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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 10/08/20151 City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes October 8, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Location: CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Council Liaison: Councilmember Bob Overbeck Staff Liaison: Beth Sowder Recorder: Michele Scalva Present: Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christine Hays, Joseph D. Leske, Preety Sathe, Victor Smith and Mary Vivo Absent: Jimena Sagas Guest Presenters and Citizens: Municipal Court Administrator, Patty Netherton CALL TO ORDER The meeting commenced at 5:30 p.m. GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION Patty Netherton, Fort Collins Municipal Court Administrator, presented on the court’s Special Agency Session program, a voluntary program occurring once a month where court defendants meet with a variety of agencies to address their needs and create action plans. Fifty-nine defendants have completed the program. The program also has outreach services with court clerks available in various community locations to provide information to people with outstanding violations. Q&A: Approximately 80% of program defendants have mental health challenges. The program receives general City funding. Participants’ involvement varies from 2-8 months. PUBLIC INPUT None. AGENDA REVIEW The agenda was reviewed and unanimously approved. Meeting Highlights Summary 1. Guest Patty Netherton, Administrator for the Fort Collins Municipal Court, briefed the HRC about the goals and results of Special Agency Court. 2. Members voted to send a recommendation to Council to amend the Public Indecency Ordinance (Section 17-142) of the Municipal Code. 3. Members discussed the proposed Lemay realignment project, including traffic issues, a pedestrian walk light installation and possible effects on the Buckingham, Andersonville and Alta Vista neighborhoods. 4. Members refined plans for the 12/01/15 Human Relations Awards. 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES The September meeting minutes were unanimously approved. BUDGET REPORT Budget report from Staff Liaison Sowder; current balance of $2,635.00 was unanimously approved. Staff Liaison Sowder will clarify commissioners’ 2015-2016 budget transition questions and report back. OLD BUSINESS Changes to Section 17-142 Municipal Code were proposed in a handout. A motion to submit the proposed changes to Council was unanimously approved. Staff Liaison Sowder will coordinate submission. City plans for the Lemay realignment, traffic issues and a pedestrian light were reviewed. Possible effects on the Buckingham, Andersonville and Alta Vista neighborhoods were discussed. Per commissioners’ request, Chair Smith will invite City Traffic Engineer, Joe Olson, to a future HRC meeting. Liaison Sowder provided a Street Outreach Program update; proposed start date is Spring 2016. HRC Awards Program is scheduled for December 1st, 4pm at City Hall. Commissioner Sathe will receive the event proclamation. A committee meeting to select award recipients is scheduled. A motion to approve the Annual Work Plan with suggested changes was approved unanimously. Vice Chair Conway will complete the edits. Other per commissioners Commissioner Hays and Chair Smith will attend the Council meeting on October 20th. Commissioner Crane shared Larimer County’s Office on Aging 2015-2016 Answers on Aging community resource guide. NEW BUSINESS Future Meeting Highlights will be included in the official minutes and may also be sent to additional people as appropriate. Other per commissioners None. STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Executive Committee (EC): Updates are sent via email. Government Relations Committee (GR): Updates are sent via email. Educational Outreach Committee (EOC): Updates are sent via email. Media & Community Recognition Committee (M&CR): Commissioner Vivo discussed plans for the awards program. Commissioner Crane sent an email report on 10/7. UPCOMING Events/Announcements 3 Department of Social Sustainability announcements: Multi-Cultural Retreat was well attended; participants provided positive feedback. Affordable Housing Strategic Plan was approved by Council. Department of Social Sustainability is finalizing their strategic plan. Department of Social Sustainability is actively collaborating with community agencies to address area homelessness issues. Per Commissioners: Boards and Commissions Annual Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for October 28th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Meeting Highlights/Discussion Recap and Approval: Chair Smith will send meeting highlights via email. CLOSING/Call for Adjournment Commissioners unanimously approved to adjourn at 7:32 p.m. Next HRC meeting is Thurs, November 12, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.