City of Eugene Human Rights Commission
Regular MeetingEugene, OR · April 19, 2016
Minutes
City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
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, Chris Nunes, Bonnie
Souza, Arun Toke, Councilor Chris Pryor
Staff: Jennifer Lleras Van Der Haeghen and Mia Cariaga
EPD Liaison: Lt. Jennifer Bills
CRB Liaison: Heather Marek
1. Agenda/Minutes Review and Approval
Motion: Amend to add the Nightingale proposal to the agenda. Ken moves to approve as amended.
Moved By: K. Neubeck
Second: B. Souza
Vote: Unanimous
C. Nunes: What do you all think about extending the meeting time? There is an expectation that we will be
done at 7:30. Is this a realistic expectation?
A. Toke – Maybe we can discuss that next meeting.
Motion: Move to approve minutes from March 15, 2016.
Moved By: K. Neubeck
Second: A. Toke
Vote: Unanimous
2. Public Comment
Mary Brandhurst–
The Nightingale Public Advocacy collective is a 501C3. We’ve adopted model program. NPACs support
people who live on sites. Looking to train about 45 people in a 40 hour training program. At the end they
receive the opportunity to become certified by passing a test. The goal is to get people certified who can
support people who live on site. This could lead to jobs including with the community court. Most programs
like this in the nation have community support programs. Currently the first training is scheduled in June
over a 2-week timeframe with 30 applicants so far. Looking to fill a void and provide training and ongoing
support after that. State mandates what needs to be covered in these types of trainings. This request is to
have access to a training room that we can use with white boards, accessible to transportation, with
kitchen or allowed to eat.
K. Neubeck – Are you asking for money?
Mary – Not specifically though it would help. Fundraising is going slowly right now.
Councilor Pryor – How many people?
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Mary – 15 plus two trainers.
Majeska Seese-Green –
Realized that Councilor Pryor is going to be talking about the community court and you’ll talk about the
peer support training. I’d like you to support that and give them a room. In a program like that could have
real connections to the Community Court. As for the Community Court, I’ve been trying to follow that as
best I can. I’m glad that the City got the grant. I have concerns for the people involved who don’t have a
legal place to sleep, usually on a diversion program you can’t get the same charge again or you’ll get
kicked out of the diversion program. What will people who have nowhere to legally sleep do? As it
develops I hope there is a community advisory body to support them. Hoping to have impacted people
involved as well as the people who provide services. To this point has seemed like it is not very
transparent at all.
3. Support Request
C. Nunes – We’ve had a lot of conversations to discuss commission guidelines for support requests. Staff
is reminding us that there is a filter that we should be looking at requests through. Did we want to set up a
subgroup to set up these guidelines?
J. Frenzer – There have been people who were interested in working on this. Edward Goehring for
example.
C. Nunes – This keeps coming up and I’m wondering if we want to nail down a small group
subcommittee?
K. Neubeck – I suggest sending out an email to see if anyone is interested?
J. Frenzer – The part we’re wresting with the most is whether or not someone who gets $200 or more
should expect HRC members to be at the event and wrestling with the role of the commissioners at the
event. Maybe we need to narrow the focus.
C. Nunes – If we have a good cause but none of us are available I don’t think that should be a good
enough reason that we can’t support. We can toss that question to the subcommittee.
J. Frenzer – We’ll name people to this subcommittee until the next meeting.
HIV Alliance
B. Souza – Have there been any commissioners involved?
C. Nunes – I don’t believe so but they’re not applying for a level that stipulates that.
K. Neubeck – I don’t recall them applying for anything before at least not for this event.
Motion: Move to approve the request for $100.
Made by: J. Frenzer
Second: K. Neubeck
Vote: Unanimous.
Peer Support Specialist Training
P. Carrasco – What would the funds that you’d be requesting pay for?
Mary – We’re looking to pay the presenters.
K. Neubeck - Is the 21k for all three trainings?
Mary - Yes and then we’re looking for additional money for future support work.
Councilor Pryor – I support the passage of this and can help secure a facility.
Motion: Move to approve support of city facility for the coming three trainings the request and $100
towards training expenses.
Made by: P. Carrasco
Second: K. Neubeck
Vote: Unanimous
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Human Rights City Gathering DC
K. Neubeck – Asking for money for the Human Rights City Gathering in DC, it’s something I’m personally
interested in and that supports the HRC. The purpose of the gathering is to discuss Human Rights Cities
in the US: lessons learned, challenges and things that we can bring back. Washington DC is a human
rights city. I’ve got someone with the National Law Center who can put me up while I’m there. Faced with
$600 in airplane costs. I can take care of part of that. If the commission could come up with part of that I
would appreciate some sort of support in carrying what we’re doing here out to Washington. I’ve been
asked to plan and run a workshop as part of the conference.
J. Frenzer – Thanks for doing that.
P. Carrasco – I almost want to say that $200 isn’t enough. I have a question about the budget. The budget
is good through the end of June. I would suggest that we raise this to $500 in support of the trip.
K. Neubeck – Total for flight is about $600 round trip, lodging covered.
C. Nunes – Do you have other funding sources?
K. Neubeck – No.
Councilor Pryor – If you’re going to spend this much of the tax payers money. How will the tax payers
benefit?
K. Neubeck – I do give talks to civic groups, UO, LCC and more broadly Eugene is really on the map with
regard to this concept. While we have lots of challenges and a long way to go. When people find out
what’s going on in the City organization they’re really impressed. Because lots of times the proclamations
get passed but then nothing happens. I know that here in Eugene people are doing things. The challenges
lie outside of what is easily controlled in the community. A lot of cities of similar size and wealth we’re
doing a lot of positive things and have more to do. Recognized nationally if not internationally. The
recognition would not happen without us going to events like this and sharing what we do.
Councilor Pryor – Do you think you’ll be able to bring back tools that will benefit our organization?
K. Neubeck – Yes, and share what we’re doing here. Mt. View California is looking to become a human
rights city and they’re most interested in. I would prefer $300 instead of $500.
Motion: Move to approve funding for $300 for this trip.
Made by: A. Toke
Second: P. Carrasco
Vote: unanimous
4. Housing First Resolution
C. Nunes – I understand Mia is here to give us an update, Mia will you join us?
Mia – First I want to express my thanks for taking the time for reviewing the resolution. The city attorney is
now putting the resolution in a format presentable to council. This will incorporate your revisions, anything
that is not integrated will be added to the AIS as revisions you’d like to see so that they can choose to add
it.
K. Neubeck – Will we have an opportunity to talk to council?
Mia – This item is scheduled at the end of the 7:30 meeting, boards and commission always reserve the
right to go first if you’re speaking on behalf of the full committee. Not sure that council will take up in work
session.
J. Frenzer – Procedural question, the work group worked very hard on the wording, what we were hoping
we could do is see a draft after the city attorney raised any red flags. So that if there were major revisions
we could take a look at it again. This body hasn’t taken a stance on it. What we were trying to avoid was a
bunch of debate and have a lot of support before the hearing happened. If there is something that can be
more dissected let’s take a look now. Instead of it going to council and having it weigh into the final
decision.
Mia – The direction from council was for staff to develop a resolution. The staff chose to engage the HRC.
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Councilor Pryor – Where is the source of the resolution coming from? It is the City Council that has asked
for it. I think it’s great if the HRC wants to provide recommendations and instructions on the draft. The
draft that is being currently reviewed was drafted by staff.
J. Frenzer – The recommendations that we forwarded are being reviewed by the city attorney. We don’t
know what the revisions are. It would be great for the work group to weigh in before it ends up at council.
Councilor Pryor – If the work group wants to review and make recommendations on the draft.
J. Frenzer – That would be preferable to none at all.
Councilor Pryor – If the work group can review it and get recommendations back to the Council that could
work. Endorsement would be nice but not necessary based on the procedural process.
C. Nunes - What Chris is talking about is two versions of the document. I’m worried that the language
doesn’t match the intention and there were revisions that come from that. What if the attorney comes back
and misses the intention. If we were to go back and forth there is a mutually acceptable middle ground
there with time. Without going through that what does council do when they get a draft that is attorney
approved?
Councilor Pryor – My preference is not to have two versions. What would be best is if the city attorney’s
version is significantly different than the recommendations that we move forward one draft that is amicable
to both.
J. Frenzer – We were hoping to look at it before the meeting. It’s an important tool and I don’t want public
debate about a tool that everyone feels good about.
Councilor Pryor – This resolution is useful as it gives direction how that plays out in operation will be
worked out later. Want to be sure the policy is clear on the intention. I would recommend that as soon as
it’s done the work group review it and the councilor can try to reconcile as quickly as possible.
C. Nunes – The City Attorney may agree and then this could be a moot point. If the draft that we’re
presenting is agreeable.
Councilor Pryor – Not really two versions is making comments on the version. Happy to help in whatever
way I can to get you to that point.
J. Frenzer – Mia since you’re already here would you want to stay and talk about the update on the
outreach to experts regarding Criminalization?
C. Nunes - Do we have a motion to amend the agenda?
J. Frenzer – moved
C. Nunes – second
Approved
Mia – As you know we sent an email out to experts. Many of you were part of that, suggested experts etc.
Responses are back and we’re reviewing those. Our intention is to send the results to the council along
with next steps. I imagine we’ll be back at an HRC meeting after that is sent to council to discuss these
with you.
K. Neubeck – Are you saying that what the Council will get is what we’ll get. A summary of what you
found?
Mia – Not a summary, all of it.
J. Frenzer – With the next steps conversation is it possible that we could be included in identifying what
those are?
Mia – One of the next steps could be having this info come back to this group so that the body can weigh
in.
C. Nunes – When you say ‘we’ do you mean staff? The other thing we could discuss is to feel out if it’s
worth doing another work session to digest that information.
Mia – I mean me.
Councilor Pryor – It’s always a possibility that there could be another work session, I’m fine with it. It’s just
a potential scheduling issue.
