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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-12 HRC Minutes Draft HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION of the City of Palm Springs Minutes from Sept. 12, 2015 Planning Retreat Meeting COMMISSIONERS Present at this Meeting Present FY Year-to-Date FY 2015-16 Excused Absences FY 2015-16 Unexcused Absences Dee Dee Wilson Barton Eduardo Carriazo Jilska Chandrasena Denise Chappell Janel Hunt Jack Newby Wes Rankins Suzanne Severin Deborah Sutton-Weiss Angelina Pinkney, Student Rep Kelli Martin, Student rep. X X X X X X X X X X 0 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 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 13, 2015 thru Sept. 12, 2015 1. Chair Wilson Barton called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. at the Police Training Center. 2. Student representative Angelina Pinkney led the flag salute. 3. Commissioner Severin recited the Mission Statement. 4. Commissioners Present: Wilson Barton, Carriazo, Chandrasena, Chappell, Hunt, Newby (arrived at 9:03 a.m. and left at 10:56 a.m.), Rankins, Severin, and Sutton-Weiss. Student representative Angelina Pinkney was also present. Absent: Student representative Kelli Martin. 5. POSTING OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act on or before 4 p.m., on Sept. 8, 2015. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT: None 7. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 13, 2015 MEETING: The minutes from the July 13, 2015 HRC meeting were unanimously approved 9-0 following a motion by Commissioner Severin and second by Commissioner Sutton-Weiss. NOTE: Following approval of the minutes, Chair Wilson Barton stated that the agenda would be configured so that the business portion of the meeting would precede the 2015/2016 Business Planning Session. Prior to moving to Section 9 of the agenda, Chair Wilson Barton read a letter from former Student Representative Maddie Barton. 9. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION / AND OR VOTE: 9.A Chair’s appointment of a Commissioner to the Palm Springs Homelessness Committee: Chair Wilson Barton recapped the July 13, 2015 discussion with City Manager, David Ready about appointing a member of the HRC to the City’s newly formed Homelessness Committee. The Task Force does not have a set meeting schedule at this time, however, th e next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall. The Committee has four subcommittees that will be looking at specific areas of homelessness: Housing; Work; Youth; and Addiction. After a brief Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 2 of 6 Meeting of Sept. 12, 2015 2 discussion it was clarified that the HRC had the opportunity to appoint one representative to the committee but that Commissioners could also serve on the four subcommittees. Commissioner Severin, who participated last year in the homeless count, expressed her interest in serving on the committee. Chair Wilson Barton then appointed Commissioner Severin as the HRC’s representative to the Palm Springs Homelessness Committee. 9.B Participation in the Palm Springs Pride Parade, 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015: Commissioner Hunt will be the HRC Pride Parade Captain, submitting the application/paperwork for the Commission to be in the parade and communicating where in the parade lineup the Commission will be. Chair Wilson Barton will have her electric car and will provide feather boas. The following Commissioners have committed to marching in the parade: Chandrasena, Chappell, Hunt, Newby, Rankins, Severin, Sutton -Weiss, Wilson Barton and Student representative Pinkney. It was noted that to ensure a position earl y in the parade, it would be necessary to be in contact with Ron deHarte and ask to be part of the City’s entry. 9.C Participation in the Veterans Day Parade, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2015: Commissioner Severin will turn the parade application over to Commissioner Hunt for follow-up. The following Commissioners have committed to participating in the parade: Chandrasena, Chappell, Severin, Sutton-Weiss, Wilson Barton, and Student representative Pinkney. Commissioner Severin indicated that she would bring a cooler of water and that someone will need to be in charge of the HRC banner. NOTE: At this point in the meeting, Chair Wilson Barton moved to Item 8.A on the agenda and asked everyone to introduce herself/himself including name, years on the Commission and the one thing that drives him/her to participate as part of the HRC. 9.D Participation in the Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, Nov. 20, 2015 in Ruth Hardy Park: Commissioner Sutton-Weiss spoke with Thomi Clinton who would like the HRC to have a booth. Booth time is scheduled for 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Commissioner Severin had already indicated her willingness to work the booth. She will complete the application for participation. The following Commissioners indicated they would participate: Severin, Chappell, Newby, Rankins, and Sutton-Weiss. NOTE: Chair Wilson Barton drew everyone’s attention to a New York Times article that she had distributed to the group via staff. The article references the long history of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Chair invited Commissioners to review the article prior to attending the Nov. 20th vigil. 