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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEB 2020-10-02 HRC Regular Minutes APPROVED 03.09.2020 Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 0 MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, February 10, 2020 Palm Springs City Hall  3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Council Chamber Present Present FY 2019/2020 FY 2019/2020 This Meeting to Date Excused Absences Unexcused Absence Terri Andrade X 6 Harold Ames X 4 1 Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X 5 2 Ron deHarte, Chair X 7 Glenn Flood X 7 Nicki Randolph X 6 1 Other Staff Present: Mayor Kors Councilmembers Middleton and Woods Jay Virata, Community and Economic Development Director Dale Cook, Community Development Administrator, Staff Liaison Annie Rodriguez, Housing Program Assistant/Staff Liaison Assistant 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. 2. QUORUM: Chair deHarte announced that a couple Commissioners were out sick. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 4. PROGRAM: Chair deHarte - Addressed the audience and welcomed everyone present. He identified the meeting as the Human Rights Commission’s opportunity to come together and showcase the diversity of the community and as a community understand the values that drive the work that the Commission does during the year. A special recognition was made for guests Mayor Kors, Councilmembers Middleton and Woods. Also recognized was Human Rights Commission Members and Staff members Mr. Virata, Mr. Cook and Ms. Rodriguez. Chair deHarte introduced himself as Chairperson. Related to the Commission’s Mission Statement, Chair deHarte announced that the Human Rights Commission would like to acknowledge that the land they are meeting on today is very special and introduced Margaret Park, Director of Planning with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes February 10, 2020 Page 2 Margaret Park - Gave a Land Acknowledgement on behalf of the Tribal Council and welcomed everyone to the original homelands of the Cahuilla people. Respect was given to their elders both past and present who have stewarded the land for generations and the honorees were congratulated. Chair deHarte – To start the program, announced a welcome from Mayor Kors. Mayor Kors - Welcomed the audience and indicated that the Community and the people who do extraordinary things because of the goodness of their hearts makes Palm Springs special. He congratulated the honorees and indicated that he could not be more pleased to see who is being honored. Chair deHarte - Presented a video introduction of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission indicating that today’s meeting marked the 27th Anniversary of the Commission. [Music Playing] The program proceeded with an opening song by Ted Fox, and accompanying Guitarist Joe Musser. Ted Fox has been the Community Service Award’s invited entertainment for the last 3 years. Chair deHarte - Spoke about the role and performance the Human Rights Commission has had since established 27 years ago; highlighting areas of the Commission’s previous focus and the current years focus. The 2020 Community Service Awards honorees were introduced as extraordinary individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in the community and are the heart of the community. The following Community Service Awards were presented: Chair deHarte - Proceeded to introduce the first Community Service Award by sharing a biography of honoree Ginny Foat. Ms. Foat is recognized for serving the community and the City of Palm Springs through her role as a 14-year councilmember and as Executive Director of the Mizell Senior Center. While on city council, she was often a staunch voice for residents and neighborhoods and was instrumental in the establishment of ONE-PS as a conduit for grass roots, neighborhood concerns. She has been an advocate for the rights of under-served and/or under-represented people in the Coachella Valley. Her involvement in LGBTQ causes and organizations stretches back to the 1970s. Ms. Foat accepted the award from Chair deHarte and Mayor Kors and provided an acceptance speech. Chair deHarte - Continued the program and introduced the next honoree, Brothers of the Desert; as an organization for lifting and amplifying the voice of the historically disenfranchised and under-represented black community. Brothers of the Desert builds interpersonal relationships by nurturing, supporting and connecting black gay men in Coachella Valley through philanthropy, volunteerism, mentorship, education, advocacy and social networking. Their work includes supporting a scholarship fund, hosting social gatherings and summits to build community, supporting like-minded local organizations. Chair deHarte and Councilmember Woods presented the award to Acting Chair Tim Vincent who identified members of the organization among the audience in his acceptance speech. Commissioner Andrade - Introduced a biography of third honoree Joy Brown Meredith, who is recognized for her leadership and civic involvement. Since 1992, she has continued to serve on the board of Main Street Palm Springs and through the years, she has provided the leadership that established the organization as a pivotal voice in the community. A downtown business owner for 32 years, Joy has operated with a philosophy that it is all about helping yourself, your family, your community, and the world through furthering love and peace. She created Crystal Fantasy as a sort of a community center for kind people where they embrace all religions, races, and sexual orientations. Ms. Brown-Meredith