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Human Relations Commission

Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 7, 2002
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The Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles met for its monthly meeting on Thursday, November 7, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. City Hall, 200 N. Spring, 10th Floor, Rm. 1070, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

1. OPENING WELCOME REMARKS BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Freehling introducing himself as the temporary Chair of this meeting until a quorum is present and officers are elected.

2. SELF-INTRODUCTIONS BY COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF MEMBERS

Commissioners, Advisors, staff members and others in the audience introduced themselves. Rabbi Freehling indicated that additional members of the Advisory Board would be appointed by the Mayor, Councilmembers and the Commission President. Once that happens, the Commission will move forward to establish new goals for them. Until then, Advisors are asked to attend the monthly Commission Meetings and to volunteer, because their assistance is always welcomed.

Rabbi Freehling announced new position titles for Ruby Turner (Deputy Director of Administrative Services) and Arturo Piña (Deputy Director of Field Operations). Commissioner Cheng asked if these new titles in any way affect the vacant Assistant Executive Director position. Director Freehling stated that this change is solely for clarification of the responsibilities that these two staff members have in their supervisory capacity, and that the vacancy will remain during the foreseeable future.

Rabbi Freehling informed the Commission of the correct name for Commissioner Shoukat Ali Hussain.

3. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF A PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT TO SERVE FOR THE BALANCE OF 2002-2003

Executive Director Freehling opened the floor for nominations for President. Commissioner Cheng nominated Commissioner Steinberg in recognition of his seniority within the Commission. Commissioner Wexler nominated Ms. Bradley. Commissioner Bradley was elected to serve as President of the Commission for the remaining months of 2002-2003.

President Bradley opened nominations for Vice President. Commissioner Hussain volunteered himself. Commissioner Steinberg nominated Commissioner Cheng. Commissioner Hussain was elected to serve as Vice-President of the Commission for the remainder of 2002-2003.

4. COMMENTS BY THOSE ELECTED

President Bradley thanked the Commission for the vote of confidence she said that she looks forward to handling challenges that will be hers. Vice President Hussain echoed the comments of President Bradley.

He also stated that the Commission’s primary goal is to serve all the people of Los Angeles. He mentioned that Commissioners may have different opinions, but they should ultimately reach one common goal as a voice in the community.

Executive Director Freehling gave each Commissioner a City pin as a token of appreciation from Mayor Hahn.

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Freehling indicated that the Mayor’s Monthly Reports would now be distributed to the Commissioners in their meeting packets. The status of the following staff projects is detailed in the Executive Director’s Report.

1. The Council of Governmental Representatives and the Human Relations Network are meeting regularly. The Faith Communities Leadership Council and the Media Advisory Council are currently being formed. The Media Advisory Council is intended to be a means for local newspaper, radio and television organizations to share collaborative efforts amongst each other.

2. Staff is working with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) to establish a Council consisting of a representative from each Neighborhood Council to meet with us on a quarterly basis on issues related to social justice.

3. City Council has directed us to be pro-active within the City structure as well as in the community. Rabbi Freehling and staff members have met with the General Managers of several city departments to learn how the Commission can be supportive of their work. Thus far, the Board of Public Works has requested assistance with cultural diversity training and the Fire Department has asked us to review Requests for Proposals regarding diversity training. The Department of Water and Power has indicated a need to reduce the number of personal complaints/grievances dealing with discriminatory acts that are filed. Commission staff may be able to assist DWP by monitoring diversity training provided by independent contractors.

4. The General Manager of El Pueblo has requested assistance in facilitating discussions involving merchants in El Pueblo. There is a history of discontent amongst them and we hope to bridge some of those misunderstandings and lack of communication.

5. Executive Director Freehling has met with Commanding Officer Jim McDonnell of LAPD to discuss how we can assist the Community Relations section of LAPD if a possible reorganization occurs. A possible scenario is that each Human Relations Commission Field Team member would establish a relationship with the Community Relations staff person in police stations in their Council District.

In summary, Rabbi Freehling indicated that the activities of staff as indicated above represents a two-pronged approach to our work. We want to be visible in the community and respond to issues of concern before a calamitous event occurs. We also must reach into the city structure to help other departments better serve their staff and their individual constituencies.

President Bradley asked for clarification about our involvement at Nickerson Gardens. Executive Director Freehling stated that staff has been invited to sit in on a strategy session of police officers and Housing Authority staff to offer recommendations that could help reduce tensions between African Americans and Latinos who reside there.

Commissioner Cheng inquired about a brief article in the Los Angeles Times about a reported hate crime against gay males on October 13th and he asked if any additional crimes had occurred. Rabbi Freehling responded that no additional hate crimes have been brought to his attention. In response to Commissioner Cheng’s concern regarding the victims, Rabbi Freehling indicated that he would ask appropriate officials to provide a status report.

Commissioner Muskin expressed concern that our work with LAPD, DWP and other city departments not be beyond the capacity of current staffing. The Executive Director pointed out that these plans are in the formative stages and that staff will remain mindful of our ability to assist other departments while not overburdening ourselves.

Commissioner Steinberg noted that, thus far the new Commission Board has not met to consider any projects which it would like the staff to implement. He asked if staff would still be able to respond to requests of the Commissioners for projects or ideas that are not already included in current projects. Executive Director Freehling responded that, if the Commissioners proposed new projects, staff would first examine its workload, the level of priority and the consideration of merging projects. If additional help is needed, staff would then look for assistance from the Advisory Board, student interns, volunteers or possibly external service providers. Commissioner Steinberg stated that significant work projects should be implemented primarily from the Commissioners as a governing body representing the Commission.

President Bradley asked Commissioner Steinberg to present a list of suggested ideas to consider as future work projects. Commissioner Steinberg said that he would also invite other Commissioners to submit their suggestions for consideration.

Commissioner Muskin asked about additional appointments to the Commission. Rabbi Freehling indicated that the Mayor’s staff is continuing to pursue filling the remaining four vacant positions. Commissioner Steinberg expressed concern about not having a full Commission body available to hold its Annual Planning Retreat to recommend a work plan for the coming year.

6. ADOPTION OF SCHEDULE OF SUBSEQUENT MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF FOR 2002-2003 AT 10 AM ON THE FIRST THURSDAY: NAMELY, DECEMBER 5, JANUARY 9, FEBRUARY 6, MARCH 6, APRIL, MAY 1 AND JUNE 5

There was a brief discussion regarding the rationale for setting Commission meeting dates and times in advance of vacancies on the Board being filled. Commissioner Steinberg indicated that the Commission should consider having occasional meetings in the community and possibly in the evenings.

M/S/C – Bartenetti/ Hussain/ Unanimous - That the Commission approves attached schedule for subsequent monthly meetings generally on the first Thursday of each month.

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

Rabbi Freehling indicated that the intent of this motion is to have an organizational structure in place in which Commissioners will have the opportunity to chair subcommittees so that there will be a collaborative effort involving staff, Commissioners, Advisory Board members and others in the community who want to participate. Freehling clarified that the initial committee members would be members of the Advisory Board. Other participants could come from the satellite groups, among other places.

Commissioner Steinberg provided a history of former Commission Sub-Committees. A Commissioner with an Advisor as a Vice Chair chaired these Sub-Committees. Each would develop recommendations, which would then be submitted to the Commission for consideration. Commissioners Steinberg and Cheng mentioned additional human relations areas that are not included on the list of subcommittees; e.g., special events, employment, housing and hate crimes.

Commissioner Cheng also commented that it is important for this Commission to form linkages with existing government and community-based organizations. We should find out if there are existing structures within these organizations that we can join rather than duplicating their efforts.

Commissioner Bartenetti proposed that the Commissioners endorse the concept of establishing sub-committees, but not necessarily these specific committees, and suggested deferring to the President, Vice President and staff the development of a better definition of each Sub-Committee.

In response to Commissioner Muskin’s concern regarding serving as chair of one of the Subcommittees, Rabbi Freehling indicated that the subcommittee which a Commissioner would chair would monitor the related “satellite” Council and thereby strengthen that Council and its work. He acknowledged that the Commission’s historical subcommittees were established to look into specific areas of concerns that may not be within the purview of this Commission, but would provide the opportunity to create more interaction among other Commissions in other departments and, by this means, intensify and deepen a symbiotic relationship with others.

It was agreed that the Commission Officers and staff would flesh out this proposal and present it at the next Commission Meeting.

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

Tabled until decision made on Item No. 7.

9. PRELIMINARY FORECAST OF THE DEPARTMENT’S 2003-2004 BUDGET REQUEST

Ruby Turner indicated that the department’s budget proposal would be turned into the Mayor’s office on November 15. It will include an increase in staffing to support the work of the Neighborhood Councils and a proposed section that would focus on the needs of immigrant refugees and other newcomers. Three Project Coordinators and one Student Professional Worker are being requested for these two projects.

She also indicated that this step is very early in the budget process. There will be many conversations between the Mayor’s Office and the Commission before the Mayor’s proposed budget is released in April.

Rabbi Freehling reported that he initially recommended that the city consider establishing a new department, which would pay specific attention to refugees and immigrants. The response from the Mayor’s Office was that is was likely that this administration would not launch a new department. He was told to proceed with proposing a section within the Human Relations Commission to fill that role. A Councilmember suggested that even new residents, who were born in the United States, feel a disconnect when they come here; thus, the term “New Angelenos” came into being. He added that the proposed Council of New Angelenos would be founded to support this area of concern. He will ask certain Consul Generals to submit the names of people whom they would like to represent their respective country on this Council.

Commissioner Steinberg suggested that Rabbi Freehling contact Les Frank, former President of the Commission, who would be helpful in lining up Consul contacts.

10. FIELD TEAM REPORT

Art Piña invited the Commissioners to review the Field Team report attached to the Monthly Report to the Mayor. He thanked Commissioner Cheng for allowing staff to make presentations before his class at Mount St. Mary’s College regarding public accommodations. At each upcoming Commission meeting, Mr. Piña will introduce a different Project Coordinator who will inform the Commissioners about their work. He introduced Patricia Villaseñor. She has been with the Commission for almost two years and is responsible for Council Districts 13 and 14. Her policy areas are fair housing and immigration.

Ms. Villaseñor focused her presentation on her recent trip to South Korea under the paid sponsorship of the Kyung Hee University and the Global Cooperation Society International (GCS), a non-governmental organization of the United Nations. A complete report on this trip is included in the Commissioner’s packet. Ms. Villaseñor was selected to travel there because of her work in Los Angeles’ Koreatown where she specifically deals with concerns among Korean-Americans and members of the African-American and Latino Communities. Other participants from the City of Los Angeles were Alexander Kim from the Mayor’s Office and Adrin Nazarian from Councilman LaBonge’s office. Because Korea is a homogenious society, with very little immigration, officials there are very interested in seeing how we deal with immigration. We will continue to communicate with the University and with National Assemblywoman Chu on future proposals, such as an exchange program for middle and high school students and a series of forums in which participants may share experiences.

In response to Commissioners’ comments, Ms. Villaseñor indicated that the forums would be multiethnic and hopefully offered throughout the city.

11. APPROVAL OF HUMAN RLATIONS COMMISSION’S REVISED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE

Tabled for a future meeting.

12. PUBLIC COMMENT

Deputy Director Ruby Turner told the Commissioners that next agenda would include the approval of the minutes of two meetings.

Charles Moorehead recommended that the following be considered by the Commission:

1. That meetings start with a safety briefing that informs attendees of restroom locations, emergency exiting, CPR/First Aid responders on staff, location of fire extinguishers, and an assigned person to call 911 in case of emergency.

2. The Commission’s mission statement should be included on the agenda.

3. There should be some measurement of the work of the Commission.

4. Cultural Diversity Training for Commissioners

5. Ensure that Advisors and other community participant’s in the activities of the Commission understand the policy and procedures of the City.

In response to Mr. Moorehead’s suggestion #3, Commissioner Steinberg expressed his continued interest in this “Report Card” for the Commission. In response to a question from Commissioner Cheng, Rabbi Freehling indicated that there is currently no funding that will allow us to financially assist a Commissioner who wishes to attend a particular conference or training session representing the Commission.

The Commissioners thanked Mr. Moorehead for his suggestions and directed that they be placed on the next meeting agenda for consideration.

Bill Murray from the Los Angeles Community Policing (LACP) organization indicated that he felt that this Commission is one of the most important ones in the city and that he would like to promote our work through the LACP web site. He provided the Commissioners with an overview of the Los Angeles Community Policing organization. This advocacy group was initially established to reach out to the eighteen police community advisory boards throughout the city via its web site (www.lacp.org). With over 16,000 hits per month, it has become a popular forum for the discussion of community involvement in government, as well as about community policing.

Mr. Murray mentioned the success of the C-PAB mini-summit held on Saturday, November 2, 2002. This was the first time that the five divisions of the Central Bureau came together, and he thanked Project Coordinator Patty Villaseñor for her assistance in her making it happen.

Nieinjan Khalsa indicated that members of the interfaith community would be willing to assist the Commission in gaining knowledge about different communities by speaking before the Commission in a 15-minute presentation. For example, he indicated that there are 22 million Sikh’s throughout the world, but few people know anything about them. The same is true of the Coptic, Islamic and other faiths.

Commissioner Steinberg reported that he and other Commissioners had attended the County Human Relations Commission Annual Luncheon on October 23, 2002. He invited Commissioners to read the 1965 McCone Report and various publications that have been authored by our Commission. These items are available in the Commission office. Commissioner Steinberg also indicated that he is continuing to update a Summary of Highlights of the Commission.

13. ADJOURNMENT

The Commission meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.