9.E Upcoming request for an endorsement of a short film about a transgender woman, her self - acceptance and life in Palm Springs: Commissioner Severin spoke with the filmmaker, Jessica Meroni. Ms. Meroni and two colleagues are putting together short film, “Diane from the Moon” for submission to the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is about her moving to Palm Springs and self -acceptance through her change. The filmmakers are looking for fund-raising support as well as additional support through endorsements. Commissioner Severin noted the challenges of endorsing a project that the Commission knows nothing about. Chair Wilson Barton suggested that Ms. Meroni be invited to make public comment at the October HRC meeting. 9.F Continued report on the State and CDC prevention options regarding primary HIV prevention education funding: Vice Chair Newby noted a recent addendum to the CDC’s 2015/2020 Plan in a 90- page booklet of recommendations on the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention as well as the work being done by the Desert AIDS Project with initiatives like “Get Tested Coachella Valley”. Vice Chair Newby recommended that this item be taken off the agenda. 9.G Redesign the Commission’s logo: Chair Wilson Barton introduced the topic by saying this would not be a Commission-wide focus, but should be handled by a small subcommittee charged with working with designers and vendors on possible new designs. Commissioner Severin said in light of educate, advocate and action, it might be a good time to put some ideas together and think about a new logo in terms of promoting the Commission within the community. Commissioners Carriazo, Rankins and Sutton -Weiss concurred that an update to the logo would be appropriate. Commissioners Carriazo and Rankins volunteered to work on a logo/branding work group with Commissioner Severin. Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 3 of 6 Meeting of Sept. 12, 2015 3 NOTE: Chair Wilson Barton asked Vice Chair Newby to provide a brief synopsis of the activities aroun d the film “Uniquely Nasty” about a campaign conducted by the U.S. government through J. Edgar Hoover and other politicians against primarily gay men in U.S. government. The term “uniquely nasty” came from a memorandum that was addressing the issue. He said the government was not secret about how it treated LGBT individuals within government and the words used to describe them. This concluded the business portion of the HRC Meeting at 9:43 p.m. 8. HRC BUSINESS PLAN FOR 2015/2016 – Retreat session facilitated by Chair Dee Dee Wilson Barton 8.A Introductions – this occurred earlier in the meeting. 8.B Quick round table – Each Commissioner named two skills and two passions as related to the work of the HRC. Vice Chair Newby: Communication, marketing, compassion and outreach Commissioner Carriazo: Bilingual, analysis skills, creative, problem solving Commissioner Sutton-Weiss: Enthusiasm, problem solving, outreach Commissioner Rankins: Persistence, event planning, marketing Commissioner Hunt: Insight from various lenses, compassion, empathy Commissioner Severin: Strong business skills, mediation skills, team building Commissioner Chappell: Compassion, history of working for the rights of people, dedication to causing a positive change Commissioner Chandrasena: Insight, communication Student representative Pinkney: Communication, compassion Chair Wilson Barton: Organization, time management, facilitation, big picture focus 8.C Overview of 2014/2015 – Vice Chair Newby handed out a three-page summary of the goals and achievements of the Commission for 2014/2015 (attached as Appendix I). Chair Wilson Barton highlighted a list of action items the Commission had for 2014/2015:  Ask the City Manager to attend HRC meetings – He attended in July.  Invite the community to view films that highlight topics – “Uniquely Nasty”  Make concrete recommendations to the City Council for action – Although the issue of renaming Crossley Road to Lawrence Crossley Road has not yet come before the City Council for a vote, it is an item that the HRC supports. Commissioner Severin said she read a letter of support at both the Planning Commission and City Council meetings. Chair Wilson Barton noted praise for the HRC’s support of the name change from Trae Daniel at a public meeting in the Desert Highlands Community. She cited this as an example of moving from education to advocacy and action.  Ask the City Council what the HRC can do for the City. Chair Wilson Barton reviewed the list of topics that the Commission wanted to address in 2014/2015:  Cultural Proficiency (Commissioners Hunt and Chandrasena)  Seniors/Ageism (Vice Chair Newby) – HRC co-sponsored a symposium at the Mizell Center with the State Commission on Aging.  Women’s Issues (Chair Wilson Barton and Commissioners Severin) – perhaps not enough done on this topic  Homelessness (Commissioners Brown and Rankins) – Police Chief Al Franz and Officer were guest speakers. This topic also will be addressed with the appointment of Commissioner Severin to the City’s Homelessness Committee  AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Vice Chair Newby, Commissioner Zendle and the student representatives – Ralph Gonzalez from DAP who manages the “Get Tested Coachella Valley” awareness campaign, was a guest speaker at a HRC meeting.  Mediation Services (Commissioners Severin and Sutton-Weiss) – The recent work that has been done on this program by Commissioner Severin was noted.  Literature – Has been reviewed and culled  Parade participation and logistics  Community Service Awards Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 4 of 6 Meeting of Sept. 12, 2015 4 8.E Fiscal year 2015-2016 budget – Chair Wilson Barton noted that the HRC has an annual budget of $2,000. She stated that the HRC is reactive with its money rather than pro -active. She also noted that during his appearance at an HRC meeting the City Manager asked th e Commission, “What do you need?” Staff described some of what the budget covers such as Commissioner name plates, plaques for the Service Awards, banner, Harvey Milk Breakfast, volunteer insurance, refreshments for the planning session, event costs, business cards. Staff noted that the $2,000 budget does not roll over. Commissioner Rankins noted that the Commission reduced its budget during the recession and it has not been increased since then. Vice Chair Newby said he thinks the Commission should look at the budget after it decides what it wants its priorities to be and match the budget expenditures to the priorities. Commissioner Severin noted that the cost of a table at the Harvey Milk Breakfast will double to $1,000, and there might be additional costs associated with doing something different with the Service Awards. Chair Wilson Barton suggested that she and staff work together to create a projected budget based on past expenditures but she also encouraged her fellow Commissioners to be thinking about what, in the course of the morning’s planning, will require funding. 8.D Job descriptions and expectations for Commissioners: 1. Attendance at monthly meetings (11 per year – dark in August). If unable to attend a meeting contact the Chair and staff via email or phone. 2. Mandatory attendance at September Planning Meeting 3. Lead or participate in at least one subcommittee:  Community Service Awards (3) Commissioners Sutton-Weiss, Rankins and Carriazo.  Parades (1) Commissioner Hunt  Press/Media Rep (1) Vice Chair Newby  Mediation (1) Commissioner Severin  Website/Branding (3) Chair Wilson Barton and Commissioners Severin and Chappell  Literature/Event Set Up/Storage Management (2) Commissioners Chappell and Carriazo  Outreach to other cities (1) Chair Wilson Barton  Vice Chair (1) Commissioner Newby  Chair (1) Commissioner Wilson Barton 4. Representatives  Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Chair Wilson Barton  Police LGBT Community – Commissioners Rankins and Sutton-Weiss  City’s Homelessness Committee – Commissioner Severin 5. Responsible for a monthly meeting by arranging guest speaker(s) to address that month’s topic The Commission took a break from 10:15 to 10:27 a.m. 6. Community Outreach – Chair Wilson Barton commended Commissioners Rankins and Hunt for creating action on the issue of race relations and disenfranchised populations. She went on to say that being in the community to hear the issues is really the job of the Commission. The focus will be on advocacy and action with community outreach will be a measure of success for the year:  Mizell – Vice Chair Newby and Commissioner Chandrasena  Desert Highland – Chair Wilson Barton and Commissioner Hunt  LGBT Center – Vice Chair Newby and Commissioners Rankins and Chappell  Libraries – Commissioners Severin and Chandrasena  City Council – Once a month HRC public comment at City Council Meeting (rotating)  Board of Education – Commissioners Sutton-Weiss and Chandrasena, Chair Wilson Barton  ONE-PS – Vice Chair Newby  Palm Springs Art Museum – Commissioner Severin  Desert AIDS Project – Vice Chair Newby and Commissioner Chappell Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 5 of 6 Meeting of Sept. 12, 2015 5 8.F Select human rights areas of focus for 2015/2016: (after Vice Chair Newby listed the topic of Equal Access in Education and Government he left the meeting at 10: 56 a.m.)  Homeless  Veterans  Race Relations  Ableism  Affordable/Fair Housing  Income Disparity  LGBT  Seniors  Women’s Representation  Equal Access in Education/Government  Child Hunger 8.G Discuss Community Center Inclusion/Community Outreach [see list under 8.D(3) on pg. 4] 8.H Map out calendar of selected human rights areas of focus for 2015/2016 and make assignments: OCTOBER 2015: Gender Neutral Bathrooms and Transgender Issues Guest Speaker(s): Jane Mills / Thomi Clinton Coordinated by: Commissioners Sutton-Weiss and Hunt NOVEMBER 2015: Homelessness Guest Speaker(s): Martha’s Village and Well in the Desert Coordinated by: Commissioners Chappell and Rankins with input from Commissioner Severin DECEMBER 2015: Affordable/Fair Housing Guest Speaker(s): Dale Cook and others Coordinated by: Commissioner Rankins JANUARY 2016: Review/Re-strategize HRC Outreach Efforts Annual Report Coordinated by: Chair Wilson Barton FEBRUARY 2016: Community Service Awards MARCH 2016: Race Relations Guest Speaker(s): Desert Sun Race Relations Survey Group Coordinated by: Commissioner Carriazo APRIL 2016: Equal Access in Education/Government Guest Speaker(s): TBA Coordinated by: Commissioner Hunt and Vice Chair Newby MAY 2016: Women’s Issues/Child Hunger Guest Speaker(s): TBA Coordinated by: Chair Wilson Barton and Student Rep. Angelina Pinkney Commissioner Hunt to address Child Hunger A veterans offsite event at the American Legion Coordinated by: Commissioner Severin JUNE 2016: LGBT Issues Guest Speaker(s): TBA Coordinated by: Commissioner Sutton-Weiss Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 6 of 6 Meeting of Sept. 12, 2015 6 JULY 2016: Ableism Guest Speaker(s): TBA Coordinated by: Commissioner Chandrasena 8.I Commissioners’ personal goals for the year related to the Commission:  Lee Bonno: Annual Report in tandem with Chair Wilson Barton  Terry Towne: Timely recording of the minutes  Commissioner Hunt: Provide more advocacy, voice and educate people  Commissioner Rankins: Continued focus on race relations that effect the Ci ty  Commissioner Sutton-Weiss: Continued outreach in the community on behalf of the HRC  Commissioner Carriazo: Race relations and outreach to the Latino Community  Student Rep Angelina Pinkney: Bringing awareness of human rights to her peers and communication with her school administration about issues to bring before the HRC  Commissioner Chandrasena: Work with her community of disabled students/people to promote personal lifestyle sustainability in their lives.  Commissioner Chappell: To better understand the issues and to provide impetus for action  Commissioner Severin: Engage each HRC Commissioner in co-mediation and to realize a successful mediation program that all can be proud of. [Handed out an informational page about the mediation program (refer to Appendix II).  Chair Wilson Barton: To do more public speaking – would like to have 8-10 speaking engagements by the next HRC Planning Session. NOTE: Prior to adjournment, Chair Wilson Barton went around the room saying one thing to each person:  Terry – “You’re a lifesaver”  Eduardo – “You have this big open heart – that’s what you are to me”  Jilska – “You have such compassion and passion – that’s what you bring to me and this Commission”  Angelina – “You have so much promise and you are poised and ready – this is the perfect moment for you”  Denise – “I think you are heroic and an award winner on our Commission”  Janel – “You are the fiercest champion for children and that matters to me”  Jack – “Brings big picture brilliance to this Commission”  Wes – “You are a relentless voice for those who don’t have one”  Suzanne – “You bring such a limitless passion for human rights – we are so lucky to have that on this Commission.  Deborah – “I love the enthusiasm and the passion on behalf of children”  Lee – “Your knowledge and without your sense of humor the job for me would be hard but the fact that we can work together and still have a laugh while we’re doing it is so important” 11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Terry Towne Volunteer, Office of Neighborhood & Community Relations For Lee A. Bonno Staff Human Rights Commission Liaison Director of Neighborhood & Community Relations