04.11.16 HRC MinutesHuman Relations Commission
Monday, April 11, 2016
West Senior Center
909 Arapahoe Ave.
Boulder, CO 80302
1 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Jose Beteta
Lauren Gifford
Nikhil Mankekar
Emilia Pollauf
Shirly White
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Carmen Atilano
Clay Fong
Linda Gelhaar
Janet Michels
Karen Rahn
I. Call to Order
The April 11, 2016 HRC meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m. by S. White.
II. Retreat Overview — C. Atilano gave a line item overview of the retreat.
III. HRC Roles and Responsibilities, City Attorney Office — Staff representative gave description of a
Home Rule City where the City of Boulder is governed by its people and they have a right to adopt a
charter. K. Rahn clarified role of HRC to City Council.
A. The role of the board and commission is to advise City Council on policy.
B. Administrative functions are managed by the city manager and staff.
C. HRC has Quasi-judicial responsibilities to enforce the Human Rights Ordinance.
D. Citizens have the right to Due Process and meetings must be recorded.
E. Three members shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of at least three members
shall be necessary to authorize any action by the commission.
F. All meetings must be noticed to the public.
G. Reviewed City of Boulder code of conduct
1. Use of city logo
2. Public support of a political party
3. Accepting gifts/donations
4. Outside interests effecting commission responsibilities
5. Conflict of interest
IV. HRC Handbook Review — C. Atilano gave direction to review and edit the draft and bring to April 18
HRC meeting for discussion.
A. HRC Roles
1. Officers (Chair and Deputy Chair) - Fiscally elected - April - March. Chair runs the
monthly meetings on the third Monday of every month and Deputy Chair runs in the
monthly meetings in absence of the Chair. Serve as advisors to City Council.
B. Staff Roles
1. Staff - Supports commission in following work plan and responsible to the city
manager. Provides administrative support and research analysis to commission.
Reports to City Council on behalf of commission.
C. Meeting Agenda and Process - C. Atilano reviewed the agenda components (p. 20 in
handbook) Agenda is set by the Chair, Deputy Chair and city staff, however all committee
members are welcome to participate. There are two ways to get an item on the agenda; mention
item in a prior meeting or contact the Chair, Deputy Chair or staff to ask if an item may be
included.
1. Call to Order- The Chair of the meeting will call the meeting to order.
2. Agenda Adjustments - Any adjustments or tweaking to the printed and publicized
agenda.
3. Approval of Minutes - After discussion and possible amendment of minutes of the
previous HRC meeting will be approved by vote of at least three and signed by the
chairperson and attested by the secretary.
4. Community Participation - Consists of public comment for all issues not on the HRC
agenda. Is not moved to Action Items.
5. Action items - Requires a vote of the commission. Most items have an attachment to
provide more background information in order to make an informed decision.
6. Discussion/Information Items - A vote is not necessary but items may be moved to
Action Items for a vote.
7. Immediate Action Items - Super major rule for an action item.
8. Adjournment - The Chair will accept a motion and adjourn the meeting.
D. Electronic Communication - C. Atilano discussed eliminating hardcopy meeting packets in
favor of electronic meeting packets. Commissioners would be provided with a laptop/surface
during the meetings to access the meeting packets. K. Rahn discussed commissioners using
personal laptops in which they could access the packets using Sharepoint. After some discussion,
commissioners had mixed preference, so HRC may proceed with both options for a period of
time.
V. Expectations of Each Other
A. What's Working -
1. Communications with staff
2. Commission represents itself well to the public
3.
Discussion is good
4.
Good deliberative process
5.
Subcom work - Sharing responsibilities
6.
Critical assessment of funding
B. Needs Improvement -
1.
Too many agenda items
2.
Plan for strategy updates
3.
Hold more meetings in neighborhoods
4.
Raise awareness for one year
5.
Utilize neighborhood liaison for more input
6.
Forum to share experience
7.
More community celebration
C. Process needs -
1. Policy vs event stats
2. Streamline process for report back
i. Budget
ii. Impact/attendance
iii. Proactive planning on high attendance issues
iv. Draft work plan
V. Mascot
vi. Enhance public understanding about what HRC does
VI. 2016 HRC Work Plan
A. 2015 Work Plan — What to Carry over to 2016
1. Recommendations to City Council carryover and additions:
i.
Repeal of C.R.S Section 8-6-101
ii.
Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
iii.
Identify issues for the State and Federal Legislative Agenda
iv.
Living Wage
V.
Minimum Wage
vi.
B.R.C. Title 12 expansion
2. Community Issues — carryover and additions:
i.
Living Wage
ii.
Update to Human Services Strategy
iii.
Expand outlets for Driver's Licenses for Immigrants
iv.
Wage Gap
V.
Economic Justice
vi.
Fair Dining Certificate
vii.
Paid Parental Leave
viii.
Citizenship Requirementfor City Council Participation
ix.
Safe and inclusive Community Work Plan
X.
Homelessness
3. Civic Engagement — carryover and additions:
i. Public hearings on issues of concern Living Wage, Bias -motivated incidents,
Immigration issues, Discrimination, Inclusiveness, Race relations
ii. Offsite HRC Meetings
4. Community Education/Awareness — carryover and additions:
i. Information forums on issues of concern — Living Wage, Immigrant Rights,
Discrimination, Inclusiveness, Race relations, Economic Justice
ii. Community Events Support — Celebration of MLK Day, Celebration of
Immigrant Heritage Week, Cultural and community events, Indigenous Peoples
Day
B. Safe and Inclusive Community
1. Perceptions Assessment — K. Rahn gave update that the consultants are working on
the survey and staff and two HRC members will be asked to be part of the process.
C. Human Services Strategy — K. Rahn gave update on HS Strategy and Homelessness Strategy
and community engagement timeline. HRC will be asked to participate in focus groups. It was
suggested to have Judge Cooke attend an HRC meeting and report about the diversion activity.
D. Immigrant Advisory Committee — Currently taking applications for committee members
E. Funding
1. Community Event Fund — Combine funding into one Quarterly funding award
2. Community Impact Fund — Combine funding into one Quarterly funding award
VII. Adiournment
I Beteta moved to adjourn the April 11, 2016 meeting. N. Mankekar seconded. Motion carries 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
Attested: Approved:
Board S etary (J HRC Chairperson