Mia – Another thing we’re balancing is moving this forward in addition to the other things that we were
already moving forward. Would like to bring the information back the full HRC.
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Councilor Pryor – That would be important for transparency.
5. Public Passenger Vehicle Ordinance
P. Carrasco – There has been a lot of conversation about Uber coming to town and operating and
proposed ordinance language. We know that the ball is in their court to see if they’d want to go with this
ordinance. I noticed that among other issues there is one specific piece of language is not part of the
ordinance. I’d like to see that there be a percentage that some of these passenger vehicles could be ADA
accessible. As of right now there are no rules around this and from what I understand even existing taxis
don’t have a percentage.
Councilor Pryor – I don’t know for sure, I’d have to find that out.
P. Carrasco – This is a broader issue for us to address. We may need to go to other taxi companies to do
this. A lot of people have suggested that ride share and assisted living centers have accessible buses.
These are primarily for aging folks and folks that are alter-abled and this is not enough. These are folks
that we need to make a case for that we’re expecting our local business to have ADA accessible vehicles.
There was talk about making a working group or just writing language that we could just propose to city
council. If we find that language and embed it into the ordinance maybe Councilor Pryor could help guide
us on moving this forward.
Councilor Pryor – It raises an interesting procedural question. Uber has caused us to open up this
document and make changes to it. Even before Uber we needed to think about ADA. What is the degree
of ADA accessibility that is provided by all public passenger vehicle providers? That’s the larger question.
If you make this dependent on Uber it becomes confusing about who is in and out. If you’re disabled a
traditional cab company cannot help you. There is likely a need for a taskforce to address this.
J. Van Der Haeghen – Laura Hammond is willing to come and speak with you all about ADA language for
Public Passenger Vehicles. I know that she’s already well aware of existing requirements and could speak
to some of these questions.
P. Carrasco – I know it’s not Uber specific and it would be good for this to be operating in general. I will be
the lead on this task force. I’m hoping that we can do some research before we meet. We’ll bring ideas
back to the body.
C. Nunes – When we’re talking about research not just asking these questions we’d also want to compare
to other cities.
P. Carrasco – Yes I want to produce something that is manageable and are best practices in other cities.
J. Frenzer – I wondered if anyone had given any thought to seeing what Uber might do. They may do
more than the City might request.
P. Carrasco – Just as a reference how long as the ball been in their court?
Councilor Pryor – My experience with Uber is that they’re a ‘our way or no way’ company. They’re looking
at selling the company for the most dollars they can get.
A. Toke – I know that the city collects tax on travel, will the city be getting any tax from these services?
Councilor Pryor – I don’t know what the taxi surcharges or fees are collected or where they go.
A. Thomson – I’d like to work on this with you. Keep me in the loop.
P. Carrasco – I’d like a clear go ahead to research, find model language and bring other people into this
process. Then we’ll see how we can make sure this reaches its destination. I am seeing agreement for
this.
6. City Council Legislative Priorities and Use of Funds
Councilor Pryor – This whole issue boils down to what the authority is of the City Council. The only body
that can set policy for the city of Eugene is the City Council. These then serve as the intention and the
priorities of the city. We have operational policies, legislative policies and political policies that we discuss
and set. Once a policy is passed everyone who works within the city is required to follow that direction.
What governs all of our boards and commissions is that they have the ability to operate under the policy
set by the City Council. That is particularly true of legislative intent. We look at all policies that impact our
community locally, statewide and federally. What any City Councilor, staff or board member can do is to
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understand if the city council has set a policy and then you can speak so long as it’s in support of that
policy. If the HRC said there is a piece of legislation at a local, state or federal level that we want to act on
counter to the decision of the City Council or that we’ve intentionally been silent on then by spending
money, hosting and event or advocating you’re setting a policy which you’re not allowed to do. The
sustainability commission has to be very careful that if it wants to advocate for an environmental issue
they cannot unless it’s been endorsed by the city council. Particularly if it’s a piece of legislation, this
makes it doubly important to be careful. The Inter-Governmental Relations committee has positions on all
issues in front of the legislature.
This came up because the HRC was interested in supporting an event that was in support of a legislative
position. If this was in alignment to a stated city policy then could do it. There are steps to take if there was
legislation that you wanted to be supportive of, I would recommend that you ask the City Council to take a
position on it so that you can act.
Souza – We can go to the council and discuss these issues?
Councilor Pryor – Yes, that’s your job.
J. Frenzer – I would like for the HRC to consider taking the correct steps to take the Right to Rest bill to
the City Council. This gives legal meat to the matter. Criminalization is hard to move forward and it’s an
issue that stays vague. This could be something that we follow up on from the joint work session.
P. Carrasco – If I feel that there is a piece of legislation up in Salem or there is a ballot measure up in
November. I could make the case here that the ballot measure is against our human rights framework and
see if Council would take a stance on that.
Councilor Pryor – The IGR gets together to review all of the bills before each session. You can likely find
your answers there if a stance has already been taken. You’re welcome to attend the meetings as well.
There is a meeting next Wednesday after the council meeting at 1:30pm.
P. Carrasco – If it’s not being brought up would I have to come to the HRC?
Councilor – You could talk to staff, a Councilor or council.
B. Souza – If the IGR takes a stand on a piece of legislation and it’s not a stand that he’d take. Is it a done
deal or could the HRC possibly shift that stance.
Councilor Pryor - The City Council can shift their stance at any time. An example is when a bill is altered in
amendments and the City might change its stance. The HRC could come and persuade the City Council
on these issues.
Thomson – How does all of this relate to funding requests?
Councilor Pryor – Money is also part of the City of Eugene the allocation of money is representative of the
City’s positions and policies. If I send a check to the KKK, by association we’re endorsing the KKK
because we’re sending money. Money is a form of speech.
Souza – That gets back to the event in that hosting and spending money on would be supporting
it?
J. Frenzer – What if it’s a 360 forum?
Councilor Pryor - If it’s a neutral forum where all points of view were being expressed and not advocating
as a core point of view. That does fall within your purview.
K. Neubeck – What if some group comes in and makes a request on an issue?
Councilor Pryor – If we have a supportive stance you can vote yes, if no or neutral the HRC cannot.
Souza - If the city hasn’t taken a position and the HRC feels like it’s a worthy effort is the process that we
go to the City Council?
Councilor Pryor – Absolutely. You could approach indivdual councilors to introduce a motion or you could
bring it to the IGR or the formal recommendation.
Thomson – Maybe this is a thing we can add to the request form to include a question about this.
7. Council Update
Councilor Pryor – The main thing I want to talk about is I just got back from 4 days in Chicago. Eugene is
in the process of establishing a community court. Overall an alternative to the traditional court system.
Judge enacts a penalty in traditional process. What the justice community has discovered is that
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incarceration creates more problems than it solves. The judicial community is realizing that the traditional
system of justice is not working. In a Community Court model if someone is cited they go to the court and
they’re given an assessment talking about their housing, food, employment situation so that we can
understand needs and services. When they go before the judge they are given direction to speak with
service providers. Rather than jail time the human service providers help by working with you to get
networked into shelter, food, drug rehab etc. In addition to that Spokane provides everyone who goes
through court gets a free meal. You can get services in the moment. In addition to community courts
people are trying: Mental health court, drug court, veteran’s court etc.
City of Eugene already has been experimenting with Mental Health Court this court is to observe people
with mental health problems and line them up with services. If you sentence someone to treatment they
will take their meds, see councilor and come back every week. If someone needs shelter they work to
provide that. One of the ways these work is when they’re administered well and have good case
management. City of Eugene received a grant to bring in a case worker, build the process and make sure
that people do not end up back on the street with no substantial help. Part of the conversation that does
need to occur is identifying the needs in term of oversite and advising and informing. Very exciting to have
the grant to create court that might be able to pay off. I will work with them to get it established on the front
end and because of my past work I will work to help the judges to connect with service providers.
A. Toke – Do they also incorporate restorative justice?
Councilor Pryor – Yes and Eugene is already experimenting with Restorative Justice.
B. Souza – Won’t people become aware of the court by being pulled into the process?
Councilor Pryor - For offenders they’ll get to know quickly but we also want the community to know about
it. Part of it works because they have community support. Community Court recidivism rate is far lower.
B. Souza – How does this effect people’s record? Rather than going to jail or doing the traditional does
this keep them out of the system?
Councilor Pryor – It is a way keep people from developing records. It’s geared toward helping people get
back to the community.
K. Neubeck – Does this include felonies and misdemeanors?
Councilor Pryor – This has been interesting discussion some cities have been working at the Felony level,
most are working at the misdemeanor level.
J. Frenzer – Follow up on Majeska’s idea some of these models you’ve looked at like Spokane and Red
Hook, do they have a component where they have an advisory group that oversees this?
Councilor Pryor – I think in terms of having something that provides oversite that could be hard to set up
but an advisory body could more readily be set up.
J. Frenzer – Do the models have advisory groups?
Councilor Pryor – The judges have this information I’ll need to look into that. We’re working with the
Library to use the Bascom-Tykeson room and they’re supportive.
Heather Marek – Has there been any discussion about whether there would be any advocates with them
as they go through the process.
Councilor Pryor – Yes, they’re not really case workers and we need to determine who they are and how
they work. One thing we’ll want to know is what exactly they do in other communities is what we’re looking
at.
Heather – Will there be people who will help to look after the rights of the people as they navigate the
court?
Councilor Pryor – Procedural justice is important. Need to make courts clear and understandable. Explain
things in plain language. Second thing is that were ensured that the court operated with integrity. Respect
everybody including the offender at all times. 36 states and many countries attended the summit.
8. Hate and Bias Reporting Update
J. Van Der Haeghen – What you have is a quarterly report from January to March of 2016. There are only
three cases that have been reported for that timeframe. This is a decrease from years past. At this point
what you’ll see is that race is still a leading factor and we’ve seen an uptick of graffiti in schools.
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Lt. Bills – The challenge with schools is figuring out intent versus being jerks by pushing people’s buttons
with things they know will be effective. These children have been dealt with directly. In 2015 in the first
quarter we had 18 reported incidents and in 2014 11 reported incidents, by contrast. You might be
wondering why, my answer is I don’t know. Maybe people are being nicer and maybe people are not
reporting the crime. Many of these communities tend to under report violence. Were constantly working to
make sure that more people feel comfortable reporting. We had seen uptick in bias against the LGBTQ
community but are not seeing it right now. With warmer weather and people being out and about I wonder
if this will go up. I am curious if that will be the case.
P. Carrasco – Where did these incidents occur? I’m concerned that the national rhetoric is feeding the fire
of what people are doing and also maybe keeping people from reporting.
J. Frenzer – My great concern is that with the national rhetoric is that people are afraid to report. How can
we help with making sure that people know that they can report and that it’s safe and ok. When you talked
about how you really want to encourage that reporting, what is done?
Lt. Bills – One of our greatest assets is the HRC and HRNI, some people go there first to figure out what
their options are and choose not to report. I see the HRNI as one of the best outreach points and point of
contact to help people access reporting options. If you’re a victim of crime we’ll treat you with the same of
compassion no matter who you are. Do I think we can continue to do outreach to other communities
absolutely. I’d gladly take suggestions.
B. Souza – This is one of the questions that the Anti-Discrimination work group is doing in focus groups. In
some cases people are not aware that there is a process. The outreach is necessary. Also providing
information about the LECC that’s looking at profiling and the opportunity that people have to file a
complaint anonymously.
K. Neubeck – We are hearing a lot of stories. Including police harassment at the UO and LCC campuses
of people of color. It’s interesting that they don’t recognize any authority outside of their campus. How are
those folks being protected?
Lt. Bills – If people are victims are crimes at UO they can choose to report to us. If it’s at LCC that’s in
Lane county and could go to them or Oregon State Police. One thing we noted by the end of last year was
a challenge in capturing data on violence against people in the trans community. This has been fixed and
we are correctly tracking these cases now. I think it will make a difference as we transition this will be
apples to oranges.
K. Neubeck – I should clarify that the complaints are also about the police themselves.
9. EPD Update (Lt. Bills)
Lt. Bills - Hiring update we started with 400 applicants, offered 63 to interview and 12 will go to
background check process from those. Out of background we get about half and from there we get about
half make it all the way through. It’s ok to be picky to work to get quality people to serve as police officers.
I’d like it if we had 60 great candidates we could do backgrounds on but we don’t.
C. Nunes – Do we have demographic information on those applicants?
Lt. Bills – that’s something that HR keeps very close.
A. Thomson – How many positions are you looking to hire?
Lt. Bills – We have up to 7 FTE we can fill. For the authorized number we have a high level of FTE
available. Some are detectives and some are patrol. I do not believe we’ll over hire this time but we have
to anticipate retirements.
P. Carrasco – Do you know how many people may retire?
Lt. Bills – I have 2 retiring in investigations this year, 2 patrol officers in June. We’re an hour glass shaped
agency right now. I’ll end with today I was able to sit in at the swearing in with 7 new police officers they
will graduate in mid-September. From what I’ve heard this is an outstanding group of students.
A. Toke – demographics for those?
Lt. Bills – One woman, two people of color and the rest are men. That fits standard for EPD for
percentages. Women are at 9% of police department right now.
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10. Commission Liaison Updates
B. Souza – I put together an update with an attachment. All speaks for itself, there was one more go
around related to the resumption of recording the CRB meetings. Does anyone have any questions? One
thing I will say is that I’ve spoken with Chris and Jen some about the HRC recommendation about the
letter we signed on to a few months ago.
J. Frenzer – It feels like we had a meeting where we brought everyone up to speed on the events that
have happened. Having the recordings of this board, we wrote a letter recommending that because of
transparency to the process. It’s important that they be recorded and that it is possible to go back to look
at the transcript. The board was looking at different types of recording because its charter recommends
recording. An alternative has been to do minutes to be able to find where it occurs on the recording. I
strongly support that. I’m not sure how to move forward on recording. There is a sense that our letter
touched a nerve, I’m not sure why. There may have been some confusion about why the HRC weighed in.
Maybe it’s an unfair assessment that there is an issue. It’s a pretty important issue because if there is
something high profile the community will come looking for this information.
Councilor Pryor - I had a chance to read the letter, I think there is something to think about which is what
you do and how you do it. What you did in terms of making a recommendation to the CRB was not a bad
thing. How did you do it that touched a nerve is what you’ll want to explore. When I looked at the letter it
didn’t feel like a friendly letter from one equal to another. It sounded like the letter was directive to the
CRB. This was not your intent but could be interpreted that way. There is absolutely a way to repair the
relationship. You’ll just need to think about what is the best way to communicate that is mutually
supportive. I don’t have the answers right now about how to approach issues like this. Good for
commissions and boards to connect. I sat down with the Auditor to chat about it. I suggested that they do
summary minutes and a recording. They have to work out what they want. I don’t think there is any desire
on the CRB to close out transparency. I think there is room.
B. Souza – It was not the whole board who was put off and there were a few people that didn’t like it and
they also ended up being the people who decided not to record. I don’t recall anybody wanting a
transcript.
Heather – There was concern on the part of the auditor if there was a recording there would be a need for
a verbatim transcript.
Majeska – I think the issue is that the Auditor is raising lots of potential problems from having a recording.
He does not want to have a recording because there are various ways that if things went wrong that they
could get sued. He states lots of concerns with having a recording.
Councilor Pryor – My recommendation to him was that he record and provide limited minutes.
P. Carrasco – First there seemed to be a problem about confidentiality. There was also a note about the
strong officer bill of rights. This is rife with a ton of potential problems. One very important thing I wanted to
mention here is that I don’t think that we could have worded the letter any other way. I think people who
were going to have an issue were going to have an issue.
Councilor Pryor – I think everything could be made cool easily.
K. Neubeck – My experience at the Police Commission was similar. I asked that they jointly endorse with
us that people who are homeless would be added as a protected class. It was clear to me that many
people had not read the criminal code in preparation. Because it was an ordinance they didn’t want to take
it up. I was blindsided because the chair had said it would sail through.
J. Frenzer – It was a rapport building strategy.
Councilor Pryor – How the relationship works between commissions is an important question.
K. Neubeck – We’ve worked with the Sustainability Committee without any incidents. It seems that these
two groups are caught up in their own culture.
B. Souza – Since the CRB was formed the meetings have been recorded. It was last spring when they
recordings stopped. It was the Auditor who made that decision. It may have been because someone
ordered a copy and had a conversation with him. It’s not as though we’re asking for something that is new.
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C. Nunes – In the interest of time, what is the objective of this conversation? We’ve discussed this matter,
sent a letter, what would you like to see as next steps for the HRC?
Councilor Pryor – Might be worthwhile for a City Council work session in order to see if there is a unified
set of policies that the council could set. I don’t want to put too many controls on the commissions. But it is
an option.
K. Neubeck – Option to have a summit meeting to address some of these concerns. Want to mention that
John Ruiz took one time training money to have a onetime training on Human Rights. Should also have
the boards and commissions prepared to discuss these issues.
Councilor Pryor – We need to figure out how we can make sure that we all think everything is important.
B . Souza – I think that the CRB stands alone in its importance to the community and having faith.
Councilor Pryor – It is unique because it was established by charter.
J. Frenzer – There are next steps, we need to meet again to talk about what are logical next steps. It’s too
important to the community.
Councilor Pryor – I would like to get there but in the best way.
11. Work Group Lead Updates
K. Neubeck – There are possibilities of signing onto the letter in the packets as a commission, individuals
or the chair could write a letter to the editor referencing Faye Stewarts comments and others that are
creating an unsafe environment. I think that the community wants a response out of us. Not to respond is
to pretend none of this is going on. I think that the API community is furious and have voiced their
concerns to the County Commission.
C. Nunes – Two things that I wanted to bring to the group. One, I have a back ground in creative writing
and the letter was so well written I feel that I might end up borrowing pieces of it rather than writing
something completely new. I like that Ken added about how Eugene wants to be a welcoming community.
I’m a little nervous about meeting the quality of the letter. Two with respect to the conversation earlier
Chris this is specific to Lane County. I think it’s entirely appropriate for the commission to speak about the
growing language that is part of the national discussion. I would probably keep the name of a person out
who is running for office. If you don’t mention their name but speak to what happens that is fine.
P. Carrasco – I have a problem with that because in calling out racism we have to try very hard to be anti-
racist. In doing so it’s extremely important that we name names. If we completely avoid the fact that we’re
talking about a Lane County commissioner and name him by name. One of the biggest points to be made.
All of Springfield, Thurston and part of Eugene are in his district. His constituency is in our city.
Councilor Pryor – He didn’t say this as a Lane County commissioner he said it as a candidate for Senate.
He was at a candidate presentation running for office. He was not in a meeting for the Commission. To
have an agent of the City express an opinion on a candidate for office is concerning. As much as I agree
with you, we can’t go there. We can call out the behavior forcefully. I don’t think we’d be on safe ground
taking on a candidate as the City of Eugene. I could see members of my own City Council for being upset
with this Commission for an action like that.
P. Carrasco – We’ve had excellent conversations about the benefits of being overly cautious. This person
was clearly not interested in what rules were surrounding him. I don’t know why we need to being overly
cautious here. I think we need to call it out with his name.
K. Neubeck – I’m feeling increasingly constrained in supporting what the ordinance mandates that we
supports which is human rights in the city. It seems that there is a conflict in what we can do if we cannot
speak out against these things.
Councilor Pryor – You can, we’re talking about one element. Just naming the name of a candidate for
office is the problem. I don’t think you can call out a candidate for office that has not been endorsed or
opposed by the City of Eugene.
B. Souza – I don’t see this as an issue we can sit out. The community is asking us to take action on this.
Councilor Pryor - I don’t want to get this group and the City Council to get cross ways. If you run a fowl of
what they’re comfortable with you can get in trouble. If you want to have total freedom go outside of the
City of Eugene and set up a human rights board. As long as you’re part of this organization you have to
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abide by the policies. I’m willing to get a legal opinion. If the City attorney says I’m being overly cautious I’ll
back off.
C. Nunes – This is why we asked Chris to tell us more about the alignment.
Councilor Pryor – Personally I agree with everything that Phil said I just want us to find the correct path
forward.
P. Carrasco – One main thing is that you don’t want us to get in trouble with City Council. When does he
get in trouble with his boss?
C. Nunes – This is what Chris was saying earlier. The same way we can comment on the legislation. The
city Council could say that Eugene is part of Lane County and we don’t support hat.
Councilor Pryor – You could certainly ask the Council to make an opinion on this issue.
J. Frenzer – I think that we need to take action about a racist statement that was said by an elected
official. I don’t think that we can dance around this. I’m not concerned about getting in trouble. It is
precisely where the public meets the road. That is how you dismantle systemic racism. Not by being
cautious or reckless. Pushing the envelope is how you get rid of systemic racism.
Councilor Pryor – No one said to do nothing.
J. Frenzer – I think we do need to say that this is the person who said these things.
Councilor Pryor – Is it the purpose to go after the behavior or person?
P. Carrasco – Especially as a public figure I think both. As a human rights city.
Councilor Pryor – I’m not comfortable with it.
C. Nunes – That’s why I hesitated. I wanted to bring it to the group and see what other people thought. I
don’t want to act as chair without your consent. I did bring up the concern because of the political angle. A
misstep could be detrimental for the Eugene Human Rights Commission. I’m with Chris on this aspect of
it. It could be construed as a political move which is not our intent
P. Carrasco – One thing is very clear, people that are part of our community that identify as Asian or
pacific islander they are asking us to back them up.
C. Nunes –This is really not within our constituency based on our organization. Our job is to advise City
Council.
Councilor Pryor – You could say what was said was unacceptable and reprehensible.
P. Carrasco – I do want to ask, are we saying that the City Council is having to endorsed or not Faye
Stewart then can take a stance?
Councilor Pryor - I would go to the City Council and ask that they say it. It bypasses the whole problem.
Go to City Council and present your request that they take a stance on what was said.
C. Nunes – It’s not that if they’re an elected official that they can’t say anything bad. It’s that the City of
Eugene HRC cannot say it without following the direction of council.
B. Souza – I wonder if the HRC can bring this issue to the city council through a letter asking them to
censure and when we do this our letter is as public as anything else. That’s what we do to make it public.
Councilor Pryor - I think that’s a fine way to go.
K. Neubeck – If they don’t censure, the letter is still in the public.
B. Souza – This letter can refer to his statement and back out to dangerous dialogue.
K. Neubeck – He’s a perfect example of the political climate that is being exploited nationally. Especially in
the rural parts of the country.
P. Carrasco – It would be nice to use the language from the letter.
B. Souza – The next focus group is with the API community I imagine this issue is going to come up. I’d
like to be able to say something to them. On April 28th.
P. Carrasco – I want to point out that we’re having to behave while he was allowed to say this.
J. Frenzer – What I’m hearing that people would like a letter written to the City Council. What is a realistic
timeline?
Councilor Pryor – Doing something like this sooner than later while it’s fresh is good.
K. Neubeck – I’d be happy to partner with Chris to write this letter.
C. Nunes - I’d love some help.
P. Carrasco – I’ll pitch in as well. Let’s make it a google doc.
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Councilor Pryor – Next City Council meeting is next Monday.
Motion: Move that the committee drafts a letter to the City Council’s attention about Faye Stewart’s
comments.
Moved by: J. Frenzer
Second: P. Carrasco
Vote: Unanimous
K. Neubeck – North Carolina and Mississippi are the most blatant on what they say about LGBTQ
communities. In North Carolina localities are not allowed to prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ
community. Big one is the bathroom part of the bill that says each person will use the bathroom based on
the sex assigned at birth. A lot of corporations in and outside of the US have begun disinvestment in North
Carolina. Portland, Multnomah county, NY state, San Francisco have all sent letters saying that they’re
banning non-essential travel. Mississippi’s law hides behind religious freedom saying that people who
provide services do not need to serve them. We’re asking that the City of Eugene take a position asking
the City Manager ban unnecessary travel to these states.
Councilor Pryor – We’ve done this before and have banned travel to Arizona. The ironic thing is that the
effect on these bans will be on Charlotte, the people who will suffer are the most liberal elements of the
state and the rural people are not impacted.
K. Neubeck – The people are being hurt by the policy.
Councilor Pryor – It’s just sad that when you try to do something to respond you wind up hurting the
people who are most supportive. We likely don’t travel to North Carolina very often.
P. Carrasco – We could look into what the City buys from North Carolina.
Councilor Pryor – The people who deserve to feel the consequence are not going to feel it. Do it, I don’t
think there is any problem with it being passed.
J. Van Der Haeghen – Is the best method a request to council?
Councilor Pryor – Yes in the form of a letter.
Motion: Move that we send a letter to council recommending the suspension of all non-essential travel to
North Carolina and Mississippi.
Made by: J. Frenzer
Second: P. Carrasco
Vote: Unanimous
J. Frenzer –I’m following up on the budget requests, there are three events that we’re organizing. These
events will be listed in the art walk brochure. This invoice is for May a series of films and photos at the
library as part of the art walk. The videographer does interviews with people who are homeless. She was
funded by the Wayne Morse Center on Law and Politics to share what is happening here with other
communities. We have invited photographers including Robert Hill Long who is a poet as well. Another
event next month during art walk is a June 3rd gathering for youth. Off the Waffle said they would give us
free waffles if we made the restaurant the venue. We have the Bascom Tykeson room at the library and
were thinking we’ll have Walk Away Burritos there, music and information booths. It’s a good thing we
have both venues because everyone I’ve asked has said they would table.We will need to pay for this to
be added to the Art Walk posting as well. We are getting art supplies donated. Still need food money to
get the burritos made.
Looking for this invoice to be paid for May 6th and another for June 3rd and about $130 for printing. What
we’re printing are in color. A youth artists has created spray paint artwork. I think we’ll need $450 for the
May 6th event. Last film event hasn’t been scheduled yet. I was going to ask you for money for the fee for
showing it but other folks stepped forward to cover that. We’re looking for $50 for refreshments for that
event.
K. Neubeck – Where will it be shown?
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J. Frenzer - South Eugene High School in collaboration with Community Supported Shelters and First
Christian Church. For the June 3rd event we are going to approach the Oregon Country Fair to pay the
musicians and artists. Will need to understand process from the HRNI. I think the total budget will be close
to $620 for all three events. This will leave the HRC with $380.
Motion: Move that we support up to $620 for the Homelessness Work Group Events.
Made by: P. Carrasco
Second: K. Neubeck
Vote: Unanimous.
12. Staff Update
J. Van Der Haeghen - Laura Hammond is willing to come to your next meeting to talk about Healthy
Downtown and Uber.
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Agenda
City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
Human Rights Commission Meeting 4/19/16
Packet Contents
Draft Agenda Page 1
Minutes from 3/15/16 Page 3
Funding Requests
Budget update Page 13
HIV Alliance Page 14
Peer Support Page 17
Hate and Bias Quarterly Report Page 20
Liaison Report CRB and minutes Page 21
Work Group Updates and Supporting Document
Homelessness Work Group Update Page 26
Anti-Discrimination Work Group Update Page 27
Office of Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement | City of Eugene | 99 W 10th Ave | Eugene OR 97401 | (541) 682-5272
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: Chris Nunes (Chair), Jennifer Frenzer (Vice Chair), Andrew Thomson, Ken
Neubeck, Edward Goehring, Philip Carrasco, Edward McGlone, Arun Toke, Debra Merskin, Bonnie Souza,
Councilor Chris Pryor
Staff: Jennifer Lleras Van Der Haeghen, Lt. Jennifer Bills
The Human Rights Commission typically meets on the third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016
5:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting
Atrium Building, Sloat Room, 99 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene
Contact: Jennifer Lleras Van Der Haeghen, 541-682-5619,
jennifer.e.vanderhaeghen@ci.eugene.or.us
ITEM _______________ACTION______ TIME
1. Agenda/Minutes Review and Approval (Chair) Discuss/Vote 5:30 - 5:40 (10 min)
2. Public Comment (Chair) 5:40 - 5:50 (10 min)
3. Support Request (Chair) Discuss/Vote 5:50 – 5:55 (5 min)
- HIV Alliance
- Human Rights City Gathering DC
4. Housing First Resolution Discussion 5:55 – 6:10 (15 min)
5. Public Passenger Vehicle Ordinance 6:10 – 6:15 (5min)
6. City Council Legislative Priorities and Use of Funds Discussion 6:15 – 6:25 (10 min)
7. Council Update 6:25 – 6:35 (10 min)
8. Hate and Bias Reporting Update 6:35 – 6:45 (10 min)
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9. EPD Update (Lt. Bills) 6:45 – 6:55 (10 min)
10. Commission Liaison Updates 6:55 – 7:05 (10 min)
11. Work Group Lead Updates 7:05 – 7:20 (15 min)
- Asian and Pacific Islander Statement of Support
12. Staff Update 7:20 – 7:25 (5 min)
13. Announcements 7:25 – 7:30 (5 min)
Upcoming events, activities or meetings the HRC needs to be aware of:
April 22nd and 23rd, Northwest PeaceJam Conference (Young People ages 14-18), University of
Oregon Gerlinger Hall.
May 6th 6-9:30pm, Voices of Change Celebration, JADE APANO Multicultural Space (8116 SE
Division St. Portland, OR 97206), Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon . $50
May 7th 9am – 5pm, Basic Rights Education Fund’s Statewide Leadership Summit, Lane
Community College Building 17 Room 309.
May 7th, Pedal for the People: Oregon Supported Living Program, Armitage Park in Eugene.
May 11th 7pm - 9pm, The Art of the Protest Song, Benefitting Food for Lane County, Tamarak
Annex at South Hills Center.
May 12th 5:30pm – 8:00pm, Don’t Just Dream It, Be it: Concrete Actions for Change, NAACP
and partners, EWEB Community Room.
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.
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City of Eugene
Human Rights Commission
MINUTES
Tuesday, March 15th, 2016
5:30 – 7:30 PM Meeting
Atrium Building, Sloat Room, 99 W. 10th Avenue, Eugene
Present:
Human Rights Commissioners: Ken Neubeck, Jennifer Frenzer, Edward Goehring, Chris Nunes, Arun
Toke, Deb Merskin, Phil Carrasco Councilor Chris Pryor
Staff: Michael Kinnison and Jennifer Lleras Van Der Haeghen
EPD Liaison: Lt. Jennifer Bills
Commission and Board Liaisons: Heather Marek (Civilian Review Board), Bill Randall (Planning
Commission)
1. Agenda/Minutes Review and Approval
Motion: Move to approve the mins
Made by: K. Neubeck
Second: D. Merskin
Vote: Unanimous
Motion: Move to approve the agenda
Made by: D. Merskin
Second: K. Nuebeck
Vote: Unanimous
2. Public Comment
Larisa Varela, Associate Planner, City of Eugene Public Works – Engineering
In 2016 the City Council initiated a Vision Zero task force to establish how we will eliminate traffic
fatalities in our community. From 2014-2015 saw a large increase in traffic fatalities. Vision Zero
has seen success in Europe, many cities in the US are taking on initiatives like this. Since data
shows members of affinity groups the HRC often represents are most likely to be injured or killed
in a traffic accident staff are inviting an HRC rep for the task force. Kicking off the taskforce in
April.
3. Support Request
TAC International Film Festival –
Rick Petegrew – Thank you for the opportunity to come to you again and ask for your support.
We’ve been putting on this event for 13 years. It’s Eugene’s oldest film festival. This event is a
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celebration of human cultures worldwide through time and space. We will be screening 21 films
from many different places. We’re expanding our event this year to be a conference. There will be
films and presentations from all over the world. The films in most cases have to do with universal
human rights values and principles.
K. Nuebeck – Could you share examples of the films?
R. Pettigrew – Sure, the old Bizarre of Tehran, Ancient Culture of Peru, one on Turkey and
Istanbul, Australia etc.
C. Nunes – There are a lot of different locations to view the films this year, I see the Bijou Metro
listed.
R. Pettigrew – Yes, they will be shown at the Bijou Metro, Shed and Hilton
E. Goehring – How much is your request for?
R. Pettigrew - $200
E. Goehring – Can you meet the requirements for the co-sponsorship? I want to bring up again that
we need to determine if we can be involved or give co-sponsorship without the participation.
D. Merskin – Are you talking about the development of this request being with a commissioner?
E. Goehring – Our rules say that we’ll be involved in the planning process as a function of our co-
sponsorship. The problem is that we don’t have enough commissioners to do that for every request.
So instead of having folks come in and thinking that is a requirement I’d like to see the forms
updated.
D. Merskin – I usually attend this festival and am happy to help in that regard.
R. Pettigrew – We’re very willing to do all that we can to make it possible for an HRC member to
participate in whatever way works.
A. Toke – Will you be able to give tickets to the HRC to attend?
R. Pettigrew – Our films at the recital hall will be free this year.
Motion: Move to approve $200 with Debra attending the event.
Made by: E. Goehring
Second: J. Frenzer
Vote: Unanimous
DisOrient Film Festival
Motion: Move to approve the amount requested $200.
Made by: P. Carrasco
Second: K. Neubeck
Vote: Unanimous
Community Alliance of Land County
K. Neubeck – I’m on the planning committee for this event. This is one in a series of movies and
discussions that are being put on by CALC and SURJ. This is a film that has been recommended by
the Rural Organizing Project (ROP) who work where armed militias are active. After the film we’ll
have a presentation by Jess Campbell with ROP. She will bring us up to date and focus on what
rural counties in Oregon are experiencing with militias. We know that many of the people who
were involved in the Maulher County demonstrations are from Eugene/Springfield. There will be
small group discussions after her talk. We’ve had about 40-60 people on Sundays. What they’re
asking for is the use of the Hilyard Community Center to hold the event.
E. Goehring – How does this work with parks?
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J. Lleras Van Der Haeghen – Community groups can access the space at no cost if sponsored by an
agent of the City such as Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement office or the HRC.
Motion: Move to support the event so that they can access the free rental.
Made by: J. Frenzer
Second: P. Carrasco
Vote: Unanimous
A. Nunes - The purpose of this is to do education right.
K. Neubeck – Yes, there is a lot of poverty and a lack of resources in those areas. There are people
who call 911 and get an answering machine or responses hours later. Many people have concerns
about what is going on in these areas and we want to show that these militias are closely linked to
white supremacists groups. It’s a strategy that they’re not outright racist, they’re all white groups
and armed.
P. Carrasco – Wanted to make a note that when we offer an endorsement we’re letting them know
that they can use the Commission’s name for publicity. One thing I want to point out is that I think
we should consider taking the banner to these events. I’ll commit to taking the banner to the three
events that we’ve sponsored tonight.
A. Toke – At the disorient events they have a screen with sponsors.
E. Goehring – A. I think this is a good idea. It would be a more beneficial if we had our brochures
and if we write this into what organizations should do once they receive sponsorship.
P. Carrasco – We can make the logo available to them for publicity as well.
J. Frenzer – These types of events are great places to be meeting potential candidates for our
commission. Maybe we should have a brochure to ask people to learn more about the commission
and invite them to join so that we can mentor and build interest all year.
4. Indigenous People’s Day Resolution Update
P. Carrasco – It was awesome last night. I want to thank Councilor Pryor. We didn’t have to ask he
just helped move this forward. There were beautiful words spoken by community members. There
were a lot of new faces. This is such a small symbolic gesture and for the right reasons the
community does come out. They were passionate, respectful and vocal. It had me thinking about
how many other issues there are where we can invite people to participate. Juventud Faceta and
native youth were there. It was a great moment for the City of Eugene, demonstrates great
leadership. Passed 8-0. Proof again that we’re a human rights city and took this step forward.
Councilor Pryor – I was very proud, all of the people who spoke did so with a lot of passion. I was
hoping for a unanimous vote and any time we get a unanimous vote we’re really doing something
powerful.
5. Housing First Resolution Discussion
C. Nunes – You can find it on page 28.
J. Frenzer – The status of the resolution right now is that we were hoping to hear back from the City
Manager’s Office so that we could have their feedback on the feedback we provided about the
resolution. We don’t have that at this time, what this does is give us a chance to talk about what the
work group did. The Work Group took the drafts presented to us and we worked them and came up
with this draft. Some of this was done online and some in the meeting. We spent time doing group
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writing together. We have a lot of people’s input and for that I’m really grateful. That means a lot of
advocates and people who are unhoused have been able to look at this and contemplate what it
means for them. I don’t know how much time you’ve had to look at this. Objective is to make sure
that Housing first is seen as an approach, not the end all be all. This is one tool in the tool box in
dealing with a large and complex population and the goal is that City Council resolves to commit to
using this tool. The Poverty and Homelessness Board is already working on these projects and
pursuing funding from HUD. In the past there was an assumption that people needed to be ready for
housing. What we want to build is no threshold housing that is supported with services, tailored to
their needs, where the people are not expected to be clean and sober before shelter is part of the
service. What we’re emphasizing is that this is not in lieu of emergency shelter. When we say this is
important, we’re not saying they’re more important than resources for emergency shelter in the
short term. If someone is going to transition to the housing first program where there needs to be a
plan for the interim. Eliminate criminalization, emergency shelter and Housing First are important
strategies. There are more evidence based programs emerging in other places.
P. Carrasco – What you’re proposing here is the idea that there is not one strategy that were
investing in right?
J. Frenzer – Yes it’s a piece of the puzzle.
K. Neubeck – One feature of Housing First is that it’s going to take quite a while. We need to
address what we’ll do with people in the interim. Want to really give a push to the HF thing, not at
the cost of the city’s continued support of sanctioned camps, dusk to dawn etc.
P. Carrasco – In regards to tracking. This is a Human Rights issue, for educational purposes we
should track progress to see if it’s been successful. Will there be tracking of success of people who
are part of the program?
J. Frenzer – Steve Manella at the County could answer this question. These are evidence based
strategies, evaluating what works for our town is important. We want to figure out what works here.
P. Carrasco- We want a standing argument about what works here. The fact that HUD is involved,
will they share local information, if not can we put something in place?
E. Goehring – For this resolution draft are you seeking us to sign off on it? And then that City
Council will adopt this?
J. Frenzer – Not sure where this is going. There were two motions that came out of that meeting.
One of them was to draft resolution. The original was drafted then the work group sent in feedback
and we’re waiting to hear from the City Manager’s office so that we’re aligning. The goal is that the
Council would be able to adopt a resolution in the end. Chris can likely fill us in to what council
thinks.
Councilor Pryor – This goes to the City Manager’s office to make sure that it doesn’t create any
unintentional problems. Jennifer is right, you want to put something in front of the City Council that
they will be supportive of. I think this draft has really advanced. It does put an obligation to find a
funding source. Putting feet to the fire in that way. It’s more than aspirational, it wants us to do
something. Need to find the resources, time and energy to do something. In that respect it’s a good
thing.
A. Toke – Went to an international conference where they discussed similar work in Canada. I
will pass it along to you.
