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6:00 p.m. July 6, 2005
The following members were present:
Rick Lopez
Elzia Sekou
Calvin Hardwick
Harry Cullis
Pete Roybal
Mark Skinner
Karen Kellen
Carlos Cuellar
Mayor Steve Burkholder
Councilor Debbie Koop
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Mike Becker
Bill Taylor
Therese Megargee
Olga Mikhailova
Margaret Sawyer
Ken Milano
Absent:
Guadalupe Sisneros
Vanita Bellen
Bruce Smith
Councilor Barbara Green-Martin
Full and timely notice of this Commission meeting had been given.
The meeting of the Commission on Cultural Diversity and Human Relations was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair Rick Lopez.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
At this time, Chair Lopez wanted to congratulate the folks that presented the budget meetings and stated they did a fantastic job and was impressed with Mike Rock for his ability to answer questions and for providing so much information to the citizens so they could be able to provide this information to their neighbors. Chair Lopez stated the budget meetings were very well done.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 1, 2005
A motion was made by Commissioner Kellen to approve the June 1, 2005 minutes
and was seconded by Commissioner Cullis. With all present and voting in favor,
THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR JUNE WAS ADOPTED.
III. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Partnerships: Commissioner Karen Kellen
Karen stated that she reviewed the City directory that Therese provided to her
last month, and she has condensed it quite a bit. Karen stated that the Commission
needs to talk about what the purpose is, what kind of information does the Commission
want to relay in a brochure like this. Do we want to have something thick, can
the Commission afford to make something that thick and have enough copies to
hand out or does the Commission want to try to condense it down to some information
that we think might be more important? Karen asked members if they had any thoughts
on how to proceed and what the Commission would like to do? The idea was to
give this type of information to parents who are registering their children
at school. This is an informational item, so families would be familiar with
what services the City of Lakewood is providing and how to access that information.
It was suggested that the top ten City services be put on a magnet. A suggestion
was to approach a business that could advertise their logo on this magnet. Chair
Lopez will contact a school administrator to see if the schools would allow
this kind of advertisement. Commissioner Hardwick suggested that members from
the Commission volunteer to be at "Back to School" night and hand
out the informational item at that time. The Commission could also provide a
flier with basic City services near the school's office and be made available
for anyone to pick up. Commissioner Kellen stated that's important to make this
manageable for Commission members and productive. She will highlight potential
information with telephone numbers for either the brochure or magnet.
Chair Lopez advised that the Commission can examine the suggestions and what the Commission can afford and then proceed.
Events: Commissioner Elzia Sekou
Elzia stated that he spoke with George Valuck who advised that the float is
not available for Lakewood on Parade. Since the float is not available, it was
decided that Commission members would walk in the parade with the Commission's
banner. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 27 with staging at
approximately 8:00 a.m. and the parade route will be at downtown Belmar. At
this time, Commissioners Kellen and Sekou volunteered to walk in the parade.
Margaret advised that the next Lakewood on Parade meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Awareness Through Media Tools: Commissioner Harry Cullis
No report.
Senior Advisory Commission: Commissioner Harry Cullis
No report except discussion about the City's budget issues.
Red Rocks Community College Liaison: Commissioners Cuellar and Roybal
No report.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Hispanic Heritage Celebration - Update by Commissioner Sisneros
Since Guadalupe was absent, Commissioner Roybal gave an update of the information
he had. He advised that a decision was made to postpone this event until next
year.
The Commission would like this to be their signature event and will provide assistance for this celebration next year.
Parent Survey
Commissioner Cullis and Chair Lopez felt some concerns about the survey because
of some folks misunderstanding the questions so we weren't getting the right
information from the questions. Chair Lopez feels that he's not sure if the
Commission has enough valid responses to make any recommendations to City Council.
However, the majority of the respondents don't really know what kind of services
are available from the City. Chair Lopez stated that the information provided
from question #9 is information that the schools need to see and that there
are some issues with how the children are being treated in their schools. Commissioner
Cullis and Chair Lopez agreed that the Commission should consider going back
to the drawing board and revisit the whole thing.
Mayor Burkholder suggested that the Commission should not give up but create partnerships possibly with the Learning Source and continue to reach out to the community. The Commission will invite Susan Lithgow from the Learning Source to attend a Commission meeting.
Commissioner Sekou suggested that the Commission examine how to structure or
maneuver their efforts because this Commission has members that want to be involved
and make a difference and to rally around something obvious.
Councilor Koop stated that the Commission has been talking about working in
the schools and families and being more pro-active. Her suggestion was the possibility
of the middle schools and high school aged children participating in a cool
campaign type thing using some type of slogan that would be fun for them. It
would be something they could relate to about respect for others or something
in that order like getting along with each other, etc. This project could be
more feasible and financially able for the Commission to do. If we came up with
one or two posters per school that could be put up in their hallway about respecting
others no matter what they look like or what background they come from and go
that direction. It might be a little simpler to do and would have to be some
kind of cool campaign that catches the student's interest. A contest could be
held and slogans could be displayed at the school.
Commissioner Sekou commented that currently the Commission is looking for a signature event or a signature something that we can use as our hallmark, so getting involved with kids is probably the best. The Commission could partner with the youth commission. Commissioner Sekou will invite youth members along with parents to our meeting to discuss a youth forum and talk about cultural diversity issues. If we decide not to continue with our survey piece and trying to understand the demographics of the community and how we can best serve or get people involved, then maybe we could see if that works. It would be beneficial if we could find something and use it as a catalyst for some other things.
Commissioner Cullis commented that when he was appointed as a Commission member, his questions were: are there potential points of conflict in the community, particularly among the new arrivals, but not exclusively, and if there are, how do we find out about them. The Commission could become pro-active instead of waiting for something to blow up into a major escalation. Commissioner Cullis asked what is the City capable of doing, if anything, about those potential points of conflict? He stated that was the genesis of this whole survey.
Commissioner Kellen stated that thinking about the schools and points of conflict, she likes Councilor Koop's idea because kids are much more out there with what they feel and think and have a lot more of this stuff happening, so it really is an opportunity to get in there and try to instill some values that they may not be getting elsewhere, and to help them to know that there is support for those that are getting picked on. Karen feels that the higher cost in dollars would be time if members are willing to make those connections with the schools and help to get that material out there.
Chair Lopez advised that every school has a student forum and it's comprised of leaders in that school and it may be that group that we touch first in each school. Rick will talk to the community superintendent.
Rick also talked about a program that Creighton Middle School does and explained what Challenge Day is about. The school brings together all walks of life in the school, locks them in the gymnasium for a day and with 5-1 adult ratios, they begin to ask questions such as, have you ever been harassed in this way, step across the line and it's amazing to watch, because every kid walks across the line eventually. They break down the cliques and it's a very powerful event. Creighton's discipline referrals to the office went down massively.
Commissioner Hardwick related a television pilot program regarding gifted children and not so gifted children and the successes and failures of the children because of the teachers. Calvin agreed with Chair Lopez about breaking the barriers, bring those kids together so they can communicate with one another.
Mayor Burkholder stated that at the Colorado Municipal League meeting, the
City of Steamboat Springs won an award for their diversity and tolerance initiative.
All of their five points that they are trying to achieve, the Commission just
talked about.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Survey of Commissioners
Margaret and Rick will have this information to members by next week.
Selection of Nominating Committee for Election of Officers in September
Chair Lopez would like a few members to serve on this nominating committee to
select candidates for office. He stated that the committee should confer with
candidates before putting the member's name on the ballot. Commissioners Cuellar,
Roybal and Hardwick volunteered to serve on this committee and will be meeting
between now and August to make their selections.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The memo regarding the 2006 budget for Boards and Commissions was handed out
to members. It is contingent upon passage of the sales tax increase. There is
$350.00 for schools if we need to get posters printed.
Commissioner Sekou stated that Mile High Church will be hosting a diversity event in October. He will invite a representative from the Mile High Church to attend the Commission meeting in August to provide information about this event and possibly the Commission can lend its support or assistance to them.
Chair Lopez advised that he would not be at next month's meeting and that Commissioner Nakandakare will chair the meeting.
The Dragon Boat Festival is Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and July 31, 2005.
Mayor Burkholder hosted a group of City people from throughout the United States in June. The two issues were economic mentality and inclusion, and what it means to be a diverse nation. These are issues that the National League of Cities will be dealing with.
Commissioner Kellen advised that she will be running for City Council in Ward 1 this November.
Guadalupe Sisneros is the President-Elect of the Hispanic Bar Association. CONGRATULATIONS.
Commissioner Hardwick advised that he has been appointed a lobbyist at the State Capitol since January, 2005, and he would like to get a chance to meet the legislators or elected officials and find out what issues they are concerned about.
Councilor Koop will be running again for City Council in Ward 2 this November.
Commissioner Roybal stated that the replica of the Vietnam Veteran's wall will be on display this weekend near the JFK Golf Course at Hampden and Yosemite.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at the Lakewood Library, 10200 West 20th Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The September meeting will be at the Green Mountain Recreation Center, 13198 West Green Mountain Drive.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission, a motion was made by
Commissioner Cullis to adjourn and seconded by Commissioner Roybal. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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