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Home My WebLink About5/6/2015 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.F. aO�ppLM Sp4 .y G V N yy 'y�O oS `P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT C'0<IFORN DATE: May 6, 2015 Consent Calendar SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF THE PALM SPRINGS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2013-14 FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Neighborhood and Community Relations Department SUMMARY The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is presenting its 2013-14 annual report to the City Council, outlining the topics it addressed, its accomplishments and its 2014-15 topics and goals. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive and file the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission's Annual Report for 2013-14 STAFF ANALYSIS: One of the strategies of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is to educate itself and the community on human rights issues. Each September the Commission conducts a half-day planning session where it prioritizes its work plan for the next 10 months. In 2013-14 the Commission focused on the topics of homelessness, religious intolerance, women's issues, human trafficking, immigration and education and the DREAM Act. For 2014-15, the Commission is focusing on the topics of cultural proficiency, ageism, women's issues, persons with disabilities, AIDS/STD and mediation. The Commission conducts its education by inviting guest speakers to address a specific topic at the monthly Commission meetings or by co-sponsoring a panel discussion for the community. Throughout the year the Commission has raised awareness by participating in several community events such as the Black History Month Parade, the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade and the Palm Springs Neighborhood Involvement Committee's Picnic and Community Expo. One of the Commission's most popular events is its presentation of Community Service Awards each January to local individuals and organizations, publicly recognizing their efforts to promote universal human rights "close to home." ITEM NO. Z. F City Council Staff Report May 6, 2015 —Page 2 Human Rights Commission's Annual Report The Commission believes it has served the community and the City Council by: • Participating on the Police Department's LGBT Outreach Committee • Bringing cultural humility training to City employees • Playing a part in Palm Springs receiving a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. The Commission also serves the community by providing free mediation services. Currently mediation is available only for discriminated related matters. However, there are other instances in the community that might benefit from mediation -- a voluntary process that brings parties together to resolve their differences through discussion and problem-solving. The Commission proposes to expand its scope of services to provide mediation through referrals from City Departments. For example, if one resident complains to the City about his or her neighbor's dog barking or the height of the neighbor's hedge, the City could refer the residents to mediation. This could be a service made available before, and perhaps in lieu of, an administrative remedy and enforcement. Mediation sessions would initially be conducted by co-mediators, both of whom are credentialed mediators with experience in dispute resolution and training. The Commission hopes to build on its success by expanding its mediation services, providing an opportunity for parties to come together to discuss issues in dispute and to explore mutually satisfactory options for the resolution of conflict. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact. � 0. &� Lee A. Bonno, Director of Neighborhoods & Community Relations David H. Ready, City Attachments: Palm Springs Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2013-14 002 ' PALM SPRINGS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 J 0 WHO WE ARE! Established in 1992, "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." 0 0 OUR STRATEGY: EDUCATE ADVOCATE ACTION WHAT HAPPENED IN 2013-14 Homelessness - Speakers from Well in the Desert, Roy's Desert Resource Center, Police Chief Al Franz, and Officer Barron Lane Religious Intolerance - Speaker Reymoundo Nour, Iman, Islamic Society of Coachella Valley Women's Issues - The Ophelia Project; Women's participation in City government 0 b 2013-14 Human Trafficking presentation by Court Appointed Special Advocates Immigration and education presentation by Octavio Gonzales, District Policy Director from Congressman Raul Ruiz' office The Dream Act presentation by Jose Simo, COD Counselor Other guest speakers: John "Keoni" Devereaux, Jr. from the Autism Society America Ryan Woll, Palm Springs High School Principal Co 0 00 WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS? • Invite our community to events and forums that address Human Rights topics • Listen to our community and make recommendations to the City Council for action • Provide our City with mediation services • Ask our City Council, "What can we do for YOUT o a to MEDIATION HRC offers free mediation services to the community. Currently these services are for discrimination related matters The goal of mediation is to resolve disputes before they can escalate into violence or litigation Certain Commissioners are trained Mediators with experience in community mediations 0 0 2014 - 2015 GOALS 1) More outreach and partnering - offering our support and service 2) Expand mediation services to the community with referrals from City Departments 3) Increase meeting attendance by the public 0 r r WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU , THE CITY COUNCIL? We have helped the City Council by: • Serving on the Palm Springs Police Department's LGBT Outreach Committee • Bringing Cultural Humility Training to City employees • Playing a part in the City receiving a perfect score of 100 points in the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index Scorecard .Y _ r N 2014 - 2015 TOPICS: Cultural Proficiency Ageism Women's Issues Persons with Disabilities Al DS/STD Mediation 0 r w Our Calendar JANUARY FEBRUARY • Community Service Black History Parade Awards MARCH 's • Cultural Proficiency • PSNIC Picnic & Expo APRIL and MAY • Persons with Disabilities • Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast 0 W A. Come join us at our meetings — 3 p.m. the second Monday of the month at City Hall Nominate your neighbor for an award Wave to us at the Pride or Black History Month ' Parades Stop by our booth at the PSNIC Picnic & Expo 0 r cr Chair Dee Dee Wilson Barton Vice Chair Jack Newby Suzanne Severin Janel Hunt Wes Rankins David Brown Jilska Chandrasena Deborah Sutton — Weiss Les Zendle Student Representatives PSHS Madison Barton and Josh Rodriguez RCMS Maribel Wright II 0 r rn