City of Eugene Human Rights Commission
Regular MeetingEugene, OR · May 19, 2015
Minutes
City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
5:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting
Atrium Building, Sloat Room, 99 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene
Present:
Human Rights Commissioners: Andrew Thomson, Ken Neubeck, Jennifer Frenzer, Debra Merskin, Arun
Toke, Philip Carrasco. Other: Staff: Michael Kinnison and Sarita Black.
1. Welcome from Chair, Agenda/Minutes Review
P. Carasco requested to move the topic of a Youth Human Rights Commission up in the agenda
since he had to leave early. A. Thomson moved to approve the agenda with the change, seconded
by D. Merskin and approved unanimously.
M. Kinnison noted the April minutes failed to reflect Councilor Evans was present. Revised
minutes moved by A. Thomson, seconded by K. Neubeck and approved unanimously.
2. Public Comment
Majeska Seese Green explained that she had suggested to the Homelessness Work Group to shift
the conversation with Council away from “criminalization” and to “barriers.” She indicated she has
since reconsidered that position as they are very different issues.
Peter Strawbridge discussed his experience being refused service at a barber shop he had frequented
in the past that he felt was based on a previous conversation with the barber. He felt that this may
have violated his right to free speech.
3. Establishing a Youth Human Rights Commission
Philip Carrasco presented a proposal for a Youth Human Rights Commission and explained his
interest is in engaging youth about what they think a Human Rights City looks like. He proposed
that the commission would start out as an informal body mentored by the HRC but with long term
goal of establishing a codified youth commission.
Discussion focused on what concerns this might raise among City Council, who would be able to
participate (what ages, youth throughout county, only Eugene are youth, etc.) and resources needed
to support and sustain a youth commission (funding, staffing, HRC as mentors). P. Carrasco moved
to form a subcommittee to establish the community need and finalize organizational/proposal
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details that address the commissioners questions and concerns. Motion was seconded by C Nunes
and approved unanimously.
A Thomson moved to shift non-voting items until later in agenda out of concern of losing quorum.
Approved unanimously.
4. Communication with City Council on homelessness issues
K Neubeck discussed the concept of a retreat with Council to discuss homelessness and/or other
issues. Suggested further discussion be put off until the June meeting when Councilor Evans would
be present. He also discussed how language can be loaded and it may be more effective to refer to
“barriers” instead of criminalization. He mentioned the June 8th Council work session on
homelessness and the importance of Commissioners communicating what they would like to see
discussed.
5. Request to represent Commission at events
A. Toke moved and D. Merskin seconded a motion to allow K. Neubeck to represent the
Commission at a Human Rights City event in Pittsburgh and the national Forum on Human Right to
Housing in Washington D.C.. Motion was approved unanimously.
6. C. Nunes and M. Kinnison discussed their experience at the Human Rights Institute.
7. Staff Update
M. Kinnison reported that the Commission has a balance of $574 in its budget. He reported that
Jennifer Lleras Van Der Haeghen was hired to fill the Equity and Human Rights Analyst position
and that she will be starting on June 15th. Jennifer most recently worked as the R.A.C.E. Project
Director for Western States Center. M. Kinnison reviewed the first quarter summary of hate and
bias incidents and noted the following City Council items of interest:
May 20 work session on Healthy Downtown/Public Smoking
June 8 work session on Homelessness
June 8 Action on Boards and Commission Appointments
June 22 Public Hearing and Action on FY16 Budget
June 24 work session on Police Auditor Annual Performance Evaluation
July 8 work session Annual Report from Police Auditor and Civilian Review Board
M. Kinnison discussed HRC work planning and reviewed last year’s process. Similar to last year, it
was agreed to schedule two evening sessions in July and to forgo a meeting in August. M.
Kinnison indicated that the HRC workplan and FY15 progress report are scheduled for the
September 14th City Council agenda. A. Thomson and C. Nunes to send out a request for
Commissioners to participate with staff on planning the agenda for the July work planning.
Commissioners supported dedicating a portion of the work planning to a session on “Human Rights
101” that would include an overview of the human rights framework and associated declarations
and conventions as they relate to local government implementation of human rights work. M.
Kinnison closed with an update on collaboration between staff from Human Rights and
Neighborhood Involvement and Parks and Open Spaces and the UO Center for Latino/a and Latin
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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American Studies around outreach to the Latino community as part of the Parks and Recreation
System Plan process.
8. Work Group Lead Updates
K Neubeck reported he traveled to Salem with a group to advocate for the Right to Rest Act (homeless
bill of rights) and that the legislation was pulled from committee for this year. He also discussed a
housing first pilot project for Eugene and Albany initiated by Val Hoyle that was also pulled due to
Albany Council’s unwillingness to participate. He reported that the Police Commission voted against
a joint endorsement of proposed revisions to the Intimidate 2 section of the Code. Police
Commissioners raised concerns about establishing homeless persons as a protected class and that
endorsement of legislation was outside the scope of their mission. They did vote to support amending
the code to clarify that gender identity is included under sexual orientation as a protected class.
A Thomson discussed presentation of the Hate and Bias Report to the Neighborhood Leaders Council.
C. Nunes explained that Juan Carlos Valle has asked the Commission to hold a discussion on what is
racism and what it means to be an ally. Chris indicated that Mr. Valle has been invited to come to the
June meeting to discuss his proposal.
9. Open Discussion
A number of potential agenda items were identified: Continue conversation about communication
with Council; next steps for Intimidation 2 revisions; Juan Carlos Valle proposal; subcommittee
report on Youth Commission
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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Agenda
City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
Packet Contents for May 19, 2015
1. Agenda
2. Minutes from April 21, 2015 meeting
3. HRC Budget
4. Proposal for a Youth Human Rights Commission
5. Human Rights Institute materials
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to promote implementation of universal human rights values and principles in
all City of Eugene programs and throughout the wider community.
To carry out this mission the commission shall affirm, encourage and initiate programs and services within the City of Eugene
and in the wider community designed to place priority upon protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the full range of universal
human rights as enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To support and promote human rights, the
commission will: provide human rights education, be proactive in human rights efforts, address human rights violations, ensure
active public participation, be transparent and open, and be publicly accountable for human rights progress.
Human Rights Commissioners: Andrew Thomson Chair, Chris Nunes Vice Chair, Ken Neubeck, Jennifer
Frenzer, Edward Goehring, Philip Carrasco, Mary Clayton, Arun Toke, Debra Merskin, Councilor Greg Evans,
Richie Weinman
Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement Staff: Michael Kinnison, Lorna Flormoe
The Human Rights Commission typically meets on the third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
5:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting
Atrium Building, Sloat Room, 99 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene
Contact: Michael Kinnison, 541-682-5009 michael.j.kinnison@ci.eugene.or.us
ITEM __________________ACTION______ TIME
1. Agenda/Minutes Review and Approval (Chair) Discuss/Vote 5:30 - 5:35 (5 min)
2. Public Comment (Chair) 5:35 - 5:45 (10 min)
3. Support Request (Chair) None received
4. Human Rights Institute debrief (Mike and Chris) 5:45 – 5:55 (10 min)
5. Communication with City Council on homelessness
issues (Ken) Discuss/Vote 5:55 – 6:10 (15 min)
Reframing the conversation about criminalization; retreat or long-form meeting
6. Request to represent Commission at events (K. Neubeck) Discuss/Vote 6:10 – 6:15 (5 min)
7. Establishing a Youth Human Rights Commission
(P. Carrasco) Discussion 6:15 – 6:25 (10 min)
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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8. Staff Update (M. Kinnison) 6:25 – 6:35 (10 min)
HRC budget update; Equity & Human Rights Analyst position update; City Council ítems of interest; HRC
work planning; Parks and Recreation System Plan and outreach to Latino community
9. City Council Update (Councilor Evans) 6:35 - 6:45 (10 min)
10. Commission Liaison Updates 6:45 – 7:00 (15 min)
11. Work Group Lead Updates 7:00 – 7:10 (10 min)
Objective 1: Maintaining Effective Relationships (A. Thomson, C. Nunes)
Objective 3: Poverty and Homelessness (K. Neubeck, J. Frenzer, R. Weinman)
12. Open Discussion 7:10 – 7:25 (15 min)
Council interview process for HRC openings (A. Thomson)
13. Closing/Announcements 7:25 -7:30 (5 min)
Upcoming events, activities or meetings the HRC needs to be aware of:
New Generations Film Festival, 11:00 am, May 23rd, Willamette High School
Festival Latino Block Party, 12 pm – 12 am, May 30th, Sprout! Food Hub, Springfield
The Eugene Human Rights Commission welcomes your interest in these agenda items. This meeting location is
wheelchair accessible. For the hearing impaired, FM-assistive listening devices are available or an interpreter can
be provided with 48 hours’ notice prior to the meeting. Spanish-language interpretation will also be provided with
48 hours’ notice. To arrange for these services, contact staff at (541) 682-5177.
La Comisión de Derechos Humanos agradece su interés por participar en los asuntos de esta agenda. El local de la
reunión tiene acceso para personas en silla de ruedas. Para las personas con dificultades auditivas
ofrecemos sistemas FM para ayudarlo a escuchar, o intérpretes de lenguaje de señas. También ofrecemos
intérpretes de español. Si necesita cualquiera de estos servicios por favor solicítelos con 48 horas de anticipación,
llamando al (541) 682-5177.
