The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-02-09 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 government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ACTION MINUTES Thursday, February 9, 2023 6:00 PM Commissioners Present: Eberle, Kraus, Navichoque, Savage, Smith Staff: Minka Van Der Zwaag, Alayna Cruz I. ROLL CALL II. BUSINESS 1) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Use of Teleconferencing for Human Relations Commission Meeting During Covid-19 State of Emergency. MOTION: Vice Chair Eberle moved, seconded by Commissioner Savage, to Adopt a Resolution authoring the use of teleconferencing under Government Code Section 54953 (e) for the meeting of the Human Relations Commission and its subcommittees due to the Covid- 19 declared state of emergency. MOTION PASSED: 5-0 III. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS Moment of silence in honor of Melissa Baten Caswell. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2) January 12, 2023 MOTION: Commissioner Kraus moved, seconded by Vice Chair Eberle, to approve the minutes of January 12, 2023. MOTION PASSED: 3-0-2 V. BUSINESS 3. Election of Human Relations Chair and Vice Chair. - Staff - Action NOMINATIONS: Commissioner Eberle nominated Commissioner Smith for the Chair for a term ending January 2024. Commissioner Savage nominated Commissioner Kraus for the Chair for a term ending January 2024. NOMINATION FOR COMMISSIONER SMITH PASSED: 3-2 NOMINATION FOR COMMISSIONER KRAUS FAILED: 2-3 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. NOMINATIONS: Chair Smith nominated Commissioner Eberle for the Vice Chair for a term ending January 2024. Commissioner Savage nominated Commissioner Kraus for the Vice Chair for a term ending January 2024. NOMINATION FOR COMMISSIONER EBERLE PASSED: 3-2 NOMINATION FOR COMMISSIONER KRAUS FAILED: 2-3 4)Review and Recommend Funding Allocations for Fiscal Year 2023-24 Community Development Block Grant and Recommend Council Approval of the Draft Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Annual Action Plan. - Staff, Eberle and Navichoque - Discussion MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Vice Chair, that the HRC recommends City Council approve the Draft Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan (Attachment C) and accepts the HRC sub-committee’s recommendation on the contingency plan for funding. VOTE: 4-1 5) Discussion of recommendations made by the ad-hoc sub-committee in response to the City Council referral to the Commission on ways to improve implementation of current City renter protections. - Eberle and Kraus - Action MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Vice Chair Eberle, to recommend for Council to direct staff to work with PAMP and Project Sentinel to increase community outreach regarding the availability of the non-binding Palo Alto Mediation Program. Although the program is highly effective for landlord/tenant dispute resolution, it could benefit from greater community awareness. VOTE: 5-0 MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Commission Kraus, to recommend Council to direct staff to explore ways to ensure that all rental agreements issued to renters in the City of Palo Alto include the City’s Mandatory Response Clause. VOTE: 5-0 MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, to recommend that Council authorizes that the proposed Rental Survey Program move aggressively forward with the necessary funding and staffing. VOTE: 5-0 MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, to recommend Council to direct staff to expand outreach and consider penalties for landlords who fail to register all their properties. These penalties can be affected by an amendment of the City’s Mandatory Response Clause ordinance or as part of the new Rental Survey Program. VOTE: 3-2 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. MOTION: Commissioner Kraus moved, seconded by Commissioner Savage, to recommend Council to patch the gaps left by California State law AB1482: 1) Cover renters who have lived in their units less than one year in regards to eviction protections and rent increases; 2) Include eviction protection to units that are single-family homes not owned by a corporation. VOTE: 5-0 MOTION: Commissioner Kraus moved, seconded by Vice Chair Eberle, to recommend Council to expand the City-wide relocation assistance to multi-unit buildings with less than 10 units, not owned by corporations. Not including duplexes where one unit is owner occupied. VOTE: 4-1 MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Commission Kraus, to recommend that Council proceed with a Fair Chance Ordinance. The HRC agrees with the PTC in limiting landlords’ ability to inquire about an applicant’s criminal history and the development of a Fair Chance Ordinance. Two cities have passed such over the past two years – Berkeley and Oakland; are considered ‘best practice ordinances.’ No one has taken leadership in Santa Clara County. VOTE: 5-0 MOTION: Chair Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, to recommend that Council considers the implementation of a ‘Proactive Rental Inspection Programs.’ These are powerful renter protection tools, and are being explored by neighboring jurisdictions. The proactive rental inspection program would mean that inspectors were routinely visiting the entire rental housing inventory to make sure that the units were safe and legal for all residents whether they are market rate tenants, seniors or disabled. VOTE: 5-0 6) Discussion of outreach phase of Council Referral to research the lived experience of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). – Navichoque - Action NO ACTION TAKEN 7) Discussion on upcoming Human Relations Commission Retreat. - Chair - Discussion NO ACTION TAKEN VI.REPORTS FROM OFFICIALS VII. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT REGULAR MEETING VIII.ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. [NOTE: This motion was amended at the April 27, 2023 HRC meeting]