The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10-07-2020 HRC Minutes 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. City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle Minutes Human Relations Commission Meeting of October 7, 2020 Page 2 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: City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle Minutes Human Relations Commission Meeting of October 7, 2020 Page 3 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. City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subti tle Minutes Human Relations Commission Meeting of October 7, 2020 Page 4 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: 11/04/2020