POST-MEETING AGENDA**

Meeting #:

Date:

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Time:

6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA

 

Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting

 

Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted to the Human Relations Commission in the following ways:

• In-Person comments during the meeting. Join us for the Human Relations Commission meeting at the time and location specified on this agenda to make your comments. Each person will be allotted three (3) minutes to address the Commission.
• Submit an eComment. Visit www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings, locate this meeting, and click on the comment bubble icon. Click on the item you wish to comment on, and then click on "Leave Comment." 
• Mail or email comments. Submit comments via email to or by mail to Human Relations Commission, 276 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista, CA, 91910.

The commenting period will close at noon on the day of the meeting. All comments will be made available to the Board and the public. 

 

ACCESSIBILITY: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable modifications or accommodations in order to access and/or participate in a Human Relations Commission meeting by contacting the Human Relations Commission at (California Relay Service is available for the hearing impaired by dialing 711) at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting.

 

 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

ROLL CALL

Commissioners Diaz, Gomez, Hodge, Holm, Lares-Urquidez, Olaoye, Pajanor, Redondo, Vice-Chair Kean-Ayub, Chair Branch

3.

CONSENT CALENDAR

All items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered and acted upon by one motion. Anyone may request an item be removed for separate consideration. If you wish to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda.

Recommended Action:
Commission approve consent calendar.

• Recommended Action: Commission approve consent calendar.

3.1

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Approval of the February 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes

Recommended Action:
Commission approve minutes.

3.2

Written Communications

Communication from Commissioner Pajanor requesting an excused absence from the March 28,2024 Human Relations Commission meeting.

Recommended Action:
Commission approve request for excused absence.

4.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Persons may address the Commission on any subject matter within the Commission’s jurisdiction that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law generally prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on any issue not included on the agenda, but, if appropriate, the Commission may schedule the topic for future discussion or refer the matter to staff. If you wish to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda.

5.

ACTION ITEMS

The Item(s) listed in this section of the agenda will be considered individually by the Commission and are expected to elicit discussion and deliberation. If you wish to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda.

5.1

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Proposed Changes to the Functions and Duties of the Human Relations Commission

Benjamin Prado

The proposed changes to the functions and duties of the Human Relations Commission, which explicitly eliminates the work of the commission to be a "Welcoming City", undermines many years of community based participation to make Chula Vista an inclusive city for all its residents. The recommendation by Preciado turns the clock of progress back and hinders genuine efforts towards safeguarding democratic, constitutional and human rights for all in the City of Chula Vista regardless of their immigration status or background.

Pedro Rios

As a 20 year resident of Chula Vista, and director of the American Friends Service Committee's US-Mexico Border Program, which supports migrants in Chula Vista and around the County, it's concerning that city officials would seek to abandon the City's explicit commitment to welcoming migrants. The proposed revision to the charter is incongruent with public opinion, and is a facile "fix" to Chula Vista's past wrongs on sowing distrust with public officials, including its police department. Please oppose this measure.

Patricia Mondragon

Chula Vista leaders, residents, and advocates have worked hard to ensure that the City uphold its history of being a Welcoming City in our border region. Now is the moment to strengthen that commitment and recognize the human rights of immigrants and refugees in our region. Please amend the ordinance to reinstate the following wording: "B. The ongoing duty of the Commission shall be to help the City fulfill its commitment to become a truly Welcoming City, by identifying needs and measures to protect the rights and improve the well-being of immigrants, and by using resources from networks like Welcoming America."

Margaret Baker

South Bay People Power OPPOSES the proposed revised ordinance because it lacks an explicit statement codifying an ongoing role for the HRC & a City-wide commitment to ensure that Chula Vista becomes a truly Welcoming City. We urge you to add the following provision: "B. The ongoing duty of the Commission shall be to help the City fulfill its commitment to become a truly Welcoming City, by identifying needs and measures to protect the rights and improve the well-being of immigrants, and by using resources from networks like Welcoming America.” Since 2016, community members & immigrant rights organizations have advocated to make Chula Vista a “welcoming” place for all, regardless of immigration status. In 2017, a key resolution & this ordinance codified the City’s commitment to strive to be truly Welcoming, created the HRC, & assigned the HRC a primary role to support the City in its commitment. The proposed ordinance removes any mention of “Welcoming,” & insodoing, undercuts the City’s commitment & trust with immigrant community members, & eliminates the critical role of the HRC to help protect immigrant rights & promote well-being. In our proposed version, we insist that there be an ongoing role for the HRC to improve efforts to become a Welcoming City for immigrants & that this historic role should be identified explicitly in the ordinance. The aspirational goal & vision that the term “Welcoming” engenders & positive collaborative community efforts should not be lost!

Erin Tsurumoto Grassi

Chula Vista has a long history of welcoming immigrants and standing up for all of its residents, regardless of where they come from. It is highly disappointing to see revisions that would strike out the City's commitment to being a Welcoming City. Human Relations Committees exist to protect the human rights of all residents, including immigrants. It is essential that the Chula Vista HRC remain committed to uplifting and protecting the rights of immigrants, which includes an on-going duty to assist the City in being a Welcoming City. Rather than strike out the HRC and City's commitment to being a Welcoming City, Alliance San Diego supports the following amendment to the revision: "B. The ongoing duty of the Commission shall be to assist the City in becoming a truly Welcoming City, by identifying needs and measures to protect immigrant rights and increase well-being, and using resources from networks like Welcoming America."

Alicia Riley

Many people like me who grew up in Chula Vista came together to make Chula Vista a Welcoming City. This designation is consequential for me and all members of our community, especially immigrants and especially in the current moment of anti-immigrant attacks on a national level. It is so important that we OPPOSE the proposed revised ordinance unless the HRC adds an explicit commitment to ensure that Chula Vista become a truly Welcoming City. You may think that this designation is purely symbolic, but as a social epidemiologist I can share that it is not. Just as anti-immigrant attacks have been shown to have negative health consequences for adults and babies (more babies born prematurely and at low birth weights due to maternal stress), Welcoming City/sanctuary designations have the potential to protect the health of immigrants and their family and friends. This is an issue with real health consequences for those most vulnerable among us. This is a time that we must stand together in solidarity with ALL of our community members and insist that Chula Vista become a truly Welcoming City.

Samuel Tsoi

Chula Vista was once ranked a top tier city for immigrant inclusion, due to the hard work of advocates, CBOs and city staff. It is imperative that HRC address the setbacks and loss of trust with the immigrant community in recent years work towards being a certified Welcoming City to become accountable and resourced to protecting the rights and increasing well-being of newcomers and all residents.

Kathy Hardy

It’s heartbreaking for someone, like myself, who worked with the previous Mayor and Council Members to make Chula Vista a recognized Welcoming City to see this revision being promoted by my current City Council member! What a travesty! This HRC was designated in the first place to promote Welcoming City activities in our community. To see this unrecognizable version of what it truly means to be “Welcoming” is disingenuous and a “slap in the face” to those who attended the celebration when our status was achieved and the flag proudly raised in front of the Council Chambers. Stand up for what is right and oppose this flimsy excuse for what “welcoming” should really mean!

Referral made by Councilmember Preciado requesting feedback from the Commission regarding his proposed changes to the function and duties of the Human Relations Commission, as stated in section 2.36.030 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code.

Recommended Action:
Commission discuss, make recommendations, and take action as appropriate.

• Recommended Action: Commission discuss, make recommendations, and take action as appropriate.

5.2

Updates, Discussion, and Possible Action Regarding Ad-Hoc Subcommittees

robert johnson

WAS Hoping to hear about European American Heritage Month in October. https://www.dla.mil/About-DLA/News/News-Article-View/Article/2812956/european-american-heritage-month-spotlight-shadeed-drakeford/

1. Kumeyaay Park Event Ad-Hoc Subcommittee

• Members: Chair Branch, Vice Chair Kean-Ayub, Commissioner Diaz

2. Law Enforcement Review Board Ad-Hoc Subcommittee

• Members: Chair Branch, Vice Chair Kean-Ayub and Commissioner Diaz

3. 2025 Events Ad-Hoc Subcommittee

• Members: Commissioners Hodge, Olaoye, Redondo

4. Pride Flag Raising Event Ad-Hoc Subcommittee

• Members: Vice-Chair Kean-Ayub and Commissioner Diaz

5. Juneteenth Flag Raising Event Ad-Hoc Subcommittee

• Members: Chair Branch, Commissioners Lares-Urquidez and Olaoye

Recommended Action:
Commission discuss, make recommendations, and take action as appropriate

• Recommended Action:Commission discuss, make recommendations, and take action as appropriate.

OTHER BUSINESS

6.

STAFF COMMENTS

7.

CHAIR'S COMMENTS

8.

COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

9.

ADJOURNMENT

to the regular meeting on April 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Materials provided to the Human Relations Commission related to any open-session item on this agenda are available for public review by contacting Human Relations Commission staff at [email protected]