HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-2022 HRC Agenda Packet
Human Relations Commission
AGENDA
Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
The City of San Luis Obispo has returned to in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not be
supported. For those attending in-person, City facilities will be at limited capacity and masks are
strongly recommended.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public Comment prior to the meeting (must be received 3 hours in advance of the meeting):
Mail - Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Address letters to the City Clerk's Office at 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, 93401.
Email - Submit Public Comments via email to advisorybodies@slocity.org. In the body of your
email, please include the date of the meeting and the item number (if applicable). Emails will not
be read aloud during the meeting.
Voicemail - Call (805) 781-7164 and leave a voicemail. Please state and spell your name, the
agenda item number you are calling about, and leave your comment. Verbal comments must be
limited to 3 minutes. Voicemails will not be played during the meeting.
*All correspondence will be archived and distributed to members, however, submissions received
after the deadline will not be processed until the following day.
Public Comment during the meeting:
Meetings have returned to an in-person format. To provide public comment during the meeting,
you must be present at the meeting location.
Electronic Visual Aid Presentation. To conform with the City's Network Access and Use Policy,
Chapter 1.3.8 of the Council Policies & Procedures Manual, members of the public who desire
to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentation are encouraged to provide
display-ready material to the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Contact the
City Clerk's Office at cityclerk@slocity.org or (805) 781-7114.
Pages
1.CALL TO ORDER
Chair Colyer-Worth will call the Regular Meeting of the Human Relations
Commission to order.
2.PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The public is encouraged to submit comments 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 items presented during
the Public Comment Period, the Chair may direct staff to place an item on a
future agenda for discussion.
3.CONSENT
Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be non-
controversial and will be acted upon at one time. A member of the public may
request the Human Relations Commission to pull an item for discussion. The
public may comment on any and all items on the Consent Agenda within the
three-minute time limit.
3.a.CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 5, 2022 HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
5
Recommendation:
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of October 5,
2022.
4.BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a.2023-25 HRC GOAL SETTING AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
DISCUSSION
13
Recommendation:
Approve the recommended 2023-25 HRC Goals established in
alignment with previous Commission visioning workshops and funding
priorities.
4.b.HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION BYLAW AMENDMENT TO
ADJUST RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR COMMISSIONERS
19
Recommendation:
Consider amending the Human Relations Commission Bylaws to allow
for up to two Commissioner positions to be exempt from the current
residency requirement.
5.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a.STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Receive a brief update from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Beya Makekau.
6.ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for
December 7, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm
Street, San Luis Obispo.
LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES are available -- see the Clerk
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) 781-7114 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 Human Relations
Commission are available for public inspection on the City’s website, under the
Public Meeting Agendas web page: https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-
and-city-council/agendas-and-minutes. Meeting audio recordings can be found
on the City’s website:
http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=60981&dbid=0&repo=CityCl
erk
Page 4 of 21
1
Human Relations Commission Minutes
October 5, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Human Relations
Commissioners
Present:
Commissioner Catuih Campos, Commissioner Stephanie
Carlotti, Commissioner Jesse Grothaus, Commissioner Megan
Souza, Commissioner Taryn Warrecker, Vice Chair Angie
Kasprzak, Chair Dusty Colyer-Worth
City Staff Present: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Beya Makekau, Deputy
City Manager Greg Hermann
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was
called to order on October 5, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Colyer-Worth.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
Motion By Commissioner Carlotti
Second By Commissioner Warrecker
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of September 7,
2022.
Ayes (7): Commissioner Campos, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner
Grothaus, Commissioner Souza, Commissioner Warrecker, Vice Chair
Kasprzak, and Chair Colyer-Worth
CARRIED (7 to 0)
Page 5 of 21
2
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a APPROVAL OF THE DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT FUNDING RECOMMENDATION
Chair Colyer-Worth declared a conflict with recommending funding
to the GALA organization due to his role as Executive Director of
GALA and recused himself from deliberation and voting on that
application.
Commissioner Campos declared a conflict with recommending
funding to the THMA organization due to her role as a paid employee
of the organization and recused herself from deliberation and voting
on that application.
Commissioner Carlotti declared a conflict with recommending
funding to the THMA organization due to her role a paid employee of
the organization and recused herself from deliberation and voting on
that application.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Beya Makekau provided the staff
report and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comments:
Serrin Ruggles, GALA Center
Courtney Haile, RACE Matters
Sister Theresa Harpin, Restorative Partners
--End of Public Comment--
Motion By Commissioner Campos
Second By Commissioner Souza
1. Receive the initial DEI Grant funding recommendations from the HRC
Grant Subcommittee; and
2. Provide the following DEI Grant funding recommendations to the City
Council for approval:
Organization Program Initial
Recommendation
Final
Recommendation
Asian American &
Pacific Islanders of
SLO
AAPI SLO Festival,
documentary screening
and a hate incident
reporting program.
