HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-09 Human Relations Commission Action MinutesADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Community Meeting Room
Palo Alto Civic Center
250 Hamilton Avenue
7:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present: Alhassani, Brahmbhatt, Chen, Lee, Stinger
Absent: O’Nan (arrived at 7:31 pm)
Council Liaison: Council Member Kou
Staff: Minka van der Zwaag, Mary Constantino
I. ROLL CALL
Chair Stinger: Good evening, welcome to the Human Relations Commission for November 9th.
Can I have a roll call, please?
II. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS
Chair Stinger: We have an agenda in front of us and are there any changes, requests, deletions?
Ok.
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Stinger: This is an opportunity for oral communications on any subject that is not on the
agenda, I have no cards.
IV. BUSINESS
1. Consideration of a Resolution in Support of Refugee Settlement submitted to the HRC
by Amnesty International Group 1107.
Chair Stinger: We’ll move onto the first agenda item which is consideration of a resolution in
support of refugee settlement submitted to the HRC by the Amnesty International Group 1107.
This is a resolution prepared and presented to us in August at our retreat. We all have copies in
front of us and just to have it on the record, I will not read the whereases but I’ll read the request
of us. The resolution says, therefore, be it resolved that the Palo Alto City Council declares its
support for the resettlement of refugees in Santa Clara County and calls on upon other
communities in Santa Clara County to join in supporting the effort to resettle the most vulnerable
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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refugees. I think first we’ll have oral comments and then have a discussion. I have one card Tim.
Oh, I’m sorry, I knew better than that.
Mr. Terry McCaffrey: My name is Terry McCaffrey and I’m the Area Coordinator for Amnesty
International in this area. I’ve been presented this issue on two occasions so I’m sure that you’ve
more or less understand what I am trying to say here. The other thing that I do want to say is that
in the area of other support elements, we have met with the Mayor of Cupertino and found a very
favorable person to what we were trying to do. We’ve also met with the Board of Supervisors
level at Cortese’s Office and we’ve also got some indication that Mountain View City Council is
going to be in favor of what we are trying to do. I wanted to thank you for putting this on the
agenda and hopefully, we will be able to prevail, thank you.
Chair Stinger: I’d like to open up to the discussion at the Commission level. I’d like to talk
specifically about the resolution and our thoughts about it. I’d also like to have a philosophical
conversation on resolutions that are more symbolic and not an action-oriented resolution directed
to our mission and priorities. Do I have any comments or discussion? Commissioner Lee.
Commissioner Lee: I wanted to ask if any of the members of the public here today know what
the numbers are in terms of number of refugees in Santa Clara County and in Palo Alto and
whether…
Commissioner Lee: Do you happen to know how many refugees we have currently in Santa
Clara County in Palo Alto?
Ms. Minka van de Zwaag, Human Services Manager: Yes, so they can hear you, sir.
Mr. McCaffrey: I think what you might regard as a significant number and the reason I am
saying that is that Catholic Charities is involved with this process and just in my own role as an
amnesty; I am familiar of three cases that have come to my attention so I think it’s a significant
number. The Catholic Charities, I would say is equipped to deal with this and so I do think it’s a
significant number.
Commissioner Lee: I guess what I am trying to gauge is whether Santa Clara County and Palo
Alto, in particular, is meeting its moral obligations to house its fair share of refugees. I would
imagine it’s probably low given just the fact that the US, in general, isn’t shouldering its fair
share of refugees. I’m wondering if you happen to know maybe what fifty percent of our fair
share quota so to speak or…
Mr. McCaffrey: So, I would hope that it would be shared throughout the community and if you
need I can provide more information from Catholic charities if you need more detail of on this
particular issue.
Commissioner Lee: I think if we wanted to make this a stronger resolution if we could identify
whether the City and the county as a whole are sorts of failing to meet its moral obligations to
actually welcome sufficient numbers of refugees into these communities. I think that would be
helpful to give more proof.
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
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Mr. McCaffrey: Yes, I’d be interested in to entertain what you are suggesting there. I do want to
say that we’ve had meetings with Supervisor Corteses’s office and found a supportive element
there. I mentioned in Cupertino we met with the Mayor in Cupertino. I’ve also been in discussion
with some people from Mountain View and they are indicating support for this effort. So, I’d be
glad to discuss with you how we may strengthen the resolution if that’s so desired.
Commissioner Lee: I did some quick math and just based on the Cities and the Counties
population relative to the world population, I estimated that based on the 21.3 million, Palo Alto
should house at least 185 and the county should house 5,000. That’s based purely on numbers
and that doesn’t take into consideration of the fact that we have…
Mr. McCaffrey: If I understand you correctly, you would like to know the level of this activity in
our county and I’d be glad to explore that and get back with you and tell you what it is.
Commissioner Lee: That would be great.
Mr. McCaffrey: Ok.
Vice Chair Chen: I think this is a very good move as Commissioner Lee had indicated. We need
to know exactly how our city and county is affected by this resolution – by this refugee situation.
Alright, we need more data so we can understand.
Mr. McCaffrey: I will get more information.
Vice Chair Chen: Right, right, that would be great.
Chair Stinger: In general, the options open to us are to approve the resolution, to approve
referring it to City Council or to not approve the resolution. I suppose we could also ask for ways
to strengthen the resolution. Can we continue – do you have any comments?
MOTION
Commissioner Lee: I was going to make a motion to table it until next month’s meeting so that
we can get some numbers to strengthen the resolution but if there’s further discussion I’m happy
to wait.
Vice Chair Chen: I second.
Chair Stinger: Is there any discussion?
Commissioner Alhassani: Can you elaborate the when we get more data, how does that
strengthen the resolution or how does that change…
Commissioner Lee: For instance, if we only have 100 refugees in Santa Clara County, we should
be shouldering significantly more of them in this community and in this county. Then that can
show how we are failing to meet our obligations. That’s my thinking at least.
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Commissioner Alhassani: The – I think that back in the envelope math is not a bad place to start
but refugees resettlement it’s much more complex issue. I’m in support of the resolution to be
clear but I also want to be honest though that this may not be the best place for refugee families
to be in given that housing costs are so expensive here. We can’t keep high paying tech workers
here so is a refugee family really best situated here versus somewhere else. Second, my
understanding with data is that a lot of times refugee families will stay here for a few months or
wherever they get assigned too and then they will move to places where they have community
and relationships. For example, a lot of folks come from the Middle East go straight to Michigan
because they know people there. My only point is saying that I’d be dubious a little bit of using
that math to say our goal should be 185 versus having a 100 and get into the weeds of something
that’s pretty complex. I am very supportive of the intention of the resolution, I’m very supportive
of getting more refugees to come to America and fulfilling our moral obligation. I just don’t
want to over anchor on localizing it here.
