HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-2025 HRC PresentationRegular Meeting
June 4, 2025
Council Hearing Room
At this time, people may address the Commission on items not on the agenda. Items
raised are generally referred to staff and, if action by the Commission is necessary, may
be scheduled for a future meeting.
•If you would like to speak on items NOT ON
THE AGENDA, please complete a speaker
card.
•When the Chair calls your name, you can begin
your public comment.
•Please clearly state your full name, city of
residence, and whether you represent a business
or group
•Limit comments to 3 minutes or less
Public Comment
Consideration of Minutes of the Human Relations Commission
meeting of May 7, 2025.
_____________________________________________________________________
Recommendation:
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of May 7, 2025.
Overview and Update on the Economic Development Strategic
Plan
_____________________________________________________________________
Recommendation:
Receive and file the Economic Development Strategic Plan overview and update.
June 4, 2025
Laura Fiedler
Economic Development &
Tourism Manager
McKenzie Taffe
Economic Development
Analyst
(aka Business Navigator!)
Jacqui Clark-
Charlesworth
Tourism & Community
Promotions Manager
The Office of DEI is listed as a supporting partner on 10 items in the
EDSP action plan, including in these strategies:
•1.4. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. Continue to support the small business
community to sustain growth.
•1.5. BUSINESS SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE. Maintain efforts to develop and
grow business support infrastructure and tools.
•2.1. QUALITY-OF-PLACE PROMOTION. Bolster efforts to promote the City as an
appealing destination for all people to live, work, visit, and invest.
•2.2. WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. Create an inclusive and friendly environment for
residents, workers, and visitors
•2.4. CULTURAL VITALITY. Strengthen working relationships with and maintain
financial support of the arts community to enrich the cultural offerings throughout the
City.
DEI Business Grants
•ED&T team met with recipients to understand success and challenges, anticipate future demand for
grants of this nature
Insight Studios: Celebrating Inclusive Business Practices
•Collaborated with Office of DEI, the Chamber of Commerce and Cal Poly on a workshop in October
2024 and BIPOC Business Walk in April 2025
Ongoing communication and collaboration
•Monthly check-in meetings, onboarding new staff, shared booths at community events
2025-2030 Strategic Plan
•Vision: “A welcoming community with a vibrant economy that
enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.”
FY 24-26 Marketing Plan
•Brand personality: welcoming, progressive, connected, etc.
•Commitment to DEI: developing DEI-focused content,
authentically showcasing diversity of our community, reaching
broader and more diverse audiences, amplifying voices of
diverse-owned businesses, influencer and community
partnerships
Strategic Partnerships
•Partnership with Gala Pride & Diversity Center to create more
inclusive tools and trainings for hospitality industry
•Sponsorship of Central Coast Pride 2024-25
Cultural Arts & Community Promotions (CACP)
Grant Program
•Marketing and advertising expenses for events &
activities focused on social, cultural or recreational
benefit to the community at large
•Additional consideration given to events that
address sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity
practices
Placemaking, cultural programming, and public
relations
•ARTOBER event
•Sponsored the done show at the 2024 Lunar New
Year celebration
•Cultural banner series
•SLO Chamber public relations contract
•Formalizing business retention and expansion
efforts including development of the Business
Welcome program, positioning of team member as
“Business Navigator”
•Updating and analyzing information gathered from
the business license applications to help understand
the demographics of our business community
and inform program design and outreach
•Continuing to elevate the unique identity of
business/commercial neighborhoods to increase
awareness of amenities beyond the Downtown core
•Implementing the new Visit San Luis Obispo brand
campaign and strategic marketing efforts
•Continuing to make this a welcoming place to live
and visit through the efforts of the PCC
At this time, people may address the Commission on this agenda item. Items raised are
generally referred to staff and, if action by the Commission is necessary, may be
scheduled for a future meeting.
•If you would like to speak on this agenda item,
please complete a speaker card.
•When the Chair calls your name, you can begin
your public comment.