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
541.682.5177 | ehrcenter@ci.eugene.or.us | www.eugene-or.gov/hrc
City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
5:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting
Atrium Building, Sloat Room, 99 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene
Present:
Human Rights Commissioners: Andrew Thomson, Ken Neubeck, Jennifer Frenzer, Edward Goehring,
Debra Merskin, Arun Toke, Philip Carrasco, Mary Clayton and Richie Weinman. Other: Chris Wig,
Civilian Review Board liaison. Staff: Michael Kinnison and Sarita Black.
1. Announcements
J. Frenzer indicated she attended Peace Jam event at the UO and brought some of the art produced
by youth to share. G. Evans announced Lane Peace Center Seeing Red event featuring presidential
Medal of Freedom winner Suzan Shown Harjo and Dennis Martinez, fopunder of the Indigenous
Peoples’ Restoration Network scheduled for Thursday April 30 at LCC Main Campus. A. Toke
shared that he attended the talk by nobel laureate Roberta Menchu and the DisOrient film festival.
K. Neubeck reminded everyone that the Human Rights and Crisis of Youth Homelessness event
was scheduled for this Saturday from 11:30 – 3:00 at First Congregational Church.
2. Welcome from Chair, Agenda/Minutes Review
Agenda approval moved by A. Thomson, seconded by E. Goehring and approved unanimously.
Minutes approval moved by A. Thomson, seconded by G. Evans and approved unanimously.
3. Public Comment – no public comment
4. Support Request
Rick Pettigrew with Archaeology Channel International Film and Video Festival requested $200 in
support. The festival runs May 15-19th and includes 22 films from 11 countries related to cultural
heritage. Keynote speaker is Dennis Jenkins, archaeologist from UO who excavated oldest known
human occupation site in western hemisphere. E. Goehring expressed some concerns about limited
funds remaining in the budget. A. Toke suggested that complementary tickets be offered to people
of color. D. Merskin shared that she was a judge in past and sees value of being exposed to
different cultural perspectives and issues. D. Merskin moved to give $100, R. Weinman seconded,
approved unanimously.
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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Alex McClellan with Festival Latino Block Party requested $200 sponsorship. The Festival is to
raise money for Juerto de la Familia and will take place Saturday May 30th at Sprout Food Hub in
Springfield. Family oriented activities are scheduled from 12 pm – 6 pm. Dancing and live music
will occur from 6 pm – 12 am. R. Weinman move, D. Merskin seconded, approved unanimously.
P. Carrasco will serve in liaison role.
5. Staff Update
M. Kinnison noted the following items that are on the City Council agenda:
• April 27, 5:30 pm; work sessions on Envision Eugene Residential Housing and Micro
Housing
• April 27, 7:30 pm; action scheduled on allocations for CDBG and HOME Programs
• April 29, 12:00 pm; work session on MUPTE
• April 29, 6:00 pm; Budget Committee meeting where City Manager presents fiscal year
2016 proposed budget (Bascom/Tykeson Room of library)
• May 6 & 7, 5:00 pm; Council interviews for board and commission candidates (location
TBD)
• May 11, 7:30 pm; action on MUPTE program revisions
• May 20, 12:00 pm; work session on Healthy Downtown/Public Smoking
• June 8, 5:30 pm; work session on homelessness
M. Kinnison noted that the HRC had a balance of $874 in their budget. He reviewed the status of
the interview process for the vacant Equity and Human Rights Analyst position, discussed an
educational forum held in the Bethel area focused on gang activity, noted that the 2014 Hate and
Bias Report would be presented at the Neighborhood Leaders Council meeting next week and
provided brief update on the rest stop process evaluation.
6. City Council Update
Councilor Evans noted that there are two main priorities from Council this year--budget
sustainability and homelessness. Council will be exploring the City’s role regarding homelessness
and how to best leverage funds directed to the Housing Services Commission.
Councilor Evans discussed upcoming interviews for boards and commissions candidates and noted
the imbalance that persists regarding representation between wards and geographic regions and the
lack of people of color applying to serve (3 out of 45 applicants).
Councilor Evans mentioned the upcoming annual evaluation of the Police Auditor and welcomed
input from HRC.
Councilor Evans indicated that there is some community interest in renaming a street in honor of
Cesar Chavez. He would like to see a less acrimonious process than was experienced renaming
MLK Jr. Boulevard. P. Carrasco suggested other Latino leaders be considered for the honor since a
school already bears the name of Cesar Chavez.
Councilor Evans discussed the City Hall project and is advocating to be thinking about how to
make it a welcoming, culturally inclusive space during the design phase before construction is
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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complete. He suggested naming rooms after first Councilors of color or other underrepresented
groups.
Councilor Evans shared how he frequently hears complaints from communities of color regarding
their treatment by police. He is concerned about a lethal confrontation occurring in Eugene.
7. Commission Liaison Updates
E. Goehring discussed how the Police Commission (PC) is focused on recommending policy on
how police deal with being recorded by citizens. He explained that there is a lot of misinformation
out there about what the policy and the role of the PC. He explained that the police department is
attempting to propose something that addresses citizen’s rights to record while accounting for the
safety of officers and public. After recieiving feedback on the proposed policy, staff are going to
come back to the PC at a future date with another version for review. A. Toke recommended the
HRC Chair send a letter that clarifies HRC concerns. D. Merskin, J. Frenzer, A. Toke and P.
Carrasco volunteered to draft a letter to circulate to the HRC for consideration. Some
commissioners were concerned that a poorly crafted policy could be used to exclude evidence. K.
Neubeck suggested that the PC research a bill addressing the same issue currently being considered
by the legislature. E. Goehring also indicated the PC is focusing on use of force and discussed how
it is difficult for law enforcement policy to keep pace with the speed of changing technology.
M. Clayton explained that the most recent Civilian Review Board meeting considered service
complaints and that the board was interested in the 2014 Hate and Bias Report and proposed code
revisions around Intimidation in the Second Degree. C. Wig discussed the value of establishing a
policy on recording police encounters as a mechanism to evaluate conduct.
P. Carrasco stated that he was continuing to track the work of the Environmental Justice Work
Group looking at UGB expansion in the Clear Lake Study.
8. Work Group Lead Updates
A. Thomson provided highlights of the quarterly meeting with Mayor and City Manager.
M. Kinnison, D. Merskin and M. Clayton reviewed progress on workplan action items 2.1 and 2.3.
9. Open Discussion
P. Carrasco proposed a future agenda items involving HRC funding support for establishing a youth
group or council. He explained how important this was given the pending loss of Javentud Faceta.
99 W. 10th Avenue, Suite 116, Eugene, OR 97401
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Human Rights Commission Budget
FY15
ALLOCATION DATE REQUESTING GROUP SPONSORSHIP OTHER TOTAL TOTAL BALANCE
$4,000.00 7/1/14 CHARGES SPENT TD $4,000.00
Description: $0.00 $0.00 $4,000.00
Transgender Day of Rememberance ‐ Nov 20 10/16/14 CALC $200.00 $200.00 $200.00
New Generations Film Festival ‐ May 23 11/18/15 New Generations (Yeh) $200.00 $200.00 $200.00
International Human Rights Day Event 12/10/14 HRC $0.00 $579.93 $579.93 $979.93
Martin Luther King Jr Awards 1/19/15 $0.00 $123.43 $123.43 $1,103.36
Vagina Monologues 2/4/15 ASUO $175.00 $175.00
Blacks in Government (BIG) dinner 2/1/15 BIG $150.00 $150.00
NAACP Dinner 2/10/15 NAACP $562.50 $562.50
Flyer 3/31/15 HRC $35.00
DisOrient Film Festival 3/31/15 Chinese American Benevolent $200.00
Human Rights Institute 4/13/15 Chris Nunes $500.00
Human Rights Crisis of Youth Homelessness Event 4/13/15 HRC $400.00
Festival Latino Block Party Sponsorship 4/27/15 LULAC $200.00
The Archaeology Channel International Film Fest 4/27/15 TAC $100.00
TOTALS $1,475.00 $1,950.86 $3,425.86 $3,425.86 $574.14
011‐0730‐####‐612022
City of Eugene Youth HRC
Goal
Engage younger folks in an innovative way, empowering them to build upon our
human rights city framework on their terms.
Building tomorrow's leadership and human rights advocates.
Membership
Youth from 14-18 and from underrepresented groups.
Total of 9 seats
Gender balanced 8 of those seats 50/50
Application Process
Candidates apply and HRC commissioners interview and appoint.
Staff Support
Staff supports with making agenda and providing copies.
(Discuss Further)
HRC Support
A Human Rights Commissioner will act as a liaison to the youth group the first
year to facilitate discussions and process. The following year the Youth HRC
should have a chair and vice chair to run meetings.
Budget
HRC places $1,000 of our own funds into the Youth HRC
City of Eugene matches with an additional $1,000 for a total of $2,000
After the 2nd year in operation the HRC withdraws the $1,000 and the City of
Eugene covers the total of $2,000
Liaisons
Should be focused and geared towards other youth groups.
Work Plan
2015-2016
Initially they work off our work plan for 2015-2016
Then in 2016 they design their own or together with us during summer.
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