HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRC Dec 9 2013 minutes - Draft
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
of the
City of Palm Springs
Minutes from the Dec. 9, 2013 Meeting
COMMISSIONERS
Present at
this Meeting
Present FY
Year-to-Date
FY 2013-14
Excused
Absences
FY 2013-14
Unexcused
Absences
Dee Dee Wilson Barton
David Brown
Jilska Chandrasena
Elena Chvany
Janel Hunt
Jack Newby
Wes Rankins
Deborah Sutton-Weiss
Les Zendle
Maddie Barton, Student rep.
Sunny Rolfs, Student rep.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The above roll call record is based on all meeting Minutes from July 8, 2013 thru Dec. 9, 2013
1. Chair Wilson Barton called the meeting to order at 3 p.m.
2. Commissioner Chandrasena led the flag salute.
3. Student representative Maddie Barton recited the Mission Statement.
4. Commissioners Present: Wilson Barton, Brown, Chandrasena, Chvany, Hunt, Newby, Rankins, Sutton
Weiss and Zendle. Student representatives Maddie Barton and Sunny Rolfs also were
present.
5. POSTING OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act on or before 6
p.m., on Dec. 5, 2013.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
7. GUEST SPEAKERS: Palm Springs High School Assistant Principal Brian Hendra was the guest speaker.
One of the topics he addressed was bullying and safety on the high school campus. He said they have to
teach people to be nice to each other – it’s not something this is necessarily innate. Three of the topics the
Commission has selected to address this year are poverty, immigration and homelessness and Chair
Wilson Barton asked Mr. Hendra how those populations are impacted at the high school. Regarding
immigration, Mr. Hendra said they have more than 30 languages represented at the school at any given
time. He said they have about 50 students in a class to master the English language. They also work with
different colleges, he said, to m ake sure the school’s non-native students have options after high school.
He said they also have different parent nights to make sure parents understand their choices regarding
financial aid, loans and scholarships. The band program brought over a group from New Zealand,
showing a different culture on campus and there are six to seven foreign exchange st udents at the high
school this year, he said. Regarding the school’s poverty population, Mr. Hendra said there are 45 to 50
percent participating in the free or reduced lunch program. Additionally, Ricky’s Kids is a non-profit
organization that also provides for students in need, he said. When asked about health issues at the
school, Mr. Hendra said they are seeing an increasing number of students with diabetes.
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Meeting of Dec. 9, 2013
2
8. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE NOV. 18, 2013 MEETING: Following a motion from Vice
Chair Newby and second by Commissioner Brown, the minutes from the Nov. 18, 2013 HRC meeting
were unanimously approved 9-0.
9. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/AND OR VOTE:
9.A Recommendation from the Community Service Awards ad hoc subcommittee and expenditure for
plaques: Commissioner Zendle said they received 12 nominations. He distributed a sheet with information
about those the subcommittee is recommending receive Community Service Awards (see attached.)
Those being recommended for awards are:
After School Education and Safety Program , sponsored by the Palm Springs Unified School District
and the Family YMCA of the Desert, which provides homework assistance, enrichment and
physical fitness
Auen Foundation, a grant making organization focusing on the needs of the aging
Denise Chappell, Principal with the Riverside County Office of Education who focuses on special
education
Ophelia Project, which supports at-risk teen-aged girls
Roy’s Desert Resource Center, a comprehensive homeless shelter
Sid Craig, former Chair of the Human Rights Commission who is involved in many non-profit
activities in the community
The Desert Sun for its work with the Tolerance Education Center and the recent addition of the
Desert Outlook magazine which focuses on the LGBT community
Trina Parks, a motion picture, TV, dance personality who has been involved in the school district,
parks and rec, James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center and supports many local charities.
David Tallman, for his involvement with the United Methodist Church’s Sunday breakfast program
for the homeless and the hungry
Veterans for Peace, an education and humanitarian organization dedicated to the abolishment of
war
Congressman Raul Ruiz was also nominated for the work he has done in the field of medicine, health
care and human rights before he became a congressman. Commissioner Zendle said because
Congressman Ruiz is a politician, the subcommittee didn’t want to make a decision on his nomination,
but wanted to discuss it with the entire Commission. He recommended the C ommission entertain a
motion to accept the 10 nominees and then discuss the nomination of Congressman Ruiz.
Commissioner Wes Rankins moved that the Commission approve the 10 nominees. Following a
second by Commissioner Brown, the motion was unanimously approved 9-0.
Commissioners discussed the nomination of Congressman Ruiz and that the nomination is for the
work he did before he was elected. Commissioner Zendle made a motion that Congressman Ruiz
receive a Community Service Award for 2013. Following a second by Chair Wilson Barton, the motion
was unanimously approved 9-0.
Vice Chair Newby said there was another nomination. It was for the City of Palm Springs, but the
subcommittee agreed that the City could not honor itself through the Commission.
Commissioners decided which Commissioners would make the presentations to the award recipients
and they will send their remarks to Chair Wilson Barton by Dec. 20. She will be contacting the
recipients, informing them that they will be receiving a Community Servic e Award from the
Commission during a presentation on Jan 13.
Following a motion by Vice Chair Newby and second by Commissioner Sutton-Weiss, the
Commission unanimously approved (9-0) spending up to $170 for the plaques for the Human Rights
Commission awards.
The Commission also discussed what information to submit to publicize the awards presentation on
PSCTV.
Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4
Meeting of Dec. 9, 2013
3
Chair Wilson Barton complimented the subcommittee on its work and said it was the most thorough ,
comprehensive presentation of award nominees. She said it was Commissioner Zendle who took on
creating a nominating form and formalizing how the Commission gets the nominations.
9.B Budget review: Staff reviewed the Commission’s budget of $2,000. To date there have been two
expenditures totaling $159.72. Projected expenses were also outlined, leaving about $700
unallocated.
9.C Participation in Black History Month Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 and the possible $200 expenditur e
for a booth: At the last meeting the Commission discussed what was the best use of its time and
resources -- staffing booths or participating in parades. Commissioner Rankins said he felt it would be
better for the Commission to be in the Black History Month Parade, which is free, rather than having a
booth at the town fair, which would cost $200. He said people do not pick up the Commission’s
information at the booth. Commission Zendle said there are two reasons the Commission p articipates
in community events: to let people know the Commission exists and to disseminate information to
people who might need it. He suggested for Black History Month, the Commission participate in the
parade and then have a booth at the town fair, which is from noon to 6 p.m., following the parade. He
also said the Commission should not pass out information at the parade. Chair Wilson Barton said if
the Commission participates in the parade it will need a sign or a banner. Commissioner Zendle
suggested just attaching poles to the existing HRC banner. Chair Wilson Barton said she has an
open-air electric vehicle that seats four people, or Commissioners could walk in the parade. Vice
Chair Newby volunteered to do a two-hour shift at the HRC’s booth and Commissioner Zendle said he
preferred to staff the booth instead of marching in the parade. Commissioners Chvany, Chandrasena
and Sutton-Weiss volunteered to be in the parade. Chair Wilson Barton said she preferred being in
the parade. Since there were only two volunteers to staff the booth, the Commission decided not to
have a booth at the town fair this year. Chair Wilson Barton will submit the paperwork for the
Commission to be in the parade. The deadline is Feb. 14.
9.D Update on mediation training/schedule for Commissioners: Commissioner Sutton-Weiss said she
and Commissioner Brown will be attending the mediation training starting Jan. 4.
9.E Appointment to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee : Dale Cook
explained that Palm Springs receives about $500,000 annually from Housing and Urban Development
and there are between 10 and 20 applicants requesting funding. Agencies, organizations and City
Departments request funds for improvements to a low to moderate income census tract area in the
City or if they serve low to moderate income clientele. Agencies make presentations to the citizens’
advisory committee and the committee makes its recommendations regarding allocations to the City
Council. Vice Chair Newby nominated Chair Wilson Barton to represent the HRC on the committee
and Commissioner Zendle to serve as the alternate. Following a second from Commissioner Brown,
the motion was unanimously approved 9-0.
9.F Ongoing calendar review, topics and discussion: Commissioner Hunt reminded Commissioners
that Raymond Cree Middle School’s anti-bullying kickoff event will be Dec. 16. Chair Wilson Barton
said the Human Rights Campaign gave Palm Springs a Municipal Equality Index rating of 100, which
was an improvement from the last rating. She said one of the reasons why the City got the perfect
score is because it has a Human Rights Commission.
10. STUDENT COMMENTS: Sunny Rolfs said she could ask if the Raymond Cree Middle School Gay
Straight Alliance would want to march in the Black History Month Parade.
11. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Commissioner Zendle said he recently had traveled to South Africa and
the death of Nelson Mandela had him thinking of his trip there, the people of South Africa and the legacy
of President Mandela. He asked the Commission to stand and have a moment of silence in memory of
Nelson Mandela. Commissioner Rankins showed the recruitment brochure the Palm Springs Police
Department has for recruiting gay and lesbian employees as well as a brochure regarding working with
the transgender community and new printed materials on hate crimes. He and Commissioner Brown said
Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4
Meeting of Dec. 9, 2013
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new policies at the Police Department also played a part in the City receiving a perfect score from the
Human Rights Campaign.
12. STAFF COMMENTS: None
13. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE JAN. 13, 2014 HRC MEETING: This meeting is when the Commission will
present its Community Service Awards. The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber. The Palm
Springs High School ROTC will present the colors and Councilmember Paul Lewin will take part in the
awards presentation. Chair Wilson Barton challenged Commissioners to each get 10 to 15 people to
attend. Items to be on the agenda for the Feb. 10 HRC meeting include participating in the Black History
Month Parade and possible expenditure of funds, report on mediation training and participation in the
Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee Picnic and Community Expo.
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:14 p.m. in memory of Nelson Mandela.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee A. Bonno
Staff Human Rights Commission Liaison
Director of Neighborhood & Community Relations