12/12/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e for the individual commissions. He said the presidents in the current HRPC inherited a human rights program that was riddled with animosity and conflict. The biggest change in the human rights program over the past year has been one of attitude. Mr. Kahle said that while there is an inevitable tension between a governmental organization and people who feel their human rights have been violated, the current human rights program is trying to make certain that content is the only area of conflict. In the past, the methods of the human rights commissioners have fostered controversy. Mr. Kahle felt the shift in attitude has been the most important accomplishment of the human rights programs over the past year. Mr. Kahle said the human rights commissions also conducted an extensive review of their bylaws this year. One of the major topics was the attendance policy which has caused problems in the past. Attendance policies were altered to be more consistent with other City boards and commissions. Other accomplishments of the HRPC include: a major review of the City's human rights code; the establishment of several inter-commission committees including committees to monitor the budget process and to examine election issues; a promotional and recruitment event at the Eugene Celebration; improved relations with staff; the purchase of two telecommunication devices for the deaf (TOO) that allow the hearing impaired to communicate with City staff over the phone; taking a negative position in opposition to Ballot Measure 8; monitoring several inter-commission issues such as crime, affirmative action, and accessibility; and the development of work plans and quarterly reports. e Mr. Kahle reviewed some of the commission's goals for next year. The HRPC recently decided to recommend that the City Council reevaluate the situation surrounding familial status and rental housing. Federal law gives more protection to families with children than State law does; the human rights commissions would like to see Eugene move toward Federal standards. The HRPC also plans to continue reviewing the City's human rights codes; to emphasize long-range planning; to be active in recruiting constituents to all City boards and commissions; to monitor the City's budget activities; to strengthen its advisory role to the City Council; to monitor trans-commission issues; to lobby for human rights issues with the City Council and the State Legislature; to promote various educational activities; and to ensure that Human Rights Day continues to be recognized. Ms. Bascom thanked Mr. Kahle for his active role on the HRPC. She said she is encouraged by the direction of the human rights programs. C. Commission on the Rights of the Aging Mr. Kahle said the Aging Commission has done a number of things to promote the rights of the aging. The commission has held several public forums, including a workshop on seniors and scammers at which a representative from e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 12, 1988 Page 2