Chair Stinger: We have a motion; can I call the vote? Is there any other discussion of the motion?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I think that this is purely up to the HRC obviously but I would just maybe
echo what the more specific information will do. I mean the options before you are one, making
a decision about a resolution and then HRC’s role in the resolution and the Council’s role in such
a resolution. As the Chair told you, you can make a choice just to pass this as an HRC. You can
make a choice to pass this and make it go onto Council and ask them to consider it and then the
HRC would need to go to the Council and speak to this resolution in front of the Council and
enumerate the reasons in which you’re in favor of it. It is a symbolic resolution because the City
of Palo Alto does not have authority over any immigration laws or refugee resettlement. You are
welcome to do what you want with that. I think it would be mindful to think of this resolution
and just how you think of resolutions in general as other resolutions go it is making a decision
about this. It gives the notice to other groups what kind of resolution you’ll be interested in so
my comments here are not meant to be anything on this topic. I think my feelings as Staff aside;
I’m definitely with Commissioner Alhassani. There’s nothing in here that one could object to but
as your liaison, just having you think of the broader question and the reason why you might be
asking for more information or the thinking of passing resolutions that are predominately
symbolic in nature. It would be good to hear from Council Member Kou if she feels comfortable
but in the past, the Council was really looking for resolution from the HRC that had a clear nexus
to local residents. So, then you’re point really speaks to that so the HRC is welcome to do
anything but I just wanted to understand the reasons for getting more information. If you want to
do that, I completely will work with you as your liaison to work to get that information but I just
wanted to point those things out.
Chair Stinger: Thank you. I was waiting until we had voted on the motion on the floor but I
would like to follow up now and say that as it’s been said, I am very supportive of refugee
resettlement but I’m not sure it’s within the purview of our Commission. As the resolution is
written, it feels symbolic and I’d like to be a Commission that is action-oriented so I probably
would not support the motion even though I support the idea. I would support a substitute motion
subsequently to say that when we reconsider our HSRAP priorities, we reconsider adding
refugee resettlement to the HSRAP priorities. So, that if Catholic charities in Palo Alto prepares
a proposal for us, we could fund that proposal or we could read the proposal or if we
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
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subsequently later on in our agenda pass an accommodation of a recognition program, we could
recognize programs that assist refugee resettlement. Just as a symbolic motion, I hesitate to go
down that path. I’d like to see some legs on what we do.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: My understanding was they were getting symbolic approval from the
other counties too and then from the other City Councils like Mountain View. So, it is like a
symbolic showing that’s like ok, this City is also supporting, then I am all for passing it as is
because then there may be value in the symbolic approval of all the City Councils from Santa
Clara County.
Chair Stinger: That was actually a question that I had. Can you describe the interest that a City
such as Mountain View has? Are they…
Mr. McCaffrey: I’ll tell you how we’ve come about that information if you want to know. I had a
meeting with the ACLU recently and they had some representatives there and they indicated to
me that Mountain View was very favorable to this idea. That was what I got and it said that they
were willing to work with me to move it forward in Mountain View. So, that’s my level of
information on that.
Vice Chair Chen: I’m interested to know what specific action they have taken to move it forward
with you. What kind of work because this is symbolic. That means we’re not going to do action.
Mr. McCaffrey: Well, what I take as important about this is raising the awareness of the
community of the issue. That is what I think is what we’re interested in.
Vice Chair Chen: So, that’s symbolic that we’re talking about.
Mr. McCaffrey: Exactly. Where is the awareness of the community to this particular issue?
Vice Chair Chen: Yes, we are supportive of this.
Mr. McCaffrey: Ok, thank you.
Chair Stinger: Right now, we have a motion on the floor. Did you take it down, Mary?
Ms. Mary Constantino: Did I take it down?
Chair Stinger: Yes or can you repeat it, Steve?
Commissioner Lee: My motion is to table the resolution for consideration at the next meeting so
that we can revise it based on the questions that I proposed and any others that the Commission
has.
Chair Stinger: Is there any discussion on the motion? If not, I’ll call the vote.
Vice Chair Chen: Well, I have a little comment on this. If this is symbolic it doesn’t really
matter, the numbers of how many refugees in the Palo Alto City because it’s symbolic. It’s
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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showing our support for this issue.
Commissioner Lee: I think it’s a stronger symbolic statement if we acknowledge our current
level of support and to the extent that that support is falling short of our moral obligations to
address this issue. As one of the wealthiest communities in the country it’s not fulfilling its
obligation to welcome and include a sufficient number of refugees, I think it’s important to
acknowledge that. Then use that statistic, that fact as a way of actually mobilizing action so I
think it’s a more powerful symbolic statement to know that. To know what our current level of
support is and how that support may fail to address the refuge issue. That’s why I would like to
amend the resolution with the numbers that they can provide us.
Vice Chair Chen: Since Catholic Charities is the organization who does a lot of work in this area
so I’ll say that I agree with Chair Stinger’s suggestion that for next time when we have an
HSRAP review, we encourage Catholic Charities to submit some information, including some
refugee issues.
Mr. McCaffrey: Yes, I’m know about Catholic Charities and I have contacts with Catholic
Charities and I will be able to get in touch with them and get a reading from the level of activities
of refugees in this particular area. I know the person who is in charge of Catholic Charities and
I’d be glad to pursue getting more information if that’s what you would like.
Vice Chair Chen: In that case, we could discuss symbolic right now and in the future, we get
some more information to do some action and to actually help.
Mr. McCaffrey: That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful. I’ll be glad to help in any way you’d like me
to do.
Commissioner Lee: Maybe we add that action to the resolution. I mean once we identify the
problem maybe we ask the Council for support to make refugee services a priority in the next
round of HSRAP. That’s a way of adding some teeth to an otherwise symbolic statement.
Chair Stinger: Why don’t we take it piece by piece and start by voting first on the motion that’s
on the floor. All in favor? Opposed?
MOTION FAILED WITH A VOTE OF 2-3 WITH COMMISSIONER O’NAN ABSENT.
Council Member Kou: Who seconded that motion?
Vice Chair Chen: I did second but I changed my mind because I had thought about it a little bit.
Chair Stinger: Discussion on the resolution, do I hear a motion the resolution before us?
Commissioner Alhassani: Sorry, to be clear, that motion was not passed?
Commissioner Lee: No, it did not pass.
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access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 7 of 29
Commissioner Alhassani: Is the next resolution about making a recommendation to consider
refugee resettlement as an HSRAP priority?
Commissioner Lee: Someone has to make that motion.
Commissioner Alhassani: Is that what?
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: I thought that was…
Commissioner Lee: No, my motion failed so if somebody wants to suggest that.
Commissioner Alhassani: That’s what I was asking, is that what the Chair is saying?
MOTION
Chair Stinger: That’s what I am asking for. I’ll make a motion that the next time the HRC
considers its priorities for HSRAP funding, it includes refugee resettlement and then we can
entrain proposals.
Commissioner Lee: Second.
Chair Stinger: Any discussion?
Council Member Kou: Can I ask a question?
Chair Stinger: Please.
Council Member Kou: If it’s about awareness and education about refugees, would the HSRAP
also include bringing awareness events or different methods of ensuring that the communities are
aware that there is a refugee crisis and that people should be knowledgeable about how to reach
different agencies etc. Is that part of the -- or is it just resettlement?
Chair Stinger: We generally have not set a priority and done outreach, it’s been direct services.
Commissioner Lee: That would be my preference would be to focus it on actually providing
services so that refugees can come and stay here in our community.
Commissioner Alhassani: I think the motion was seconded.
Commissioner Lee: Yes, I seconded it.
Chair Stinger: I’ll call the vote on the motion. All in favor? Opposed?
MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5-0 WITH COMMISSIONER O’NAN ABSENT.
Chair Stinger: Is there any other action on this particular resolution? Any loose ends anybody
would like to include?
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access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
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MOTION
Commissioner Lee: Since my original motion wasn’t passed my second option is just to pass the
resolution as it is and just forward it to Council. I move that the HRC recommend that Council
review and consider and approve this resolution.
Commissioner Alhassani: I second that.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Yes, I agree.
Chair Stinger: Discussion? I’ll call the vote, all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries, thank you.
Mr. McCaffrey: Thank you very much for your help, we appreciate it.
MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 5-0 WITH COMMISSIONER O’NAN ABSENT.
2. Determine question for the City Attorney in anticipation of future briefing on the
local implications of California Senate Bill 54 – Law enforcement sharing data and
California Senate Bill-31 California Religious Freedom Act.
Chair Stinger: We will move onto the second agenda item. The second agenda item is to
determine the questions for the City Attorney in anticipation of a future briefing on the local
implications of California Senate Bill 54. In the package that you received, there was some
background on this agenda item. The AD HOC subcommittee would like to ask the Council to
set a policy regarding immigration. It may be that policy is confirming SB 54 which the
Governor signed in October or it may be that we’d like to have a stronger policy in Palo Alto. I
don’t know what that would be but that’s the question to an attorney in the City’s legal office.
Also, a review with a County office to see what other cities are doing and if they have more
rigorous protocols or if SB 54 is adequate. Our Staff approached the City Attorney’s office and
asked if they would do a review for us. They agreed to do a review and to attend a meeting of the
Commission if we submitted a list of questions. I prepared a list of questions as a starting point
for discussion and I’d like to know if there are any amendments or additional questions that
would help the Commission decide what the recommendation is to Council. Commissioner Lee.
Commissioner Lee: One question that I would like them to answer is what is San Francisco
doing on this because San Francisco tends to be a leader on these issues. My personal preference
would be for us to at least match what San Francisco is doing but also have them look at other
cities in California just to see if there are any other cities who are taking more protective stance
than even San Francisco. I would like to know what the ceiling is in terms of the total protection
that we could do as cities in California then use that to discuss what we would actually adopt
here. It kind of compliments the second question but not just making it consistent with
neighboring communities but making it the strongest in the state.
Chair Stinger: Vice Chair Chen?
Vice Chair Chen: It’s a very good idea to compare with San Francisco because it’s such a big
city. It’s up to us too because of demographic differences between San Francisco and our area so,
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 9 of 29
maybe a different way of approaching. We cannot just follow suit and you know whatever they
do, we do so we have to think about our circumstances as well.
Chair Stinger: Is there a question that you would like to ask that would help you?
Vice Chair Chen: No, I think those questions are pretty adequate on what I’m thinking about.
Chair Stinger: Commissioner Alhassani?
Commissioner Alhassani: It’s not exactly a question but when we get the briefing, I would love
to have a walkthrough of the fine print a little bit because I’ve researching the bill and there’s a
lot of articles about it that say overall the bill is good. That most people are pretty happy with it
but particularly the governor’s amendment offers some language that can be interpreted in
different ways that have implications on how the bill is enforced. I would love the City Attorney
to walk through the details a little bit for us. For example, some of the things that came up was
what can ICE agents do in prisons and I guess there’s also a difference – I think the language in
the bill that I read at some point – I don’t know if this is the final bill but the California
Rehabilitation Center is not the same thing as the California Law Enforcement Agency. So, ICE
agents have different powers in prisons versus in police prisons for example. I’m not a policy
expert but these are some of the articles that I read that are some of the issues that are brought
up. It would just be great for a walkthrough through the bill.
Chair Stinger: Thank you, that’s a good suggestion. I was thinking that I would also like to bring
it down to something that I can understand a little bit by asking them to take some examples like
a child in school, a family in a clinic. Are they protected in our City? That was listed as an action
item but I think it’s a discussion item and we have good questions. I’ll amend this list and
forwarded it to you if you could then make some time with the City Attorney.
Ms. van der Zwaag: Certainly.
Chair Stinger: Can I also ask that we speak to somebody from the County?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Sure, you’re asking that the City Attorney speak to someone in the County or
you’re just asking that if Staff can speak to someone in the County; just so I am understanding?
Chair Stinger: Staff invites the County Immigration lawyer to come and I can get you that
contact.
Commissioner Lee: Can I ask a follow-up question?
Chair Stinger: Absolutely.
Commissioner Lee: One of the prior meetings, I recall quite a few folks from the -- was it the
ACLU, commenting about the police policy and they felt like it was good but there was an
additional sort of one percent measures that could be adopted. I’m wondering if we could circle
back to that and have the City Attorney review their recommendation and see if those are either
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access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 10 of 29
covered by SB 54 or whether it would be something that we needed to add on top of it.
Ms. van de Zwaag: We can certainly ask the City Attorney that. I know in his email exchange
with me, he talked about giving a briefing to the HRC on these two bills as he does when
requested by City Departments. We can ask if that’s within the purview of my request to him and
I’ll just await his response.
Commissioner Lee: Ok, thank you.
Chair Stinger: Thank you, good discussion, good suggestions and I’m looking forward to having
the two representatives here to help us understand the effectiveness of SB 54 and SB 31 so that
we can make a sound policy recommendation to Council.
3. Further discussion on HRC Priorities FY2018.
Chair Stinger: Moving onto to agenda item three, the HRC priorities for the fiscal year 2018.
What I’ve done in this work plan is to focus on our major priorities for the year. I was hoping in
our discussion that we could drill down on our timing and our commitment to get these things
done and then close on our work plan for the year. I’ll begin by saying that the first thing we
have is taking recommendations for the Council referral to the Council and we currently are
planning to go in January. I think that date might change.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Yes, at this point it’s January 22nd but the caution that give with that is then
my Staff Report has to be in by December 11th that discusses the work. That can be fudged by
maybe a week but that’s not encouraged so that would be the Staff Report with our findings, our
desired recommendation and so forth and any backup we need to give them.
Commissioner Lee: Would that be before or after our next meeting, that December 11th?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I believe that’s right – December 14th, yes, I looked today. That’s a couple
days before our next meeting.
Chair Stinger: Can we use that fudge factor if we had a draft that the Commission could approve
on the 14th?
Ms. van de Zwaag: A draft of your report?
Chair Stinger: Yes.
Ms. van de Zwaag: The Commission doesn’t review my report.
Chair Stinger: My – yes, our report.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Possibly so but I think maybe we can be in dialog with that. I don’t want to
without seeing the final report from the subcommittee; I don’t want to be able to promise that
ahead of time. I know that I will do my best to do what I can to meet that deadline.
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 11 of 29
Chair Stinger: The subcommittee will also, correct Commissioner Alhassani? The goal here is to
finish that by the end of quarter two, which is June, July, August, September, October,
November, December and maybe the first month of quarter three; January to March. The
immigration is really fairly easy because so much work has been done by our library staff.
Gender identity is a program that – let me pull my notes out. The county is sponsoring in 15
cities to do an assessment of needs and assets so that we would be better prepared to understand
north county’s needs as part of the whole county. Commissioner O’Nan has said she would work
with me on that. Mountain View is doing a program in January which would be a good trial
balloon. I’d like to suggest that we follow that in March so I will be asking staff to help us to
secure a date and location for our March meeting. One of the questions that I have for staff as we
work through this is to make sure that we don’t double up on asking the things when you know
that you have other commitments so that we don’t take advantage of staff’s support of our
activities. The subcommittee looked at a variety of activities to include in public service the
immigrant communities and two ideas that surface where leadership training for new
immigrants. That’s a program that’s been done successfully in Mountain View with one group
and I’ve asked Commissioner Chen to help me explore adapting our Leadership Palo Alto
Program with the Chamber. That would probably be something that would take us intensive
work in quarter three, maybe quarter four but would actually be visible in September or at the
start of the next school year. Explore Welcoming America Week is a program in September that
the family ‘Y’ does now in some constrained or minimal way but they’ve expressed interest in
working with us to expand that program. I’d like to explore that and that would be a partnership
program.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Great, I’ve spoken to the libraries about that and they have an interest in
working with the HRC on that as well or at least one of the head librarians is very interested.
Chair Stinger: Thank you that would be great. That’s the spread of the first program
recommendations that come out of the Council referral. I’m going to ask Commissioner Lee to
talk about the timing of your efforts.
Commissioner Lee: For CEDAW I would like to present the Commission with a memo or an
update on what my recommendation would be for us as a Commission in terms of moving that
forward. Primarily it would be recommending that Council direct staff to begin drafting an
ordinance with particular considerations in mind. I mean there are the three requirements that we
know, the most urgensense require is the gender analysis, funding, and an oversight body. There
are some additional recommendations that I’m currently working on that I would like Staff, in
particular, to consider as part of the ordinance, notwithstanding the gender analysis not having
been done yet. I’m putting that together and hopefully, at the next meeting, I can present that for
our discussion and hopefully recommendation to Council.
Chair Stinger: Is there anything else on the agenda?
Commissioner Lee: No, I don’t believe so.
Chair Stinger: Then I categorized under citywide learning the programs that we had talked about
on otherness, do you have any comments?
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Page 12 of 29
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Yes, I think Shelly was going to help me on this one and I think
Commissioner Lee was also interested but I mean since I have two and I’m stretched for time so
at this particular I can go with the online cyberbullying and if you want to drop the Citywide
learning, I’m fine with that. Now for the online cyber bullying, I have a proposal that I can draft
up for inclusion in that.
Chair Stinger: One of the questions was where we can focus down? Where can we focus our
energy and you answered that otherness program is something that really attracted me. I think
it’s just particularly relevant to the work that the Commission has done over the last 2-years and
it’s relevant to the Council referral. We are short a Commissioner so it becomes increasingly
difficult to get all the good work of the Commission done.
Commissioner Lee: I mean I would be willing to work with the goal of doing it in Q. 4 if that
around the June/July time period. I think I need that much time to put something together.
Chair Stinger: I’d really like to explore that and see if we can make that happen. I think that’s
just such a strong program and I think if we reach out to partners, we might be able to do that
without doing a full effort at the Commission level.
Commissioner Lee: I’m thinking of something like a TED Talk type event where we have a
number of different speakers on this particular theme. Sometimes that could be heard and posted
online.
Ms. van de Zwaag: But we post all this stuff online.
Commissioner Lee: I think most of the work would be coming with a theme and finding speakers
but then been working with local groups to actually put it on.
Chair Stinger: I really like that idea and I know we can’t work on it right here at this table but I’d
like to see that go forward. Could you work Commissioner Lee if he took the lead or does that
really stretch you?
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: I think the next three months are difficult for me but if it’s in Q.4, I
could help him on that. I mean I definitely don’t have the bandwidth without Shelly and do it all
by myself but sure.
Chair Stinger: Yes, I totally understand that. Everything under the Council referral feels like
we’re a little shaky without our seventh Commissioner.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: I mean I want to emphasize that I really am interested in the
cyberbullying and looking at that aspect and I don’t want anything else to come at the cost of that
issue because that is close to my heart. I really want to make a difference in that. I’m here for 3-
years and if I can’t get my stretch in this year then I’m hoping next year and the year after.
Chair Stinger: I think we need to see the proposal and see the subcommittee that comes together
to work with you so that we can really put some legs to that. For now, let’s leave it as something
in Q…
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Page 13 of 29
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: We could do Q3.
Chair Stinger: The start of that would be the proposal so that we understand how it’s relevant to
our mission.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Yes.
The Commission heard item four at this time
Chair Stinger: We came up with two priorities for the year at our retreat, one was fostering
community, one was gender and we folded that into the Council referral and the other is
fostering community conversation. The first item there is On The Table, can do you want to
speak to that now Commissioner O’Nan?
Commissioner O’Nan: Sure.
Chair Stinger: We also have it as an agenda item.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Just do it now and then take it off the agenda later.
Chair Stinger: I think that makes more sense.
Commissioner O’Nan: So sure, as you may recall we had a representative from Silicon Valley
Community Foundations speak to us a few months ago about On The Table which is a Silicon
Valley-wide day of community building around the topic of housing. The purpose is to have
hosts invite people to sit down and have a conversation about housing. It’s not to try to argue or
pursued somebody who sees things differently but it’s simple to listen and hear and exchange
ideas and have a conversation. Then after that, the participants will take a survey, which will be
sent into the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and that data will be compiled and sent to
the lawmakers and policymakers at the County level, perhaps even at the state level. It may form
housing policies going forward so we’re excited to participate in that. The City of Palo Alto is
hosting three coffees, that’s my understanding, throughout the day where residents can drop in
and talk to community leaders about housing. The HRC is sponsoring two On The Table events
so there will be one in the morning which we’re hosting at Hobee’s and we have invited a
number of people to join us there. Then my colleague Steven Lee is hosting one in the evening
where he is leveraging LifeMoves evening meal for low income and homeless people, as well as
vehicle dwellers. I know some Council Members are interested in attending that one and that one
will also be held downtown. We have gotten our training and out kits from the Silicon Valley
Community Foundation and that event will be taking place next Wednesday, November 15th.
Then, of course, our hope is that our colleagues will be able to either join our HRC sponsored
events or one of the City’s sponsored events and participate in this really robust and candid
discussion about housing. So, if any of you have any questions or comments I’d be happy to try
to address them.
Vice Chair Chen: Yes, I look at just Next-Door Neighbor information and I get an email every
day. It doesn’t say that the HRC is hosting two, just one so I’m just wondering.
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Page 14 of 29
Commissioner Lee: The one that I’m hosting in the evening is a limited invitation so…
Vice Chair Chen: Oh, I see.
Commissioner Lee: …on Monday I’m going with a fellow from the Momentum to go a canvas
all of the RVs along El Camino and give them an invitation to join us at the LifeMoves meal on
Wednesday at the Presbyterian. Hopefully, it will consist of folks who live in the RVs, as well as
the folks who regularly attend the meals there.
Vice Chair Chen: Now I understand, this is a limit invitation and not public.
Commissioner Lee: The Commission is certainly welcome and any Council Members as well.
Vice Chair Chen: Alright, thank you for clarifying it.
Chair Stinger: Both of you’ve put a lot of work into the preparation for that and the staff has
been very helpful so thank you.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Thank you for your passion for doing this, I really appreciate it.
Commissioner Lee: I’m also hosting one at my house on the weekend if anyone wants free pizza
and beer. It might just be me and my millennial friends so the responses to the surveys might be
a bit skewed on that demographic but open invite.
Chair Stinger: Silicon Valley Community Foundation presented On The Table concept and they
had two objectives. One was a focus on housing and the other was civic engagement and that
follows so nicely from some of the work that we’ve done in the last 2-years. I’m really enthused
by the level are participation on the Council level and clearly, the two events that we’re hosting.
Commissioner Lee: Can I ask a quick question? Do we know if any of the Planning
Commissioners will be attending any of the City sponsored On The Table events?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I don’t know. I know in the beginning there was the, we’ll do one if you do
one kind of thing. I’m not sure but I can check. I know planning Staff has divided up between the
three events, as well as representatives from the City’s Manager Office. I had not heard
specifically about Planning Commissioners.
Commissioner Lee: Maybe we could just send them a reminder email and ask if they can go?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I can check with the Planning Director if she’s done that.
Commissioner Lee: Ok, great, thank you.
Commissioner Alhassani: I do know of one that is attending one of them.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Pardon me?
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Page 15 of 29
Commissioner Alhassani: I know of at least one that will have a Planning Commissioner at it.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Ok.
Commissioner Alhassani: I can send you that one if that’s helpful.
Commissioner Lee: I don’t need it, I just was asking.
Chair Stinger: I know you’ve been working on the questions that you want to use in the morning,
Commissioner O’Nan.
Commissioner O’Nan: Yes, when we attended training, it turned out that the – there were five
questions prepared by Silicon Valley Community Foundation but they had found in their test
groups that it was difficult, if not impossible to answer all of the questions within the hour time
frame that they recommend. So, they’ve encouraged us to really customize the question or even
create our own questions that we feel are more pertinent to our community. I’ve been working
with leadership and Minka to try to come up with questions that will be meaningful and that we
can handle within the 60-minutes that we have. Chair Stinger came up with a set of question and
we especially liked her icebreaker question which gives every participant a chance to introduce
themselves and talk a little bit about their home of origin. Then we liked two of the questions
that the City Staff had prepared that encouraged the participants to think about solutions or our
long-term vision for Palo Alto housing in particular. I think what we’ll do is a hybrid of using
some icebreaker questions that allow people to share personal stories and then also have some
more solution-oriented questions to get them thinking about what the future of Palo Alto should
be. Then we’ll capture that data as best we can and include it in the aggregate for Silicon Valley
Community Foundation and hopefully some really good ideas will bubble forth and we can
inform laws and policies as we go forward.
Ms. van de Zwaag: For Commissioner Lee, I can send those to you. I sent those and then I left
for several meetings so I can send them to you. You are free to use Silicon Valley, the ones you
feel are more pertinent to the group that you’re working with but just wanted to let you know
that.
Commissioner Lee: Thank you very much.
Council Member Kou: Will those questions also be forwarded to the morning…
Ms. van de Zwaag: Yes.
Council Member Kou: …to the City.
Ms. van de Zwaag: The ones that I forwarded to one of our groups were the same ones they were
using in the morning.
Council Member Kou: Ok, very good.
Ms. van de Zwaag: They gave the leeway of the other coffees of using whatever they felt was
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Page 16 of 29
best for the groups that they were with, yes.
Council Member Kou: The ones that the City is sponsoring, they are all in the morning from
8:30-10:00.
Ms. van de Zwaag: That’s right except for the HRC’s which is a little later, 8:45 and then
Commissioner Lee’s is at 9:00 at night because of his audience.
Commissioner Lee: Are we planning on having sort of debrief with the City Staff who attended
the morning ones with the Commission?
Ms. van de Zwaag: They had not planned that but I can find out if that happens afterward. I
know that there’ll obviously some time for data analysis and conversation sharing so I am sure
that happened. I think they were so in the mode of making sure that these happened and were
executed well, they hadn’t had that conversation yet but I’m sure it will happen.
Vice Chair Chen: That was one of my questions in the email. So, after we gather all the data,
how are we going to analysis it and then summarize it and present it – publish it?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Right but that will be up to City Staff to do and to pass onto Silicon Valley
Community Foundation and they are really hopeful to take all that information and to give to
Council as appropriate to be helpful in their future discussions about housing. I will definitely
express that you would like to either apart of those conversations or get the results of those
conversations.
Vice Chair Chen: Exactly.
Chair Stinger: I think it’s worthwhile spending some time aggregating the data so that we do
have a story about Palo Alto and recommendations from Palo Alto. The Silicon Valley
Community Foundation has a large job ahead of them and larger – high expectations of what
they’ll see but I think the richness for us will be in Palo Alto’s aggregation data. It’s one of the
reasons I’m glad we’re using the same questions as the City. It will make it easier to pool the
data.
Commissioner Lee: Silicon Valley Foundation said that they might be able to give us the data for
the Palo Alto zip codes too or at least they would look into it because I had asked them that.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Great, thank you.
The Commission continued with item three
Chair Stinger: Commissioner Alhassani, community dinner?
Commissioner Alhassani: Yes so I had a call this week with a member of the staff from the Anti-
Defamation League and they have an office in the Bay Area now. I told them that I would love
their ideas and to partner with them on this community dinner because I had seen that they had
done some similar events around the country. Although their ideas on how to build a good
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Page 17 of 29
program for this and they said when do you want to do this and I said my goal is March/April. I
laid down the line if it works for the rest of the HRC schedule.
Chair Stinger: We have a busy spring.
Commissioner Alhassani: Yes, that’s why
Chair Stinger: I think if you’ve laid it down, I’ll talk to Commissioner O’Nan and see if we can
do something if it were in March instead of March/April.
Commissioner O’Nan: On the assessment?
Chair Stinger: Gender – Yes.
Commissioner O’Nan: LGBTQ assessment.
Chair Stinger: We’ll work offline to make those two events separate and our event will be a
much smaller event.
Vice Chair Chen: I would like to understand a little bit more about what do you have in mind for
this assessment of the LGBTQ community? Is it going to be a forum of the Committee meeting
with the public?
Chair Stinger: We’ll be following a protocol that the county has established. They are doing
needs assessments in 15 cities. I’m a little vague on it right now but Mountain View is doing
their planning session tomorrow, November 16th. No, is that right?
Ms. van der Zwaag: The 9th.
Chair Stinger: 9th They're doing their planning session next week and I’ll have a phone call with
the city and/or the county representatives to get a better idea. The general framework is to invite
that community and family of the community to talk about the strengths that they see in our
community, the weaknesses and to come up with policies or probably programs but maybe
policies that would facilitate their integration into the community more positively.
Vice Chair Chen: Ok, thank you.
Chair Stinger: Well, there are particular groups we’re looking at but I’ll flush that out. I think if
we focus here, we have a huge bit to swallow. If everybody is on board with their own time
schedule, I think it’s something that we can do. Do I hear any objections to going forward with
the work plan?
Commissioner O’Nan: I will need to talk to you offline because I’m having two surgeries in
December and so I’m not exactly sure what shape I’ll be in my February but hopefully I’ll be
able to walk and help you.
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Page 18 of 29
Chair Stinger: Maybe we’ll go after Commissioner Alhassani but we’ll work around your dates,
Commissioner Alhassani, and your surgery dates. Just to finish this off, HSRAP and CDBG will
have interim reviews, is that correct this year? As CDBG we do a check in mid-cycle?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Yes, for year two there is an opportunity often if there’s money still on the
table or for year two that they do have a small group come together but that’s like one meeting
for 2-hours and that’s it. So, it’s something that’s pretty low involvement.
Chair Stinger: Great, I think we can do it.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Yes.
Commissioner Lee: Can I ask…
Ms. van de Zwaag: You have that Q3 but I don’t think that’s till Q4 at least. Do you recall Mary
from last time?
Ms. Constantino: (Inaudible)
Ms. van de Zwaag: Ok so maybe it’s even in Q1 next year. Commissioner Lee?
Commissioner Lee: As part of the CDBG discussion, can I ask that we discuss possibly –
consider consolidating our CDBG efforts with the county (inaudible)?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I – that’s not a discussion. I could pass that thought onto the City Planning
Staff but I don’t have any jurisdiction over CDBG and what do you mean by that, passing it on?
Commissioner Lee: I know when I was on the Housing Community Development Advisory
Committee – Commission for the county; they applied for CDBG funds as the urban county. As
well some of the smaller Cities they teamed up with the county to pool their resources as a way
of addressing the services that they need on a countywide basis as opposed to each city doing
their own thing. I – at least have a discussion about whether it might make sense for us to
combine our efforts with the county and the other cities who participate…
Ms. van de Zwaag: That was cities with unincorporated areas within their boundaries so they are
kind of county?
Commissioner Lee: These are just small cities who might not otherwise get a lot of CDBG funds.
Ms. van de Zwaag: I can just ask.
Commissioner O’Nan: I guess I would say that I am not an expert on CDBG but if we did that,
the money will all go to San Jose and virtually none of it will be seen here in Palo Alto. San Jose
is like a giant black hole sucking all of the…
Commissioner Lee: I think it’s a discussion worth having. I think these are regional issues that
should be addressed at a regional level and if that means more would go to San Jose but it
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Page 19 of 29
actually addresses the larger issues, I’m personally ok with that. I think that’s part of a larger
discussion for us to have.
Ms. van de Zwaag: I’m not sure in the end that will be an HRC authority decision.
Commissioner Lee: No but we could make a recommendation to whomever; probably the City
Council to make that determination.
Ms. van de Zwaag: If that’s the will of the majority of the HRC, you can have that discussion.
Commissioner Lee: Yes so if we could agendize it as part of the CDBG discussion.
Ms. van de Zwaag: I think we need some more information first.
Chair Stinger: Yes let’s take that at a Committee level to really understand the ramifications of
that and work that through with our CDBG reps in City Administration.
4. Update regarding On The Table events on November 15, 2017.
Please refer to item three
Chair Stinger: Agenda item four we have covered.
5. Discussion of the HRC Draft Community Recognition Policy.
Chair Stinger: Item five is the discussion of the HRC draft Community Recognition Policy. As
background, staff received a request from a representative from a non-profit to say there have
been groups that have been very helpful to that non-profit. He wondered if the HRC could
acknowledge that and recognize the contributions to their program’s success. We certainly could
but we really don’t have a framework for doing that so we’ve put together a draft to recognize
contributions to a supportive community. The draft was in your email packet and it’s in front of
you now. I would like to ask if there’s any comment or any discussion on having a policy and
having this particular policy.
Commissioner Lee: Would this include recognizing local businesses or when you say
organizations does that include businesses?
Chair Stinger: The request was to recognize a hotel…
Ms. van de Zwaag: A local hotel so yes, businesses as profit/non-profit individuals.
Chair Stinger: It’s something that I actually have been thinking about for a while. We’ve done a
good job in some of our forums in talking about areas where we need improvement and things
that we need to work on. At the same time, it would be nice to have some stars and do some
positive recognition of individuals, organizations, businesses in the community that is just
generally kind.
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Page 20 of 29
Commissioner Lee: Since the recognition would be on behalf of the entire Commission, would it
require the Commission to actually vote on it as opposed to just having the leadership team
approve it?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Often like the Mayor will give a recognition of a person or an event without
bringing it to the whole Council so that’s within your purview as a group to decide whether
you’d like to have them come back to you or whether you want to authorize leadership. I did
check on that because I had a question about this so there is precedent that it is those decisions
are made within leadership but that’s within the purview of the HRC to decide.
Commissioner O’Nan: My question is we already have some community awards like the Tall
Trees and Athena Award so what are we doing here? What differentiates this one?
Chair Stinger: This would not be at the level of the Athena or the Tall Tree. This would be more
of a document that just whereas you’ve been kind, where you as you’ve donated donuts, whereas
you have donated coffee, given us space, gave us water. The Human Relation Commission
would like to thank you and part of the reason for suggesting that the approval be by the
leadership we didn’t want to have a negative discussion with the full Commission. If it’s
preferable we can have a Committee set up that would receive recommendation – no, we can’t.
Ms. van de Zwaag: You could have a Committee but if it’s a going Committee, those meetings
would have to be noticed and minutes would have to be taken.
Chair Stinger: That’s true.
Ms. van de Zwaag: So, that is your decision whether to make or not.
Chair Stinger: Any other questions?
Commissioner Lee: If I could make a comment if no one else has...
Chair Stinger: Please.
Commissioner Lee: My preference would be for these recognitions to really focus on individual
businesses or organizations that have helped encourage or foster a diverse and inclusive
community; possibly contributions to some of the agencies that we fund who help support
different social services. I would hesitate to go any further than that because that might be
beyond the sort of focus of this Commission. So, if it’s just them being charitable in other words
and it doesn't really have a nexus to the Commission, I would differ that to say the Council to
recognize so that would be my preference.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: I think the language in the proposal already captures that concept. It
is that it has to be supportive of the diverse community of people who live, work or worship in
Palo Alto.
Commissioner Lee: Fair enough.
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Page 21 of 29
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: I think my personal view is that we should be generous with this
kind of award and have social media support with next door or whatever. It always helps the
spirit of the person or organization if the HRC is part of the city of south Palo Alto and is
recognizing those then I think it’s a great thing.
Commissioner O’Nan: I’m fine with the resolution as well but I’d like to have a name for it
though because I find this a little bit awkward. I mean I guess we don’t time to have a
marketing/branding session here at our meeting, but I just kind of wish we had a name that we
say we’re giving them the blah blah blah award.
Commissioner Alhassani: (Inaudible)
MOTION
Chair Stinger: If I can make a motion to pass this as it’s written, follow up with social media and
publicity of the event and also work on identifying a name.
Commissioner Lee: Second.
Chair Stinger: I’ll ask myself, I don’t need to speak to my motion. Did you want to speak to
yours?
Commissioner Lee: No.
Chair Stinger: All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you.
MOTION PASSED WITH A VOTE OF 6-0
6. Discussion on the planning of the HRC holiday gathering.
Chair Stinger: The most important thing on the agenda is our holiday gathering. Traditionally the
HRC has had an early meeting in December so that would be around 6:00 on December 14th with
a focused agenda and then going out for dinner. It’s just a nice social event and I’d like to see us
do it again but open to other ideas or other days.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Does it start earlier?
Chair Stinger: We usually meet at 6:00 and then go out after…
Vice Chair Chen: We need it earlier so we can eat earlier.
Ms. Constantino: Well there’s somebody using this room till about 5:00 so…
Ms. van de Zwaag: Maybe 5:30?
Vice Chair Chen: Maybe 5:30.
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Ms. Constantino: Possibly but I mean I just worry that sometimes meetings go late but…
Vice Chair Chen: It’s not healthy to eat too late.
Ms. van de Zwaag: You could do a Pilates class with us afterward Commissioner Chen.
Chair Stinger: Any objections…
Commissioner Lee: I might be out of town that day so I might have to call in remotely for that
meeting. December is hectic months so don’t plan it around me.
Commissioner O’Nan: Ok so once again, sharing my medical data with everybody, my first
surgery is December 13th and I won’t be able to walk after that so if we could go earlier, I would
love that.
Chair Stinger: That sounds like time for me to excuse myself and get my phone.
Ms. van de Zwaag: There is the option if people want to meet the first week of December
instead. If that…
Commissioner O’Nan: The meeting as well?
Ms. van de Zwaag: The meeting as well if…
Commissioner O’Nan: Then our holiday dinner?
Ms. van de Zwaag: That’s an option as well.
Vice Chair Chen: Let’s check with that.
Ms. van de Zwaag: That’s something that staff can do offline if there’s a general consensus there.
There are a lot of things that are involved in something like that. We’d have to find a room; we’d
have to see whoever was going to be on the agenda for next month if they could come earlier and
all those types of things. If we have two Commissioners that are out then everybody would have
to be here to even have a quorum because your quorum is four. Then everybody else would have
to be here.
Commissioner O’Nan: Yes, if we could…
Chair Stinger: I’d really like to aim for full attendance. The City Attorney – a representative
from the City’s Attorney’s office will be here and that’s…
Ms. van de Zwaag: Well the representative from the City’s Attorney’s Office said he would
come as soon as he could get to all the questions. So, he’s very responsive and as soon as I had
your question and as soon as I knew when the December meeting is going to be and how many
questions you actually had then I can be in dialog with him and say do you think you will be
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
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ready by the December meeting but his promise to the HRC was to review the questions and
come to you as soon as he could.
Chair Stinger: Then I’ll rephrase it and say I would still like the invitation to be on a day that we
have a chance of having a full Commission.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Certainly.
Chair Stinger: Any objections – not objections, does December 7th create difficulties?
Commissioner O’Nan: That would be great for me.
Vice Chair Chen: Yes, that’d be fine and 5:30?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Yes, so Staff will look into that, into the room, we have to hear what the
other plan of agenda to make sure if those folks can come at that meeting as well. We will do our
best to help make it happen.
Vice Chair Chen: Thank you.
Commissioner O’Nan: Thank you, Minka.
Ms. van de Zwaag: You’re welcome.
Chair Stinger: Thank you.
Chair Stinger: Typically, we go out to Il Fornaio, does that still work for people?
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Wow that is great.
Commissioner O’Nan: Yes, we always honor the spirit of our late colleague Ray Bacchetti who
practically lived at Il Foranio so we always feel his spirit there.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Alright.
Chair Stinger: Great.
Commissioner O’Nan: Oh, and we always invite our Council liaison as well.
Council Member Kou: Thank you.
Commissioner Lee: She’s buying right?
Council Member Kou: I was actually hoping you guys would add karaoke in there.
Commissioner Lee: That’s the after party.
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 24 of 29
Council Member Kou: That’s right.
Chair Stinger: Ok, we’ve got our agenda, our dinner, and our entertainment so we’re set to go.
Well, we don’t have an agenda but we’ll get to that.
V. Reports from Officials – Chair Stinger
1. Commissioner Reports
Chair Stinger: Commissioner reports, any Commissioner…
Commissioner O’Nan: Well, I’d like to just update my colleagues on the Finance Committee
meeting that we attended last night. Oh, I’m sorry Minka, where you going to do that?
Ms. van de Zwaag: No, I said good and then I don’t have too.
Commissioner O’Nan: I think as you know HSRAP was divided into two rounds of funding
recommendations this year because we had an unexpected remainder from the first round. So, we
recommended funding allocations for the second round, took it to Finance Committee last night,
had a really good discussion with the Committee and they unanimously approved our
recommendation. As long as Council is fine with that, I think we are done with HSRAP and it
was a nice end to the cycle.
Ms. van de Zwaag: It was and I want to in-person thank Commissioner O’Nan, who was my
right-hand last night. She did most of the presentation at the end which was awesome and fielded
some really good questions from the Council and Chair Stinger who was there. It’s going to be
on the December 4th Council consent calendar as just as a reminder that means that unless it’s
pulled, it’s just going to go through without comment. Since it was unanimous from the Finance
Committee, I don’t anticipate any problems.
Chair Stinger: I have to comment that staff and our Commissioner did a fabulous job. I want to
thank you both and thank the HSRAP Committee that did the analysis for all the work that you
put into it. The depth of the presentation and the clarity which – in which you presented it in was
very impressive. You could see that the Finance Committee had a lot of trust in you.
Commissioner O’Nan: I think they were feeling trustful of the HRC as a whole that we had
really done our diligence and really looked into things very deeply. I think they were also very
impressed with the thoroughness of Minka’s Staff Report and presentation.
Chair Stinger: So, not saying anything new but I want it on the record that the thoroughness, the
depth, and the expertise were well recognized and much appreciated. Thank you, both. Other
Commissioner reports?
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Yes, I met with the mediation program Karen, I forget her last name.
Ms. van de Zwaag: Michaels.
Commissioner Brahmbhatt: Yes, Karen Michaels I spoke with the person Paul and I was
surprised to find out that the volunteers for the mediation program that they have to spend their
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access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
Page 25 of 29
own money to get trained and help resolve the neighborhood disputes. Mostly on lending and
landlord/tenant or things like that. I told her I would be supportive of her through the HRC to get
any funding that would be good for them so that at least the volunteers don’t have to put in the
money to get trained to volunteer for this thing. I have to say that it was very impressive to know
that we live in such a good community where are twenty people who have paid $700- $800 to be
on this to volunteer. So, I feel very blessed that we are in a community where people take
volunteering so seriously but we should try to help if we can.
Chair Stinger: Thank you. Council liaison…
Commissioner Alhassani: I’m so sorry; I have one quick announcement that I was going to add.
Commissioner O’Nan: Another baby?
Commissioner Alhassani: No. Surprise, no. I mentioned the ADL earlier, they are having their
first Bay Area conference and I bring it up because a lot of the agenda of the conference are
things that are discussed in the City Council resolution. It’s called Never Is Now and its
happening on November 13th, Monday at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco. I do have a discount
if anyone is interested in going, you can email me and get a comp ticket. There’s a couple of
interesting speakers there, Reid Hoffman is going to be one of the keynote speakers. As well as a
guy named General Jay Silveria who is a Superintendent of the Air Force Academy and he is an
internet sensation interesting if you Google him or Air Force Superintendent, you’ll see a speech
he gave in reaction to an incident that happened at the Air Force Academy that I think is worth
watching. So, mostly because it overlaps with the City Council resolution I wanted to flag it for
the Commission.
Chair Stinger: Do you know the hours off hand?
Commissioner Alhassani: It’s an all-day thing. I’ll email…
Ms. van de Zwaag: Just send it...
Commissioner Alhassani: Yes, I’ll send it…
Ms. van de Zwaag: Just send it to staff and staff will send it on.
Chair Stinger: I’d appreciate that, thank you, Commissioner.
Ms. van de Zwaag: November 13th? Its Monday so we’re not here tomorrow but if you send it to
me tonight, I’ll try to remember to…
Commissioner Alhassani: Ok.
2. Council Liaison Report
Chair Stinger: Council Member Kou?
Council Member Kou: Nothing to report except thank you very much for working on the housing
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access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
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On The Table talk. Thank you.
Chair Stinger: We’re excited about it and we’re anxious to see what we bring back.
3. Staff Liaison Report
Chair Stinger: Staff liaison report.
Ms. van de Zwaag: I have a couple things, one is my department, Community Services, is going
to have a new Director. As you know Rob De Geus is now in the City’s Manager’s Office and
they are seeing if any HRC Commissioner wants to serve on a community panel for the
interviews for the new Director on Thursday, November 30th and to make it inaccessible for all
you working people, it’s 8:30-4:00 PM. So, anybody 8:30-4:00 PM November 30th, if you would
like to be a part of this interview panel, just think about it and email me; Thursday, November
30th. It’s the Thursday after Thanksgiving. I’m trying to think if there’s anything else that I had.
No, the others where regarding HSRAP. I do have something. Inspired by the Planning and
Transportation Commission at the recognition event, I did not want the HRC to be undone. They
had these fancy name tags so and I know a lot of you go to community events so we now have
fancy name tags for all of you. I will have Mary hand those out or if you just want to grab them.
If there are any typos that we missed, just give it back and we will get those back to you.
Council Member Kou: Minka, that’s super great. That’s super great.
Chair Stinger: We really felt neglected, thank you. You’re a second-class citizen so now we’re in
the game.
Commissioner Lee: I now have three HRC name tags and maybe I’ll wear them one night.
Ms. van de Zwaag: I still have mine when I was on the HRC in Sunnyvale. I just can’t throw it
away but Mehdi being the fast person just forwarded his information to Mary and she’s
forwarding it to you as we speak. So, we can – Yes.
Commissioner Alhassani: Not bad for government work.
Ms. van de Zwaag: I was going to say that but I’m glad you said that so that so ends my report.
Commissioner Lee: Can I ask some questions?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Regarding?
Commissioner Lee: Staff questions?
Ms. van de Zwaag: Sure.
Commissioner Lee: Did we ever hear back about the RV issue and whether the City’s Manager’s
Office was going to put that on a City Council agenda?
Ms. van de Zwaag: That is not planned to be currently on the City Council’s agenda.
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 27 of 29
Commissioner Lee: Ok and have you heard back on the lights?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I can talk to you offline about that, yes.
Chair Stinger: The agenda for…
Ms. van de Zwaag: I can’t tonight because I have to leave right afterward.
VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT SPECIAL MEETING: Thursday, December 7,
2017
Chair Stinger: Agenda for December 7th.
Vice Chair Chen: Oh Yes, December 7th.
Commissioner Lee: Sorry, I just realized…
Commissioner O’Nan: Pearl Harbor Day.
Commissioner Alhassani: 1941.
Commissioner O’Nan: It’s Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th.
Chair Stinger: I’d like to invite the City -- the representative from the City’s Attorney’s Office
and somebody from the County.
Commissioner O’Nan: Should we debrief on On The Table events?
Chair Stinger: Yes.
Commissioner Lee: I wanted to ask if we could agendize the RV issue. I mean I think two weeks
ago the Police Department started towing vehicles and given City Council’s overwhelming
support of it during the study session. I would like to have an update from the City’s Manager’s
Office and Police Department in December. I think it’s becoming a timely issue and the longer
we wait on it, just the longer it sits out there without any action from this body or from the City
Council.
Council Member Kou: If I just might update you’re talking about the RVs being towed. The ones
that were towed where only because they are no longer working so…
Ms. van de Zwaag: They were abandoned.
Council Member Kou: They were abandoned.
Ms. van de Zwaag: They were legally abandoned with no one living in them.
Council Member Kou: Right so that’s why they were towed. The City is actually working very
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting.
Page 28 of 29
hard with to ensure that we don’t move anybody our unnecessarily but we do have to adhere to
the 72-hour vehicle rule where they can’t be parked there for 72-hours. They cannot park longer
than the 72-hours so if they just move to another spot, then it gives them – but…
Commissioner Lee: Well, I mean on this standing I’d still like to get an update from CMO and
the Police Department just because it started this past summer and it's now winter time.
Chair Stinger: We need to bring a draft of the subcommittee’s response and may I ask for a
CEDAW…
Commissioner Lee: Yes.
Chair Stinger: …report?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I think that could be part of parcel of the previous agenda item that you just
mentioned. I think it all…
Chair Stinger: It would but I was just doing the Brown Act account and I think that I can speak
with you now because Commissioner Gordon-Gray was…
Ms. van de Zwaag: Right.
Chair Stinger: Great, we’ll fold those in together.
Commissioner Lee: Will all of those items appear on December agenda or are you going to
maybe pick and choose based on it seems like a lot?
Ms. van de Zwaag: I think as staff, I will need to seek the availability of other staff to be able to
be here so I will work in partnership with leadership but I will make the request but I can’t
ensure that staff will be available them but I will make the request.
Commissioner Lee: If it gets really busy, my preference would be to forward the On The Table
conversation to January or February or to whenever they finish their survey collecting. My other
preference would be to have an RV update sooner rather than later. Well, in the absence of the
City Manager placing it on the Council agenda, I’d like us to take action on this standing. To get
an update, not a standing.
Chair Stinger: I was seeing the debrief on the topic of On The Table being a debrief of our
session and I think that will be a chance for you to debrief on the pieces you’ve heard.
Commissioner Lee: Sure.
Vice Chair Chen: We could do it first.
Chair Stinger: So that we can have some input into the questions that we have to the
representatives coming to speak to us.
ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to
access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org . This agenda is posted in accordance with
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Page 29 of 29
Commissioner Lee: I mean for me it’s a secondary priority. I’d be glad to get an update on what
the City is doing. So, I mean if we could put that maybe later in the agenda so that we have the
flexibility, and we at least get the update from the City on the RV issue first.
Chair Stinger: Meeting adjourned. Thank you all.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.