HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-2017 HRC Minutes
Minutes
Human Relations Commission
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Special Meeting of the Human Relations Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was called to order
on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Vice Chair Clayton.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair Robert Clayton, Commissioners Paul Orton, Julia Jones, Carol
Sexton, Nancy Welts
Absent: Chair Michelle Tasseff, Commissioner Gene Strohl
Staff
Present: Katie Lichtig, City Manager; Michael Codron, Community Development
Director; Christine Dietrick, City Attorney; Jenny Wiseman , Acting Housing
Programs Manager; Steven Orozco, Planning Technician.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. FREE EXPRESSION WORKSHOP
Community Development Director Michael Codron gave a brief introduction about the
purpose of the free expression workshop. He provided Cal Poly`s role at the workshop
and how they would like to reach out to students and members of the community about
issues that may come up and affect the community regarding the guest speaker at Cal
Poly.
Kathleen McMahon Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students for
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Dawn Theodora Office of General Counsel for Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo both gave a presentation on the topic of free expression and the first
amendment.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Vice Chair Clayton opened the public comment for the public hearing.
Linda Manson, is a resident of San Luis Obispo and professor at Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo. Miss Manson is concerned about the speaker coming to Cal Poly.
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle
Human Relations Commission Minutes of January 24, 2017 Page 2
Haley Pin, is a resident of Atascadero and is concerned about hate speech being
welcomed at Cal Poly. Miss Pin believes Cal Poly is not operating in the best interest of
the students.
Carol Como, is a resident of Los Osos and is a retired teacher with S an Luis Coastal
Unified School District. Miss Como is horrified that the Cal Poly is allowing students to
be subjected to Milo Yiannopoulos.
Christine Miery, is a resident of Morro Bay and is concerned about the event and the
protestors. Miss Miery is concerned about the City`s role in this event and does not agree
that the City should provide assistance for this event.
Ellen Sturts, is a resident of Los Osos and is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance
of the Central Coast. Miss Sturts believes Milo Yiannopoulos should not be invited to Cal
Poly because his speech would be causing harm to students.
There being no others desiring to speak on this item, the public comment was closed.
COMMISSIONER AND STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Carol Sexton does recommend Cal Poly`s approach to wait and see what
Milo Yiannopoulos does and then they’ll intervene.
Commissioner Julia Jones is concerned about harassment occurring during this event
and agrees with Commissioner Sexton`s statement.
Commissioner Welts is not advocating for this event but does agree that the Cal Poly
has taken the steps necessary to set up this event. Commissioner Welts is concer ned
on how the City of San Luis Obispo will handle a crowd spilling into the nearby
neighborhoods.
Police Chief Deanna Cantrell mentions that the Police Department has been preparing
for the speaker event for over a month. They are prepared for a riot or crowd spilling over
into the nearby neighborhoods near Cal poly.
City Manager Katie Lichtig states that the City has been working with Cal Poly on this
event to provide support for the community and members of Cal Poly. City Manager
Lichtig also thanks Cal Poly for providing the City and the community with valuable
information regarding the event.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Vice Chair Clayton adjourned the meeting at 6:20 pm. to
the next regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday February 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the
Council Hearing Room at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.