HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4b. HRC Bylaw Amendment to Adjust Residency Requirement for Commissioners 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.
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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.
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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.
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