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Human Relations Commission

Minutes of Regular Meeting
February 6, 2003
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The Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles met for its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., 200 N. Spring St., City Hall Room 1050, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

1. Approval of Minutes from January 9, 2003

The Minutes were approved with noted corrections by Commissioner Steinberg

2. Commission Roll Call

Commissioners introduced themselves.

3. President’s Report (Lorraine Bradley)

President Bradley announced that the Commission is releasing funds for three grants to support programs that will focus on the areas of housing and tenant rights, school peer mediation and conflict resolution, as well as a conflict management program. She further commended the Commission for branching out to cover more of the Human Relations issues that are affecting the city. In response to Commissioner Steinberg’s request for a written summary of each of the grants, president Bradley indicated that once the final approval is given, the commissioners will be provided with such a summary.

4. Executive Director’s Report (Rabbi Allen Freehling)

• First, Rabbi Freehling further clarified the process of Request for Proposal, and indicated that the document was developed by the staff and approved by the City Attorney’s office. Only the three mentioned grants were selected as finalists.

• He also reported that Doane Liu is now the Chief Operating Officer for the Mayor’s Office. As such, the new liaison for the HR office is Eric Brown. In the name of President Bradley Mr. Brown has been invited to attend the Commission’s March meeting.

• Rabbi Freehling informed the Commission that Dr. Cliff Cheng resigned from this Commission and may possibly be re-assigned to a different Commission. Thus, the Human Relations Commission currently has five vacancies. Deputy Mayor Eric Brown is working with Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.

• In addition, Rabbi Freehling reported on the budget status. Due to the short falls of the State Treasury and the Federal deficit, the City is greatly affected. The HRC Office was instructed to re-work the current budget and cut down by 10%. Fortunately, these budget cuts can be managed without compromising any of the current programs and projects. Rabbi Freehling also stated that the positions of Assistant Executive Director and Clerk Typist are being eliminated. Currently, the elimination of these two positions does not present a problem. However, once the financial situation improves the HRC office will ask for these two positions to be reinstated. As for finding a replacement for Ruby Turner’s position, Rabbi Freehling noted that a number of interviews have been conducted. However, due to the hiringfreeze the CAO instructed the HRC office not to offer the job to any one. An exemption has been filed and is pending a reply. As for the request for two additional staff members, only one position is being recommended by the CAO.

• Finally, in reference to the monthly activity report to the Mayor’s office, Rabbi Freehling indicated that the next phase of expansion is contacting ethnic, religious and national communities with which the HRC office does not currently have contacts.

5. Presentation regarding the Brown Act and other related matters (Anthony S. Alperin, Assistant City Attorney)

• Mr. Alperin gave a brief overview of the Brown Act. The act requires all meetings of legislative bodies be held openly and publicly. The public has the right to attend and hear all discussions. They also have the right to speak on any agenda item they choose.

• The Commission must allow the public to speak for a reasonable amount of time prior to making a decision. However, the Commission is not required to engage in a discussion, but must allow the public the opportunity to speak. The Commission may set up a policy of when and how long each person can speak.

• Mr. Alperin further explained that according to the act members of the public have the right to speak at every regular meeting of a Commission on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission, even though that matter is not on the agenda. This is not an opportunity for the Commissioners to discuss the matter amongst themselves. If the Commission feels that the public comments need to be discussed, the matter must be listed on the agenda of the following meeting. In case the matter needs to be discussed prior to the regular meeting, a special meeting with a special agenda may be set up.

• According to the Act, a legislative body is defined as any multi-member government body that is created by statute, ordinance, charter, state constitution, or any formal action of another legislative body. Thus, Mr. Alperin clarified that the council creates an ordinance commission, and the Mayor creates a legislative commission. Although a legislative commission may not legislate it is created by a legislative body and must comply with the Brown Act.

• Moreover, Mr. Alperin stated that a sub-committee with a regular on going responsibility or a standing committee created by a legislative commission must also abide by the Brown Act. However, an ad-hoc committee made up solely of appointed members of the commission with less than the majority of the commission is not subject to the Brown Act. Such a committee is dismantled once it completes its research and reports of a particular problem. If this ad-hoc committee has members other than the commissioners, it must comply with the Brown Act.

• In addition, Mr. Alperin explained that the Act requires a set and posted agenda. Under most circumstances the Commission must only consider items that are on the agenda. If an emergency matter arise after the posting of an agenda and the Commission must take immediate action regarding that matter, two third of the present Commission body must vote to take immediate action. Furthermore, the Commission must indicate that the matter cannot wait for the next regular meeting or a special meeting, and must be addressed immediately.

• Mr. Alperin also indicated that there are a number of problems that continue to arise in legislative bodies. One of them is referred to as serial meeting. The act states that the Commission must meet only at a properly noticed meeting, where the public can attend. This means that the Commission’s majority cannot meet in a private place to discuss the issues. Less than the majority may discuss the issues, as long as the issues are not circled around via phone or e-mail in a chain communication that involves the majority of Commissioners. Moreover, the president of the commission may not phone majority members to discuss issues. Likewise, staff cannot discuss issues with a majority of Commission members. The same rules apply to a standing committee.

• Furthermore, Mr. Alperin specified that according to the Act staff may send agenda materials via e-mail, as long as members of the Commission do not e-mail each other or staff with their thoughts and ideas on any agenda issues. Commissioners may contact staff and request for an item to be posted on the agenda for discussion at the following meeting. All ideas must be shared at the publicly held meeting. Also, Commissioners may request staff to send a memorandum to all members as long as it is available as a public record.

• Committees created by staff are not subject to the Brown Act. Members of the Commission may volunteer to participate in such committees so long as they are not a majority, and the participation decision is not a voted item.

• In response to a question regarding the penalties for violating the Act, Mr. Alperin explained that the court might set aside any actions taken in violation of the Brown Act. Subsequently, any decision made regarding a particular matter during a serial meeting is considered a misdemeanor.

• Commissioner Wexler questioned the number of the majority for this particular Commission since it does not yet have all eleven members. In response, Mr. Alperin suggested that since this is a small Commission with only seven members meeting on regular basis, it is best to deal with the majority of eleven Commissioners which is currently six.

• Other quorum and vote questions regarding the HR Commission are to be sent to the City Attorney’s office for research.

• Mr. Alperin also announced the availability of conferences, which are offered three times a year to discuss the Brown Act, Ethics Commission, and conflict of interest issues. Also, the latest update of the Brown Act is discussed in the Commissioner’s handbook published last year. Copies may be requested from the City Attorney’s office.

6. Conflict of Interest Code

• Rebecca Ronquillo with the City Ethics Commission briefly discussed the biannual review of the Conflict of Interest code set up by the Ethics Commission. As discussed on the January meeting agenda, the revised code that incorporates the two additional positions of Assistance Executive Director and Senior Project Coordinator was brought before the Commission for their approval.

• The Commission voted and passed the revision.

7. Field Team Report (Arturo Pina, Deputy Director of Field Services)

• Mr. Piña discussed the monthly report for January. He further elaborated on the HRC work with other city departments and the need for additional staff with relation to the budget difficulties. The report reflects the specific work with other departments that are having difficulties with inter-group relations, or are looking for new ways to address these issues. Such as the L.A.P.D where a certified staff trainer is helping out with conflict management training. Further, the HRC is moving in the direction of extending the same type of services to the Recreation and Parks Department and the Department of Water and Power.

• Mr. Piña also noted that a formalized Internship program has been set up with local Universities. He introduced the current student interns from UCLA.

• In response to a question regarding the responsibilities of the interns, Arturo pointed out that their work is to observe and document the work of HRC and the effect of their work in the communities and with other departments.

• Furthermore, the formalized internship structure is set up as a volunteer program, in which interns must abide by the same confidentiality regulation as city employees. Their main function is to assist the staff by observing within the community and reporting back to the HRC office.

• Commissioner Wexler praised the LAPD Conflict Management training and the work of Emily Williams, and asked if other staff members have the same capabilities. Rabbi Freehling responded by pointing out that other city departments have requested for the HRC staff to facilitate and train department staff in the area of conflict management. Each staff member responds to these needs based on their assigned geographical areas.

• Rabbi Muskin asked how six staff members could cover the four million people in the city along with the LAPD, DONE, and other departments that look for HRC’s assistance?

• Arturo Piña addressed the question by stating that the work of the staff is not limited to hours; rather it becomes a way of life where the work is carried out. The staff communicates with one another and the office regularly through cell phones. HRC staff works in accordance with the mandate established in 1966, which indicates the need to respond to inter-group tension, conflict, and disputes at any time. In general, the mechanisms are in place to go out and know the tensions around the city and what has been done to address them. Staff does not do the work alone. As a result of the coalitions they have built within the communities they are responsible for, they have come into contact with individuals and/or organizations that are now the Commissions eyes and ears for all human relations issues.

• In response to questions regarding interns’ hours, Mr. Pina explained that the interns’ work hours are setup by the university and the HRC office supports their requirements.

8. Discussion and Adoption of Sub-Committees Structure, etc.

• President Bradley asked which committees are currently posting public agendas.

• Rabbi Freehling explained that since staff establishes these committees they are not subject to the Brown Act. However, commissioners who are interested in any of the established committees may participate as volunteers. Rabbi Freehling gave the following status report for each of the committees:

1. Faith Leaders Advisory Board: scheduled to have their second meeting next week on Feb 12. Attending the meeting will be Captain Sergio Diaz to discuss L.A.P.D’s cultural diversity training efforts.

2. Human Relations Network: This group consists of CEOs and representatives of Human Relations and Social Justice Non-profits. The next meeting is set for next week. Council member Jan Perry will be invited to speak regarding the treatment of the homeless in Los Angeles.

3. Council of Government Representatives: This group is mainly made-up of law enforcement representatives from various agencies. They meet every first Thursday of the month at noon.

4. Neighborhood Councils Human Relations Advocates: The group has not been formed yet.

5. Media Advisory Board: The group is scheduled to have their initial meeting next week.

6. New Angelinos Council: Due to budget restrictions this committee is now on hold. However, staff member Patty Villasenor continues to provide the Commission with all issues related to immigration and how they could possibly impact intergroup relations throughout the city. As for proposed recommendations, a memorandum was sent to the Assistant Chief of Staff and Protocol Officer within the Mayor’s Office as a result of a collaborative effort between our two offices.

7. Board of Advisors: Since the vast majority of city council members and the Mayor’s office have not yet provided the names of their representatives, a meeting has been called with only those advisors who have been assigned.

• Commissioner Wexler voiced his interest in volunteering for the Council of Governmental Representatives. Also, Rabbi Muskin indicated his interest for the Faith Leaders Advisory Board, but will need to know the meeting dates before he can volunteer for this committee. Commissioner Bartenetti volunteered for the media advisory board. Commissioner Hussain stated his interest in the New Angelinos Council if it is formed.

• The question of establishing the Board of Advisors as a standing committee is to be listed as an agenda item for the next regularly scheduled meeting.

• Commissioner Steinberg submitted a four-page memorandum regarding the research sub committee and HRC report card as a follow up to discussions at the last meeting. Copies of the power and duties of a Commission from the ordinance were also distributed.

• In response to the question regarding the role of the commissioners on the committees, Rabbi Freehling indicated that the role depends on the individual and their interest of what they would like their role to contribute. He further indicated that the HRC office in their monthly reports documents the activities of the committees.

• Also, the request to change the regularly scheduled meeting time from 10:00 A.M to 10:30 A.M will be listed on the next agenda for discussion.

9. Recommendations of Public Comment

• The committee voted on recommendations made by Charles Moorehead listed in the November Commission’s meeting. The following are the final votes for each of the items:

1. All commissioners voted in favor of the first item, which recommends the meeting to start with a safety briefing.

2. All Commissioners voted in favor of the second item, which recommends the mission statement to be included on the agenda.

3. The measurement of the work of the commission is to be discussed at a later time as a standing committee.

4. Cultural Diversity Training for Commissioners will also be discussed later as an open meeting or a retreat.

• President Bradley opened the meeting for public comments.

• Kimberly Schuler-Hall announced that her appointment as an advisor from council district three was not reinstated, and thanked the commission for allowing her to serve as an advisor. Commissioner Steinberg along with President Bradley commended the work of Kimberly Schuler-Hall on behalf of the Commission, and thanked her for her years of hard work as an advisor as well as the chair of the advisors.

• Bill Murray from the Los Angeles Community Policing addressed the Commission and stated his interest in promoting the work of the HRC. Further, he praised the tireless work of the staff and pointed out their vital work in the community. He also spoke briefly about the active partnerships he created with staff and his continuous willingness to help out. This includes promoting the work of the HRC through publishing agenda items, minutes, articles on the Commissions’ work, and volunteer promotions on his web site. Moreover, he spoke of the importance of the role of the HRC involvement with DONE and the tremendous need for their work and efforts.

• Rabbi Freehling thanked the attention that Bill gives the HRC and indicated that this is a great example of the partnerships that the HRC needs to develop with the community. Moreover, this type of partnerships will also be an avenue to promote the HRC trust fund.

10. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.