HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2025 HRC Agenda Packet
Human Relations Commission
AGENDA
Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
The Human Relations Commission holds in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not be
supported. Attendees of City Council or Advisory Body meetings are eligible to receive one hour of
complimentary parking; restrictions apply, visit Parking for Public Meetings for more details.
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 may not be processed until the following day.
Public Comment during the meeting:
Meetings are held in-person. 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 must 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 Kasprzak 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 - DECEMBER 4, 2024 HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
5
Recommendation:
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of December 4,
2024.
4.BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a SELECTION OF THE COMMISSIONER LIAISON ROLES FOR THE
2024-25 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT
11
Recommendation:
Commissioners will designate and approve their liaison assignment
roles for each of the grant recipients from the 2024-25 DEI High Impact
Grant program.
4.b STAFFING UPDATES IN THE OFFICE OF DEI 13
Recommendation:
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) to receive an update about
two staffing updates that have recently occurred in the Office of
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
4.c 2024-25 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WORKPLAN
DISCUSSION AND REVIEW
15
Recommendation:
Review, evaluate, and provide feedback to staff on the remainder of the
2024-25 Human Relations Commission (HRC) Workplan document.
5.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Receive a brief update from Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann and
DEI Admin Specialist, Samantha Vethavanam.
6.ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for
March 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room 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
1
Human Relations Commission Minutes
December 4, 2024, 5:03 p.m.
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Commissioners
Present:
Commissioners Vincent DeTurris, Sierra Smith, Vice Chair Catuih
Campos, Chair Angie Kasprzak
HRC Absent: Commissioners Mason Ambrosio, Stephanie Carlotti, Taryn Warrecker
City Staff Present: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua,
Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann, Deputy City Clerk Sara Armas,
Deputy City Clerk Kevin Christian
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was
called to order on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 5:03 p.m. in the Council
Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak.
Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann was introduced by DEI Manager Nestor Veloz-
Passalacqua after roll call. Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann informed the
Commissioners of the upcoming recruitment process for the DEI Manager position,
which is estimated to start early January.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 6, 2024, HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
Motion By Commissioner Smith
Second By Vice Chair Campos
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of November 6, 2024.
Ayes (4): Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Smith, Vice Chair Campos,
and Chair Kasprzak
Absent (3): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner Carlotti, and
Commissioner Warrecker
CARRIED (4 to 0)
Page 5 of 18
2
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a UPDATE TO THE CHONG’S HOMEMADE CANDY SIGN RESTORATION
PROJECT
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua provided
an update regarding the Chong’s Homemade Candy Sign Restoration
Project Phase II and responded to Commission inquiries.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment
Action: This was an informational item, no action taken.
4.b 2025-2027 HRC FINANCIAL GOAL SETTING RECOMMENDATIONS TO
COUNCIL
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua
presented the staff report regarding the upcoming 2025-2027 Financial Goal-
Setting process.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment
Motion By Commissioner Smith
Second By Commissioner DeTurris
The Human Relations Commission deliberated and designated the following
financial priorities and goals for Council’s consideration for the 2025 -27
Financial Plan:
1. Increase funding allocation to grant programs
For the Human Services Grant (HSG) a substantial increase
should be considered since many underserved and
underrepresented communities and services are underfunded due
to shifting City Council's guidance. These additional funds should
be allocated to secondary funding priorities
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3
Establish the DEI SLO business Grant as an annual ongoing
project led by the Office of DEI and Office of Economic
Development & Tourism
Request funds to establish a grant program for middle and high
school students centered on improving human relations and
addressing issues of injustice in the San Luis Obispo community
(i.e. homelessness prevention access to health care; and diversity,
equity, and inclusion)
2. Funds to establish resources to address Hate Crime and Incidents
Request funding to establish community resources that align with
the DEI Strategic Plan and offer outreach and engagement
opportunities for the community to be involved and learn about
proper reporting
3. HRC Community Outreach & Engagement
Request funds to enhance public engagement and participation by
increasing promotional awareness campaigns for city engagement
opportunities
4. Address CVRA needs through outreach and engagement
Request funds to address the City's efforts in expanding services
and resources about electoral and voting participation
Request funds to establish live interpretation and captioning in City
Council meetings
5. Expand investment in training
Request funds to provide tailored trainings to advisory bodies as it
relates to expanding knowledge and skills regarding diversity,
equity, and inclusion
Ayes (4): Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Smith, Vice Chair Campos,
and Chair Kasprzak
Absent (3): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner Carlotti, and
Commissioner Warrecker
CARRIED (4 to 0)
Page 7 of 18
4
4.c SELECTION OF THE 2025-26 HUMAN SERVICES GRANT REVIEW
SUBCOMMITTEE
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua gave a
brief report regarding the selection of a subcommittee to review submissions
for the 2025-26 Human Services Grant.
Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment
Motion By Commissioner DeTurris
Second By Vice Chair Campos
To establish a 2025-26 Human Services Grant Review Subcommittee
consisting of Commissioners Ambrosio and Smith, and Vice Chair Campos.
Ayes (4): Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Smith, Vice Chair Campos,
and Chair Kasprzak
Absent (3): Commissioner Ambrosio, Commissioner Carlotti, and
Commissioner Warrecker
CARRIED (4 to 0)
5. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua provided
the following updates:
Since July 8, 2024, one (1) hour parking vouchers are available to
Commissioners and meeting attendees
2025-26 Human Services Grant application to open January 20, 2025,
and close Friday, February 28, 2025.
An offer has been made to a candidate for the Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Admin Specialist position
Last day for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Nestor
Veloz-Passalacqua is Friday, December 6th, 2024
Page 8 of 18
5
Reminder that certain Commissioners still need to complete the
required Ethics training
Uplift Catalyst Grant - Increasing Economic Stability application is due
Friday, December 13th, 2024
Chair Kasprzak invited all to the upcoming GALA Christmas party on
December 21st, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will also be a celebration of
the partnership with Diversity Coalition on December 21st, located at the SLO
Public Market from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. She will also not be attending the
upcoming January 15th, 2025, Special Meeting.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. The Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission scheduled for January 1, 2025, is cancelled. A Special
Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, January
15, 2025, 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/2025
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Page 10 of 18
Item 4a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 2/5/2025
Item Number: 4a
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared by: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Admin Specialist
SUBJECT: SELECTION OF THE COMMISSIONER LIAISON ROLES FOR THE 2024-
25 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT
RECOMMENDATION
Commissioners will designate and approve their liaison assignment roles for each of the
grant recipients from the 2024-25 DEI High Impact Grant program.
BACKGROUND
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) is tasked with reviewing grants and providing
funding recommendations to City Council for final approval. HRC is also tasked with
designating and approving their liaison roles for grant recipients, affording Commissioners
the opportunity to work and directly engage with various grant programs, projects, or
initiatives recommended by them, approved by City Council, and funded by the City.
The DEI High Impact Grant program provides financial support to non-profit organizations
to enhance the sense of belonging for all people in the San Luis Obispo community. This
funding allocation is an effort to uplift and support local projects, programs, and initiatives
that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo that is welc oming, inclusive, equitable, and
safe.
The scope of inclusion and equity work is inherently broad and complex, and the funding
seeks to support initiatives that show understanding of “root causes” and “intractable”
problems, seek to address structural and systemic inequities, can demonstrate
measurable success, and will contribute to some aspect of systemic change.
Funding for the DEI High Impact Grant program should primarily focus on advancing and
implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion through innovative practices that seek to
narrow equity gaps and address intractable, systemic, and structural issues. Eligible
projects may provide a one-time service with long lasting impacts.
For the 2024-25 DEI High Impact Grant, a total of eleven (11) non-profit organizations
were awarded funding. The recipients include:
Page 11 of 18
Item 4a
Grant Recipient Program
1 AAPI of SLO Our Voices, Our Stories
2 Big Brothers and Sisters of SLO
County
Pacheco Elementary School
Mentorship Program
3 Diversity Coalition of SLO County BIPOC Board Leadership Training
Program
4 GALA Pride and Diversity Center Complex LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Support Program
5 Hillel of SLO Jews of Color Speaker Series
6 Hospice of SLO County Community Outreach Initiative
7 Mission Headstrong Autism Fitness Phase 2 Program
8 NAMI of SLO County Mental Health Resource Outreach
Campaign
9 Peace Academy of the Sciences and
Arts
Mawtini: Arab American Narratives of
Home and Belonging
10 R.A.C.E. Matters SLO Black Girl Wellness Project
11 SLO County UndocuSupport SLO County Immigrant Resource HUB
NEXT STEPS
Commissioners will designate and approve their liaison assignment roles for each of the
2024-25 DEI High Impact Grant recipients in preparation for the mid-year report review.
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Item 4b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 2/5/2025
Item Number: 4b
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared by: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Admin Specialist
SUBJECT: STAFFING UPDATES IN THE OFFICE OF DEI
RECOMMENDATION
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) to receive an update about two staffing
updates that have recently occurred in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
BACKGROUND
The Office of DEI within the City of San Luis Obispo is tasked with supporting and staffing
the Human Relations Commission (HRC). The Office of DEI has recently undergone
some staffing changes which are pertinent for the HRC to be aware of.
First, the DEI Manager position is currently open for recruitment. Recruitment for the role
opened on January 16, 2025 and will be open until February 9, 2025. Interviews will take
place on February 26, 2025 in person and will include one representative from the Human
Relations Commission and one representative from the internal employee DEI
Committee. The City is casting a wide net for recruitment and is advertising the job posting
in multiple relevant forums and job boards. HRC members should feel free to circulate
the job opening to their networks.
Second, is that the DEI Administrative Specialist role has now been filled. Samantha
Vethavanam has filled this position and started on January 16, 2025. She will be
responsible for filling the duties that the previous DEI Management Fellow held, including
supporting the HRC, supporting implementation of the various grant programs
administered by the Office of DEI, supporting the internal DEI Employment Committee
and other internal departments, and supporting the implementation of the DEI Strategic
Plan, among other duties.
NEXT STEPS
Receive the update to staffing within the Office of DEI.
Page 13 of 18
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Item 4c
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 2/5/2025
Item Number: 4c
FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager
Prepared by: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Admin Specialist
SUBJECT: 2024-25 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WORKPLAN DISCUSSION
AND REVIEW
RECOMMENDATION
Review, evaluate, and provide feedback to staff on the remainder of the 2024 -25 Human
Relations Commission (HRC) Workplan document.
BACKGROUND
The development and approval of a workplan is a required task for the HRC on an annual
basis. The workplan allows for the organization of agenda items and to forecast for
anticipated such as the various grant programs that reside within HRC purview, as well
as items related to the DEI Major City Goal in the City of San Luis Obispo.
The workplan allows for learning opportunities by bringing important projects and
initiatives forward for discussion, as well as presentations from subject matter experts in
the community to the HRC. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will use the
approved workplan to develop the agenda packets each month.
The HRC is now in the middle of the Fiscal Year 2024 -25 and therefore in the middle of
their current 2024-25 workplan. HRC needs to review the remainder of the workplan to
ensure it aligns with their vision for the next five months.
NEXT STEPS
Commissioners provide feedback to staff on the remainder of the 2024 -25 workplan. Staff
will update the workplan and will bring the item back to subsequent meetings for a pproval,
if necessary.
ATTACHMENTS
A – 2024-25 Human Relations Commission Workplan
Page 15 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Human Relations Commission
2024-25 Workplan
Meeting Date Core Focus Workplan
July 10, 2024 DEI High Impact
Grant & HRC
2024-25
Workplan
discussion.
1. DEI High Impact Grant Review Subcommittee
2. Selection of an ad hoc learning subcommittee to
engage with CCRU
3. HRC 24-25 Workplan discussion
August 15, 2024 HRC 23-25
Planning
1. DEI High Impact 24-25 subcommittee and reading
dates.
2. Begin internal discussion of Annual Community Needs
& Grant Workshop for the Human Services Grant
Funding Criteria.
3. HRC 24-25 Workplan Discussion
4. DEI SLO Business Grant Year-End Report
September 12,
2024
Grant Community
Workshop.
1. Annual Community Needs and Grant workshop for the
Human Services Grant
2. DEI HIG Midyear Report Review
3. HSG 24-25 Funding criteria
4. 2023-24 Human Services Grant Year-end report
review
5. Discussion on grant funding for school program.
October 2, 2024 Public Hearing
and Community
Needs Workshop
1. DEI High Impact Grant public hearing and preliminary
funding recommendations to Council
2. Report from ad hoc learning subcommittee on
information from CCRU
November 6, 2024 Grant & Strategic
Plan update
1. Update from the Police Department Strategic Plan /
Community Based Policing
2. Chong’s Interpretive Panel Update
December 4, 2024 Grants and Visit
from Council
Liaisons
1. City Council Liaison Visit (ensure Chief Scott & Mayor
Stewart are invited)
2. Update presentation about PD Resource Officers
3. Human Services Grant review subcommittee
January 8, 2025 Strategic Plans -
Update
Meeting cancelled
February 5, 2025 Grants and HRC
Planning
1. DEI High Impact Grant Liaison Role Selection
2. DEI Staffing Update
3. 2024-25 Workplan Update
March 5, 2025 Grants and
Process Updates
1. Update presentation from the Fire Department on their
internship program.
2. FY 24-25 HSG Mid-Year Report Review
3. Hate Incident Reporting Process
April 2, 2025 Public Hearing 1. HSG 25-26 Public Hearing and preliminary funding
recommendations to Council
2. DEI Strategic Plan Implementation Update
3. 23-24 DEI High Impact Grant Year End Report
Review
May 7, 2025 Strategic Plan
Updates
1. Climate Action Plan update
2. Economic Development Strategic Plan Update
Page 17 of 18
June 4, 2025 Strategic Plan
Update
1. Homelessness Strategic Plan Implementation Update
July 2, 2025 HRC Workplan 1. Create the 2025-26 Workplan
Bike Rack
-
Page 18 of 18