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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.20.2022 Commission on Equity and Public Safety PacketMonday, June 20, 2022 6:00 PM City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA Teleconference Commission on Equity and Public Safety Regular Meeting Agenda 1 June 20, 2022Commission on Equity and Public Safety Regular Meeting Agenda Welcome to the Regular Meeting of the Commission on Equity and Public Safety. The regular meetings are held on the third Monday of each month. The following is a general outline of our procedures. This meeting is being held in accordance with the Brown Act as currently in effect under the provisions of Assembly Bill 361 which allows attendance by members of the Commission, City staff and the public to participate and conduct the meeting by teleconference. In accordance with California Government Code Section 54957.5, any writing or document that is a public record, relates to an open session agenda item, and is distributed less than 72 hours prior to a regular meeting will be made available for public inspection at the City Manager's Office in City Hall. If, however, the document or writing is not distributed until the regular meeting to which it relates, then the document or writing will be made available to the public at the location of the meeting, as listed on this agenda. The public may view or comment during this meeting from a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone: Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://ssf-net.zoom.us/j/85862947353 Or One tap mobile : US: +16699006833,,85862947353# or +13462487799,,85862947353# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 858 6294 7353 How to provide Public Comment during the meeting: Please note that dialing in will only allow you to listen in on the meeting. To make a public comment during the Zoom session, join the meeting from your computer or mobile device, enter your name, and request to comment by selecting "Raise Hand" in Zoom and a staff person will add you to the queue for comments and unmute your microphone during the comment period. Please be sure to indicate the Agenda item number you wish to address or the topic of your public comment. California law prevents the Commission from taking action on any item not on the Agenda (except in emergency circumstances). Your question or problem may be referred to staff for investigation and/or action where appropriate or the matter may be placed on a future Agenda for more comprehensive action or report. COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE (3) MINUTES PER SPEAKER. Thank you for your cooperation. How to provide Public Comment before the meeting: Page 2 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/21/2022 2 June 20, 2022Commission on Equity and Public Safety Regular Meeting Agenda Members of the public wishing to participate are encouraged to submit public comments in writing in advance of the meeting. The email and phone line below will be monitored during the meeting and public comments received will be read into the record. The City encourages the submission of comments by 6:00 pm before the start of the meeting, to facilitate inclusion in the meeting record. A maximum of 3 minutes per individual comment will be read into the record. Comments that are not in compliance the Commission’s rules of decorum may be summarized for the record rather than read verbatim. Email: [email protected] Staff Phone Number: (650) 291-5643 Translation Services The City of South San Francisco proactively provides translation of written materials for community members that are not proficient in the English language. Materials are translated into Spanish, Tagalog, and Chinese (Cantonese). How to Request these Services To ensure the availability of services, members of the public must request assistance 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Members of the public can email the staff liaison, Amy Ferguson at [email protected], to request these services. If email is not an option, you can also reach her at (650) 291-5643. Servicios de Traducción La Ciudad de Sur San Francisco ofrece traducciones de materiales escritos para los miembros de la comunidad que no dominan el idioma inglés. Los materiales se traducen al español, tagalo y chino (cantonés). Cómo Solicitar Estos Servicios Para garantizar la disponibilidad de los servicios, miembros del público deben solicitar asistencia 72 horas antes de la reunión. Los miembros del público pueden enviar un correo electrónico a Amy Ferguson [email protected] para solicitar estos servicios. Si correo electrónico no es una opción, también puede comunicarse al (650) 291-5643. Individuals with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services to attend and participate in this meeting should contact the ADA Coordinator at (650) 877-8518, 72 hours before the meeting. If you have special questions, please contact the City Manager's Office. Staff will be pleased to answer your questions when the Commission is not in session. Page 3 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/21/2022 3 June 20, 2022Commission on Equity and Public Safety Regular Meeting Agenda Equity and Public Safety Commissioners Krystle Cansino, Commissioner Jasmin Flores, Commissioner Nancy Garcia, Commissioner PaulaClaudine Hobson-Coard, Commissioner Arnel Junio, Commissioner Alan Perez, Commissioner Carol Sanders, Commissioner City of South San Francisco Staff Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow Leslie Arroyo, Communications Director Maryjo Nunez, Management Fellow Page 4 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/21/2022 4 June 20, 2022Commission on Equity and Public Safety Regular Meeting Agenda Call to Order. Roll Call. Agenda Review. Council and Staff Introductions. Public Comment. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION Commissioner Introductions1. Background and Purpose of Commission2. Brown Act Training - Claire Lai, Assistant City Attorney3. Discussion of Protocol, Guiding Language, Meeting Structure, and Next Steps4. Action Item - Election of Officers5. Items from Commission. Items from Staff. Adjournment. Next meeting: July 18, 2022. Page 5 City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/21/2022 5 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:22-517 Agenda Date:6/20/2022 Version:1 Item #:1. Commissioner Introductions City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/16/2022Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™6 Commissioner Introductions How do you describe yourself and your identities? What is your background and expertise? What do you hope to bring to this Commission? What would you like to see this Commission achieve? 7 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:22-518 Agenda Date:6/20/2022 Version:1 Item #:2. Background and Purpose of Commission City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/16/2022Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™8 SSF Commission on Racial and Social Equity •Met for one year •14 Commissioners •Culminated in Final Report and Racial and Social Equity Action Plan •Recommended a permanent Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board •The City hired two Management Fellows to implement 9 Purpose of Commission Engage the community, provide a community forum, and liaise between the community and City staff 1 Use an equity lens to make recommendations across City government 2 Increase transparency and accountability 3 Receive, refer, and at times review complaints 4 10 City of South San Francisco P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA City Council Ordinance: ORD 1630-2022 File Number: 22-117 Enactment Number: ORD 1630-2022 ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 2.85 TO TITLE 2 OF THE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL CODE TO CREATE A COMMISSION ON EQUITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY. WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco is striving to be a more inclusive and equitable city through advancing racial equity and social change; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco is entrusted and expected to protect the civil and human rights of all individuals; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco recognizes that establishing organizational accountability and transparency is the highest priority to effectively promote public trust; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco has focused on cultivating and empowering a Commission on Racial and Social Equity ("Commission"), which concluded a yearlong effort with a Racial Equity Action Plan that recommends a community equity and safety advisory board, to be called the Commission on Equity and Public Safety; and WHEREAS, consistent with applicable state law governing general law cities, a Commission on Equity and Public Safety would be designed to make recommendations to the City Manager and City Council that relate to some or all City departments to further community equity and safety, bolster community participation and decision making, increase transparency and accountability, and foster trust between the community and City departments; and WHEREAS, such a Commission may also be designed to have a role in receiving, referring, and at times reviewing complaints about City personnel, providing a safe space for community feedback; and WHEREAS, a Commission on Equity and Public Safety will focus on a holistic approach to community safety which includes housing, education, social services, policing and other areas; and WHEREAS, Commission members shall perform their duty in a professional and impartial manner free from bias against public safety officials and City personnel; and WHEREAS, a Commission on Equity and Public Safety aims to achieve not only transparency and accountability but also increase trust in public safety and law enforcement, while offering enhanced safety nets that support communities previously harmed by isolation and systemic injustice; and City of South San Francisco Page 1 11 File Number: 22-117 Enactment Number. ORD 1630-2022 WHEREAS, it is crucial that the assignments of the Commission are centered in achieving racial and social equity for all South San Francisco residents and recognizing that discrimination is deemed unacceptable and not tolerated; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Equity and Public Safety is not a policy making body and will not participate in City departmental disciplinary actions, legal issues, criminal or internal investigations, or critical incidents, except where it would have the ability to review certain investigations that are disclosable to the public under applicable state law; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby declares the following in furtherance of the intent of this ordinance: The City Council recognizes, values, and will proactively work to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging within South San Francisco by establishing a Commission on Equity and Public Safety committed to promoting racial and social equity; The City Council recognizes the necessity to apply an equity lens to reduce disparities and advance equitable practices, which involves enhancing safety nets that support communities previously harmed by isolation and systemic injustice and investing in areas that promote and create safe, healthy, and thriving communities; The City Council openly supports and commits to joining endeavors around the State and nationwide to implement and produce greater accountability amongst public safety agencies, including but not limited to law enforcement; The City Council commits to dismantling systemic and institutional racism and has accepted the Final Report and Racial Equity Action Plan by the South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity, describing the Commission's effort to examine City's policies and practices with respect to policing, mental health, and other community services to make recommendations to further equity and social justice; The City Council continues to support the strategic initiatives of Quality of Life and Community Connections, ensuring public safety; The City Council recognizes the Commission's work to address racial and social inequity within the South San Francisco community, and therefore desires to establish a Commission on Equity and Public Safety to continue the City's racial and social equity work. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council finds that all recitals above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference. City ofSouth San Francisco Page 2 12 File Number: 22-117 Enactment Number: ORD 1630-2022 SECTION 2. Anew Chapter 2.85 is added to Title 2 ofthe City of South San Francisco Municipal Code to read as follows: Chapter 2.85 Commission on Equity and Public Safety 2.85.010 Establishment; Composition; Appointment; Qualifications 2.85.020 Terms 2.85.030 Limitation of Terms; Vacancies 2.85.040 Chairperson; Vice chairperson; Secretary 2.85.050 Training 2.85.060 Meetings 2.85.070 Compensation 2.85.080 Attendance at meetings 2.85.090 Commission roles and responsibilities 2.85.010 Establishment; Composition; Appointment; Qualifications. a) A Commission on Equity and Public Safety for the City is hereby established. The Commission shall operate pursuant to the requirements established herein. b) The Commission shall consist of a maximum of 7 members, plus one alternate. c) The City Council shall appoint the members of the Commission. Each Councilmember shall appoint one member and is not limited to selecting candidates from their District. The remaining two members and one alternate shall be appointed by a majority of the City Council. Members of the Commission appointed by an individual Councilmember may be removed by the Councilmember who appointed them. Members of the Commission appointed by a majority of the City Council may be removed by a majority of the City Council. d) Members of the Commission shall be residents of South San Francisco. In making appointments, the City Council shall consider diverse and active community members of integrity and commitment to racial and social equity representing the diversity of South San Francisco; 2.85.020 Terms. Except as provided in Section 2.85.030 below, the term of each member of the Commission shall be four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified; however, terms shall be staggered and members shall be appointed to either an initial four-year or -two year term to allow for staggered terms. Terms shall expire in even -numbered years. Terms of members of the Commission appointed by an individual Councilmember shall coincide with the term of the Councilmember who appointed them. 2.85.030 Limitation of Terms; Vacancies. Commission members shall be limited to three consecutive terms. For purposes of calculating consecutive terms, service of at least two years plus one day during a term shall be counted as a complete term; all prior continuous service of existing Commission member shall be counted. Upon serving the maximum number of consecutive terms, a Commission member shall not be eligible for re -appointment to the Commission for a period of two years. If a vacancy occurs on the Commission, the City of South San Francisco Page 3 Printed on 2/24/22 13 File Number., 22-117 Enactment Number. ORD 1630-2022 alternate shall serve the remaining unexpired term of the former incumbent. If an additional vacancy occurs, the City Council shall appoint an individual to serve the remaining unexpired term. 2.85.040 Chairperson; Vice chairperson; Secretary. a) At the first meeting of the Commission and the first meeting of each calendar year, the Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson. The term of said offices shall be one year. The Vice Chairperson shall serve as chair in the absence of the Chairperson. b)The City's Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer or designee shall serve as Commission Secretary. 2.85.050 Training. a) Each member of the Commission shall receive training on topics relevant to the Commission's roles and responsibilities as set forth in this chapter, and as may be deemed necessary by the Commission from time to time. The City Manager's Office shall be responsible for arranging training of the Commission. 2.85.060 Meetings. a) The Commission shall hold regular meetings on the third Monday of every month. It is expected that each member will contribute and provide meaningful input on the topics on the meeting agenda. The Chairperson will collaborate with the Secretary to establish meeting agendas. Individual Commission members may suggest topics to be placed on a meeting agenda during a public meeting. b) The Commission may meet more frequently than prescribed in subsection (a) to address identified issues related to racial or social equity or special circumstances. c) The Commission may create committees and/or subcommittees to review data, develop a plan to assess the areas of concern with respect to systemic racism within South San Francisco, and provide input or recommendations to the entire Commission and/or the City Manager and City Council. d) A majority of the then -serving members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. e) All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public and comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code section 54950 et seq.). f) If the day designated as a regular, adjourned regular, special or study meeting falls upon a legal holiday, the Commission shall meet upon the next succeeding day which is not a holiday unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. City of South San Francisco Page 4 14 File Number. 