HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-26 CRC MINS f! -
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
February 26, 2001 City Attorney' s Conference Room 4 :30 p.m.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: John Dorso, Harriet Acton, Deric Prescott,
Mark Croshier, Barbara McAllister and David
Potter, Sergio Feria (arrived at 4 :40 p.m. )
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney John M. Kaheny
The meeting was called to order at 4 : 30 p .m.
1 . Roll Call .
The roll was called and all members were present .
2 . Approval of Minutes .
MSUC (Acton/Potter) to approve the minutes of January 22�, 2001 as
presented.
3 . Campaign Financing Referral .
John Kaheny reported Mary Salas is serving on the San Diego. County
Election Campaign Finance and Control Commission, which is chaired
by former San Diego City Attorney John Witt . Hopefully, a briefing
can be provided next month. The District Attorney' s theory is to
have a model ordinance throughout the County. Attorney Kaheny
believes the ordinance will need elasticity for contribution
amounts for each city. Item 3 is tabled until the next meeting.
4'. Report by City Attorney John M. Kaheny.
Attorney Kaheny attended the San Diego Rules Committee meeting
regarding its proposal on the Ethics Commission being added to the
Charter. If it is contained in the Charter, it will have. more
teeth to it . Mr. Kaheny will keep abreast of the situation and
inform the Commission.
S . Public Comments .
A. Community Rights and Enhancement Plan.
Virgil Pina, 654 Seavale Street, Chula Vista, Ca. 91910 appeared
to discuss his Community Rights and Enhancement Plan. His plan
contains the following five items :
1 . City Personnel Hiring Report . A biannual public report on the
City' s hiring statistics and practices to include the number of
minority persons in managerial positions .
2 . Minority Paper Job Announcement Advertising. Efforts to
recruit minorities for all positions by advertising jobs in 2 or
more local minority publications .
3 . City Contracts Report . A biannual public report on the amount
of City contract's awarded to minority owned businesses .
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Charter Review Commission Minutes
February 26, 2001
Page 2
4 . Data on Traffic Stops . A biannual report relative to the
Police Department' s traffic stops of minorities giving statistical
information.
5 . Independent Civil Review Board. The implementation of a
Civilian Review Board for Police Practices to review reports,
documents and complaints and be composed of residents of the City.
-Mr. Pina stated he wanted a letter of support from the Commission
for his Plan.
Discussion ensued by the Commission regarding the following:
• Grass-roots group whom Mr. Pina represents .
• Procedural question of whether this Commission or Human
Relation Commission is the proper venue to be hearing this
matter. Possible discussion by Safety Commission.
• Advertising of Job Announcements and City Contracts in
minority publications
• Personnel Hiring Report showing minorities hired.
• Pros and cons of Citizens Civilian Review Board.
• Traffic stops of minorities and , statistics of officers
performing the stops .
Chair Dorso promised to give Mr. Pina' s proposals deliberation and
get back to him.
City Attorney commented the establishment of a Civilian Review
Board would have to go by way of a Charter amendment . Unless it
is done correctly, it can be a procedural nightmare.
The other matters brought up by Mr. Pina are already within the
discretion of City management . Mr. Kaheny believes Human Resources
has the hiring practice reports required by the federal government .
Mr. Pina was advised by the City Manager that when federal
contracts are let, the due diligence search required under federal
law is performed. Since the passage of Proposition 209, it is
precarious to accumulate information on minority contractors . In
conclusion, the only matter for consideration by Charter Review
would be the Civilian Review Board issue if, in fact, there is a
demand to have a board with subpoena power and its own
investigative body.
Chair Dorso would like to see Mr. Pina recuse himself as the Chair
of Human Relations and bring the matter before that body as the 5
items fall within their purview. That body could refer it to
-, Charter Review or go directly to Council . It may very well be that
the Civilian Review Board is a Charter issue, but he would like to
see what Human Relations feels .
Charter Review Commission Minutes
February 26, 2001
Page 3
Member Acton noted in discussions with the Human Resources and
Police Departments that those departments have been more than
willing to share information with Mr. Pina.
Member Prescott stated in both the City and County of San Diego,
the population was between 500 , 000-750 , 000 before the need arose
for a Civilian Review Board. Our Police Department has sufficient
resources to handle any complaint issues with an appeal process to
the City Manager' s office . Regarding advertising in minority
newspapers, the advertising budget for San Diego is probably
larger and our City should focus on the greatest amount of
readership and circulation. He would support doing research into
the matter, but wants to ensure that what we are doing is fair and
reasonable for a City of our size with a smaller budget .
Member McAllister inquired if Mary Salas put before the City
Council a request that all contracts announcements be printed in
Spanish in an effort to reach out to Hispanic contractors .
Attorney Kaheny said he would look into it . She also pointed out
we have a large Filipino and Asian population.
Member Feria stated our community has a large Spanish-speaking
population who get their information from Spanish-language TV and
newspapers . It would be a simple thing for our City to reach out
to that part of the population and let them know of employment and
contract opportunities .
Attorney Kaheny mentioned the Chula Vista Star News is the official
newspaper for the City.
The City Attorney suggesting hearing from Candy Emerson, the Police
Department and the Finance Department regarding what the City is
presently doing and will invite them to the March meeting.
6 . Members' Comments .
None
7 . Adjournment .
MSUC (Acton/Croshier) to adjourn the meeting at 5 : 35 p.m. to the
March meeting scheduled for March 19, 2001 at 4 : 30 p .m.
Lorraine Kraker, Secretary
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