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The following members were present:
Elzia Sekou
Karen Nakandakare
Tony Wright
Karen Kellen
Pete Roybal
Harry Cullis
Mark Skinner
Linda Bessinger
Carlos Cuellar
Nancy Murray
Chisato Arai
Councilor Sue King
Mayor Steve Burkholder
Councilor Doug Anderson
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Ken Milano
Mike Becker
Margaret Sawyer
Bill Taylor
Therese Megargee
Absent:
Jaime diPaulo Guadalupe Sisneros Olga Mikhailova
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 5:56 p.m. by Chair Elzia Sekou.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
Kit Botkins from Community Resources was not in attendance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 6, 2006
A motion was made by Commissioner Nakandakare to approve the September 6, 2006
minutes and was seconded by Commissioner Roybal. With all present and voting
in favor, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Sekou welcomed two new Commission members, Nancy Murray and Chisato Arai.
Introductions were given at this time.
III. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
MLK Event with Red Rocks Community College
Commissioner Nakandakare advised that the MLK Event has been changed to Wednesday,
February 7, 2007 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Red Rocks Community College.
It was felt that since the campus is opened on that day, students would attend
this event. Professor Rycala from CU-Boulder will be the keynote speaker. The
theme is "Universal Truth Day - A Celebration of Humanity".
Karen requested that Commission members think about nominations for the community leader award. It would be nice if the Commission could submit three or four nominations. Karen will contact Jennifer Squire to find out the criteria for this award.
Commissioner Roybal plans on hand delivering the invitation letter to all of the Lakewood schools within the next week to participate in the art contest. By changing the date, this will allow the teachers and students more time before and after the holidays to submit their entries. A press release by Red Rocks Community College would be done prior to the event in February.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Community Dialogue Sessions Overview, Summary and Suggestions
Commissioner Bessinger handed out a Summary of Dialogue Sessions and Feedback
for Possible Next Steps. The three dialogue sessions included the Senior and
Youth Commissions, Alameda High School staff and Foothills Green residents.
This summary included background information, summation of findings, communication,
diversity typically addressed in a narrow frame of reference, feedback received
for possible next steps, identify resources that can help resolve issues, build
community networks and establish strong, credible presence. Linda gave a brief
overview of the comments offered at the sessions.
Commissioners Bessinger and Nakandakare would like to target the two common elements gathered at these sessions. Education and communication were the most important issues that impacted the groups.
Linda advised that the Rocky Mountain Housing Development Corporation is eager to work with this Commission. They are currently involved in an inclusivity study program using the Denver foundation materials, and Linda just recently received their book in the mail.
The possible "next steps" would be to market the Commission as a
facilitator for community groups that are confronting issues impacting diverse
populations. Commission members would be accessible to attend neighborhood or
other civic meeting for the purpose of teaching and supporting the community
in how to access and use Lakewood resources and be responsible for producing
a "how to" manual for future ventures. The next step would be is to
ask Alameda High School to serve as the Commission's first community project.
Linda advised that the Commission will need to focus in on where we go from
here and how the Commission would like to proceed and express any concerns they
might have.
Commissioner Cullis expressed his thanks to both Commissioners Bessinger and
Nakandakare for the great job and all the work that was put into this project.
His concern is by letting the focus groups bring up all kinds of city-wide problems,
is the Commission raising expectations to them that the Commission can do very
little about.
In listening to the dialogue session, residents did not know what City services are available and had no clue what services the City offers. People are very confused what levels are providing what service or what level of government they are dealing with. Harry would like, in the future, for this Commission to zero in a little more on the City of Lakewood and what it offers.
Councilor King advised that the Belmar Optimist Club is making progress and assisted Alameda High School clubs that participated with the pancake breakfasts each week. The majority of the $9,000 raised this summer will go to the various clubs. Dr. Algiene was successful in acquiring new textbooks for the students and the teachers. Sue advised that whatever the Commission chooses to do with Alameda High School, should be directed through George Valuck, Alameda Gateway Business Association, and review the findings with George and see what suggestions he has to offer.
Tony advised that Jeffco Action Center is a big help to Foothills Green residents. The residents would like to go to the canning plant in Aurora to help with canning food. This assistance would provide Jeffco Action Center with food cans. However, transportation is an issue for some residents. It's very hard to get information to people who are poor.
Mayor Burkholder commented that this is the finest report this Commission has produced in the years he has served as an elected official. He would like Councilors King and Anderson to contact him so they can review and discuss the findings. There is great information in the report and stated that Linda and Karen have his full support.
Alameda High School
Commissioner Roybal advised that he attended the Alameda High School meeting
and the teachers would like the Commission to assist them in solving challenges
in our community. The students are faced with a lot of issues from the school
to the home and there are a lot of obstacles these kids have to overcome. For
example, they would like a physical contact sport or program. The lack of communication
and the fact that Alameda High School has been isolated, existing programs that
the City of Lakewood offers are not being utilized by Alameda High School students.
The Link offers different sports for a nominal fee and is near the high school.
