HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-11 HRC Regular Meeting Agenda
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
www.palmspringsca.gov
MEETING AGENDA
Mission Statement
Palm Springs is an inclusive world-class city dedicated to providing excellent and
responsive public services to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361, this meeting may be conducted by teleconference. There will be in-
person public access to the meeting location. To join the meeting via teleconference, please use the
following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89144291995?pwd=ZFViS284c0UwcG5WZDBUOGhDQnJCdz09
or call (669) 900-6833 Zoom Meeting ID 891 4429 1995, Passcode 648818
● Written public comment may also be submitted to cityclerk@palmspringsca.gov. Transmittal
prior to the meeting is required. Any correspondence received during or after the meeting will
be distributed to the Board/Commission as soon as practicable and retained for the official
record.
● The meeting will be recorded and the audio file will be available from the Office of the City
Clerk and will be posted on the City’s YouTube channel, as soon as practicable.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Hugo Loyola
2. ROLL CALL: Commission Members: Glenn Flood, David Vignolo, Oliver Cleary,
Edwin Ramoran, Carlotta Rinke, Michael MJ Horn, Beverly Greer
Vice Chair Donna Shepherd, Chair Hugo Loyola
Student Representative Lilly Hanner
3. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS:
"The Mission of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is to promote and protect the
diversity of our community and to improve human relations through education and community
awareness."
Human Rights Commission Goals:
● To develop community education programs;
● To investigate and mediate instances of discrimination of groups or individuals;
Monday
September 11, 2023
5:30 p.m.
Palm Springs City Hall
3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
Large Conference Room
Special Meeting Agenda Human Rights Commission September 11, 2023
● To bring persons and groups together in common support of human rights issues;
● To acquire the fiscal and human resources necessary to support and accomplish the work of the
Commission;
● To provide management and coordination for the Commission;
● To promote diversity through the appointment of candidates to all city boards and commissions
to proportionately reflect the diversity of the population of the City of Palm Springs;
● The Commission and each Committee shall develop goals and objectives annually, for adoption
by the commission;
● The Commission shall work closely with the Mayor, City Council, and City Cabinet and with all
other City Commissions and Boards in joint endeavors that support the Commission's mission
statement and City's goals and objectives.
4. PRESENTATION: Articles 7, 16, and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
5. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: This time has been set aside for members of the public to address the
Human Rights Commission on agenda items; and items of general interest within the subject
matter jurisdiction of the Commission. Three (3) minutes is allowed for each speaker. Although
the Commission values your comments, pursuant to the Brown Act, it generally cannot take any
action on items not listed on the posted agenda. Commissioners will not enter into discussion
with speakers, but during Commission Comments, may refer the matter to staff for report and
recommendation at a future Commission meeting.
7. CHAIR COMMENTS:
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 26, 2023
9. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
A. Committee and Liaison Reports
1. Executive Report Standing Committee (Loyola, Shepherd, Vignolo)
2. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison Report (Loyola)
3. Master Calendar Liaison Report (Vignolo)
a. Discuss Master Calendar for Fourth Quarter of Calendar Year 2023 and process for
Commissioner engagement.
5. Main Street Liaison Report (Loyola)
6. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison Report (Vignolo)
7. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Liaison Report (Flood, Shepherd)
8. Veterans Issues Liaison (Flood, Vignolo)
9. Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee (Hanner, Shepherd, Vignolo)
10. Mediation Liaison (Vignolo)
11. Equity and Social Justice Committee Liaison Update (Shepherd)
B. Discuss proposed changes to Rules of Procedures of the Human Rights Commission of the City
of Palm Springs, dated 9/12/96.
Special Meeting Agenda Human Rights Commission September 11, 2023
C. R.I.S.E. Initiative Update (Rinke)
10. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING:
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
12. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission will adjourn to an adjourned regular meeting Monday,
October 9, 2023.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Pursuant to G.C. Section 54957.5(b)(2) the designated office for inspection of records in connection with the meeting is the
Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
It is the intention of the City of Palm Springs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as
an attendee or a participant at this meeting, or in meetings on a regular basis, you will need special assistance beyond what is
normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the Office of the City
Clerk, (760) 323-8204, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular needs and to determine if
accommodation is feasible.
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
I, Jay Virata, Director of Community & Economic Development, of the City of Palm Springs, California, hereby
certify this Agenda was posted at City Hall before 4:00 p.m., September 7, 2023, and posted on the City’s website as required
by established policies and procedures.
/S/ Jay Virata
Jay Virata
Community & Economic Development
Human Rights Commission
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
0
MINUTES
Special Meeting
July 26, 2023
Palm Springs City Hall, Council Chambers
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Loyola called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m
2. ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners: Vignolo, Cleary, Flood, Ramoran, Rinke*, Horn, Greer, Shepherd, Loyola and
Student Representative Hanner *
*Not present during roll call
Absent: None.
Staff Present: Jay Virata, Director, Community & Economic Development
8. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair Loyola announced the need to rearrange the agenda to have a better flow for
discussion. The meeting proceeded with the acceptance of the agenda.
5. ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA
Chair Loyola proposed rearranging the order of the agenda to have a better flow for discussion as follows:
Mission Statement & Goals, Public Comments, Presentations, Approval of Minutes, Election of Chair and Vice
Chair, and then resume with the regular order of the agenda.
MOTION BY: Commission Ramoran, second by Commissioner Horn to accept the order of the agenda as
stated by Chair Loyola.
Commissioner Vignolo suggested an amendment to the motion and having Presentations be first and the
Mission Statement and Goals be waived to save time, otherwise, read aloud if they wished.
Commissioner Rinke and Student Representative Hanner joined the meeting at 5:37pm.
Chair Loyola specified the Mission Statement would be read aloud only; presentations would be placed atter
Mission Statement & Goals.
Commissioner Rinke left the meeting at 5:39p.m. due to technical difficulties.
MOTION RESTATED. Rearrange the order of the agenda as follows: Mission Statement and goals,
Presentations, Public Comments, Approval of Minutes, Election of Chair and Vice Chair, and then resume
with the regular order of the agenda.
MOTION BY: Commission Ramoran, second by Commissioner Horn to amend the agenda as discussed.
Motion Carried Unanimously. YES: 8 NO: 0
Commissioner Rinke joined the meeting at 5:40 p.m.
6. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: Chair Loyola read the mission statement out loud.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Human Rights Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2023
Page 2
Dimitri, Halkidis, President and CEO/Founder of Boo2Bullying, presented on the organization’s mission
statement and programs. An invitation was extended to the Commission to support the event and be a Co-
Sponsor of Kick Bullying to the Curb on September 30, 2023. Halkidis responded to comments and questions.
Commissioner Vignolo discussed sponsorship for the event; confirmed the Commission would not be a co-
sponsor, since the City is a sponsor. Commissioners can choose to participate in the event or help facilitate;
the Human Rights Commission will not be specifically listed on event materials and flyers. Commissioner
participation was gathered for the event on September 30.
Director Virata, in response to an inquiry, confirmed that the Commission cannot take a vote to support the
event as the matter is not agendized and is only a presentation. The City only prefers the City Logo be visible,
acknowledging city sponsorship, for this type of event.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Director Virata reported receiving the following two comments:
• Commissioner Flood was indicated as absent in error; Item. 2. Roll Call, will be amended accordingly.
• Commissioner Clearly identified a punctuation error on the Agenda Item. 11., bullet #2 that caused
confusion; apostrophe will be removed from bullet #2 to read: Admission of new members to the Standing
Committees
Chair Loyola requested the minutes also be amended to reflect Commissioner Ramoran’s last name and
read Ramoran and not Ramon.
MOTION BY Commissioner Horn, Second by Ramoran to approve the minutes as amended. YES 9; NO.
3. ELECTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR FOR 2023-2024 FISCAL
YEAR.
CHAIR SELECTION:
Chair Loyola discussed the annual Chair and Vice Chair selection process. The floor was opened for
nominations to serve as Chair.
Commissioner Vignolo and Loyola self-nominated for Chair.
Commissioner Clearly seconded the nomination for Commissioner Vignolo as Chair.
Each nominee provided a statement regarding their interest and goals to be Chair.
Chair Loyola called the following votes:
Vote for David Vignolo for Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
YES: 3 NO: 7
Vote to re-elect Hugo Loyola for Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
YES: 6 NO: 3
Chair Loyola was re-selected as Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
VICE CHAIR SELECTION:
The floor was opened for nominations to serve as Vice-Chair.
Chair Loyola nominated Commissioner Shepherd for re-election to Vice-Chair.
Human Rights Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2023
Page 3
Commissioner Vignolo self-nominated for Vice Chair and provided comments.
Chair Loyola called the following votes:
Vote to re-elect Donna Shepherd as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
YES: 5 NO: 3
Vote for David Vignolo as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
YES: 4 NO: 3
Vice Chair Shepherd was re-selected as Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission.
Commissioner Rinke; aren’t votes confidential? Director Virata responded that they have a procedure
provided by the City Clerk that calls for verbal nominations and votes.
The Commission resumed the regular order of the agenda.
10. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
A. Committee and Liaison Reports
1. Executive Report Standing Committee (Chair Loyola, Vice Chair Shepherd)
Chair Loyola; Due to no regular commission meetings being scheduled in August, the committee thinks
it would be a good opportunity to have a retreat scheduled.
Commissioner Cleary reminded that the Executive Committee rotating member position is up for
selection as well and nominated Commissioner Vignolo to be a member of the Executive Committee
being the Commissioner at large.
Comments and questions ensued about the Commission’s rules and procedures document adopted in
1996. Director Virata confirmed the rules and procedures document should be followed. The
Commission proceeded with a vote for a third rotating member to the Executive Committee with the
caveat that they will revise the document and bring it forward to the full Commission.
Vice Chair Shepherd nominated Commissioner Ramoran for the Executive Position at large.
Commissioner Rinke expressed not having a clear understanding of the Executive Position; Chair Loyola
will make sure everyone is resent the Rules and Procedures Document and the Standing Committees
Document.
Commissioner Vignolo shared his desire to serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
Commissioner Ramoran thanked the Vice Chair for her nomination but respectfully removed his
nomination.
Chair Loyola; having no other nomination for the Executive Committee member position, the
Commission unanimously agreed to designate Commissioner Vignolo as a member of the Executive
Committee for three months and they will amend their rules and procedures document and Committee
information over the next few months. Commissioner Vignolo was welcomed to the Executive
Committee
A strategic planning retreat meeting was discussed for August 14, 2023, from 1pm to 5pm at Vice Chair’s
residence.
Director Virata reported that the retreat is required to be a public meeting with public access; he will
confirm the Brown Act requirements for the retreat meeting.
Human Rights Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2023
Page 4
Commissioner Rinke recently took the City’s Brown Act Training and will forward the training materials
to Director Virata to share with the full Commission.
2. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison Report (Loyola) No Report.
3. Master Calendar Liaison Report (Vignolo) No Report.
4. Main Street Liaison Report (Loyola) Chair Loyola; other organizations are looking to join the Main
Street Businesses Organization.
5. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison Report (Vignolo) No Report.
6. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Liaison Report (Flood, Shepherd) No
Report.
7. Veterans Issues Liaison (Flood, Vignolo) No Report.
8. Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee (Hanner, Shepherd, Vignolo)
Commissioner Vignolo; no summer camp activity was planned for July; he will roll that into the September
30th event.
Commissioner Shepherd will provide Commissioner Vignolo with the supplies she ordered for the event.
9. Mediation Liaison (Vignolo)
Vice Chair Shepherd announced Riverside County Community Action Partnership is having another
mediator training starting October 3rd. She encouraged other Commissioners to take the training and
commented on her experience providing mediation throughout Riverside County courts. The training
flyer was to be resent to the Commission.
10. Equity and Social Justice Committee Liaison Update (Shepherd,) No.
B. Discussion and Planning for Retreat
Commission Vignolo shared how he would like to streamline the rules and procedures document and
incorporate some procedural examples used by other Human Rights Commissions throughout the State.
Highlighted some suggestions for revisions, for further discussion during their retreat.
Chair Loyola; thanked Commissioner Vignolo for forward thinking, it will be a great document for them to
carefully review, and requested this be an Agenda item for the next meeting so they can report on the
retreat and what adjustments were made to the Rules and Procedure Document.
C. Discuss Standing Committees and Assignments. The meeting proceeded to Item D.
D. Discuss Potential Partnerships With Other Organizations
Commissioner Greer spoke about the Blue Zone Organization and Blue Zone communities; is looking
forward to seeing how the project moves forward with the city to become a blue zone community.
Chair Loyola shared that Councilmember Bernstein highly recommended they insert themselves in this
project that will bring a positive program to improve the quality of life for residents and the environment.
Commissioner Rinke commented on homelessness and shared thoughts on forming a tighter collaboration
with organizations such as Palm Springs Police Department, Well in the Desert, and DAP. Would like to
serve as a liaison to see how the Human Rights Commission can help support the multiple homelessness
initiatives and find a strategy to collaborate.
Human Rights Commission
Special Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2023
Page 5
Chair Loyola encouraged commissioners to find a topic that’s in the City Council’s strategic plan and bring
it forward. He emphasized everything the Commission does is in support of the City Council and their
strategic plan.
E. 2nd Annual Bullying Symposium (Vignolo)
Chair Loyola; this item has already been discussed. He thanked Commissioner Vignolo for all the work that
he has done.
Commissioner Vignolo; there will not be a 2nd annual bullying symposium, but he will work individually with
Dimitri Halkidis to have someone speak at the Boo2Bulling event.
F. Commissioner, Staff, and Student Comments
Commissioner Vignolo announced the Veterans Day Parade is November 11, 2023. The parade start time
is 3:30p.m. He will be submitting the entry application to participate in the parade.
Chair Loyola invited everyone to look up all the upcoming parades and consider going to represent the Full
Commission.
Commission Vignolo reported he stands corrected. He did a quick check on the Brown Act requirements
and retreats continue to be subject to open meetings and notice requirements.
Chair Loyola emphasized communicating as soon as possible regarding agenda items as the city has
important deadlines before posting agendas publicly to abide by the Brown Act.
11. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: None.
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Director Virata announced the City’s is accepting applications for the Sponsorship and Program Grants
Funding. More information can be found on the city’s website:
https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/city-manager/grants-sponsorships
13. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Commissioner Vignolo, Seconded by Commissioner Horn to adjourn
at 7:56p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 5:30p.m.
___________________________________________________
Jay Virata
Director of Community & Economic Development
APPROVED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: _______/_______/2023.