6. A.L.I.C.E Report Discussion
Elena Fracchia – United Way Lane County
I’m here to share research from the Pacific Northwest and Lane County in particular as it pertains to
the A.L.I.C.E. Report. Looking to figure out how we can help families get to the end of the month
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with money left over and understand what that means. What we’re doing is looking at households
and what it will mean to help people get to the end of the month. The federal poverty level is not
telling us what it takes to get to the end of the month because it is not a realistic measure of poverty.
Some people in our area are using multiples of the federal poverty level to asses who qualifies for
their support. Our focus is on the Household Survival Budget first and the helping people get to a
Stability Budget.
A.L.I.C.E. households make up more people than you might think. The A.L.I.C.E. Report is telling
us that these people are our friends, families and neighbors. They’re people who work in high and
well-paying jobs, finding that the cost of living is exceeding those salaries. 2 in 5 households are
struggling to meet the survival budget. Nearly doubles the federal poverty number of households.
5 basic household costs are taken into account – Housing, Childcare, Food, Transportation, Health
Care, Taxes.
J. Frenzer – We’d like to help you get this information out. Thank you so much for coming to us
again with this information. It was very helpful to have you at the Homelessness Work Group
meeting as well. There is more to this than meets the eye, there are very interesting conversations
we can have about this data. It does help us understand how to have conversations about poverty. If
you come at it from the same page and data we can make coordinated solutions. When you realize
that 153K people in our community are faced with this dilemma. When people are talking about
how homeless people are doing this by choice, that’s not true and we can use this information to
support that. The economic recovery never occurred and we have many families in this situation.
What is the plan to get this out to community at large?
Elena – Making sure that we’re getting this to our key partners, from here we’re intending to focus
one topic at a time to discuss. For example starting with child care to figure out what the ways are
that we can collaborate on supporting families who need to access child care. We’re hoping to pull
together many people who have knowledge about each issues to discuss strategies. We want to
change the conversation about poverty, from us and them to all of us. Not just about this exact
budget but beyond.
P. Carrasco – You mentioned a lot of partners, they see this happening. Not to pick a fight but is
this information being presented to the Chamber of Commerce? There is a lot being said to present
false information about low wage workers. Need to get real and talk about these facts. There is a
real ethical question that businesses have to ask themselves. If I owned a small business and looked
at that and knew what I paid my employees I would have a dilemma.
Elena – One of the conversations we’re having is with employers. This conversation is top of mind
right now. You see this data today but that doesn’t mean that employers can change the salaries
being paid tomorrow. We are seeing employers ask questions about the bigger picture and thinking
about collaboration. They’re thinking about what partnerships are possible to meet the
transportation, child care needs of their employees.
E. Goehring – One thing that is driving Oregon’s cost of living up is that were one of the
destinations to move to. People from around the country are coming here because of the cost of
living. I would love to see a column that is 1 or 2 people who are seniors or folks with disabilities.
That’s going to look different, as those of us who are boomers know we’re costing a lot more. It’s
not up here in this presentation.
Elena - It is addressed in the report. We’re also working with AARP in Oregon to see what this
looks like.
C. Nunes – I’ve been looking at this in conjunction with my day job at a credit union. You’ve been
touching on this a little bit in addressing a lease on a car or student loans. What is the analysis of
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where loans come into this? A lot of these families have a loan or two. The other aspect, if they’re
not making ends meet, credit card debt may be going up. How does that factor in?
Elena – It’s not factored in. We’re looking at the survival budget but the reality is that we’re seeing
that these are the salaries that people are living on. We have to start asking, what are the tradeoffs
that people are making? Maybe taking up another loan means you need to take up another job
which impact child care. There are many levers and pulleys that impact this. The other piece of this
is the stability budget, the one line item that is added is a savings budget. Either for an emergency
savings or paying for loans. But when we look at that salary we know people are not making that
kind of money. We’re working with folks to think about how case workers can talk about budgeting
in order to normalize this conversation.
7. City Council Update
Councilor Pryor – We already talked about the Indigenous Peoples’ Day resolution. At the same
meeting the City Council voted to extend the sunset dates of the Rest Stops and Dusk to Dawn
ordinances. We find these programs to be very successful and have decided to remove the word
“pilot” from their description. We continued to talk about down town. This is the nexus for where
these issues come together around human rights and other areas. I serve on a task force that the
mayor put together to address these issues. We’ve been getting a lot of back ground information so
that we can best respond to populations and their characteristics. The meeting I had just before this
one was the Housing Policy Board. In looking at this material, one thing we’re looking at is that a
lot of projects are funded on the area median income. Terry McDonald was there to ask about the
increasing of the minimum wage, rapid increase medical increases and the rolling impact will be on
how HUD funding works for low income housing projects. We’re talking about minimum wage at
the council level as well. We want to see what the state roll out looks like and then we will continue
these discussions at a later time. We will be thinking about this as we have budget discussions this
year. We’re not shying away from things, we’re taking them on, although maybe not as quickly as
you might like. I’m very pleased with the progress we’re making. The meeting with the HRC from
December was very helpful.
J. Frenzer – The pilot programs now being considered programs, does that increase the likelihood
that we’ll see an updated list of potential property for new sites? We’ve shown that the model is
effective but haven’t been able to expand because of the limited sites.
Councilor Pryor – The original Rest Stop program was built around sites that were owned by City
of Eugene. We had talked about trying to identify and finding other sites the City didn’t control but
we’re not there yet. At least 3 or 4 other councilors have been keen to look for other partners.
Having Lane County do what they have has been very positive. We’re going to look for industrial
and private locations. When I proposed a Rest Stop site I had my head handed to me in a basket.
We run into a natural fear on these issues. You’re absolutely right but it’s going to take time to get
into this.
J. Frenzer – How much commitment is there to coordinate with the Neighborhood Associations? If
they’re bringing the ideal locations, you’re side stepping this all together.
Councilor Pryor – We did talk about a need to distribute the locations to all of the wards,including
mine and everyone else’s. Involving the neighborhoods does not get us completely away from
NIMBY response.
J. Frenzer – It really does have a different impact if people are engaged from the beginning. What
about 4j, EWEB or state property?
Councilor Pryor – I believe these organizations have been approached but I don’t know what the
responses have been.
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J. Frenzer – I would be curious to know who is working on property outreach. It would be great to
do the inventory work.
Councilor Pryor – I will find out.
J. Frenzer – The UO has not engaged.
Councilor Pryor – I talked with them personally a few years ago and it was a giant stonewall.
J. Frenzer – That was a long time ago, people have shifted. We now have the A.L.I.C.E. study to
walk in with. UO Grad students did an evaluation of the Rest Stops and it was great.
Councilor Pryor – When you talk about people being involved, Neighborhood Associations only
reflect their neighborhoods to a certain degree. We’ve seen things fall apart when we only work
with Neighborhood Associations. We’ll endeavor to try broader outreach especially when we talk
about camps in wards like my own. As we learned in the South Willamette process traditional
forms of public participation will not keep it together.
J. Frenzer – Full engagement is what we really need to get to.
Councilor Pryor – This is really a matter of resources. Engagement costs significantly more than the
cost of notification.
K. Neubeck – If these become programs will we then have budget items that identify these
programs?
Councilor Pryor – These programs have been set up to be minimal costs to the city. That is a
conversation council needs to have to see how far they need to go.
J. Frenzer – A group of us had lunch and you said you’d do an update on that meeting here, can we
plan on that for the next meeting?
Councilor Pryor – Yes, it will take longer than a few minutes.
8. EPD Update
Lt. Bills – I want to follow up on the hiring process for EPD as it is lengthy. The first phase is an
application where we had well over 400 applicants. Applicants are then invited to do the physical
test and from there we move to prehistory questionnaires and background checks. A large number
did pass the physical test. We did get to a high number of prehistory questionnaires. We’ll take 69
people to interviews and full background checks and from there we’re likely to lose at least half.
Organizationally we’re having a major change, Assistant Chief Durr has taken a new position. The
Assistant Chief position is new to EPD. Captain Meisel will move over to the Chief’s side and will
take over the body worn camera, in car video etc. In Investigations we’ve had another change. For
many years the Violent Crimes Unit was investigating hate and bias crimes. I moved bias crimes
over to the Special Investigations Unit. That’s a big change.
P. Carrasco – When violent crimes was investigating, the fact that it was investigated by Violent
Crimes Unit with special investigation did that put it at a higher threshold to potentially connect it
to state or federal hate groups?
Lt. Bills – When a case comes in it is given a special code. That’s the code that we report out on to
the Federal Government. In terms of where it is put that doesn’t matter, it’s the code. The Special
Investigations Unit does work on gangs, sexual exploitation, and terrorism they also serve as the
liaison to FBI, DEA and Dept. of Justice. They do the big cases. An example was the students who
were looking for amnesty during the track meeting last summer. The Special Investigations Team
led this effort. They’re the best liaisons for hate and bias work.
P. Carrasco – My concern is that someone graffiti’s a swastika and that’s a hate crime.
Lt. Bills – the reason why it was moved frankly was that our Violent Crimes Unit is focused on
domestic violence, child abuse and child sex abuse. So it’s a crime against a person who is
vulnerable in that moment. Graffiti is not something we can take immediate action on or removing
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someone from a situation. Protocols and criteria for investigating will still be the same. We always
call and offer the HRC services and UO services depending on what is appropriate. The only thing
that is changed is where it is housed and investigated.
A. Toke – On the 10th I had gone to the community conversations and Sam Kamkar was wonderful!
He was the guest speaker there.
E. Goehring – As for Captain Meisel, some of the police commissioners get to participate in the
interviews. I was very impressed that she stayed so long in Detroit. It struck me that she had done
what I have seen a number of women in policing do. Women in the officer level will form a club to
help each other study and prepare for tests etc. When the Captain was speaking about this I was
happy to hear her talk about this model. I think well of her.
9. Commission Liaison Updates
E. Goehring – The Police Commission met, you all got the weekly update with the information
about that meeting.
J. Lleras Van Der Haeghen – Bonnie provided you all with the Civilian Review Board update
which is printed here.
