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05.21.12 HRC Minutes City of Boulder Human Relations Commission Minutes Monday, May 21, 2012 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 6:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Leisha Conners Bauer Jonathan Dings Peter Osnes Shirly White Amy Zuckerman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Carmen Atilano Beth Van Dusen 1. Call to Order The May 21, 2012 HRC meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by L. Conners Bauer. IL Agenda Adjustments Add CU Diversity and Inclusive Summit CIF application as an information item. Delay nominations and vote of HRC officers until A. Zuckerman arrives. III Approval of Minutes S. White moved to accept the April 16, 2012 minutes with the following correction, replace the acronym TOD with Transit-Oriented Development. P. Osnes seconded the motion. The motion passes 4-0. IV. Community Participation None. V. Action Items A. Annual Celebration of Immigrant Heritage 1. YWCA of Boulder County- Emily Hearst- Public Policy Advocate Outreach Coordinator was present to answer questions from the HRC regarding their application for funding for 2012 Celebration of Immigrant Heritage Week. L. Conners Bauer explained that the HRC had questions about the speaker's fee and outreach for the event specifically with regard to increasing Latina involvement in the event. Ms. Hearst explained the fee was proposed by Ms. Thorpe and may not be negotiable. Ms. Hearst also explained that YWCA worked closely with Casey Middle School and that they have conducted the Puente program there for five years. After five years there is a class of sixty graduates that will assist with external outreach for the event. There are twenty girls actively involved at this point in the written works portion of the project. P. Osnes asked for clarification with regard to participation. E. Hearst explained that there are three additional events, art work, written work/discussion and Ms. Thorpe's presentation. S. White asked for clarification regarding the Boulder Public Library event. It will be dependent upon whether or not the grant is awarded for the project. Emily explained that the written work and art work with the Puente girls will occur regardless of whether or not a grant is received for the project. The goal is to involve the girls in an academic program during the summer months. J. Dings asked if Ms. Thorpe's speech will focus on policy or the heritage components of immigrants. She will focus on her book and policy and within her book there is reference to Latina heritage, the local issues will be part of the discussion. P. Osnes asked about the value to the Puente program with regard to Ms. Thorpe speaking at the event. E. Hearst explained that interest piqued after two of the Puente coordinators read the book and had a very lively discussion about the issues. P. Osnes asked about outreach to involve others besides Puente participants. E. Hearst explained that she has a racial justice network with 500 participants and that several other agencies in Boulder will also be contacted. J. Dings moved to approve funding in the amount of $2000. P. Osnes seconded the motion. Motion carries- 3 in favor, 1 opposed. 2. Village Arts Coalition- Melba Shepherd and Susan Smith were present on behalf of VAC. L. Conners Bauer explained the concern with the space for the event, i.e. can the Pearl Street Studio accommodate all who may wish to attend the event(s)? Melba Shepherd replied that the space accommodates 80-100 people. While VAC does not anticipate this many people, in addition to advertising for the event they also plan to place a sign outside of the studio. Melba Shepherd commented that they hope to fill the space and will have dance lessons for children and that the event will feature Norwegian, Swedish, Latin, Romanian, Scottish, Hawaiian, Israeli and Bulgarian dancing. Most of the dance groups are run by immigrants, which seems a natural way to link the cultural aspect to the Celebration of Immigrant Heritage. S. White moved to approve funding as proposed. P. Osnes seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. B. 2013 Community Event Fund Application- C. Atilano explained that the deadline for the CIF application this year will be September 28, 2012 and the proposals will come before the HRC in October and November. S. White asked for clarification regarding translating into other languages besides Spanish. C. Atilano explained that this clause was put into the RFP in 2002 when the HRC made a concerted effort with outreach to Latinos. S. White asked if the HRC would consider extending this effort to other groups who may need translation services into a language other than Spanish in the event that a group may wish to reach a specific audience for a community event. C. Atilano commented that the HRC could consider changing the language on the RFP to read an additional $100 is available for translation of promotional materials into other languages (and not specify the language), L. Conners Bauer commented that she thinks it is a good idea to provide the $100 for translation into [other languages], however, she does not want to omit the language from the RFP for translation into Spanish. S. White commented that we could keep Spanish in the RFP and add other languages. J. Dings suggested adding the following language, "applicants may request funding for translation into other languages". P. Osnes commented on the necessity for translation with regard to participation in the event. J. Dings moved to add the following language to the 2013 CEF RFP, applicants may request funding of up to $100 for translation into other languages. S. White seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. C. Nomination and Vote: HRC Officers for 2012-2013 a. Deputy Chairperson- P. Osnes nominated J. Dings. S. White seconded the motion. J. Dings nominated A. Zuckerman. P. Osnes seconded the nomination. L. Conners Bauer closed the nominations. J. Dings was elected Deputy Chair by a vote of 5-0. b. Chairperson- A. Zuckerman nominated L. Conners Bauer. S. White seconded the nomination. L. Conners Bauer was elected Chairperson by a vote of 5-0. VI. Discussion/Informational Items- A. CIF Application- CU Diversity and Inclusion Summit- C. Atilano reported that a proposal ($2500 grant request) was received from the CU Diversity and Inclusion Planning Committee for a summit to be held November 13-15, 2012. L. Conners Bauer provided additional information and stated that last year was the first year that the City of Boulder partnered with CU to hold the Diversity Summit which is an annual event that