HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. 2023-25 HRC Goal Setting and Financial Plan Discussion 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.
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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.
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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
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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:
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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.
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