HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021.01.25 @5001
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
Monday, January 25, 2021
5:00 p.m.
Call to Order Meeting called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Chair Nicolas
Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas, Norm
Faria, Mike Futrell, Cheska Ibasan, Vanessa McGovern, Hermes
Monzon, Patricia Murray, Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers,
Bobby Vaughn
ABSENT: Edith Arias, Liliana Rivera
Alternate: Andrea Fernandez
Welcome/Introductions
Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting and provided welcoming
comments.
Consent Calendar
1. Approval of the meeting minutes of December 2, 2020.
Moved by Mike Futrell seconded by Norm Faria to approve the minutes of the
December 2, 2021 meeting as submitted. Motion passed with no opposition.
New Business
2. Meeting Overview and Overview of Phase II
Kym Dorman provided an overview of the meeting goals, stating the Commission will
review the accomplishments form Phase I and provide an overview of Phase II.
Commissioners will review draft goals, strategies and action steps and identify
recommendations. Myra Jolivet led a grounding exercise with the Commission.
Commissioners discussed if they learned in school about historical contribution of non-
whites or people of color to our communities and history.
3. Update on City’s Activities for Black History Monday (February)
Leslie Arroyo, Communications Director, reviewed the City’s activities celebrating Black
History month including several virtual events. Kayla Powers suggested action steps in
addition to the celebratory measures.
4. Summary of Newly Enacted State Laws Relevant to Racial and Social Equity
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Myra Jolivet reviewed recent State laws relevant to race and social equity. Under mental
health and public health, there are more reporting requirements and to address racism
as public health crisis. Law enforcement, investigation into police shootings, de-
militarizing police uniforms. Economic Development, publicly held companies to have
one person of minority on board of directors and data collection requirements relating to
pay by race.
5. Review Organized Goals, Strategies and Action Steps to Advance Racial and
Social Equity
Kym Dorman reviewed the organized format of the goals, strategies and action steps as
recommended by the Commission and noted the meeting each strategy would be
discussed.
a. Update on Creating a Response Team for Mental Health Crises, Substance
Use and Homelessness on Creating a Response Team for Community
Navigator Program
Mike Futrell provided an update on Strategy 2.1; Mental Health Response Team.
He noted that the program was established as a 2-year pilot program to provide a
full-time mental health clinician on-site in South San Francisco to respond with law
enforcement to assist individuals in mental health crisis. He noted that other cities
have joined in the partnership. Stanford University will be setting goals, metrics,
collect data and report out of effectiveness. In addition to responding to mental
health crisis, the clinician will also be able to conduct follow-ups with individuals,
collaborate with the outreach services and provide mental health related training to
first responders. Mr. Futrell reviewed the schedule to get staff on board and conduct
training with goal of team ready in July 2021.
Commissioner questions:
Did staff review past data to determined what hours/days the clinician is most
needed? Mike Futrell responded yes, reviewed past data to determine and will
continue to evaluate.
What is the timeline to get to the CAHOOTS model? Mike Futrell is targeting 6
months of operation to get to the CAHOOTS model, but will transition sooner if
able to. Clinician would be able to call 911 when respond if need back-up.
Impressed with the speed of getting this project approved. Does the Stanford
team has experience evaluating these programs and what part of institution?
Mike Futrell responded the Gardner Center at Stanford will be evaluating the
program.
Noted this was a high priority with the Commission and City agreed and
wanted to move quickly with this new program.
Valerie Sommer provided an overview on Strategy 3.1; create community navigator
program. The program brings resources and support for low-income residents.
Initially established as a one-year pilot program to maintain open dialogue between
community members and bilingual, bicultural city staff. Program goal to reduce
language and literacy barriers and help residents access resources. She reviewed
the implementation actions with timeline.
Commissioner questions:
Can we form a baseline of services used today to evaluate the effectiveness of
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the program.
i. Small Group Discussion and Report Out
Nayeli Bernal reported on the small-group discussion on strategy 2.1;
ensure respect for person, reduction in total number of 911 calls,
proactively work to reduce calls for service; anti-bias training and clinician
training. Outcome; change in culture that the community can see and
reduced calls for service.
Myra Jolivet reported on small group discussion on strategy 2.1; ensure
clinician staff is reflective of the community they service (persons of color);
understand types of calls to make sure the correct person is responding
(language, race).
Cheska Ibasan reported on small group discussion on strategy 2.1; ensure
persons hired are persons of color; ensure people hired understand their
role is to deescalate the situation; have knowledge of local community.
Kayla Powers added that training should be culturally relevant; there needs
to be an accountability structure; and response to issues.
Nayeli Bernal reported on the small-group discussion on strategy 3.1;
importance of partnering with school district; help community understand
safety net; track whether persons are more engaged and using programs
more; access locations where we know people have need.
Myra Jolivet reported on small group discussion on strategy 3.1;.noted the
importance of findings navigators that are community members that have
trust; digital divide needs to be considered; evaluation and assessment.
Cheska Ibasan reported on small group discussion on strategy 3.1;
establish a connection with school district (specific team or individual);
increase access and do not ask for documentation.
ii. Public comment
Alicia Santamaria thanked the Commission for their work.
Amanda commended the City and Commission for being open and honest.
She noted that it is important to connect with residents that speak other
languages.
Olga Perez thanked the team for the work preparing for this meeting. She
noted the need for a community center in the Old Town community.
iii. Commissioners Discussion
Pat Murray thanked the City and consultant for the work preparing for this
meeting.
Flor Nicolas noted City efforts to have someone that can represent SSF’s
diverse community speak to the Council on strategy 2.1.
Vanessa McGovern suggested access to free interpretive services for
residents trying to access services. She also suggested ongoing open
communication with public comments at meetings to hear from the
community and obtain feedback.
6. Next Steps
Kym Dorman thanked Kayla Powers for her efforts to draft a draft Vision statement. Kym
Dorman suggested forming a workgroup to prepare a Vision statement. Kayla Powers
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noted she is open to comments and changes on the Vision statement. Commissioner Pat
Murray, Kayla Powers and Gladys Balmas agreed to serve on a workgroup to craft a
Vision statement.
Kym Dorman reviewed meeting topics for upcoming Commission meetings. The next
Commission meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2021.
Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.