Pete stated he talked to the facilities manager who is a graduate of Alameda
High School, and stated this would be a perfect match with the Link and Alameda
High School. Pete stated that some students at Alameda High School would like
a professional trade. Pete contacted some unions located at Wadsworth and Mississippi
and they would like to participate in assisting the community with Alameda High
School. Pete is asking the Commission if they would like to pursue the coordinating
the people together and let them continue to develop and nurture their associations.
Councilor King advised the Commission to be careful about trying to get into a situation where we have little control over and maybe doing the wrong thing. She stated that Pete and her serve on the advisory committee with Alameda High School and some community organizations, and they will be meeting next week. Pete and Sue would
bring back to this Commission thoughts from that meeting and try to let that group move forward with the Commission's participation as is appropriate. There will be ways for this Commission to help. Sue suggested that the Commission take Foothills Green as a project and work with those people and help them understand what is available to them in the City.
Chair Sekou advised that part of the mission of this Commission is to be a clearinghouse of diversity issues. Alameda High School and Foothills Green would be two projects this Commission can pursue and can be discussed at the strategic planning retreat. If we can be a clearinghouse or point people in the right direction and get the right people together and it helps foster and facilitate the diverse community, it's a good idea.
Commissioner Bessinger advised that anything the Commission does with Foothills Green would have to go through Rocky Mountain Housing Corporation since they are rental housing. Rocky Mountain Housing Corporation was very receptive and supportive and would like to work with the Commission. Linda advised that their thoughts were that we wanted to find out how we could bring as many Lakewood residents working together from all walks of life around common issues that would better Lakewood. Linda stated that we've seen two good opportunities and certainly not with the intention of undermining or overriding this Commission.
Commissioner Cuellar will be attending the Citizens for Lakewood's Future meeting. He advised they are in the process of developing a directory of City of Lakewood services for the Lakewood area, and Dave Weichman is spearheading this project. The fundraising money from Citizens for Lakewood's Future supports the arts and sports programs for elementary schools along the Colfax Corridor. If the Commission knows of any groups that could help, contact Carlos and he would bring that to the board.
Commissioner Nakandakare stated that the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference is in February and asked if the City could pay for Alameda High School students and students who live at Foothills Green to attend this conference. Ken Milano advised that he would follow up on whether the City will pay for outside people to attend the Cherry Creek Conference and then contact Karen.
Linda would like the Commission to give its approval in following up with each of these groups and advise them how this Commission could assist them. One idea is to take the residents from Foothills Green to visit City offices and facilities.
Ken stated that the Alameda High School steering committee will be meeting next week and includes the superintendent, school board president, and Dr. Algiene. Ken advised Linda is welcome to attend that meeting to coordinate the follow up through the steering committee to advise them what the Commission's intent is. George Valuck is the chair for that committee, and Ken would be happy to introduce Linda at that meeting.
Commissioner Kellen stated it's important to share this because we have been
provided valuable information from these dialogue sessions that other groups
would appreciate having. Karen suggested that this be kept on the forefront
and put back on the agenda next month.
Ken stated he plans on providing the feedback from these dialogue sessions at
the City management staff meeting.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Newly Appointed Commissioners and Reappointed Commissioners
Nancy Murray and Chisato Arai have been approved as the newly appointed commissioners.
Commissioners Carlos Cuellar, Karen Kellen and Pete Roybal have been reappointed.
Community Contact List of Key Constituents
Ken related that the Mayor would like to re-institute the breakfast meetings
he hosted in past years with the community. Ken would like to get input from
Commission members as to the different groups in the community they would like
to invite. The Commission member would be the key person for collecting key
contacts from that constituency group in Lakewood. Ken would like Commission
members to contact him within a week if they have suggestions of a group so
that the lists can be recreated for the Mayor's Office. Commissioner members
would be invited to attend these breakfast meetings.
Does the Commission Wish to Continue Having Potluck
It was the consensus of the group to continue having a potluck prior to the
monthly meetings.
December Event in Lieu of Monthly Meeting
A discussion about what to do for the appreciation dinner in December was the
topic, and members felt that cost played a big part in low attendance in past
years.
Councilor Anderson offered a suggestion to do a community service project. Everyone was in favor of doing this. Commissioner Wright offered to find out the details and information about the canning plant in Aurora. It was the consensus of the members to assist at the canning plant and then go to dinner. A date will be determined at the November meeting and the location for dinner.
Schedule January Strategic Planning Session
Chair Sekou encouraged Commission members to be thinking about the strategic
planning session in January and to prioritize activities and mission for 2007.
Saturday, January 13 is the tentative date for the planning session beginning
at 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Cabinet Room.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Cullis provided information from the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
meeting that he attended. He stated that the district attorney's office gave
a 45-minute presentation on CASE - Communities Against Senior Exploitation.
This information provided helpful information on how seniors can protect themselves
from fraud. Commissioner Cullis would like to invite Dave Weichman to attend
the Commission's November meeting. Dave would like this Commission to assist
with a resource directory for the community.
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 7:44 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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