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The following members were present:
Mark Skinner
Karen Nakandakare
Pete Roybal
Linda Bessinger
Karen Kellen
Chisato Arai
Mayor Steve Burkholder
Councilor Doug Anderson
Councilor Sue King
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Mike Becker
Margaret Sawyer
Therese Megargee
Absent:
Elzia Sekou
Harry Cullis
Jaime diPaulo
Nancy Murray
Guadalupe Sisneros
Tony Wright
Carlos Cuellar
Ken Milano
Bill Taylor
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 6:06 p.m. by Vice-Chair Mark Skinner.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
Members discussed working with the Youth Commission at the Colfax Marathon.
Mike Becker encouraged members to sign up early so that they have their choice
of a location along West Colfax. Commissioner Kellen advised that she would
like to volunteer at this event. Margaret Sawyer, Karen Nakandakare, Pete Roybal,
Linda Bessinger and Chisato Arai have also volunteered for the event. Margaret
requested that members give her their t-shirt size at the end of this meeting.
Margaret will coordinate with Amy Deknikker the location and sign up for Commission
members.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 7, 2007
A motion was made by Commissioner Kellen to approve the March 7, 2007 minutes
and was seconded by Commissioner Nakandakare. With all present and voting in
favor, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR MARCH WAS ADOPTED.
III. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Use of $5,000 Donation from Gay and Lesbian Fund
Members discussed the motion made from the March meeting to allocate $1,000.00
per calendar for the next five years for the purpose of enhancing the activities
of the Commission.
Vice-Chair Skinner explained how the endowment operates and advised that the living history presentation would be made possible through a grant application to the Colorado Endowment for the Humanities. The appropriate one-hour presentation could be offered to Two Creeks, Foothills Green, and the Alameda Gateway group. The neighborhood organizer would be responsible for bringing in an audience and providing a venue for the event. A table with information about City services would be made available to everyone.
Vice-Chair Skinner advised that he sees this as a volunteer building opportunity from these communities interested in assisting with Lakewood on Parade and other future activities in the City. Mark stated that he could put the application together and depending on the availability of the presenters, this could be done no later than June.
Linda Bessinger stated that Scott Romero, who is the Family Services Director for Foothills Green, is interested in helping other communities. Perhaps, the Commission could combine Foothills Green, Two Creeks and Molholm Elementary School. The school is lacking in resources and would benefit the children greatly. Linda will call Scott Romero to discuss this idea with him.
The Commission could ask Holly Boehm to attend these presentations and talk to the neighborhood groups as a resource. Hopefully, the City directory would be completed by then.
Karen Kellen made a motion for the Commission to approve a maximum of $350.00 from Lakewood Legacy to go to the Communication/Education sub-committee for this purpose, and the committee can submit more detailed plans as they develop. Commissioner Roybal seconded the motion. Motion was passed.
Commissioner Nakandakare questioned is City Council considering revamping the Commission, and should the Commission go forward with the name change? Mayor Burkholder advised that he would definitely consider it and that this Commission's opinion is valued and should be passed on to City Council. He stated the reason for the revamping is to make sure that the City's boards and commissions are effective, and that they are utilizing members' time productively. Councilors Anderson and King agreed. City Council will receive the results of the report from this evaluation committee some time in June.
Commission Name Change - Votes will be Announced
Margaret received the results from Commission members indicating if they were
in favor of the name change to the Commission for an Inclusive Community. Twelve
Commission members were in favor of changing the Commission's name to the "Commission
for an Inclusive Community" and one member was not in favor. A recommendation
to City Council will be done.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Events/Activities - Commissioners Cuellar and Kellen
Linda and Margaret attended the Lakewood on Parade committee meeting on the
20th and reported that $6,000 has been budgeted for the Art Experience which
is $1,000 more than last year. Margaret is in the process of inviting the past
artists to participate in Lakewood on Parade again this year. There will also
be some new artists added to the Art Experience. Commissioner Bessinger talked
about transportation for neighborhoods that would like to attend Lakewood on
Parade. Margaret inquired to the Clements Center and spoke to Peggy Jones and
has made arrangements for this Commission to use two 15-person vans all day
and is free of charge. Drivers would have to be Commission members or City employees
with a valid driver's license and current insurance. Linda would like to involve
the Two Creeks, Foothills Green and Alameda communities to volunteer with the
Art Experience. Margaret will ask about the signage for Lakewood on Parade at
the next meeting and advise Commissioner Roybal what is needed.
Mike Becker will follow up with the police department's Traffic Team about the CDL license.
Commissioner Bessinger had a question of City Council about Holly and Roger's visit last month and the work they are doing on the City resource directory and what the Planning Commission is doing. Linda wanted to make sure that what this Commission is doing and that our efforts are not redundant or going into areas the Commission shouldn't be as far as building community contacts. She asked City Council if she should go ahead and do community outreach meetings. Mayor Burkholder advised that since Joni Inman is the director for all communication in the City, Linda should contact Joni before making any community contacts.
Dialogue/Partnerships: - Commissioners Cuellar, Roybal, Nakandakare, Bessinger
and Sekou.
No Report.
Communication/Education: - Commissioners Wright, Skinner, Murray, Arai, and
diPaulo.
No Report
V. NEW BUSINESS
Members reviewed and discussed the draft of the resolution of restructuring
the membership requirements of this Commission provided by Karen Kellen.
Mayor Burkholder suggested that under Section 2 (a) that the sentence should read, "It is the intent of City Council that representatives be inclusive" and kept it simple.
Councilor Anderson explained how the screening committee operates to select
members on the boards and commissions and his opinion is that the screening
committee needs some form of permission.
Commissioner Bessinger stated that there could be a distinguishing factor or
guidelines to assist the screening committee in selecting a member. There should
be some kind of verbage that states representation from the many facets of our
citizenry.
Mayor Burkholder advised that this Commission would have to put trust in the screening committee and only reinforces the term inclusive. The Commission would put faith in the screening committee that they select people that do represent the inclusiveness of the community.
Chair Skinner asked Councilor King if this new verbage in Section 2 dilutes or strengthens the understanding of what it is the screening committee is going to be looking for or how they select members. Councilor King stated that if you start naming race, ethnicity, etc., you'll have to name everything and it's possible that something will be omitted or that there will be a new category in the future. The screening committee is large enough that there is a good variety of backgrounds and ideas and will give the quality that there will be fairness in selecting people. The decisions of the screening committee are based on the qualities of the individual to meet that particular position.
Mike Becker commented that the Commission needs to be far-sighted enough and giving permission is important like Councilor Anderson stated. The issue is not about the trust in the screening committee, but ten years from now, the current screening committee will be different. The factors are necessary so that there is not any misinterpretation. As token as it may appear, you can put that caveat at the end of the factors, such as other or identified citizens that allows for the future, and gives City Council that permission and keeps them in touch.
Members discussed the second sentence under 2(a) and decided that it will read as follows: "It is the intent of the City Council that the representatives of the Commission for an Inclusive Community shall include the wide variety of residents representing the diverse make up of Lakewood's citizens." In the third sentence, after the factors are listed, the phrase, "other appropriate factors" could be added to the end of the sentence.
Commissioner Nakandakare suggested that the resolution read that the City of Lakewood is a welcoming community. Commissioner Kellen offered that this would be better after a WHEREAS. Mike Becker stated that this is one of the goals so it could be put after a WHEREAS. WHEREAS, the City of Lakewood and City Council strive to be a welcoming community to all. ' There are no changes to Section 2 (b) (c) and (d) and Section 3. " Commissioner Kellen will revise the resolution before the next meeting.
Commission Arai would like the mission statement as part of the application process, however, until the name change and resolution is resolved, the Commission cannot move forward with their mission statement.
Councilor King said that if Commission members have any suggestions on the application process, feel free to e-mail Sue that information in the next ten days.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Burkholder advised that he has been invited by the Urban Library Council
to travel to Cleveland in May to speak about inclusive communities.
Mayor Burkholder expressed his concerns about more City staff in attendance than Commission members this evening. It's important that all of our commissions are committed to what they signed up for. This is over and above what City staff does on a regular basis. He stated that the report given to City Council by this Commission was very good and very well received.
The next meeting is Wednesday, May 2, and members are asked to encourage their
colleagues to attend the meeting.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Bessinger
made a motion to adjourn and was seconded by Commissioner Roybal. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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