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Home My WebLink About2021-05-05 HRC Regular Minutes Approved 6.14.2021FY 2020/2021 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Special Meeting Wednesday, May 5, 2021 Virtual Zoom Meeting X = Present E = Excused Absence U = Unexcused Absence R = Resigned Other Staff Present: Jay Virata, Community and Economic Development Director 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Director Virata proceeded with roll call. Commissioner Andrade and Student Representative Cash not present during roll call. Andrade arrived at 5:35p.m., and Cash arrived at 5:37p.m. 3. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: 4. QUORUM: Chair deHarte announced a quorum is present. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: • Stacy Johnson voiced disappointment the Human Rights Commission is choosing to spend an immense amount of energy on a statue instead of addressing the City’s current homeless crisis. • Dottie Wilder voiced opposition to the proposed resolution recommending the removal of the Frank Bogert Monument from the front of Palm Springs City Hall. • Steve Braff read a statement prepared by the Friends of Frank Bogert that voiced opposition to the Bogert Monument Report and proposed resolution. • Donna Higueras identified herself as the youngest daughter of late Frank Bogert, voiced opposition to the proposed resolution and inaccurate statements, specifically about the circumstances under which he left office in 1966. It is offensive to her entire family. • Amado Salinas voiced opposition to the proposed resolution indicating the monument is a freedom of speech that states this was a western town and the heritage of pioneers should be preserved. • Oran Jackson spoke in support of the resolution for removal of the Frank Bogert Statue Monument from the front of Palm Springs City Hall. • Sid Hubbard spoke on how the Human Rights Commission is not addressing the full story of Palm Springs history and giving blame for Section 14 on one man, Frank Bogert. COMMISSIONER JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Terri Andrade X X E X E X X X X X Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X X X X X X X E X X Ron deHarte, Chair X X X X X X X X X X Glenn Flood X X X X X X X X X X Edwin Ramoran X X X X X X X X X X Donna Shepherd X X X X U E X X X X Ella Cash, Student Rep. X X X X X X X Lilly Hanner, Student Rep. X Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 5, 2021 Page 2 • Renee Brown voiced opposition to the proclamation; calls on the City Council to establish a fund that would allow families affected to borrow money to start businesses within the community. • Doug Evans spoke in opposition of the Bogert Monument Report; commented on having the report rewritten and including the names of all the authors. • Susan Smith voiced full opposition to the proposed resolution recommending the removal of the Frank Bogert Monument from the front of Palm Springs City Hall; has sent a follow-up letter voicing her opposition. • Jarvis Crawford spoke in support of the removal of the Frank Bogert Monument from the front of Palm Springs City Hall; he emphasized that removing that statue will show they are helping heal a community. • Sidrano Valdez spoke on the healing of the residents that lived on Section 14, and stated the Commission/City should be committed to heal their pain by putting City dollars in the redevelopment of the north end, that they destroyed, before they hold this topic. • Tristan Milanovich representing the Milanovich family, spoke on the disapproval of the relocation/removal of Mayor Frank Bogert statue by reading a letter out loud that she submitted to the Palm Springs City Council. • Janel Hunt spoke in support of removing the Frank Bogert Monument. Stressed that people are having to relive the anguish all over again because there are residents in the City of Palm Springs that do not understand that the statue represents painful hurt. • Shawnda Faveau spoke in support of the relocating/removing the Frank Bogert Monument; emphasized that it is time to listen to the group of people that are hurt and for the City to set an example and be a catalyst for change. • Jose Agueros spoke on the contributions of late Frank Bogert and challenged anyone on the call to prove to him that Frank Bogert, his father-in-law was a racist. • Diana Russell wife to Frank Bogert’s late grandson, commented in opposition to the proposed resolution. • Chuck voiced opposition to Agenda Item 7A and 7B by reading a letter outloud that he sent to the City Clerk voicing his opposition. • There being no one else desiring to speak, Chair deHarte acknowledged all public comments that were received and emailed to City Clerk and City Council. He noted all public comment correspondence sent will be reviewed and entered into record. He further emphasized that there is a misunderstanding that Frank Bogert’s personality and contributions to the City are being attacked and stated they are not; they are recognizing his efforts. 6. CHAIR COMMENTS: • Chair deHarte thanked everyone who has submitted emails, comments, letters and has taken the time to reach out to the Human Rights Commission and voice being in favor of leaving the monument where it is and those that are sharing their experiences as to why they feel it should not be on public property; additional gratitude was given to the fellow Commissioners who have offered constructive criticism and feedback in the process. Chair deHarte commented on the background in preparing the Bogert Monument Report that resulted in gathering 127 separate primary and secondary resources and 214 cited footnotes. An overview of the report was presented. It was stated the report is intended to provide an opportunity to bridge differences and help raise awareness about the unresolved trauma and the Frank Bogert Monument, which stands in front of City Hall is a hurtful symbol of systemic racism. 7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A. Close the Bogert Monument Report review period for Commissioners, accept Commissioner's edits, receive the final Bogert Monument Report dated April 28, 2021, and forward to the Palm Springs City Council. • Chair deHarte reported that at their April 12, 2021 meeting they originally stated a 28-day review period of the document would follow for commissioners however, to ensure adequate time was given for public review, Commissioners were asked to pass their comments to the Commission’s Staff Liaison by 8am on April 28, 2021; an updated report was posted with the Meeting Notice; Chair deHarte invited a motion to close the Bogert Monument Report review period for Commissioners and accept the Commissioners edits and receive the Final Bogert Monument Report dated April 28, 2021. • MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FLOOD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SHEPHERD TO CLOSE THE BOGERT MONUMENT REVIEW PERIOD AND ACCEPT THE BOGERT MONUMENT REPORT TO FORWARD ONTO CITY COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED. 5 – 0; 1 ABSTAINED. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 5, 2021 Page 3 B. Ratify “Resolution Entitled “RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE REMOVAL OF THE FRANK BOGERT MONUMENT FROM THE FRONT OF PALM SPRINGS CITY HALL.” • Chair deHarte provided an updated background on the resolution since last presented on April 12, 2021. The document’s modifications were identified to be additional comments from Commissioners, citing additional primary sources and a change in the name of the resolution to recommend removal of the monument; Chair deHarte opened to floor to entertain a motion to ratify the Resolution as stated in the Agenda. • MOTION BY VICE CHAIR CHAPPELL, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FLOOD TO RATIFY THE RESOLUTION AS STATED IN THE AGENDA. • DISCUSSION: • Commissioner Andrade voiced her opposition in joining her fellow Commissioners in support of the issue before them. It was stated that the court of public opinion for her does not grant to right to sacrifice the dignity of one human being for the actions of many; believes the Commission has overlooked a valuable opportunity to fulfill the purpose and model the ideals that they claim to uphold; suggested they rethink the recommended action in favor of a plan for outreach and interactive community involvement to demonstrate the sincerity of the City’s apologetic offering with actions to secure their future instead of tearing down their past. • Chair deHarte spoke about it being important to him to realize and have an understanding that if they had not even half a page of written text of the role of human rights violations, all he needed is to hear is from the residents who lived through the atrocity themselves and the generations of hurt that continue to exist in their community. The community has told them for 32 years and they have not listened, that the statue really is a symbol of the racism they have experienced in their family for three generations; he further stated it’s important to him that they hear from the residents and the residents have spoken. • Vice Chair Chappell commented on believing there are two sides, two opinions; she has read good things but has also read sad things that have happened to people and has to think that when something from the past is hurtful to the people in the present; it is the representation that his statue brings to a group of people in the City as they drive past the statute and remember what happened to them or to the people that they loved, in these times, it is a human rights concern. • MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO RATIFY THE RESOLUTION ENTITLED RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE REMOVAL OF THE FRANK BOGERT MONUMENT FROM THE FRONT OF PALM SPRIGNS CITY HALL. VOTE BY A SHOW OF HANDS; DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THE MOTION WAS REPEATED WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE. MOTION CARRIED 5 – 1. THE COMMISSION WILL FORWARD THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THE MAY 20, 2021 MEETING. . 8. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourn at 6:25PM to a Special Joint Meeting with City Council on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 5:30PM. Respectfully submitted, /S/ Annie Rodriguez Annie Rodriguez, Housing Program Assistant