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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-02 Human Relations Commission Action Minutes 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 1 of 6 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:00 PM REGULAR MEETING ****BY VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE ONLY*** Commissioners Present: Stinger, Lee, Regehr, Savage Absent: Smith Council Liaison: Council Member Tanaka Staff: Minka van der Zwaag, Mary Constantino Vice Chair Stinger: Welcome everybody, to a special meeting of the Human Relations Commission. It’s September 2nd, and we have a very tight meeting. We’ll begin with roll call, please. I. ROLL CALL II. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS Vice Chair Stinger: Are there any speakers in the public to speak on items that are not on the agenda? Ms. van der Zwaag: We have one person with a raised hand, Kat Snyder. Kat, are you interested in speaking about something not on the agenda, or something on the agenda? If it’s something on the agenda, we will go through those one by one. At this point, we’re only looking at things that are not on the agenda. It looks like you want to speak to something not on the agenda. [Connecting to caller.] Vice Chair Stinger: I’m going to ask you, Kat, to speak very quickly. I’m going to give you a minute [crosstalk]. Ms. van der Zwaag: Hold on a minute, please. [Connecting to caller.] 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 2 of 6 Ms. van der Zwaag: Kat, are you here to speak on something that is not on the agenda? Kat Snyder: I was hoping to talk about police reform, which I don’t think is on the agenda. Ms. van der Zwaag: That’s fine. You have one minute to do so. Please go ahead. Thank you for calling. Ms. Snyder: I’m not going to be able do this inside of one minute, but I’ll do my best, and I’ll submit a written version. I went through some research about Lexipol, because it came up so much in the meetings that I thought I wanted to do due diligence on them. I had a couple articles I read, and I had one idea that I thought was actionable on our part, through the Police Department, since they’re a subscriber. I thought that there are certain things that they could ask, as a subscriber, that would provide some transparency that I think the entire State needs, because Lexipol is the policymaker for the entire State, and they’re not super transparent. I have this all written down, so I’ll just send this to you guys in an email in a few minutes. Ms. van der Zwaag: Kat, if you do that, then I will ensure that it is forwarded to the Commission members. Vice Chair Stinger: I’d like to thank you, Kat, for being so efficient with your time. We are having to be really strict. We wanted to call a special meeting for the two agenda items, but we only have 30 minutes when all of us are available, so we’re parsing out very carefully. We will come back to a regular session in October, if you want to elaborate on your document. We would appreciate that very much. Thank you for joining us. Are there any other speakers? Ms. van der Zwaag: I do not see any other attendees, Chair. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS IV. BUSINESS 1. Consideration of HRC endorsement of an information session titled ‘Palo Alto Eviction Moratorium Info Session’ Vice Chair Stinger: I’ll begin with Agenda Item 1, which is to describe an eviction moratorium informational meeting. It’s being organized by a community organizer who has invited three speakers – a representative from the City, Rachael Tanner, speaking on the City’s eviction moratorium; Silicon Valley at Home, the speaker will address the County and State moratorium; and then, LifeMoves will talk about resources available to evicted tenants. The idea for this program originated in discussions where they realized that the eviction moratorium was misunderstood. That was among tenants and among non-profits who counsel tenants. It became quickly clear to the group that they needed to present the information to the community. Angie contacted the Chair and Vice Chair and asked for our endorsement. What that would do is give some support to Rachael Tanner, who is representing the City Planning and Services Department, and to the other speakers, and would allow to use our distribution list to advertise 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 3 of 6 the availability of an informational meeting. I’d like to ask if there are any questions, any comments, and then ask for a motion to endorse the program. Commissioner Lee: Do you have a date and time? Vice Chair Stinger: September 10th. It’s an evening meeting. I think it’s 5:00 to 6:30. Commissioner Lee: Will it be recorded so that folks can watch it later? Vice Chair Stinger: I don’t know that, Steven. I rather doubt it, but I don’t know that. I’ll have to find out. It’s a good suggestion. MOTION Commissioner Lee: I would move to have the Commission formally endorse the event. Vice Chair Stinger: Thank you. Do I have a second? Commissioner Regehr: I’ll second. Vice Chair Stinger: Thank you. Any other discussion? Can we have a vote? Can we do it by raising hands, or should we call out names? Ms. van der Zwaag: I would prefer that you call out names, Vice Chair. MOTION PASSES 4-0 2. Consideration of letter to City Council in support of a Safe Parking Program for Palo Alto. Vice Chair Stinger: We’re going to move on to Agenda Item 2. I’ll let Commissioner Regehr take the lead on that. I think it’s important just to start as an introduction to say a lot is going on in the time between March and September that we don’t have a history of, because we’ve met so rarely. When we did meet, we had a focus on the “8 Can’t Wait,” and then moving on to racism. When we are fully chaired and ready to begin in October, I hope that we’ll have a chance to catch up on the history and push the agendas forward. In the meantime, there’s a time critical element. Patti, would you describe that to us? Commissioner Regehr: Sure. Part of this, Commissioner Lee and Commissioner Smith and I had met with the Safe Parking Lot group with the City. We met right before our meeting was supposed to be taking place, so that is why some of the Commissioners, we couldn’t bring it up, because we hadn’t had a meeting to discuss it. On September 14th, the City Council will be asked to do two things – approve leasing of the site at 2000 Geng Road in the County, and to amend the local Safe Parking Ordinance, because now you can’t stay overnight – to allow 24/7 parking on the lands owned for the public facilities. Myself, I encouraged the Council to give the Safe Parking proposal careful consideration. It’s been well vetted by quite a few people, and some of us have been working with Mountain View and their Safe Parking lot. They have 30 people in 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 4 of 6 one parking lot. They have 29 in another. This one is going to only have 12 and is a pilot program. The County is going to lease it from the City, so there’s not that much financial obligation to the City. Also, we’re going to contract out to the same organization that contracts out to Mountain View. It’s part of our Work Plan, Housing and Homelessness, so I think that it’s an important thing for us to endorse and encourage the Council. That’s it. Vice Chair Stinger: Are there any questions from the public? Ms. van der Zwaag: Commissioner Lee has his hand up. Vice Chair Stinger: Is there no public speaker? Ms. van der Zwaag: It is the same speaker attendee as earlier, who stated that they wished to speak to something that was not on the agenda, Vice Chair. Vice Chair Stinger: We’ll move to Commissioner comments and questions, then. Commissioner Lee. Commissioner Lee: I just had one question. Is the size of the lot, the 12 slots, is that limited by the size of the lot itself? Commissioner Regehr: Yes. The County went and looked at the structure. They’re going to have to put some fences up. It was used as the temporary firehouse, so there’s already showers right there, and there’s a kitchen, so they don’t have to put any showers in or anything, so what they figured is that 12 is the optimum space. Commissioner Lee: So, we can’t have any more than 12? Okay, cool. I support the initiative. I would hope that the City moves quickly on this pilot, as well as looking at other possible parking lots as well. This particular initiative has taken the City… We pretty much have been working on it since I have been on the Commission, so for over three years. Meanwhile, other cities, like Redwood City, have stood up much larger parking lots in seven-month periods. While I support this initiative, I would encourage our City Council and our City to look at accelerating this initiative and expanding it to serve more people in Palo Alto. With that, do you want to present a motion, or what type of thing are you asking for? Commissioner Regehr: I was wanting us to encourage the City Council to adopt those two things. One is the Safe Parking Lot Pilot Program, and also to change the ordinance to 24/7. Ms. van der Zwaag: Commission Regehr, how it’s stated on the agenda is, “Consideration of a letter of support,” so if there are elements and the vote on that would give authority to someone to write this letter on behalf of the Human Relations Commission, so endorsement may go through means of a letter. Commissioner Regehr: The letter, right. Ms. van der Zwaag: That’s how it’s agendized. 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 5 of 6 Commissioner Regehr: Right. Ms. van der Zwaag: If there are elements that Commissioners would like to include in this letter, that is fine, but then you or Vice Chair Stinger…There needs to be some clarity on who will write the letter and send it to the City Council, or if they send it to me, and I will send it on to the City Council. Commissioner Regehr: But we need to make a motion, right? Ms. van der Zwaag: That is correct, but you had spoken earlier that you wanted to endorse it, so I just wanted to be clear that it mirrors the business of what the Agenda said we were going to do, and that was the consideration of a letter. MOTION Commissioner Lee: I would move that we authorize Commissioner Regehr and Vice Chair Stinger to write a letter on behalf of the HRC supporting the Safe Parking Lot initiative and the associated code changes. Commissioner Regehr: Could we add a little bit, because I also think that it’s important for one of us to speak at the City Council on this item, not just send a letter? Because sometimes a letter just gets lost. Commissioner Lee: And to authorize both Commissioner Regehr and Stinger to speak on our behalf at the meeting. Commissioner Regehr: I second it. Ms. van der Zwaag: And if we could just have it restated so that Mary can write it down, so we could adequately note it in the minutes. Commissioner Lee: I move that we authorize Commissioner Regehr and Vice Chair Stinger to author a letter on behalf of the Human Relations Commission, supporting the Safe Parking Lot initiative and its associated zoning changes, and to authorize Commissioner Regehr and Vice Chair Stinger to speak at the City Council meeting on the motions that we have. Ms. van der Zwaag: Thank you. Commissioner Regehr: Perfect. I second it. Vice Chair Stinger: Are there any comments on the motion that’s on the floor? MOTION PASSED 4-0. Vice Chair Stinger: Commissioner Regehr and I will represent the Commission with a letter at the Council meeting on September 14th. I believe there is no other business, so I’d like to just 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 6 of 6 do a couple things. Thank you to Council Member Tanaka for joining us. We gave you zero notice. I really think that was a yeoman’s job. Thank you very much. Council Member Tanaka: If it shows up on my calendar and I’m available, I’ll usually show up. If I don’t get any calendar invite, I probably won’t be there. Vice Chair Stinger: Thank you for getting it on the calendar, staff, and thank you for coming. Appreciate that very much. Council Member Tanaka: Thank you guys for your work. It was a very efficient meeting. Vice Chair Stinger: I’m glad you didn’t say railroaded. Commission Lee, thank you for your service. Appreciate it, and just a shout-out, I hope that our Chair and his family are healthy and safe. Vice Chair Stinger: We will meet again in October. VII. ADJOURNMENT