Boulder — The Boulder Human Relations Commission reviewed a draft work plan, agreed to send a combined letter to Boulder City Council requesting earlier and clearer consultation on human-relations issues, and completed officer nominations at its Dec. 15 virtual meeting.

Erin, who presented the draft work plan, told commissioners she had grouped the commission’s priorities into three focus areas — ‘‘bridging the vertical gaps’’ (improving public awareness of HRC and the human-rights claims process), ‘‘bridging horizontal gaps’’ (strengthening connections among Boulder’s communities and holding difficult dialogues), and ‘‘centering those who get missed’’ (prioritizing support for marginalized groups). ‘‘I kind of just put this up as a structure for us to work with,’’ Erin said, asking the group to refine goals, objectives and measurable activities.

The commission discussed how to make the plan actionable. Members proposed distinguishing broad goals from specific activities, using city survey data to set baselines and measurable targets, and assigning two-commissioner subgroups (allowed under Colorado’s open-meetings rules) to develop sections between monthly meetings. Commissioners agreed Erin would revise the draft and return a refined version for final review at the Jan. 12 meeting.

Commissioner Jorge read a draft letter to City Council that urged more proactive engagement between council and the HRC and proposed quarterly meetings to promote alignment. ‘‘City council has not proactively and constantly reached out to the HRC,’’ the letter stated, urging council to consult early on policy proposals and to clarify how the commission’s time and resources should be used.

A second draft, read by another commissioner, framed the commission’s priorities in a cooperative tone and emphasized the HRC’s role as a partner in helping council understand lived experiences in Boulder. Commissioners compared the drafts and agreed to send a merged letter that includes the work-plan priorities and a request for clearer, earlier council consultation.

The meeting also covered internal governance. Commissioners followed the commission’s nomination procedures and put leadership candidates to a voice vote. Members nominated Aaron for chair and Carlos for deputy chair; nominees consented and commissioners indicated approval. The transcript records the vote by voice; no roll-call tally was included in the record.

Staff provided event and scheduling updates, including HRC-funded Martin Luther King Jr. events: Jan. 18 at the Jewish Community Center (Second Baptist Church of Boulder’s program), Jan. 19 at the Gordon Gamme Theater/Derry Arts Center (Modus Theater performance), and Jan. 24 (an Eliel Hill community event at Congregation Har Hashem). Because the commission’s regular meeting day was moved from the third Tuesday to the third Monday, members agreed to hold the January meeting on Jan. 12 to avoid conflict with MLK Day. The commission was also reminded that boards-and-commissions applications are open through Jan. 25 and that an open house is scheduled Jan. 5.

The commission closed with a procedural motion to adjourn and a note that the revised work plan and the merged council letter will return for final approval at the Jan. 12 meeting.