at 100 N. Mason. Their hours are Monday to Friday from 11 to 7 and afternoons on Saturday. The results of a community survey showed the need for: • Youth - Rainbow Alley is a drop-in center designed to support LGBT youth and their allies ages 12-21. They offer a warm and welcoming environment. The Alley provides health services, counseling and referral, youth-led events and activities. As the need dictates, they offer referrals to other local youth agencies • Transgender - The Center offers weekly transgender social and support programs, Transgender speakers’ bureau, and ongoing educational and networking sessions. • Legal Help Line to help in areas of job and housing discrimination. (The Center's Legal and Advocacy Program as described at the Denver website has worked to advance LGBT rights in Colorado by lobbying the legislature for laws that protect and enhance the lives of LGBT Coloradans. In 2009, the Colorado legislature passed a Designated Beneficiaries law that allows LGBT people to make their partner the beneficiary of insurance, inheritance, hospital visitations and other important matters. That was one of five laws passed in recent years that protect LGBT Coloradoans.) • Northern Colorado members are more physically active with more outdoor interests than their Denver counterparts. They seek programming in that area. Amy said PrideFest will take place in Ft. Collins on September 8 in Civic Center Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vendor booths are available at $125 and can be shared on a ½ day basis with another non-profit. They will also have a community table where materials can be distributed. They welcome volunteers and if you contact the local office or Amy, you will be referred to a volunteer coordinator. The commission thanked Amy for her time. Because Cheryl Distaso arrived late to the meeting, Elaine Boni asked if she could be permitted to give Public Input to the Commission. James Owiny made a motion to allow Cheryl Distaso to speak at this time. The motion was seconded by Kent Bryans. The Motion passed 7:0. HRC August 9, 2012 – Page 3 Cheryl Distaso, FCCAN (Fort Collins Community Action Network), spoke. She wanted to report on the Immigrant Youth event on July 27. In attendance were 415 youth who picked up packets of information on how to get temporary 2 year legal status that allows them to get a driver’s license, a social security number, and make application for school. There will be two more “train the trainer” events – one on August 14 and another on September 14. The trainers will assist the youth with the process. Cheryl shared information on Disabled Resource Services’ first annual Disability Pride Parade and Music Festival on September 29. There will be a parade in Old Town. More information is available at www.drsgrassrootsfest.org or by calling 449-6973. Cheryl thanked the commission for the many years of an outstanding Human Rights Award event. She offered suggestions for changes to criteria for the selection of Human Relations Award recipients. She suggested there be two youth categories; one ending at age 10-12 and one ending at age 18. She also suggested honoring individuals who are primarily in a volunteer position as well as those in a paid position. There would also be two adult awards. Cheryl is seeking the commission’s support for a budget request to reinstitute the Diversity Retreat (aka Multi-Cultural Retreat). The event, a 2-3 day retreat in Estes Park between 1998- 2005, was a program of the Human Rights Office. It was discontinued due to budgetary constraints. She knows of people in the community who could facilitate. She said she’s made contacts in the City Manager’s office, the Neighborhood Services office, and Human Sustainability Office and that it is not too late in the budget process to make the request. Christine Hays said she’ll be meeting with the Women’s Commission on Wednesday, August 15. She will be following up with them on Monday (August 13) in anticipation of their meeting. She’ll also send the questions that were formulated as a part of the process to Kent Bryans. He’ll be working with Colleen Conway and the Commission on Disability. Elaine Boni made a motion that a meeting with Becky O’Donnell be set up with the HRC Chair and Vice Chair to set up guidelines for communication with commission staff liaison regarding support and transition issues related to the Chair and Vice Chair terms ending in December 2012. This meeting will take place before the September HRC meeting. Myles Crane seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. • Government Relations Committee Elaine Boni said at their team building session in which they worked on accountability/results they talked about improving the process for increasing legislative knowledge in the areas of laws, codes and charters. They considered seeking assistance from retired lawyer and teachers such as outgoing State Senator Bob Bacon. By December they’d like to improve the system and make it an on-going effort. James Owiny thinks there’s a lot of information in the City Code. James Lesco suggested the improvement be incremental by being conscious of “what’s going on locally and at a state wide level.” At each meeting, the commission could take 3 minutes to consider city issues related to housing, transportation, etc. HRC August 9, 2012 – Page 4 Citizen Liaison Program (CLP) Timing and Implementation Elaine Boni took a poll for which members had completed the Ride-a-long component of CLP training. James Owiny has completed it. Myles Crane and Kent Bryans will be scheduling their rides with Police Services. Elaine plans to invite Captain Schiager to the December meeting to provide Police Services’ CLP information. • Educational Outreach Committee EOC Meeting Update and Elder Abuse Fall Program Update Myles Crane reported the committee met on July 25. They addressed: • distribution of flyers at Senior Law Day on August 11 at CSU, Bridging the Gap in Loveland, on September 19 and potentially other meetings or events. • changing the event duration to 4:30-7:30 p.m. • finalizing registration online through Center for Public Deliberation. • meeting (Myles and Karen) with Dr. Carcasson on August 22 to plan the facilitation process. • developing (Myles) a list of marketing contacts to share with others. • receiving approximately 500 take-away pocket cards for attendees from Helen Davis, Chair of the Colorado Coalition for Elder Rights and Abuse Prevention. Collaboration Efforts Based on Updated 2012 Work Plan Myles Crane reported the committee had an opportunity to discuss collaboration efforts on July 25 and August 6. Topics considered: • James Owiny made a motion that Karen Buchanan will send the collaboration strategy letter to the Chairs of the Commission on Disability, The Women’s Commission and Youth Advisory Board via email. This letter should be sent immediately. Motion was seconded by Myles Crane. Motion passed 7:0. • Christine (Women’s Commission), Colleen (Commission on Disability) and Myles (Youth