22-117 Enactment Number. ORD 1630-2022 g) The Commission may create, amend, and repeal its own bylaws or otherwise establish rules of procedure and other rules for the conduct of its business by resolution. h) The Secretary of the Commission shall ensure the preparation and maintenance of minutes of the business conducted and actions taken by the Commission. 2.85.070 Compensation. Members of the Commission shall be eligible for a stipend as provided for in Chapter 2.84. 2.85.080 Attendance at meetings. Commission members are expected to attend all regular and special Commission meetings. Commission members may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council following three excused or two unexcused absences for such meetings during the course of one fiscal year. An absence is considered excused when a Commission member notifies the Secretary of the intended absence at least twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled meeting time. All other absences are considered unexcused. 2.85.090 Commission roles and responsibilities. The Commission shall be an advisory body to the City Manager and City Council on matters relating to community equity and safety, applying an equity lens to community issues and fostering a sense of safety. The Commission's role includes, but is not limited to, carrying out and, as applicable, making recommendations to the City Manager with respect to the following tasks: a) The Commission will identify areas to improve equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all areas of City processes and public safety and make appropriate recommendations to the City Manager. Any policy or procedure that is not simply administrative and is under City Council's purview will be brought to City Council for discussion and approval. b) The Commission will recommend appropriate changes of public safety and equity policies and procedures toward the goals of safeguarding the rights of persons and promoting higher standards of competency, efficiency and justice in the provision of equitable community public safety services. c) The Commission may recommend policies and practices and advocate for early intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the criminal justice system. d) The Commission will act as a liaison between the community and City staff, offering strategies to develop and implement sound community public safety concepts, increase public awareness, and further efforts of transparency and accountability. e) The Commission will utilize community voice not only to address concerns regarding policing but also other equity and public safety arenas that impact quality of life and safeguard against disaster, crime, and other threats or danger to civilian protections. City of South San Francisco Page 5 15 File Number., 22-117 Enactment Number. ORD 1630-2022 f) The Commission will connect with community networks and community-based organizations as necessary in pursuit of its goals. g) The Commission will periodically share its efforts externally through updates on the City website and social media, through community meetings or other outreach efforts as necessary, and through an annual written report to the City Manager and City Council concerning its priorities and progress. The report will include an annual work plan with progress on initiatives. h) The Commission will promote positive police -community relations in an effort to provide better services and expectations from the community and police. i) The Commission will provide an alternative channel for members of the public to file a complaint regarding compliance with City policies and applicable laws by City personnel, as follows: The Commission will receive complaints regarding South San Francisco personnel alleging failure to comply with City policies and applicable laws. The Commission shall refer such complaints to the City's Human Resources Department. The Commission will not investigate complaints received. In consultation with the City Attorney's Office, the Human Resources Department will determine the appropriate form of investigation and assign an investigator. The complaint and investigation process shall be designed to respect the rights of both complainants and the City personnel who is the subject of the complaint, and shall comply with applicable federal and state law, including California laws governing general law cities and Government Code section 3300 et seq., and bargaining agreements. The complaint and investigation process shall also maintain the confidentiality of the complainant to the extent possible. For complaints made directly to the Commission, the Commission may receive updates only on the assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, investigation completion date, whether the complaint was substantiated, and any remedial actions taken. "Remedial actions" do not include discipline or other personnel info, but may include certain remedy to the complainant such as, for example only, whether a citation is dismissed. The foregoing process shall not alter existing procedures relating to filing complaints with the City. Complaints made by City personnel related to matters within the course of employment shall be made in accordance with the City's existing policies and procedures. The City Council may adopt additional policies and procedures governing the Commission's receipt, referral, and review ofcomplaints. City of South San Francisco Page 6 16 File Number: 22-117 Enactment Number: ORD 1630-2022 0) In instances where investigatory files and related material are considered public records under California Penal Code sections 832.5 and 832.7, the Commission shall have the ability to review records and files relating to the investigation and the outcome of the investigation when the records, files or outcome are considered public records. Such records and files shall only be provided to the Commission upon conclusion of the investigation or after all administrative and judicial appeals have been exhausted, if required by applicable state law. The Commission may ask questions and make policy recommendations for future investigations, but in no event shall the Commission make independent decisions, or determine or make recommendations regarding specific disciplinary actions or related outcomes. k) The Commission will review data related to equity and public safety. 