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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-11 HRC Regular Minutes Approved 5.09.2022 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, April 11, 2022 Virtual Zoom Meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ron deHarte called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: deHarte, Flood, Loyola, Ramoran, Robles, Shepherd, Vignolo and Student Representative Hanner Absent: Commissioners: Andrade and Cleary Staff Present: Jay Virata, Director, Community & Economic Development 3. QUORUM: Yes. 4. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: The meeting proceeded with the order of the agenda. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 6. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair deHarte stated the Smoking Ordinance is not listed as a current agenda item because it was unclear why the topic is being requested to return back to the Commission. The topic will be discussed further during the proposed agenda items. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 14, 2022 MOTION BY: Commissioner Loyola, second by Commissioner Robles to approve the minutes of February 14, 2022, as corrected. MOTION CARRIED, UNANIMOUSLY. 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A. Reports 1. Executive Report Standing Committee (Chair deHarte, Vice Chair Shepherd) - None a. Retreat - None 2. Community Relations /Budget/Personnel Report – None a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison (deHarte) - None b. Master Calendar Liaison (Ramoran) Commissioner Ramoran, announced Preservation Matters Symposium occurs April 23 and 24, 2022 and May is National Asian-American and Pacific Islander month as well as Mental Health Awareness. c. Main Street Liaison (deHarte) - None d. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison (Vignolo) Commissioner Vignolo announced the Organized Neighborhood group is returning to in-person meetings. 3. Cultural Affairs Report - None 4. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Liaison (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd) Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2022 Page 2 Vice Chair Shepherd attended a community meeting at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center regarding the Navigation Center; stated another community meeting has been scheduled; questioned if the Commission would like to take a position on the subj ect and noted the community's input was disregarded. Director Jay Virata reported the Human Rights Commission has been identified as one of the groups to provide input regarding the operation of the navigation center. Commissioner Ramoran discussed the Equity and Social Justice Committee and suggested assigning a liaison to address the matter. Commissioner Vignolo requested the Human Rights Commission be provided with sufficient notice to prepare for the Navigation Center meeting. 5. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Report a. Veterans Issues Liaison (Flood, Vignolo) Commissioner Flood reported he will be attending an upcoming meeting at the American Legion. 6. Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee - None a. Student Representatives (Hanner, Robles, Shepherd, Vignolo) 7. Commission Development/Mediation Report - None a. Mediation Liaison (Andrade, Vignolo) B. Potential Educational Program Collaboration with Boys and Girls Club Commissioner Robles reported the Boys and Girls Club received a grant from Amazon Rise and are interested in a Human Rights involvement project for teens; stated they would like the Human Rights Commission to be engaged in providing information and advice on human rights issues. Members commented favorably regarding the concept. Discussion followed regarding a specific timeline, program collaboration with other entities, holding in-person meetings and endorsing Commissioner Robles and one other Commissioner to carry the idea forward. Commissioner Vignolo offered to collaborate with Commissioner Robles to address the request from the Boys and Girls Club and present ideas to the Commission at its next meeting. C. Seeking Stakeholder Feedback Director Virata reported this matter was in connection with mediation and noted he has reached out to the City Attorney about establishing a model but has not yet heard from him. D. Commissioner, Staff, and Student Comments E. Topical Newsworthy Items Chair deHarte stated Items D and E will be combined. Commissioner Ramoran discussed the upcoming Preservation Matters Symposium; urged Commissioners to participate; reported the City Council approved financial support to DAP Health and Queer Works to develop a Universal Basic Income Program for transgender and non-binary residents. He responded the Sustainability Commission requested to have the draft “Smoking Ordinance” be added to the Agenda for review and approval before it is presented to City Council in June. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2022 Page 3 Chair deHarte noted the Commission previously discussed the topic and he was asked to send a letter stating the Human Rights Commission would not take a position on the topic. There was consensus not to agendize this matter. Commissioner Vignolo suggested the Commission explore sponsoring a symposium during National Bullying Prevention Month (October) in collaboration with other organizations and asked to place the topic on an upcoming agenda. Student Representative Hanner reported hearing a lot of criticism from other students regarding the pilot program focusing on transgender and non-binary individuals. Vice Chair Shepherd added the same reaction has been observed from people in the community and commented on the need for increased clarity about the program. Chair deHarte noted the topic will be added to the Commission's May meeting agenda as well as Commissioner Vignolo's suggestion to explore sponsoring a symposium during National Bullying Prevention Month (October). Commissioner Flood asked about the Commission's participation in the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: The following agenda items were proposed: • Conversation on the guaranteed income program • Exploration of sponsoring a symposium on bullying during National Bullying Prevention Month • Equity and Social Justice Committee update • Navigation Center Stakeholder Meeting • Potential Educational Program with the Boys and Girls Club 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:24 p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting on Monday, May 9, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., via teleconference.