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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/11/1992 Meeting . M I NUT E S Eugene City Council Studios 8 and C--Hilton Hotel May 11, 1992 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Shawn Boles, Bobby Green, Ruth Bascom, Paul Nicholson, Kaye Robinette, Roger Rutan. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Debra Ehrman, Randy MacDonald. COMMISSIONERS: Marshall Sauceda, Arwen DeSpain, LeRoy Dickens, Carol Fernlund, Alicia Hays, Marion Malcolm, Gretchen Miller, Jan Oliver, Rico Perez, George Russell, Vivian Wearne. The regular meeting of May 11, 1992, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. CITY COUNCIL DINNER WORK SESSION e A. Work Session With the Human Rights Commission 1. Introductions Those present introduced themselves. 2. Human Rights Program Overview Mr. Sauceda, Human Rights Commission Chair, thanked the council for the opportunity to meet jointly. He said the commission felt it was important to meet in order to fully convey the impact of vital human rights issues before the community. He noted that the packet distributed prior to the meeting contained background information on the City's Human Rights Program including its mission, goals, and objectives as well as a review of the program's activities and accomplishments to date. Mr. Sauceda reviewed the agenda and pointed out the visual material on display. Ms. Miller, former commission chair, described the Human Rights Program's structure and reviewed the process the commission has used to undertake its work. She explained it as a simultaneous, three-track process that involved the following: 1) educating each other and learning to work together; 2) developing committees and assigning responsibilities; and 3) responding to emerging community issues. Ms. Miller gave a brief account of the last year's activities. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council 5:30 p.m. May 11, 1992 Page 1 . - e 3. Program Work Plans Mr. Sauceda reviewed the commission's work plan, involving budget administration and coordination of all program activities. Each of the committee chairs reviewed the work plans for their respective committees. Ms. Hays, Committee on Accessibility, explained that the committee is involved with accessibility to City services for all protected classes. Although an important element, the committee does not confine its work to the rights of people with disabilities. Ms. Oliver described the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment as a reactive group, the one people come to when they have a problem. She highlighted instances where the committee was able to make a difference based on an individual's complaint. Ms. DeSpain, Committee on Community Education and Outreach, reviewed the committee's work plan and described some of its activities over the last year. 4. Current Issues in the Community Mr. Green introduced the topic, saying this was an important meeting for the commission and it wished to be seen as a resource to the council. He noted the diversity and resourcefulness of the commission. Commissioners identified the following as significant, emerging community issues: hate crimes/hate groups; City Code on discrimination; City work force diversity and sensitivity; growth in the Hispanic community; needs of low-income families, homelessness; Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA); community partnership, collaboration; and violence against women. 5. Requests of Council Mr. Sauceda reviewed a list of commission requests of the council, saying the City Council is encouraged to consider the Human Rights Program as a resource to assist it in making policy decisions that incorporate human rights into the way the City does business and the way people experience the community. 6. Council Direction Mayor Miller thanked the commission for its presentation and asked Councilor Green to take the lead in processing the commission's requests through the council in order to address the issues raised. Councilors expressed appreciation for the commission's annual report. Mr. Boles said the commission had set a new standard. Speaking for the business community, Mr. Rutan indicated that businesses very much want to meet the needs of people with disabilities, saying it was a matter of productivity. Responding to Ms. Bascom's question, Ms. Miller said that the council could actively oppose the Oregon Citizens Alliance by taking every opportunity to make powerful statements about its support for a tolerant, diverse community. Mayor Miller assured the commission that it would receive attention to the issues it has raised. MINUTES--Eugene City Council 5:30 p.m. May 11, 1992 Page 2 e e e The council meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. (Recorded by Yolanda Paule) MNCC 051192 MINUTES--Eugene City Council 5:30 p.m. May 11, 1992 Page 3