HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2020 HRC Agenda Packet
City of San Luis Obispo, Council Agenda, City Hall, 99 0 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Agenda
Human Relations Commission
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Based on the threat of COVID-19 as reflected in the Proclamations of Emergency issued by both the
Governor of the State of California, the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Director and the
City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as well as the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued
on March 17, 2020, relating to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19
pandemic, the City of San Luis Obispo will be holding all public meetings via teleconference.
There will be no physical location for the Public to view the meeting. Below are instructions on
how to view the meeting remotely and how to leave public comment.
Additionally, members of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) are allowed to attend the meeting
via teleconference and participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they were present.
Using the most rapid means of communication available at this time, members of the public are
encouraged to participate in HRC meetings in the following ways:
1. Remote Viewing - Members of the public who wish to watch the meeting can view:
• View the Webinar
➢ Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/612399799215848718
➢ Webinar ID: 160-252-683
➢ Telephone Attendee: (562) 247-8422; Audio Access Code: 150-719-431
2. Public Comment - The HRC will still be accepting public comment for items within their purview.
Public comment can be submitted in the following ways:
• Mail or Email Public Comment
➢ Received by 3:00 PM on the day of meeting - Can be submitted via email to
advisorybodies@slocity.org or U.S. Mail to City Clerk at: 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo,
CA 93401
➢ Emails sent after 3:00 PM – Can be submitted via email to advisorybodies@slocity.org
and will be archived/distributed to members of the Advisory Body the day after the
meeting. Emails will not be read aloud during the meeting
• Verbal Public Comment
➢ Received by 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting - Call (805) 781-7164; state and spell
your name, the agenda item number you are calling about and leave your comment. The
verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. All voicemails will be forwarded to
Advisory Body Members and saved as Agenda Correspondence. Voicemails will not be
played during the meeting.
➢ During the meeting – Members of the public who wish to provide public comment can
join the webinar (instructions above). Once you have joined the webinar, please put your
name and Item # in the questions box. Your mic will be unmuted once Public Comment is
called for the Item and you will have 3 minutes to speak.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED WILL BE SAVED AS PART OF
THE PUBLIC RECORD FOR THE MEETING.
City of San Luis Obispo, Council Agenda, City Hall, 99 0 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Agenda
Human Relations Commission
5:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
TELECONFERENCE
Broadcasted via Webinar
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Renoda Campbell
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Angie Kasprzak, Jeannette Richardson, Emily Rosten,
Megan Souza, Vice Chair Abe Lincoln, and Chair Renoda Campbell
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: At this time, the general public is invited to speak before the
Human Relations Commission on any subject within the jurisdiction of the Human Relations
Commission that does not appear on this agenda. Although the Commission will not take action
on any item presented during the Public Comment Period, the Chair may direct staff to place an
item on a future agenda for formal discussion.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission of September 2, 2020.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 2020 Community Needs Workshop (Vereschagin)
Recommendation: This is a public hearing to solicit public comments on current community
health and human services needs in the City of San Luis Obispo. City staff will describe
upcoming grant programs, explain how to apply for grant funding, provide an overview of
eligible activities, and describe how activities are selected to receive Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Grants-in-Aid (GIA) funding through the City of San
Luis Obispo.
3. 2021-22 Funding Priorities (Vereschagin)
Recommendation: This is a public hearing to solicit public comments to develop funding
priorities for the upcoming CDBG and GIA grant programs.
Human Relations Commission Agenda of October 7, 2020 Page 3
BUSINESS ITEMS
4. Potential Strategic Thinking Session(s) for Future Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Grant Program Implementation (Campbell/Magee)
Recommendation: Discuss holding a strategic planning session to coordinate future DEI Grant
Program Implementation.
STAFF & COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATIONS
5. Staff Updates
6. Commissioner Updates
ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Human Relations Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November
4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., via teleconference.
APPEALS: Administrative decisions by the Human Relations Commission may be appealed to
the City Council in accordance with the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 1.20 of the San
Luis Obispo Municipal Code.
The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the
public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats
to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or
accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s
Office at (805) 781-7100 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications
Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7410.
Agenda related writings or documents provided to the City Council are available for public
inspection in the Community Development Department located at 919 Palm Street. San Luis
Obispo, California during normal business hours, and on the City’s website:
http://www.slocity.org/government/advisory-bodies
Meeting audio recordings can be found at the following web address:
http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?startid=26772&row=1&dbid=1
Draft Minutes
Human Relations Commission
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Special Meeting of the Human Relations Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was called to order on
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 5:00 a.m. via teleconference, San Luis Obispo, California, by
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin.
OATH OF OFFICE
Deputy City Clerk Wilbanks administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Human Relations
Commission, Angie Kasprzak.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Renoda Campbell, Angie Kasprzak, Abe Lincoln, Emily Rosten,
Megan Souza
Absent: Commissioner Jeannette Richardson
Staff: Cara Vereschagin, Housing Coordinator; Megan Wilbanks, Deputy City Clerk
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LINCOLN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
ROSTEN, 5-0-1 (Commissioner Richardson absent) to elect Renoda Campbell as Chair.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSTEN, SECOND BY CHAIR CAMPBELL,
5-0-1 (Commissioner Rosten absent) to elect Abe Lincoln as Vice-Chair.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
--End of Public Comment--
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle
Minutes
Human Relations Commission Meeting of September 2, 2020
Page 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Human Relations Commission Special Meeting of
September 2, 2020.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SOUZA, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR
LINCOLN, 5-0-1 (Commissioner Richardson absent) to approve the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of the Human Relations Commission of September 2, 2020.
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Assign 2020-21 Grants-in-Aids (GIA) Commissioner Liaisons
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin discussed the roles and responsibilities of the liaison to GIA
recipients. Commissioners discussed organizations that they were interested in liaising with
and all Commissioners agreed on new liaison assignments.
