HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/08/20141
City of Fort Collins
Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
May 8, 2014, 5:30 p.m.
CIC Room, 300 Laporte Avenue, City Hall West
Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
The Human Relations Commission promotes acceptance and respect for diversity through educational programs and
activities to discourage all forms of discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race, religion etc.
Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Interim Staff Liaison: Christine Macrina
Recorder: Michele Scalva
Commissioners Present: Myles Crane, Christy Doyon, Mary Lyons, James Owiny, and Victor Smith
Others Present/Guests: Edgar Dominguez and Margaret Watson, Vida Sana
Excused Absent: Colleen Conway, Christine Hays and Preety Sathe
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting commenced promptly at 5:30 PM.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public input.
AGENDA REVIEW
Chair Crane asked if there were changes to the agenda and none were requested. Commissioner Owiny motioned for
approval. Commissioner Lyons seconded, and it passed 5:0.
Meeting Highlights
1. Guest speakers Edgar Dominguez, Health Equity Coordinator and Margaret Watson, Community Health Worker discussed
the Vida Sana Program which City Council approved in 2013 for appropriation of unanticipated grant revenue for the
Recreation Fund for physical activity classes and related health and well-being opportunities for the Hispanic/Latino
Community. In addition to access to community resources at the Northside Aztlan Center, Vida Sana manages a
neighborhood based Promotora in eight Fort Collins communities, and is supported by several partners
including UC Health North, CANDO and others to promote health equity and eliminate any related racial and ethnic
disparities in the Hispanic/Latino Community.
2. James Owiny, Chair Media and Community Recognition Committee updated the Commission on proposed changes to the
HRC website and requested Interim Staff Liaison Christine Macrina to confirm with the Mayor a proposed time and venue
for the HR Awards in December 2014. He also discussed marketing for the 2nd Mental Health Informational
Forum on June 10th 2014. Lin Wilder MA, LPC, Director, Community Impact and Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Partnership is scheduled to speak on The State of Mental Health in Northern Colorado: Major Issues and Community
Resources. The event is co-sponsored by the PRPLD at Harmony Library 7:00 PM.
3. HRC commissioner Mary Lyons discussed an invitation to the Fort Collins Coloradoan’s Executive Editor
to speak at HRC’s June 12th meeting on how the Fort Collins Coloradoan views their role in addressing social issues in
the community and how the Fort Collins Coloradoan decides to take editorial stances on particular issues. The guest speaker
will be informed that HRC commissioners may ask questions and/or express comments, but that they will do so in their
capacity as individuals, since all public statements by HRC require approval by a majority vote of the Commission.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Crane asked for a motion to approve the April HRC Meeting Minutes with inclusion of the language change under
Re. HRC Brochure: “confirmed” should read “recommended”. Commissioner Owiny motioned for approval and
Commissioner Lyons seconded, the motion passed 5:0. Staff Liaison Macrina noted the stated change for the April
minutes and will update them.
BUDGET REPORT
Staff Liaison Macrina provided a budget report with a stated balance of $3140.99. Chair Crane asked for approval of the
budget. Commissioner Owiny motioned, Commissioner Doyon seconded, approved 5:0.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Edgar Dominguez, Health Equity Coordinator and Margaret Watson, Community Health Worker provided and
information handout and discussed the Vida Sana Program as summarized above.
Vida Sana is primarily funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Program is entering its
third year of funding. Vida Sana’s two partner organizations are UC Health North and Fort Collins Recreation Division.
Vida Sana works within eight different communities including Buckingham, Andersonville and Poudre Valley Mobile
Home Park, where most of the residents are Hispanic and low-income. Their Program’s focus includes encouraging
community members to be active and involves public outreach promoting healthy living (physical activity) and eating.
Vida Sana participants can access Northside Atzlan Center for free as many times per day as desired. Vida Sana has
issued approximately 24,000 Atzlan passes.
Margaret lives and works in the Andersonville neighborhood. As a Vida Sana Community Health Worker known as a
Promotora, she visits door to door to engage with the community members, develop survey information and promote and
register people for the Vida Sana Program. Margaret reported that community members seem to be more engaged with
one another since the onset of Vida Sana. Coordinated events in the communities served include having the mammogram
van in the area to organize Easter egg hunts. Their “hand to hand” service involves accompanying program participants to
health care appointments as needed.
Vida Sana also educates the community on health equity and promotes making health care accessible for everyone. They
work with a coalition comprised of 100 plus members all interested in health equity. They meet monthly to network and
organize to address health equity issues.
Comments from HRC’s Q&A include:
Vida Sana provides assistance in signing up applicants for Medicare.
70% of the population at Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park is Hispanic and only speak Spanish.
Vida Sana works to influence changes to the built environment such as putting in sidewalks and landscaping
around Poudre Valley Mobile Home Park to encourage people to walk and be active.
Accomplishments of Vida Sana: 1) Engaging with other community organizations to establish the need for its
services in the community. Vida Sana partners with these other organizations as appropriate. 2) Seeing the
changes Vida Sana has had on the Hispanic Community members particularly getting a sidewalk on the north end
of town. 3) Engaging the Hispanic Community to get involved in Vida Sana.
Challenges facing Vida Sana: 1) Several individuals do not qualify for Vida Sana services, despite needing them.
2) Laptops for Promotoras are needed to complete their work immediately (instead of using paper and having to
enter data at a later time). 3) Transportation needs of its participants.
Commissioner Owiny suggested accessing large organizations such as CSU or Hewlett-Packard for support with
getting access to laptops or tablets for the door-to-door work.
Mental health is a difficult topic to address in the Hispanic community. Vida Sana has started to address this topic
as well as domestic violence.
Edgar Dominguez offered to assist HRC, if so requested, to develop a potential future Mental Health Forum in
Spanish for the Latino community if approved by the HRC.
Vida Sana is planning to extend their services to Loveland pending approval of grant money to fund it.
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STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Executive Committee - Myles Crane and Colleen Conway
CPD/CSU:
Several CSU students may be joining Chair Crane in Denver on June 5th for Creating Community Conversations meeting.
LCOA:
The Larimer County Office on Aging Advisory Council awarded the 2014 Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award to David
McKibbin, PhD, of Fort Collins, and the 2014 Outstanding Family Caregiver Award to Sandy Phillips of Loveland. The
event celebrates Older American’s Month in May annually.
Government Relations Committee – Preety Sathe and Christy Doyon
No report.
Citizen Liaison Program:
No report.
Educational Outreach Committee (EOC) – Christine Hays and Mary Lyons
Senior Advisory Board (SAB)/Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities (PfAFC):
At SAB’s next meeting on May 14th, Bob Adams, City of Fort Collins Recreation Director, will
be present to discuss future naming and related issues pertaining to the Senior Center.
Commissioner Lyons is actively engaged as Co-Chair of the Health and Wellness Task Force of PfAFC’s Steering
Committee developing and coordinating volunteer efforts.
Media and Community Recognition Committee – James Owiny and Victor Smith
HRC Information Brochure – Spanish translation:
Staff Liaison Macrina will follow-up with the City’s certified translator, Emily Sauders, for translating
the HRC Information Brochure into Spanish.
Summary of the M&CR meeting, April 17th
With reference to HRC Awards event planning:
Chair Crane requested Staff Liaison Macrina to please follow-up to reserve a date and facility for HRC
and Award recipients to meet with Mayor Weitkunat and Councilmembers at City Hall in early December.
M&CR Committee Chair Owiny also stated that information pertaining to the HR Awards requires updating on the City’s
Website. He agreed to email the requisite information to Staff Liaison Macrina.
Commissioner Lyons inquired when award nominations would be accepted. Commissioner Owiny responded that
nominations can be taken at anytime and will be actively pursued in July and August. The tentative nomination deadline is
October 15th.
Marketing Update for HRC/PRPLD Mental Health Informational Forum on June 10th:
Committee Chair Owiny was updated on marketing efforts to date.
Commissioner Smith kindly volunteered to write a Soapbox for the Coloradoan about the June 10th Forum.
Commissioner Smith said that he would circulate an e-draft for HRC members to review before submitting the article.
OLD BUSINESS
HRC June 10 Meeting speaker Lauren Gustus, Executive Editor of the Fort Collins Coloradoan, contacted commissioner
Lyons about what issues the speaker should address. HRC members suggested information regarding the Fort Collins
Coloradoan’s involvement in community social issues. Commissioner Lyons stated that she would email this feedback
and related information stated in Meeting Highlights on page1 to Ms. Gustus.
NEW BUSINESS
Staff Liaison Macrina said that she will add the Mental Health forums to the City Calendar and she as well as a link to the
HRC calendar.
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UPCOMING Events/Announcements
Chair Crane shared the following:
1. HRC needs an additional member as the Commission is one member short since January.
Any assistance that Staff Liaison C. Macrina could offer in her capacity as B&C Coordinator would be appreciated.
2. Touchstone Health Partners will host its second “Creating Community Conversations in Fort Collins” at the
Coloradoan Room on May10th at 10 AM. This is part of a nationwide effort to promote understanding of mental health.
3. Women’s Commission/B&C Meeting on May14th at 7:30 AM at 215 N. Mason, Community Room.
4. B&C Meeting and Budget Process Training May 28th at 7:30 AM at 215 N. Mason, Community Room. .
Staff Liaison Macrina explained that the event is planned to improve the B&C system. The City wants B&Cs to be trained
on the budgeting for outcomes (BFO) process that the City uses. With focus on the Seven Key Outcomes, City
management wants to better align the knowledge resources and volunteer work of B&Cs to provide more efficient
and effective feedback in advisory and supporting work for Councilmembers. The HRC then had a general discussion
about issues surrounding B&Cs and coordination with the Councilmembers.
CLOSING/Call for Adjournment
Commissioner Owiny motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Lyons seconded, passed 5:0. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
The next HRC regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12th at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.
A list of handouts provided and/or passed around at the meeting:
Vida Sana information flyer – Edgar Dominguez and Margaret Watson
HRC Budget Report – Staff Liaison Macrina
International Community Builders – Intercultural Leadership Skills for Teens