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Home My WebLink About02-18-2026 HRC Special Minutes 1 Human Relations Commission Minutes February 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commissioners Present: Commissioner Jennifer Chassman Browne, Commissioner Stephanie Carlotti, Commissioner Vincent DeTurris, Commissioner Esmeralda Parker, Commissioner Fields, Vice Chair Catuih Campos (left at 7:00 p.m.), Chair Angie Kasprzak, City Staff Present: DEI Manager Matt Pennon, DEI Administrative Specialist Samantha Vethavanam, Deputy City Clerk Andrea Colunga-Lopez, City Clerk Teresa Purrington, Deputy City Attorney Sadie Symens (arrived at 6:15 p.m.) _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was called to order on February 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak. 2. OATH OF OFFICE City Clerk Teresa Purrington administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Jennifer Chassman Browne. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: Catuih Campos --End of Public Comment-- 4. CONSENT 4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 3, 2025 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Motion By Commissioner Fields Second By Commissioner Carlotti To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of December 3, 2025. 2 Ayes (7): Commissioner Browne, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Fields, Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak CARRIED (7 to 0) 5. BUSINESS ITEMS 5.a DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION ICON FEEDBACK AND REVIEW Public Communications Manager Whitney Szentesi presented the report and responded to Commission inquiries. Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment Action: Received an overview of the proposed options for a new diversity, equity, and inclusion icon and provided feedback as necessary. 5.b REVIEW OF THE 2025-26 HUMAN SERVICES GRANT MID-YEAR REPORTS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment Public Comment: Karen Jones --End of Public Comment-- Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment Action: By consensus, the Commission received and filed the 2025-26 Human Services Grant mid-year reports. 3 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6.a REALLOCATE $15,000 FROM 2025-26 HUMAN SERVICES GRANT FUNDING Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment Public Comment: Maryam Far Joshua Kouri --End of Public Comment-- Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment Action: Provide the following funding reallocation recommendations to City Council for the 2025-26 Human Services Grants to: • Middle House - $10,000 towards their Early Recovery Assistance program only. • Meals that Connect - $5,000 towards Nutrition for Healthy Seniors program. Motion By Commissioner Carlotti Second By Commissioner DeTurris Ayes (7): Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Fields, Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak CARRIED (7 to 0) 6.b REVISE THE 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment 4 Public Comment: Chelsea Ruiz Bernadette Bernardi --End of Public Comment-- Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment Motion By Commissioner DeTurris Second By Commissioner Carlotti Action: Recommend funding $5,000 with only $1,000 allocated towards security to SLO Hillel from the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant Ayes (3): Commissioner Browne, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner DeTurris Noes (4): Commissioner Fields, Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair Campos, Chair Kasprzak FAILED (3 to 4) Motion By Vice Chair Campos Second By Commissioner Fields Action: Recommend not funding $6,000 grant to SLO Hillel from the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant Ayes (4): Commissioner Fields, Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak Noes (3): Commissioner Browne, Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner DeTurris CARRIED (4 to 3) Motion By Vice Chair Campos Second By Commissioner Parker Action: Recommend reallocating $26,000 from the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant to the following applicants: • Diversity Coalition of SLO County: $4,000 • SLO for Home & Church World Services: $15,000 • Literacy for Life: $7,000 5 Ayes (5): Commissioner Brown, Commissioner Fields, Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak Noes (2): Commissioner Carlotti and Commissioner DeTurris CARRIED (5 to 2) 7.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 7.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST Vice Chair Campos left at 7:00 p.m. The Human Relations Commissioners provided the following updates: •Neighbor support is needed right now •Lunar New Year on February 19th •Rental Registry Study Session on February 24th •The Belonging Project on February 25th •Day of Remembrance on February 27th at 7pm •Letter writing at Two Broads Cider on March 1st at 4pm Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Sam Vethavanam provided the following update of upcoming projects: •26-27 Human Services Grants close February 24th •First DEI Advisory Council held on January 20th •Created a DEI Communications Plan •Citywide Single Vote Outreach/Landing Page 8.ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for March 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: 03/04/2026