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Home My WebLink About2021-01-28 HRC Minutes Page 1 | Human Relations Commission Minutes January 28, 2021 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA January 28, 2021 Via Teleconference 6:00 p.m. Pursuant to the Governor of the State of California's Executive Order N-29-20, and in the interest of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Human Relations Commission and staff participated in this meeting via teleconference. All votes were taken by roll call. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, Building A, located at 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California and by teleconference. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners: Baber, Felix, Godinez, Gutierrez (left at 8:32 p.m.), Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner, Vice Chair Branch and Chair Martinez-Montes ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Director of Human Resources Chase, Human Resources Manager Tomlinson, Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger, City Attorney Googins, Chief of Police Kennedy, Police Captain Collum, Police Captain Thunberg, Police Captain Redmond, Senior Librarian Ysla, Librarian II Cabrera, and Secretary Palermo PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Martinez-Montes called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic public comments. Secretary Palermo announced that 13 electronic comments had been received and no comments had been received via email. The following public comments were submitted electronically: The following members of the public submitted electronic comments in opposition of Item 2; Police Use of License Plate Readers: ▪ Norell Martinez, Chula Vista resident ▪ Brenda Aguirre, Chula Vista resident ▪ Kathy Hardy, Chula Vista resident ▪ Margaret Baker, Chula Vista resident ▪ Jerilyn Brown, Chula Vista resident Page 2 | Human Relations Commission Minutes January 28, 2021 ▪ Tama Becker Varano, Chula Vista resident ▪ David Harris, Chula Vista resident ▪ Lois Klepin, Chula Vista resident ▪ Harriet Baber, Chula Vista resident ▪ Nan Kar, Chula Vista resident The following members of the public submitted electronic comments regarding Item 5, asking for voice comments during Council Meetings: ▪ Jerilyn Brown, Chula Vista resident ▪ Tama Becker Varano, Chula Vista resident ▪ Brenda Aguirre, Chula Vista resident PRESENTATIONS 1. PRESENTATION FROM STAFF ON THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger gave a presentation on the item. Chair Martinez-Montes opened the public hearing and called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that no electronic comments had been received and no comments had been received via email. There being no members of the public who wished to submit a comment, Chair Martinez-Montes closed the public hearing. ACTION ITEMS 2. QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT • DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING LICENSE PLATE READER PROGRAM Chief of Police Kennedy, Police Captain Collum, Police Captain Thunberg, and Police Captain Redmond gave a presentation on this item. Chair Martinez-Montes called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 12 electronic comments had been received and no comments had been received via email. The following members of the public submitted electronic comments in opposition of Item 2; Police Use of License Plate Readers: ▪ Norell Martinez, Chula Vista resident ▪ Brenda Aguirre, Chula Vista resident ▪ Kathy Hardy, Chula Vista resident ▪ Margaret Baker, Chula Vista resident ▪ Jerilyn Brown, Chula Vista resident ▪ Tama Becker Varano, Chula Vista resident Page 3 | Human Relations Commission Minutes January 28, 2021 ▪ David Harris, Chula Vista resident ▪ Lois Klepin, Chula Vista resident ▪ Harriet Baber, Chula Vista resident ▪ Nan Kar, Chula Vista resident ▪ Pedros Rios, Chula Vista resident ▪ Nick Paul, Chula Vista resident ACTION: Commissioner Medina moved to create an Ad Hoc subcommittee to review and make suggestions to the Police Department’s automatic license plate reader report. Chair Martinez-Montes and Commissioners Medina, Felix and Godinez agreed to join the Ad Hoc subcommittee. Commissioner Felix seconded the motion, and it carried, by the following roll call vote: Yes: 9 – Commissioners Baber, Felix, Godinez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner, Vice Chair Branch and Chair Martinez-Montes Absent: 1 – Commissioner Gutierrez 3. REQUEST FROM LIBRARY STAFF FOR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION IN BOOK TO ACTION PROGRAM AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SAME Senior Librarian Ysla and Librarian II Cabrera gave a presentation on the item. Chair Martinez-Montes and called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that no electronic comments had been received and no comments had been received via email. ACTION: Chair Martinez-Montes moved to support the effort and work in partnership with the library on Book to Action. Commissioner Godinez seconded the motion, and it carried, by the following roll call vote: Yes: 9 – Commissioners Baber, Felix, Godinez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner, Vice Chair Branch and Chair Martinez-Montes Absent: 1 – Commissioner Gutierrez 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021 Chair Martinez-Montes called to postpone this item until the next meeting on February 25, 2021. 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT AT COUNCIL MEETINGS Page 4 | Human Relations Commission Minutes January 28, 2021 Chair Martinez-Montes called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 5 electronic comments had been received and no comments had been received via email. The following members of the public submitted electronic comments regarding Item 5, asking for voice comments during Council Meetings: ▪ Jerilyn Brown, Chula Vista resident ▪ Tama Becker Varano, Chula Vista resident ▪ Brenda Aguirre, Chula Vista resident ▪ Pedro Rios, Chula Vista resident ▪ Margaret Baker, Chula Vista resident ACTION: Vice Chair Branch moved to adopt a minutes resolution urging the City Council to implement as soon as possible a system that allows for oral communications at City Council meetings with consideration of all available options. Commissioner Lake seconded the motion, and it carried, by the following roll call vote: Yes: 9 – Commissioners Baber, Felix, Godinez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner, Vice Chair Branch and Chair Martinez-Montes Absent: 1 – Commissioner Gutierrez 6. DISCUSSION AND ACTION, INCLUDING UPDATES FROM, AND/OR FORMATION OF, AD HOC COMMITTEES, ON EVENTS/ACTIVITIES FOR HRC PARTICIPATION Chair Martinez-Montes called to postpone this item until the next meeting on February 25, 2021. OTHER BUSINESS 7. STAFF COMMENTS Director of Human Resources Chase thanked the commission for letting her share her story about Kevin Powell and how license plate readers helped authorities locate the suspect in his death. She also shared that vaccines for the 65 and over age group, as well as eligible professionals, will be given out at the County as early as January 30, 2021. 8. CHAIR’S COMMENTS Chair Martinez-Montes stated that the year 2020 was a difficult year and the start of 2021 has proven to be just as difficult but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. She also stated that she’d like to spend time at the next meeting to create a plan of engagement to be in the community as much as possible. 9. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Lake thanked staff for staying so late and acknowledged Courtney’s comments about the loss of Kevin Powell. Page 5 | Human Relations Commission Minutes January 28, 2021 ADJOURNMENT At 9:34 p.m., Chair Martinez-Montes adjourned the meeting to the next Regular Meeting on February 25, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via teleconference. ____________________________________ Janelle Palermo, Secretary Approved 4/22/2021