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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Legislative Review Committee - 08/20/2019 - City Manager’s Office City Hall 300 LaPorte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 - fax fcgov.com Legislative Review Committee Agenda August 20, 2019 4:00-5:00 Commons Conference Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Building A 1. Approval of minutes from August 5, 2019 Meeting Attached: August 5, 2019 Minutes 2. Discussion of Border and Immigration Topics a) Discussion of Leadership Planning Recommendation o From LPT minutes: Immigration Resolution – It was noted that the Legislative Review Committee (LRC) reviewed the draft Resolution and requested some additional work. A second LRC meeting is scheduled for August 20. There was discussion about the national issues that are coming forward; immigration, climate emergency, gun control and minimum wage were noted. Rising fear within the community was also discussed and how Council can effectively calm the growing anxieties. There was some feeling that passing an ordinance or resolution might not be the best way to address these things. o With regard to immigration, it was suggested that staff reach out to CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation to see if they would be willing to host a community dialogue on this item. Staff is also asked to reach out to Joe Neguse to see if he would be willing to participate. This would provide opportunity for a real conversation with resulting action steps versus moving forward with a resolution. o With regard to consideration of resolutions on national issues, it was suggested that the LRC evaluate and determine whether they should be brought forward for further Council consideration and determination of next steps. b) Revised resolution for potential Council consideration Attached: Revised resolution 3. Other business a) Breakfast with legislators – scheduling LRC Committee Minutes Date: August 5, 2019 Time: 3:00pm – 3:30pm Location: Commons Conference Room Councilmembers Present: Ross Cunniff, Susan Gutowsky, Ken Summers Staff Present: Jeff Mihelich, Carrie Daggett, Ginny Sawyer, Tyler Marr, Ingrid Decker, Sierra Anderson, Carter Hill UNomination and selection of chairperson • Gutowsky nominates Cunniff; Summers seconds. • Cunniff to serve as the chairperson UApproval of minutes from March 20, 2019 Meeting • Summers motions to approve; Cunniff seconds. • Minutes approved UDiscussion of Border and Immigration Resolution • Mihelich walked through the Border and Immigration Resolution. • Summers questioned why the resolution was created; stated the City Council did not request a resolution; they requested additional information and fact-finding to occur. o Expressed concern around a lack of research/additional information on the topic at hand o Made a call to DC (Sam Love in Sen Gardner’s office) – recognized the validity of some of the issues at one time, but they don’t all apply now—changes have occurred over time. o Wants to make sure we’re up to date on what we’re addressing and what the facts are around these issues  Stated there should be a separation between refugees and asylum seekers and other immigrant groups  Expressed concern around dealing with national issues without having up to date information on the current issues o Believes the issues stems much further than asylum seekers o Wants additional research conducted before we come out with a resolution • Mihelich indicated that staff tried to avoid a fact-finding situation given the City’s traditional role o Stated that members in the community expressed that they are fearful – the resolution is stating that we want to prevent inhumane treatment of people without directly stating that it is occurring • Summers asked what community outreach is driving this decision. o Mihelich stated we thought council could respond in a broad way capturing previous work (Community Trust) and capturing current sentiment expressed at the meeting. • Summers questioned what the current policies/rules on child separation are. Wondered if anyone at the table knew the answer o Asked to look at what our delegation has done in this space o Expressed concern around unaccompanied minor children—asked who are these children and how are they getting here? o Stated the current policy: unaccompanied minor children can only be held for 20 days—if they find relatives, they are sent to live with those relatives. o Asked whether we are opposing the current 20 day holding period for minor children? Stated that if we’re going to oppose something, it should be the holding period o Is in favor of recognizing that there are many negative things going on right now—those who are trying to get in the country are creating dissonance for those already here • Gutowsky explained her experience with Poudre School District (PSD) and how they created a statement in this space; stated there was a problem with treatment of immigrants at the border o Sees the resolution as a positive space to make a statement to recognize what is happening and to reassure Fort Collins residents • Cunniff indicated he would like some fact finding to be done—would be open to another meeting; proposed an hour-long meeting for next time o Suggested that we not make assertions that we aren’t sure of o Suggested, in the legislative declaration, Congress should be included as well as the president in section 3 o Suggested edits on the