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Home My WebLink About2021-01-11 HRC Regular Mintues Approved 3.8.2021 0 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, January 11, 2021 Virtual Zoom Meeting FY 2020/2021 COMMISSIONER JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Terri Andrade X X E X E X Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X X X X X X Ron deHarte, Chair X X X X X X Glenn Flood X X X X X X Edwin Ramoran X X X X X X Donna Shepherd X X X X U E Ella Cash, Student Rep. X X X 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 5:30 P.M. 2. MISSION STATEMENT: 3. QUORUM: 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 5. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: Commissioner Ramoran –Shared New Year’s wishes and stated today was observed as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Commissioner Andrade – Apologized for her absence last month. 6. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A. Committees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Committee a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee (deHarte) – Chair deHarte – Shared the following hate crime incidents reported at the Committee meeting: 1. December 4, 2020 – Vandalism of a City Sign at North Palm Canyon Drive and Tramway due to use of visual symbols associated white supremacy and something that depicted an image resembling an African American female. No suspects or leads at this time. 2. December 21, 2020 – Vandalism documented at the 100 block of South Palm Canyon, use of a swastika sticker and a nazi reference. Cardboard had been taped to a stair railing. One sign Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 11, 2021 Page 2 had a swastika on the top and bottom with the words ‘ Newsom nazi’ written in between the symbols. The other sign read ‘Newsom failure’ with the letter ‘f’ circled. No leads or suspects at this time. 3. December 31, 2020 – Vandalism and Graffiti reported at Palm Springs High School. An unknown suspect used spray paint to write multiple slogans in a phallic symbol. At least two of the slogans contained hate speech that was derogatory towards African Americans. No evidence or leads obtained relating to the incident. b. Master Calendar Commissioner Ramoran – The following date was noted as a National Day of Service to encourage people to look at how they can volunteer in their communities. • January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Additional dates noted: • January 20 - Presidential Inauguration • Black History Month Celebration c. Main Street (deHarte) – Chair deHarte – Reported Main Street continues to have conversations about business recovery in Palm Springs. The City is very active in the conversations including Mr. Virata. Outside of the COVID related impact, there are no human rights related items to report. d. Finance Vice Chair Chappell – The Committee is looking at how to best utilize the funding. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs – Chair deHarte – Although they do not have a liaison assigned, he acknowledged and recognized the passing of Dr. Diane Ross. Dr. Ross was a 20-year resident of Palm Springs who was very active in the development and formation of ONE-PS and an active player throughout the Deep Well Community. Her legacy achievements and awards were recognized Cultural Affairs Committee a. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell) i. Community Service Awards – Monday, February 8, 2021, 5:30p.m., Virtual/Teleconference The Committee announced the 2021 Community Service Awards Honorees to be: • FIND Food Bank • Young Justice Advocates – • Areli Galez, • Hina Marie Malik, and • Jazlina Morgan • David Powell • Jane Garrison • Lee C. Wilson Jr. • Keisha D Mimms The committee explained the awards ceremony process and Commissioner responsibilities. Each Commissioner was assigned an honoree to present during the Ceremony next month and timing introduction guidelines given. The committee will follow-up with an email on the instructions. It was agreed that the Commission will have a brief separate meeting at 5:00pm on February 8, 2021 prior to awards ceremony. Mr. Virata noted the meeting will be Agendized due to all Commissioners being present. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 11, 2021 Page 3 Chair de Harte – Highlighted that this will be Vice Chair Chappell’s last opportunity to be apart of the Community Service Awards since this is her last year. As a former recipient herself, the event is bound to be memorable. b. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood) – None. Senior/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) – Commissioner Flood – The Veterans Administration (VA) sent out a News Release to raise awareness of the Disability Compensation for Conditions Related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Veterans can go to the https://www.va.gov/ for more information. Mr. Virata - To post the information as a resource on the Human Rights Commission webpage at the request of the Commission. Chair deHarte – Took a moment to acknowledge Capitol Officer Brian Sicknick as one of the individuals who was killed at the riots at the Capitol. He was a Veteran and served with the Air National Guard. His name will be held up and his service recognized and mourn his passing. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell, Cash) The Committee reported that they would meet this month and plan how to increase school awareness of the opportunity to be Student Representative for the Commission. Student Representative Cash will provide information to other students, teachers and counselors about the opportunity to fill the Student Representative vacancy. Chair deHarte – Thanked Student Representative Cash and her family for sharing and reporting the experience she and her family had in November during an exchange with a Palm Springs Police Officer. There is now an internal investigation ongoing. When they hear of any outcomes, they will report back to the Commission. Chair deHarte additionally gave acknowledgement to the Police Department for being very responsive after hearing of the incident. Executive Committee (deHarte, Chappell) Chair deHarte – Made a brief presentation on the background and importance of the date below acknowledged by the Commission: a. International Day of Education – January 24 Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) Commissioner Andrade - Thanked Mr. Virata for providing the mediation services information that the County of Riverside provides. A discussion ensued regarding but not limited to the following: Utilizing the County’s mediation services vs. providing a duplication of service and certify Commissioners, certification costs, current/future mediation referral process and continuing to look for training availability. The Committee recommended the following motion: MOTION BY: Vice Chair Chappell, Second by Commissioner Flood to utilize the Riverside County Mediation Services Program when the need arises. Motion passed unanimously. Chair deHarte – Thanked Commissioner Andrade for bringing the recommendation forward and doing the background work. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 11, 2021 Page 4 b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) – No report. B. International Migrants Day Proclamation Commissioner Ramoran – Thanked Palm Springs resident Craig Scott for volunteering his time to draft a proclamation for International Migrants Day observed on December 18. The draft proclamation has been forwarded to Llubi Rios, Executive Administrative Assistant, Office of the Mayor and Council. Mr. Scott recommended that the Commission provide a timeline/procedure clarification for the public for future efforts relating to proclamations. He further requested that the Commission not take any action with the work he has completed. A discussion ensued. The commission did not take action as requested and suggested that he follow- up with the Ms. Rios regarding the date the proclamation will be Agendized on the Council Calendar, and appreciated bringing forward his suggestion. C. Topical Newsworthy Items. Commissioner Andrade – Participated in the Transgender Day of Remembrance held on November 20, 2020, in support of their efforts as part of the Human Rights Commission. The Transgender Health and Wellness Center nicely presented the ceremony. Commissioner Andrade is now the keeper of the Commission banner. 7. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: The following Agenda items were proposed: ▪ Finance Committee – Present the Human Rights Commission 2021-2022 Budget for Approval ▪ Clean Indoor Air and Health Protection Ordinance with Sustainability Commission Update Mr. Virata – At the request of the Commission will resend the Master Calendar to the full Commission via email. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair deHarte initiated the adjournment of the the meeting in memory of Pearl White, who recently passed away at the age of 104. She was a significant figure in the community for many years and throughout the Coachella Valley. They acknowledge the passing of a wonderful woman that the City lost. 9. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:33 P.M. to a Study Session on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5:00 P.M. via teleconference and a Regular Meeting, Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. via teleconference. Respectfully submitted, Annie Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant