Human Relations Commission

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 3RD FLOOR COMMISSION MINUTES LONG BEACH, CA 90802, 5:30 PM Miles McNeeley, Chair Desmond Fletcher, Commissioner Elaine Bernal, Vice Chair Otis Hogan, Commissioner Elisa Buchanan, Commissioner Rohida Khan, Commissioner Nikole Cababa, Commissioner Kimberly Maniquis, Commissioner Shane Devins, Commissioner Alexandria Manriquez, Commissioner Amy Eriksen, Commissioner Veronica Quincy, Commissioner FINISHED AGENDA & MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair McNeeley called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Commissioners Nikole Cababa, Shane Devins, Desmond Fletcher, Otis Hogan, Present: Rohida Khan, Kimberly Maniquis, Alexandria Manriquez, Veronica Quincy, Elaine Bernal and Miles McNeeley Commissioners Elisa Buchanan and Amy Eriksen Excused: ALSO PRESENT Tracy Colunga, Neighborhood Relations Officer Teresa Gomez, Human Dignity Program Coordinator 2. 16-007HR RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 13, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING This item was not discussed during the meeting. 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There were no members of the public wishing to address the Human Relations Commission. Page 1 of 6 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 3RD FLOOR COMMISSION MINUTES LONG BEACH, CA 90802, 5:30 PM 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Chair Remarks - Miles McNeeley, Chair Chair McNeeley spoke about the events on general election night and the campaign rhetoric in the past year that revolved around the very issues the Human Relations Commission exists to address. Chair McNeeley also announced that today’s CPCC meeting was cancelled because they did not have a quorum. B. Welcome New Commissioner, Alexandria Moros - Teresa Gomez, Human Dignity Program Coordinator Chair McNeeley and Teresa Gomez welcomed Alexandria Moros as a new commissioner on the Human Relations Commission. Ms. Moros introduced herself to the Commissioners. Ms. Gomez stated that Kimmy Maniquis was recently named commissioner on the Human Relations Commission. Ms. Maniquis introduced herself to the Commissioners. C. Presentation on Citizen Police Complaint Commission (CPCC) - Anitra Dempsey, Executive Director Anitra Dempsey introduced herself to the Commissioners. Special Investigator Selenia Perez introduced herself to the Commissioners. Special Investigator Patrick Withers introduced himself to the Commissioners. Ms. Dempsey provided an overview of the CPCC’s work, and then answered questions. Discussion ensued. Page 2 of 6 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 3RD FLOOR COMMISSION MINUTES LONG BEACH, CA 90802, 5:30 PM Teresa Gomez encouraged the Commissioners to attend the 1-day Community Police Academy. Vice Chair McNeeley and Commissioner Fletcher attended the Community Police Academy and spoke about their experience at the training. Discussion ensued. D. Discussion on Future Topics for Human Relations Commission to Address - Miles McNeeley, Chair Chair McNeeley asked the Commissioners to share any particular issues in the community that pertain to the Human Relations Commission that they would like to see the Commission work on. Commissioner Cababa asked for an update on the Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Teresa Gomez stated that Cal State Long Beach submitted a proposal indicating it would cost $182,000 to work on CEDAW. A memo was given to the City Manager and City Council, and is currently under review. Since the Human Relations Commission is moving under the Office of Equity at the Health Department, Commissioner Cababa asked if there has been any discussion on supporting some of the efforts initiated by the Office of Equity, and how the Human Relations Commission aligns with their work. Teresa Gomez stated that the role of the Human Relations Commission in the Office of Equity will be addressed after the transition from the Development Services Department. The Health Department Director, Kelly Colopy, is planning to speak with the Human Relations Commission and receive input on how the Commissioners feel their role would be affected or changed. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Cababa proposed receiving a presentation regarding the Native American community and the idea of Indiginous People’s Day. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Cababa will reach out to the appropriate person to schedule a presentation to the Human Relations Commission. Page 3 of 6 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 3RD FLOOR COMMISSION MINUTES LONG BEACH, CA 90802, 5:30 PM Vice Chair Bernal proposed addressing the access of hate crime reports, if possible, from the Long Beach Police Department to be able to inform and empower residents on what’s happening in their community. She also proposed addressing housing/renters rights. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Fletcher proposed addressing better community outreach by the Human Relations Commission. Other cities use social media, commercials and public access to.publicize issues, encourage more diversity, and advertise symposiums, gatherings, or resources that are available to the community for certain issues. Discussion ensued. Tracy Colunga suggested inviting a representative from the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission to speak about the report they prepare, how their meetings operate, and some of the topics they cover. Discussion ensued. Tracy Colunga announced that the Neighborhood Relations Division, which includes the Human Relations Commission, is moving to the Health Department in February 2017. The Director, Kelly Colopy, is planning to place the Human Relations Commission under the Office of Equity. A retreat for the Human Relations Commission would be planned in early 2017 to work on a strategic plan that aligns with the Office of Equity. Discussion ensued. Vice Chair McNeeley stated that he and Vice Chair Bernal discussed the possibility of recognizing people that are doing social justice/human relations work in the community. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Cababa followed up on previous discussions of how the Human Relations Commission could work together with other commissions. Discussion ensued. Teresa Gomez announced that the City Attorney will be attending January’s Human Relations Commission meeting to review the Brown Act and Robert’s Rules of Order. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Khan stated that she would like to see the Human Relations Commission work Page 4 of 6 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 3RD FLOOR COMMISSION MINUTES LONG BEACH, CA 90802, 5:30 PM on the human trafficking issue. Discussion ensued. Tracy Colunga stated that the Mayor has an Affordable Housing Task Force. Patrick Ure will be invited to come and give an update on affordable housing, and provide information regarding the Task Force. Discussion ensued regarding December’s Human Relations Commission meeting. The Commission will meet in December. Discussion ensued. 5. OLD BUSINESS None. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Commissioner District Updates and Announcements Commissioner Cababa spoke about the Larry Itliong presentation at the City Council meeting. October 25 is now Larry Itliong Day in Long Beach. Discussion ensued. Chair McNeeley announced that on November 11, at 5:00 p.m. there is a Day of Action being held at Harvey Milk Park in response to the changing presidency and all the issues associated with that in our vulnerable communities. Commissioner Bernal announced Beach Streets on November 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Anaheim Street from Recreation Park to MacArthur Park. Commissioner Fletcher stated that he and Otis Hogan attended the Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing, and encouraged the Commissioners to attend future meetings. Commissioner Devins announced Transgender Day at Harvey Milk Park on November 20, at 4:30 p.m. Page 5 of 6 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 HUMAN RELATIONS 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 3RD FLOOR COMMISSION MINUTES LONG BEACH, CA 90802, 5:30 PM 7. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner McNeeley, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Page 6 of 6