HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-10 HRC Regular Meeting Agenda
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
www.palmspringsca.gov
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 will be conducted by teleconference and there will be
no in-person public access to the meeting location.
● To view/listen/participate in the meeting live, please use the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87214004025?pwd=Q0NMQjZ2Qmhua2oyL2xVb2RRczhRQT09
or call (669) 900-6833 Zoom Meeting ID 872 1400 4025, Passcode 491191
● 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 Ron deHarte
2. ROLL CALL: Board Members: Hugo Loyola, David Vignolo, Oliver Cleary,
Kalina Robles, Terrie Andrade, Glenn Flood, Edwin Ramoran,
Vice Chair Donna Shepherd, and Chair Ron deHarte
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."
Monday
January 10, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
Regular Meeting Agenda Human Rights Commission January 10, 2022
Human Rights Commission Goals:
● To develop community education programs;
● To investigate and mediate instances of discrimination of groups or individuals;
● 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. QUORUM:
5. 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 t o
staff for report and recommendation at a future Commission meeting.
6. CHAIR COMMENTS:
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 20, 2021
8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
A. Reports
Executive Report Standing Committee (Chair deHarte, Vice Chair Shepherd)
a. Retreat
Community Relations /Budget/Personnel Report
a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison (deHarte)
b. Master Calendar Liaison (Ramoran)
c. Main Street Liaison (deHarte)
d. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison (Vignolo)
Cultural Affairs Report
Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Liaison (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd)
Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Report
a. Veterans Issues Liaison (Flood,Vignolo)
Regular Meeting Agenda Human Rights Commission January 10, 2022
Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee
a. Student Representatives (Hanner, Robles, Shepherd, Vignolo )
Commission Development/Mediation Report
a. Mediation Liaison (Andrade, Vignolo)
B. Announcement of 2022 Community Service Awards Honorees
C. Commissioner, Staff, and Student Comments
D. Topical Newsworthy Items
9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING:
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission will adjourn to an adjourned regular meeting Monday,
February 14, 2022.
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 6:00 p.m., January 6, 2022, 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
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 20, 2021
Virtual Zoom Meeting
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
2. ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Andrade, Flood, Loyola, Ramoran, Vignolo and Student Representative Hanner
Absent: Commissioners Clearly, Robles
Staff Present: Jay Virata, Director, Community & Economic Development
3. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: The Commission proceeded with the order of the Agenda.
4. QUORUM: YES
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: NONE
6. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair deHarte wished every one a great holiday(s) with family and friends.
7. APPROVAL OF MINTUES: NOVEMER 8, 2021
• MOTION BY: Commissioner Vignolo, Second by Commissioner Loyola to accept the minutes as
presented.
• MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
• Reports
Executive Report Standing Committee (Chair deHarte, Vice Chair Shepherd)
a. Retreat – No Report
Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Report
a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison (deHarte)
• Chair deHarte shared the hate crime incidents reported for the month of November.
b. Master Calendar Liaison (Ramoran) –
• Commissioner Ramoran encouraged everyone to get involved with Palm Springs Redistricting,
visit psdistrcts.com to see the upcoming 2022 schedule. Applauded the City for creating
access to the information in Spanish and Tagalog.
c. Main Street Liaison (deHarte) – No Report
d. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison (Vignolo) – No Report
Cultural Affairs Report
Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd) – No Report.
Human Rights Commission
DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes
December 20, 2021
Page 2
Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Report
a. Veterans’ issues (Flood, Vignolo) - No Report
Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee
a. Student Representatives (Hanner, Robles, Shepherd, Vignolo)
• Commissioner Vignolo announced Dr. Mike Swize, Palm Springs Unified School District
Superintendent, has launched an event called “Mornings with Mike” at Koffi on Tahquitz
Canyon Way. Plans to attend, to discuss the Human Rights Commission. Will be reaching out
to other Committee members to find out what topics they would like highlighted.