•Please clearly state your full name, city of
residence, and whether you represent a business
or group
•Limit comments to 3 minutes or less
Public Comment
Overview and Update on the Climate Action Plan
_____________________________________________________________________
Recommendation:
Receive and file the Climate Action Plan overview and update.
Climate Action Overview
Human Relations Commission
June 4, 2025
Agenda
19
•Background & Context
•Community Climate Action (Climate Action Plan)
•Organizational Climate Action (Lead by Example)
•Community Climate Resilience (Climate Adaptation and
Safety Element of the General Plan)
Background
•Our community is a nationally
recognized leader in climate action
with decades of commitments and
implementation
•Our focus is on social equity,
enhancing community well being,
economic development, and overall
resilience while we reduce climate, air,
and water pollution
21
“The nexus between climate change
and economic development is
multifaceted and includes the
opportunity to capitalize on the
economic development potential of
the clean energy transition, the need
to mitigate the shocks and
disruptions brought by a changing
climate on the economic system, and
the potential to support businesses
as they reduce their own emissions
and enhance their own resiliency.“
22
Community Climate Action Plan
•Carbon Neutral by 2035
•Pursue an electricity
system without
greenhouse gas
emissions
•Reduce energy use, and
replace fossil fuels with
electricity
•Keep organic waste out
of the landfill
Potential Upcoming Actions
•Buildings and energy
•Existing building retrofit policy updates
•Energy reach code updates (as part of
statewide building code updates)
•Buildings UP Prize
•Open Space
•Continue to acquire open space and
expand the SLO Greenbelt and conduct
climate smart open space improvements
(tree planting, grazing, fire fuel reduction,
etc.)
•Mobility improvements (active transportation,
transit)
Climate and Equity Example – Buildings UP
•How can climate work benefit
low-income community
members?
•How do we help stabilize
energy costs?
•How do the lessons learned in
this community benefit
everyone?
27
Lead by Example
•Carbon Neutral by 2030
•Pursue an electricity system
without greenhouse gas
emissions
•Reduce energy use, and
replace fossil fuels with
electricity
•Keep organic waste out of the
landfill
•Update adopted by Council
2025
Upcoming Projects
•System retrofit at largest fossil fuel
users (Swim Center and Corp Yard)
•Electric fleet vehicles & chargers
•Employee commute programs
•Education, outreach, and resource
sharing
29
Climate Adaptation and Safety Element of the GP
Prefumo Creek – Storm Event - January 9, 2023
High School Hill - Lizzie Fire – October 30, 2023
Upcoming Actions
•Community outreach and education
on floods, fires, extreme heat, and
post-disaster recovery
•Waterways Management Plan
Update and Mid-Higuera Bypass
•Comprehensive Vegetation
Management Plan Update
•Explore ways to continue funding
community safety work.
2025-27 Major City Goals
•Continues focused commitment to climate
emissions reductions and
community/operational resilience.
•Continues “all of government” approach to
climate goals.
•Available at: https://pub-
slocity.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?D
ocumentId=18247
At this time, people may address the Commission on this agenda item. Items raised are
generally referred to staff and, if action by the Commission is necessary, may be
scheduled for a future meeting.
•If you would like to speak on this agenda item,
please complete a speaker card.
•When the Chair calls your name, you can begin
your public comment.
•Please clearly state your full name, city of
residence, and whether you represent a business
or group
•Limit comments to 3 minutes or less
Public Comment
San Luis Obispo Police Department Update
_____________________________________________________________________
Recommendation:
Receive and file the update from the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
Police Department Update
June 4, 2025
Human Relations Commission
Crime Overview 2024
•Assault down -20.5%
•Auto Burglary down -17%
•Burglary down down -8%
•No Homicides
•Rape up a single incident
•24% increase cyclist /
pedestrian crashes
Hate Crime / Hate Expression Defined
A hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim's real or perceived protected social group.
You may be the victim of a hate crime if you have been targeted because of your actual or perceived: (1) disability, (2) gender, (3) nationality, (4) race or ethnicity, (5) religion, (6) sexual orientation, and (7) association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Hate crimes are serious crimes that may result in imprisonment or jail time.
A hate incident is an action or behavior motivated by hate but which, for one or more reasons, is not a crime.
Examples of hate incidents include:Name-calling, Insults, Displaying hate material on your own property, Posting hate material that does not result in property damage, Distribution of materials with hate messages in public places.
Hate Crime / Expression Statistics
Year Hate
Crime
Hate
Expression
Total % Change
2017 5 0 5 60%
2018 6 1 7 40%
2019 11 3 14 100%
2020 10 5 15 7%
2021 16 2 18 20%
2022 14 2 16 -11%
2023 9 21 30 88%
2024 8 12 20 -33%
2025 2 0 2
Hate Crime / Expression Reporting
Alcohol - 262
Felony - 1
Tobacco - 70
Trespassing - 23
Vehicle - 29
Total Actions - 408
New Vision
New Purpose
6 Goals
17 Objectives
79 Action Items
Year 1 of 5
30% Complete
Strategic Plan Vision & Purpose
•Our Vision – A community partnership built on trust, focused on
safety, and shared values to ensure the SLO quality of life.
•Our Purpose - To safeguard our community from harm by
reducing crime and ensuring dignity, equity, and justice for all we
serve.
Strategic Plan Goals & Progress
General Discussion / Questions
At this time, people may address the Commission on this agenda item. Items raised are
generally referred to staff and, if action by the Commission is necessary, may be
scheduled for a future meeting.
•If you would like to speak on this agenda item,
please complete a speaker card.
•When the Chair calls your name, you can begin
your public comment.
•Please clearly state your full name, city of
residence, and whether you represent a business
or group
•Limit comments to 3 minutes or less
Public Comment
Fiscal Year 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant Funding Information
and Priorities Review
_____________________________________________________________________
Recommendation:
Review, provide feedback, and approve the revised DEI High Impact Grant
funding information and priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to be sent to City
Council for final approval.
•Provides financial support to non-profit organizations
to enhance the sense of belonging for all people in the
community of San Luis Obispo.
•Uplifts and supports local projects, programs, and
initiatives that contribute to creating a San Luis Obispo
that is welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and safe.
•Supports initiatives that show understanding of root
cause issues and intractable problems, can
demonstrate measurable success, and will contribute
to some aspect of systemic change.
Funding Priorities:
Funding 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.
Illustrative examples of systemic/structural issues include:
1.Lack of affordable housing development and access to housing.
2.Lack of access to culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health services.
3.Impact of poverty and unemployment.
4.Lack of diversity in government and governing institutions.
5.Racial and socio-economic disparities in the criminal justice system.
6.Lack of environmental justice and equitable access to sustainable resources.
7.Lack of equity in access and representation in decision-making processes and leadership roles.
8.Lack of diverse individual civic engagement related to voting representation and election education.
9.Lack of diverse employers and work programs.
Proposal may focus on specific underserved and underrepresented communities, but all projects, applications, and concepts
must provide access to the entire City of San Luis Obispo community-at-large and contribute to a positive systemic/structural
change. Examples of previously funded activities include (examples are illustrative and not ranked):
•Enhancing language access for Spanish-speaking community members in public historical exhibits.
•Expanding access to education and knowledge on social services programs by developing public how-to videos in
English, Spanish, and Mixteco.
•Creating cultural spaces for learning purposes to expand community building and belonging for all.
•Enhancing board leadership programs to include a diversity lens to create more inclusive governing bodies and
government organizations.
•Providing and enhancing ally or advocacy training programs designed to build community momentum and social justice.
•Public community art projects designed to uplift and bring social awareness of social cause issues impacting equity,
communication, and stories of underserved and underrepresented communities.
•City-wide trainings and panel discussion events on sensitive topics that create awareness, equity, belonging, and
challenges exclusive narratives.
Applicants must include:
1.Complete grant application submitted online and on time
2.One-page DEI Statement that includes:
a)Applicant’s understanding and application of DEI concepts/values
b)Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging to all community members.
c)Explain how the proposal will advance DEI in the City of SLO.
3.One-page detailed budget for the proposal including how the total amount requested will be allocated.
4.Organizational chart (if joint application, all organizations must provide chart)
5.Document certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status
•Applicants must demonstrate core values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their
purpose/mission statement and daily operations and have been providing DEI -related initiatives
or programs within SLO County for at least two (2) years prior to application.
•(The proposal can be for something new, but the recipient organization must have been
operating locally for at least two [2] years.)
•Grant recipients must enter into a contract with the City prior to receipt of DEI funds
•Grant recipients must complete periodic impact reports and provide them timely.
•Grant recipients must submit a final impact report at the end of project or at 12 months from
start, whichever comes first. Grant recipients will be expected to return unused funds.
•Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non -profit organization, government or education entity,
or faith-based organization
•100% of the funded activities must occur in the City of San Luis Obispo.
•Funded activities must primarily serve City residents. Applicants that provide services to
neighboring communities, but also serve a significant number of City residents, will be considered.
•Requests must be for programs or services with the ability to show measurable impact and
success. New creative approaches that are rooted in best practices or evidence -based, as well as
proven approaches, are highly encouraged.
•Collaborations between one or more organizations or groups are welcome and encouraged. At
least one organization in the partnership needs to be an eligible entity noted above.
•Single applicants’ minimum request of $5,000 and a maximum request of $20,000.
•For partner applications (two or more applicants) there is no minimum dollar amount request, but the
maximum request is $40,000. A lead organization must be identified in the application.
•A maximum of one (1) grant award is allowed per organization (or per partnership if a collaborative
project)
•Funding may be used for new (innovative) or existing projects, programs, concepts, or initiatives that
have proven success and/or utilize best practices or innovative approaches.
•Innovative projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives are highly encouraged.
•Projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives that leverage existing or other funding sources to
supplement proposal is highly encouraged.
•Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting political causes,
entities, ballot measures, or candidates.
•Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting religious causes,
entities, individuals, or activities. Funding CANNOT be used for the purpose of disseminating
religious information.
•Funds CANNOT be used for profit or personal gain.
•The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will exercise discretion when developing funding
recommendations.
•The HRC will review, with support from the Office of DEI, all applications (that are completed, timely
submitted, and meet the funding criteria) and develop funding recommendations based on the answers and
attestations provided in each application.
•Recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval.
•Proposals will be evaluated for meeting an identified and defined intractable/systemic/structural problem or
need, potential to succeed, ability to make a high impact, or advance systemic change, and for centering
efforts to address inequities for underserved and underrepresented communities while serving all
community members.
1.June 7, 2025 –Review DEI High Impact Grant Funding Information with HRC
2.July 1, 2025 – City Council review and approval of DEI High Impact Grant Funding Information
3.July 14, 2025 – Application Opens
4.August 22, 2025 – Applications due by 5:00pm
5.September 2025 – Review Subcommittee meets to review applications and develop preliminary recommendations.
6.October 1, 2025 – HRC Public Hearing to review Subcommittee recommendations and adopt recommendations for
Council.
7.October 2025 – City Council review and approval of HRC recommendations
8.November/December – HSG Contracts routed for signature
9.December/January – Executed contracts and funds released to grant recipients
Timeline assumes HRC approves DEI High Impact Grant information at June meeting.
At this time, people may address the Commission on this agenda item. Items raised are
generally referred to staff and, if action by the Commission is necessary, may be
scheduled for a future meeting.
•If you would like to speak on this agenda
item, please complete a speaker card.
•When the Chair calls your name, you can
begin your public comment.
•Please clearly state your full name, city of
residence, and whether you represent a
business or group
•Limit comments to 3 minutes or less
Public Comment
The next Special Meeting of the
Human Relations Commission
is scheduled for
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
In-person at City Hall.
The July 2, 2025 Regular Meeting will be
cancelled.