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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-12-HRC Regular Minutes APPROVED 10.13.2022 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, September 12, 2022 Virtual Zoom Meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Loyola called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Andrade, deHarte, Flood, Loyola, Ramoran, Shepherd, and Student Representative Hanner Absent: Commissioners: Cleary, Vignolo (Excused) Staff Present: Jay Virata, Director, Community & Economic Development 3. QUORUM: YES 4. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Renae Punzalan, Director of Outreach, Transgender Health & Wellness Center shared information about the services and events provided by the non-profit organization, that serves the transgender, non-binary, gender- conforming intersex community and their allies. A social event to increase visibility is hosted once a month in Palm Springs. The Trans and Nonbinary Tuesday social event will be at 6 PM tomorrow at Blackbook. The Transgender Day of Remembrance will be upcoming on November 20, 2022. She encouraged Commissioners to reach out to her at Renae@Trans.health to create partnerships, spread awareness and help refer anyone who is transgender or nonbinary get access to their services. Chair Loyola thanked Renae for her public testimony. 6. CHAIR COMMENTS:. None. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 11, 2022 MOTION BY: Commissioner by Commissioner Flood, second by Vice Chair Shepherd to approve the minutes of July 11, 2022, as presented. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A. Reports 1. Executive Report Standing Committee (Chair Loyola, Vice Chair Shepherd) – No Report. 2. Community Relations /Budget/Personnel Report a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison Chair Loyola attended his first PSPD LGBT Outreach meeting as a new member on August 18, 2022. No hate crimes were reported. PSPD is inviting the Community to join the Citizens Police Academy. The 12-month academy begins September 20, 2022; The community is invited to participate. b. Master Calendar Liaison (Ramoran) - No Report. c. Main Street Liaison - No Report. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 Page 2 d. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison (Vignolo) – No Report. 3. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Liaison (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd) No Report. 4. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs a. Veterans Issues Liaison (Flood, Vignolo) – No Report. 5. Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee a. Student Representatives (Hanner, Shepherd, Vignolo) - No Report. 6. Commission Development/Mediation Report a. Mediation Liaison (Andrade, Vignolo) Commissioner Andrade noted that ‘Retreat’ was not included in today’s Agenda as she requested previously. Would still like the item added to discuss having an in -person retreat meeting and the year’s planning objectives, including mediation services. Chair Loyola responded that the item will be added to the next meeting Agenda. Director Virata indicated Mediation Services information is available on the City’s website. Anyone interested can complete the form available online. For any requests received, the City would reach out to the Commissioners trained in mediation to see if they are available. 7. Equity and Social Justice Committee Update (Shepherd, Andrade) Vice Chair Shepherd reported the committee met last week. Due to the departure of the City Manager and the anticipation of Council turnover, the committee will be placed on hold until they receive formal direction from the new group. The next meeting date is unknown. Commissioner Ramoran also attended the committee meeting. Indicated it was a great opportunity to meet and welcome the new City Clerk, Brenda Pree, and Interim City Manager Teresa Gallavan. The group continues to be facilitated by Gamal Palmer. Commissioner Andrade noted she had volunteered to fill in for Commissioner Ramoran’s committee spot due to his departure only, but to her delight, he is back on the Commission, as well as Commissioner deHarte. Director Virata reported the City Council extended an invitation to Commissioners to automatically continue; and for those whose terms had expired, they did ask Commissioners to stay on the Commission until they get closer to having a new council in place. That may run through November for Commissioner deHarte, and Commissioner Ramoran has embarked on his second term with the Commission. B. October 1st Event “Bullying: A Community Symposium on Prevention and Intervention Strategies” (Vignolo) 1. Update Chair Loyola gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining a brief overview of Bullying Symposium being hosted at the Palm Springs Convention Center on October 1, 2022, from 10:00AM to Noon. Commissioner deHarte identified that sign-language interpretation was not outlined in the presentation. Would like the ensure the community is aware that the service will be available. Chair Loyola inquired with Director Virata how sign-language services are coordinated with the city and thanked Commissioner deHarte for bringing the matter up. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 Page 3 Director Virata confirmed that they have submitted a request to the City Clerk’s Office for sign language interpretation services to be available on the day of the event. He is waiting for confirmation. 2. Special Meeting September 22, 2022 Chair Loyola reported the need for a special meeting to go over the event and answer questions. Final date/time will be confirmed. 3. National Bullying Prevention Month Proclamation Chair Loyola reported an official proclamation from the City is coming to fruition and will be presented during the event. C. Commissioner, Staff, and Student Comments Commissioner deHarte announced the Pride Parade event will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 10:00AM. An application submitted by Chair Loyola has been processed to secure the Commission’s position in the parade. It was noted that the Commissioners still need to confirm participation and locate the infamous banner. Comments and questions ensued among the Commission regarding the event. Student Representative Hanner volunteered to participate in the Pride Parade . Commented on her 16th birthday; the recent dress code implemented at the High School, and concerns with the condition of building. Chair Loyola thanked Student Representative Hanner for her comments and hopes her school can figure out how to keep the facility safe and clean. 8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: The following agenda items were proposed: 1. Retreat Planning (Includes a request for scheduling an in-person meeting) 2. Transgender Awareness 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. 10. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:12 p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022, at 5:30 p.m., via teleconference.