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The following members were present:
Elzia Sekou
Karen Nakandakare
Pete Roybal
Harry Cullis
Mark Skinner
Carlos Cuellar
Tony Wright
Nancy Murray
Chisato Arai
Councilor Sue King
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Ken Milano.......... Mike Becker............
Therese Megargee
Absent:
Karen Kellen
Guadalupe Sisneros
Jaime diPaulo
Linda Bessinger
Mayor Steve Burkholder
Councilor Doug Anderson
Bill Taylor
Olga Mikhailova
Margaret Sawyer
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 6:05 p.m. by Vice-Chair Mark Skinner.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - N/A
It was noted that Commissioner Cullis was absent at the planning session in
January. Commissioner diPaulo attempted to get in the building, however, it
was locked. The corrections will be taken care of by Therese and forwarded to
Margaret Sawyer. Commissioner Cuellar stated that the annual planning session
was very positive.
III. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Report of 2006 Accomplishments to City Council - Commissioners Bessinger and
Nakandakare
Mark Skinner advised that the Commission's annual report is due to Stacie Oulton
by Monday, February 19, 2007.
Directory of Lakewood Resources - Commissioner Bessinger
No Report.
Senior Citizen's Advisory Commission - Commissioner Cullis
Harry advised that this commission is struggling at this time. He attributed
this to the loss of the chair, Royce Horning. They are seeking new directions
and new leadership.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Events/Activities - Commissioners Cuellar and Roybal
Commissioner Roybal reported on today's event at Red Rocks Community College.
The event was well attended and winners from the media competition were recognized.
Pete took pictures, had them printed and passed the photos to members. He plans
on downloading the photos to his computer so he can send to Margaret. Members
discussed having the photos of the winners put on the City's web page, the Commission's
annual report, "Looking at Lakewood", the Sentinel and/or the "Hub".
Ken will follow up with Stacie Oulton about publishing an article about today's
event at Red Rocks. The Mayor will also recognize the winners at the City Council
meeting on Monday, February 26, 2007.
Lakewood on Parade
Mark Skinner stated that the LOP committee meets every third Tuesday at 5:30
p.m. at the Clements Center. They are looking for volunteers, new chairs and
are expanding Lakewood on Parade. Carlos advised that he and Karen Kellen have
talked about trading off with another to attend the monthly meetings.
Dialogue/Partnerships: - Commissioners Cuellar, Roybal, Nakandakare, Bessinger
and Sekou.
No Report.
Communication/Education: - Commissioners Wright, Skinner, Murray, Arai, and
diPaulo.
Mark advised that this committee met and distributed a copy of the committee's
proposal for a public program series using some of the Gay and Lesbian fund
money. This would be a follow up of continuing the Commission's work with the
Two Creeks and Foothills Green neighborhoods and the Alameda High School group
as a way into bringing them into the community. Mark advised the program would
be made possible through a grant application to the Colorado Humanities. It
would be a community/city partnership building activity and a good way to develop
a volunteer base for some of the activities that the City does such as Lakewood
on Parade by drawing these people in and getting them involved in some of the
activities the City does and that the Commission helps organize. In order to
make it a partnership, there would be roles defined as to what the Commission
would do. We would identify a site administrator at these three communities.
The Commission would submit an application, assist the site administrator, choose
an appropriate program and provide a $50 stipend for refreshments. Each of the
program sites would make all the arrangements related to choosing a location
and ensure that an audience is present. The Commission could enhance and assist
them with getting an item in the Hub or the Lakewood Sentinel. In order to help
build a good relationship/partnership, the volunteers would be given responsibilities
to follow. They would know their neighborhood and community best and could bring
an audience in. Mark stated that a culminating activity could possibly happen
at Lakewood on Parade.
Carlos advised that there is a program administrator already in place in the Two Creeks neighborhood. An after school arts program has been set up with artists to work with the schools along the Colfax corridor for the school children. Carlos will talk to Sharon and have her contact Mark.
Commissioner Nakandakare commented that she would like the Commission to be
cautious about overwhelming these neighborhoods with so much attention all of
sudden. She would like the Commission to do this with thought and some coordination
on how we approach the neighborhoods no matter what we decide to do. Karen suggested
that after the committee reports are given at the next meeting, the Commission
can decide what will be coordinated and how.
Commissioner Wright advised that he has accepted a position as a member of the
board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Housing Development Corporation. He
stated that they would like Tony to communicate to them about any projects,
and Tony felt that they would be 100% supportive of us. Tony stated that they
might be able to assist the Commission with funds for projects. Tony asked if
he could provide information to the board about the Commission's projects. Karen
said that the Commission is seriously looking at next steps and be thoughtful
in the process. Due to the lack of all of the committee reports, the Commission
is not ready with a strategic plan. However, Tony can inform them of the ideas
that have come forward at this meeting. After the March meeting, there would
be more specifics for Tony to provide.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
$5,000 Donation from the Gay and Lesbian Fund Allocation
The Events/Activities and Dialogue/Partnerships committees will consider usage
of the funds before the next monthly meeting. Two possibilities would be Lakewood
Legacy and Citizens for Lakewood's Future. Ken will follow up on the criteria
for using these funds through a non-profit or 501c3 status.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Fundraiser
Members are encouraged to support this by donating at least $2.00. An e-mail
will be sent out to members to decide if they are in support of this before
the Commission convenes next month. Envelopes will be provided with an acknowledgement
letter from the Commission.
Welcome Banners - Identify and Prioritize Seven Languages for Banners
Councilor King stated that the banners have been placed along Alameda and Wadsworth
already.
Commission Name Change
Redo the resolution that originally created the Commission relative to the makeup
of the Commission members. Changing the Commission's name was discussed as well
as examining the mission statement. At the planning session, Olga suggested
that the Commission create a vision for this group and logically follow with
creating a mission statement to include the work of, "is the name representative
of our vision and our mission?" It was decided that members take some time
to consider their position on the name change before the March meeting. Elzia
suggested that this topic should be part of the committee reports at every other
meeting, and that a few minutes be set aside to discuss the name change, mission
statement and resolution creating this Commission.
Ken researched the original resolution of the ethnic makeup directed for this Commission. Ken stated that it is not very specific. It says, "will be comprised of a wide variety of ethnic groups as is feasible to include at least one member of each ethnic group as reported in the 1990 U.S. Census that represents 1% of the population of the City of Lakewood as it is feasible to do. Pete asked if the resolution included people with challenges. Ken advised that it does not, however, this Commission could draft a new resolution to include the religious, disabilities, and sexual orientation population. Commissioner Nakandakare stated that when this Commission is highlighted in the book of boards and commissions, it has the race next to each member's name, and expressed that she does not like that. Several other Commission members related that they are not in favor of their race next to their name on the Cultural Diversity and Human Relations board member list. It was decided that the name change and resolution be discussed at the March meeting.
Elzia will convey to Mayor Burkholder and the Gay and Lesbian group that the committees have not firmed up their proposals for usage of these funds.
Mark also distributed information about Phamaly, a theater group for people with disabilities. Mark stated that they could attend a Commission meeting or do a presentation or program for people with disabilities presented by people with disabilities. A suggestion was made to have them participate in the Lakewood on Parade event.
Ken stated that in the past this Commission discussed partnerships with other City departments. Community Planning and Development would like to discuss the kind of outreach their department is doing with some of the communities and opportunities for the Commission to partner with them. Roger Wadnal, manager of Strategic Planning and Holly Boehn, who is working on the Directory of Lakewood Resources, would like to attend the March meeting to explain what they are doing.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Colfax Marathon
Mike advised that Amy Deknikker, Community Planning and Development with the
City of Lakewood, is the coordinator for all the Lakewood volunteers at the
event. The City is looking for 150 volunteers. The race will be Sunday, May
20 from 6:00 a.m. to noon. They are changing the course and are finalizing the
route by next week. The race will finish on the north side at Colorado Mills.
Mike will have more information next month and every month after that until
race day.
VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pete presented Elzia with a laminated "Looking at Lakewood" article
and photograph of Elzia and Mayor Burkholder in front of a City of Lakewood
welcoming sign. An addition to the signs now announce that Lakewood is building
an "inclusive" community and are located at major entrances to the
City.
A thank you was acknowledged to Pete Roybal for taking pictures at the Red Rocks Community College event today.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned
at 7:16 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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