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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-13 HRC Regular Meeting AgendaFY 2020/2021 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, September 14, 2020 Virtual Zoom Meeting X = Present E = Excused Absence U = Unexcused Absence Other Staff Present: Jay Virata, Community and Economic Development Director 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M. 2. MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement and goals of the Human Rights Commission was read by Commissioners Flood, Andrade and Ames. 3. QUORUM: Staff Liaison Mr. Virata took roll call and announced that a quorum was present. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Vignolo – Is interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission and will be observing the Commission’s deliberations. 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: July 13, 2020 MOTION: By Commissioner Ramoran, Second by Vice Chair Chappell to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: Chair deHarte – Welcomed aboard Solange Signoret, who will be representing the voice of the youth on the Human Rights Commission as Student Representative. Student Representative Signoret - Shared information about her background and each Commissioner further provided her with welcoming comments. Chair deHarte – Wanted to raise awareness in the Community that there are three census tracts in the City of Palm Springs that are under reporting: Desert Highland’s trac t, the Lawrence Crosley Tract and Las Palmas Tract. He encouraged everyone to complete the census online at my2020census.gov. COMMISSIONER JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Terri Andrade X X Harold Ames X X Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X X Ron deHarte, Chair X X Glenn Flood X X Peter Owen X X Edwin Ramoran X X Donna Shepherd X X Solange Signoret, Student Rep. X Human Rights Commission DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes September 14, 2020 Page 2 7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. Committees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Committee Chair deHarte reported that the current budget information was included in their Agenda packet and was identified to be informational only. No discussions pursued. a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee (deHarte) –No new report update. b. Master Calendar - Chair deHarte - indicated no one is assigned to the committee. c. Main Street (deHarte) – No new report update. d. Finance (Ames) - Budget Attached. Mr. Virata – Indicated that $3,123 is the Human Rights Commission’s final budget and recommended they give some thought on how to allocate retreats, awards and sponsorships. Commissioner Ames – At the suggestion of Chair deHarte, agreed to review the final approved budget and determine how to best redistribute line items with a deficit of $500 or more than what they had originally prepared. He further encouraged anybody who wants to be on the subcommittee with him, indicating that it would be helpful to get someone else’s perspective. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs - Chair deHarte - indicated no one is assigned to the committee. (Public Comment) Chair deHarte announced a public comment request was submitted and therefore the Commission opened the floor for public comment. The following Public Comment was made: Craig Scott, Palm Springs Resident, Informed the Commission of technical difficulties he encountered joining the meeting. Mr. Scott was joined by Mr. Ubaldo Boido, coordinator of Desert Support for Asylum Seekers (DSAS). They encouraged the Commission to acknowledge International Migrants Day on December 18, which is also a United Nations designated day of acknowledgement. The meeting proceeded with Committee Reports. Cultural Affairs Committee a. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell, Ames) Chair deHarte – No new report. b. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood) Commissioner Flood - Reported attending part of the Association meeting last Wednesday. Police Chief Bryan Reyes indicated during the meeting that there would be more patrolling through the neighborhoods, in response to community input about not enough police response. Chair deHarte reported attending a Community meeting several weeks ago and highlighted the Community Leaders comments for the Police Department: having a greater presence, coming down on the number of inquiry stops, and increasing the dialogue between young parents in the Community and the Police Department. Commissioner Ramoran and Student Representative Signoret commented on the reports given. Highlighting the value for active participation at community meetings and advocating for strong integration of youth voices at community meetings so they are included and a part of the movement. Human Rights Commission DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes September 14, 2020 Page 3 Chair deHarte noted the another representative can be assigned to join Commissioner Flood to assist with the role of Community Liaison. Senior/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) – Commissioner Flood - Reported the American Legion has been closed due to COVID. The American Legion and the Palm Springs Police Officers Association are sponsoring an Oktoberfest outdoor Fundraiser event on October 17, 2020. Proceeds benefit the Palm Springs Police and Christmas Toy Give Away to the needy children of the Coachella Valley. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell) Vice Chair Chappell – Reported being excited that Student Representative Signoret is onboard and will be guiding her and available for any questions she may have. One student representative position remains vacant and interested applications are available on the city website for any interested student. Chair deHarte indicated the role of the Youth/Education Affairs Committee in addition to recruiting student representatives. Student Representative Signoret is assigned to the Committee by default. Executive Committee Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) Commissioner Andrade - Defined mediation and explained certified mediator training requirements. She is interested in the opportunity to re-establish mediation as a function of the Commission to have a least one seated member trained. Mr. Virata in response to Commissioner Andrade will follow-up on a training and certification program offered through the County. Additionally he noted Community Action Partnership provides mediation services as a resource. b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) – No Report. B. Committee Assignments a. Equity and Social Justice Committee Chair deHarte – Reported that on September 10, 2020 the City Council approved forming and establishing an Equity and Social Justice Committee. The Committee will be charged with implementing the items outlined in Resolution No. 24792. Two seats are open to the Human Rights Commission. Chair opened the floor for Commissioner interest. Commissioners Shepherd and Ramoran expressed interest to serve on the Committee. City Staff will provide further instruction and guidance once established, and then they will formally appoint two Liaisons to sit on the Committee. Any other Commissioner interested on serving on the Committee was asked to inform Mr. Virata. By suggestion of Chair deHarte, the Commission was in consensus to move Committee Assignments to next month. Chair deHarte apologized to the new Commissioners for not having reviewed the most current Committee and Subcommittee documents during the onboarding process. Chair deHarte encouraged anyone who was able to attend t he upcoming ONE-PS meeting. Commissioner Ramoran volunteered to serve on the Master Calendar Committee and Community Engagement activities. Human Rights Commission DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes September 14, 2020 Page 4 Vice Chair Chappell volunteered to join Commissioner Ames to review the budget. C. Communications & Outreach Mr. Virata stated in conversations with the City Manager regarding the Communication protocols, the Commission may submit their request of posting information for the public through social media or on the City’s website. The City Manager would review the request s and approve it for the Communications Director to go on and post the information. It was noted that these requests would entail the whole Commission or majority agreeing on the messaging for the full Commission. Further comments and questions ensued regarding the report provided. It was encouraged for Commissioner’s to add 2 weeks to their timeline to allow for information to go through the approval process. D. Renaming of Streets Chair deHarte stated that prior to COVID there were specifics on renaming of streets and looking at establishing a street for Martin Luther King Jr., Harvey Milk and Barak Obama. The next step was identified to establish a subcommittee to work on this project and get more direction from City Council. Chair deHarte opened the floor for Commissioner interest. Commissioner Ramoran and Owen expressed interest to serve on the subcommittee. Mr. Virata will get more information so the Committee can start the process of investigation. He will inform the City Manager that Commissioner Owen and Ramoran will be working on coming up with some recommendations for City Council on which streets could be renamed considering historical background, location, etc. It was noted that the Committee might need to recruit the Engineering Department as to how actually affect the street name changes. E. Request to Discuss ‘Change.org’ Petition to Relocate Frank Bogart Statue Commissioner comments and questions ensued regarding the Petition to relocate the Frank Boga rt statue. It was identified that a similar petition was considered through the Public Arts Commission and was not pursued after public testimony. The topic is on the City Councils wish list of items to add to their Agenda at some point. Mr. Virata, at the request of the Commission will reach out to the City Council Liaison to get some input and hopefully address the issue in a conversation with the Commission. F. Topical Newsworthy Items Chair deHarte – In response to Commissioner Shepherd’s inquiry on boosting census participation, Chair deHarte recommended that they share the video that encourages everyone to complete the census at my2020census.gov by the end of September. Additionally, they can join the Caravan Census Outreach on Wednesday, September 16 at 5:30PM He noted Commissioner Ramoran and himself serve on the City’s Census Task Force Committee outside of the Commission. Commissioner Ramoran - Reported that in conjunction with the Caravan Outreach, the materials the City is producing is Tri-lingual including Spanish and Tagalong. 