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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-12 HRC Regular Mintues Approved 01.17.2023 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, December 12, 2022 Virtual Zoom Meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Loyola called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Andrade, Cleary, deHarte, Flood, Loyola, Ramoran, Shepher d, Vignolo, and Student Representative Hanner ; Commissioner Andrade, Ramoran and Student Representative Hanner not present during roll call. Absent: None. Staff Present: Jay Virata, Director, Community & Economic Development 3. QUORUM: Yes 4. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: Commissioner Andrade joined the meeting at 5:32PM. Student Representative Hanner joined the meeting at 5:33PM. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Doug Evans, commented on agenda item 8C, stating the item is inappropriately noticed and understood from the Staff Liaison that the item would be removed from the Agenda. Dale, Desert Stonewall Democrats, thanked the Commission for supporting the Club Q vigil on November 27, 2022. Special recognition was given to Commissioners Ramoran, Loyola and deHarte. 6. CHAIR COMMENTS: Chair Loyola, in response to public comment stated agenda item 8C will be removed and properly referenced and agendized next month. He acknowledged that the subject matter did not clarify the intention of the Commission’s discussion for the public. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 14, 2022 DISCUSSION: None MOTION BY: Commissioner Vignolo, second by Commissioner Flood to approve the minutes of November 14, 2022 as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A. Presentations a. Public Arts Update (Gary Armstrong) Gary Armstrong, Vice Chair, Public Arts Commission, provided an update and changes to the “Pillars of Palm Springs” project. Clarified the collaboration between the two Commissions, noting the Human Rights Commission would provide feedback on designs selected by the Public Arts Commission to ensure there is no misrepresenting. The art project motivates leaders committed to equity and inclusion, the project timeline would be 6 to 9 months. The Desert X sculptures currently on the median are on loan until April 2023, discussions are taking place to get an extension until “Pillars of Palm Springs” project is complete. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 12, 2022 Page 2 Commissioner Ramoran joined the meeting at 5:48p.m. B. Reports 1. Executive Report Standing Committee (Chair Loyola, Vice Chair Shepherd) – No report. 2. Community Relations /Budget/Personnel Report a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Liaison (Loyola) Chair Loyola thanked the Palm Springs Police Department for their leadership and presence at the Club Q Vigil and making the community and space feel safe. Commissioner deHarte requested the Commission move to Agenda item 8D – Community Service Awards due to having to leave the meeting early. The Commission proceeded to agenda item 8D. 8. D. Community Service Awards (Loyola) Chair Loyola presented the Ad-Hoc Committee’s recommend slate for the 2023 Community Service Awards. Seven nominees were nominated and referenced only by number. Clarification was provided on the nominee vetting process. MOTION BY: Commissioner deHarte, second by Commissioner Vignolo to approve the recommended slate as presented and the ad-hoc committee to contact the potential nominees for acceptance. Motion carries unanimously. Chair Loyola congratulated Commissioner deHarte for winning the City Council seat. The Commission resumed with the regular order of the agenda. b. Master Calendar Liaison (Vignolo) Commissioner Vignolo shared the upcoming community event promoting Human Rights: • MLK and Civil Rights Music Event, January 11, 2023 from 1:30PM to 2:30PM at the Palm Springs Public Library, Youth Room. A presentation on the music of the Civil Rights movement will be presented and an opportunity to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. c. Main Street Liaison (Loyola) – No Report. Chair Loyola, no action to report; members are excited to continue their work with the support of the new council. d. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs Liaison (Vignolo) Commissioner Vignolo, indicated the next ONE-PS meeting was being held tomorrow; in response to inquiry stated he tries to attend a meeting if there are not conflicts. Meetings might go back to hybrid and may present an opportunity to for him to attend. 3. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Liaison (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd) – No Report. 4. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Report a. Veterans Issues Liaison (Flood, Vignolo) – No Report. 5. Youth/Education Affairs Standing Committee a. Student Representatives (Hanner, Shepherd, Vignolo) Commissioner Vignolo apologized he did not have an opportunity to take action since the last meeting. He intends to be more proactive and reenergize the subcommittee after the holidays. 6. Commission Development/Mediation Report a. Mediation Liaison (Andrade, Vignolo) – No Report. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 12, 2022 Page 3 7. Equity and Social Justice Committee Update (Shepherd, Andrade) Vice Chair Shepherd and Commissioner Ramoran gave an update from the Committee’s December 7th meeting. A brief overview of the priorities that the committee would be leading was shared with the Commission, highlighting the number one priority and discussion was around reparations for survivors and descendants of Section14. Commissioner Andrade requested the representation for the Committee be corrected on future Agendas. C. Section 14 Report Acknowledgement – This item was removed from the Agenda. E. Transgender Awareness (Loyola) Chair Loyola commented positively on the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil. Invites everyone to attend next year; thanked Commissioner Vignolo for inviting Jacob Rostovsky, CEO of Queerworks to join the Commission’s January meeting to provide public testimony on his organizations events. Commissioner Vignolo noted that Queerworks is planning a Transgender Awareness Month in March 2023. F. Planning for Next Year (Loyola) • Chair Loyola inquired if any Commissioners had organizations or projects they would like to be more involved with next year. • in response to Commissioner Vignolo, he noted that he is working with the Staff Liaison on determining if the City will allow them to meet in a hybrid setting. January 2023 was noted tentatively • Chair Loyola would like to see the commission increase engagement and participation with all communities and invited Commissioners to name one organization they would like to champion for next meeting. Vice Chair Shepherd spoke about Brothers of the Desert hosting an event at Margaretville, anyone interested in learning about the organization can attend; Palm Springs High School is forming a new group to help the graduation rate and the success rate of minority students. The new group might be able to use some support. G. Commissioner, Staff, and Student Comments 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: • Events and Activities for Next Year • Potential partnerships with organizations • Community Service Awards • Section 14 Report Acknowledgement– To be referenced properly for the public to know the intention of the Commission’s discussion. Commissioner Clearly inquired on the removal and objection of the agenda item 8D for clarification and the purpose of the Commission’s discussion surrounding the report at next month’s meeting; Comments and questions ensued among the Commission and Staff Liaison. It was clarified that the Commission is going to address objections brought forth by Dr. Kray as to the omission of a credit. Commissioner Vignolo suggested the Executive Committee add more clarity and verbiage so the Agenda items are clear to the public. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 11. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Commissioner Vignolo, Second by Vice Chair Shepherd to adjourn the Commission meeting at 6:11 p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., via teleconference. Motion carried unanimously.