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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/08/1979M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1979 - 5:00 P.M. HEARING ROOM, 990 PALM STREET, CITY HALL SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA Roll Call Councilmembers PRESENT:. Melanie Billig, Alan Bond, Ron Dunin, Jeff Jorgensen, and Mayor Lynn R. Cooper ABSENT: None City Staff PRESENT: Leland Walton, City Administrative Officer; Dave Romero, Public Services Director; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer Human Relations Commission PRESENT: John Carsel, Sylvia Castillo, Terry Elfrink, Emlyn Jones, Chairman Jerry-.Kaml, Walt Lambert, Ruby Siegel, Gail Sorensen ABSENT: Perry Conner, Diane Griffin, Jeff Guiffrida, Catherine Pearl Human Relations Staff PRESENT: Jackie Megow, Assistant; Orloff Miller, Coordinator, Pat Wickstrom, Human Needs Assistant 1. At 5:00 p.m. the City Council was given-a- street.tour::liy the-.Public- Services Director then returned to City Hall for a review of the Street ' Deficiency List. 2. At 7:30 p.m. the City Council met with members and staff of the Human Relations Commission for informal discussion. A. At its meeting of April 4, 1979, the Human Relations Commission voted to recommend to the City Council the funding of a telecommunications device (TTY) and an extra phone line (if found necessary) to be operated by Hotline for a six -month trial- :period at a maximum cost of $500. Deaf Center workers, Dave Saunders and Thomas Garro, accompanied by Jennifer Greco, demonstrated this equipment by communication with Ron, a deaf person living in Atascadero. Pat Wickstrom stated that there are approximately 40 deaf people living in San Luis Obispo County, with 3 living in San Luis Obispo. This equipment is needed for education purposes, making doctors appointments and requests for emergency assistance. There is presently no way for deaf people to make rapid requests for emergency assistance, and they are now working with the county to link up with police and fire departments and ambulance service. She continued that the equipment is self- contained, portable, and will work at any telephone without special adaptation. Deaf people can rent this equipment for $13 per month ($27.50 to others). The six -month trial would enable deaf people to contact city agencies through the Hotline. Orloff Miller stated that after the six -month trial and expansion of use among ' deaf people, they would encourage other agencies in the county to share in the funding. They would lease the equipment from the telephone company for the six -month trial; however, for long -term use, purchase would be more feasible. Councilman Dunin suggested this presentation should be made to the county to enlist their support. Councilman Bond was particularly concerned with the deaf having communication with emergency services and suggested action should be taken on this whether or not the TTY project is approved. B. Chairman Kaml introduced the general review of Human Relations Commission's programs and objectives and requested direction and guidelines from the City Council. City Council Minutes May 8, 1979, 5:00 p.m. Page 2 Commissioner Lambert read a statement outlining the purpose of this meeting, mentioning problems in the HRC between commission and staff and asking several questions of the council, as follows: 1. Who does the HRC answer to, the City Council or the CAO? 2. Does the City Council want HRC to continue? 3. What are your thoughts on a city - employed, full -time coordinator? 4. Should HRC have a landlord- tenant arbitration board? ' 5. Should we look for human needs and recommend programs, or should we wait for instructions from the City Council? 6. Should HRC consist of a city funded and employed staff and a small group of private citizens appointed as aboard of directors? 7. What is the "chain of command" that the coordinator is responsible to? 8. What role does the CAO play? Regarding legislation monitoring and support, Leland Walton suggested the council needs to establish a policy so that the HRC and council would not be a cross purpose. This could allow the HRC to endorse legislation (the endorsement to include a statement that it is from the HRC only and not the city) or to incorporate their endorsement with that of the City Council. Leland Walton felt that there may be alternatives to expanding the HRC and they should be looked into. The city seems to be taking on county responsi- bilities. One alternative might be a county -wide HRC program with the city having a 30 percent share. He would bring this up with other cities in the county. He also suggested contracting with other agencies. He felt.alter- native s should be explored before increasing the staff. The "chain of command" was clarified. The HRC is responsible to the City Council. Leland Walton will review the HRC budget and make recommendations to the City Council. Commissioner Kaml mentioned the HRC bylaws state that their staff is respon- sible to the HRC. Councilman Dunin felt that the HRC, like other commissions and committees, served as advisor to the City Council. Projects should be proposed to the council. Programs supportive of the charge of the HRC, if proposed and budgeted, could be carried out only if approved. Sylvia Castillo mentioned that sometimes action must be taken to investigate a need before the HRC knew if it required response. Councilman Dunin stated the purpose of the HRC was to establish needs, then come to the City Council prior to implementation. Councilman Jorgensen felt it was important that the HRC be able to support legislation they felt was important, making it clear that they were not representing the city. He felt the HRC should budget a certain amount for investigation and service. He cited the mobile home investigation as a clear area of need in the past. The coordinator is under contract and is not a city employee. He is responsible to the HRC, responsible for keeping them informed and for carrying out established policies. Councilman Jorgensen continued that it did not look like the council was responsive to expansion of.activitie_s of__the_HRC. He felt the HRC needs freedom in dealing with grievances. One of_the original charges, and the heart of the HRC, was handling of grievances. Councilman Bond stated investigations should be referred to other agencies whenever possible. It was the consensus of council that the HRC continue with ongoing programs but to contract council prior to instigation of new general investigations, data gathering or commencement of new programs. City Council Minutes May 8, 1979, 5:00 p.m. Page 3 Orloff Miller stated that the mobile home report was in but has yet to be correlated. It would probably be available by June 15,1979. The legal tape study was then discussed. This service would provide legal information to the community via telephone using a library of 3 -7 minute tapes. Similar information is available for medical questions (not being considered at this time). C. Discussion of process for "request for proposal" to "contract out" services presently being carried out by Grass Roots II was deferred to a future meeting. D. Commissioner Kaml presented a recommendation of the Human Relations Commission to place an information and referral list for human services in the Yellow Pages. This would be paid for by the telephone company as a public service, preferably with a recommendation from the City Council. Mayor-Cooper recommended the.letter.of recommendation be prepared and listing slieet submitted before the next deadline for printing for the Yellow Pages. It was the consensus of council that a letter of request be sent to the telephone company supporting a Human Services Section in the telephone book. Leland Walton was to prepare the letter. A tenant- landlord mediation system is part of the proposed housing element. It was the consensus of council to defer action on the establishment of a tenant_ landlord mediation board until after the housing element is adopted. Councilman Dunin stated he would like to see the HRC supported county wide. He felt the HRC coordinator should be their contact with the city. If this is not satisfactory, the HRC may report to the City Council. He commended the Human Relations Commissioners for their dedication and serious approach. Councilwoman Billig agreed with Councilman Dunin about the relationship between HRC and their staff. She felt there should be a separation between ongoing programs and new proposals. Leland Walton apologized for protocol problems in the past. The city and HRC can work out a format for future project proposals. 3. There being no further business to come before the council, Mayor Cooper adjourned the meeting at 9:47 p.m. to Monday, May 14,.1979, at 12.10 p.m. APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL June 5._.1979 Date .. 1 Fitzpatrick, City Clerk