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Home My WebLink About2024-11-21 Item 3EFrom:Jeremy Hammond To:City Clerk Subject:FW: Human Rights Commission Vote Tonight Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 11:26:32 AM Public comment in case you didn’t get it… Jeremy Hammond Deputy City Manager Risk Manager City of Palm Springs 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.8218 Direct www.palmspringsca.gov From: Rich Weissman <rweissman@hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2024 11:21 AM To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>; Ron deHarte <Ron.deHarte@palmspringsca.gov>; Lisa Middleton <Lisa.Middleton@palmspringsca.gov>; Grace Garner <Grace.Garner@palmspringsca.gov>; Christy Holstege <Christy.Holstege@palmspringsca.gov> Cc: Scott Stiles <Scott.Stiles@palmspringsca.gov>; Jeff Ballinger <Jeff.Ballinger@bbklaw.com>; Jeremy Hammond <Jeremy.Hammond@palmspringsca.gov>; Hugo Loyola-ABM <hugo.loyola- abm@palmspringsca.gov>; David Vignolo-ABM <david.vignolo-abm@palmspringsca.gov>; Beverly Greer-ABM <beverly.greer-abm@palmspringsca.gov>; Carlotta Rinke-ABM <carlotta.rinke- abm@palmspringsca.gov>; Oliver Cleary-ABM <oliver.cleary-abm@palmspringsca.gov>; Bobby Rimas <Bobby.Rimas-ABM@palmspringsca.gov>; Michael Horne-ABM <michael.horne- abm@palmspringsca.gov>; Wayne Olson <Wayne.Olson@palmspringsca.gov>; cmdhr@mac.com Subject: Human Rights Commission Vote Tonight NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. TO: Palm Springs City Council As I understand, the City Council plans to vote tonight on a proposal to virtually eliminate (call is "re-branding/re-imagining," but it is essentially eliminating) the Human Rights Commission (HRC), and installing a Human Services Commission instead to act as a liaison with various human services providers. 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E The HRC was created to protect the rights of the city's citizens, with particular attention to the LGBTQ community. Palm Springs is unique in that it is estimated to be 55%+ LGBTQ, welcoming and providing a haven for LGBTQ people, both to visit and to live in the city. The LGBTQ community is a core driver of the city's economy and activities. This has been a cornerstone of the city's persona for decades. And now, right after the Trump and right-wing, anti-LGBTQ win nationwide, why would Palm Springs signal that the city no longer places human rights as a priority, particularly for the LGBTQ community which is now seriously under attack? Could the city council be so tone deaf? As a local and national LGBTQ leader, folks in D.C. are asking me what is happening in Palm Springs? They want to know why every LGBTQ candidate (in races with opponents) was defeated in our city — City Council, State Assembly, State Senate, and U.S. Congress. And with these losses, today the city is considering eliminating the HRC. Unimaginable. One campaign in which I was involved on a national level was for Sarah McBride. I fundraised for her and held an event in my home in which she attended and eloquently spoke. Yesterday, the GOP announced that it will pass bathroom restrictions to deny her the right to use bathrooms at the Capitol. Horrific. And yet today, the city is considering eliminating the HRC. Again, unimaginable. The optics of the city eliminating the HRC in the current homophobic/transphobic environment is quite serious. Imagine national headlines: "Palm Springs, the city with the largest LGBTQ population concentration in the nation, eliminates its Human Rights Commission because the city no longer sees the need to protect LGBTQ citizens or other minorities." Quite frankly, this year the city has had too many scandals on LGBTQ issues: QueerWorks, AIDs Memorial, etc. Eliminating the HRC will make these look like child's play, and we simply cannot allow this vote to significantly undermine the city's reputation. Moreover, and of equal importance, local citizens will be outraged when this becomes public. Mind you, the HRC also represents other minorities in our city, and it must continue and play a critical role in protecting all minority civil rights. While the notion of updating the charter and adding additional functions (e.g. social services liaison) is most appropriate, changing its name and taking its focus away from minority civil rights, or denying the need for LGBTQ civil rights protections is most inappropriate. Please, do not allow this to happen. Tonight, reinstate the HRC, and let it get on with its business. Thanks, Rich 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E Rich Weissmancell: 503.250.4545email: rweissman@hotmail.comwebsite: www.richweissman.com Palm Springs, San Francisco, Black Butte Ranch (Oregon) 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E From:Gail Heitman To:City Clerk Subject:Tonight’s City Council Meeting: Human Rights Commission Changes Date:Thursday, November 21, 2024 8:17:33 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Concerning proposed changes regarding greater emphasis on services and less on protection of LGBTQ rights. The election of Donald Trump and new administration and supporters have led to a new mandate. For those in the LGBTQ community this has led to a growing fear for their safety. Palm Springs is known for its overwhelming support for this community. While it is important that those in the community do require essential care, I believe that the HRC’s sole focus be to continue protection of the LGBTQ community. This stance will signal to the community at large that Palm Springs continues to be a safe space for those who seek safety as visitors and tourists as well. Sincerely, Gail Heitman 4405 Vantage Lane Palm Springs 92262 Sent from my iPhone 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E From:terrie andrade To:City Clerk Subject:Public Comment Date:Tuesday, November 12, 2024 4:22:35 PM Attachments:Public Comment.msg NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E 12 November 2024 To: City of Palm Springs Honorable Mayor and City Council Subcommittee on Human Rights Commission Cc: Human Rights Commission From: Terrie Andrade Palm Springs As a former Human Rights Commissioner I am disheartened by the movement to “reimagine” the Commission. As a resident of Palm Springs I am concerned over the motivation to do so and I’m especially unconvinced of the prudence of in its place, creating an entire commission tasked with social services referrals. I would expect a city with the history and demographics of Palm Springs to always be strengthening their framework for the protection of human rights. I would imagine it promoting education and awareness in an effort to mitigate abuses and reinforce their policies of intolerance. Laws alone are insufficient in assuring one’s rights. Access to legal services is often unattainable by the most vulnerable in our community. Advocacy is essential. The Human Rights Commission is the entity created and charged with providing these functions. They are spelled out in their charter. With appropriate support and resources …public information, mediation and conﬂict resolution, and early complaint investigations could be invaluable community services. I encourage Council to redouble their commitment to human rights by seeing this as an opportunity for fortifying and not disbanding the mission, vision and importance of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission. 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E From:Lauren Wolfer To:Jeffrey Bernstein Cc:City Clerk Subject:Item 3E - HRC Date:Tuesday, November 19, 2024 9:27:29 AM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Honorable Mayor Bernstein and Council, I am writing to express my support for transitioning the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to a Human Services Commission (HSC). The reimagined focus of the commission outlined in the staff report will allow it to take on a more tangible and effective role in the community. By helping residents access essential services and actively building community, the commission will cultivate the conditions in which human rights are both respected and protected. It’s understandable that there have been challenges and some uncertainty about the commission’s current role, as it’s not entirely clear what a city commission can realistically achieve in the realm of human rights, particularly given its limited resources, lack of enforcement power, and the existence of state and federal laws that address many of these issues. Without the ability to take meaningful action, such a commission is largely limited to issuing statements and symbolic gestures, which can sometimes sow more division than unity. The backlash to last year’s resolution in support of Israel demonstrates how public declarations, even when well-intentioned, can amplify tension rather than bring people together. Although the resolution originated with the City Council rather than the HRC, it still highlights the potential limitations and pitfalls of such approaches. In addition, any future version of the commission should not include mediation as a focus. Handling disputes and complaints without proper training or established standards carries the risk of doing more harm than good. Effective mediation requires training to manage conflicts constructively and impartially- without this, efforts to resolve disputes can unintentionally escalate conflicts. A lack of structure and the necessary expertise also leaves the commission vulnerable to misuse, which ultimately undermines both its purpose and public trust. The shift to a Human Services Commission offers a way to address some of the root causes of division within our community. When people struggle to meet their basic needs and feel disconnected from their community, resentment and division can grow, creating an environment ripe for extremist ideologies. Fascism, for example, often takes root where isolation and hardship prevail. By connecting residents to essential services and fostering community, the commission can address these underlying issues. The most powerful way to protect human rights is to lift people up- ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in a connected, compassionate community. By focusing on human services, this reimagined commission can work toward that goal while helping to create a more inclusive and equitable Palm Springs. Thank you for your consideration, Lauren Wolfer 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E -- Lauren Wolfer Outreach and Advocacy Director COOK Alliance 760-831-6553 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E From:Carlotta Rinke-ABM To:City Clerk Cc:Carlotta Rinke-ABM Subject:Public Comment for Nov. 21 Closed Meeting Date:Monday, November 18, 2024 5:00:32 PM Hello, I am a member of the Human Rights Committee, and I would like to submit a public comment electronically, but I will also be attending. RE: City Council Staff Report Dated November 21, 2024 Given the recent election results, new concerns have arisen regarding the potential infringement of human rights in a way we haven’t seen before. Chapter 2.45 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code dated from over 25 years ago focused on definitions of domestic partners and their legal rights. Gay marriage and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community have been legalized and expanded, but now need to be safeguarded. The prospect of mass deportations of undocumented citizens, the threat of women losing decision-making over their bodies, and cultural trends toward book banning and transgender surgery are new dangers under the umbrella of human rights. So, I am calling out the recommendation that the focus on human rights be replaced by human services. Instead, the HRC can do both. Understanding the nexus of nonprofit organizations that support not only LGBTQ groups but also those that support the many aspects of homelessness, food and financial insecurity, disabled people and the elderly will allow the HRC to function as a center, to encourage collaboration and build awareness of duplication of services. This could create efficiencies by encouraging nonprofits who address overlapping populations of need to work together; it could promote a better use of resources and a greater impact on making a measurable difference. Finally, the HRC could create a dashboard of metrics displaying how well the aggregate nonprofit community performs in addressing the social determinants of health and wellbeing—the cornerstone to exercising human rights. The HRC could also review the City’s grant requests for their support of human rights and the needs of vulnerable populations, another a function seen in many Human Service Committees of Californian cities. The information would be reported back to the City Council, not meant to be a roadblock, but as a second set of eyes on the allocation of funding. Thank you. Carlotta Rinke Carlotta Rinke, MD, MBA Human Rights Commissioner City of Palm Springs carlotta.rinke-abm@palmspringsca.gov cell: 847-354-1154 11/21/2024 Public Comment Item 3E