Advisory Board) discussed letters they would draft to contacts on their respective boards after the initial contact letter had been transmitted. • Christine Hays suggested the use of a collaborative process she used doing International Baccalaureate (IB) work. Members agreed it provided an excellent foundation for their transparent/collaborative efforts. • Members agreed to have two members of the HRC present at each collaboration meeting with one person taking notes. • Next steps will be to follow the Collaboration Plan approved at the July 12, 2012 HRC meeting. The commission reviewed the 16 step collaborative process. • Media & Community Recognition Committee James Lesco reported at the next HRC meeting he hopes to get the banner layout and designed approved. He’d like to have the banner ready no later than November. Breakfast After Action Review (AAR) Key Action Items James Owiny reported the committee met on July 18 to discuss the Breakfast After Action Review. He said: • There were 120 guests in attendance in 2012. Given the number of those in attendance and budget, they’ve decided that only nominees will be invited to HRC August 9, 2012 – Page 5 bring a guest. All other invitations will make clear in the letter the invitation is to the invitee only – no guest. • James has begun work on securing an entry on the Mayor’s calendar for May 1, 2, or 3, 2013. He’ll be calling North Aztlan Community Center and the Senior Center to make inquiries about those dates. • The timeline has been updated. He’d like the deadline for nominations to be March 15, 2013. Selection of the award recipients will take place the following week. • Human Relations website will be updated twice a year (December and June). • They’d like to explore further the ability to have their own Facebook and Twitter accounts and post that on the city’s website. • He’d like to return the responsibility of taking RSVPs to staff. • The next committee meeting will be on August 23 (not the regular August 19) at 5:30 p.m. at Whole Foods. The HRC reviewed the Make It Stop: Elder Abuse Forum flyer and offered suggestions for improvements. Christine Hays made a motion to approve the calendar and the action plan for the Human Relations Award Breakfast. Myles Crane seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. NEW BUSINESS Approval of Women’s Commission HRA Contribution Christine Hays reviewed the caterer and video production expenses of the Human Relations Award Breakfast in the context of the attendance of 10 Women’s Commission’s guests. That amount totals $161.60. Kent Bryans made a motion to invoice the Women’s Commission $161.60. James Lesco seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. Meet with Becky O’Donnell re: support and transition issues Kent Bryans made a motion for a meeting to be set up with Becky. James Owiny seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. Approval of payment of $35.43 cost for printing flyers Myles Crane requested reimbursement for copying expense of $35.43. Elaine Boni made a motion to approve a reimbursement of $35.43. Kent Bryans seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. Christine Hays suggested that all future copying be arranged with Becky due to reduced printing costs. HRC August 9, 2012 – Page 6 OLD BUSINESS Letter to the Editor regarding 1983 and 1984 HRA Christine Hays reviewed a letter written to the Coloradoan’s Editor requesting assistance from the community at large in identifying the Human Relations Award recipients for 1983 and 1984. It’s the only information missing from the research she’s conducted. Elaine Boni made a motion to approve the letter. James Owiny seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. Christine Hays requested that the commission review via email their philosophy of the Human Relations Award in the context of scoring nominations. She’d like to learn their thoughts including those suggested by Cheryl Distaso about volunteers and paid position nominees. Christine Hays asked Angelina if minutes could be submitted sooner for the Commission’s review. Angelina said she’d work to get draft minutes to Becky for her review within a two-week timeframe. LIAISON REPORTS Myles Crane reported that at the Office on Aging meeting, information on the Berthoud transportation system (BATS) was distributed. They also discussed senior outreach efforts to reduce isolation. Myles reported that the Senior Center received two awards: Outstanding Program for its four Silver Tsunami events, and Senior Center staff member Barbara Schoenberger for her exceptional work contributions. The awards were from the Colorado Association of Parks and Recreation and Colorado Association of Senior Centers. OTHER The following August 9 meeting bullet points will be sent to City Council Member as well as the Housing Authority and Affordable Housing Board, Transportation Board, Senior Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Human Relations Commission, Women’s Commission, Youth Advisory Board, CDBG, Commission on Disability, Economic Advisory Board. • Amy Drayer, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, from The Center made a presentation on services offered. The organization, which is located at 100 N. Mason St., offers resources for youth, elders and the transgender community, including legal resources and referrals. They are sponsoring a PrideFest in downtown Fort Collins on Saturday, September 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. • Members of the HRC have contacted the chairs of the Youth Advisory Board, the Commission on Disability and the Women's Commission to begin the task outlined in the HRC's updated 2012 Work Plan which is to "pursue opportunities to coordinate and collaborate with city boards which have similar functions." Joint meetings with HRC members and liaisons with the involved boards and commissions are planned to begin within the month. • The HRC's "Make it STOP: Elder Abuse Forum will take place Monday, October 22 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Other program sponsors are: the Commission on Disability, the Senior Advisory Board, the Women's Commission and the Youth Advisory Board as well as other community organizations and resources. Registration is online at http://col.st/QO1KcF HRC August 9, 2012 – Page 7 Myles Crane made a motion to approve bullet points. Christine Hays seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0 ADJOURNMENT Kent Bryans made a motion to adjourn. Colleen Conway seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7:0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next meeting of the HRC will be held on September 13, 5:30 p.m. in the CIC Room. Minutes approved by majority vote of the Commission on September 13, 2012. STANDING COMMITTEES Executive Chair Karen Buchanan and Vice Chair Elaine Boni Government Relations Chair Preety Sathe / Kent Bryans, Elaine Boni Educational Outreach Chair Myles Crane/ Colleen Conway, Christine Hays Media/Community Recognition Chair James Owiny/ James Lesco