E. Goehring – Informally I’ve been told that when the resolution from this body was shared to the
Civilian Review Board at least one person said they were offended that they received input from us.
I am dismayed by this. The recommendation we sent was specific to human rights.
C. Nunes – Jen and I are doing work behind the scenes on this. We’ll bring an update to you at the
next meeting likely.
J. Frenzer – If you’re willing, your experience in working in other commissions could be helpful.
There is clearly some rapport building that needs to happen.
M. Kinnison – Heather is here form the Civilian Review Board.
K. Neubeck – Heather took the lead in arguing for the recording of the meetings at the Civilian
Review Board. I heard she did an incredible job.
J. Frenzer – That might be helpful I know you were able to show that the manner that minutes are
being take right now are falling short of what the Civilian Review Board was believing they were
doing. Recording with summary minutes are going to be far superior. If you’re willing to be part of
the conversation I’d like to keep you in the loop.
Heather Marek – I would like to help build a good working relationship between the two groups. I
think that you have a lot to say that can inform the work being done at the CRB. I also want to think
more specifically about how we can make the process more accessible and transparent to the
community. We’re concerned about whether or not people in the community feel that the Police
Auditor is a good resource for them or even know the Police Auditor exists. We’d also like to see
more diverse voices on the Civilian Review Board.
10. Work Group Lead Updates
J. Frenzer – There are two events coming up. I know our budget continues to shrink. These events
and sponsorships are to ensure that Human Rights work is happening in the community. I’d love for
us to be able to show a movie on criminalization. I’m encouraging THRIVE and the Work Group to
come to this body to get the $200 sponsorship for that movie. I’d like us to keep this event in mind
and the youth event we’re scheduling for June 3rd. Part of that event can happen in the Bascom
Tykeson room. I’m also trying to connect with LCC to get space there. We’re trying to get to at risk
youth and people who are already on the streets. There will be music, food and services tabling.
This is a follow up event to last spring’s event. Two budget items I’d like us to consider finding
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funding for. I’m going to make contact with the 15ht night youth board to see how they might want
to participate.
We also had a work group meeting with Mark Johnson and the Director of LTD about data that was
requested through a public information request. The request looked at people who have been
excluded from LTD services. We’re going to do follow up on that. One thing we can do is to figure
out how to do better work with LTD. We could be helping people when they go to do an appeal.
There may be other groups in the community to support them in going through the appeal process.
One more thing is fences, there are a lot of fences going up under bridges. There is money going to
keeping people from taking shelter from weather and not to supporting people. It’s confusing that
the money is going into fences and not into dumpsters and port-a-potties. We’re tracking that and
want to have a response to it. Maybe this body can respond to this. We’re still recruiting HRC
members. We have until the 31st before the processes closes and I would love for us to have a
conversation about how we go about doing this next year.
P. Carrasco – What if we held a forum to review the work we did in a previous year. This will allow
us to get some input form the community and to help tell people what we’re doing. Could create a
pool of applicants.
JLVDH – I will look into what the process is of retaining applications.
P. Carrasco – I would like people to have access to staying in the pool.
JLVDH – I’m willing to keep an interested party list, then when applications are due we can send
emails to them.
P. Carrasco – How many people are you envisioning for your youth event?
J. Frenzer – Open house style, if we have two venues we’re figuring they’ll just be flying through.
Starting at 4:30 and ending around 6:30 or 7. I’d love to see a couple hundred kids go through there.
We’re going to flyer and encourage people to show up. I have a youth designing a poster right now.
Hopefully we have a number of types of posters to make it intriguing.
P. Carrasco – What do you think a rough budget would be?
J. Frenzer – Probably around $500
P. Carrasco – I wonder if the food pantry and the Warming Centers would want to participate or
help.
Kiwanis Club update
C. Nunes – Jen and I went to Kiwanis where they try to learn about aspects of the community. I just
gave a basic overview of what the commission does, Jen went more in-depth on what the
homelessness work group is working on. It was a good conversation and good publicity.
Anti-Discrimination Work group
P. Carrasco – For the Latino Focus group meeting, I heard great things, youth came out feeling like
this is the real deal. They tend to be cynical and they really liked it.
K. Neubeck – We gathered a lot of rich information we have two more coming up later this month
and early April 6th.
11. Staff Update
J. Lleras Van Der Haeghen – Take a look at the staff update in your packets. Let me know if you
have any questions.
12. Announcements
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E. Goehring - June will be my last month with this Commission. I will be asking for a transfer to
the Police Commission. I am specifically asking that the Council consider placing youth, women
and people of color in these positions. One thing I’ve learned is that there are a few hundred people
or more qualified as I to sit at this commission. There are few people in Eugene with police
operations understanding who can serve the Police Commission. I’ve been a good translator and
clarifier there. I will miss you and I will be continuing my Human Rights and Diversity work via
social media. Right now those pages are meeting well over 10k people.
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Human Rights Commission Budget
Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16)
DATE REQUESTING GROUP EVENT OR DESCRIPTION SPONSORSHIP OTHER TOTAL TOTAL BALANCE
7/1/15 CHARGES SPENT TD $4,500.00
10/13/15 TransJustice Eug/Spngf Transgender Day of Awareness $200.00 $200.00 $200.00 $4,300.00
10/13/15 Network Charter School Youth Empowerment Symposium (YES!) $200.00 $200.00 $400.00 $4,100.00
10/13/15 SURJ Vocabularly of Change film and discussion $100.00 $100.00 $500.00 $4,000.00
11/23/15 THRIVEugene YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) $200.00 $200.00 $700.00 $3,800.00
11/23/15 IHRD Facility Rental $410.00 $410.00 $1,110.00 $3,390.00
12/10/15 IHRD Promotion $135.00 $135.00 $1,245.00 $3,255.00
12/10/15 IHRD Event Food & Supplies $308.95 $308.95 $1,553.95 $2,946.05
1/18/16 HRC MLK Awards (2) $100.00 $100.00 $1,653.95 $2,846.05
1/18/16 BIG Blacks in Gov't Annual Banquet $150.00 $150.00 $1,803.95 $2,696.05
1/18/16 NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner $320.00 $320.00 $2,123.95 $2,376.05
1/18/16 SURJ Stand Up for Racial Justice Event $250.00 $250.00 $2,373.95 $2,126.05
3/15/16 Archaeology Channel TAC Film Festival $200.00 $200.00 $2,573.95 $1,926.05
3/15/16 DisOrient DisOrient Film Festival $200.00 $200.00 $2,773.95 $1,726.05
TOTALS $1,760.00 $1,013.95 $2,773.95 $2,773.95 $1,726.05
1/18/16 HRC Human Rights Institute Registration (estimate) $1,000.00
011-0730-####-612022
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SUPPORT REQUEST FORM: EUGENE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Please review the Guidelines for Community
The mission of the Human Rights Commission is Requests for Support before filling out this application.
to promote implementation of universal human Any person or organization requesting Human Rights
rights values and principles in all City of Eugene Commission funding must complete and sign this
programs and throughout the wider community. form.
To carry out this mission the commission shall The City of Eugene allocates funds each fiscal year to the
affirm, encourage and initiate programs and Human Rights Commission (HRC) to use to support
services within the City of Eugene and in the wider community events. The HRC receives numerous requests
community designed to place priority upon for support each year and may not be able to fund all due
protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the full range to budget limitations.
of universal human rights as enumerated in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You or a representative from your agency is strongly
encouraged to attend the HRC meeting when your request
To support and promote human rights, the
is being considered to answer questions. Requests that are
commission will: provide human rights education; not submitted in time for the HRC to meet and discuss or
be proactive in human rights efforts; address are submitted after the event will not be considered for
human rights violations; ensure active public funding or endorsement.
participation; be transparent and open, be publicly
accountable for human rights progress. Applications must be submitted complete with a full
explanation of the funding request. Please note that if
funding is approved, the commission requires a follow-up
report within 30 days of the event. Recipients may submit a written report or may attend the next commission
meeting to present a brief verbal report. Photos are encouraged but not required. Failure to report may result
in denial of funding for future events.
Date of Funding Request: 2/18/2016 Date Funding Required: _______
4/30/2016
Name/Date of Event: Health Fair 4/30/2016
__________________________________Location of Event: TBA
Brief description of Event:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
LGBTQ Community Health Fair that is open to the public. This is an annual
________________________________________________________________________________________
event for HIV Alliance. This year we are focusing on access to culturally
________________________________________________________________________________________
appropriate care for members of the LGBTQ+ community. We will have many
community partners tabling, and we will hold a panel on PrEP.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Office of Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement 99 W 10th Ave, Eugene OR 97401 (541)682-5177 / ehrcenter@ci.eugene.or.us
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Timeline for Application
Applications must be received no later than 45 days prior to the event. In extraordinary circumstances the HRC
may consider support for events within 45 days. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
Organizations and/or individuals submit completed Support Request Form to:
Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement
th
99 W 10 Avenue, Suite 116
Eugene, OR 97401
Fax: (541) 682-5221
mailto:hrni@ci.eugene.or.us (Electronic submission should type “HRC funding request” in the
subject field)
Name of person/organization submitting request for support HIV Alliance
Address of person/organization submitting request for support
1966 Garden Avenue, Eugene OR 97403
Primary contact person's name and phone number 541-342-5088
Description of organization, names of officers and/or board of directors
Renee Yandel, Executive Director. HIV Alliance is a community based org.
that provides services to support people living with HIV and prevent new infections
Level of Support Requested:
Note: Please choose only one funding option: Funding or Co-Sponsorship or Other Amount
Endorsement: The commission may endorse specific events whose values it supports but
to which it does not contribute money. The commission's name may be used in advertising for these
events. This application for endorsement must be submitted to the commission and authorization
must be granted prior to use of its name.
OR
X Support: The commission may provide up to $100 for events that meet the guidelines if
commissioners are not actively involved.