has been held for the last 18 years. C. Atilano commented that the research that Stephanie Greenberg is conducting on behalf of the HRC may be beneficial for the summit. After discussion, it was determined that this application will be placed on the June 18, 2012 agenda as an action item, A. Zuckerman requested review of the 2012 MLK budget for comparison. B. Assignment of CEF events- A calendar of CEF events was presented to the HRC and commissioners volunteered to attend the following events: S. White- BAPA and Out Boulder A. Zuckerman- BMoCA L. Conners Bauer- Acorn School Fall Festival, Community Cycles event J. Dings- Boulder Jewish Festival P. Osnes- Out Boulder C. Quarterly HHS Presentations- Staff will arrange a presentation on a quarterly basis for the HRC as follows: June- Children, Youth and Families, September- Human Services Policy and Planning, October- Senior Services and in November or December Affordable Housing. J. Dings requested that a summary of the presentation highlighting the key components of the presentation be included in the HRC packet followed by a brief'presentation by staff at the meeting. A. Zuckerman suggested that staff also include in their memo/presentation current challenges that the program faces and how the I IRC can help. S. White commented that it would be useful to the HRC to include measurable outcomes for specific projects. D. Budget Update- C. Atilano presented the current budget to the HRC and reported that the HRC will likely not be allowed to carry-over funds after this year. C. Atilano explained that [ifJ the carry-over funds become part of the general fund, the carry-over of general funds is not allowed. There was discussion regarding how to best use the remaining carry-over funds in the IIRC budget this fiscal year. C. Atilano suggested looking at ways to spend the current carry-over of funds in ways that will be of benefit to the community. C. Atilano suggested a broader promotion of the CIF because it has no application deadline and no cap on the amount of funding allowed per project. C. Atilano distributed a copy of the CIF application to the HRC and explained that it is generally distributed to coininunity groups as they contact the city regarding issues or projects that are often in response to some type of social impact that has occurred within the city. S. White asked how the CIF is promoted. C. Atilano explained that it is institutionalized (has been in existence for 10 years) and that many of the community groups in the city are aware of the fund. On occasion, through the work of staff or due to an issue that the HRC is working on, an application to support a related project will be submitted. L. Conners Bauer stated that she is supportive of expanding the promotion of the CIF and suggested that the HRC review the 2012 HRC Work Plan to determine if there are projects related to the work plan that funds could be directed toward. J. Dings concurs. E. Update on Diversity Research Report- Stephanie Greenberg is currently conducting census analysis research on diversity in the City of Boulder and will likely present a report to the HRC at the August 20, 2012 meeting. F. Elector Requirements in Boulder Charter (B.R.C. Title 2-3) - C. Atilano reported that this agenda item is in response to a recommendation by Commissioner S. White, who in preparation for her interview for the (HRC) became aware of item 1B of the 2012 HRC Work Plan, regarding the promotion of civic engagement among Boulder's diverse population and promoting an inclusive society and also objective 2C which refers to a broader representation to Boulder's boards and commissions and accessibility for participation. Furthermore, Council's Goals for community sustainability includes valuing equity and diversity and creating opportunities for all residents to participate in civic life. S. White stated that she feels there is clearly support for involvement and that since it is an objective of the HRC she wanted to look more closely at the issue and determine if any barriers exist for serving on boards and commissions. The requirement to be a naturalized citizen is a process which can take anywhere between 5 months and 8 years. This requirement may restrict citizens who would like to serve on a board or commission. C. Atilano explained the process to change the requirements in the charter. The first step would be to take the issue to the Council Agenda Committee and they would determine if it would become a council agenda item/issue. If it were placed on the agenda, Council would refer the issue to the Charter Committee (a subcommittee of council) to research the issue. This process is followed by a referendum, whereby the issue is referred to the ballot. L. Conners Bauer asked if Council surveys the public about potential ballot issues. C. Atilano replied that yes they have done this in the past. The community survey that is conducted every two years is also considered with regard to issues of concern in the community. S. White asked for clarification with regard to whether or not a change in the charter must be placed on the ballot. C. Atilano explained that it is at the discretion of City Council but that generally it is referred by City Council to the ballot. J. Dings asked if this issue was on the ballot in 2008. C. Atilano stated that yes it was on the ballot (to eliminate the elector requirements) and that it failed by a narrow margin. C. Atilano recommended that the HRC place this issue on their 2013 Work Plan. J. Dings commented that this would give the HRC the opportunity to conduct a survey on this issue. S. White requested the ballot language on this issue from the 2008 election. L. Conners Bauer requested that this issue be placed on a future agenda for further discussion. P. Osnes commented that it would be worthwhile to determine exactly which part of the charter language the HRC may recommend making changes to. G. Committee Reports- No reports. H. Follow Up Tasks- 1. Contact Annual Celebration of Immigrant Heritage grantees. 2. Make changes in language to CEF and launch RFP in early June. 3. CIF Proposal for CU Diversity Summit in June. 4. MLK budget for comparison for June meeting. 5. Notify CEF grantees of HRC representation at their 2012 events. 6. Schedule HHS division presentations to include challenges, benefits and outcomes. 7. Include 2012 HRC Work Plan in June meeting packet. 8. Present 2008 Ballot Language at June meeting. V1I. Action Items- No immediate action items. VIII. Adiournment- P. Osues moved to adjourn the May 21, 2012 meeting. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Attested: Approved: Board Secretary HRC Chairperson