HomeMy WebLinkAboutPresentation - Item 5A Reparations Power PointDISCUSSION OF SECTION 14 REPARATIONS
Nov 18, 2021, City Council Meeting
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Settlement Approach
Advantages
•Quantifies damages
•Establishes firm nexus
•Open and closed
Disadvantages
•Methodology is vulnerable
•Lack of reliable records
•Could leave people out
Atonement Approach
Advantages
•More about making amends
•Doesn’t require complicated
calculations
•Evaluated and adjusted over time
Disadvantages
•Can be perceived as diminishing nexus
•Parameters can seem less firm
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Limited to Direct Ties to
Section 14
Advantages
•Reinforces nexus
•Keeps scope more narrow
Disadvantages
•Substantiating ties could be difficult
•Leaves other disadvantaged groups
out
Goes Beyond Section 14
Advantages
•More inclusive
•Easier to administer and participate
Disadvantages
•Can be perceived as diminishing nexus
•Could be harder to meet greater
needs
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Payments
Advantages
•Aligns with the settlement approach
•Recipients have greater discretion
•Program has a concrete “end”
Disadvantages
•Standards and proof of eligibility can
be difficult
•Methodology vulnerable to scrutiny
Programs
Advantages
•Easier to establish public benefit
•Can focus the investment on
attainment gaps
Disadvantages
•Less discretion given to recipients
•Program can be open-ended
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Example Programs
•Universal Basic Income Pilot
•Home Improvement Fund
•Affordable Housing
•Invest in Neighborhood Parks and Facilities
•Offer Equity Grants
•Job Training
•Youth Programs
•Scholarships
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
How Much Should be Allocated?
•City fund balances are higher due to operational cuts
•One-time money easier to spend
•ARPA Funds enable investment in reparations
•The City has numerous other high priorities competing for limited
resources
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
What Have Other Communities Done?
•MORE: 13 Mayors sign pledge for reparations
•Evanson , IL: Committed $400K toward $25K in down payment assistance
•Ashville, NC: Committed $2.1M in 2020
•Providence, RI: Issued 200 pg report with intent to explore reparations
•Culver City, CA: Issued resolution and will explore reparations
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Other Considerations
•Consider programs that could be deployed rapidly vs. those that may take
time to develop
•Consider programs at the family/individual scale vs. those with broader
community benefit
•Emphasize programs with maximum benefit and minimal administrative
burden
•Consider the balance of programs that use one-time vs. ongoing revenues
•Consider other ways to engage residents and stake holders
•Consider complimenting reparations with community dialogue
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Recap
•Settlement or Atonement?
•Limited to Section 14 families and descendants?
•Payments or Programs?
•How much to the program?
•Other considerations?
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS