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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2020.08.19 @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, August 19, 2020 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 4:11 p.m. by Chair Nicolas Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Edith Arias, Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas, Norm Faria, Mike Futrell, Cheska Ibasan, Vanessa McGovern, Hermes Monzon, Patricia Murray, Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers, Liliana Rivera, Bobby Vaughn ALTERNATE PRESENT: Andrea Fernandez ABSENT: None Welcome/Introductions Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting. Chair Nicolas requested Pat Murray Chair the meeting if it extends beyond 6:00 pm to allow public comments. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the meeting minutes of August 8, 2020. The minutes of the August 8, 2020 meeting were approved as submitted by a vote of 14 in favor, 0 opposed. New Business 2. Key Takeaways from Last Commission Meeting and Overview of Today’s Aims Chair Nicolas reviewed the goals for this meeting which include: review local context of inequities and social services; review example approaches to addressing inequities; discussion and preliminary prioritization of approaches for further investigation; and hear public comments. Kym Dorman provided a recap of the previous Commission meeting. 3. Review Local Context of Inequities Related to Health and Social Services and Current Resources/Efforts to Reduce Inequities a. Overview of Local Context of Inequities 2 Paige Kruza provided an overview local demographics for South San Francisco and noted how social and economic factors impact health care. Paige Kruza also noted environmental impacts on health. b. Presentation from Police Chief on Mental Health and Substance Use Calls Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi provided an overview of the department’s call for service over the last three years. Noting most frequent call is a disturbance call, followed by welfare checks, alcohol involved, mental health evaluation and drugs involved calls. He provided an overview of the training for Police Officers which includes: 6 months at Police Academy under State of California mandates for training; 6 months of field training with another officer; crisis intervention training (40 hours); and bi-annual tactical communication training. The department has a crisis negotiation team (consisting of 14 members, requiring completion of a 40-hour course and quarterly updates). San Mateo County has a Threat Assessment team (SSFPD Officer is the current Chair). Police Chief Azzopardi noted the downtown bike patrol works with Life Moves and the homeless outreach team services to provide services to homeless individuals in SSF. He reviewed the department’s responsibility to place individuals on a 5150 (mental health) hold if meet certain criteria. c. Guest Speaker on Health and Social Services Kym Dorman provided an overview of government entities that provide health and social services. Srija Srinivasan, Deputy Chief of San Mateo County Environmental Health. She noted that the County operates a medical clinic in SSF and manages the Health Plan of San Mateo. Srija Srinivasan provided statistics showing COVID-19 is exposing underlying inequities. She noted the SSF Community Collaboration for Children’s Success report and efforts to prioritize the most vulnerable population in the community. d. Commissioner Questions and Answers  Mark Nagales asked about homeless population. Mike Futrell noted it has reduced from 177 to about 40 homeless persons.  Mark Nagales asked what are the barriers to have mental health professional pair with an officer on a call. Jeff Azzopardi responded that they are open to that model, funding issue. He noted that the mental health professionals are not comfortable contacting individuals without an officer present. He provided the example of Life Moves working well on calls with officers.  Liliana Rivera would like to hear from social services and noted the need for more preventative measures.  Mike Futrell agreed that there needs more effective mental health, which is under the County jurisdiction. Srijia Srinivasan noted that they have a range of mental health services and can follow-up at a future meeting with more details.  Edith Arias asked if the City provides any mental health support. City does not provide mental health services, would refer the individual to the County. There is one County-operated clinic in SSF. 3  Hermes Monzon asked if officer has standards on approaching teenagers. Police Chief responded that there are many different scenarios and hopes that each contact ends in a positive outcome.  Gladys Balmas asked about demographics for calls for services and comparison to other cities with similar demographics. City tracks major crimes and can provide a report to the Commission. 4. Overview of Example Approaches to Addressing Inequities in Health and Social Services Paige Kruza provided an overview of example approaches to addressing inequities in Health and Social services. 5. Discussion and Preliminary Prioritization of Approaches for Further Investigation  Would like to hear from other organizations that provide services.  Mike Futrell noted need to updated County clinic in SSF with all services (including dental).  Norm Faria commented on serving residents with language barriers and providing better access to services.  Flor Nicolas noted outreach effort for flu clinic and agreed that many residents are not comfortable accessing services.  Edith Arias noted residents may have difficulty accessing services and fear if undocumented.  Pat Murray advocated for investing in mental health for youth.  Hermes Monzon suggested a community resource center and park in old town to provide services and regain community trust. Kym Dorman summarized measures Commissioners expressed interest in pursuing further, including Approach 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9.  Mike Futrell suggested moving approach 1; to create a response team for mental health crisis, forward sooner for investigation. Could work with the County and pursue a pilot program.  Bobby Vaughn expressed support for approaches that addresses systemic racism.  Liliana Rivera requested an approach that no city programs or services requires residents to show documentation to receive the service. Commissioners voted to fast track approach 1 – 13 Commissioners voted in favor Commissioners voted to fast track approach 8 – 13 Commissioners voted in favor Chair Nicolas handed the meeting over to Commissioner Murray at 6:00 pm. Public Comments Olga Perez noted barriers that exist in old town including racial and social inequalities. Eddy stated that health and social services in related to elected officials. He expressed concern that police are involved in health and social services. Needs to be addressed by medical and mental health professionals. Shift funds from officers’ salaries to mental 4 health professionals. Aristel del la Cruz is an educator that works with children and families in SSF. Would like all Councilmembers to attend these meetings. Concern with police response to calls and making unnecessary arrests. Jennifer Garstang feel approaches discussed are valuable. Would like to see a higher level social justice plan that looks at every aspect of City’s development and services and has a plan to close the gap with short term and long term approach. Comprehensive plan. Mike Futrell noted that the General Plan will include a social justice and equity element. Marcela Rivera expressed concern with lack of mental health and counselors in schools. Suggest remove police from schools. Also request more green space and community center in old town. City leaders need to push boundaries. Russell Lee expressed concern with access to food and too many liquor stores, especially in old town. Would like to address public health and access to food, including with the school district. Myra Jolivet consider an action item approach with a racial lens for everything that the City does. Gustavo Lopez stated it is unfortunate that the city turns to the police to find services for our communities. Quality long term intervention programs have a positive impact. In SF every school has a wellness center and RWC has three therapists. His students at SSFHS did not get these services until they were incarcerated. Patricia Hurtado spoke of delinquencies caused by antisocial behavior. Programs need to be quality and evidence based. Programs are not addressing the problems. James Coleman spoke of the level of education in SSF and the need for an expanded SSF preschool program through Parks and Recreation, since the wait list is currently 3-4 years long. Liliana Rivera noted having therapists through the Grow Your Own program would be best and relatable for clients. She requested that next meeting focus on proposed alternatives and not the current policing policies. Kayla Powers requested having slides to review earlier and inquired on how to best connect with the other commissioners and the community to gain feedback. Pat Murray thanked Paige and Kym for their great work and adjourned the meeting. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.