accepted the award from Commissioner Andrade and Councilmember Middleton, and provided an acceptance speech. Commissioner Andrade - Introduced award recipient Rabbi David Lazar, for his work to help Palm Springs be a more inclusive and welcoming community that embraces all individuals. He serves as the spiritual leader of Or Hamidbar. As a Jewish educator in a variety of frameworks, he promotes inclusive Jewish practice and interfaith dialogue. Lazar is active in the community and has served with the Transgender Community Coalition and the steering committee of the Raina Chessman Fund, which is designed to help support transgender persons facing various life crises that might Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes February 10, 2020 Page 3 otherwise result in potentially tragic outcomes. Rabbi Lazar accepted the award from Commissioner Andrade and Councilmember Kors and provided acceptance speech. Commissioner Andrade - Introduced a biography recognizing Katherine V. Forrest as an honoree. Ms. Forrest is recognized as a seasoned storyteller who has presented lesbian and gay lives with a forthright dignity over a span of more than three decades. She is the groundbreaking author of Curious Wine, the Kate Delafield mystery series and the Daughters science-fiction series. She is known as a prolific editor with anthology and non-fiction credits in her own name as well as the editor of hundreds of novels. Dozens of lesbian writers count her among their mentors. She is widely credited as a founding mother of lesbian fiction writing. She has numerous awards and honors, and a profile in USA Today. Ms. Forrest accepted the award from Commissioner Andrade and Councilmember Middleton, and provided an acceptance speech. Commissioner Flood - Introduced a biography of award recipient Chief Bryan Reyes, who is recognized for increasing the community presence, visibility and communication from the police department. Under his leadership, the department is actively involved in our communities, and they engage and collaborate with civic groups and individual citizens to achieve a shared goal of creating a safer and better Palm Springs for all. In his three years as Chief, he is particularly recognized for combating extremism, bigotry and hatred and for his commitment to police training, installing an accepting, and welcoming organizational culture for all. Chief Reyes accepted the award from Commissioner Flood and Councilmember Woods, and presented an acceptance speech indicating that they were honoring not just him but the Palm Springs Police Department. Chair deHarte - Introduced a biography recognizing Brian Wanzek, known as Bella da Ball, as an honoree. Brian has served the community for over twenty years by being the ultimate community volunteer, entertaining and helping to raise funds for many organizations, groups and charitable events. Bella has a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, has been recognized by Safe Schools Desert Cities as Champion for Youth for LBGT Youth in the Desert and the Herb Lazenby Community Service Award from AIDS Assistance Program. Other awards and recognition include named the inaugural Community Sweetheart at the 25th Festival of Lights Parade for the City of Palm Springs, and the P.S. I Love You award from the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. Brian Wanzek accepted the award from Chair deHarte and Councilmember Woods and provided an acceptance speech. Chair deHarte - Introduced a biography of the last Community Service Award recognizing Ron Oden. The first African American and the first openly gay man to hold the office of Mayor of Palm Springs and lead a California City in 2003. His election was significant because of both his race and his sexual orientation. Oden began his career in community and political involvement in 1990 when he moved to Palm Springs. In 1995, he was elected to Palm Springs City Council, where he advocated for social causes. As a City Councilmember and as Mayor, Oden worked tirelessly to promote respect for diversity through organizations such as the Palm Springs Human Rights Task Force, and the Palm Springs branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Oden was also noted for his support of community organizations. Mayor Oden accepted the award from Chair deHarte and Councilmember Kors and provided an acceptance speech. [Music Playing] Ted Fox and accompanying Guitarist Joe Musser proceeded with the Closing Song. Chair deHarte - Thanked Ted Fox and Joe Musser for their participation in the Community Service Awards ceremony. Chair deHarte - Announced the conclusion of the program with some closing remarks relating to protecting human rights and ensuring fundamental rights are realized for all. On behalf of the Commission, Chair deHarte thanked all of the eight Community Service Award Honorees and the audience for their support. Chair deHarte concluded by saying it’s been a privilege for himself and all of the Commissioners to serve the City and the community. Special thanks was given to Staff Liaison Mr. Cook and Assistant to the Liaison Ms. Rodriguez for their service to the Commission throughout the year. Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting Minutes February 10, 2020 Page 4 6. ADJOURMENT: Chair deHarte concluded the program. The Human Rights Commission adjourned at 4:18p.m. to a Regular Meeting, Monday, March 09, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., Palm Springs City Hall, Large Conference Room, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA. Respectfully submitted, Annie J. Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant