The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-07-12 HRC Regular Minutes Approved 9.13.2021 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, July 12, 2021 Virtual Zoom Meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting was called to order at 5:31PM by Chair deHarte. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Andrade, Flood, Loyola, Ramoran, Robles, Shepherd, deHarte, Student Representative Cash Absent: Student Representative Hanner and Cleary Also present: City Manager Justin Clifton, Jay Virata, Community and Economic Development Director 3. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: The mission statement was read out loud among the Commission. 4. QUORUM: YES. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: • Mr. O’Conner – Spoke about homelessness ; asked what the City Council and the Commission are doing around the issue; would like to help be involved to solving the problems the community is facing. • Rene Brown – Commented on the limited parking spaces in the underground parking facility for Downtown workers; feels this is a form discrimination against the working class. 6. CHAIR COMMENTS: • Chair deHarte announced Vice Chair Chappell’s term ended in June after serving six years on the Commission; she will be missed. 7. RECOGNITION A. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons • Gustavo Araiza, Palm Springs Police Department gave a presentation on law enforcements role with identifying and investigating allegations of human trafficking. Law enforcement works very closely with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce. 8. APPROVAL OF MINTUES: JUNE 14, 2021 MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER FLOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ANDRADE TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. UPDATE FROM CITY COUNCIL REGARDING HOMELESSNESS – JAY VIRATA, DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • Chair deHarte announced this item is being tabled for a future meeting at an unknown date. 10. UPDATE ON THE SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE – JUSTIN CLIFTON, CITY MANAGER Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 12, 2021 Page 2 • City Manager Clifton reported the City Council made formal appointments to the new Equity and Social Justice Committee. The eight members were identified and included two Human Rights Commissioners Ramoran and Shepherd. They are looking forward to hiring a trained facilitator with specialized expertise in the area of equity and social justice including strategic planning, group discussion, facilitation and decision making. The Committee was established to be a 9-month condensed expeditious and efficient team that will generate a list of topics/interests and advance recommendations to City Council. They are targeting to schedule the first meeting by September. He welcomed any suggestions of qualified facilitator as they are in the recruitment process. City Manager Clifton responded to Commissioner comments and inquiries. • City Manager Clifton additionally reported City Council is now targeting a September date to discuss the Bogert Statue and Section 14 apology. They are close to identifying a date and will follow-up soon. 11. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A. Committees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell • Chair deHarte opened the floor for committee updates. Executive Committee (deHarte, Chappell) • Chair deHarte encouraged new Commissioners to review the Standing Committees; the Executive Committee’s rotating Commissioner position is now open; Commissioner Loyola volunteered to serve for the next quarter (July-September). • Chair deHarte commented on the City’s Human Rights Municipality Index rating. The Human Rights Commission has not been involved since the City started submitting the survey. Preliminary questioning was made to the City Manager, it is something that comes out of City Managers Guidance from Human Resources within City Hall. The Commission will request to the City Manager when the survey comes up again, that they be invited to participate. Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Committee a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee (deHarte) – No report. b. Master Calendar (Ramoran) – No report. c. Main Street (deHarte) No Report. d. Finance (deHarte, Chappell) No Report. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs – No Report. Cultural Affairs Committee a. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Flood, Shepherd) No Report. b. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd) • Commissioner Flood attended the association picnic on Saturday, June 19 at James O. Jessie Park; it was well attended. • Commissioner Shepherd requested a phone call be scheduled with Chair deHarte to talk about their involvement with the Association. • Chair deHarte requested Director Virata email an updated Commission Roster to the full Commission. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) No Report. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell, Cash) • Student Representative Cash reported her efforts to increase student representative interest to serve on the Commission. Intends to reach out to Janel Hunt, Assistant Principal for help recruiting students. • The Commission discussed ways to help increase student recruitment. Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) – No Report. b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) – No Report. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 12, 2021 Page 3 B. Committee Assignments a. Clean Indoor Air and Health Protection Draft Ordinance with Sustainability Commission Update • Commissioner Ramoran reported on July 20, 2021 the Sustainability Commission will be addressing the approved draft ordinance the Commission forwarded. b. Street naming update • Commissioner Ramoran and Commissioner Shepherd will be scheduling meetings to address street naming after August 12th; they welcome any recommendations. • Chair deHarte clarified this item is a request from City Council. • Chair deHarte recommended the Committee set a meeting with Assistant Planner Director David Newell to get some guidance. C. General Plan Vision and Priorities Update • Director Virata reported there is no information available yet regarding the Commission’s comments, any impact on the new draft General Plan, particularly because it is not yet complete. A general plan workshop was identified tomorrow for anyone who is interested in participating. The workshop registration information, flyer and draft housing element was provided to the Commission. • Commissioner Ramoran commented on attending a workshop on June 17, 2021 at Demuth Community Center. He was concerned about the low attendance. Feels the City needs to do more outreach in the smaller communities. • Chair deHarte in response to Commissioner Ramoran’s comments indicated that they could certainly help give guidance in this particular case to the Planning Department and helping them with outreach. Had the Planning Department reached out and invited the Commission to work with them they would have been able to appoint Commission Ramoran early on who has the outreach expertise they might not have to really help them organize their outreach efforts. The comments shared today will help them identify what those next steps should be for their work in the community. D. 2021-2022 Chair and Vice Chair Selection Update • Chair deHarte and Director Virata discussed the annual Chair and Vice Chair selection process. The floor was opened for nominations/interest to serve as Vice Chair and/or Chair. • Commissioner Shepherd self-nominated for Vice Chair; Commissioner Ramoran second the nomination; Commissioner Shepherd accepted the nomination. • Commissioner Shepherd nominated Ron DeHarte for Chair; Commissioner Ramoran second the nomination. Chair deHarte accepted the nomination. • CHAIR DEHARTE CALLED A VOTE BY A SHOW OF HANDS IN FAVOR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR SLATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-22. VOTE CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. E. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: • Commissioner Andrade offered the Commissions assistance to both Mayor and Director Virata regarding a role around homelessness; Director Virata confirmed Commissioner Andrade is on the email distribution list regarding homeless • Commissioner Ramoran thanked Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Shepherd; welcomed the new Commissioners and commented on the Marilyn Monroe statue and advertisements from PS Resorts; would like the Commission to look at the history of misogyny. • Chair deHarte requested the new Commissioners give a brief introduction/background. F. Topical Newsworthy Items – None. 12. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: The following items were proposed for the next Agenda item. 1. Hispanic Heritage Month Recognition Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 12, 2021 Page 4 • Student Representative Cash received confirmation she is likely to continue to serve as student representative for another annual term if she desires. Vice Chair Shepherd will coordinate. • Commissioner Vignolo inquired on the Commissions participation at community outreach/education events. Will be joining Commissioner Ramoran and Student Representative Hanner on the Master Calendar Committee. • Chair deHarte, stated new Commissioner Orientation has not been scheduled yet; will work with Director Virata on scheduling a date. • Chair deHarte and Director Virata reported they are awaiting guidance from City Council on when in-person meetings will resume. Currently Commission business is only conducted via Zoom, in accordance Brown Act Regulations. 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE. 14. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:55PM to an adjourned regular meeting on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 5:30P.M. via teleconference. Respectfully submitted, /c/ Annie Rodriguez Annie Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant