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The following members were present:
Karen Nakandakare, Mark Skinner, Karen Kellen,
Harry Cullis, Pete Roybal, Mayor Steve Burkholder
Elzia Sekou, Councilor Sue King, Tony Wright
Councilor Doug Anderson, Jaime diPaulo
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Ken Milano, Bill Taylor, Margaret Sawyer
Absent:
Guadalupe Sisneros, Mike Becker, Linda Bessinger
Cathleen Jones-Gooding, Olga Mikhailova, Therese Megargee
Carlos Cuellar, Rick Lopez
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 6:03 p.m. by Chair Karen Nakandakare.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 3, 2006
A motion was made by Commissioner Kellen to approve the May 3, 2006 minutes
and was seconded by Commissioner Sekou. With all present and voting in favor,
THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR MAY WAS ADOPTED.
III. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Partnerships
Commissioner Kellen recommended that we delete the Partnerships report from
the agenda. The Commission is not working on those issues now.
Events
Commissioner Sekou indicated that Lakewood on Parade would be reported later
on the agenda.
Red Rocks Community College Liaison
Commissioner Roybal indicated no report. Chair Nakandakare requested that he
forward to her contact information for Red Rocks Diversity Committee because
she wants to talk with them about their Martin Luther King program. Commissioner
Roybal will furnish that information to her.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
"Lakewood…A Community Portrait" Update - Ken Milano
Ken Milano reviewed the project: He attended a meeting on April 12th held at
Alameda High School with the school principal and superintendent, the Jeffco
R-1 school board president, Alameda Gateway representatives and others, where
he explained to attendees about the Commission's project - "Community Portrait";
that the Commission planned to conduct a series of pilot projects with focus
groups in the high schools. When Jeffco administration attendees expressed dissatisfaction
and concern upon hearing of this project, he apologized to them on behalf of
the Commission for overstepping any boundaries or not getting prior approval
for this type of interaction with the schools. He was advised of the district's
data already collected and was directed to work through the Alameda High School
principal.
Subsequent to the May meeting, Ken has not been successful in getting a meeting with the principal at Alameda High School and the R-1 area superintendent. He's forwarded the dialogue sheet that Commissioner Bessinger produced for the study but hasn't had a response. He indicated the Commission would appreciate a response from Jeffco R-1 even if it was not to allow the project to go forward so that the Commission could pursue other avenues to collect data. For example, commissioners know people in the community with whom they could conduct dialogue sessions. He indicated that even though the schools are a good source of information, a drawback of meeting with school administrators is that information received is second hand. Ken will continue to work with Dr. Algiene at Alameda High School to pursue setting up the meeting.
Chair Nakandakare indicated that in response to the report, she would convey Ken's information to Commission Bessinger and ask how she would like to proceed, mention to her the suggestion just made, and that maybe we could have discussions with others like those mentioned by Commissioner Sue King; for example, Boys and Girls, Inc.
Commissioner Cullis informed that the school would likely protect their own interests. Ken indicated that at the April 12th meeting, the school board president seemed to be the most concerned in the group. Chair Nakandakare asked if the school would be willing to show us their data. Ken indicated that our objective; "what the community needs", is most likely not in their data.
Commissioner Wright informed that he spoke with people in his community of low-income residents including residents relocated from Louisiana and they are in favor of providing the Commission with information regarding their needs. Chair Nakandakare indicated she would pass this information on to Commissioner Bessinger who is leading this project and also asked the Commission if they were in favor of using this idea from Commissioner Wright. Commissioner Kellen indicated that it might be beneficial to look at focus groups from other groups who might feel freer to talk about issues within their group.
Mayor Burkholder indicated he is surprised with the response and still thinks this is a very viable pursuit.
Councilor King suggested that maybe the Commission could use other focus groups and Chair Nakandakare will provide that information to Commissioner Bessinger. Councilor King also informed that she has worked with school staff and students at their Pancake Breakfasts. She suggested that possibly faculty would be an informative group to work with. They work with children on a daily basis. Possibly down the road, the Commission could work with this group.
Councilor Anderson requested clarification on what is the purpose of the focus with Alameda High School. Chair Nakandakare responded that when the program was being designed, the plan was that we would go to the four high schools in Lakewood. Alameda High School is one of those high schools. Councilor King informed that Alameda Gateway is working with Alameda High School to help raise funds for other projects. Ken Milano informed that Alameda High School has a diverse student population.
Commissioner Cullis asked where we came up with the phrase "A Community Portrait". The community population is changing. Do we know ethnically who we are as a community? Mayor Burkholder responded that Mike Becker has a presentation from several years ago with some population statistics that could be viewed.
Commissioner Sekou indicated the portrait likely came out of work that the League of Cities is doing. A model would be interesting to project, to use that to indicate where we are now, where we anticipate our community going, and what does that mean to the City? Can Lakewood meet the needs of the changing community? One of the things we as a group were trying to do with the community portrait was to define who and what we are.
Mayor Burkholder informed that the City is planning to re-institute the Mayor's Breakfasts and that in the past, we've learned a lot about the various communities at these breakfasts. He suggested that maybe this Commission would be interested in being a co-sponsor with the Mayor's Office for the breakfasts.
Chair Nakandakare suggested that she thought this could be done, it might be a good place to get ideas from the various ethnic groups and also to get a sense if the needs of these groups are being met. Her only caution to Harry about what we want to find out about different value systems is to be very careful to not stereotype. We could utilize
Commissioner Wright's offer and convene various groups, ask the same questions and maybe get more first line comments.
Chair Nakandakare indicated she would work with Ken regarding how to participate with the Mayor's Breakfasts. We need to ensure that the dialogue is uniform, that questions asked are the same within the groups. She indicated that at a previous breakfast she attended, the feedback was good. Mayor Burkholder indicated the need for all commissioners to participate and all responded positively in favor of that. He also told of feedback from previous Mayor's Breakfasts that were positive.
"Viable Futures Tool Kit - Renewing Communities for all Ages" Survey
Project
Margaret contacted Kim Buehler in Community Resources after the May meeting
who informed her that Edie Ritchie from the Clements Center will be doing coordination
for this project and will get back to Margaret with information. There has been
no further contact as of this meeting so Margaret indicated she would contact
Kim for an update. Subsequent to the meeting, contact was made and Edie informed
Kim and Margaret that she will see Sue Bozinovski on Friday, the 16th and will
then contact Margaret with any further information for the Commission.
Colfax Marathon Volunteer Team
Chair Nakandakare reported that the event was good. Commissioner Sekou ran the
last leg of the run; the Mayor ran the 2nd leg of the run for Lakewood's relay
team. Other volunteers at the transition four location noticed the T-shirts
with the Commission's logo which led to more conversation. Hopefully, this marathon
will take place again next year. It was a well-run event. Some general conversation
regarding the event took place and the Mayor recognized Mike Becker's contributions
to the event. Ken Milano also informed that the coordination committee recognized
the City of Lakewood members as being the top group to work with. Mayor Burkholder
talked about the lady in the wheelchair who was allowed to finish the race late
and was assisted by the Lakewood Police Department to ensure her safety.
Lakewood on Parade
Commissioner Kellen reported on the entertainment segment that she is in charge
of with information regarding the main stage acts indicating local artists from
the Denver area. Margaret indicated that there would be one new artist in the
Art Experience for youth this year, who would do sidewalk chalk art along with
the returning artists. There will be two locations for the Art Experience; the
Visitor's Center and the Old School House.
The volunteer sign up sheet was sent around for commissioners to volunteer time at the Art Experience on Saturday, August 26th during times from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chair Nakandakare suggested that possibly some of Commissioner Kellen's EPA
volunteers might be interested in helping out with the Art Experience at the
pottery tent.
V. NEW BUSINESS
The Budget Request
Chair Nakandakare informed of the need to submit the annual budget request to
Joni Inman in the City Manager's Office by the end of June. We're looking at
a budget of about $1,300 for 2007. She requested contacts for Red Rocks because
of this Commission's contribution to the MLK Breakfast Celebration that Red
Rocks hosts. This last MLK was a very low turnout from students participating
in the art contest. We had two schools participate, where in the past, there
had been many more schools and students. We had under 20 entries this year which
really shows the interest has fallen off. Maybe it's time to get more pizzazz
into the MLK event. She would like to talk with their committee to see if they
are interested in doing something different, for instance, an educational performance
for the public about diversity. Commissioner Roybal will furnish contact information
to Chair Nakandakare to get a dialogue started. The budget is due this month,
so if we can start working on it, that's important. Commissioner Roybal will
schedule a meeting with Red Rocks.
A question was asked about why Red Rocks was the location for this event. Mayor Burkholder informed that when the budget was cut and this Commission no longer had money to put on an event, Red Rocks Community College picked it up. Prior to that when the event was held in Lakewood, people would go to the Marade and then return to Lakewood for the theatre group. It's important to continue to support this event since it is the only event held in Lakewood for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There was discussion about different possible groups that could be contracted for an event if it was held in Lakewood; Living Voices, Storyteller Christopher Maer, performances from the Scholars Chataqua Theater, a federally funded program, and a black history live performance that Commissioner Skinner has first hand knowledge of and will forward information to Chair Nakandakare.
Commissioner Wright offered some suggestions for the media competition: Channel 8 recognition and an interview with the Mayor. Chair Nakandakare will check into this. Also mentioned was "Arts Link of Jeffco."
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Nakandakare and Ken Milano will participate on the "Inclusive Communities
for All" panel on Friday, July 21. The panel is one of the pieces to Colorado
Municipal League's project The Changing Face of Colorado, the Municipal Challenge.
Chair Nakandakare reminded commissioners about the Inclusivity Community Check List she had given to commissioners at the May meeting.
Commissioner Wright's wife is due to have their baby on June 30th, so he anticipates that he may not be at the July meeting.
The July meeting date was moved one week to July 12th. It will be held in the Cabinet Room, Civic Center South Building.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission, a motion was made by
Commissioner Kellen to adjourn and seconded by Commissioner Roybal. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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