Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021.04.21 @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, April 21, 2021 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Chair Nicolas Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Edith Arias (4:20 pm), Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas, Norm Faria, Mike Futrell (4:13pm), Vanessa McGovern, Hermes Monzon (4:10 pm), Patricia Murray, Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers, Bobby Vaughn (4:06 pm) ABSENT: Cheska Ibasan, Liliana Rivera Alternate Present: Andrea Fernandez Welcome/Introductions Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting and provided welcoming comments, including the acknowledgement of the Chauvin guilty verdict in connection with the death of George Floyd. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the meeting minutes of April 21, 2021 Moved by Norm Faria seconded by Mark Nagales to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2021 meeting as submitted. Motion passed with no opposition. She also noted events to celebrate Asian Americans in South San Francisco. New Business 2. Updates on Programs and Initiatives Chair Flor Nicolas noted the City issued a Proclamation condemning Asian hate. The City is also providing educational/mental health series to assist residents on how to report when they experience or witness a hate crime. Chair Flor Nicholas also thanked Sharron Watts, SSF Management Fellow, for her work on the Commission programs. Mike Futrell provided an update on programs that the City has instituted and currently working on to break the cycle of poverty. The City has programs addressing affordable housing and rental/food assistance. A technology access program is also launched today which gives away free laptops and internet to low income individuals/families in our community. The City is still working on potential guaranteed income; $2 million of the American Rescue Plan has been set aside for this program and we are still seeking partner/s. Current approach to provide complete wrap around services until the individual or family is able to break the cycle of poverty. He also noted that the City will be opening 2 a Community Support Center in Downtown to provide social services, partnering with the Renaissance Center and JobTrain. It will be staffed with two-full time Community Navigators and three part-time Promotores and other social service providers. This program was recommended by the Committee (strategy 3.5). 3. Meeting Goals, Agenda and Commission Grounding Exercise Kym Dorman provided an overview of the meeting goals and overview of the agenda items. Myra Jolivet asked Commissioners to describe what they are most excited about from this progress. Commissioners noted the following: o Mental Health pilot program o The Commissioners ability to work together and come to agreement o The Promotores program o This effort is a start towards progress 4. Discussion on Racial Inequities and Commission Identified Priorities to Address Housing Kym Dorman reviewed the Commission-identified priorities to address housing: increase income for key populations, keep people housed who are at risk of homelessness, ensure that residents can still afford to live in SSF and explore developing land assts for housing. 5. Discussion of Expanding Information and Support to Reduce Inequities and Increase Housing Security for Priority Populations (Goal 3: strategy 3.2) Nell Selander provided an overview of efforts the City is working on to reduce inequities and increase housing security for priority populations. Relating to increase income for key populations, the City recently approved a small business and entrepreneurship resource center, workforce development services and the City Council is considering a guaranteed basic income program. In terms of keeping people housed, there are a range of programs; namely: renter assistance; technical assistance, YMCA resources; legal help through Legal Aid & Project Sentinel and City Red-tag Ordinance to provide financial assistance to those displaced when housing is deemed uninhabitable. Programs to ensure that residents can still afford to live in SSF include: city housing funds, inclusionary housing requirements on new developments, statewide rent cap and just cause eviction protections, minor home repair programs for low-income owners and city housing line with referrals and assistance in English and Spanish. Relating to explore developing land assets in SSF to build housing, the City and former RDA land must be declared surplus and offered first to affordable housing developers and other publicly-owned land in SSF could be development for housing. Nell Selander also provided an overview on how the City is reaching out to priority populations. 6. Discuss Leveraging Land Assets to Increase Housing that is Affordable and to Reduce Inequities (Goal: Strategy 4.11) through the General Plan and Housing Element Eric Yurkovich provided an overview of the General Plan Update process. He noted that the Housing Element update process is being run in parallel to the General Plan update. He noted that Housing Elements are required to be updated every eight years, evaluates current programs and new programs to achieve projected housing growth and demand. Eric Yurkovich reviewed the following housing element goals and described policies to address the goals: 3  Protect vulnerable households from displacement.  A diverse supply of affordable housing options.  Support safe housing and shelter throughout SSF.  A diverse range of housing options that create equitable opportunity for people of all ages, races/ethnicities, abilities, socio-economic status and family types. He noted the Policy Frameworks are available for review and comment at the ShapeSSF website and more information available on the Housing Element update on the website; www.letstalkhousing.org Commission questions:  Hermes Monzon asked how many affordable housing units are there at Grand/Linden development? Nell Selander responded that all 84 units will be affordable.  Mark Nagales asked about housing for persons with disabilities and community land trust. Eric Yurkovich responded that the discussion has been around universal design principles to be inclusive.  Edith Arias commented that there is also need for housing for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in addition to physical disabilities. Nell Selander noted the State low income tax credit scoring encourages units for disabled individuals. 7. Discussion on How to Ensure that the Implementation of Strategies 3.2 and 4.1 Addresses Racial and Social Inequities a. Small Group Discussion and Report Out  Kym Dorman reported that her group commented that the community resource center will help connect with neighbors, use public transportation to connect residents, and share information on social media. The group suggested using schools to connect residents with information and inform landlords of their obligations. Track data to ensure priority populations are reached.  Myra Jolivet reported that her group noted the importance of using trusted sources and having the right people in the room. Also noted the need to reach seniors and provide childcare so people can attend meetings. Ensure programs are SSF-specific including translation and accessibility of meeting locations.  Nayeli Bernal reported that her group discussed advertising and outreach of programs including social media and flyer distribution to reach the range of populations. Prioritize neighborhoods and go to where people are. Partnership with schools and Boys and Girls Club. b. Public Comment  Sarah Funes commented about student loan debt and how it affects their ability to pay rent.  Olga Perez expressed concern with overbuilding in the Old Town area without considering additional services needs in the area, especially youth programs and services. Need to distribute the housing throughout the community. Support community center for a way to get out information and connect with the community. 4 c. Commissioners Discussion  Gladys Balmas asked how we ensure housing programs meet the needs of the community as housing affordability is a regional issue.  Mark Nagales noted the City Council will be holding a study session on housing on Tuesday, April 27 at 6:00pm and encouraged residents to attend.  Edith Arias commented that outreach needs to reach the community and not rely on social media or email.  Mark Nagales noted that preference is given for housing to persons that live or work in SSF. In response to a question, Nell Selander noted that we have information on persons that participate in current programs for priority population.  Hermes Monzon suggested using City banners downtown to advertise community support center. 8. Updates from South San Francisco Unified School District Pat Murray provided an update on the Board action on the SLO program to negotiate an Agreement with clear parameters; non-uniform, not handcuff students in public places and contacting parents. The Board also decided to move forward with development of equity task force to address School District practices and policies. Board also discussed possible new position for an Equity and Inclusion staff member. Pat Murray clarified that ethnic studies is not currently a requirement for graduation, and they are considering adding the requirement next year. Edith Arias asked about A through G requirements to keep student on track to be eligible for a four-year university. Pat Murray agreed that it should be the District’s policy. 9. Review Next Steps Kym Dorman reviewed meeting topics for upcoming Commission meetings. Commission will review the remaining strategies and updates at the May 19, 2021 meeting, the Draft Report at the June 16, 2021 meeting and the Final Report at the July 21, 2021 meeting. The next Commission meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2021. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.