HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-02 HRC Regular Minutes FINAL
Human Rights Commission
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
0
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 12, 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
Jilska Chandrasena X 7
Denise Chappell, Vice Chair X 7
Sam Ciraulo X 6 1
Ron deHarte, Chair X 7
Jim Gross X 6 1
David Morgan X 7
Nicki Randolph X 7
Zjarvre Crawford, Student Rep, Not Present
Other Staff Present:
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 3:05 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 ed ucation and community
awareness”
Chair deHarte proceeded to Agenda item no. 4.
3. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by Chair deHarte during item no. 5.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
5. PROGRAM:
Chair deHarte addressed the audience and welcomed everyone present to support the honorees. A
special recognition was made for guests Mayor Moon, Councilmember s Holstege, Middleton and Kors,
musical guest Ted Fox and accompanying guitarist Joe Muster. Roll call followed. The full commission
was present.
Chair deHarte presented a video introduction and purpose of the Palm Springs Human Rights
Commission.
Human Rights Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2018
Page 2
[Music Playing] The program proceeded with an opening song by Ted Fox, and accompanying Guitarist
Joe Musser.
Chair deHarte spoke about the role and performance the Human Rights Commission has had since
established 25 years ago; highlighting areas of previous and current focus and emphasizing prestigious
nationwide Community Service Award winners. Chair deHarte introduced the honorees as “not the do
nothing kind of people, they are the heart of our community” and invited the Commissioners to the lectern
starting with Commissioner Chandrasena.
The following Community Service Awards were presented:
Commissioner Chandrasena introduced a biography of the first Community Service Award to honor Chris
O’Hanlon, Founder of the Senior Advocates of the Desert, a nonprofit social service organization
dedicated exclusively to helping low-income seniors obtain government benefits and emergency financial
assistance, through no fault of their own. Mr. O’Hanlon thanked the Human Rights Commission and Staff
Liaison Mr. Cook. A brief acceptance speech followed.
Commissioner Ciraulo introduced a biography of the second Community Service Award to honor the
Metropolitan Community Church of the Coachella Valley (MCCCV), for their radical call to acceptance and
celebration of human diversity through advocacy for equality, human rights and social justice. The award
was received by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw. Rev. Crawshaw asked that the members of the church present
in the audience register their presence by putting their hands up, as the award was an organizational
award. Rev. Crawshaw thanked the Human Rights Commission and provided an acceptance speech.
Commissioner Randolph introduced a biography of the third award recipient to honor L ucy Debardelaben
and Gail Christian, active humanitarians recognizing women through music and raising awareness of the
diversity and talent of world class musicians who traditionally struggle for recognition and employment.
The award was received by both Ms. Debardelaben and Ms. Christian. Both Ms. Christian and Ms.
Debardelaben thanked the Human Rights Commission and provided an acceptance speech. Special
gratitude was given to the City Council and Councilmember Kors for making the Conversation on Race
event possible the week prior.
Commissioner Morgan introduced a biography of the fourth Community Service Award to honor Brad
Fuhr, Founder and Publisher of the Gay Desert Guide who has promoted awareness and supported
countless nonprofit organizations, community programs and fund raisers which enhanced the quality of
the life of residents of Palm Springs such as youth housing, access to health services, and a variety of
social service programs. Mr. Fuhr thanked Mayor Moon, City Council and the Human Rights Commission;
and presented an acceptance speech.
Commissioner Gross introduced a biography of the fifth Community Service Award to honor Goldie
Jacoby, a Holocaust survivor who makes it her mission to bring her life stories to schools, cultural
institutions and art museums advocating for social justice and human rights. Ms. Jacoby thanked the
Human Rights Commission and provided an acceptance speech.
Vice Chair Chappell introduced a biography the sixth Community Service Award to honor of Officer Mike
Radford, Founder of the California Highway Patrol Toys for Tots Program. Officer Radford is recognized
for making a difference in the lives of children and families in the Coachella Valley. Officer Radford
thanked the Human Rights Commission and presented an acceptance speech.
Chair deHarte introduced a biography of the seventh Community Service Award to honor Ruth Debra,
community organizer of equal rights movement and lifelong advocate of civil rights, peace and justice
movements. Ms. Debra thanked the Human Rights Commission and presented an acceptance speech.
Chair deHarte announced that the program was moving into the closing song and thanked Mayor Moon
and the Councilmembers Holstege, Kors and Middleton for being present.
Human Rights Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2018
Page 3
Mayor Moon thanked the audience on behalf of the City Council for being present for the recognition of
the wonderful leaders in the community who forward human rights for everyone regardless of a ge, gender,
and sexual orientation. He stated that everyone in Palm Springs is equal and is proud to be a part of an
incredibly diverse community. Appreciation was given to the Human Rights Commission for all their
efforts and work on maintaining and supporting Human Rights in the City including the Community Service
Awards Program. Mayor Moon addressed and congratulated all the Community Service Award Honorees
in his closing statement.
[Music Playing] Ted Fox and accompanying Guitarist Joe Musser proceeded with the Closing Song.
Chair deHarte thanked Ted Fox and Joe Musser for joining them and concluded the program with closing
remarks regarding protection of human rights. Chair deHarte thanked the honorees on behalf of the
Commission for contributing to the advancement of human rights in their own way. He also thanked the
audience for joining the Commission in supporting the honorees. Special recognition was given to Staff
Liaison Mr. Cook and Assistant to the Liaison Ms. Rodriguez for keeping the Commission going strong.
6. ADJOURMENT: The Human Rights Commission adjourned at 4:11 p.m. to a Regular Meeting, Monday,
March 12, 2018 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