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Home My WebLink About2021-03-08 HRC Regular Minutes Approved 6.14.2021FY 2020/2021 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, March 8, 2021 Virtual Zoom Meeting X = Present E = Excused Absence U = Unexcused Absence R = Resigned Other Staff Present: Councilmember Geoff Kors Jay Virata, Community and Economic Development Director 1. CALL TO ORDER: • Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL: • Director Virata proceeded with roll call. Absent from the meeting was Vice Chair Chappell, and from the roll call was Commissioner Flood. 3. MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS: Commissioner Shepherd read the Mission Statement. 4. QUORUM: YES 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 6. APPROVAL OF MINTUES: December 14, 2020 and January 11, 2021 MOTION: BY COMMISSIONER SHEPHERD, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMORAN TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. CHAIR COMMENTS: • Chair deHarte commented on the increase of violent hate crime incidents on the rise towards Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. He called on the local community to stand in solidarity with the Human Rights Commission and other AAPI advocates in condemning those who commit anti-Asian violence and to be vigilant, and watch out for your neighbors. Stopaapihate.org was identified as an aggregator website for the community. 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A.Committees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell COMMISSIONER JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Terri Andrade X X E X E X X X Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X X X X X X X E Ron deHarte, Chair X X X X X X X X Glenn Flood X X X X X X X X Edwin Ramoran X X X X X X X X Donna Shepherd X X X X U E X X Ella Cash, Student Rep. X X X X X Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Page 2 Executive Committee (deHarte, Vice Chair) • Chair deHarte - Identified the dates of significance being acknowledged by the Commission for the month of March. Dates observed are referenced below with the Committee’s report: a. March 1 – Zero Discrimination Day • A brief background presentation was made. This day aims to promote equality and combat discrimination and inequalities against income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, render identity, race, class ethnicity and religion. b. Section 14 Apology • Guest Councilmember Kors presented and gave a background presentation on the draft apology he had requested last year for the City’s actions on Section 14. The draft document titled “City of Palm Springs Apology for it Role in the Destruction of Section 14” was read aloud. Key points where shared. He hopes the apology will be displayed in all City buildings. Commissioner comments and suggestions were encouraged on the draft document presented. • Chair deHarte – read a draft resolution to proceed with Commission endorsement on the Section 14 Apology. • MOTION BY: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER RAMORAN TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDED RESOLUTION FORWARD AND ENCOURAGE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION. THE FLOOR OPENED FOR DISCUSSION • DISCUSSION: Comments and questions ensued among the Commission and Councilmember Kors that included but were not limited to being in favor of the overdue apology, paying reparations to families who suffered from the incident, Establishment of a Social Equity and Justice Committee, assist in eliminating blight in neighborhoods affected, Conservators, City’s annexation history, Mayor Kleindienst letter of acknowledgment regarding Section 14, Uniform Relocation Act, Black History Committee’s Caravan, Crawford Family Legacy, City communication with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and identifying anecdotes not recorded by the tribe or City to add to the historical society’s records. • VOTE: CHAIR DEHARTE CALLED FOR A VOTE TO ENDORSE THE MOTION AS STATED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. • Chair deHarte thanked the Commission for all their comments and contributions; and Councilmember Kors for taking initiative on the apology. • Councilmember Kors requested that the resolutions made by the Commission be scheduled for the City Council’s Consent Calendar. c. International Women’s Day Resolution – • Chair deHarte indicated today was International Women’s Day. The day represents the contributions that Women have made all around the world. A draft resolution was presented requesting City Council support and declaring International Women’s month in the City of Palm Springs. • MOTION: BY COMMISSIONER ANDRADE, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FLOOD TO ADOPT THE DRAFT RESOLUTION: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH IN PALM SPRINGS AS PRESENTED AND MOVE FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL FOR SUPPORT. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. d. Lawrence Crossley Road – • Chair deHarte reported Lawrence Crossley was a respected leader, entrepreneur and first African American resident of Palm Springs who made a significant impact on the City’s evolution. The full road name change from Crossley Road to Lawrence Crossley Road has been completed to give deserved recognition, and respect to Mr. Crossley. e. April 7th - World Health Day – • The Commission will not meet before April 7st occurs, therefore background of World Health Day celebration was shared by Chair deHarte. The Commission highlighted the work of those working in the healthcare field in Palm Springs and asks the public to celebrate this workforce. Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Committee Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Page 3 a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee (deHarte) – • Chair deHarte - The Committee has been organizing the town hall scheduled for March 30, 2021 via Zoom with the Palm Spring Police Department. The Annual Report Statistics on hate crime for 2020 to February 2021 was shared. b. Master Calendar (Ramoran) • Commissioner Ramoran – Reported he would be working on the master calendar to reflect the national and international observances. In addition to the days of awareness already announced he gave acknowledgement to March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 22 World Water Day, April 7 World Health Day, April 15 National American Sign Lan guage Day. It was noted that he would like the Commission to observe April 15 National ASL Day and the community calendar. • Chair deHarte stated the Commission had voted and adopted days of awareness/distinction a couple years ago. They would provide Commissioner Ramoran with these specific dates and any updates made when working on the Master Calendar. • Commissioner Andrade – Indicated the dates adopted by the Commission were United Nations Observances. If Commissioner Ramoran has observances he would like recognized by other groups, those may need to be added and might require an action by the Commission. c. Main Street (deHarte) • Chair deHarte – Reported the meeting was spent discussing ‘hero pay’ that was brought forward by our Mayor. The City Council is continuing to address that topic and is moving forward. d. Finance (deHarte, Chappell) No Report. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs No Report. Cultural Affairs Committee a. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell) • Chair deHarte – Thanked all the Commissioners for their role in the Community Service Awards. They were able to successfully honor and recognize the individuals with true distinction. b. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood, Shepherd) No Report. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) • Commissioner Flood – Announced President Biden has reversed the Transgender Military Ban. • Chair deHarte – The First Lady Jill Biden will be visiting Twenty-nine Palms. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell, Cash) • Student Representative Cash – For International Women’s Day, Facebook’s company platform posted a video recognizing woman who were working for women’s rights and had organized online events through their platform. Arali Galez, Young Justice Advocates was recognized in that video. • Commissioner Shepherd requested any updates on the incident Student Representative Cash and her family encountered with a Palm Springs police officer. There were no new investigation updates. The police department assured the Commission that they would be informed when findings are determined. Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) • Commissioner Andrade – Reported that she, Commissioner Ramoran and Flood began a 24-hour mediation program to become certified mediators. Riverside County Community Action Partnership organizes the free program. A commitment was made to be available to the County for that service in addition to serving as mediators on the Commission. • Commissioner Flood – Commented that the training is intense and worthwhile. • Commissioner Ramoran – Commented positively on the instructors and program. • Chair deHarte - Great news! Thanked Commissioners Andrade, Flood and Ramoran for making a big commitment and thanked Director Virata for keeping an eye out on the topic. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Page 4 b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) • Chair deHarte – Reported the committee discussed doing another zoom onboarding call for anyone who would like to join a 45min to 1hour refresher course, to be presented in the next 6weeks or so. B. Committee Assignments a. Clean Indoor Air and Health Protection Draft Ordinance with Sustainability Commission Update • Commissioner Ramoran – Stated the committee is still working on the draft stage level. The draft that went before the Sustainability Commission did not pass the vote for approval. They will be looking at preparing another draft for review. It was noted that it was a very tight vote. b. Street naming update • Commissioner Ramoran –Requested help from fellow commissioners who may be interested in joining him on this committee. Commissioner Shepherd who also serves on the Equity and Social Justice Committee with Commissioner Ramoran volunteered to serve. • A brief discussion was initiated by Commissioner Andrade regarding expiring Commissioner Terms and council interview process. C. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: • A discussion initiated by Commissioner Andrade ensued among the Commission regarding the increase of homelessness being marketed in Palm Springs by the news and social media. The Commission directed Director Virata to determine whom best to invite to present a report to the Commission on the current situation, and the 10-million-dollar funding to help increase transparency. Director Virata stated homelessness is on the City Council Agenda for this Thursday and suggested that they tune-in to hear the report on what happening from all the parties that work with the homeless in Palm Springs. D. Topical Newsworthy Items • Commissioner Ramoran – Thanked Commissioner Andrade and Flood for bringing up the subject matter on homelessness; gave appreciation to Chair deHarte for prioritizing and having the Stop AAPI information available; is working with the Filipino community and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance on a resolution to bring forward to the city; encouraged everyone to follow #choosetochallenge for international women’s day on social media; and commented on County Board of Supervisors agenda item on a resolution being presented in support of removing involuntary servitude for the incarcerated 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: • Commissioner Shepherd – Volunteered to be the new executive committee representative for the next quarter April, May, June). 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE. 11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:46p.m to the next regular meeting regular meeting Monday, April 12, 2021 at 5:30p.m. Respectfully submitted, /S/ Annie Rodriguez Annie Rodriguez, Housing Program Assistant