HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 - Minutes, 12/15/03Human Relations Commission
Monday, December 15, 2003
City Council Chambers
1777 Broadway
6•00 p.m.
Commissioners present.
Nmo Gallo
Brenda Lyle
Mariagnes Medrud
Matt Patnck
Rob Smoke
Commissioners absent:
None
Staff present:
Carmen Aqlano
John Bunzh
Richard Johnson
Karen Morgan
L Call to Order. The meetmg was called to order by Matt Patrick at 6:01 p m.
II. Agenda ad~ustments. none
IIL Approval of November 2003 Mmutes: Nino Gallo moved that the minutes be approved as
written and Brenda Lyle seconded it The moUon passed 5 to 0.
IV. Public Hearing (agenda-items)
A. Rebecca Herr, a member of Boulder Disability Task Force, spoke m favor of its
proposal for funds foi deaf and hard of hearmg interpretation of ineetmgs. The Task
Force meets once a month to discuss issues and have submitted a proposal for
$1500.00 for American sign language interpreters, real time interpreters or oral
~nterpreters for those who read lips The CART caphoning system would displayed
text on a computer screen, or on the wall for a larger group, and would also provide
an electronic transcript of tha meetmg.
B. Silvia Reynoso, 2118 14th Street, and Jorge de Santiago, 4668 17th Street, spoke m
support of the Feb. 7 First Launo Uniry Summit at Longmont High School The
event w~ll be coordmated w~th Intercambio and El Centro Amistad.
C. Richard Garcia, 1831 McCullen Dr., Erie, Executive Director of Statewide Parant
Coalrtion, supports the proposal for HRC to provide fundmg for the Latino Summit,
to invite public agencies, non-profits, law enforcement, fudges, superintendents, etc.
There will be morning presentations, afternoon response panels, and panels by
philanthropic organizations.
D. Malaika Pettigrew, from United Black Women of Boulder Valley, spoke in support
of the proposal for funding for the youth leadershrp program. The Institute for
African American Leadership works with youth, and the organization has shifted
focus to the need for leadership training for those 25 to 60 years of age. They offer a
10 week program model, meeting 2 hours a week
V Community Participation (non-agenda items)
A Betty Ball, RMPJC, addressed the DREAM Act and the CLEAR Act. She would like
HRC to urge city council to support the DREAM Act and oppose the CLEAR Act,
which Betty Ball says would increase the use of racial profiling
B. Jorge de Santiago, agreed with B Ball The school board voted in favor of the
DREAM Act, and he believes that the city needs to do the same He distributed flyers
about an article about the CLEAR Act that appeared in the Daily Camera, and says
this would devastate the relationships between the immigrant community and the
ponce.
VI. Action Items• Funding Proposals
A. Disability Task Force
Matt Patrick asked the commissioners if they have any questions or comments.
Mariagnes Medrud said that she is glad the task force still meets. 3 people prefer the
CART captioning because then there are notes about the meeting Rebecca said that
this does not work well when people are using ASL as their native language, and most
of the people coming to these meetings do not have this as an issue. The CART
transcriptionist bangs several laptops and participants read during the meeting. So in
order to participate, they can also use sign language, and may still need translator to
translate sign language into English for the rest of the members
Interpreters versus Captioning.
There is $16,000 left m the discretionary fund, per Carmen Atilano. Matt Patrick
pointed out that if the funds are not allocated, they are carried over to 2004.
Mariagnes. Medrud moved and Brenda Lyle seconded that the funding be approved.
It passed five to 0 Carmen Atilano will be m touch wrth Rebecca Herr about the
contract.
B. Latino Task Force of Boulder County
Nino Gallo recused himself. The organizations name is now CLESS (Center for
Latino Economic Education and Social Strategies) B. Lyle moved and Mariagnes
Medrud seconded that HRC fund the request for CLESS. The motion passed four to
0. Carmen will contact them about the contract.
C. Institute for African American Leadership
Brenda Lyle recused herself. Malaika Pettigrew says that for the last eight years,
IAAL has taken an educational approach on a higher level, as graduates are now
more mature Susan Smith is returning to work with this piece Rob Smoke asked if
there is any research on why the Afncan Amencan student rates are so low at CU
and she replied that there is a lot of hostility. The issues are not on the table. The
labeling and stereotyping and the lack of support systems are troublesome. She says
that her three children have had teachers with low expectations They have had no
black teachers Mariagnes Medrud asked about the multi-media production and they
will be doing this again Susan Smith, Serat and Zamine, are consultants.
Matt Patrick said that any consultation fees must go to outsiders who otherwise
would not be involved. They can't be members of the organization. Susan is
employed at CU and Serat and Zamine work elsewhere. They have volunteered
before.
Nino Gallo moved and Mauagnes Medrud seconded that the HRC grant the IAAL
funding request for $2800. The motion passed four to 0 Malarka Pettigrew will be
the contact person Carmen Atilano will process the paperwork for the grant.
D Approval of 2004 HRC Work Plan
Carmen Atilano Bard that a motion and a vote are required to approve the 2004 Work
Plan She noted that before a vote occurs, the HRC needs to decide the date for he
reception for the Spanish-speaking immigrant community
Brenda Lyle moved that HRC approve the 2004 workplan. Staff recommended Jan.
18th for the HRC/City event to report actions on improving access to City services.
Nino Gallo seconded rt. The motion passed five to zero.
VII. Drscussion/InformationalItems
A. CLEAR Act HR 2671 The community has requested that HRC to ask the council to
oppose the CLEAR Act. But Matt Patrick says that there will be a hearing rn January
about this Perhaps Mark Beckner or a representative will speak Jorge says that
there are 115 people endorsing this in the house Mariagnes Medrud moved that
HRC have a hearing on the CLEAR Act to hear from the community. Matt Patrick
said that some language m a draft resolution will be helpful.
B. Community Advocates Protect (CAP)
CAP continues to meet. Carmen Atilano will continue to attend the meetings.
C. 2004 HRC Meeting Schedule
Note that HRC meets on the fourth Mondays in January and February because of
two national holidays on thrrd Mondays December 20 HRC meeting date falls on
the Monday before Christmas Brenda Lyle said that she will not be in town and
Mar~agnes Medrud will be out of town on December 13th. Discussion of the
December meeting date was tabled until the January meeting
VDI. Immediate Action Items None
IX. Adjournment
Mariagnes Medrud moved that HRC adJourn and Brenda Lyle seconded tt. The motion
passed five to zero. The meeting was adjourned at 7.06 p.m
Approved
Secretary
Chairperson