8. ACTION ITEMS: A. 2020 Meeting Schedule A divided discussion ensued among the Commission regarding the October 12 meeting being scheduled on Native American Day and, whether to consider rescheduling the date out of respect for the celebration of Indigenous People’s Day. Mr. Virata confirmed City Hall will be open and any change in meeting date would still require the meeting to be held at 5:30PM and a quorum secured. Chair deHarte led the following question for motion: MOTION: To change the scheduled meeting date from October 12, 2020 to October 13, 2020 at 5:30PM. Vote taken by a show of hands. Motion carried 4 – 3, 1 abstained. Human Rights Commission DRAFT Regular Meeting Minutes September 14, 2020 Page 5 B. Commissioner Recruitment – No Report. 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: The following agenda items were proposed: 1. Carry Committee Assignments forward 2. Request to acknowledge International Migrants Day 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair deHarte provided a closing statement in honor and memory of humanitarians and civil rights activists Rabbi Joseph Hurwitz and Joseph Beaver, who both we passed away this month. Mr. Hurwitz is a well-known rabbi and decades long community leader that is one of the founders of the Human Rights Commission. Mr. Beaver was one of the first black men to join the Marines and was a Congressional Gold Medal Honoree. Their active leadership achievements throughout Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley was shared. 11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 7:02 P.M. to an adjourned Regular Meeting, Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. via Zoom. Respectfully submitted, Annie Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant C I T Y OF PA L M S P RI N G S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISS ION 2 0 2 0 -21 M E E T I N G C A L E N D A R REGULAR MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION PARADES & SPECIAL EV ENTS Monday, July 13, 2020 5:30 PM Zoom Virtual Meeting Pride Parade To Be Determined Monday, August 10, 2020 5:30 PM Dark Veteran’s Day Parade To Be Determined Monday, September 14, 2020 5:30 PM Zoom Virtual Meeting Legacy Film Project To Be Determined Monday, October 13, 2020 5:30 PM Zoom Virtual Meeting Community Service Awards** February 8, 2020 Monday, November 9, 2020 5:30 PM To Be Determined Black History Month Parade To Be Determined Monday, December 14, 2020 5:30 PM To Be Determined ONE-PS Picnic & Community Expo To Be Determined Monday, January 11, 2021 5:30 PM To Be Determined Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20, 2020 Monday, February 8, 2021 5:30 PM To Be Determined Monday, March 8, 2021 5:30 PM To Be Determined SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Monday, April 12, 2021 5:30 PM To Be Determined Afford. Hsg. & Homelessness Standing Subcommittee 3rd Thurs. of Every Quarter / 5PM Monday, May 10, 2021 5:30 PM To Be Determined ONE-PS 2nd Thurs. of Every Month / 8AM Monday, June 14, 2021 5:30 PM To Be Determined Main Street 1st Tues. of Every Month / 8:30AM PSPD LGBTQ Community Outreach Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association 3rd Thurs. of Every Month / 4PM 2nd Tues. of Every Month / 7PM JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16* 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14* 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* 1 2 3 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15* 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 THE COMMISSION ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING AS DATES OF AWARENESSS: January 24 International Day of Education May 17 International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia August 26 National Women’s Equality Day February 20 Word Day of Social Justice May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue and Development October 01 Intl. Day of Older Persons March 01 Zero Discrimination Day June 20 World Refugee Day October 10 World Homeless Day April 07 World Health Day June 23 United Nations Public Service Day October 17 Intl. Day for the Eradication of Poverty April 28 World Day for Safety and Health at Work July 30 World Day against Human Trafficking December 3 Intl. Day of Persons with Disabilities May 16 Intl. Day of Living Together in Peace August 12 International Youth Day December 10 Human Rights Day Revised 10/8/2020 Due to holidays, special meetings, rescheduling or cancellations all meetings are SUBJECT TO CHANGE.