HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-2026 HRC Agenda - Amended
Human Relations Commission
AGENDA
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
The agenda is being amended to continue Item 2. Oath of Office to a date uncertain.
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 Campos will call the Regular Meeting of the Human Relations
Commission to order.
2.OATH OF OFFICE
This item is being rescheduled to a date uncertain.
3.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.
4.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.
4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - JULY 1, 2026 HUMAN RELATIONS
COMMISSION MINUTES
5
Recommendation:
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of July 1, 2026.
5.BUSINESS ITEMS
5.a OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF SAN
LUIS OBISPO COUNTY’S PROGRAMS
9
Recommendation:
Receive and file an informational overview of the programs and services
administered by the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo
County.
5.b OVERVIEW OF THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN SERVICES
OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
11
Recommendation:
Receive and file an overview of the services provided by the Long-Term
Care Ombudsman in San Luis Obispo County.
5.c SELECTION OF THE 2026-27 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT REVIEW
SUBCOMMITTEE
13
Recommendation:
Select up to three (3) Commissioners to participate in a Review
Subcommittee to review the 2026-27 DEI High Impact Grant
applications and provide preliminary funding recommendations to the
full Human Relations Commission.
5.d REDESIGNATE GRANT REPORT REVIEWER ASSIGNMENTS 15
Recommendation:
Redesignate and approve Grant Report Reviewer assignments for the
2025-26 and 2026-27 Human Services Grants and the 2025-26 DEI
High Impact Grant.
6.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
6.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Receive a brief update from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Matt Pennon and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Sam
Vethavanam.
7.ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for
September 2, 2026 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
July 1, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Human Relations
Commissioners
Present:
Commissioner Stephanie Carlotti (arrived at 5:26 p.m.),
Commissioner Jennifer Chassman Browne, Commissioner
Vincent DeTurris, Commissioner Jenn Fields, Commissioner
Esmeralda Parker, Vice Chair Catuih Campos, Chair Angie
Kasprzak (left at 5:06 p.m.)
City Staff Present: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon, Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Administrative Specialist Samantha
Vethavanam
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was
called to order on July 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City
Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak.
2. CONTINUANCE OF THE ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
To approve appointing Vice Chair Catuih Campos as Chair and Commissioner
DeTurris as Vice Chair for the term July 2026 to June 2027.
Motion By Commissioner Fields
Second By Commissioner Parker
Ayes (6): Commissioner Browne, Commissioner DeTurris, Commissioner Fields,
Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak
Absent (1): Commissioner Carlotti
CARRIED (6 to 0)
(Commissioner Kasprzak left at 5:06 p.m.)
3. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Page 5 of 18
2
4. CONSENT
4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - JUNE 3, 2026 HUMAN RELATIONS
COMMISSION MINUTES
Chair Campos opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Campos closed Public Comment
Motion By Commissioner Browne
Second By Commissioner DeTurris
To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of June 3, 2026.
Ayes (6): Commissioner Browne, Commissioner Fields, Commissioner
Parker, Vice Chair DeTurris, Chair Campos
Absent (1): Commissioner Carlotti and Commissioner Kasprzak
CARRIED (5 to 0)
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
5.a OVERVIEW OF THE PEOPLE’S KITCHEN OF SAN LUIS OBISPO’S
PROGRAM
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Matt Pennon presented Mary
Parker from the People's Kitchen of San Luis Obispo.
Chair Campos opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Campos closed Public Comment
Action: No action taken on this item.
(Commissioner Carlotti arrived at 5:26 p.m.)
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3
5.b DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STRATEGIC PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Matt Pennon presented the staff
report and responded to Commission inquiries.
Chair Campos opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Campos closed Public Comment
Action: No action taken on this item.
5.c 2026-27 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WORKPLAN DISCUSSION
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Matt Pennon presented the staff
report and responded to Commission inquiries.
Chair Campos opened Public Comment
Public Comment:
None
--End of Public Comment--
Chair Campos closed Public Comment
Motion By Commissioner Parker
Second By Commissioner Fields
Commissioners reviewed, provided feedback, and requested changes to
the draft 2026-27 Human Relations Commission Workplan. In addition, the
“Human Relations Commission Workplan” document will be renamed to
“Human Relations Commission Schedule.”
Ayes (6): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Browne, Commissioner
Fields, Commissioner Parker, Vice Chair DeTurris and Chair Campos
Absent (1): Commissioner Kasprzak
CARRIED (6 to 0)
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4
6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
6.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon and Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Sam Vethavanam provided the
following update of upcoming projects:
Advisory Handbook Information
Downtown SLO Block Party at the Mission Plaza
Citywide Single Vote Virtual Information Session
DEI High Impact Grants
Agenda Items for August
Commissioner Fields:
Advocacy Letter writing at Two Broads
Swim with Pride at Sinsheimer Pool on Saturday July 11
Commissioner Browne
Diversity Coalition, Disability 101 Program on July 20
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human
Relations Commission is scheduled for August 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: XX/XX/2026
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Item 5a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 8/5/2026
Item Number: 5a
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF SAN
LUIS OBISPO COUNTY’S PROGRAMS
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file an informational overview of the programs and services administered by
the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Human Relations Commission is to advise and make
recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager which promote and advance
inclusion, mutual understanding, respect, and equitable treatment of all San Luis Obispo
community members. Recommendations made by the HRC to City Council help address
social concerns and the needs of the community.
One organization that operates within the City of San Luis Obispo with a mission that
helps to address the social concerns and needs of the community is the Community
Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO). CAPSLO focuses on helping
people and is committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve economic
self-sufficiency through an array of community-based programs that focus on:
high-quality early education and childcare
affordable dependent care
connecting to safe, affordable housing and basic needs
health services and education
resource connection and navigation
As such, it is critical for the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to be well versed in
CAPSLO’s work and to understand their programs and the impact on those who live within
the City.
The HRC previously heard an informational overview from People’s Self -Help Housing
and the Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo at their June 3, 2026, meeting.
As a result, the HRC requested that staff provide this opportunity to all recent app licants
of both the Human Services Grant and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion High Impact
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Item 5a
Grant. Many organizations responded and will be scheduled over the next few months.
At this meeting, CAPSLO will provide a brief informational overview of their programs and
services and answer any question as necessary.
Page 10 of 18
Item 5b
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 8/5/2026
Item Number: 5b
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: OVERVIEW OF THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN SERVICES OF
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file an overview of the services provided by the Long-Term Care
Ombudsman in San Luis Obispo County.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Human Relations Commission is to advise and make
recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager which promote and advance
inclusion, mutual understanding, respect, and equitable treatment of all San Luis Obispo
community members. Recommendations made by the HRC to City Council help address
social concerns and the needs of the community.
One organization that operates within the City of San Luis Obispo with a mission that
helps to address the social concerns and needs of the community is the Long-Term Care
Ombudsman Services of San Luis County. This organization focuses on promoting the
highest possible quality of life and care for all residents in long term care facilities.
As such, it is critical for the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to be well versed in the
Long-Term Care Ombudsman of San Luis Obispo County’s work and to understand their
services and the impact on those who live within the City.
The HRC previously heard an informational overview from People’s Self -Help Housing
and the Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo at their June 3, 2026, meeting.
As a result, the HRC requested that staff provide this opportunity to all recent app licants
of both the Human Services Grant and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion High Impact
Grant. Many organizations responded and will be scheduled over the next few months.
At this meeting, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services of San Luis County will provide
a brief informational overview of their services and answer any question as necessary.
Page 11 of 18
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Item 5c
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 8/5/2026
Item Number: 5c
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: SELECTION OF THE 2026-27 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT REVIEW
SUBCOMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION
Select up to three (3) Commissioners to participate in a Review Subcommittee to review
the 2026-27 DEI High Impact Grant applications and provide preliminary funding
recommendations to the full Human Relations Commission .
BACKGROUND
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) is tasked with reviewing the applications for
the DEI High Impact Grant program and providing funding recommendations to City
Council. To ensure a comprehensive and equitable recommendation process, a
subcommittee of the full HRC is formed to review and discuss each application in depth.
This Review Subcommittee then makes initial recommendations for funding to the full
HRC who deliberate during a public hearing before sending their final funding
recommendations to City Council for review and approval.
For the 2026-27 cycle, the funding priorities for the DEI High Impact Grant are the
following (not listed in order of importance):
Advancing Belonging: Support projects that strengthen connection, build
community resilience and cultural awareness, and promote the experience of
belonging among community members across the City of San Luis Obispo.
Increasing Access: Invest in efforts that actively remove barriers and expand
opportunities for all community members to engage in civic and com munity life
across the City of San Luis Obispo.
Advancing Structural and Institutional Equity: Support organizations to build
the long-term capacity for inclusion and belonging in the City of San Luis Obispo.
Improving Community Health and Wellbeing: Fund programs that improve
quality of life for City residents that address systemic barriers through access to
wellness resources, education that builds awareness, and community support
Page 13 of 18
Item 5c
systems.
Funding projects should contribute positively to systemic or structural changes that
strengthen inclusion and experiences of belonging across the City of San Luis Obispo
and must be open and available to all individuals without regard to the resident’s race,
religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, o r ability/disability.
The 2026-27 DEI High Impact Grant opened on July 20, 2026 and will close on August
24, 2026.
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Item 5d
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 8/5/2026
Item Number: 5d
FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7064
E-mail: svethava@slocity.org
SUBJECT: REDESIGNATE GRANT REPORT REVIEWER ASSIGNMENTS
RECOMMENDATION
Redesignate and approve Grant Report Reviewer assignments for the 2025-26 and 2026-
27 Human Services Grants and the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant.
BACKGROUND
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) is tasked with reviewing grant applications for
the City’s DEI High Impact Grant and Human Services Grant and providing funding
recommendations to City Council for final approval. Once funding recommendations are
approved by City Council and grant programs are implemented, the HRC is then tasked
with reviewing and providing feedback on the grantees’ mid-year and final reports. This
provides the Commissioners with the opportunity to dive deeply into grant initiatives
recommended by them, approved by City Council, and funded by the City.
During the August 6, 2025, meeting, the HRC designated Grant Report Reviewer roles
for the 2025-26 Human Services Grant and during the April 1, 2026, meeting, they
designated Grant Report Reviewers for the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant. Finally,
during the May 6, 2026, meeting, HRC designated Grant Report Reviewers for the 2026-
27 Human Services Grant.
Since then, one of the Commissioners has resigned from the HRC, leaving the grantees
previously assigned to this Commissioner without a Grant Report Reviewer. Therefore,
at this meeting, the HRC will redesignate and approve new Grant Report Reviewer
assignments for those grantees. The current Grant Report Reviewer Roles are as follows
with the yellow highlighted boxes indicating a vacancy:
2025-26 Human Services Grant
Commissioner Report
Reviewer Organization Project or Program Name
Parker CAPSLO Homeless Prevention/Stable Housing
Program
Page 15 of 18
Item 5d
Fields HASLO Housing Stability with Supportive
Services
DeTurris LTC Ombudsman Services
of SLO County Ombudsman Services
DeTurris Lumina Alliance
Emergency Shelter Program for
Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner
Violence
Meals that Connect Nutrition for Healthy Seniors
Middle House Early Recovery Assistance Grant
Carlotti People's Self-Help Housing City of SLO Supportive Housing
Program
Fields Restorative Partners Opportunity to Fund
Parker Shower the People Shower the People
SLO CASA General SLO CASA Program Support
Campos SLO Legal Assistance
Foundation Senior Homeless Prevention
Carlotti United Way of SLO County 211 Homeless Intake and Homeless
Prevention Screening Services
2025-2026 DEI High Impact Grant
Commissioner Report
Reviewer Organization Project/Program
Court Appointed Special
Advocates (CASA) of SLO
County
SLO CASA DEI Project
Campos Diversity Coalition of SLO
County SLO Equity Podcast
Fields GALA Pride and Diversity
Center
Queer Leadership and Civic
Engagement Initiative
Browne Literacy for Life Literacy Program
DeTurris
One Community Fund &
Corazon Latino, San Luis
Coastal Unified School
District, Womenade SLO
Connected Resources: Schools and
Nonprofits in Partnership for Families
Carlotti One Cool Earth
Salud y Conocimiento en el Jardín -
One Cool Earth School Garden
Program at Pacheco Elementary
School
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Item 5d
Parker RACE Matters SLO County
Advancing Community Belonging and
Cultural Representation Through
Signature Events
DeTurris SLO for Home & Church
World Services SLO for Home
Parker SLO Noor Foundation Accessible Healthcare for All - City of
SLO Project
2026-27 Human Services Grant
Commissioner Report
Reviewer Organization Project or Program Name
Parker CAPSLO Homeless Prevention/Stable Housing
Project
CASA of SLO County Preventing Homelessness for
Vulnerable Foster Youth
DeTurris Food Bank Coalition of SLO
County
No-Cook Bags for Residents
Experiencing Homelessness
Browne HASLO Housing Stability with Supportive
Services
Carlotti Jewish Family Services of
SLO
SLO City Emergency Homelessness
Prevention & Support Program
Fields LTC Ombudsman Services
of SLO County Ombudsman Services
Fields Lumina Alliance
Emergency Shelter Program for
Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner
Violence Survivors
Middle House Community Service for Housing Grant
Campos Mujeres de Acción Rent Stabilization in SLO City
Program
Carlotti Restorative Partners Opportunity to Fund
Parker Shower the People Shower the People
DeTurris SLO Noor Foundation Homelessness Prevention – City of
San Luis Obispo Project
Browne Womenade SLO, Inc. Womenade SLO Housing Support
Fund
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Item 5d
NEXT STEPS
Commissioners will reassign and approve the vacant Grant Report Reviewer roles as
listed above in advance of the next report review.
Page 18 of 18