HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-27 HRC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
February 27, 2020 6:00 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Human Relations Commission of the City of Chula was called to order at 6:02
p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in the City Hall Building A, at 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista,
California. The meeting was moved from its regular location of Executive Conference Room 103A to
Council Chambers at the same address due to number of public present.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Commissioners Branch, Felix, Gutierrez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner,
Vice-Chair Gonzalez and Chair Martinez-Montes
ABSENT: Commissioners Godinez and Zadah
OHERS PRESENT: Anne Steinberger, Glenn Googins and Simon Silva
CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 1-2)
1. CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE
Request for excused absence from Commissioner Godinez from the January 23, 2020
Human Relations Commission meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JANUARY 23, 2020 REGULAR HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
MEETING
ACTION: Commissioner Gutierrez moved to approve Consent Items 1 and 2 (headings
read, and text waived). Commissioner Felix seconded the motion, and it carried by the
following vote:
YES: 9- Branch, Felix, Gutierrez, Lake, Medina, Ratner, Kean-Ayub,
Gonzalez, Martinez-Montes
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• There were none
ACTION ITEMS
3. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON RESOLUTION OF THE
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDING (“HRC”) TO THE CITY
COUNCIL OF CHULA VISTA THAT (1) THE STATUE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
(LOCATED AT DISCOVERY PARK) BE REMOVED; (2) THAT SAID STATUE BE
REPLACED WITH A STATUE THAT REFLECTS CHULA VISTA’S DIVERSITY,
INCLUDING ITS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, (3) THAT DISCOVERY PARK BE RENAMED;
AND (4) THAT COLUMBUS DAY BE RENAMED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY AND, IF
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED, SELECTION OF HRC MEMBER(S) TO PRESENT AND
DISCUSS THE RESOLUTION AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments were in support of Action Item number 3.The following spoke in favor
of the Resolution to Council: Charles Vilrgetz, Brandie Taylor, Kristina Buckner,
Benjamin Prado, Sheryl Sanchez, Citali Sanchez, Veronica De Los Santos, John Eagle
Spirit Elliot, Ken Cohen, Grace Sesma, Angela Elliot Santos, Victor Hernandez, Robert
Wallace, Stephanie Herrera, Don Dumas, Beatrice Zamora, Dr. Mario E. Aguilar, Stan
Rodriguez and RaeAnn Herrera. Comments and recommendations from the public also
included, but were not limited to:
o The statue represents the problems that Native Americans deal with today
o Represents genocide
o Represents slavery
o Symbol of hate
o Statues commemorate history
o Represents shame
o Represents murder
o Columbus did not discover anything
o Not trying to erase history
o Inaccurate history
The following are in support of Action Item 3, but, did not speak on the Item: David Rico,
Mara Lucio, Kezla Flores, Adam Howe, Adam Robledo, Isaac Garcia, Gloria Andrade, Nick
Aguilar, Lucas Cruz, Andres Aguilar, Sherrie Tamayo, Rommel Diaz, Adriana Jasso, Alex
Medina, Carmelo Esquer, Christina Wimer and Tommie Camarillo.
The following spoke in opposition of the Resolution to Council: John Morre, Donna Maddy,
Brian Sutton, Andres Wong, Rene Trevino, Michael Brault, Michael Gorski. Comments
and recommendations from the public also included, but were not limited to:
o Is this budgeted? Where will the money come from to complete the task?
o Christopher Columbus is misunderstood
o Cannot erase history
o Unjustly blamed for things that went wrong
o He did not get the credit for the things he did right
o Contributed to history
The following were in attendance and filled out a speaker slip, but did not mark support
or oppose: Armando Abundis, Lena Aguirre, Maria Lane, Robin Moreno, Aaron
Ramirez and Ernest Griffes.
ACTION: Commissioner Medina made a motion to move forward with the current
resolution to City Council with minor changes it was seconded by Commissioner
Gonzales and it carried by the following vote:
YES: 8- Branch, Felix, Lake, Medina, Ratner, Kean-Ayub, Gonzalez,
Martinez-Montes
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 1- Gutierrez
4. PRESENTATION FROM STAFF ON DONATION ACCEPTANCE BY
COMMISSIONS
ACTION: There was none. Simon Silva gave a presentation and information to the commission
regarding donations and fundraising.
5. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON COMMISSION
ACTIVITIES IN FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 AND REQUESTING FUNDS FOR SAID
ACTIVITIES
ACTION: There was none. Chair Martinez-Montes and Anne Steinberger will discuss
and present options at the next meeting.
6. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POTENTIAL ACTION REQUESTING CITY
COUNCIL ADD AN EX-OFFICIO SEAT TO THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
FOR YOUTH
ACTION: There was none. Simon will propose an ordinance for City Council and will be
agendized for the next meeting.
7. DISCUSSION AND ACTION, INCLUDING UPDATES FROM, AND/OR FORMATION OF,
AD HOC COMMITTEES, ON EVENTS/ACTIVITIES FOR HRC PARTICIPATION
Staff recommendation: Discuss participation in community events. Events/activities for
HRC support and participation include:
EVENT DATE/DETAILS AD HOC
Know Your Rights - Police TBD Branch, Felix, Kean-
Ayub
South Bay Earth Day April 4, 2020
National Night Out August 4, 2020
Chula Vista Harbor Fest August 22, 2020
Chula Vista Pride Day Est. September 19, 2020
Chula Vista Starlight Parade December 5, 2020
Know Your Rights - Immigration TBD TBD
ACTION: There were none. Commissioner Branch gave an update on Know Your
Rights- Police, she stated that they are still trying to confirm a date and space.
OTHER BUSINESS
8. CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Martinez-Montes wants to thank the Commission for doing all the work they have for this
Commission.
9. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
• Commissioner Felix thanked the Chair and Vice-Chair for working hard for the Commission
• Commissioner Medina wanted to thank the staff for helping with the Resolution on the
Christopher Columbus statue
• Commissioner Kean-Ayub wanted more clarification on the next steps for the Christopher
Columbus statue. Simon Silva stated that the agenda item recommended placing the item to
Council agenda within 90 days.
10. STAFF COMMENTS
• Preferred Pronouns – (HRC Application, Website and Name Tents)
Please get your preferred pronouns to Summer if you have not already done so. They have been
added to the website and tent cards
• Future Meeting Items (Meeting Requested):
Information on the naming of Discovery Elementary (1/20)
Land Acknowledgement (1/20)
• Presentation from South Bay Community Services - Youth Services (1/20)
• Charter Review Commission did have an update on the citizenship status for Commissioners.
The Commission wanted a staff update on additional research regarding the issue.
• Welcoming City Update -March, June, September, December
Anne will present quarterly updates to the Commission
ADJOURNMENT At 8:54 p.m. Chair Martinez-Montes adjourned the meeting to the regular meeting
on Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., in the Executive Conference Room 103, Bldg. A, at City Hall
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California.
_______________________________________
Summer Haskins, Secretary to the Commission