5_16_11_ Extended HRC minutes
City of Boulder
Human Relations Commission Minutes
May 16, 2011
City Council Chambers
1777 Broadway
Boulder, Colorado
6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Leisha Conners Bauer
Amy Zuckerman
John Paul Harris
Susan Geshundheit
Jonathan Dings
STAFF PRESENT:
Carmen Atilano
Beth Van Dusen
I.Call to Order
J. Dings.
The May 16, 2011 HRC meeting was called to order at 6:02 pm by
II.Agenda Adjustments
None
III.Approval of Minutes
L. Connors-Bauer A. Zuckerman
moved to accept the April 18, 2011 minutes,
J. Dings
seconded. The motion passed 3-0, with abstaining.
IV.Community Participation
None.
V.Action Items
A.Election of Chairperson -
L. Conners Bauer
was elected as the HRC Chairperson by a vote of 4-0.
B.J. Dings J. P. Harris
was elected Deputy Chairperson by a vote of 3-1.joined
the meeting in progress at 6:16 p.m.
VI.Discussion/Informational Items
A. 2011 Work Plan -
1. HRC Handbook, Chapter VIII.- Expenditure of Funds for HRC Business-
C. Atilano
presented an overview of HRC budget and explained the process for the
Section A-1
allocation of funds. Chapter Eight was reviewed by section. shall be
changed to reflect that the meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. There was discussion regarding
Section A-2- Special Meetings and EventsL.
the policy for guest meals under -
Connors Bauer
asked if the policy for guest meals includes former Commissioners.
S. Gesundheit
There is lack of clarity regarding guest meals. suggests former
J. DingsA. Zuckerman
Commissioners be included, not spouses. and concur and
L. Conners Bauer
would like to know what City Council’s policy is on this issue.
Section C- Advertising-
recommends a maximum of four guests. will be amended to
J. P. Harris
include the city website and e-mail for special meetings. asked if the
C. Atilano
handbook was created with the guidance of staff. explained that while it was
D.
created with staff guidance, nothing precludes the sitting HRC from making changes.
Travel-
There was discussion regarding whether or not Commissioners have prepared
L. Conners Bauer
written reports after attending conferences in the past. stated that the
reports have been verbal in the past and recommends that committee members provide a
verbal report within two meetings and that the HRC guidelines be amended to read verbal
J. DingsC.
report rather than written. asked about reimbursement for local travel.
AtilanoL. Conners
replied that the policy is consistent with the policies for staff.
BauerSection D-1. Local Travel
suggests amending the guidelines under to include the
following language, reimbursement shall be provided if an HRC member attends a
representational event that occurs outside of normal business hours. There was
discussion regarding eco-passes which are provided to HRC members but not included in
Chapter 8 of the HRC handbook.
2. I Love Boulder Update -
Thirty second video spots of HRC members
commenting on what they love about Boulder from the perspective of an HRC member
will be recorded after the meeting this evening.
3. Gang Task Force Update-
The task force has not met since the last update.
4. Circles Campaign - L. Conners Bauer
announced that there is an Allies 101
C. Atilano
training scheduled for 5/19/11.informed the HRC that Kathryn Coleman is
L. Conners Bauer
the City of Boulder contact for the Circles campaign. requests that
Kathryn do a presentation for the HRC.
5. NAHRW Update-
There was discussion regarding the City of Boulder’s HRC
presenting at the annual conference this year. After discussion, it was decided that the
HRC does not wish to proceed as a presenter due to the prayer issue at the conference
J. Dings
remaining unresolved. stated his concerns and reiterated that he has followed
up with the planning body regarding his concerns specifically with regard to ecumenical
ministers leading prayer sessions at the conference, as it tends toward a certain world
C. Atilano
view.explained that this has been an issue that has alienated people at the
conference for years, however, at the same time this is the only national organization that
S. Gesundheit
addresses human rights and civil rights. suggested that we attend the next
planning session rather that participate by conference call because it is difficult to
S. Geshundheit
communicate effectively by telephone. also expressed that she does not
J. P. Harris
think that we should be punitive to an organization that does good things.
C. Atilano
commented that by practice they are in effect creating policy. will let the
HRC know when the next planning session is scheduled for the NAHRW conference.
B. Human Rights Ordinance 2010 Statistics- C. Atilano
reviewed the City of Boulder,
Office of Human Rights Ordinance activity under Title 12, for 2010 and explained that
some complaints do not fall under a protected class category. There are two active cases
pending that could potentially be heard by the HRC if generated by an appeal based upon
J. P. Harris
a formal complaint. asked for more information regarding public
C. Atilano
accommodation. explained that discrimination has to be tied to a protected
class.
C. History of HRC Funding - C. Atilano
presented a ten year history of HRC funding
L. Conners
through the Community Event Fund and the Community Celebration Fund.
Bauer
asked if the Community Event Fund has decreased by $1,000.00. Yes the award
has decreased from $2,600.00 to $1,600.00.
D. Summary of Follow up Tasks-
Kathryn Coleman will be contacted for a
presentation on the Circles campaign.
VII.Immediate Action Items-
.
There are no immediate action items
VIII.Adjournment
–
L. Conners Bauer J. P. Harris
moved to adjourn the April 18, 2011 meeting. seconded
the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07
p.m.
Attested: Approved:
Board Secretary HRC Chairperson