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The following members were present:
Elzia Sekou
Karen Kellen
Pete Roybal
Harry Cullis
Mark Skinner
Linda Bessinger
Jaime diPaulo
Nancy Murray
Chisato Arai
Mayor Steve Burkholder
Councilor Doug Anderson
Councilor Sue King
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Ken Milano
Mike Becker
Margaret Sawyer
Bill Taylor
Olga Mikhailova
Therese Megargee
Absent:
Karen Nakandakare
Guadalupe Sisneros
Tony Wright
Guests:
Dave Weichman, Heritage, Culture and the Arts Commission
Joseph Dertina and Carter Hauschild, Church of Latter Day Saints
Kit Botkins, Community Resources Recreation Manager
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 6:10 p.m. by Chair Elzia Sekou.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
David Wiechman representing Citizens for Lakewood's Future advised that they
are developing a directory of City of Lakewood services that will contain information
about City services, civic affairs, schools and general information. He said
that his group had heard that this Commission was doing a directory and wanted
to suggest that we work together and do one project. Chair Sekou asked if there
would be interest in working with Citizens for Lakewood's Future on this project?
Commissioner Kellen suggested that we include this item to be discussed at the January Planning Session. Commissioner diPaulo asked if the City of Lakewood was pursuing a 311 system. Mayor Burkholder responded that Lakewood may piggy back with Denver on a 311 system because of the cost to do the system. Commissioner diPaulo advised that United Way has a 311 system.
Chair Sekou advised that the Commission take Commissioner Kellen's suggestion and add this project to the agenda for the January Planning Retreat.
Joseph Dertina and Carter Hauschild, Church of Latter Day Saints, were in attendance to explain the details of the cannery in Aurora. Joseph advised that if the Commission makes a decision to assist with this project, one item would have to be selected such as beans. He stated that a 15-minute safety preview is given to all participants prior to the packing.
At this time, Kit Botkins, Community Resources Recreation Manager and liaison to the Youth Commission was introduced. Kit gave a brief overview of the Heritage, Culture and the Arts Division which includes Lakewood's Heritage Center, Cultural Center and Washington Heights. She stated that her division struggles with middle and high school students attending the program that the City offers. One issue may be transportation for young students. She would like suggestions or feedback from the Commission regarding partnering with the Youth Commission. Kit was invited to attend the Commission's strategic meeting on January 13, 2007, and youth members are welcome to attend the Commission's monthly meetings.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 4, 2006
Councilor King advised that a sentence in the October minutes be corrected on
page four, first paragraph, line three to read ""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." Commissioner diPaulo requested
making a change to a sentence on page three under the Alameda High School Section
on page three, 10th line of the paragraph which was then changed to read - -
"some students at Alameda High School would like a professional trade."
Commissioner Bessinger made a motion to approve the corrected minutes of October
4, 2006 minutes and was seconded by Commissioner Roybal. With all present and
voting in favor, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CORRECTED MINUTES FOR OCTOBER WAS
ADOPTED.
III. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Commissioner Cullis advised that Royce Horning, a member of the Senior Citizens
Advisory Commission recently passed away.
MLK Event with Red Rocks Community College
Commissioner Roybal 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.
The theme is "Universal Truth Day - A Celebration of Humanity". Commissioner
Roybal asked if the Mayor would consider the media winners be recognized in
front of City Council or Channel 8. Mayor Burkholder advised that there would
no problem with the media winners to be recognized at a City Council meeting.
The Mayor would have to check on the Channel 8 criteria.
Community Dialogue Sessions
Commissioner Bessinger stated that her and Commissioner Nakandakare completed
the dialogue session at the Two Creeks Neighborhood. Linda provided a copy of
the dialogue session to members. Linda advised that the focus of these sessions
is to simply try to engage as many Lakewood residents as possible. This Commission
can act as an information or reference point for neighborhoods. Two issues for
these particular neighborhoods were transportation and communication. Linda
would like action plans completed for both of these issues at the strategic
planning meeting in January. Since Alameda High School has been the focus for
the Alameda Gateway Association and the City, this Commission can utilize the
youth for advice on how this Commission can assist the high schools students.
Ken Milano complimented Commissioner Bessinger on the terrific job she has done on this particular project.
Commissioner Cullis asked if Linda sensed if the communities knew what services
the City offers to residents. Commissioner Bessinger felt that they do not.