$ 9,000.00 $ 9,000.00
Page 6 of 21
3
Boys & Girls Club
Youth for Unity:
Curriculum based
program with focus on
advocacy, social
responsibility, and
inclusion for low-income
youth.
$ 10,000.00 $ 10,000.00
Organization Program Initial
Recommendation
Final
Recommendation
CASA
DEI training for board,
and recruitment initiatives
that center the Latinx
Community.
$ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00
Central Coast
Coalition for
Undocumented
Student Success
Undocu Student and
Community summit, a
revised funded steering
committee program, and
strategic visioning
process.
$ 24,900.00 $ 24,900.00
City Farm SLO
Capital project to create
critical infrastructure to
increase universal
accessibility at City Farm
SLO for youth with
disabilities.
$ 20,000.00 $ 20,000.00
Diversity Coalition
School Speaker program,
Fostering Understanding
speaker program, and
DEI training for
community.
$ 17,500.00 $ 17,500.00
Downtown SLO
Picture Yourself in SLO:
Banner Program featuring
diverse community
members and DEI street
activations and farmer’s
market.
$ 11,400.00 $ 11,400.00
GALA Pride &
Diversity
Increased intersectional
curriculum offered to
community stakeholders.
$ 23,500.00 $ 23,500.00
Hospice of SLO
County
DEI training for hospice
volunteers and outreach
initiatives to connect
marginalized populations
to free service programs
in hospice.
$ 10,000.00 $ 6,795.00
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4
Independent Living
Resource Center,
INC
Training program for local
business on best
practices for accessible
space, disability
communication, and
cultural competency.
$ 7,668.00 $ 7,668.00
Leadership SLO
Inclusivity mentors’
program, enhanced DEI
curriculum, and BIPOC
leadership SLO feasibility
assessment.
$ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00
Organization Program Initial
Recommendation
Final
Recommendation
RACE Matters SLO
County
Salon space for stylist
specializing in Black hair
care and cultural space
for belonging events for
the community.
$ 30,000.00 $ 40,000.00
Restorative Partners
Increase number of
restorative conferences
offered from 2 to 10.
$ 18,525.00 $ 18,525.00
Richard Poncho
Gonzalez Youth
Foundation
After school tennis
program serving primarily
BIPOC and Latinx youth.
$ 10,627.00 $ 8,212.00
San Luis Coastal
Education Foundation
Pilot college prep program
to serve 50 first
generation students.
$ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00
San Luis Obispo
Hillel
Jews of Color Speaker
program. Funds used to
bring diverse speaker to
community event.
$ 10,000.00 $ 10,000.00
San Luis Obispo
International Film
Festival
Free short film program
highlighting BIPOC
filmmakers.
$ 6,900.00 $ 6,900.00
SLO County
UndocuSupport
Direct Aid program for
local immigrant families. $ 20,380.00 $ 16,000.00
SLO Noor Foundation
Increase outreach
initiatives and service for
BIPOC and LGBTQ
communities.
$ 13,050.00 $ 13,050.00
SLOMA
Land acknowledgement,
translation services,
collaboration events, and
exhibit activations.
$ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00
Transitions Mental
Health Association
Increase access to mental
health services for
Spanish-speaking and
monolingual Spanish-
speaking adults living with
a mental illness.
$ 27,550.00 $ 27,550.00
Page 8 of 21
5
Ayes (4): Commissioner Grothaus, Commissioner Souza, Commissioner
Warrecker, and Vice Chair Kasprzak
Recused (3): Chair Colyer-Worth (recused from GALA Pride & Diversity),
Commissioner Campos and Commissioner Carlotti (recused from
Transitions Mental Health Association)
CARRIED (4 to 0)
4.b 2022 COMMUNITY GRANT WORKSHOP
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Beya Makekau provided the staff
report and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comment:
Jenny Luciano, Big Brothers Big Sisters
--End of Public Comment--
By consensus, the Human Relations Commission received public
comments on current community human services needs in the City of San
Luis Obispo.
4.c APPROVAL OF THE FY 2022-2023 HRC FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR
THE HUMAN SERVICES GRANT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Beya Makekau provided the staff
report and responded to Commissioner inquiries.
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Motion By Commissioner Warrecker
Second By Commissioner Campos
Approve the FY 2022-23 HRC Funding Priorities for the Human Services
Grants, formally known as Grants in Aid, and the Community Development
Block Grant Program, with the following adjustments shown in red.
CDBG Funding Priorities (Ranked)
Previous Priorities
HRC Recommended Funding Priorities for
2023-24 Cycle
Page 9 of 21
6
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).
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 (to
include seismic retrofit, economic stability,
low- and moderate-income jobs).
4) Promote accessibility and/or removal of
architectural barriers for the disabled and
elderly.
Human Services Funding Priorities (Not Ranked)
Previous Priorities
HRC Recommended Funding Priorities for
2023-24 Cycle
Main Priority: Homeless prevention including
affordable and alternative housing, supportive
services, and transitional housing
Non-ranked Objectives:
Hunger and malnutrition prevention,
Supportive physical and mental health
services for those in need
Services for seniors, veterans and/or
people with disabilities in need
Supportive, developmental, and care
services for children and youth in need
Services encouraging diversity, equity,
and inclusivity in marginalized
communities including language access.
Main Priority: Homeless prevention including
affordable and alternative housing, supportive
services, and transitional housing
Non-ranked Objectives:
Hunger and malnutrition prevention,
Supportive physical and mental health
services for those in need
Services for seniors, veterans and/or
people with disabilities in need
Supportive, developmental, and care
services for children and youth in need
Services embedding diversity, equity, and
inclusion, including language access.
Ayes (7): Commissioner Campos, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner
Grothaus, Commissioner Souza, Commissioner Warrecker, Vice Chair
Kasprzak, and Chair Colyer-Worth
CARRIED (7 to 0)
5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Beya Makekau provided the
following update:
Page 10 of 21
7
The Groceries for Guns Buyback Program was very successful,
collecting approximately 250 unwanted guns and handing out
$15,000 in gift cards to local grocery stores.
The Office of DEI will collaborate with Cal Poly to host the first
Native & Indigenous Night Market will be held in Mission Plaza on
November 1, 2022. Approximately 28 indigenous vendors are
expected to participate in the market.
Staff throughout Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo
County participated in the first ever DEI Regional Equity
Symposium.
The Diversity Coalition’s Fostering Understanding Program will
invite John Laird to speak to their group on October 12, 2022 from
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The topic will be Trailblazing LGBTQ Politics.
Race Matters SLO will host their Stories Matter Program on
October 8, 2022 at Bang the Drum Brewery.
Lumina Alliance will host their Celebrate Community Fun Run on
October 15, 2022.
As directed by a majority of the HRC, discuss at a future meeting
amending the qualification criteria to remove the requirement that
all members must reside within the City of San Luis Obispo.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for November 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the
Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
_________________________
APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2022
Page 11 of 21
Page 12 of 21
Item 4a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 11/2/2022
Item Number: 4a
FROM: Beya Makekau, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: bmakekau@slocity.org
SUBJECT: 2023-25 FINANCIAL PLANNING GOAL DISCUSSION
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the recommended 2023-25 HRC Goals established in alignment with previous
Commission visioning workshops and funding priorities.
BACKGROUND
Every two years the City adopts a budget and financial plan. To prepare for the budget
process, all City departments and advisory bodies are asked to identify their goals and
major work programs for the next two years. T he City Council then uses this information,
along with public comment and other input to set community priorities and allocate
resources to accomplish the most important City goals. Advisory body members are
involved in the goal setting process to provide important input as representatives of the
community, with special expertise and experience working locally within their specific area
of representation. Below are some key points to consider as the City embarks on the goal
setting process:
1. The Council is seeking advisory body input focused on the purview of the advisory
body, but is also interested in input on other issues important to the community.
2. Advisory body input is highly valued by the Council and the staff.
3. Goals can include completing projects from a previous work program.
4. Identifying priorities implies recommending fewer rather than more goals to the
Council. The HRC should recommend only those activities that can reasonably be
accomplished in the two years of the financial plan.
2021-23 HRC Goals
The 2021-23 HRC goals were focused on three major areas: Housing, Homeless
Prevention, and Diversity and Inclusivity. The full set of goals can be viewed in Attachment
A.
Page 13 of 21
Item 4a
Goal Setting Process for 2023-25
As the City begins the 2023-25 financial planning and budget cycle, the HRC has the
opportunity to review their current goals, update them as necessary, and identify any new
goals, programs and/or projects. At the meeting, staff will provide a brief presentation
introducing the budget process, advisory body role, and status of previous recommended
goals. Staff, advisory bodies, and Council members are now preparing for the next
Financial Plan cycle: 2023-25. During the past goal-setting sessions, the HRC has
generally followed the steps outlined below.
1. Review and understand the goal-setting and Financial Plan and Budget process.
2. Evaluate previous goals and determine which goals can be deleted or that no
longer reflect the aims of the HRC.
3. Determine which goals should be carried forward.
4. Identify new goals or programs for possible inclusion in the work program.
5. Prioritize the goals and programs, based on the HRC’s goals, community needs
and input, opportunities, or special or urgent conditions .
Current Priority Recommendations
The HRC has embarked in previous meetings in the revision and update of their purpose
statement and the approval of updated funding priorities for grant program. Throughout
these updates there was significant discussion about HRC focus and overall prioriti es
which directly aligns with the goal setting process. It is staff recommendation that the HRC
submit consider the following goals that were developed in alignment with previous goals
from 2021-23, the current HRC funding priorities, and the HRC’s updated purpose
statement.
1. Housing
Continue to implement the Housing Element, facilitate affordable, supportive, and
transitional housing options; promote creative land use and density opportunities,
and modify City fees and processes to increase housing production.
Tasks and funding priorities should focus on:
a. Promote smaller, efficiency units, and adjust development fees accordingly;
b. Continue to prioritize Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding for production and rehabilitation of affordable housing; and
c. Promote and ensure fair housing practices and policies within the City;
d. Explore and promote resources to assist with landlord & tenant issues;
e. Explore and promote activities to enhance community-building within
existing neighborhoods.
Page 14 of 21
Item 4a
2. Homeless Prevention and Advocacy
Continue to support and advocate for a long-term, proactive, sustainable programs
that addresses homelessness and focuses on transitioning children, families, and
individuals out of homelessness into permanent housing.
Tasks and funding priorities should focus on:
a. Increase the Grants-in-Aid Budget and General Fund support to allow
greater financial assistance to non-profits in the community who serve these
less fortunate;
b. Continue efforts to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable,
unhoused individuals
c. Continue to work with the City’s Police and Community Together (PACT)
team.
d. Work with the County of San Luis Obispo to expand mental health
resources and mobile crisis response.
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Identify and implement policies and procedures to encourage greater social and
economic diversity in the City.
Tasks and funding priorities should focus on:
a. Support the DEI High Impact Grant Program and continue to advocate for
advancements in City Programs that embed diversity, equity, and inclusion.
b. Explore partnerships with stakeholder groups, including but not limited to,
the Diversity Coalition of SLO County, RACE Matters, SLO PACT, and
various student groups to listen and learn about opportunities to increase
diversity and inclusion;
c. Increase commissioner community engagement and involvement to
educate and inform City residents about the role of the HRC; and
d. Promote the city’s diversity and inclusion efforts through a collaboration with
the City’s Office of DEI and internal marketing team.
e. Promote language access by translating/providing informational documents
in other languages to be available on City website;
f. Enhance public engagement and participation by increasing promotional
awareness campaigns for City engagement opportunities.
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Item 4a
NEXT STEPS
Advisory body goals are due by December 202 2. All advisory bodies will receive a
consolidated listing of all recommended advisory body goals, thus providing the
opportunity to review what other advisory bodies see as high community priorities. The
Council will receive the final report with all advisory body recommendations before they
begin the goal-setting process in February 2023.
ATTACHMENTS
A - 2021-23 HRC Goals
Page 16 of 21
2021-23 Goals
1. Housing
Continue to implement the Housing Element, facilitate affordable, supportive, and
transitional housing options; promote creative land use and density opportunities,
and modify City fees and processes to increase housing production.
Tasks and funding priorities should focus on:
a. Promote smaller, efficiency units, and adjust development fees accordingly;
b. Continue to prioritize Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding for production and rehabilitation of affordable housing; and
c. Promote and ensure fair housing practices and policies within the City;.
d. Explore and promote resources to assist with landlord & tenant issues;
e. Explore and promote activities to enhance community-building within
existing neighborhoods.
2. Homeless Prevention and Advocacy
Continue to support and advocate for a long-term, proactive, sustainable programs
that addresses homelessness and focuses on transitioning children, families, and
individuals out of homelessness into permanent housing.
Tasks and funding priorities should focus on:
a. Increase the Grants-in-Aid Budget and General Fund support to allow
greater financial assistance to non-profits in the community who serve these
less fortunate;
b. Continue efforts to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable,
unhoused individuals
c. Continue to work with the City’s Police and Community Together (PACT)
team, the County’s Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC), and
other local municipalities to address homelessness
3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
Identify and implement policies and procedures to encourage greater social and
economic diversity in the City.