OR
Co-Sponsorship: The commission typically provides up to $200 (higher amounts may be
considered for specific circumstances) for events in which commissioners will be actively involved.
Active involvement means that, at a minimum, the group planning the event works directly with a
commissioner who serves as a formal liaison between the group and the commission and reports
back to the commission regularly. If possible, a commissioner should participate in the planning
process and the commission should have an information table at the event.
OR
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Other Amount Requested:
What will these funds be used for specifically? If request exceeds $200, please include detailed
information about why request exceeds the standard funding levels:
These funds will be used to provide refreshments at the event
How is this event related to the commission's own activities and purposes (see Guidelines for
Community Requests for Support) and work plan and what clear benefits would be provided to the City
organization?
This event will promote health equity for the LGBTQ+ population in Eugene
Please provide a detailed budget description for funds requested (attach if necessary)
$100 for food
Please list other co-sponsors or funding sources and amounts received
Is the event wheelchair accessible? XYes No
Will sign language interpretation be available? (if requested) X Yes No
Will other language interpretation be available? (if requested) Yes No
X
Is this strictly a fundraising event? Yes XNo
Is this event open to the general public? X Yes No
If funding request is approved, in what name should the check be issued and where should it be sent?
Name: __________________________________________________________________________
HIV Alliance
Address: 1966 Garden Avenue
_____________________________________ City:_______________ 97403
Eugene Zip:______________
**Note: If this funding request is approved by the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission, the
applicant commits to funding the service or product described in this application and to providing a
written or verbal report to the commission within 30 days of completion.
Signature of person responsible for event
Office of Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement 99 W 10th Ave, Eugene OR 97401 (541)682-5177 / ehrcenter@ci.eugene.or.us
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Human Rights Commission Hate and Bias Report
Quarter One
2016 January - March
From January – March 2016 a total of 3 Hate or Bias incidents were reported involving the following
protected classes:
2 Race
1 Religion
A sample of brief descriptions of activity including quotes from police reports:
• An incidence of ‘toilet papering” and then the following day there was graffiti applied inside the
building that was derogatory to people who are Black and people who are Jewish. The next day
there was similar biased graffiti outside the building. Three male juveniles ranging in age from
12 to 13 have been charged. Two were charged with Burglary in the Second Degree, three
counts of Criminal Mischief (bias) and Criminal Trespass. A third was charged with two counts
of Criminal Mischief (bias) and two counts of Trespass.
• A 23-year-old male victim reported via online reporting that his vehicle was parked on 15th and
Alder while he went away for the weekend. When he returned home after the weekend he
found his vehicle had a swastika and the word “pig” scratched into it. There were no notes in
the report as to whether the victim was Jewish, and the case has been assigned to a detective, as
it is still open.
• An 18-year-old Black male was working when he heard an unknown male yell a term
derogatory to Blacks at him and stared in a threatening manner after getting within
approximately 12 feet from him. The victim reported that he didn’t do anything to provoke the
suspect and felt the suspect was trying to get him to respond. The suspect rode off on his
bicycle. The suspect was described as a white male in his 40s.
Office of Human Rights & Neighborhood Involvement | City of Eugene | 99 W 10th Ave | Eugene OR 97401 | (541) 682-5272
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Human Rights Commission Workgroup Update
Date: April 12, 2016
Board/Commission: HRC
Prepared By: J Frenzer
Date of Last Board/Commission meeting: April 12, 2016
What were the main topics discussed in the last meetings?
• 3 council resolutions including Declaration of Crisis and Online Petition, Housing
First--lack of draft to review, Criminalization--blocked from even offering process
suggestions.
• 3 Events, 2 film events and one youth open house info fair
• LTD Indefinite Exclusions and Security, Security groups in general
• Fencing off shelter spots under bridges vs providing sanitation services
• PHB report and Police Commission reports
What requests for HRC?
• Budget requests this time: We found sponsors for one film event totaling $500 for
the ability to show a film called "Under the Bridge" in collaboration with
SEHS/IHS.
• We will need small amount of funds to budget for refreshments for other film
event on May 6 during Friday Artwalk and $20 to list the event in artwalk
brochure
• June 3rd Youth Gathering Downtown: Navigating Homelessness. We will need
about $550 to budget for up to $400 for food and refreshments, printing posters
and flyers in color, $20 listing in Artwalk brochure. The y event is at EPL and
perhaps LCC. Off the Waffle is considering catering and may donate. Owners are
out of town. We are seeking grant funding and donations for youth artists and
musicians.
Are there any issues you need the HRC’s feedback on during the next meeting?
If yes, please provide any supporting documents to be included in the packet by the Thursday before the
meeting.
• I was hoping to have a bid for food.....still might happen.
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An Open Letter to Lane County Commissioner Faye Stewart
We, the Pacific and Asian Community Alliance, University of Oregon Vietnamese Student Association,
University of Oregon Southeast Asian Student Alliance and allies, are writing to express our deep
concerns regarding your statement on March 10th, 2016. When asked about your stance on the Syrian
Refugee Crisis you replied, “We need to help people appropriately and we also need to not jeopardize
ourselves and our citizens in the process.” You then gave an anecdote regarding how Vietnamese
immigrants “created a huge problem because their culture and their lifestyle didn’t mix with ours…What
ended up happening was they didn’t know how to heat their homes and started a fire in the living room in
the middle of an apartment complex. When they needed something to eat, they went to their natural ways
of doing it by harvesting people’s dogs and cats, their pets.”
You may be a “compassionate” person who “wants to help people” but that does not excuse your
ignorant, racist and anti-refugee remark. Your statement perpetuates the false notion that Asians are
stupid savages that “jeopardize” US society by willingly burning down apartment complexes and killing
pets. It dehumanizes them as an uncivilized people while ignoring the struggles these refugees faced
having been displaced from their homes due to war. This “foreigner” rhetoric is still repeated today: “fresh
off the boat” to “dog eaters” stereotypes are continuously used to discriminate against Asians and portray
them as unfit to be in America.
Your statement also ignores the positive impact and contributions made by Asian immigrants and
refugees. Activists such as Yuri Kochiyama and Grace Lee Boggs have contributed to the civil rights
movement to end discrimination and racial injustice. Tue Nguyen, Tuan Vo-Dinh, and Xuong Nguyen Hu
are all Vietnamese American scholars that helped advance the fields of physics and AIDS research. Yet,
you glossed over these facts and vilified a whole group of people in a derisive, negative light in order to
caution against taking in Syrian refugees. You do not want more of “them” here. The “them” in this case
being men, women, and children who are fleeing for their lives.
As the Pacific and Asian Community Alliance, University of Oregon Vietnamese Student Union, University
of Oregon Southeast Asian Student Alliance and allies, we would like you to take ownership for your
statements concerning Vietnamese refugees. We believe that your “apology” stated in the Register Guard
article published on April 1st, 2016 is insufficient. There was not a single statement made by you in the
article stating that you were sorry or why that is so. You saw that the posting of the short clip as an
unfortunate occurrence of “dirty politics,” which cut out the context and “paint[ed] a very small sliver of
what [you] said.” In response, we want you to know that even before we were able to track down the full
video, many of us understood that you were using those negative stereotypes about Vietnamese
refugees as an example of why we should be cautious with taking in Syrian refugees.
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The full transcript provided the outer context of the original clip and confirmed what we suspected. This
transcript in no way absolves the negative impact of your statements or excuses it under any
circumstances. You may very well be a compassionate human being as many who know you would
attest; however, in this instance, your words were not words of compassion being shown towards Syrian
and Vietnamese refugees – many of whom have since become U.S. citizens and are among your
constituents. In their daily life, they face harassment and hostility from racists whose hateful beliefs are
affirmed through the same rhetoric that you, as an elected official, used.
As a commissioner of the county and a public official, we ask that you take this opportunity to set a
positive example by publishing a public apology reflecting on your actions and why they were wrong.
We also request for the re-establishment of the Human Rights Commission at Lane County to examine
the county’s diversity and cultural competency policies and practices as there are currently no county
diversity requirements beyond the mandatory trainings for new employees. We are aware that there is a
county wide diversity committee; however, it is not accessible to the greater community or the
constituency that the county serves. As public servants, it is critical that county officials and employees
are culturally competent and are actively engaging in these conversations. Through this commission, we
hope that events such as this will be prevented from happening again in our community.
Click here to add your name to this open letter.
Pacific and Asian Community Alliance:
Chau Nguyen
Quang Truong
Demiliza Saramosing
Jason Mak
Kyra Ioppolo
Lynn Fujiwara
Matthew Yook
Misa Joo
Vivian Hsieh
Steven Morozumi
Tran Dinh
Zhifeng Purcell
University of Oregon Vietnamese Student Association:
Michelle Thi Nguyen
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Thein Vo
Thu Mi Do
University of Oregon Southeast Asian Student Alliance:
Socheat Tauch, President
Coua Xiong, Vice President
Ada Ball: Native community member, UO Alumni
Chris Wig: Chair of the Democratic Party of Lane County
David To: University of Oregon Asian and Pacific Islander Strategies Initiative Group
Jennifer Frenzer: Eugene Human Rights Commission of Eugene Board Member
Kaija Cedras:UO Alumni
Nhu Le: Public Relations Coordinator Asian and Pacific American Student Union, UO Multicultural Center
Philip Carrasco: Chair of Grupo Latino de Acción Directa of Lane County
Rachel Mallinga: University of Oregon Multicultural Center
Sandra Lozano: Juventud FACETA Board
Vickie Gimm: ASUO Multicultural Advocate, Oregon Students of Color Coalition Board member, UO
Asian and Pacific Islander Strategies Initiatives Group Co-Chair
Vanessa Teck: API Americans Collaborating to Unite the Southwest (CAACTUS)
Anselmo Villanueva, Ph.D
Bree Muñoz
Cholena Wright
Gildardo Corona
Greg Evans
Eva Murtaugh
Eva Reyes-Ulloa
Max Jensen
Sierra Jager
Tracy Khang
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