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Human Relations Commission

Minutes of Regular Meeting
October 3, 2002
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The Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles met for its regular meeting on Thursday, October 3, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. City Hall, 200 N. Spring, 10th Floor, Rm. 1060, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

1. OPENING WELCOME REMARKS BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Rabbi Allen Freehling explained that this meeting would be informational since only five Commissioners will be attending and a quorum would not be in place. Since the election of officers will not take place today, he will continue to facilitate the meeting.

2. SELF-INTRODUCTIONS BY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF MEMBERS

Commissioner Warren Steinberg introduced himself as a member of the Commission since 1966, first as an Advisor and second as Commissioner from 1976 to date.

Commissioner Lorraine Bradley introduced herself as a new Commissioner attending her first official meeting.

Commissioner Cliff Cheng also introduced himself as a new Commissioner, who - in his career as a social scientist - has addressed issues of diversity and discrimination. During the past seventeen years, he has served as a professor, consultant, trainer and expert witness in legal cases regarding discrimination. He thanked Mayor Hahn for inviting him to join this Commission.

New Commissioners Elazar Muskin and Shoukat Ali Hussain joined the meeting later. Commissioner Muskin is Rabbi at Young Israel of Century City Synagogue. Commissioner Hussain is a local business owner.

Commission staff members, members of the public, and advisors introduced themselves as they joined the meeting.

3. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Rabbi Freehling described his management style as one of partnership. He acknowledged the fact that each of the Commissioners brings different strengths to the table and intends to take full advantage of their availability, keeping in mind their other responsibilities. Executive Director Freehling also encouraged the Commissioners to use him as their primary point of contact with the Commission office.

He asked the Commissioners to join to him in paying tribute to Arturo Piña who served as Interim Executive Director for nine months, and to the other members of the staff. They are all dedicated and have a clear vision of what the department is and should be. Executive Director Freehling recalled his work with Mayor Tom Bradley and other faith-based leaders on numerous civic matters, often during times of crisis. He said that he has served as a community activist for over 30 years and is looking forward to continuing his work here.

Rabbi Freehling has established ongoing communication with Deputy Mayor Doane Liu who steers him through the organizational structure of the city’s administration and legislative apparatus. Rabbi Freehling informed the Commissioners that all the elected officials are encouraging this Commission to broaden and deepen its influence in bettering the human condition here in Los Angeles. To assist the Commission in that effort he has established several satellite groups to serve with the Advisory Committee to support the work of the Commission.

Among them are (or will be):

Rabbi Freehling encouraged Commissioners to make themselves available for consultation when circumstances warrant and to serve on one of the satellite groups where participation is needed and their time permits.

Commission Hussain requested clarification of the Commission and the Commissioners’ role. He asked if it is supportive or participatory? Executive Director Freehling responded that Commissioners are encouraged to make suggestions for the staff members to consider so that they can consider implementing them. Understanding that the Commissioners bring their own perspective and orientation as well as constituency to this body, he hopes that a joint collaboration of strengths of each individual will open channels of communication to benefit the Commission as a whole.

Commissioner Steinberg provided the new Commissioners with some historical background. He explained that in past years the Commission’s direction depended upon the nature of Commissioners and the input from staff. Using the Human Relations Newsletter from 1970 as an illustration, he outlined how the Commission had worked with the community through Commission subcommittees and the Advisory Group. That collaboration waned in recent years when Commissioners indicated that their personal and work schedule was too heavy. So the staff handled functions of the Commission and Advisory Board members became discouraged due to their lack of involvement. He concluded that the future direction of the Commission will depend upon what all of the Commissioners conclude is the best direction for them to go.

Rabbi Freehling suggested that any further discussion focusing on organizational structure of the Commission should occur after the appointment of additional Commissioners and election of officers. It is hoped that this discussion might take place at a December or January retreat.