Public Comments
None
--End of Public Comment--
3. 2020 Grant Timelines
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin presented the draft grant timeline and discussed next steps for
2021-22 Community Development Block Grant and Grants-in-Aid programs.
Public Comments
None
--End of Public Comment--
4. Community Needs Workshop Details
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin discussed logistics for the annual Community Needs Workshop
to be held on October 7, 2020. The Commission discussed the outreach flyer design and potential to
have it available in Spanish.
Public Comments
None
--End of Public Comment--
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle
Minutes
Human Relations Commission Meeting of September 2, 2020
Page 3
STAFF & COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
5. Staff Updates
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin announced the City Council’s approval of the Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and future, ongoing coordination with HRC.
She also announced the Council provided feedback on the Housing Element Update and
encouraged the HRC to review the draft document online. Lastly, she talked about tenant and
landlord protection legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and relayed that the
5Cities Homeless Coalition was available to help community members with more information
and resources.
6. Commissioner Updates
Recently appointed Commissioner Kasprzak shared some information about herself and
background. The HRC welcomed her to the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., via
teleconference.
APPROVED BY THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2020
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report Meeting Date: October 7, 2020
Item Number: 2
DATE: October 7, 2020
FROM: Cara Vereschagin, Housing Coordinator
SUBJECT: Community Needs Workshop for 2021-22 Grant Programs
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a public hearing to solicit public comments on current community health and human
services needs in the City of San Luis Obispo.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Community Needs Workshop is hosted annually, to inform the public about upcoming grant
programs and funding amounts, as well as to solicit public comments on current community health
and human services needs within the City. The Human Relations Commission (HRC) then
develops funding priorities for the various programs, based on the feedback from the public and
HRC goals. The HRC then reviews all the grant applications in light of those funding priorities.
This funding cycle, the City has Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Grants-in-
Aid (GIA) funds.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Overview
The CDBG program is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD). The County of San Luis Obispo manages this grant and the funding
decisions must be approved by the Board of Supervisors in the County’s annual Action Plan. The
funding is non-competitive, however all projects that are recommended for funding must directly
or indirectly benefit low-income persons. According to the Notice of Funding Availability
released by the County on September 1, it is estimated that the City has about ~$513,086 available
for new projects:
San Luis Obispo County Community Development Grants Notice of Funding Availability, 2020
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle
Community Needs Workshop for 2021-22 Grant Programs
Page 2
Grants-in-Aid (GIA) Program Overview
The City’s GIA program serves to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that
promote the economic and social well-being of the citizens of San Luis Obispo. Programs
requesting funding must be tied explicitly to at least one established funding priority and must be
consistent with the Purpose statement outlined in HRC bylawsi. The City has an estimated
~$150,000 available for grant awards.
NEXT STEPS
After the Community Needs Workshop, the HRC will develop funding priorities for the CDBG
and GIA grants, which will be forwarded on to the City Council for consideration. The HRC will
then review the various grant applications and make funding recommendations in light of the
priorities. Applications for CDBG grants are due on October 23, 2020 to the County of San Luis
Obispo, and applications for the GIA grants will become available on December 1, 2020.
ATTACHMENT
A – 2020 Community Needs Workshop Flyer
i It is the purpose of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to advise the Council in its actions to create an
environment within the City in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or physical, mental or economic status. The Human Relations Commission
shall make recommendations to the City Council or the City Manager on how these social concerns and human needs
can best be addressed.
OR
by clicking the message
cloud icon to the right
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report Meeting Date: October 7, 2020
Item Number: 3
DATE: October 7, 2020
FROM: Cara Vereschagin, Housing Coordinator
SUBJECT: Development of 2021-22 Grant Funding Priorities
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a public hearing to solicit public comments to develop funding priorities for the upcoming
CDBG and GIA grant programs.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Grants-in-Aid (GIA)
review method provides the public with opportunities to provide early input in the grant award
process. Establishing funding priorities is the second step in the procedure, which helps to ensure
an open, inclusive, and fair grant application process. The role of the Human Relations
Commission (HRC) is to solicit public comments in order to create these funding priorities, of
which will be used to develop future grant funding recommendations.
Previously Adopted CDBG and GIA Funding Priorities
After hearing and reviewing public testimony over the past several grant cycles, the HRC has
upheld the recommended funding priorities for both the CDBG and GIA programs. The previous
funding cycle for the 2020-21 program year was no exception, including ranked priorities for the
CDBG program, and one identified area of importance with other remaining, non-ranked
objectives for the GIA program:
Community Development Block Grant (ranked):
1. Provide emergency and transitional shelter, homelessness prevention and services
2. Develop and enhance affordable housing for low and very-low income persons
3. Promote accessibility and/or removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and elderly
4. Enhance economic development (to include seismic retrofit, economic stability, low and
moderate income jobs)
Grants-in-Aid:
Main Priority: Homeless prevention, including affordable and alternative housing, supportive
services and transitional housing
Other Priorities:
• Hunger and malnutrition prevention
• Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle
Community Needs Workshop for 2021-22 Grant Programs
Page 2
• Services for seniors and/or people with disabilities in need
• Supportive and developmental services for children and youth in need
The HRC is not obligated to keep the previously adopted priorities, and should consider public
testimony received during the Community Needs Workshop, when developing priorities for the
2021-22 program cycle.
NEXT STEPS
Once the HRC develops funding priorities for the CDBG and GIA grants, they will be forwarded
on to the City Council for affirmation or revision. The HRC will then review the various grant
applications and make funding recommendations in light of the priorities. These priorities will also
guide Council’s final funding decisions, when they consider CDBG funding recommendations in
February 2021, and GIA recommendations in Summer 2021.