statement ‘whatever means possible’ o Suggested using the phrase 'a sustainable pathway’ rather than a ‘streamlined pathway’ in section 4 o Suggested deleting ‘render much of…’ in sect. 4 • Cunniff further suggested that within the Leg. Policy agenda we do more to address the causes of undocumented immigrants o E-verify programs  The role employers of undocumented immigrants play o Could encourage a more legalized path o Noted that this is likely better suited for the LPA modifications process this fall • Mihelich summarized: o Takeaways: replace statements that presume knowledge of fact unless facts are made available to support them in next draft of the resolution; take out streamline and replace with sustainable; focus on recent events in the 3PrdP whereas, and add Congress to Sect 3 and President Trump to Sect 4. • Sawyer stated that it is an emotional issue and asked if we are setting out on a fact-finding mission, what do we want to get out of it? o Cunniff: requested continued work toward coming up with a statement; really for council and legislative review committee • Mihelich suggested a follow up meeting within the next 2 weeks to review updates to the resolution o Also stated it is positive for citizens to see their local government making a statement and trying to influence the conversation. • Summers suggested adding a statement at the end of the resolution, connecting the people to the cause (sect. 5) o Stated we shouldn’t use words like ‘findings’ if they’re not facts UOther Business • Summers—in response to mass shooting events, stated he would support a resolution encouraging residents to be aware of their surroundings, the red flag law, and other gun control related statements. o Believes it doesn’t just impact minority groups, it includes everyone. • Sawyer—LRC Schedule: Working to calendar a breakfast with the State Legislators in September to discuss 2020 Session priorities. Afterwards, LRC will spend October modifying the LPA, which Council adopts in November. FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY – FURTHER REVIEW PENDING RESOLUTION 2019- OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS REGARDING THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE FORT COLLINS COMMUNITY WHEREAS, Fort Collins welcomes and celebrates immigrants and their role in our City’s history and in the greater fabric and history of the United States; and WHEREAS, in 2018 and the first part of 2019, thousands of people, including families with children, asked for asylum at the United States’ border with Mexico; and WHEREAS, the current situation recent events at the border between the United States and Mexico is a highlight potential humanitarian issues – particularly as it relates to concerning children being separated from their families and the conditions in which they are being held in separation; and WHEREAS, the national focus on this topic is not inseparable from Fort Collins immigrant communities, and reports on this situation have caused fear among communities living in Fort Collins; and WHEREAS, this fear manifests itself in a variety of ways, but of importance to the City is a fear of engaging with government authorities; and WHEREAS, the City is concerned that this fear of the government could discourage people from engaging with public safety agencies, and could prevent the Decennial Census from obtaining an accurate count of people living in Fort Collins, putting at risk accurate representation in Congress and in the State LegislatureColorado General Assembly, as well as federal funding; and WHEREAS, understanding this fear and its impact on the community, the City Council wants to reiterate that this City is committed to building trust among all our residents, particularly our immigrant communities, and that we believe their contributions and presence in this community make for a stronger City and WHEREAS, the City recognizes that our community alone cannot solve the national issues which are inherently causing many of these challenges at a local level. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and findings contained in the recitals set forth above. Section 2. That the City Council wishes to foster a Fort Collins community that is welcoming to those lawfully seeking asylum in the United States, and wants residents to feel secure in their homes. FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY – FURTHER REVIEW PENDING Section 2. That the City Council encourages local residents to participate in the Decennial Census. Section 3. That the City Council calls upon President Trump and his administration, as well as the United States Congress, to act immediately to prevent inhumane treatment of persons, especially minors, at the southern border, and implores the administration to quickly reunify immigrant families through whatever means reasonably possible. Section 43. That the City Council urges the United States President and Congress, particularly the leadership of the House and Senate, to bring up for deliberation and pass bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation to allow for create a streamlined sustainable pathway for immigration into the United States, especially for those who fear for their lives or their safety, to render much of what is currently happening at our southern border unnecessary. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this _____ day of __________, A.D. 2019. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk