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Home My WebLink About2021-03-25 HRC Minutes Page 1 | Human Relations Commission Minutes March 25, 2021 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA March 25, 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 6:02 p.m. via teleconference. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Baber, Felix, Godinez, Gutierrez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner and Vice Chair Branch ABSENT: Chair Martinez-Montes ALSO PRESENT: Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Chase, Human Resources Manager Tomlinson, Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger, City Attorney Googins, Secretary Gonzalez, and Secretary Palermo CONSENT CALENDAR Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments on items on the consent calendar. Secretary Palermo announced that 3 electronic comments had been received and no comments had been received via email. Part of item 1, approve the minutes of October 22, 2020 and January 28, 2021, was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of the Commissioners. 1. Approve the minutes of the February 25, 2021 Joint Special meeting of the Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Board and Human Relations Commission Staff recommendation: Commission approve the minutes. 2. Request Forms from Commissioners Baber and Felix requesting an excused absence from the February 25, 2021 meeting Page 2 | Human Relations Commission Minutes March 25, 2021 Staff recommendation: Commission vote to excuse absences. ACTION: Commissioner Gutierrez moved to approve the minutes of October 22, 2020 and January 28, 2021 in addition to excusing Commissioners Baber and Felix’ absence from the March 25, 2021 commission meeting. Commissioner Branch seconded the motion, and it carried, by the following roll call vote: Yes: 9 – Commissioner Baber, Felix, Godinez, Gutierrez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner and Vice Chair Branch No: 0 Abstain: 0 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR Part of item 1, approve the minutes of October 22, 2020 and January 28, 2021, was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of the Commissioners. ACTION: Commissioner Gutierrez moved to remove the approval of the minutes of the October 22, 2020 and January 28, 2021 Human Relations Commission from the consent calendar. Commissioner Branch seconded the motion, and it carried, by the following roll call vote: Yes: 9 – Commissioner Baber, Felix, Godinez, Gutierrez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner and Vice Chair Branch No: 0 Abstain: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic public comments. Secretary Palermo announced that 3 electronic comments had been received and 0 comments had been received via email. The following public comments were submitted electronically: • Grace Sardina submitted a comment regarding the storage of the Christopher Columbus statue. • Becky Thimm submitted a comment in opposition of Police Department’s automated license plate readers. • Maria Mora submitted a comment in opposition of Police Department’s automated license plate readers. Page 3 | Human Relations Commission Minutes March 25, 2021 PRESENTATION 3. REDISTRICTING UPDATE Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger presented on the item. Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 0 electronic comments had been received and 0 comments had been received via email. 4. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE REGARDING LICENSE PLATE READER PROGRAM Commissioner Medina presented on the status of the Ad Hoc Committee’s content suggestions for the Police Department’s automated license plate reader report. He also expressed concerns about the April 7, 2021 Police Department automated license plate reader community forum. Specifically, concerned about community accessibility issues: only one workshop, 4:00 p.m. start time, format, language access. Commissioner Felix agreed with Commissioner Medina’s concerns with accessibility. Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger outlined how the Police Department automated license plate reader community forum will be run and addressed how accessibility issues can be mitigated. She also indicated they were looking at all opportunities for input at the listening forum. There was additional discussion on ways for the Commission to provide further feedback after the Police Department automated license plate reader community forum. Vice Chair Branch 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 1 comment had been received via email. The following members of the public submitted electronic comments in opposition of the Chula Vista Police Department’s license plate reader program: ▪ Margaret A. Baker ▪ Kathy Hardy ▪ Jerilyn Brown ▪ Brenda Aguirre ▪ Patricia Huffman ▪ Norell Martinez ▪ Pedro Rios ▪ Monica Santos ▪ Denise Harder ▪ Nancy Relaford ▪ Margaret Baker Page 4 | Human Relations Commission Minutes March 25, 2021 ▪ Tania Calvillo ▪ John Earl 5. COVID-19 UPDATE Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger presented on the item. There was a discussion about the San Diego County being in the red tier, how to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, and how the City of Chula Vista is reaching its older residents with vaccination information. Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 0 electronic comments had been received and 0 comments had been received via email. ACTION ITEMS 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger reported that the Mayor made a statement in support of the Asian Pacific Islander community and the Mayor and Council had a moment of silence at the Council Meeting to remember the lives that were lost. Commissioner Medina asked that the Human Relations Commission continue to speak in solidarity on violence related to racial injustice and the LGBTQ immigrant community. Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 0 electronic comments had been received and 0 comments had been received via email. ACTION: Commissioner Medina moved to create a subcommittee to either draft a resolution to submit to City Council or work with the Mayor’s Office to draft a resolution to submit to City Council in support of the Asian Pacific Islander Community. Commissioners Medina, Kean-Ayub, Lake and Gutierrez volunteered to form the subcommittee. Commissioner Godinez seconded the motion, and it carried, by the following roll call vote: Yes: 9 – Commissioner Baber, Felix, Godinez, Gutierrez, Kean-Ayub, Lake, Medina, Ratner and Vice Chair Branch No: 0 Abstain: 0 Page 5 | Human Relations Commission Minutes March 25, 2021 7. COMMISSION DISCUSSION REGARDING DATA AND INFORMATION GATHERING AND SHARING WITHIN THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Commissioner Medina presented regarding the scope of the Human Relations Commission’s work regarding data sharing and surveillance. He asked for the commission’s recommendation to guide the City in relation to data sharing and surveillance. He expressed that the City needs an oversight committee to review data sharing and surveillance. Commissioner Gutierrez stated that he believes it is not the Human Relations Commission’s responsibility to monitor data sharing and surveillance but it is the Human Relations Commission’s responsibility to monitor the community’s reaction to these two topics. Commissioner Godinez stated that he liked the idea to have an oversight committee. Commissioner Felix commented that sharing data with federal immigration agencies is not in congruence with Chula Vista’s Welcoming City status. Vice Chair Branch stated her concern for privacy. Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 0 electronic comments had been received and 0 comments had been received via email. 8. AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021 Vice Chair Branch called to postpone this item until the next meeting on April 22, 2021. 9. DISCUSSION AND ACTION, INCLUDING UPDATES FROM, AND/OR FORMATION OF AD HOC COMMITTIES ON EVENTS/ACTIVITIES FOR HRC PARTICIPATION Commissioner Kean-Ayub updated the Commission that South Bay Pride will be celebrated on September 11, 2021 Marketing and Communications Manager Steinberger reminded the Commission that there will be no large City events in the upcoming months. The Harbor Fest and July 4th events will not be taking place this year due to COVID-19 concerns. Vice Chair Branch called for a two-minute pause to allow members of the public to submit electronic comments on the item. Secretary Palermo announced that 0 electronic comments had been received and 0 comments had been received via email. Page 6 | Human Relations Commission Minutes March 25, 2021 OTHER BUSINESS 10. STAFF COMMENTS Director of Human Resources and Risk Manager Chase stated that in-person City Council meeting comments will be possible in the coming few weeks. She also stated that an item regarding the Columbus statue will be placed on the City Council agenda in May. 11. CHAIR’S COMMENTS None. 12. COMMISSIONERS’/BOARD MEMBERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Lake stated that she received her Book to Action book. Commissioner Medina and Commissioner Lake cosponsored the Impacts of Racial Trauma on Youth webinar and stated that it was informative. Commissioner Felix thanked City staff for spreading the word about the COVID-19 vaccine. Commissioner Medina and Commissioner Kean-Ayub asked that a discussion regarding the Columbus statue be added to the agenda at the next Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT At 8:06 p.m. Vice Chair Branch adjourned the meeting to the next Regular Meeting on April 22, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via teleconference. ____________________________________ Janelle Palermo, Secretary Approved 4/22/2021