HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 06/12/20141
City of Fort Collins
Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
June 12, 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, Christine Hays, Mary Lyons, James Owiny, and Preety Sathe
Others Present/Guests: Lauren Gustus, Executive Editor, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Excused Absent: Colleen Conway and Victor Smith
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting commenced promptly at 5:30 PM.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public comment.
AGENDA REVIEW
Chair Crane asked if there were changes to the agenda. Commissioner Hays suggested moving Old Business and New
Business ahead of the Committee Reports and to send any Committee Reports via email. All Commissioners favored the
change. Commissioner Owiny motioned for the agenda change. Commissioner Lyons seconded, and it passed 6:0.
Commissioner Hays requested adding the review of the Taste Buds contract under New Business. All Commissioners
informally agreed.
Meeting Highlights Summary:
1. Guest speaker Lauren Gustus, Executive Editor, Fort Collins Coloradoan discussed processes for their
local media organization to evaluate positions on community issues. These processes include:
work of their Editorial Board, real-time 24/7 metric-based Chartbeat software, and the recent hiring
of an Outreach Editor. Editorial board meetings are held daily and open to the public. On June 24th
the Fort Collins Coloradoan will have a preliminary celebration of Fort Collins 150th anniversary.
2. The Commission identified and approved seven BFO offers for Council’s consideration during 2015-2016.
These include the following: for Community and Neighborhood Livability: Multi-Cultural Community Retreat,
Homelessness Initiatives, KFCG Lincoln Plan Neighborhood Projects, Low-income, Senior and Disabled Rebate Programs,
KFCG Update of City’s Equity and Social Justice Plan and KFCG Restoring Funding to Affordable Housing Fund;
for Culture and Recreation: Vida Sana Program.
3. The HRC approved a joint collaboration with the Senior Advisory Board for 2014 Senior Law Day.
4. HRC approved a motion whereby a quorum of commissioners is required to discuss and approve the formulation
of any HRC action plan prior to such plan being done on behalf of or communicated to members of City Council,
City Management and/or the community.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Crane asked for a motion to approve the May HRC Meeting Minutes. Commissioner Lyons motioned for approval
and Commissioner Sathe seconded. The motion passed 6:0.
BUDGET REPORT
Staff Liaison Macrina provided a budget report with an estimated balance of $2,112. Chair Crane asked for approval of
the budget. Commissioner Sathe motioned for approval and Commissioner Hays seconded. It was approved 6:0.
GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION – Lauren Gustus, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Lauren discussed processes for their local media organization to evaluate positions on community issues.
These processes include:
a. Editorial Board Review– The Coloradoan’s Editorial Board is comprised of four employees and four public
members. The public members rotate each year. The paper’s reporters who write about daily news may attend the
meetings, but they are not part of the process of deciding what the paper takes a position on. The Editorial Board
works as a group to determine the paper’s position on issues. Then their position is drafted and edited for
publication.
b. The Coloradoan tracks what is important to the Fort Collins community and its readers. They use software called
Chartbeat to collect metrics on how often stories are read on the web. They also track the “engaged time “of
readers, which is how much time readers spend on stories. This data is used for analytical purposes regarding
what the online community is most interested in and concerned with.
c. The Coloradoan desires to connect and build trust with the community and advocate for community needs. They
have plans for employees to do community volunteering and related work to help the community. The
Coloradoan recently has hired an Outreach Editor whose sole responsibility is to connect with the community.
The following information was shared during Q&A:
The Coloradoan conducts public forums and follows-up on the issues presented in forums. For example, reporter
Pat Ferrier wrote the series about affordable housing issues and is the point person for follow-up purposes.
Lauren requests any members of the community to suggest public forum topics.
Commissioner Lyons suggested mass transportation as a forum topic, particularly for seniors and low-income
community members. She added that there is also the possibly of a HUD housing project for seniors in SE Fort
Collins that needs support and might be a topic for a community forum.
News meetings are conducted daily at 9:15AM and open to the public.
On June 24th the Coloradoan is having a preliminary celebrating Fort Collins’ 150th Anniversary. They are
partnering with Coopersmith’s Pub to host a trivia event and all proceeds will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency.
There are no current plans to be in a digital-only format.
STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Executive Committee - Myles Crane and Colleen Conway
CPD/CSU: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
LCOA: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
Government Relations Committee – Preety Sathe and Christy Doyon
City Council Meetings: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
Citizen Liaison Program: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
Educational Outreach Committee (EOC) – Christine Hays and Mary Lyons
After Action Review June 10th Forum: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
Senior Advisory Board (SAB)/Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities (PfAFC):
Commissioner Lyons reported that during the public input portion of a recent meeting, a gentleman representing a
management group which supported HUD-sponsored affordable housing, presented information on a proposal for
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building an affordable housing project for low-income seniors in the SE quadrant of Fort Collins. This proposal of course
would be subject to approval from appropriate regulatory authorities.
There was also some discussion on the lack of bus transportation nearby senior housing developments. This
issue requires the attention of City Management and its transportation department. The proposed building site for the
affordable housing project in SE Fort Collins, for example, would currently not be served by a nearby bus system.
Ribbon cutting for the expanded Senior Center is scheduled for July 11th.
Commissioner Lyons asked about sharing a table with SAB for “Senior Law Day”. Chair Crane moved for HRC to
participate in “Senior Law Day” with table cost up to $175.00. It was approved 6:0.