Disposition: No action taken due to lack of quorum

4. STAFF REPORT BY RUBY TURNER AND ART PINA

Ruby Turner reviewed aspects of the Commission’s history including the creation of the Executive Director position in 1990 and recent additions to staffing. She then highlighted the duties of the six administrative staff members, stressing that all work completed is the result of a team effort.

Commissioners were informed that this year’s budget was finalized after the September 11, 2001 Attack on America. City departments were required to reduce their budget requests by 10% and to maintain existing staff vacancies because of increased spending on security as well as the economic downturn. The Commission has recently been granted permission to fill the Management Analyst vacancy. Staff has begun preparing the budget request for 2003/04. It is due to the Mayor’s Office on November 15 and must again include certain budget reduction proposals because of economic forecasts and the uncertainty of the outcome of the November 5th election.

On the ballot are secession proposals from the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood areas of the City.

Rabbi Freehling talked about the City’s current hiring freeze and the various budget scenarios that must be considered during this budget season because of the possibility of secession by certain areas of the City. He also indicated that, after the November 5th elections, he will pursue raising funds for the Human Relations Trust Fund. This fund was established in 1991 to support the activities of the Commission.

Senior Project Coordinator Arturo Piña briefed the Commission on Field Team activities. As shown on the organizational chart, each project coordinator is responsible for two or more Council Districts, as well as policy areas, which, in some cases, mirror the social issues addressed in the Commission’s originating document, the 1995 McCone Report. The Field Team staff is also responsible for maintaining a database of community resources. Staff uses this database to provide information to the Mayor’s Office, Council Offices, community-based organizations and individual members of the public. Because of staff’s constant community presence, willingness to provide information, and their general open access to everyone they are in the know about potential areas of conflict. This enables the Commission to address many issues and to create action plans.

Two examples of our work on behalf of other agencies that have human relations concerns are LAPD and LAUSD. Commissioner Steinberg and Project Coordinators Gary De La Rosa and Patricia Villaseñor worked on a Task Force that has recommended the re-establishment of a Human Relations Education Commission to the District. Project Coordinator Emily Williams is a trainer for LAPD sworn personnel and during the past year, has participated in a grant funded program that is studying the possibility of creating a diversity training curriculum for police departments across the nation.

Rabbi Freehling noted that the facilitation that we are providing for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) during the formation of the Neighborhood Councils and our current monitoring of Councils’ elections has been observed by other City agencies. These agencies are now requesting our assistance for facilitation. A meeting has been scheduled with General Manager Margaret Whelan of the Personnel Department to be sure that we can accept those invitations while not crossing the line of responsibility of that Department. Rabbi Freehling stated that we are also exploring the possibility of replicating Emily Williams’ work with LAPD in other departments, which can use that type of diversity training for their employees.

Commissioner Cheng agreed that collaboration with other City departments on diversity training is a good idea given the number of case filings with the EEOC and the FDEH. He asked if this work was being reimbursed. Arturo Piña explained that these are other City departments and we are team players. Commissioner Steinberg gave two examples of assistance we have provided to other City departments in the past. The Controller’s Office approached the Commission about trying to ameliorate a situation with the Filipino staff members who spoke Tagalog in their break rooms. The Library Department requested our assistance in a dispute between African-American and Lesbian and Gay staff over the use of a quote from Langston Hughes.

Mr. Piña suggested that Commissioners look at the organization of the Field Team Unit, and determine how they might best be of assistance.

5. COMMISSIONERS’ QUESTIONS FOLLOW BY STAFF RESPONSES

In response to Rabbi Muskin’s inquiry about the budget process and our interface with City Council, staff explained that the Commission does not usually go directly to Council unless additional funds are needed during the fiscal year. The annual budget request is submitted the Mayor. Rabbi Freehling also explained that this year we are going to be very assertive in our request for additional staff and that he will ask Commissioners to join him in making this happen. He also indicated that he would want the Commissioners to also join him in thinking about issues that we want to put before the Mayor/City Council that may also require statewide/national legislation. Betty Wilson from the Department on Disability shared with information on innovative ways that her Department supplements its funding.

Commissioner Steinberg and Rabbi Freehling responded to Commissioner Muskin’s inquiry regarding the role of the Advisory Group. The current Ordinance indicates that the Group consists of 18 or more members representative of the demographics of Los Angeles. The Mayor, City Council and the President of this Commission appoint members and they are supplemental to members of the Commission. It is planned that they will be members of the Satellite groups that are being established.

6. ELECTION OF COMMISSION OFFICERS 2002/2003

Disposition: No action taken due to lack of quorum

7. DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION OF SUB-COMMITEES; E.G., THOSE WHICH WILL PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO OUR RELATING TO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY COUNCILS, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT, LOS ANGELES UNIFED SCHOOL DISTRICT, “SATELLITES” AS THEY ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION, ETC.

Disposition: No action taken due to lack of quorum

8. OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMISSIONERS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON THE AFOREMENTIONED SUB-COMMITEES

Disposition: No action taken due to lack of quorum

9. ADOPT A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COMMISSION CONVENE AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH BEGINNING WITH A SCHEDULED SESSION ON NOVEMBER 7 AND EACH MONTH THEREAFTER UNLESS CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT THAT OTHER PLANS BE MADE.

Disposition: No action taken due to lack of quorum

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

The following items were discussed at varying times during the meeting.

Betty Wilson of the Department of Disability invited Commissioners and Staff to attend the Community Employment Expo and Disability Resource Fair” at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 24, 2002. The Community Development Department cosponsors this annual event. Economically disadvantaged community members and/or those who have disabilities are the target groups. Executive Director Freehling indicated that the Commission would be represented.

Executive Director Freehling invited everyone to watch a program on October 9, 2002 from 9:00pm to 11:00pm on PBS/KCET titled “Thou Shall Honor”. It will pay special attention to the needs of caregivers who, because of the age, physical, or emotional condition of loved ones are spending all their time or most of their time caregiving. He helped initiate this program and believes that it and the accompanying book will raise the level of awareness about the needs of caregivers among the general public and especially among government decision-makers.

Executive Director Freehling introduced Deputy Mayor Doane Liu who is the Commission’s liaison with Mayor Hahn’s Office. Deputy Mayor Liu thanked the Commissioners for agreeing to serve. He also said that Mayor Hahn is pleased to have such an influential and well recognized person as Rabbi Freehling to lead the Commission.

Commissioner Cheng asked for clarification of various relationships among the Commissioners as an oversight committee, the Executive Director, staff and the Mayor’s Office. Deputy Mayor explained that the role of the Commission, as a mandate of the Mayor’s Office, is ultimately a collaborative effort with the Executive Director who guides staff with approval of the Mayor’s Office on special issues. The Mayor is relying on the Executive Director to play a key role in setting the agenda for staff and advising the Mayor’s Office on what this Department will accomplish.

Commissioner Steinberg noted that in past years the Commission would hold its annual retreat to establish programs and discuss goals for the following year. He expressed the urgency to have vacant positions filled in order for the Commission to move ahead. He asked for a reasonable timeline of having additional members appointed. Deputy Mayor Liu stated that the Mayor’s Office is currently working on filling vacancies, but he could not provide a firm timeline. He indicated that Mayor Hahn is relying on Executive Director Freehling to establish an agenda while seeking input from the Commissioners. That is an ongoing process that does not have to wait for a full complement of Commissioners. Rabbi Freehling indicated that such a retreat could possibly occur in December or in early January.

Deputy Mayor Liu left the meeting to attend the public announcement of Police Chief Nominee William J. Bratton at the North Hollywood Police Station at 11:30 am.

Executive Director Freehling indicated that he is currently collaborating with the Mayor’s Office in securing a location to hold a welcoming reception for the Police Chief Nominee on October 31, 2002. This will be an opportunity for faith -based community organizations to engage in a dialogue with him. In addition, because of our relationship with LAPD, we will most likely be able to arrange an appointment with the Commissioners and the Chief when his very heavy schedule permits.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.