For example, from the Foothills Green session, we learned that housing authorities
will assist children with getting football uniforms, and Alameda High School
did not know this. She stated that Dr. Algiene has been very open and is asking
for source materials to provide to their student body and the teachers. When
they have open enrollment in August and back to school night, they will have
this information in packets available to the students and their families. The
residents at Foothills Green did not know what the City provides and their interest
is very low. The Two Creeks neighborhood is the opposite. Residents were very
engaging and welcoming. Even though they are low income, they are very aware
and it was very exciting. They would provide a great opportunity for this Commission
because they are so excited about getting involved with their community. They
suggested that a variety of communities and/or community centers come together
to plan events and would like to able to bring communities together. The Commission
could facilitate these communities coming together to plan their own City event.
Olga advised that the City has been working with the Two Creeks neighborhood
since 1985. Olga stated that education is another key element for neighborhoods
to build communities and to create a strong neighborhood.
Linda stated that the Lakewood Police are highly regarded in the neighborhood and they depend on the police a lot. There is a partnership with the police there. Linda wondered why Two Creeks does not receive the Lakewood Sentinel and she receives it for free. The Commission could assist the high schools with the services that are available, assist with delivery of the Lakewood Sentinel to lower income areas, or how do we get an electronic directory to families if they don't have a computer. Communication is one way this Commission can identify how to communicate with our people, and then Commission members will commit to their piece of that communication, and the magic starts.
Olga advised that the City assists neighborhoods like Two Creeks, Eiber and O'Kane Park with their newsletters. She suggested this Commission put a flier in the newsletter of what this Commission is doing. However, Linda stated she understood from the Two Creeks neighborhood that their newsletter was not occurring.
Mayor Burkholder wanted to clarify that assisting with neighborhood newsletters has been a topic of discussion with City Council and just talked about on Monday night. The City is concerned that one person's editorship might be another person's censorship. So the City is backing off with paying for neighborhood newsletters. The City is currently looking into the possibility of sponsorships.
The Mayor advised that he agrees with the two key issues mentioned this evening - communication and transportation and should be discussed at the strategic planning session. These are issues that concern us all and that the City has an obligation to communicate as best we can and how do we do it efficiently and effectively.
Linda stated that the Commission should be very careful not to be to quick to be the problem solvers but only as a backup. The solutions are limited only by our imaginations. The Commission can help spur on the possibilities.
Mayor Burkholder stated that the Commission is very focused in this particular area and the Commission can create those little pods of prosperity, and things start falling into place. The perfect example is the community connection with Alameda Gateway Community Association and Alameda High School. The Commission will not be problem solvers but create the conduits between the business community, between the homeowners associations and the students and be a catalyst for the community.
Chair Sekou agreed that the Commission establish partnerships and become a
facilitator to increase the inclusion and create a nurturing environment for
City residents.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Community Updates - Alameda High School and Foothills Green
This item covered by Commissioner Bessinger under Commissioner Reports.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Community Contact List of Key Constituents
Ken stated that contact lists from Commission members are being put together
and making progress to reconvene the Mayor's breakfasts. Once those lists are
completed, the Commission will know what that composite looks like for all the
different communities. The Mayor's Office will send out the invitations once
those lists have been established. Commissioner members would be invited to
attend these breakfast meetings.
December Event in Lieu of Monthly Meeting
Members agreed that in order to assist at the canning plant in Aurora, that
it would have to be in the evening. The hours would be from 6:00 p.m. - 9:30
p.m. The date has not been confirmed until Margaret is notified by LDS what
day is available in December.
Once this date is confirmed, members are asked to contact Margaret by Monday, November 6 if they plan on attending.
Chair Sekou will contact Jillian's to get information for approximately 40 people. He will be inquiring about Wednesday, December 6, Saturday, December 16 and other dates that are available in December. As soon as that information is provided to Commission members, they are asked to RSVP as soon as possible to Margaret.
January 13, 2007 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 scheduled date for the planning session beginning
at 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Cabinet Room.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Historical Beers Sisters Farm House
Olga gave a brief history of the farmhouse which is owned by a developer near
Grant Ranch. The owner was not aware that the farmhouse had been preserved and
plans on demolishing the farmhouse. The City is open to any options because
they have not found any agency that is interested in relocating it so that it
can be restored and preserved. Olga would like any suggestions from Commission
members. Commissioner Kellen may know someone that can help and will get in
touch with Olga.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission, a motion was made by
Commissioner Roybal to adjourn and seconded by Chair Sekou. The meeting was
adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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