Commission Development/Mediation Report
a. Mediation Liaison (Andrade, Vignolo) - No Report
B. Ad Hoc Committee – Review and approve “Clean Indoor Air and Health Protection” ” (AKA Clean
Indoor Air and Health Protection Draft Ordinance
• By Commission discussion and consensus no action was taken. This item was identified to
be brought back at a future agenda when City Council has looked at the draft ordinance.
C. Community Service Awards Selection
• Chair deHarte introduced the proposed 2022 slate of nominees recommended by the Ad Hoc
Committee consisting of Vice Chair Shepherd, Commissioner Loyola and Chair deHarte. It was
highlighted that all eight of the nominees served the community on a COVID platform. The floor
was opened for a motion.
• MOTION BY: Commissioner Loyola, Second by Commissioner Shepherd to adopt the 2022
Community Service Awards Slate as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
• Chair deHarte thanked Commissioner Loyola and Vice Chair Shepherd for accepting their
appointment to the Ad Hoc Committee. He further thanked Director Virata and Ms. Rodriguez for
helping coordinate the process.
D. Commissioner, Staff and Student Comments
• Commissioner Ramoran congratulated Mayor Lisa Middleton on her historic appointment.
• Commissioner Andrade wished everyone a happy holiday season.
• Commissioner Vignolo commented on a Desert Sun article regarding Measure J Community
Initiated Project Applications.
• Director Virata commented on feedback received from the Public Arts Commission. They want
the Human Rights Commission to reach out to them when pursuing public art projects.
• Student Representative Hanner wished everyone a happy holiday.
E. Topical Newsworthy Items – No Report
9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: NONE
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE
11. ADJOURNMENT:
The Commission adjourned the meeting to a Regular Meeting on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 5:30
P.M. via teleconference.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Rodriguez
Housing Program Assistant
Amy Blaisdell
Communications Director
City of Palm Springs
(760) 323-8250
City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission to present
annual Community Service Awards
Jan. 5, 2022
The City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission will honor six individuals and two organizations
for outstanding contributions promoting and protecting human rights, social progress, better
standards of life, and equality for all individuals at their upcoming annual Community Service Awards
at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14. The event will be held virtually, via Zoom, unless the situation
with COVID-19 improves. More details will follow.
This year’s eight outstanding honorees significantly enhanced the quality of life in Palm Springs
when the community was in crisis managing the pandemic. They are:
• Ann Sheffer is recognized for providing leadership to support the Palm Springs effort to
invest in local arts during the COVID-19 crisis. With the belief that arts build social cohesion
and address social equity, racial awareness, and civic engagement, Ann's leadership with
the City of Palm Springs Public Arts Commission helped our city overcome the COVID
crises. Artists are rightfully looked to as second responders in times of crisis. They support
mental and physical health outcomes and community resilience and rebuilding.
• Vaccinate Inland Empire (VAXIE) is a volunteer, grassroots organization that has helped
more than 78,000 people since February 2021 navigate the always-changing COVID-19
vaccination system in Southern California. VAXIE was founded to address the need to
provide equal vaccine access for all. Founders Rhea Hoffman and Calista Vassios saw that
senior citizens struggled to navigate online appointment systems, and undocumented and
homeless communities didn't know where to get vaccinated without being turned away.
VAXIE provides a free service and assists qualified individuals, especially those with work
and time constraints, mobility issues, and those without computers, in scheduling
vaccination appointments, including booster vaccinations. What started as two friends
concerned about most at-risk neighbors has turned into a growing organization with more
than 25 volunteers.
• Chad Gardner is recognized for his giving spirit and support of the community in good times
and through the complex COVID-19 crisis. Through donations, partnerships, and special
programming at his restaurants, Chad has positively impacted the community through
numerous nonprofit charitable organizations. His philanthropic support continued in the
pandemic crisis, making a measurable impact on those nonprofits and the clients they
served. He is a for-profit entrepreneur committed to helping local businesses and the
region's underserved citizens thrive. Chad managed through the COVID-19 challenges and
helped address civic issues and the community's needs. He served on the board of Main
Street Palm Springs and the Mayor’s COVID-19 Business Transition & Re-entry Task Force.
• Nikki Stone is recognized for being a stellar example of what it means to give back to your
community through volunteerism. To give of your time, energy, and talent, with no
expectation of recognition or compensation, has been a guiding value for Nikki for her entire
adult life. While she maintains a belief that volunteers are the heart and soul of our
community, she has set an example with ten years of service with Volunteer Palm Springs -
an organization that partners with local nonprofits and community organizations to help
promote Palm Springs through volunteer efforts which will help make our community
stronger. With longstanding ties to the community, Nikki volunteers with at-risk teens, sits on
the Board of Well in the Desert and participates in local organizations and human rights
efforts. Her volunteerism has helped improve quality of life and contributed to Palm Springs
bi i l i d l i i h b ll i di id l
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• Jimmy Boegle is recognized for aligning business goals and initiatives with causes and
social issues that benefit the broader community during a time of significant challenges for
him personally. Founder, editor, and publisher of the Coachella Valley Independent, Jimmy
Boegle, is committed to keeping the community informed of the pandemic science and data
from the medical community. Jimmy is credited for keeping honest, ethical, independent
local journalism alive during the COVID crises while at the same time supporting nonprofit
organizations, promoting youth housing, and access to health and social services. Like most
businesses, revenue streams were severely impacted by the impact of the pandemic. The
changing economy and competition from tech platforms made it difficult to continue to
deliver honest local, and transparent journalism. Jimmy Boegle stayed true to his values and
commitment to the community he serves and continued to keep the community informed so
they could manage the pandemic safely and make informed decisions.
• The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation is recognized for increasing awareness,
visibility, and access to COVID-19 related health services by establishing and leading The
Coachella Valley Equity Collaborative (CVEC). CVEC has successfully linked community
and faith-based organizations, government agencies, and local farm owners together to
address the COVID-19 epidemic and ensure a coordinated effort to maximize resources and
prevent overlap in services and outreach. The CVEC has coordinated training, established
weekly testing sites for area students, school staff, and community members, and conducted
testing clinics at events. Since the launch of the first COVID-19 vaccine event at Tudor
Ranch, Inc. in January 2021, many on-site registrations and vaccination events have been
held. As of November 2021, more than 219 COVID-19 vaccination clinics have administered
36,785 COVID-19 vaccines to District residents.
• Vincent Corrales is recognized for his belief and sincerity in serving others. He is a warrior
for humanity and serves the community in selfless and loving ways. During the height of the
COVID-19 pandemic, Vincent publicly offered to run errands and shop for groceries for
those 60 years or older confined to their home due to having a compromised immune
system or other conditions that prevented them from being in public. His compassion drives
him to prepare meals for the area homeless regularly. Vincent is a testament to the impact
one individual can have on the unsheltered, hungry, and those in need. He has prepared
hundreds of traditional Thanksgiving meals for families who otherwise would go without on
Thanksgiving. Vincent is credited for improving the quality of life in Palm Springs, one life at
a time. He also volunteers for various organizations and events, and he is a regular rider
and fundraiser for AIDS Lifecycle.
• Dean Lavine is recognized for his support of charitable and fundraising events that have
helped improve the quality of life for those living in Palm Springs. When the coronavirus
pandemic first hit and restaurants and bars were ordered to close, it was an unprecedented
situation for many business owners. As a socially-minded business owner, Dean served on
the Mayor's COVID-19 Business Transition & Re-entry Task Force formed early in the
COVID crisis. He contributed his leadership to help others in the community and served on
the City's Parklet Design Standards Workgroup to suggest design guidelines and
operational standards for parklets. Dean helped employees through the crisis, continued
supporting community organizations, and offered his time to help shape policy to assist the
business community in returning to operations amid a COVID environment. Dean is an
example of what makes Palm Springs a charitable and hospitable community.
Established in 1992, the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is a nine-member commission of
volunteer citizens, appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The commission’s mission is
to promote and protect the diversity of our community and to improve human relations through
education and community awareness.