HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-08 HRC minutesHUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
of the
City of Palm Springs
Minutes from February 8, 2016 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
0
X
X
X
0
X
0
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
5
4
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
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 Feb. 8, 2016
1. Chair Wilson Barton called the meeting to order at 3 p.m.
2. Student Representative, Angelina Pinkney, led the flag salute.
3. Vice Chair Newby recited the Mission Statement.
4. Commissioners Present: Wilson Barton, Newby, Carriazo, Chandrasena, Chappell, Rankins, Severin.
Student representatives: Angelina Pinkney was present, but Kelli Martin was absent.
Commissioners Absent: Hunt and Sutton-Weiss, both excused.
5. POSTING OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act on or before 4
p.m., on Feb. 4, 2016.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT:
• Trae Daniel said that the City Council agenda for Wednesday, February 17 calls for discussion on
changing the name of Crossley Road to Lawrence Crossley Road. Mr. Daniel expressed
appreciation for the HRC’s past support of the name change and hopes that HRC support would
continue. Mr. Daniel noted that as February is Black History Month, it would be fitting for the
Council to recognize Mr. Crossley as one of Palm Springs’ true African American pioneers.
Chair Wilson Barton made opening remarks describing the scope of the Commission’s outreach, activities and
event participation. She highlighted the HRC Mediation Program and made special mention of the passing of
human rights activist George Zander.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Robert Moon addressed the many advances in human rights that have come
about in his lifetime – noting the end of segregation and equal rights for the gay community.
7. PRESENTATION: Assisted by Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon and Councilmember Geoff Kors, the
Commission presented its Community Service Awards to:
Human Rights Commission Minutes Page 2 of 2
Meeting of Feb. 8, 2016
2
• Owen Coffman American Legion Post 519, a volunteer veterans’ service organization that provides
community center services and also sponsors a local Boy Scout troop.
• Thomi Clinton, founder and President of the Transgender Community Coalition, for her educational
and awareness activites throughout the community on issues specific to those who are
transgender.
• Olive Crest, for its 40 years working with families and at-risk youth to break the cycle of abuse and
in the prevention of child abuse through education and counseling services.
• Dimitri Halkidis, founder of Boo2Bullying, Inc. for his work in the community and in the PSUSD to
educate students and faculty on how to combat bullying.
• Incight for its work in assisting people with disabilities in the areas of education, employment
training and adaptive athletics.
• Hank Plante, Emmy Award winning journalist serving on the Editorial Board of the Desert Sun, for
his support and reporting on issues pertaining to human rights.
• Safe House of the Desert for providing emergency shelter, intervention and outreach services to
youth in crisis. It also educates the community on human trafficking and offers assistance to its
victims.
• Mark Walthour, for his work in the Desert Highland Gateway Estates neighborhood, his work with
the Clinton Foundation’s Day of Action and his participation in the Community Block Grant
Program
8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE MARCH 14, 2016 HRC MEETING: This item was not discussed
9. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Towne
Volunteer, Office of Neighborhood & Community Relations
Lee A. Bonno
Staff Human Rights Commission Liaison
Director of Neighborhood & Community Relations