1) The Commission will submit a yearly work plan to the City Manager and City Council in order to ensure a manageable scope of work. The Commission will also submit an annual report including the work plan and progress made on initiatives. SECTION 3. Severability If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. SECTION 4. Publication and Effective Date Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 36933, a summary of this Ordinance shall be prepared by the City Attorney. At least five (5) days prior to the Council meeting at which this Ordinance is scheduled to be adopted, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the Summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk's Office a certified copy of this Ordinance. Within fifteen (15) days after the adoption of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk's Office a certified copy of the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those City Council members voting for and against this Ordinance or otherwise voting. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after its adoption. Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of South San Francisco held the 09th day of February 2022. At a meeting of the City Council on 2/23/2022, a motion was made by Councilmember Addiego, seconded by Vice Mayor Nicolas, that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion passed. City of South San Francisco Page 7 17 File Number: 22-117 Enactment Number: ORD 1630-2022 Yes: 5 Mayor Nagales, Vice Mayor Nicolas, Councilmember Coleman, Councilmember Flores, and Councilmember Addiego Attest by iv"v sa Govea Acosta, City Clerk Mark Nagales, Mayor City of South San Francisco Page 8 18 P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA City of South San Francisco Legislation Details (With Text) File #:22-86 Name: Status:Type:Staff Report Agenda Ready - Administrative Business File created:In control:1/31/2022 City Council On agenda:Final action:2/9/2022 Title:Report regarding an ordinance adding Chapter 2.85 to Title 2 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code to create a Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board (Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, and Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow) Sponsors: Indexes: Code sections: Attachments:1. Appendix A.pdf, 2. Equity Board Presentation.pdf Action ByDate Action ResultVer. Report regarding an ordinance adding Chapter 2.85 to Title 2 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code to create a Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board (Sky Woodruff, City Attorney, and Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow) RECOMMENDATION City staff recommend the City Council introduce an ordinance to create a Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board, with proposed names of “Commission on Equity and Public Safety” or “SSF Vision of Inclusive Community Equity and Safety (SSF VOICES).” Staff has incorporated feedback from a City Council Study Session on the role and composition of a proposed Board. As presented below, the proposed Board would serve as an advisory board to the City Manager and City Council, make recommendations related to equity and safety, receive and refer complaints against the conduct of City personnel, and to review some investigations related to personnel misconduct, specifically in the cases where records are public under state law. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION The South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity recently concluded a yearlong, transformational process to learn about and recommend how to further equity in City programs and practices. A Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board, focused on public safety departments but also City government more broadly, is central to these efforts. Such a Board can: (1) extend community engagement with City programs, (2) allow community members to make recommendations across City departments that can further community equity and safety, and (3) increase transparency and accountability in City processes, thereby fostering a relationship and trust between the community and City departments. It is also recommended that the Board (4) have a role in receiving and referring complaints related to City personnel and reviewing investigations into complaints in the specific cases where investigation records must be public under state law. The goal with creating this Board is to address issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging that can work to dismantle systemic racism within any institutional policies and processes. The model of a “hybrid” advisory community safety board was selected over other oversight models in light of City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 1 of 8 powered by Legistar™19 File #:22-86,Version:1 state law and bargaining agreements that keep personnel records private. A “hybrid” model in this context would function as an advisory board that would focus on high-level policy recommendations, but that can also field complaints filed by the public about city personnel. See Appendix A for a brief explanation of a hybrid model. Proposed Model for South San Francisco 1)Community and City Engagement ·A Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board can serve as a liaison between the community and City staff. ·The Board can provide a safe space for addressing difficult issues of racial and social equity. ·It will provide intentional and effective community outreach to stay apprised of community concerns. ·It can increase community engagement and civic participation in government processes. ·The Board should receive updates from the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team, including a mental health clinician, to stay abreast of these efforts. ·The Board will strive to promote positive police-community relations in an effort to provide better services and expectations from the community and police. 