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Home My WebLink AboutNOV 2020-11-09 HRC Regular Minutes Approved 12.14.2020FY 2020/2021 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 9, 2020 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 5:30 P.M. 2. MISSION STATEMENT: The Mission Statement was read aloud by Commissioner Flood. 3. QUORUM: 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: October 13, 2020 MOTION: By Commission Shepherd, second by Commissioner Ramoran to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried. 5 YES| 0 NO | 1 ABSTAINED. 6. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: Commissioner Ramoran - Commented on last month’s Proclamations, wished everyone a happy Palm Springs Pride; honored all veterans on Veterans Day; and acknowledged we are on the indigenous land of Sec-he of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Commissioner Andrade – Echoed the comments to honor all veterans. Commissioner Flood – Echoed the comments to honor all veterans and wished all families, caretakers and survivors well. Vice Chair Chappell – Commented on attending downtown during Pride Weekend. Concurred with honoring COMMISSIONER JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Terri Andrade X X E X Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X X X X Ron deHarte, Chair X X X X Glenn Flood X X X X Peter Owen X X X R Edwin Ramoran X X X X Donna Shepherd X X X X Solange Signoret, Student Rep. X U U Ella Cash, Student Rep. X Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 9, 2020 Page 2 veterans and noted the parade celebration will be missed. Thanked Commissioner Ramoran for his work to encompass culture. Student Representative Cash – Echoed the Veterans Day comments. Chair deHarte – Gave kudos to the City who will be hosting a drive-through appreciation event on Veterans Day in front of City Hall and drive-through appreciation luncheon for all veterans at the Convention Center Parking Lot. Reminded residents and interested parties to apply on the City’s website for the City’s Equity and Social Justice Committee. Deadline to apply is Tuesday, December 1. 7. PRESENTATIONS / GUEST SPEAKERS: A. General Plan Update, Assistant Planning Director David Newell David Newell, Assistant Planning Director – Provided a PowerPoint Presentation overview of the General Plan and the limited updating process required by the State. Residents can obtain more information at PSGeneralPlan.com. Introduced the proposed Vision and Priority Statements related to diversity and inclusivity. At the request of the City Council, the Human Rights Commission is to provide comment on the proposed revisions. 8. 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 – The Committee is moving forward organizing their Town Hall Meeting; is being planned for some time between March and April 2021. b. Master Calendar i. Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2020 at Palm Springs City Hall Commissioner Ramoran – The Transgender Health & Wellness Center will be hosting the Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20 at City Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will be a drive-through event. Commissioner Ramoran and Andrade volunteered to attend and will coordinate how to represent the Commission. c. Main Street (deHarte) – No Report. d. Finance Chair deHarte asked if anyone had any interest in serving on the Budget Committee. He welcomed Vice Chair Chappell to join him. A report will be given at the next meeting. e. Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs – No Report. Cultural Affairs Committee a. Community Service Awards (deHarte, Chappell) Vice Chair Chappell - Introduced the Community Service Awards Nomination Application. Application deadline is December 3rd. Everyone is invited to submit nominations. Chair deHarte - The February 8, 2021 ceremony will likely be a virtual program. Applications are available on the City’s website and on the Human Rights Commission webpage. The subcommittee will present recommended honorees for the Commission’s review and vote in the December meeting. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 9, 2020 Page 3 Mr. Virata – Confirmed the list of past honorees has been updated and is available on the City Website. b. Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association (Andrade, Flood) Commissioner Flood – Heard positive feedback on the Voting Assistance Center set-up in the area. Senior/People with Disabilities Veterans Affairs Committee a. Veterans issues (Flood) – Commissioner Flood – Nothing additional to report. The Local American Legion is struggling but will have outdoor dining. Youth/Education Affairs Committee a. Student Representatives (Chappell, Signoret and Cash) Student Representative Ella Cash – Shared an experience she and her family had with a Palm Springs Police Officer, while celebrating following the results of the Election. She expressed some concerns and noted that the officer approached their vehicle without a mask. Commissioner Shepherd – Indicated that the incident is something that they should report to the Police Department and apologized for the experience. Chair deHarte – Echoed Commissioner Shepherds comments and thanked her for sharing her experience. The Commission will follow-up after the meeting to get more details to speak with the Police Department to raise awareness. Executive Committee (deHarte, Chappell, Owen) Commission Development/Mediation Committee a. Mediation (Andrade) Mr. Virata – Received information from Community Action Partnership of Riverside County’s Mediation Program. Mr. Virata will forward the information received about training costs and specifics and report back to the Commission. b. Retreat (Chappell, deHarte) – No Report. B. Committee Assignments C. Renaming of Streets Update (Ramoran & Owen) Chair deHarte – Announced Commissioner Owen has submitted his resignation from The Human Rights Commission. Commissioner Ramoran – Encouraged other Commissioners to join the subcommittee. D. Clean Indoor Air and Health Protection Draft Ordinance with Sustainability Commission Update (Ramoran) Commissioner Ramoran – Is working directly with Commissioner Baker from the Sustainability Commission and meeting on Fridays, topics of discussion include but are not limited to: impact between condominiums and apartments, designating smoking areas, economic impact, and awareness campaign. They believe it might not be something enacted until the COVID-19 Pandemic is under control and/or potentially after 2021. E. Topical Newsworthy Items Commission Shepherd – Inquired if there is something the Commission can do to address recent events discussed at today’s meeting and campaign etiquette seen during the election. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 9, 2020 Page 4 Chair deHarte – Concerns brought forward is not new for elections. The Equity and Social Justice Committee hopes to bring a higher level of awareness and discussion in the community. Mr. Virata indicated he would inquire with the City Clerk, City Attorney, and the Police Chief to see if they can speak at a future Commission meeting regarding items discussed. Commissioner Shepherd volunteered to join the Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association Committee. Chair deHarte encouraged the Committee to communicate regularly to ensure representation each meeting. Commissioner Ramoran – Commented on several reasons to celebrate that included both the local and national election results. Commissioner Shepherd – Expressed concern about speeding in the Desert Highland Neighborhood. Mr. Virata suggested contacting Marcus Fuller, Assistant City Manager. Chair deHarte – Appreciated comments made. Encouraged ideas be-brought forward for the Commission to take action. Noted that Student Representative Cash and her family has the right to file a formal Complaint to the Human Rights Commission to go forward and raise the awareness with the Palm Springs Police Department Vice Chair Chappell – Provided comments on the Community Service Awards Nomination. The purpose of the award is to recognize community activists. 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: The following Agenda items were proposed: • Community Service Awards – Review of recommended honorees • Commission Budget • Presentation on Guidelines and Fair Practices during an election • General Plan Update – Vote on unified response The Commission will have a Study Session on December 7, 2020 at 4:00p.m. to discuss the General Plan. The Comment form is to be emailed by Mr. Virata prior to the meeting. The Commission will vote on a response at the regular December 14, 2020 meeting. Chair deHarte – Thanked Student Representative Cash for sharing her experience and welcomed her to do so in the future. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. 11. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 7:03 P.M. to a Regular Meeting, Monday, December 14, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. via teleconference. Respectfully submitted, Annie Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant