6:00 p.m. November 7, 2001

The following members were present:
Willard Hardesty, Chair Rosanna Knoblock Mayor Steve Burkholder Councilor Cheryl Wise
Felix Cook Shermita West
Rose Marie Auten Colin Hardesty
Harry Cullis Francie Amdurer
Bridget Barron Guadalupe Sisneros
Ricardo Trujillo Alicia Valiente

City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Trish Thompson Linda Reynolds
Ken Milano Mike Becker
Pallavi Jhaveri Therese Bowman

Absent:
Bing Walker Anne Weekley

Others Present:
Jennifer Pate, Red Rocks Community College
Stefka Fanchi, Resource Development Specialist

Full and timely notice of this Commission meeting had been given.

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair Willard Hardesty.

New members Francie Amdurer, Bridget Barron, Guadalupe Sisneros and Ricardo Trujillo were in attendance. Commission members introduced themselves to the new members and new members introduced themselves to the Commission.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Hardesty read the resignation letter from staff liaison, Linda Reynolds.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Two sets of minutes, September 5, 2001, and October 3, 2001, were included in the members' packets and reviewed. A correction was made on the October minutes to add Shermita West as an absent member that month. It was also suggested to put Absent instead of Members Absent. With all present and voting in favor, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CORRECTED MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER AND APPROVED MINUTES FOR OCTOBER WERE ADOPTED.

Commissioner Cook commented that for the last two years he has served on the Commission, with the exception of last month's meeting, there has always been a quorum present. He would like to encourage everyone to attend the monthly meetings so there continues to be a quorum each month.

The City's Resource Development Specialist, Stefka Fanchi reviewed the Commission's strategic planning efforts. Commission members discussed an implementation and development plan for Goals #1, #2, and #4.

Members decided that the action plan for Goal #1 - Improve Communication - will be the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference for Youth, the Good News Breakfast, Community Forum and Focus Groups.

The action plan for Goal #2 - Increase Awareness - will be a written annual report to City Council and one verbal annual report presentation at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. The second activity will be to meet with City Council members as a whole or in smaller groups to address issues and matters of concern.

The action plan for Goal #4 - Promote Understanding - will be the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, Spanish Festival, El Dia de Los Ninos, Irish Festival, Lakewood Heritage Pow Wow, and Lakewood on Parade. Mike Becker gave a brief overview of the recent El Dia de Los Ninos and advised it was a very positive event and highly beneficial. However, the event takes a lot of the City's and Commission's resources. Jennifer Pate offered that volunteers from the Red Rocks Community College police academy might be willing to assist the Lakewood Police Department for that day.

Subcommittees were selected so that action plan details could be developed for each of the goals. Stefka stated the action plan consists of the activity, when the activity will occur, the person or persons responsible, and what resources are necessary. Commission members decided to hold a December meeting the first Wednesday at the regular time to review the goals and action plans of each sub-committee. Sub-committees will meet from 5:45 until 6:30 p.m. The recommendations will be forwarded to Sfefka who will then put them into the development plan.

Commissioners Cullis, Trujillo, and City employees, Mike Becker and Pallavi Jhaveri volunteered for Goal #1. Commissioners Knoblock, Barron and West volunteered for Goal #2. Commissioners Valiente, Amdurer, Cook, Auten, Colin Hardesty and Sisneros, Jennifer Pate and Trish Thompson volunteered for Goal #4. Stefka Fanchi and Ken Milano will work on Goal #3 - Obtain Resources.

Linda Reynolds reported the latest developments for the Martin Luther King celebration. Shermita West, Trish Thompson, Linda Reynolds, Jennifer Pate and the Red Rocks Community College Diversity Council have been working on this event. Commissioners Valiente and Amdurer also volunteered their time to assist. A breakfast will be held on Monday, January 21 from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. in the college cafeteria. The college can accommodate 200 people for breakfast. The keynote speaker will be Michael Hancock, the CEO of the Urban League. The president of Red Rocks Community College will give the welcoming and introduction of the keynote speaker and the Mayor will provide the closing remarks. There will be high school entertainment and the ceremony for the Community Leadership Award. The winning entries in the Kindergarten through 8th grade multi-media contest will be on display. The high school challenge Linda Morton Youth in Action award will also be presented.

Invitations for this free event will be sent out as well as other publicity. The winner of a competition from the Red Rocks Community College graphic arts program designed the invitations and the program. The student will receive 6 credit hours free. The winner of the college essay contest will also receive 6 credit hours. The winners of the kindergarten through 8th grade competition will receive ribbons and all participants will receive certificates of participation. The high school that receives the Linda Morton Youth in Action award will be given a trophy and the Community Leadership Award winner have their name engraved on a plaque which is displayed at the college. The total cost of the event is approximately $1,500.00. Stefka suggested the Red Rocks Diversity Council apply for funding from the Lutheran Medical Foundation Connecting Neighbors Program and offered to help with the application.

Linda requested the Commissioner's submit names of people they would like to have receive an invitation and nominations for the Community Leadership Award. The criteria for the Community Leadership Award is community involvement, commitment to diversity and preferably be a Lakewood resident.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The appreciation dinner will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2001, 6:00 p.m., at the Den at Fox Hollow. Members need to RSVP by December 5, 2001. The cost will be $16.00 per person.

Mike Becker updated Commission members on the Hate Free Millennium presentation that has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 20, 2002, at the Lakewood Cultural Center. The morning session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. Mike stated that they will be having a marketing meeting, and he will contact Jennifer Pate to assist the group with advertisement and marketing at the college.

Councilor Wise advised that City Council will have a study session on the Housing Authority regarding affordable housing in the City of Lakewood. She invited Commission members to attend this meeting on Tuesday, January 22, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cabinet Room. This will enable Commission members to understand the housing component in Lakewood.

Councilor Wise also explained how the service requests are handled in the City. If a citizen has a complaint or concern, they can call the City Manager's Office, and they identify the best department to answer the question or resolve the issue quickly. Once it is assigned to a department, they have five days to submit the answer to City Manager's Office who then contacts the citizen.

ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

___________________________________
Linda Reynolds, Staff Liaison

MINUTES
OF
CITY OF LAKEWOOD
COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS

6:00 p.m. December 5, 2001

The following members were present:
Willard Hardesty, Chair Rosanna Knoblock Felix Cook Shermita West
Rose Marie Auten Bing Walker
Harry Cullis Francie Amdurer
Bridget Barron Guadalupe Sisneros
Ricardo Trujillo Alicia Valiente Anne Weekley

City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Trish Thompson Linda Reynolds
Ken Milano Mike Becker
Councilor Cheryl Wise Therese Bowman

Absent:
Mayor Steve Burkholder Colin Hardesty
Pallavi Jhaveri

Others Present:
Jennifer Pate, Red Rocks Community College
Jose Martinez, Jefferson County Schools

Full and timely notice of this Commission meeting had been given.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment this evening.

STRATEGIC PLANNING
Committee members met for approximately 45 minutes to discuss their goals and formulate action plans to address the goals. Action plans include a timeline, person(s) responsible and identification of resources needed to accomplish the goal.

Committee members for Goal #1, Improve Communication, were Mike Becker, Harry Cullis, Rose Marie Auten, Anne Weekley, Jose Martinez and Cheryl Wise.

Committee members for Goal #2, Increase Awareness, were Ricardo Trujillo, Bridget Barron, Francie Amdurer, Rosanna Knoblock and Will Hardesty.

Members for Goal #4, Promoting Understanding, were Guadalupe Sisneros, Trish Thompson, Alicia Valiente, Shermita West, Felix Cook and Jennifer Pate.

It was recommended by the committee that under Goal #1, Improve Communication, members would be asked to serve as liaisons between the Commission and cultural groups as appropriate to create opportunity for dialogue. This would require attendance at a minimum of two meetings per year with identified groups.

The timeline for the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference for Youth activity is January. The resources needed for this activity is $100 registration fee which allows 10 youth or a combination of 8 youth and 2 adults to attend.

The Good News Breakfast is held in April. The staff liaison will coordinate Commissioner's registrations. The $12.00 registration cost will be a personal expense.

This year's Community Forum will be held February 23, 2002. Mike Becker volunteered to coordinate the Commission's session at this event. Registration will be a personal expense ($20.00 per person) for those who are not assisting with the session.

Networking (focus groups) will be ongoing and all Commission members will be the responsible persons. Time commitment would be the only resource and each Commission member should plan on attending at least one meeting per year of an identified group with the idea of networking.

Commissioner Trujillo reported action plans for Goal #2, Increase Awareness, are to prepare a written and verbal report to City Council annually in November or December. Commissioner Barron volunteered to gather information on a monthly basis for the annual reports.

Another action step the committee recommended was that they meet with City Council members in small group settings once every two months and have one general meeting with all of City Council annually. A possible topic for discussion was information about the activities of other diversity councils and sharing that information with City Council. Commissioners Amdurer and Trujillo volunteered to coordinate the meetings and develop agendas to include sharing information and discussions about issues and trends.

The third action would be to network with other diversity programs. Lutheran Medical Center, Regis, Coors and Red Rocks Community College were suggested as possible contacts. Commissioners Knoblock and Trujillo volunteered to coordinate this action. Resources for all the actions would be commitment of time.

Under Goal #4, Promote Understanding, Commissioner West advised the first activity would be the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration in partnership with the Red Rocks Community College Diversity Council. The planning meetings are held August through January. The persons responsible are Commissioners West, Cook and Valiente, Trish Thompson, the Staff Liaison and Jennifer Pate from Red Rocks. The total cost for this event is approximately $1,500.00.

Committee members discussed the Spanish Festival and whether the Commission should pursue this activity. It was decided that planning for this activity be postponed.

Commissioners Sisneros and Valiente will coordinate El Dia de Los Ninos. Commissioner Sisneros advised that he serves on the Denver Art Museum Commission and the museum will be sponsoring "El Dia de Los Ninos" in 2002. The event is held at a different location within the metro area each year. Commissioner West suggested the Commission offer assistance to the Denver Art Museum.

The timeline for the Irish Festival is July or August. One of the committee members will notify the Irish Festival committee of the Commission's willingness to assist them with this event.

Lakewood Heritage Pow Wow planning meetings are held once a month beginning in January. The Pow Wow is in September. Chair Hardesty, Linda Reynolds and Jennifer Pate volunteered to attend these meetings. Resources in the past have been applying for grants.

Lakewood on Parade occurs the last weekend in August each year. Commissioner Auten, the Staff Liaison and Jennifer Pate will attend the monthly planning meetings. The Lakewood on Parade committee has requested the Commission provide the diversity in the arts experience on Saturday. The cost is approximately $1,200 - $1,500.

Trish Thompson added that from time to time the Commission may be asked to assist with events sponsored by others. She stated such an event, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2002, at the Lakewood Cultural Center is in need of sponsors up to $5,000.00. She suggested that Commission members could assist by selling tickets.

REPORTS
Linda Reynolds provided an update on the Martin Luther King, Jr. event and encouraged everyone to attend. There are four nominees for the Community Leader Award. Commissioner West is contacting the schools regarding the K-8 multi-media contest and Trish Thompson is contacting the high schools about the high school challenge.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The appreciation dinner will be Wednesday, December 19, 6:00 p.m., at The Den at Fox Hollow. Members were asked to RSVP by Friday. The cost is $16.00 per person.

It was decided the next Commission meeting would be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2002.

ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

__________________________
Linda Reynolds, Staff Liaison

MINUTES
OF
CITY OF LAKEWOOD
COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS

6:00 p.m. January 9, 2002

The following members were present:
Willard Hardesty, Chair Rosanna Knoblock
Felix Cook Rose Marie Auten
Guadalupe Sisneros Alicia Valiente

City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Mayor Steve Burkholder Trish Thompson
Linda Reynolds Gina King
Therese Bowman

Absent:
Colin Hardesty Shermita West
Anne Weekley Francie Amdurer
Bridget Barron Bing Walker
Harry Cullis Ricardo Trujillo
Mike Becker Ken Milano
Councilor Cheryl Wise

Others Present:
Jennifer Pate, Red Rocks Community College

Approval of the November minutes was postponed due to a lack of a quorum at this meeting.

Linda Reynolds introduced the newly appointed staff liaison, Gina King. Gina is currently working in the police department in Victim Assistance. Prior to her assignment in the police department, Gina worked in Juvenile Probation.

Linda Reynolds advised that Stefka Fanchi, Resource Development Specialist, has resigned from the City and that Molly Snyder will assist the Commission in completing its Strategic Plan.

Linda distributed fliers for the "Journey to a Hate Free Millennium" which will be held on Wednesday, Feburary 20 and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters presented on Sunday, March 10.

All Commission members should have received an invitation to a reception for Lakewood's boards and commissions to be held Monday, January 28 from 5-7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Lakewood Cultural Center. RSVPs can be given to Linda or by calling the number on the invitation.

Linda reported that Ken Milano contacted CH2MHill Engineering and Coors to request funding assistance for the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Both companies stated the request came in too late for this year's event. The Commission was asked to brainstorm ideas for funding. No suggestions were made. Jennifer Pate advised that the total cost for this event will be $1,300.00, and Red Rocks will $1,000.00. Commissioner Cook suggested staff find out when the deadline is for applying for funding from CH2MHill and Coors for next year. Linda will follow up on that request.

Therese distributed a copy of the Colorado Municipal League article regarding Mayor Burkholder's election to the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. The Mayor reported that the National League of Cities, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, is soliciting applications for the 2002 Cultural Diversity Award. Since the fee is $400.00, Lakewood won't be able to submit an application. Mayor Burkholder offered to bring the cost issue up at the next board meeting.

Commissioner Cook stated that he had an opportunity to talk with the new Chief of Police about the Commission on Cultural Diversity and Human Relations. The Chief showed a great deal of interest and would like to attend the February meeting. A packet will be prepared for him and a personal invitation.

Trish Thompson advised she met with Jose Martinez and Kim Kritz, Cultural Events Specialist, regarding the Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters production. Jose will invite staff and students in Jefferson County Schools and will attempt to get financial support to assist with the cost of tickets for at-risk youth to attend this program.

Mayor Burkholder invited the Commission to attend a study session February 4 regarding affordable housing so they could learn more about housing issues in Lakewood.

Commissioner Sisneros advised that he met with Mexican Consulate Juan Carlos regarding El Dia de Los Ninos. This year's event will be held April 28 at the Denver Art Museum. Mayor Burkholder offered to contact Juan Carlos about the possibility of Lakewood hosting an event as well.

Linda Reynolds reported she had not received information about this year's Cherry Creek Diversity Conference for Youth that is normally held in January. Linda will call the Cherry Creek School District to get information.

With no further items to discuss, the meeting ended at 7:05 p.m.

__________________________________
Linda Reynolds, Staff Liaison

Heritage, Culture & the Arts Commission Meeting

Wednesday, January 16, 2002
Lakewood Heritage Center
Country School House

CALL TO ORDER
Donald Tallman called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

ROLL CALL
Members present: Robert Zachman, Jan McConnell, Peg Reed, Letitia Williams, Jennifer Sylman, Joan Howard, Barbara Tobiska, Cathy TeSlaa, Roberta Bhasin, Randy Martinez, Dr. Matsushita, Donald Tallman.

HCA Staff Members: Niña Johnson, Kris Anderson, Susan Martin, Elizabeth Nosek, Win Filipunas.

Council Members: Jackie Herbst, Debbie Koop.

The public comment book was out and made available for public sign in.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from December 19, 2001, were approved by unanimous vote.

This monthly meeting also consisted of a "Potluck" which included committee members. These members received a recognition certificate award. Recognition certificates for committee members who were not able to attend were sent in the mail.

Committee Reports

· Landmark Preservation Did not meet

· Public Art Jan McConnell gave a brief update on the last meeting. The brochure for promotion of sales of the Art on the Common pieces is in production, and the brochure for the listing of Public Art in Lakewood is moving along. Committee members will also become involved in distributing the updated Art on the Commons 2002 brochure when they are completed.

· Program Donald Tallman gave a brief update. Elizabeth Nosek attended the meeting and gave a brief presentation on upcoming exhibits. Elizabeth is looking for a curator for the Fine Arts exhibit coming up. The committee looked through surveys that were collected from the Nutcracker performances. Donald will create a template that will compile the data from the surveys.

· Friends Did not meet this month.

· O & O Jennifer Sylman reviewed their last meeting. The committee reviewed their mission statement and discussed goals for 2002. The committee will continue to assist with the volunteer fairs, assist volunteer coordinator with appreciation events. Act as an advisory committee and assist during the History Fair. Pursue school administration as part of outreach visits. Develop greater accessibility for program participants by creating multi-language brochures. Meet with area resource people to develop methodology which will assist HCA in both communicating our purpose and meeting the needs of the senior adult audience. Discussed the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 23rd, from 6-8 p.m., at the Cultural Center.

· Executive Niña Johnson stated that the HCA Division had 17 specific financial goals to meet this year. She is happy to announce that the Division either meet or exceeded 13 of these goals. Susan and Niña meet with the Gay and Lesbian Foundation in reference to receiving grant money in the future. Looking into sponsorships from Channel 4 and Colorado Lifestyles. Also, trying to tie down the programming for 2002 - 2003 so the brochures can be printed and sent out in May 2002. Staff is currently doing performance reviews. Niña gave a presentation to the Jefferson County Open Space asking for $100,000 for the Visitor Center at the Lakewood Heritage Center. Niña will be attending SCFD meetings in the future. These meeting are designed to help look at how Tier 2 wants to be configured and come up with some ways on how they can work together better.

New Business
Roberta Bhasin gave an update on the Marketing meeting she had with Niña, Diana, and Kim K. Things that need to be addressed:

· Create and manage a distribution process for marketing materials
· Desktop publishing for the in-house creation of flyers and other marketing materials.
· Creation and implementation of a sponsorship program, building on what's being done currently.
· Writer/editor for The Review member newsletter
· Every-other-week day or half day of clerical help in the office, especially with media inquiries.

Staff Reports
· Susan Martin stated that the performance for Manhattan Rhythm Kings was sold out on Friday night. Had very good walk up ticket sales this past weekend.

Took out an ad in a Russian newspaper for the performance of Trio Voronezh. Allie Hiscox is working on the Summer Concert Series.
· Kris Anderson gave a brief update on coming exhibits.
· Win Filipunas is renovating the 1930's kitchen, it should be completed in April.

ADJOURNMENT
o The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 5:10 p.m.

The next meeting is scheduled:
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Continuum Partners
Conference Room
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Submitted By: Kimberly Palmer Date: 2/11/02