2)Making recommendations ·The primary purpose of the Board is to recommend changes to the City Manager and City Council regarding policies and procedures that impact safety, security, and equity across City departments. Any policy or procedure that is not simply administrative and is under City Council’s purview will be brought to City Council for discussion and approval. ·These recommendations will be publicly available. ·In this way, the Board can engage community vision and use an equity lens to reduce disparities and advance equitable practices in South San Francisco. ·Many advisory boards focused on public safety and policing exist in other cities, with some giving feedback to the Chief of Police. ·A Board in South San Francisco can advise on police matters; however, the Commission on Racial and Social Equity also found it important that a Board not be limited to making recommendations on policing only. ·The Commission wanted a board with a holistic approach to community equity and safety that could advise on any matter relating to racial and social equity, including in the areas of social services, education, health care, transportation, emergency management, fire departments, first responders, code enforcement, and so on. The Board could work to enhance safety nets that support communities previously harmed by isolation and systemic injustice, strengthen partnerships that aid in crime reduction, and invest in arenas that promote and create safe, healthy, and thriving communities. ·The Commission especially wanted the Board to look at early intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the criminal justice system. ·Any issue or program can be evaluated for its racial and social equity impact, and so the scope of possibility of what programs the Board could examine is intentionally broad. ·However, it is recommended that the Board create a yearlong work plan to provide to the City Manager and Council and update annually, to ensure a manageable scope of work. They will also write an annual report including progress on the work plan. ·Final decision-making authority on recommendations remains with the City Manager and/or City Council, as appropriate. ·The Board will keep the City Manager apprised of the community’s need for any issue or service, including police services, disaster preparedness, and others. City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 2 of 8 powered by Legistar™20 File #:22-86,Version:1 3)Providing transparency and accountability ·The Board can prompt opportunities to listen to community voices and initiate constructive dialogue on policy, procedure, and protocols. It can initiate and lead courageous and honest conversations. ·By engaging the community and providing recommendations, the Board will serve the additional functions of increasing transparency and accountability. ·The Board will promote and adhere to transparency models and share its efforts to encourage equity and inclusion among the community and officials. o The Board will periodically share its efforts externally through updates on the City website and social media, through community meetings or other outreach efforts as necessary, and through an annual written report to the City Manager and City Council concerning its priorities and progress. The report will include the annual work plan with progress on initiatives. ·The Board will review data and track progress using measures that are meaningful to the community. The Board may publish data as well, for example on types of complaints against misconduct. Data will be aggregated as needed to protect confidentiality. ·Enhancing transparency and accountability will improve public confidence and trust in City departments, especially as relating to public safety, and is intended to reduce fear associated with law enforcement. 4)Refer and review complaints ·The Commission envisioned the Board having an additional power, which is to receive and refer complaints of misconduct related to City personnel. ·It was hoped for Board meetings to provide a safe space for a community member to raise a complaint. This would thereby remove an obstacle to citizen complaints as, for example, a complaint about a police officer could be relayed to the Board, and the resident would not have to submit their complaint at the Police Department. ·This process would typically involve hearing the complaint at a meeting and referring it to HR, where HR and the City Attorney would meet regarding the complaint and determine the appropriate form of investigation. ·The complaint and investigation process would be designed to respect the rights of both complainants and the personnel who is the subject of the complaint. It would also maintain consistency with applicable State and Federal law, the General Law City framework, and Bargaining Agreements between the unions representing police officers and the City. ·Due to protections on personnel records and the limitations on oversight by California law, the Board would not generally be able to review personnel records, be privy to investigations, or recommend discipline. Doing so could, among other risks, raise significant risk regarding complaints of violations of personnel privacy rights. ·However, in cases where the complaint was made directly to the Board, the Board could be updated on assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, the projected completion date of the investigation, whether the complaint was substantiated at the conclusion of the investigation, and any remedial actions taken. “Remedial actions” do not include discipline or other personnel info, but may include some sort of remedy to the complainant, for example, whether a citation is dismissed. ·Furthermore, due to state laws regarding public records, notably SB 1421, SB 2, and SB 16, police personnel records in certain cases are not considered confidential but are public records. In those cases, the investigation records could be disclosed to the Board. Example cases include where there has been an officer-involved shooting, a sustained finding of a complaint that alleges City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 3 of 8 powered by Legistar™21 File #:22-86,Version:1 unreasonable force, or a sustained finding of a situation where an officer has acted with prejudice or discrimination. A more in-depth review of the cases that are accessible to the public follows below. ·In these cases, the Board may review the investigation done in a public meeting and ask questions. The Board could make recommendations to the City Manager, including issuing recommendations for future similar cases. The Board would not provide comments regarding discipline or make independent decisions, as these could risk violations of police officer privacy rights and exposure to other labor-employment disputes for the City. ·Review of investigations in these cases would enhance the Board’s ability to make recommendations and provide a community forum to discuss relevant complaints. 5)Initial and ongoing activities ·The Board will establish rules of conduct, bylaws, etc. with a racial and social equity lens. ·The Board will create a yearly work plan, which shall be provided to the City Manager and the City Council. The Board will also create an annual written report including the work plan and progress made on initiatives. State Bills on Police Personnel Records Police personnel records are generally protected as confidential. However, three recent state bills mandate that some records be disclosable to the public. The Equity Board may review investigations in relevant cases as outlined below, to inform the recommendation process and provide a community forum to discuss relevant issues. Under the Police Officers’ Bill of Rights (“POBR”) at the state level, police personnel records are confidential, and were generally only disclosed to a Grand Jury, District Attorney, or Attorney General in an investigation or through a Pitchess motion, a court order where a judge determines the records to be relevant to a case. However, the three state bills that impact which records are open to the public are SB 1421, effective January 1, 2019, and SB 2 and SB 16, both effective January 1, 2022. These bills mandate that investigation records be disclosable to the public for particular types of complaints. Some must be disclosed even if an investigation does not sustain the complaint. Others can only be disclosed after a sustained finding, which includes exhaustion of administrative remedies and the conclusion of any appeals, both administrative and judicial. These two categories are shared here: 1)Incidents where no sustained finding is required: a.Officer-involved shooting (discharge of firearm) (SB 1421) b.Use of force resulting in great bodily injury (SB 1421) c.Records regarding the foregoing types of incidents in which an officer resigned before the city concludes the incident investigation. d.Information (i.e., serious misconducts) reported to POST to determine whether the officer’s certification should be revoked (SB 2). Under SB 2, all records related to the revocation of a peace officer’s certification would become public, and records of an investigation by POST must be retained for 30 years. Under state law, disclosure for these incidents can be made as early as when a complaint is submitted to the city, and subsequent investigation documents can be made available as the investigation process is ongoing. State law in these cases does not distinguish between whether the allegations were substantiated or if the police officer appeals the findings/discipline. However, staff recommends that disclosure be made only after the investigation has concluded and that the Board not provide any comments prior to the investigation’s completion. This is to ensure the investigation is conducted in an City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 4 of 8 powered by Legistar™22 File #:22-86,Version:1 impartial manner with as little outside influence as possible. However, once the investigation has been initiated, the Board could be made aware of updates such as assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, the completion date for the investigation, that the nature of the complaint falls within the disclosable categories, and other similar information, unless this information could jeopardize the investigation, such as an investigation that involves surveillance. 