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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 09/12/20131 City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 12, 2013, 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 program and activities to discourage all forms of discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race, religion etc. Council Liaison: Mayor Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Melissa Herzog Recorder: Leslie Perry Commissioners Present: Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christine Hays, Faith Sternlieb, Mary Lyons (by teleconference from British Columbia) and James Owiny Excused Absent: Preety Sathe Others Present: Joe Frank, Director, Social Sustainability; Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager; Jeni James Arndt, Liaison, Commission on Disability; Suzanne Jarboe-Simpson, Change Management Analyst; Daniel D. Parsons, FRCC Student Meeting Summary: With deepest gratitude to all HRC members and guests who participated at this meeting in spite of weather conditions: 1. Joe Frank, Fort Collins Director of Social Sustainability, and Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager updated the HRC respectively on a proposal for a future multi-cultural retreat as well as considerations for Building on Basics II. 2. Consistent with a recent request by HRC Council Liaison, Mayor Karen Weitkunat, the HRC discussed various aspects, principles and values pertinent to the City’s seven community outcomes and how the Commission’s work contributes to all seven of these desirable outcomes. 3. The HRC voted unanimously to give moral support to CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation community discussions on mental health tentatively planned for Fall 2013. 4. Suzanne Jarboe-Simpson, Fort Collins Change Management Analyst, proposed plans for facilitating HRC’s2014 Work Plan at the HRC‘s October 10th meeting. Call to Order Chair Myles Crane called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Public Input No public input. Agenda Review Chair Myles Crane motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Colleen Conway seconded the motion, which was approved 6:0. 2 Minutes Review No changes were made to the Minutes for the August 12, 2013 meeting of the Human Relations Commission. Commissioner Christine Hays motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Faith Sternlieb seconded the motion, which was approved 5:0 with 1 abstention by James Owiny who was not present at the August 12th meeting. Budget Report $1,261.09 in funds available as of September 12, 2013. Commissioner Christine Hays motioned to approve the budget. Commissioner Faith Sternlieb seconded the motion, which was approved 6:0. Guest Speakers Chair Myles Crane introduced the guest speaker Joe Frank, Director of Social Sustainability. Mr. Frank discussed the proposal for Fort Collins to have another Multicultural Community Retreat (Retreat). The Retreat concept is in its preliminary stages. Topics are yet to be determined and funding is needed with some potential partners identified. Program scheduling may occur in Fall 2015. Joe Frank requested HRC’s help for this initiative by expressing HRC support before City Council. Some HRC Commissioners thought that the Commission had previously discussed this issue in 2012 and agreed to support this community event. Commissioner Colleen Conway said that she was disappointed when the original Retreat ended. Commissioner Faith Sternlieb questioned the focus of this Retreat vis-a-vis the PSD youth retreat. Chair Myles Crane then introduced Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager who mentioned that a firm program for the Retreat would most likely be in place before branching out to youth. Ginny Sawyer then highlighted the City’s process for Building on Basics II with reference to the voter approved, Sales Tax Initiative 1973-2021. Standing Committee and Liaison Reports: Executive Committee Chair Myles Crane reviewed developments from that afternoon’s LCOA meeting and distributed materials about an excellent free service offered to all Fort Collins residents who request a a Healthy Sustainable Homes free indoor quality air assessment offered by the City’s Environmental Services Department. He also provided brief updates on CPD and the Disability Pride Fest. Vice Chair Colleen Conway provided a brief update on ACLU. Government Relations Committee Commissioner Faith Sternlieb discussed Homeward 2020. The Director of the Murphy House will ask a homeless person to address the HRC to ensure a well rounded perspective of homeless people’s situation in Fort Collins. The December 12, 2013 meeting was discussed as a tentative date. Educational Outreach Committee Commissioner Christine Hays discussed the September 3rd EOC meeting. She is researching potential locations for hosting the eight forums on mental health planned for 2014-2015. Commissioner Christine Hays and Commissioner Faith Sternlieb both cited possible venues for consideration. Commissioner Christine Hays then distributed the EOC Mission/Actions 2013 summary. Chair Myles Crane and Vice Chair Colleen Conway thanked Commissioner Christine Hays for her fine work on this document. Commissioner Mary Lyons cited meeting minutes from the Senior Advisory Board and mentioned that the Bridging the Gap annual meeting would be held on September 18th. She mentioned developments with regard to Summit on Aging. She also discussed inviting the new Director from Child Safe to address the HRC. Commissioner Christine Hays proposed that the HRC present Child Safe’s 2013 Human 3 Relations Award certificate to them at the HRC’s meeting in February 2014. Child Safe had not been able to attend the 2013 Awards and had not received their certificate of nomination for the award. Media and Community Recognition Committee Committee Chair James Owiny reviewed and discussed the marketing brochure created by the Media and Community Recognition Committee. The HRC thought that overall it looked fine with some further details to be discussed at an upcoming M&CR Committee meeting. Commissioner James Owiny also expressed some concern regarding potential changes for the HRC Awards breakfast. He suggested meeting with the HRC Council Liaison to discuss proposed changes out of respect for the manner that this event has been held for over 30 years. Old Business Annual Planning Meeting October 10, 2013: Suzanne Jarboe-Simpson, Change Management Analyst, discussed proposals for facilitating the 2014 Work Plan. Focal points discussed for consideration were: EOC Mental Health Forums; HRC Awards event; integration of new members, training, and self-education, liaison responsibilities, and any other matters to be addressed during the work plan meeting. Consideration should be given as to what deliverables they want and respective time available. The HRC agreed to schedule appropriate time at the October 10th meeting to discuss the 2014 Work Plan. Staff Liaison Melissa Herzog will email the HRC 2013 Work Plan for members to review. New Business Chair Myles Crane requested the Commission to give moral support without additional HRC financial or marketing commitments to the CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation community discussions on mental health tentatively scheduled for Fall 2013. Commissioner Faith Sternlieb motioned and Commissioner Colleen Conway seconded the motion, which was approved 6:0. Commissioner Christine Hays raised Board awareness about an accident that a friend of hers had in the North of town off of College Avenue. She said street lighting was poor, if not non-existent. She also expressed concerns for some other areas in the city. She said that she would review city and county maps for jurisdiction and call the appropriate department about street lighting. Commissioner Faith Sternlieb then mentioned a recent mugging near Safeway on Remington Avenue. Again, street lighting was poor, if not non-existent. She said that she would contact the Police Department for more information regarding crime incidents in Fort Collins street lighting. Meeting Highlights The HRC discussed meeting highlights summarized on Page 1, “Meeting Summary” of these minutes. Chair Myles Crane motioned to approve these highlights. Commissioner Christine Hays seconded the motion, which was approved 5:0. Commissioner James Owiny had been excused earlier and did not vote. Motion to Adjourn Commissioner Christine Hays made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Colleen Conway seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5:0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. with wishes expressed that everyone travel home safely in view of the flooding in the area. The next HRC regular meeting is scheduled on October 10, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.