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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJAN 2020-01-13 HRC Regular Minutes APPROVED 03.09.2020 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Regular Meeting January 13, 2020 Palm Springs City Hall, Large Conference Room 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Present Present FY 2019/2020 FY 2019/2020 This Meeting to Date Excused Absences Unexcused Absence Terri Andrade X 5 Harold Ames X 4 Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X 5 1 Ron deHarte, Chair X 6 Glenn Flood X 6 Nicki Randolph X 5 1 Other Staff Present: Dale Cook, Community Development Administrator, Staff Liaison 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 3:00P.M. 2. MISSION STATEMENT: Commissioner Flood – “The Mission of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is to promote and protect the diversity of our community and to improve human relations through education and community awareness." Goals:  To develop community education programs;  To investigate and mediate instances of discrimination of groups or individuals;  To bring persons and groups together in common support of human rights issues;  To acquire the fiscal and human resources necessary to support and accomplish the work of the Commission;  To provide management and coordination for the Commission;  To promote diversity through the appointment of candidates to all city boards and Commissions to proportionately reflect the diversity of the population of the City of Palm Springs;  The Commission and each Committee shall develop goals and objectives annually, for adoption by the Commission;  The Commission shall work closely with the Mayor, City Council, and City Cabinet and with all other City Commissions and Boards in joint endeavors that support the Commission's mission statement and City's goals and objectives. 3. QUORUM: Staff Liaison, Mr. Cook announced a quorum was present. - 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Page 2 Adam Bevington – Addressed the Commission in an effort to have his statement be a public record in regards to seeking protection from being threatened and experimented on by the government. Paul Henrichson – Inquired about what would be the most efficient process to bring forward issues to the Commission. In response, Chair deHarte specified that he send information directly to Mr. Cook and then he will distribute the information to the full Commission. Chair deHarte noted that Mr. Henrichson would still want to come to a meeting to speak and bring forward the subject Chair deHarte - Announced that they are aware that there are a couple of other speakers wanting to make a public comment. They will resume public comments when the other speakers come in, abiding by the same rules and guidelines for public comments. The following two speakers arrived during Agenda Item 7.A Committees to give their public comment: Jeff Hocker - Publicist for Jewish Family Services of the Desert (JFS) – Spoke on behalf of Assistant Executive Director Kraig Johnson to the Commission. Information about their upcoming March 15th event “Accidental Courtesy” a PBS documentary featuring Race Relations Expert Daryl Davis was shared. Mr. Hocker indicated that JFS would like to get more in involved with the community and inquired if the Commission in some way has supported similar events or given their stamp of approval. He specified that JFS is not looking for financial support. Craig Scott – Is a Volunteer who is working with LGBT people who have been seeking asylum from many different countries, by helping them start a new life in the United States. He would like to start a conversation over the next few months on how the City of Palm Springs might be able help. A copy of a LGBT Magazine was provided to each Commissioner with reference to page 24 that talked about his work and challenges encountered by refugees. Mr. Scott identified “Luis” who was released from a concentration camp, in the audience as one of the people he is currently helping. At the end of public comments, the meeting resumed with Agenda Item 7.A. Committee Reports 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: December 9th MOTION: By Commissioner Andrade, Second by Vice Chair Chappell to approve the minutes of December 9, 2019 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 6. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: Commissioner Randolph – Indicated the Palm Springs International Film Festival was fantastic with many great films, some of which are now nominated for an Academy Award. Commissioner Ames – Also agreed the Film Festival was fantastic and participated in the red carpet where he was able to observe how visitors responded to the experience. 7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. Committees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell Chair deHarte opened the floor for Committee Reports. Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Committee a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee (deHarte) – No Report. b. Master Calendar Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Page 3 Commissioner Andrade – Will be meeting with Mr. Cook to discuss the Master Calendar Dates of Awareness. Vice-Chair Chappell - Informed the Commission of the ONE-PS Picnic & Community Expo coming up in March 21, 2020 and took an informal commitment poll to participate. Commissioners Ames, Flood and Randolph committed to participating in the Expo. The Commission will move forward with their application for a table. c. Main Street (deHarte) – No Report. d. Finance (Randolph) Commissioner Randolph – Reported no expenditures. The committee is looking at items to hand out at the parades. Commissioner Ames has agreed to be on the Finance committee and has reached out to the Sustainability Commission. Their goal is to brand the Commission but not by creating trash. Commissioner Ames – Indicated that they are exploring what some of the browning items may be best sustainable and ensuring their carbon footprint is small when doing outreach. Commissioner Randolph – Would like the Commission to be involved in the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Sponsorship but feels the Commission should look at whether they want to spend half their budget in this manner and asked Chair deHarte how they should handle the discussion on this. Mr. Cook – In response to Commissioner inquiry, indicated the $1,123.95 proceeds from the film screening event has been transferred to the current fiscal year. A brief discussion followed regarding the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Sponsorship. Chair deHarte suggested that the Committee bring it forward and if the motion is to table Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast for 2020 and look at other ways to be involved, then at least that gets it off their agenda and they do not have to spend the time they have been spending on it. Chair deHarte further suggested that the Finance Committee provide a draft budget to Mr. Cook by the end of February so that he may distribute it to the full Commission prior to the March meeting. At the March meeting, the Commission will vote to approve or make changes, so that an approved budget comes out of that meeting and it will move forward to City Council and City Manager David Ready for support. Commissioner Flood – Received confirmation by Chair deHarte that he could still choose to participate as an individual if the Commission decided not to sponsor Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast and if there was no objection he could be a representative of the Commission at the Breakfast. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs - Report given under Master Calendar. Cultural Affairs Committee a. Film Screening (Randolph, Andrade) Commissioner Ames – Highlighted that the committee is working on checking licensure, finalizing collaboration with the Desert Highland Community and capacity building. Commissioner Randolph reported the following detailed updates: • They will not be doing a Film Screening Event on February 9, 2020 and will be canceling the reservation at the Camelot Theater Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Page 4 • Hopes the Commission continues with the Legacy event after her term ends and emphasized the advance far planning that is required. • Identified the current event planning processes to be opposite of last years efforts • Committee is now pursuing organizing a fall event • Considering “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” film that was suggested by former Commissioner Chandrasena. They will be making contact with Netflix who owns the rights to the film. • Recommended the subcommittee start planning now for the film event in 2021 and suggested working with the Film Festival as a resource. b. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell, Ames) – Report update given under Executive Committee. c. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood) Commissioner Flood – Reported that no meeting was held last month; however, they did not announce it and he did not find out until he arrived. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow and he will be attending. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) – Commissioner Flood – Stated that the American Legion Post 519 is getting a lot of mileage out of the Color Guard leading off the Pride Parade this past November. A news release was sent to Headquarters. He will be attending the American Legion meeting tomorrow at 5PM. Chair deHarte – Shared that he helped clarify a slight correction, in point of fact that Palm Springs has led the country in having military leading the Pride Parade. Credit was given to Mel Tips who was the primary advocate for making the long-term relationship happen. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell) – No Report. Executive Committee a. World Day of Social Justice – Chair deHarte reported that February 20th - World Day of Social Justice, will be highlighted at next months meeting during the Agenda. b. Announcement of 2020 Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell, Andrade) Chair deHarte – Reported that the slate of honorees that the Commission approved last month have all been notified and were thrilled in accepting. The 2020 Human Rights Commission Community Service Award recipients were proudly announced as follows: • Joy Brown Meredith • Brothers of the Desert • Ginny Foat • Rabbi David Lazar • Katherine V. Forrest • Chief Bryan Reyes • Brian Wanzek • Ron Oden Chair deHarte – Explained the award ceremony process and Commissioner Responsibilities. Roundtable interest was gathered on which honoree each Commissioner would like to present to figure out the February Agenda. Invitations will go to City Council to have their participation and Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Page 5 Mr. Cook will order all award plaques. A minor conversation followed regarding further details of the Community Service Awards Ceremony. Executive Committee Meeting Report: Commissioner Andrade – Commended the Executive Committee. She shared that she had attended her second meeting and has learned a lot that she did not know before; she encouraged Commissioners to consider being an alternate. The following items were noted by Commissioner Andrade to be a part of the Executive Committees discussion: • Community Service Awards and its structure • Film Screening Event - February 9th cancellation, and possibility of doing other activities that still have a lot of merit as well. Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) – No Report. b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) – No Report. B. Topical Newsworthy Items – No Report. 8. ACTION ITEMS: A. Harvey Milk Sponsorship Chair deHarte – Suggested to the Commission that they take some action, even if it is a motion from the Committee to not participate as a $1000 sponsor. This led to a minor discussion where Vice Chair Chappell expressed being in favor of a $1000 Sponsorship and Commissioner Randolph expressed being in favor of a branding opportunity less than $1000. In response to inquiry, Chair deHarte informed the Commission that the next available high profile recognition is a 10-student sponsorship package for $650 that gets name recognition in the program and on the table where students sit. The discussion ledt to the following motion. MOTION: By Commissioner Randolph, Second by Commissioner Flood, to buy the $650 sponsorship package, which would sponsor 10 high school students to come to the event and the Human Rights Commission would get name recognition in the program and at the table. DISSCUSSION: In response to inquiry, Chair deHarte stated Commissioners interested in buying a ticket on their own could go online or submit an order form by mail, noting on the guest list that they want to sit together. It was noted started February 1st the $65 ticket increases to $75. MOTION CARRIES UNINAMOUSLY. B. Black History Month Table Chair deHarte - Indicated that the Agenda item was brought back to confirm having a presence at the Black History Parade. Vice Chappell – Stated that Commissioner Flood, Ames and herself were committed to walking in the parade. Chair deHarte – Opened the floor for the Commission to indicate interest to staff a table at the fair which takes place after the parade. A minor discussion ensued among the Commission regarding staffing a table. There was a consensus that the Commission will stick with their presence only at the parade. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Page 6 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Commissioner Randolph - Requested that she would like to have Film Update be added to the March Agenda. Commissioner Randolph – Received confirmation that the budget need to be submitted to Staff before the March meeting. Chair deHarte informed that the Executive Committee rotation is coming up and asked Commissioners to think about who would like to step up for the next quarter which would be March, April, and May. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Cook – Announced that annually the County conducts the Point-In-Time-Count for homelessness. The 2020 Homeless Point-in-Time Count, will be on January 29, 2020 and registration is available through the City’s website and volunteers trainings coming-up if Commissioners are interested. Commissioner Ames – Further shared the Affordable Housing & Homelessness Standing Subcommittee Community Forum coming up at the Convention Center, regarding the $10 million State Grant to Address Homelessness in Palm Springs. Mr. Cook was asked to forward the event information to the Commission. Commissioner Andrade – Indicated that at a recent City Council meeting in regards to Boards and Commissions changes, persons will no longer have to be registered voters to participate; persons don’t have to be a resident as long as they work or go to school in Palm Springs; Council Liaison’s will no longer be assigned to Commission’s; and there is an ordinance that they cannot have a meeting prior to 5:30PM; and youth members are now voting members. Minor comments ensued regarding Commissioner Andrade’s announcement. Chair deHarte indicated that the Commission will wait for direction from City Staff on scheduling so there is no immediate change for the immediate future. 11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at. to an adjourned Regular Meeting, Monday, February 10, 2020, at 3:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA. Respectfully submitted, Annie Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant