Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission

TOWN OF LOS GATOS MEETING DATE: 10/10/2024 DEIC COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT Minutes of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission Meeting September 12, 2024 The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in person in the Town Council Chambers on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Gordon Yamate, Vice Chair Diane Fisher, and Commissioners Carmen Lo, Folake Phillips, D. Michael Kane, Pradeep Khanal, and Aanya Singh. Ryan Idemoto participated until 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Varily Isaacs participated by telephone pursuant to the Brown Act. Absent: Commissioner Memarzia. Town Staff Present: Assistant Town Manager Katy Nomura and Senior Management Analyst Holly Young. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Opened public comment. Jamie Donofrio (New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU)) -Commented that she wanted to introduce herself to the Commission. Closed public comment. CONSENT ITEMS 1. Approve the Draft Minutes of the August 8, 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission Regular Meeting. No one spoke. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Kane to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Idemoto. 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov PAGE 2 OF 4 SUBJECT: Minutes of the DEI Commission Meeting of September 12, 2024 DATE: October 10, 2024 VOTE: Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. COMMISSIONER/STAFF LIAISON REPORTS Commissioner Lo reported that she met with Jeff Suzuki (Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition) to discuss the Coalition’s projects including DEI education in schools, affordable housing, and the August 20 Council discussion regarding the public comment submitted at the August 8 DEI Commission meeting regarding the Library’s working document for Holiday and Recognition Events. Commissioner Khanal reported that he attended Democracy Tent community group meeting and they are interested in a member of the DEI Commission speaking at one of their future meetings. He also attended the September 3 Town Council meeting where outgoing Town Manager Laurel Prevetti was recognized. Commissioner Kane reported that he continues to hand out his DEI Commission business card to community members, met with St. Mary’s Pastor Father Angelo who was interested in meeting with the incoming and outgoing Los Gatos Mayors, and pointed out the mention of the DEI Commission on page 18 of the Town of Los Gatos Annual Report. Commissioner Idemoto reported that he attended two school district board meetings and that there will be a potential new Principle’s Advisory Committee being created. He attended the Youth Commission meeting on September 10 where the new Commissioners were sworn in and Aanya Singh was assigned to the DEI Commission in place of former Commissioner Balasingham, who is now the Youth Commission Chair. Commissioner Singh reported that Blossom Hill Elementary School is having a multicultural event on September 26. Commissioner Phillips reported that in reference to the August 8 Council discussion that Commissioner Lo mentioned, she supports the Library not redacting the working document for Holiday and Recognition Events. She reminded everyone of the DEI Commission’s role of helping the Town to be a more welcoming and inclusive community. Commissioner Isaacs reported that she worked on the DEI Commission’s bookmark for the Screen on the Green event as referenced in Item 2 on the agenda. Vice Chair Fisher reported that the United Against Hate event on September 22 she mentioned at the last meeting has been cancelled. Chair Yamate reported that he attended Councilmember Moore’s Open House and a Zoom meeting regarding the Santa Clara County restrictive covenant redaction process. He also went to the County Recorder’s Office to view restrictive covenants, met with NUMU regarding the PAGE 3 OF 4 SUBJECT: Minutes of the DEI Commission Meeting of September 12, 2024 DATE: October 10, 2024 museum’s strategic planning process, and attended the September 3 Council meeting where outgoing Town Manager Laurel Prevetti was recognized. He announced he will be speaking at the Democracy Tent community group meeting on September 23. Regarding the August 8 Council discussion that Commissioners Lo and Phillips mentioned, he said that Commissioners have been advised that there is no need to respond to public comments and reminded Commissioners to slow down and identify themselves when speaking at meetings for purposes of the audio recordings. The staff liaison announced that the potential new Commission Events Policy will be considered by Council on September 17 and the modifications to the existing policy regarding commissioner attendance are still being considered by the Policy Committee. She also announced that the recording of the Brown Act Training was sent out by the Clerk and to reach out if that recording is needed by any Commissioners. OTHER BUSINESS 2. Discuss Participation in the Town’s Screen on the Green Event (Work Plan Item Regarding Town Events, Goal B., Item 1.a.). No one spoke. The Commission discussed the item. 3. Discuss a Potential Restrictive Covenant Redaction Project (Work Plan Item Regarding Developing a Community Learning Opportunity on Historic Inequities and Developing Diversity, Sensitivity, and Awareness Training Goal B, Items 3.a. and b. and Work Plan Item Regarding Annual Communications Campaign Goal D, Item 1.a). No one spoke. The Commission discussed the item and the Housing ad hoc working group made up of Chair Yamate and Commissioners Lo and Kane will continue work on the potential Restrictive Covenant Redaction Project. 4. Discuss a Listening Campaign for Outreach to Community Partners in the Categories of (1) Education/Schools, (2) Religious Groups, (3) Businesses, and (4) Non-Profits/Service Organizations (Work Plan Item Regarding Collaboration with Community Organizations Goal C, Item 2.a. Community- and School-Based Programming). No one spoke. PAGE 4 OF 4 SUBJECT: Minutes of the DEI Commission Meeting of September 12, 2024 DATE: October 10, 2024 The Commission discussed the item and added Commissioner Singh to both the Education/Schools and Non-Profits/Service Organizations ad hoc working groups. The working groups are now comprised as follows:  Education/Schools: Commissioners Carmen Lo, Varily Isaacs, Folake Phillips, Ryan Idemoto, and Aanya Singh  Religious Groups: Vice Chair Diane Fisher and Commissioners D. Michael Kane and Folake Phillips  Businesses: Chair Gordon Yamate and Commissioners Pradeep Khanal and Carmen Lo  Non-Profits/Service Organizations: Chair Gordon Yamate, Vice Chair Diane Fisher, and Commissioner Aanya Singh ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the September 12, 2024, meeting as approved by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. /s/Holly Young, Senior Management Analyst