Tasks and funding priorities should focus on:
Page 17 of 21
a. Review and make changes to the HRC’s Bylaws and other Advisory Body
Bylaws as necessary, to encourage diversity and inclusivity;
b. Support, protect, and ensure the implementation of the City’s “welcoming
city” declaration by promoting the sanctuary city desi gnation in multiple
languages on new/existing signage;
c. Explore partnerships with stakeholder groups, including but not limited to,
the Diversity Coalition of SLO County, RACE Matters, SLO PACT, and
various student groups to listen and learn about opportun ities to increase
diversity and inclusion;
d. Increase commissioner community engagement and involvement to
educate and inform City residents about the role of the HRC; and
e. Promote the city’s diversity and inclusion efforts through a collaboration with
the City’s Promotional Coordinating Committee and internal marketing
team.
f. Promote language access by translating/providing informational documents
in other languages to be available on City website;
g. Enhance public engagement and participation by increasing promotional
awareness campaigns for City volunteer opportunities.
Page 18 of 21
Item 4b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 11/2/2022
Item Number: 4b
FROM: Beya Makekau, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: bmakekau@slocity.org
SUBJECT: BYLAW REVISION TO ADJUST RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
Consider amending the Human Relations Commission Bylaws to allow for up to two
Commissioner positions to be exempt from the current residency requirement.
BACKGROUND
At the October 5, 2022 Human Relations Commission (HRC) meeting, the Commission
directed staff to add an item to a future agenda to discuss the HRC Bylaws and consider
revising the current residency requirement for commissioners.
On August 3, 2022, at the regularly scheduled HRC Meeting, the HRC voted unanimously
to update the HRC purpose statement to align with the City’s DEI Major City Goal and
articulate more explicitly commission priorities and efforts. This update is directly aligned
with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce recommendations, accepted by
Council in January 2021, that recommended the HRC be charged with embedding DEI
as a standing priority. Additionally, in June 2022, the HRC transitioned out of the
Community Development Department and into the City Administration and IT
Department, with staff support from the DEI Manager and Deputy City Manager. This
purpose statement revision also comes in response to ensuring that the HRC and the
Office of DEI are in alignment with clarity of roles and responsibilities.
The revised purpose statement can be reviewed below:
Previous Purpose Statement Revised Purpose Statement
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
It is the purpose of the Human Relations
Commission (HRC) to advise and make
recommendations to the City Council which
promote and advance inclusion, mutual
understanding, respect, and equitable
treatment to all members of the SLO City
community.
Page 19 of 21
Item 4b
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.
The HRC promotes and improves human
relations and equity by working with City
staff to:
provide a forum where marginalized
members of our community can
raise issues as it relates to the
Commissions focus areas, air
complaints, or look for resources
within the City.
encourage local non-profits to take
new and creative approaches to
solve the most prevalent human
service needs in our community.
build community partnerships.
ensure broad representation in
commission initiatives.
Accessibility and representation are key tenants of diversity, equity, and inclusion and
given the revised purpose statement of the HRC to “ensure broad representation in
commission initiatives” the HRC may consider revising the current residency requirement
to read:
“The HRC has seven members. 5 members must be residents and
registered voters of the City. Up to two members may be residents and
registered voters of San Luis Obispo County or Cal Poly campus to ensure
equitable and inclusive representation on the Commission in alignment with
the HRC purpose and City’s DEI goals.”
In addition, one of the DEI Task Force recommendations in their 2021 report was to
“increase access and inclusion to civic learning and leadership opportunities for BIPOC
(Black Indigenous People of Color) and LGBTQ+ communities ” to create equitable
pathways for diverse representation which could be supported by the revised residency
requirement.
Currently, the Mass Transportation Committee allows for two positions to be exempt from
the City residency requirement to ensure representation from a Cal Poly student and
faculty member to ensure representation from those communities. In addition, the City’s
recent DEI Task Force did not include a residency requirement for all task force members
noting the lack of racial diversity amongst City residents and the necessary insight of
diverse populations.
Page 20 of 21
Item 4b
It is expected that any appointed Commissioner who does not live in the City will have a
strong connection to the community through employment, involvement in community
groups, academic study or other means which may be evaluated through the interview
process by City Council liaisons and ultimately appointment by the City Council. Any
appointed Commissioner who does not live in the City would also need to be a resident
and registered voter of San Luis Obispo County or Cal Poly campus.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
The appointment of residents who do not live in the City is currently allowed on the Mass
Transportation Committee (2 seats) was allowed on the DEI Task Force (residency
requirement waived entirely).
NEXT STEPS
Following a Commissioner vote, a Resolution will be brought forward to City Council for
consideration at the November 15, 2022 Council Meeting.
Page 21 of 21