Women’s Commission - May 14th Meeting: Any report will be sent via email.
Media and Community Recognition Committee – James Owiny and Victor Smith
Commissioner Smith’s Excellent Soapbox in The Fort Collins Coloradoan:
Chair Crane acknowledged Commissioners Smith’s superb soapbox which resulted in several
additional community members attending the June10th Mental Health Forum.
HRC Information Brochure: Spanish translation Update: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
HRC Awards Event Update: Date/Facility/Timing: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
HRC Website Updates for HR Awards and MH Info Forums: A report if applicable will be sent via email.
OLD BUSINESS
Email from Women’s Commission re: Awards Collaboration:
Chair Crane shared a progress update from the Women’s Commission on operations concerning the Marcille N. Wood
Award which the Women's Commission previously awarded at the annual spring breakfast of the HRC. The Women’s
Commission notified the HRC that they have moved forward with a collaboration with Women Give to distribute
their award in the Fall. The Women’s Commission thanked the HRC for its support in the past. Chair Crane promptly
responded wishing the Women’s Commission continued success and noting that the HRC would look favorably upon any
appropriate opportunity to collaborate with the Women’s Commission in the future.
B&C Meeting May 28th – Christine Macrina:
Staff Liaison Macrina stated there is on-going discussion about civil engagement with B&Cs. Gradual steps are being
taken to allow B&Cs to have input on Council’s work and future planning for the City’s seven focus areas. It was
determined that education is needed for B&C members to understand relevant factors involved in linking their work to
Council’s and in re-directing some of B&Cs’ work.
Commissioner Hays stated that it does not appear that HRC’s mission is a primary consideration of Council’s attention.
For example, the City’s seven outcome areas do not adequately address diversity and inclusivity issues in our community.
She commented about Council improving HRC’s connection to the seven outcome areas. Staff Liaison Macrina stated that
Council is beginning to work on their future plans, which includes strengthening the connections to B&Cs. In addition,
a multitude of information pieces are being gathered in order to be thorough and move forward efficiently and effectively.
BFO Proposal Discussion for Strategic Plan 2015-16:
Chair Crane asked for discussion on five BFO Offers presented for HRC’s consideration. The commissioners reviewed
and discussed the proposed budget offers. Commissioner Doyon then requested the HRC to consider adding a sixth
offer. After further discussion led by commissioner Lyons, a motion for approval of the six offers was made by
commissioner Hays and seconded by commissioner Owiny. It was approved 6:0. The following six BFOs will
be forwarded to Council with request for their priority consideration:
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48.12 Multi-Cultural Retreat
48.7 Homelessness Initiatives
17.2 KFCG Lincoln Plan Neighborhood Projects
14.2 Low-income, Senior and Disabled Rebate Program
48.8 KFCG Restoring Funding to Affordable Housing Fund
48.2 KFCG Update of City’s Equity and Social Justice Plan
Other issues per commissioners input:
Commissioner Hays inquired about signing thank you cards for the Mental Health Forum speakers. Commissioner Sathe
had purchased cards which Chair Crane will bring them to the next meeting for signing.
NEW BUSINESS
Email correspondence with local resident:
Staff liaison Macrina had forwarded an initial request from Councilmember Overbeck and City Management
for HRC to look into an issue raised by a prominent local resident.
Vice Chair Conway subsequently emailed the resident and requested a meeting with HRC, with the intention
to listen carefully and respectfully to the resident’s concerns.
Motion by Christine Hays:
Commissioner Hays prepared a written resolution and distributed copies. Commissioners discussed the resolution
which in its final form read: : “The Human Relations Commission requires a quorum to approve the formulation of any
action plan prior to taking action on behalf of City Council or community members and prior to whom HRC
communicates its plan.”
Commissioner Hays motioned for approval of the resolution. Commissioner Sathe seconded the motion and it was
approved 5:1 with approval from commissioners Crane, Doyon, Hays, Owiny and Sathe and commissioner Lyons
Declining.
Larimer County 2014-2018 Community Health Improvement Plan:
Commissioner Lyons reported that Larimer County has identified mental health and children’s health improvements as a
priority for their attention over the next four years. Strategic planning to address this issue is being initiated.
Commissioner Lyons asked for feedback regarding HRC’s possible participation in the group leading the initiative.
Commissioner Lyons then led a subsequent discussion and concurred with all other commisisoners that HRC would not
be represented in the organizing group.
Per commissioners’ input:
Commissioner Hays asked for permission to cancel the catering contract with Taste Buds due to costs that were not
initially clearly communicated or understood. All commissioners agreed to end the contract. It was decided that for future
mental health forums that the lead commissioner responsible for each particular forum would pick-up snacks/refreshments
at local grocery vendors with a budget up to $125.00 per forum.
UPCOMING Events/Announcements
Commissioner Sathe requested additional Mental Health Forum flyers from Staff Liaison Macrina.
Commissioner Lyons announced that “Bridging the Gap”, where agencies involved in senior issues gather, hear speakers
and exchange information, is scheduled for September 16th and the HRC may consider having a booth.
CLOSING/Call for Adjournment
Commissioner Hays motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Sathe seconded. It passed 6:0. The meeting adjourned at
7:53PM
The next HRC regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 10th at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.
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June 12th Meeting Hand-outs:
Lauren Gustus’ business contact information
HRC May 8th Meeting Minutes
BFO Proposals from HRC
Email print-out of Commissioner Lyon’s Committee Report
Commissioner Hays’ resolution