Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUL 2020-07-13 HRC Regular APPROVED 09.14.2020FY 2020/2021 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, July 13, 2020 Virtual Zoom Meeting X = Present E = Excused Absence U = Unexcused Absence Other Staff Present: Jay Virata, Community and Economic Development Director 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. and made introductory comments regarding Commission meetings, the health crisis, and social/racial justice issues that have taken forefront. A special shout out was made to the rallies and gatherings in the community following the murder of George Floyd, such as the rally organized by Young Youth Advocates that was labeled “Enough is Enough” at Ruth Hardy Park on June 6, 2020. Commissioner Andrade joined the meeting at 5:35p.m. 2. MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement and goals of the Human Rights Commission was read by Commissioner Owen and Ramoran. 3. QUORUM: Staff Liaison Mr. Virata announced that a quorum was present. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. David Weiner, Palm Springs Resident, presented his petition that addresses relocating the statue of Mayor Frank Bogart from the front of Palm Springs City Hall to a more appropriate place. The petition with over 2,100 signatures in support can be found at change.org. 5. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: Chair deHarte welcomed Commissioners Owen, Ramoran and Shepherd to their first meeting of their term with the Human Rights Commission, and each new Commissioner shared information about their background. Chair deHarte – Acknowledged Commissioner Ames for his diligent efforts and leadership in putting together a proposal for a resolution that would help reduce the risk of fraud and misuse of stimulus monies. However, the resolution was not able to move forward due to matters of jurisdiction. COMMISSIONER JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Terri Andrade X Harold Ames X Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X Ron deHarte, Chair X Glenn Flood X Peter Owen X Edwin Ramoran X Donna Shepherd X Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 13, 2020 Page 2 6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: March 9, 2020 Mr. Virata – Stated Commissioners may not vote on past minutes if they were not present for the meeting. MOTION: By Vice Chair Chappell, Second by Commissioner Flood to approve the minutes of Monday, March 9, 2020, as presented. Motion carries 5 – 0 (Commissioners Owen, Shepherd and Ramoran were not present for the March 9, 2020 meeting and were not sworn Commissioners at that time, unable to vote) Chair deHarte – Identified they had not finished with Agenda Item 5. Therefore, the meeting continued with Commissioner comments. Commissioner Andrade – Welcomed everybody back. 7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A. Committees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell Chair deHarte – Stated Commissioners may report on any subcommittee/committee updates at this time. Community Relations Committee/Budget/Personnel Committee a. PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee (deHarte) – Chair deHarte – Reported on the following statistics: In June, four incidents were reported and investigated by the police department. On July 7, the police were called to the James O Jesse Desert Highland Unity Center where several walls of the building had been spray-painted with graffiti, a portion of which was directed towards the LGBT Community. A person was arrested for felony vandalism, misdemeanor hate crime, and misdemeanor possession of an unloaded firearm and misdemeanor possession of a concealed dagger. b. Master Calendar Chair deHarte – Invited new Commissioners to serve on the Master Calendar Subcommittee if interested. It currently remains vacant. c. Main Street (deHarte) No Report. d. Finance (Randolph) Commissioner Ames – Commented on the Commission budget and suggested the Commission re- evaluate financials, based on current real-world conditions. He further welcomed any new Commissioner who is interested in joining him on the subcommittee. Chair deHarte – Commented on the Commission budget and proposed to identify subcommittees to new Commissioners and fill any vacancies at the next meeting. Mr. Virata to confirm the approved City Council Human Rights Commission Budget for the FY 2021 cycle at the request of Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs - No Report. Cultural Affairs Committee a. Film Screening (Randolph, Andrade) Vice Chair Chappell – Commented on the film screening event and requisite charges for films. Committee Commissioner Andrade – Supported continuation of the film-screening legacy, and questioned when the opportunity would arise to achieve numbers needed to get a return on investment. Chair deHarte – Invited the subcommittee to bring forward an updated plan for outreach via virtual means due to COVID-19 conditions. b. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell, Ames) Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 13, 2020 Page 3 Chair deHarte – Explained the Community Service Awards timeline. The subcommittee members confirmed interest to serve once again for the current year. The subcommittee will be meeting in September/October and will then provide an update. c. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood) Commissioner Flood - Will follow-up with the Association on the recent vandalism and graffiti incident. Seniors/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) – Commissioner Flood – Announced the Department of Veterans Affairs has taken steps to streamline veterans access to medical care during the coronavirus pandemic, by creating a tool for veterans to screen via text. For more information visit www.va.gov. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell) Chair deHarte – Recapped that the Commission voted and approved Solange Signoret to serve as a student representative of the Commission, starting at the September meeting. Mr. Virata to invite the student representative to the September meeting. Vice Chair Chappell – Noted that one student representative position remains vacant and applications are available on the City website for any interested student. Commissioner Ramoran initiated a discussion about Student Representative voting rights. It was confirmed that Student Representatives are non-voting members, by city ordinance. Mr. Virata will provide updates on any changes implemented by the City Council regarding student representatives and voting rights. Executive Committee a. July 30th World Day against Human Trafficking Chair deHarte – Recognized July 30 as the World Day against Human Trafficking. A quote from the UN Secretary General was shared along with the statistical information reported by the UN Office of Drugs and Crime. Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) Commissioner Andrade – Will take the lead to follow-up on mediator trainings and gather Commissioner interest. Chair deHarte – Commented on the Commission’s role to serve as official mediators for the City of Palm Springs and the need for a new cycle of available mediators. b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) – Chair deHarte – Indicated it is a good time to have a retreat with all the new Commissioners on board. The subcommittee will put a calendar together for this fall. Vice Chair Chappell – Spoke on the format of past retreats and encouraged new Commissioners to reach out if they had any questions. B. Update on City Council Community Listening Session Mr. Virata – The City Council will have Community Listening Session on Policing, Racism, Discrimination and related issues on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 am. The City Council wants to hear about concerns in regards to city operations and any ideas to address these issues for the City. A link to the Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 13, 2020 Page 4 registration was shared. C. Topical Newsworthy Items Commissioner Ramoran – Addressed public comments given by Mr. David Weiner and acknowledged Chair deHarte for having the Human Rights Commission Webpage as a vehicle to report any anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes. Chair deHarte – Stated the policy for discussion about items brought forward during public comment, noting that only Agenda items may be discussed. Commissioner Shepherd- Expressed support of recent issues and particular issues related to Section 14. Chair deHarte – Reported that the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast was postponed to July 11, 2020 and then cancelled. Commissioner Ames – Welcomed the new Commissioners and is looking forward to getting to know and work with everybody. Mr. Virata – Confirmed Agendas have information for persons to participate via ZOOM and/or submit public comments to the City Clerk’s office. The Commission will continue to work with Ms. Rodriguez. Vice Chappell – Welcomed the new Commissioners once again. Chair deHarte – Provided acknowledgement to Mr. Dale Cook who served as their Staff Liaison and was a wonderful City Servant and great support to the Human Rights Commission. Mr. Cook departed employment with the City after many years. They wish him well in retirement and will certainly miss him around the table. 8. ACTION ITEMS: A. 2020 Meeting Schedule Mr. Virata – Reported the 2020-21 meeting schedule required Commission action. Chair deHarte – Stated the Commission typically matches City Council’s Agenda and they are dark in August. He suggested resuming regular schedule on Monday, September 14. MOTION By: Commissioner Andrade, Second by Commissioner Owen to accept the Human Rights Commission 2020-21 meeting schedule as presented. Motion carried unanimously. B. Commissioner Recruitment Mr. Virata – Reported that Commissioner Randolph’s term has ended and that seat is now open. The City Clerk has received four applications and the opportunity to apply online is still open. 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: Chair deHarte explained the process for bringing forward agenda items for future meetings. The following agenda items were proposed: 1. Committee Assignments 2. Communications & Outreach Guidelines 3. Guest Speaker on Section 14 4. Renaming of Streets: Martin Luther King Jr., Lawrence Crosley, Harvey Milk and Barak Obama 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: No announcements made. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 13, 2020 Page 5 Chair deHarte – Provided closing remarks of encouragement to the new Commissioners. He asked for patience during COVID-19 and the way they operate now. By working together as the Commission, they can bring significant change on behalf of the residents in Palm Springs. Mr. Virata will be providing the new Commissioners with their digital Commissioner Binder via USB Drive as part of the onboarding process. 11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 7:02 P.M. to an adjourned Regular Meeting, Monday, September 14, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. via Zoom. Respectfully submitted, Annie Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant