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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2020.11.04 @4001 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR’S COMMISSION ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL EQUITY Meeting held at: Teleconference meeting Wednesday, November 4, 2020 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chair Nicolas Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Edith Arias, Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas, Norm Faria, Mike Futrell, Cheska Ibasan (4:10 pm), Vanessa McGovern (4:04pm), Hermes Monzon (4:12 pm), Patricia Murray, Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers, Bobby Vaughn (4:10 pm) ABSENT: Liliana Rivera, Andrea Fernandez, Alternate Welcome/Introductions Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting. Chair Nicolas noted free flu shots and Mike Futrell noted free COVID testing on November 5, 2020. Mike Futrell provided an update on work with County on Pilot program to hire a mental health professional to assist in responding to 911 calls. Anticipate City Council action in November 2020. Individual will be working with homeless population and preventive measures when not responding to calls. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the meeting minutes of October 7, 2020. Moved by Mike Futrell, seconded by Norm Faria to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2020 meeting as submitted. Motion passed with no opposition. New Business 2. Meeting Overview Kym Dorman provided an overview of the meeting goals to gather Commission feedback on example approaches and hear public input. She reviewed the Commission group agreements. Sharron Watts conducted the grounding exercise. 3. Presentation on Commissioner and Public Comments at Previous Meetings and Survey Findings Related to Approaches to Address Racial and Social Equity Staff has decided to open the survey for a longer period, through November 18 to receive more input from the Community on the approaches. Staff will report on survey findings at the next meeting. 2 4. Review and Discuss Top 10 Approaches to Address Racial and Social Equity Sharron Watts noted that we will discuss first half of the approaches in small groups with two guiding questions; which approaches do you think are the most important to address racial and social equity and what do you think will be the most effective to reduce racial and social equity? a. Small Group Discussion and Report-out on Top 10 Approaches (First Half of Approaches) Sharron Watts reported out that her group agrees that for Health & Social Services, approaches #1 and #5 were identified as the most important to move forward. Also see how two programs can be linked and serve the youth. Need to ensure address language barriers and low-income residents can access services. For Community safety and policing – strong agreement with approach #3 as it builds community and strengthen trust. Nayeli Bernal reported that for Health & Social Services, approach #2 was prioritized. Suggestions to combine approaches #1 and #2. Approach #6 was noted as important, as well as #7 to ensure access to services. Community safety #2 and #3 were identified highly. Also support for approach #5. Myra commented that all approaches need to be looked at though racial lenses. Kym Dorman reported on Health & Social Services, approach #2 with clarification on what resources are needed. Also interest in approach #4, focused on race and equity. Approach #7 and #1 were also identified as important. For Community safety and policing, agreement around approach #5 and #2. Also discussion to combine strategies. b. Public Comments on Top 10 Approaches (First Half of Approaches)  Olga Perez feels the mental health services is very important for the community, especially for Latino community. Would like to see better connection between Police and community. c. Commissioners Discuss Top 10 Approaches (First Half of Approaches)  Commissioner Nagales noted that many people are not aware of services. Make sure population we are trying to reach is served and receives the information.  Edith Arias noted that many Spanish speaking people find it difficult to access services; no computer, potentially illegal housing situation, and concern with showing documentation. Like expanding approach #8 to bridge the gap between services and community members that need services.  Flor Nicolas, agrees with peer to peer approach as being effective as they can build trust.  Pat Murray noted a good place to start with service outreach (community resource center) would be at the schools to address needs of families to make connections to resources needed.  Hermes Monzon noted difficulty navigating process to get assistance. Also noted difficulty getting services that are far away from Old Town. Ideal to locate a 3 community center in Old Town to assist community and location provide information.  Gladys Balmas noted importance of community safety advisory to continue to hear the community voice.  Kayla Powers suggested creating office at City where all these initiatives live and ensure implementation, tracking and accountability occurs.  Bobby Vaughn also suggested Chief Diversity Office to ensure ongoing engagement and assessment and a point person to check in with various agencies/departments to ensure staying on track. 5. Review and Discuss Remaining 16 Approaches to Address Racial and Social Equity (Second Half of Approaches) a. Small Group Discussion and Report-out on Remaining 16 Approaches (Second Half of Approaches) Kym Dorman reported that relating to Education, approaches #1 and #3 . Ensure wrap around services and explicitly addresses race and social equity. Ensure #5 is free or affordable. Relating to the Economic Development and Housing approaches, found #2 and #3 and #6 #7 addressing housing. Nayeli Bernal reported for Education, importance with approach #3, noted importance of approach #2 and approach #1 to ensure students do not fall behind. For Economic Development, favored approaches #1 and #2 would have lasting long term benefits. Approach #1, create apprenticeship program. Also interest in approaches #6 and #7. Would like to see approaches combined. Sharron Watts reported for Education, agreement around approach #5 and how youth leadership could support approach #1 and these services could overlap. Need to define what supports look like. Economic Development and Housing, inclusiveness is key. Approach #3 as overarching with approaches #1 and #2. b. Public Comments on Remaining 16 Approaches (Second Half of Approaches)  Olga Perez, requested an email and will send in her comments.  Dolores Piper completed the online survey. c. Commissioners Discuss Remaining 16 Approaches (Second Half of Approaches)  Mark Nagels likes the approaches and sees how many work together.  Flor Nicolas noted that many of the approaches are inter-related and need to be supportive of each other.  Edith Arias noted that all approaches need to uplift persons of color and low- income residents. Need to connect with persons that need support.  Norm Faria liked the break-out sessions and being able to speak with smaller 4 groups.  Gladys Balmas asked about outreach process to ensure working in the right direction. Kym Dorman noted survey is an opportunity to hear from the community.  Edith Arias noted that online survey is not fully accessible. Requested print version that can be distributed with Spanish translation.  Kayla Powers asked if the survey results will be reported to Commission. Staff responded in the affirmative.  Hermes Monzon appreciated small group discussion. He feels the community has lost the trust with the City. Difficult to get people to engage.  Bobby Vaughn agrees that trust comes from follow through and accountability. Want to ensure there is follow through on these approaches. 6. Review and Next Steps Kym Dorman provided an overview of the second phase of the Commission’s work. At the December 2, 2020 meeting, will present feedback from today’s meeting and present approaches for the Commission to prioritize. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.