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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-06 HRC Regular Minutes FINAL Human Rights Commission CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA MINUTES Regular Meeting Monday, June 11, 2018 Palm Springs City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Council Chamber Present Present FY 2017/2018 FY 2017/2018 This Meeting to Date Excused Absences Unexcused Absences Terri Andrade X 3 Jilska Chandrasena X 11 Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X 10 1 Sam Ciraulo X 8 2 1 Ron deHarte, Chair X 11 Jim Gross X 10 1 Ryan Miccio X 3 David Morgan X 11 Nicki Randolph X 11 Other Staff Present: Dale Cook, Community Development Administrator, Staff Liaison 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair deHarte called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. 2. MISSION STATEMENT: “The mission of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is to promote and protect the diversity of our community and to improve human relations through education and community awareness” 3. ROLL CALL: No absences reported. A full Commission present. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Suzanne Severn, Palm Springs, and Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Coalition Representative thanked the Commission for their participation and sponsorship at the breakfast last month. As a local resident, it was meaningful for her to see the Commission at an important event that supports and educates the public on civil rights. Robert Hinball, Palm Springs, shared his recent experience attending the Voly in the Park Festival, held in Dallas, Texas. The event is powered by the Volunteer Now organization to connect volunteers to local service opportunities. Mr. Hinball provided a brochure to the Commission and encouraged that they explore doing something similar. Paul Hinrichson, Palm Springs resident, brought forward the continued request to get a resolution of support from the Human Rights Commission for the Tobacco Retailer’s permit. As an update, Councilmembers Holstege and Kors have set-up a Special Study Ad Hoc Committee on smoking restrictions in Palm Springs. Mr. Hendrickson explained to the Commission how the request correlates well with the Senior Bill of Rights project, emphasizing the need for seniors to have a safe and healthy environment component. They look forward to working further on a resolution of support. Chair deHarte requested that Mr. Hendrickson email Mr. Cook any data that can back up the link to the seniors and non-smoking. Brad Fuhr, Community Service Award Honoree for 2018, spoke abo ut the new organization he has started up called Gay for Good. The organizations first community service project involved volunteering at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Coalition. Mr. Fuhr stated the importance of the Commission’s mission statement, their support in the breakfast’s efforts, and thanked them for all the work they do. 5. COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND STUDENT COMMENTS: Commissioner Morgan – Brought forward the public comments regarding the Tobacco Retailers Permit and initiated the conversation of identifying what can the Commission do to support and provide resources. Chair deHarte - Suggested that someone from the Commission might want to be the liaison and reach-out to the Ad Hoc Committee that’s been formed by Councilmember Kors and Holstege. By having a liaison to that committee the Commission can learn what’s happening at the Council level and figure out what else they can do to get involved. Commissioner Ciraulo - Wished everyone a Happy Pride month and spoke about his personal background experience in forming the first gay and lesbian pride in Silicon Valley in 1976. He further commented on the the fight for equality, LGBTQ history, voices of the next generation, and being a proud gay person. It was clarified that Commissioner Ciraulo meant to say integration is good and segregation is bad. Commissioner Gross - Commented on the Safe Schools Leadership Camp and the strong LGBTQ youth leadership engagement that he has witnessed. He identified being fortunate to have various Pride organizations locally doing a good job providing support. Commissioner Gross would like the Commission to keep in the back of their minds the safety factor as they go through the year. Commissioner Miccio – Thanked Commissioner Gross and Ciraulo for their comments. He looks forward to getting involved with others in finding students that they can engage and provide mentorship, as well as learn from them. Commissioner Miccio - Brought forward the conversation of revising the Mission Statement. It was agreed that the topic would be added for discussion at the Annual Retreat. Vice Chair Chappell – Appreciated all the comm ents brought forward regarding the history and experience that bring them back to why they do the work that they do. Chair deHarte – Referenced the importance to acknowledge the diversity in the community and allies that are beyond the LGBTQ Community. He wanted to say thank you those strong allies that are supportive of the LGBTQ movement and have a voice in the community. Chair deHarte - Brought forward the discussion of having the Annual Retreat meeting scheduled in July. In an attempt to identify a meeting date for the Annual Retreat, comments and questions were discussed among the Commissioners and Staff Liaison. It was agreed that they would work on selecting a date in July and move forward with other specifics. Chair deHarte - Thanked Vice Chair Chappell for her role in the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast and representing the Commission on that platform. He also thanked the Commissioners who were able to be there and Dale Cook for taking part as well in the representation. Chair deHarte - Announced that a new Community Leadership Council has formed and met for the first time last month. Forty people were in attendance represen ting 28 different non-profit organizations to address common goals and raise awareness for the challenges that individual organizations may be facing. It was suggested that the Commission consider having representation on that Leadership Council in the future. Mr. Virata – Shared the following two items: 1) At the last Council meeting, City Council approved opting for the 100% carbon free energy option for Desert Community Energy. Desert City Energy is part of the new community choice aggregation that will be rolled out in August. 2) Councilmember Holstege, who attended the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, was very appreciative and a little distraught that the sponsorship took -up half of the Commission’s budget. . Chair deHarte - Stated that the Commission appreciates Councilmember Holsteges comments and noted that she had issued a challenge to help find funding to the Council. 6. PRESENTATION: Community Recognition Chair deHarte reported that in an effort to continue their work in recognizing folks in the community on an ongoing basis, the Commission wanted to continue with recognizing the students who were involved in the March For Our Lives Rally that took place on March 24, 2018 across the country. He further presented a Human Rights Commission Community Recognition Plaque and Certificate of Recognition from City Council to Melina Solace and Jack Weaver, student organizers from Palm Springs High School who participated with others and put together the rally and protests that took place in Palm Springs. Both Solace and Weaver accepted the honor and each provided an acceptance speech relating to the experience and movement. A group picture was taken during the recognition. 7. GUEST SPEAKER: Jewish Family Services of the Desert, Maureen Forman, CEO Chair deHarte introduced guest speaker Maureen Forman, CEO of Jewish Family Services of the Desert (JFSD). Ms. Forman was invited to speak by the Senior and Dependent Adu lt Bill of Rights Subcommittee as a key stakeholder from the community to share the challenges they are aware of in the senior population as they move down the road to put together a proposal or comment to City Council for whether it’s a Senior Bill of Rights Policy or Ordinance. Ms. Forman gave her presentation describing the focus, programs overview and support services that JFSD provides. A handout packet was shared surrounding the Senior Collaborative Network and agency services. She would like to see the Bill of Rights include emergency assistance funding that comes from the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Budget and a legislation law that prevents legal fees from being slapped onto low-income seniors who are facing evictions from housing projects that receive City, County, State or Federal Funding. Ms. Forman finished her presentation by describing their community partnerships. A period of comments and questions from the Commissioners and Staff Liaison were presented and discussed regarding the presentation. 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR VOTE: A. Master Calendar – Commissioner Chandrasena Commissioner Chandrasena – No events planned for the rest of the fiscal year. There was a discussion on the Annual Retreat location that was initiated by Commissioner Randolph. Suggestive locations were brought forward and date restrictions were identified. It was agreed that the suggested location(s) be contacted for possible use and a Doodle Poll will be sent-out to coordinate with Mr. Cook on what they will do. Commissioner Randolph – Handed out a press release regarding a one-hour television program of Phil Siegel’s documentaries of coming out by the decades, “Coming Out – A 50 Year History”. Commissioner Randolph has received Mr. Siegel’s permission to use the documentary video as a fundraiser for the Human Rights Commission. Comments and questions were presented and discussed regarding the venue, the potential date for the documentary fundraiser/event and process for adding agenda items. There was a consensus to have the fundraiser and have the documentary film showing on October 11, 2018. The following motion opened on the floor: MOTION: By Commissioner Cirualo to have the Commission host a fundraiser and the documentary film showing event be added to the Master Calendar for October 11, 2018. With the details to be brought at the July meeting to be voted on by the Commission. Comments and questions were presented among the Commission and Mr. Cook regarding the motion. The Motion on the floor was withdrawn and/or died of lack of a second to the motion. It was agreed that a motion was not needed for the Commission to provide direction. Commissioner Randolph will continue to gather the details together for the entire program proposal to be held on October 8, 2018; the Coming Out Film Event item will be placed for discussion/vote on the July Agenda. B. Subcommittees – Chair deHarte and Vice Chair Chappell Internal: • Community Outreach & Marketing – Commissioners Chandrasena, Gross, Morgan and Randolph Commissioner Morgan – Reported the two remaining Table Talk outreach locations coming up. Afterwards, they will be tallying everything up and will be presenting the unofficial statistical report to the entire Commission. Commissioner Morgan suggested the Annual Retreat be considered to be held after the last Table Talk outreach. Comments and questions were presented and discussed regarding the report . Commissioner Miccio initiated the conversation of having a Commission Newsletter. Chair deHarte indicated that the item be a topic of conversation with the Communications Director for direction and requirements to make it happen. Commissioner Gross noted that ONE-PS is another communication channel that could be opened. • Finance – Commissioners Miccio and Randolph Commissioner Randolph – Reported that the Subcommittee had not met yet and received clarification from Mr. Cook regarding budget approval process of the coming year July 1, 2018 budget and the next year’s budget July 1, 2019. Commission Randolph - Commented that the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast was a wonderful event and good branding tool. She suggested that if Commission sponsors a table in the future, that part of the sponsorship be that they donate the table sponsorship to the students; and Commissioners who want to attend, that they pay their own way. There was a lengthy discussion among the Commission and Staff Liaison regarding the donations and contributions, unexpended surplus funding, and City fiscal policies. • Housing – Commissioners Randolph and Andrade This item was discussed after the Senior and Dependent Adult Bill of Rights Subcommittee Report. • Student Representatives – Vice Chair Chappell, Commissioners Chandrasena, Ciraulo, and Morgan Commissioner Morgan - The students and the Vice Principal were not able to make the meeting they had planned and organized. He reported that the Principal of the School felt left-out and had already had some people chosen that he wanted the Commission to select as student Commissioner. Commissioner Morgan expressed his concerns of not having an official form of communicating with the student body. Comments and questions were presented and discussed regarding the report. The Subcommittee will be meeting to develop a proposal program/plan before the July Meeting and the item will be added to the July Agenda for further discussion and Commission approval. • Senior and Dependent Adult Bill of Rights – Chair deHarte, Commissioners Gross and Ciraulo Commissioner Gross – Reported that October 23, 2018 will be the new date that has been confirmed to plan the Senior Expo. All the venue details remain the same. They will be moving ahead with the marketing and publicity over the su mmer to kick that off with a bang. Councilmember and Police Department Calendars have been confirmed for participation. Further Comments and questions regarding the event were presented and discussed. Senior Expo Budget will be added to the July Agenda for further discussion and vote. Commissioner Randolph brought to Chair deHarte’s attention that the Housing Subcommittee had been skipped on the Agenda. Chair deHarte announced that is was not intentional and proceeded the meeting to the Housing Subc ommittee Report. Housing Subcommittee – Commissioners Andrade and Randolph Commissioner Andrade – Reported that the subcommittee did attend the City Council Affordable Housing Standing Subcommittee, which was informative but the news was not good. Many issues were mentioned with reasons why things are not being developed. She further commented on eviction prevention advocacy. Commissioner Randolph – Found the meeting to be very informative. She did meet with Councilmember Holstege regarding how she can help, and it was attracting builders to build affordable housing. Commission Randolph will be reaching out to try to get interest. A lengthy discussion took place regarding the Housing report given among the Commissioners and Staff Liaison. External: • Desert Highland Gateway Estates Community Association – Commissioner Chandrasena Commissioner Chandrasena – No Report • Homelessness Task Force – Commissioner Andrade Commissioner Andrade – No Report. • Main Street Palm Springs – Chair deHarte - Chair deHarte – No Report. • Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) – Commissioner Gross Commissioner Gross – ONE-PS in conjunction with The City has formally announced that Palm Springs will host Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) next year. It will take place from May 15, 2019 to May 18, 2019. Commissioner Gross suggested that the dates NUSA be added to the master calendar for awareness in their planning. Chair deHarte indicated that any ideas/suggestions be brought forward at their Retreat Planning Meeting. • PSPD LGBT Outreach Committee – Chair deHarte Chair deHarte – No Report. Meetings are every third Thursday of the month at the Police Headquarters. Mr. Cook – As a follow-up to the Commissions inquiry, Captain Kovaleff will be the new Staff Liaison to the committee. C. Topical Newsworthy Items Commissioner Randolph – Announced that Measure C – Short-Term Rental Restrictions Initiative was defeated. 9. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT HRC MEETING: 1. Student Recruitment Plan 2. Senior Expo Budget 3. Coming Out Film Event Commissioner Miccio volunteered to be on the Retreat Planning Subcommittee. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair deHarte – Reported that the first meeting going to 5:00 P.M. did not seem to draw any additional people from the community based on the hour, and actually had fewer in attendance. Normally they have one to two folks observing. He wanted it noted as they move forward. 11: ADJOURNMENT: The Commission adjourned at 6:59 p.m. to a Regular Meeting, in a date to be scheduled in July. The Commission will be completing a Doodle Poll to identify the next meeting date. The meeting date and Agenda will be posted according to the proper schedules. Respectfully submitted, Annie J. Rodriguez Housing Program Assistant