12/08/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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G. Human Rights Presidents Council e Mr. Taitel reported on the activities of the Human Rights Presidents Council. He noted that a workplan was included on page 27 of the annual report, and he said the Presidents Council also solicited and reviewed quarterly reports from each commission. Mr. Taite 1 said copies of revised bylaws had been distributed. He added that the Presidents Council remained interested in linking social services and in streamlining commission activities. H. Council Discussion/Questions Ms. Wooten asked about current minority population statistics. Ms. Collas- Dean said she did not have specific figures, but general appearances indicated that the population of minorities and the number of minority businesses had increased considerably since the 1980 census, which reported a mi nori ty population of 5.9 percent. Ms. Wooten asked whether statistics were available regarding per capita income, employment, and economic health of minorities. Ms. Callas-Dean said she was not aware of those statistics. She added that better cross-cultural links were needed to help with gathering that type of information. Ms. Schue asked about the reasons for commissioners' concern about the program review process. Mr. Taitel said he thought concerns represented unease that the process was the beginning of dissolving the commissions. Ms. Brawner- Jones said she did not think commissioners were fearful of the results of an evaluation, but of how the process would occur. She said one commission had been told that the staff position would not be filled until an evaluation was done, and the commissions wanted to be involved in their own evaluation e processes. Ms. Zwillinger said the Commission on the Rights of Youth had wanted more information about the t;meline for the evaluation process and had made suggestions for areas not covered by the outline. She said the commission had favored coordinating presentations for the Budget Committee about needs in the area of human rights. She added that the commission also was concerned about the work load presented by the evaluation process. Mr. Holmer asked how the commissions would respond to an instance of discrimination against other forms of human rights, such as freedom of religion. Mr. Taitel said such an issue probably would be referred to the Presidents Council. Mr. Taitel urged the Ci ty Council to refer human rights issues to the commissions. Mr. Mi 11 er noted that the counci 1 and other City groups had referred issues to the commissions. He said an emerging issue was the impact of budget cuts on program viability and determining minimum levels of funding to avoid diminished returns. He sa i d an evaluation might help in tha t determination by identifying work needs that were being met by the commissions and potential impacts of budget decisions. Mr. Taitel said the commissions' funding had been reduced, but not their activities. He said staff assistance was the only unmet need. Ms. Brawner- e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session December 8, 1987 Page 6