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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/6/2006 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 From the desk of: Wendie Busig-Kohn 591 N. Belardo Road Palm Springs, California 92262 (760) 325-0277 FAX: 325-8228 Email: wbkps(&aol.com To the Attention of: Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, Community Action Sub-Committee, Attendees to the December 1st meeting. Re: Pending Resolution Presentation: "Hate Free City" Campaign It is my persenef opinion that the Palm S'pOngs !ffunmae Rights Commission should be further empowered, to greater outreach amend' engagement to, and with, the Paint Springs Community in accordance with the Com-mmissionts Mission Statement To this end, I am completely supportive of these goals, and will commit my own time and resources and personal and professional acumen to help achieve them. In sum, I am not opposed to any strategic efforts to build a more vital and sustainable humanitarian community. HOWEVER, Based on a flurry of input and comments and concerns expressed to me regarding the pending "Hate Free City" campaign resolution, I would hope that all representatives of this campaign LISTEN and HEAR these concerns., and ttake them, seriously, into account prior to the upcoming presentation before the Palm Springs City Council. "The Process": When a small group of people determine, by their own opinion, what, how, where, when and why a concept or campaign can affect a community, presents a "locked in opinion" on its method to achieve same, and commands approval of five elected officials, without engaging the opinions of the 40,000 plus community members who elected them, we have a problem. As stated previously, this issue was brought to my attention by "fellow humanitarian activists", primarily emanating from the Gay Community, who expressed various concerns, which should be viewed as considerate and viable. So, to my mind this is not a "Gay/Straight" issue; rather, a COMMUNITY ISSUE. THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED FROM THE ONSET AND HAS NOT......THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM uh\�V (ovikep 01V Y THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. "Cart before the horse" thinking, represented by "Resolution Approval...then INPUT", is quite OFF- PUTTING! The following delineates a "short list" of concerns that have been expressed to me, that I have attempted to represent: 1. Usage of the word "Hate" even when followed by free has been unanimously opposed as a tag line or designation for the City of Palm Springs. 2. Liability concerns range from "not wanting to be fodder for the late night talk shows", to actual liability, as we cannot truly GUARANTEE this statement. 3. The pledge and the concept of "educating" business leaders, faith and government leaders, etc., reads as "condescending". Most reactions have been "who do they think they are?", and the general consensus of opinion is that this premise is insulting. It is insulting to those who have their lives this way even being approached to sign a pledge, much less post a decal, or PAY for their values! 4. DECALS: Realllllllllllllly BADDDDDDDD idea, for a number of reasons which include: a. In consideration of all of the city imposed signage restrictions, you are now asking businesses to comply with a decal in their windows? What happens if they don't, or can't? Whether by their choice of window decor concerns, or landlord restrictions, they do not or cannot post a decal, it infers that this business and/or its owner is NIOT "hate free". b. NO ONE wants to feel "branded". You are planning to impose upon businesses that have long been a part of the fabric of downtown Palm Springs. It's insulting to them that they need comply or be perceived negatively. Last, but not least 5. THE CONTRIBUTION FEE: EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE: Absolutely NO fees AT ALL should be required to prove you are a good person. If fundraising for a specific cause is needed, it should be under separate cover. The City of Palm Springs contributes to various charitable 501-C3 foundations every year. To ask the council to approve collection of fees, under sanction of government for one specific group is unfair and absolutely audacious! THE CAUSE, THE MISSION IS NOT LOST. THE DIRECTION NEEDS MORE STRATEGY APPLIED, SO THAT ALL MAY WIN! — Thank you," K Resolution No. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 'NOT IN OUR TOWN" PROGRAM SPONSPORED BY THE PALM SPRINGS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WHEREAS the City of Palm Spring embraces and defends its entire population and expects those who live, work and visit here to demonstrate acceptance of pe©ip4e regard ess o`rea4 ©r perceived c1� �erecees cruc4ea�i6ru� their race, c040r, re00gicn, efthnicRyT national origin, economic st�7tus, 2ga, ,:;hys4ca4 Or PTii eont=,4 cepaCn044ty, gender or ge.,7dar§dgntity, ®r serual oraeu� ctc©�. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That it supports the ob;Pctivac of a "Not In Our Town" Program to build unity through a campaign to advance the proposition that the City of Palm Springs remains determined to assuage all issues of bigotry via an outreach program which engages the business community, non- profit organizations, government, religious centers; neighborhood groups, schools and individuals about how to keep their City free of hate_ SECTION 2. That it supports the invnlvement of local law Pnforcement in the efforts to make Palm Springs a city that defends diversity. SECTION 3. That it authorizes the use of monies, in the Human Rights Commission budget for start-up costs of the "Not In Our Town" Community Action Committee (CAC) t imp'�rre^t t,1n Not In Our Town" city-wide campaign. ADOPTED THIS 13th day of December 2006. David H. Ready, City Manager ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A `NOT IN OUR TOWN" PROGRAM SPONSPORED BY THE PALM SPRINGS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WHEREAS the City of Palm Spring embraces and defends its entire population and expects those who live, work and visit here to demonstrate acceptance of people regardless of real or perceived differences including their race, cola, mHuion, c'hn!cZ nzffnns!-:!gin, economic status, age, physical or mental capability, gender or gender identity, or sexual orientation. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That it supports the objectives of a "Not In Our Town" Program to build unity through a campaign to advance the proposition that the City of Palm Springs has zero tolerance for bigotry and is dedicated to educating the business community, non-profit organizations, government, religious centers, neighborhood groups, schools and individuals about how to keep their City free of hate. SECTION 2. That it supports the involvement of local law enforcement in the efforts to make Palm Springs a city that defends diversity. SECTION 3. That it authorizes the use of monies in the Human Rights Commission budget for start-up costs of the "Not In Our Town" Community Action Committee (CAC) to implement the "Not In Our Town" city-wide campaign. ADOPTED THIS 13th day of December 2006. David H. Ready, City Manager ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk Resolution No. Page 2 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. _ is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN. James Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California