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Minutes - Human Relations Commission - 11/14/2011 City of Boulder Human Relations Commission Minutes Monday, September 19, 2011 909 Arapahoe, Boulder, CO 6:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Leisha Conners Bauer Jonathan Dings John Paul Harris Amy Zuckerman Susan Gesundheit COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Carmen Atilano Beth Van Dusen 1. Call to Order The November 14, 2011 HRC meeting was called to order at 6:02 pm by L. Conners Bauer. II. Agenda Adjustments Move Agenda item 6B-1, Committee Reports ahead of Action Items which will be followed by a 2012 MLK Day budget update. Move item VI-A, Community Event Fund Interviews to coincide with the CEF Reports. Add BMoCA CIF report. III Approval of Minutes S. Geshundheit moved to accept the October 17, 2011 minutes A. Zuckerman seconded. The motion passes 4-0. J. P. Harris joined the meeting in progress at 6:17 p.m. IV. Community Participation None. V1. Discussion/InformationalItems B-1 Committee Reports- Isolde Stewart presented a proposal for the 2012 MLK Day celebration and explained the history of the event. The concept for the 2012 event was the result of the community cafe held in September. The MLK Day event will launch an action component that will last throughout the year and will be in collaboration with One Action One Boulder with the goal that members of the community will take personal action to make a difference in their community. C. Atilano presented a budget to the HRC and the 2011 MLK Day budget for comparison. J. Dings asked for additional information on the Human Rights Fair. C. Atilano explained that organizations working on social justice issues are invited to attend. Isolde Stewart having participated in the past explained that the goal is to continue to involve the groups who have participated in the past but to make it new and different. L. Conners Bauer asked about the cost for the Human Rights Fair. C. Atilano explained that the primary cost is for the rental of tables and chairs and printing. J. Dings commented on using social media to cut down on the use of paper. A. Zuckerman commented that she or J. P. Harris will try to attend the MLK Planning meetings. A. CIF Report- BMoCA - Susan Tranbaugh presented a report. on BioDome- an experiment in Diversity. The event was very successful, four artists were invited and theme was identity, permanence and self reflection. There were over 9,000 visitors. J. Dings moved to accept the report and A. Zuckerman seconded. The vote was unanimous. Out Boulder 2011 PrideFest- David Ensign reviewed the highlights of a written report distributed to the HRC. The 2011 event was successful, the space worked well. L. Conners Bauer asked if there are any major differences to note in this year's application. D. Ensign stated that there are not any major differences in the 2012 proposal but that the goal for the future is to cultivate a PrideFest week. Out Boulder thanked the HRC for their continued support. Village Arts Coalition- Funding for 2012 will be contingent upon the 2011 report. VAC will be rescheduled for January 2012. Acorn School - Tara Booth, Director for the Acorn School presented the CEF application and explained that this is a new program, The Fall Festival is a family/children friendly event. L. Conners Bauer asked about the location and A. Zuckerman asked about the targeted age range. The event is targeted toward 3-6 year olds; however, they are working on ideas to include older children as well. J. P. Harris asked how the event will foster inclusivity and diversity. The event will be advertised through Head-Start and other non-profits for early childhood education. VI. A. Community Event Fund Interviews- BMoCA- J. Dings recused himself from hearing and voting on the BMoCA BHS Tours CEF request. Susan Tranbaugh presented the proposals. S. Geshundheit expressed concern about BHS being involved but Fairview being excluded. S. Tranbaugh explained that transportation is an issue, buses are needed and BMoCA is currently seeking grant funding for transportation which would allow other schools in the area to attend. S. Geshundheit asked how funds would be spent for the multi-lingual tours grant request if volunteers are leading the tour. S. Tranbaugh explained that the funds will be used for staff cost, interns and that BMoCA would like to offer more languages. The budget covers the cost of the tour itself and advertising. Community Cycles Rolling Bike Clinics- Sue Prant presented the proposal and explained that it is important to reach people where they live. Community Cycles is a 5010 established in 2006 and has 600 members, 15 programs and offers bicycle advocacy and workshops. The Rolling Bike Clinics receive additional support from the City of Boulder and from CDOT. J. P. Harris asked about the bicycle repairs. S. Prant explained that they are capable of repairing 90% of the bikes at the rolling bike clinics. S. Geshundheit asked for statistics on participation. S. Prant replied that most participants are Spanish speaking and there are Spanish speakers at the clinics. J. Dings expressed his support of the event. V. Action Items C. Atilano advised the HRC that the requests for CEF funding total $21,800.00 L. Conners Bauer asked if the BMoCA High School Tours are considered one event. C. Atilano explained that the HRC will need to determine if each tour is an event with regard to funding the proposals. SPAN will not be considered for funding until they have given presentation. Staff recommends considering each proposal on merit. Acorn School- I P. Harris is supportive of the proposal but would like to see more collaboration. J. Dings commented that although they are moving in the right direction they have not completed all of the elements outlined in the CEF RFP. S. Geshundheit would like to encourage the event and is supportive of the proposal in light of previous discussion she recommends funding at 50% of the requested amount. S. Geshundheit moved to fund the Acorn School CEF request for the Fall Festival at a level of $800.00. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. BAPA- J. Dings moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. S. Geshundheit seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. Boulder Jewish Festival- J. Dings moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. J. P. Harris seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. Community Cycles Rolling Bike Clinics- J. P. Harris moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. Pridefest 2012- J. Dings moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion Motion carries 5-0. Postoley Dance Ensemble- S. Geshundheit moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. J. P. Harris seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. SPAN- J. P. Harris would like to have more information before making a funding decision. J. Dings moved to table the funding request for SPAN until the January meeting. J. P. Harris seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. Village Arts Coalition- J. Dings moved to table the funding request for Village Arts Coalition until the January meeting. J. P. Harris seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. BMoCA BHS Tours- C. Atilano explained that there are three individual proposals for the BHS Tours. J. Dings asked for clarification. Each tour can be considered as a separate event as written in the proposals and outlined in the RFP. The maximum amount that can be awarded is $1600 per event or tour or the HRC can choose to ldok at the entire effort as an "event". J. P. Harris commented that we may need to clarify "event". L. Conners Bauer commented that Postoley Dance Ensemble is funded as one event although they hold 13 separate dances and the Rolling Bike Clinics are also not considered separate events for the purposes of funding. S. Geshundheit restated her concern with the event being exclusively for BHS. J. P. Harris concurs and stated that it needs to be open to the entire community as per funding criteria guidelines. A. Zuckerman stated that her main concem is with regard to the HRC Mission, specifically diversity and inclusion. J. P. Harris moved to not fund the BHS Tours. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. Motion carries 40 with J. Dings abstaining. BMoCA Multilingual Tours- A. Zuckerman moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. S. Geshundheit seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. BMoCA El Dia de Nino- J. P. Harris moved to fund the proposal as requested, $1600.00. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0. BMoCA PrideFest- S. Geshundheit asked for clarification on the proposal, specifically, if the money requested will be used to collaborate with PrideFest for their event. S. Tranbaugh replied, yes, there will be free admission during PrideFest that will be underwritten by the grant. C. Atilano explained that funding this type of a request would set a new precedent in that BMoCA is requesting funding to participate in another funded event. L. Conners stated her concerns about setting this type of precedent. J. P. Harris moved to not fund the BMoCA PrideFest request. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. Motion carries 41, with S. Geshundheit opposed. V-B. Federal Tax on Same-Sex Couples Health Benefits- C. Atilano provided a staff overview and provided the history of the issue before the HRC. (Refer to staff Memo and Res. No. 947). D. Ensign thanked the HRC for their work on the issue and C. Atilano for her research on her Memo and encouraged the HRC to move forward with regard to requesting administrative support in moving this issue before City Council. It will send a strong message to city employees that they are valued. D. Ensign respectfully urged the HRC to communicate with the City Manager's office regarding this issue. Jerry Pinkser, Anti-Defamation League respectfully requests that the HRC and the City of Boulder take a stand of equity in supporting Out Boulder's request. "A more equitable community benefits all of us." Mauricio Shoup, Program Director for out Boulder read a position statement from Out Boulder in support of the request. Laura Edwards spoke in support of the proposal and shared her personal experience. J. Dings moved to support legislative action on the issue. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. Motion passes 5-0. A. Zuckerman asked for advice on crafting a letter of support to the City Manager's office. J. P. Harris asked for clarification on advising City Council on matters of importance. C. Atilano explained that the HRC is advisory to City Council and that the City Manager's office is the authority on administrative matters including compensation and benefits. Communication with the City manager's office is generally accomplished through staff. L. Conners Bauer recommends sending a letter to the City Manager on behalf of the HRC in the context of fairness and equity to respectfully encourage the City Manager to take action. A. Zuckerman asked about the time frame with regard to enacting a change in policy. L. Conners Bauer moved that the HRC send a letter to the City Manager encouraging analysis of the issue and implementation of imputed tax benefits for current and future City of Boulder employees. VI-D. Summary of Follow Up Tasks Staff will notify CEF grantees and send out award letters. VII. Action Items- No immediate action items and no announcements. VIII. Adjournment - J. Dings moved to adjourn the November 14, 2011 meeting. A. Zuckerman seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Attested: Approved: Board Secretary HRC Chairperson