HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1 - 10-07-2020 HRC Draft Minutes
Draft Minutes
Human Relations Commission
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Regular 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, October 7, 2020 at 5:00 a.m. via teleconference by Chair Campbell.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Angie Kasprzak, Emily Rosten, Megan Souza, Vice Chair
Abe Lincoln, and Chair Renoda Campbell
Absent: Commissioner Jeannette Richardson
Staff & Guests: Cara Vereschagin, Housing Coordinator; Dale Magee, Catalyst Consulting
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
--End of Public Comment--
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting of
September 2, 2020.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROSTEN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
SOUZA, 5-0-1 (Commissioner Richardson absent) to approve the minutes of the Regular
Meeting of the Human Relations Commission of September 2, 2020.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 2020 Community Needs Workshop
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin presented an overview of the Community Development
Block Grant and Grants-in-Aid processes and timelines, which highlighted key dates for the
applicants. She also explained that the Workshop is intended to gather information from the
public, regarding health and human service needs in order to develop funding priorities for the
2021-22 grant cycle.
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City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle
Minutes
Human Relations Commission Meeting of October 7, 2020
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Chair Campbell opened the public hearing.
Public Comments
• Cassandra Wagner – had concerns about allowable expenses for GIA; requested the
HRC allow general operating support, rather than programmatic expenses
• Jenny Luciano (Big Brothers Big Sisters) – requested funding priorities to be broad to
align with new funding coming out of the COVID-19 emergency relief; requested the
HRC to keep the youth services priority
• Sandra Gresham (Stand Strong) – thanked the HRC for continual support;
communicated almost half of their clients have been children
• Monique Tiller (RISE SLO County) – concerned about staffing costs; requested the
HRC allow general operating support, rather than programmatic expenses
• Teresa Tardiff (CASA) – thanked the City for many years of support
--End of Public Comment—
Chair Campbell closed the public hearing.
No action was taken.
3. 2021-22 Funding Priorities
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin presented the previously adopted funding priorities for the CDBG
and GIA programs.
Chair Campbell opened the public hearing.
Public Comments
None
--End of Public Comment—
After hearing the public testimony, the Commission agreed that they should expand the GIA
program to support general staffing and operational expenses, in response to the COVID-19
pandemic. Housing Coordinator Vereschagin communicated that the expansion would be
better folded into the “criteria” section of the application. Commissioners also communicated
their desire to create a priority around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Overall, the public
testimony also solidified that their work has been heading in a positive direction.
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KASPRZAK, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR
LINCOLN, 5-0-1 (Commissioner Richardson absent) to uphold the funding priorities
identified for the Grants-in-Aid program for the previous, 2020-21 year, with the addition of
adding a priority to include “services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in
marginalized communities” as written below:
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Grants in Aid (GIA) 2021-22 Funding Priorities
Main Priority:
· Homeless prevention including affordable and alternative housing, supportive services,
and transitional housing
Other Priorities:
· Hunger and malnutrition support
· Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need
· Services for seniors and/ or people with disabilities in need
· Supportive and developmental services for children and youth in need
· Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in marginalized communities
ACTION: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SOUZA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
ROSTEN, 5-0-1 (Commissioner Richardson absent) to uphold the funding priorities identified
for the Community Development Block Grant program for the previous, 2020-21 year, with
the only edit to switch the ranked order previously identified Priorities #3 and #4, as listed
below:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2021-22 Funding Priorities
1. Provide emergency and transitional shelter, homelessness prevention and services.
2. Develop and enhance affordable housing for low and very-low income persons.
3. Enhance economic development (including seismic retrofit, economic stability, low and
moderate-income jobs)
4. Promote accessibility and/or removal of architectural barriers for the disabled and elderly.
BUSINESS ITEMS
4. Potential Strategic Thinking Session(s) for Future Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Grant Program Implementation
Chair Campbell opened up the discussion of holding a strategic planning/thinking session with the
HRC regarding the future implementation of City diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Dale
Magee, the City’s DEI Task Force facilitator, also spoke about the public’s expectation of ongoing
accountability for DEI coming down the pipeline. Ms. Magee also presented a preliminary scope for
the planning sessions.
Public Comments
None
--End of Public Comment—
ACTION: MOTION BY VICE CHAIR LINCOLN, SECOND BY CHAIR ROSTEN, 5-0-1
(Commissioner Richardson absent) to hold strategic thinking/planning session(s) regarding
the future implementation of City diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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STAFF & COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
5. Staff Updates
Housing Coordinator Vereschagin notified the Commission about an at-risk affordable housing
unit HASLO is working to preserve with 2019 CDBG funds.
6. Commissioner Updates
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Campbell adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., via
teleconference.
APPROVED BY THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2020
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