2)Incidents where a “sustained finding” is required before related documents become public records: a.Complaint that alleges unreasonable force (SB 16) b.Officer failed to intervene against another officer using force that is clearly unreasonable or excessive (SB 16) c.Officer engagement in conduct involving prejudice or discrimination including, but not limited to, verbal statements, writings, online posts, recordings, and gestures, against a person based on certain protected characteristics including race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status (SB 16) d.Unlawful arrest or conducted unlawful search (SB 16) e.Sexual assault involving a member of the public (SB 1421) f.Dishonesty directly relating to the reporting, investigation, or prosecution of a crime, or the misconduct investigation of another officer (perjury, false statements, filing false reports, destruction, falsifying, or concealing of evidence, etc.) (SB 1421) For these incidents, records can be disclosed only when the allegations were substantiated and the time for appeal has passed, or appeal has been exhausted. (PC 832.8(b)). The Board would only receive information once the investigation is complete and, if discipline is imposed, either the officer does not appeal, or all appeals have been exhausted. However, once the investigation has been initiated, the Board could be made aware of updates such as assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, the completion date for the investigation, that the nature of the complaint falls within the disclosable categories, and other similar information, unless this information could jeopardize the investigation, such as an investigation that involves surveillance. Timing of disclosure Under state law, in response to a request, the timing for release of information that is required to be disclosed is the earliest time possible, no later than 45 days from the date of a request. However, as described above, City staff recommend disclosing records once an investigation has been concluded and any time for appeal has been exhausted, so as to not interfere with the impartiality of the investigation. Moreover, timeframes may be extended up to 60 days during an active criminal investigation, and then past 60 days if the agency provides a basis where disclosure would reasonably be expected to interfere with a criminal enforcement proceeding against the officer. (Note: the new SB 16 categories are not subject to this time limitation until 2023.) The City would anticipate not releasing documents to the Board, even for allegations that do not require a sustained allegation, as long as there is a parallel criminal investigation. Records may be redacted to protect witnesses, victims, and whistleblowers. SB 16 also has new requirements around the length of time to keep records and keeping the cost of accessing records strictly to the “direct costs of duplication.” The bill also requires that all peace officers immediately report any situations where there has been a use of City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 5 of 8 powered by Legistar™23 File #:22-86,Version:1 force to their employing agency and that law enforcement agencies review prior personnel records before hiring a candidate. Board review process related to records under SBs 16, 2, and 1421 1)The Board may receive records (as described in PC 832.7, which consists of a broad range of records including discipline decisions) for complaints made regarding incidents covered by SBs 16, 2, and 1421 only. Redactions could be made to protect witnesses, etc. 2)For a complaint made directly to Board, referred to HR and City Attorney, in one of the disclosable categories under SBs 16, 2, and 1421: a.The Board may be notified of assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, projected completion date, that the nature of the complaint falls within the disclosable categories, etc. unless this information could jeopardize the investigation, such as an investigation that involves surveillance. b.If sustained finding not required, report back about completed investigation with documents (redacted if necessary). c.If sustained finding required, report back about completed investigation after time for appeal or completion of appeal. 3)For a complaint not filed directly to the Board but in one of the disclosable categories under SBs 16, 2, and 1421: a.Inform the Board of the complaint. The Board may be notified of assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, projected completion date, that the nature of the complaint falls within the disclosable categories, etc., unless this information could jeopardize the investigation, such as an investigation that involves surveillance. b.The Board gets the documents in the manner described under Paragraph (2) above. They may receive a regular update that informs them when investigations are completed. 4)Once the documents are provided, the Board may do the following: a.Review the documents at a publicly available meeting, with an opportunity for the public to comment. b.Ask questions and provide feedback. c.Make recommendations to the City Manager and/or City Council. d.Make recommendations for future investigations. e.The Board would not participate in or provide comments with regards to discipline, as this could invite a legal risk of violation of officer privacy rights or exposure to other labor-employment related claims. Board process for complaints not related to SBs 16, 2, and 1421 1)For complaints made directly to the Board but where records are not available to the public, the Board will not review the investigations, as personnel records will be confidential. The Board will refer the complaint to HR and may only receive updates on assignment of a complaint to an investigator and the identity of the investigator, investigation completion date, whether the complaint was substantiated, and any remedial actions taken. “Remedial actions” do not include discipline or other personnel info but may include some sort of remedy to the complainant, for example, whether a citation is dismissed. If additional state bills requiring disclosure or potential oversight roles are passed, those could be incorporated into Board processes, in discussion with the Board. Training City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 6 of 8 powered by Legistar™24 File #:22-86,Version:1 Training will be an essential component when the Equity Board is appointed. Trainings may include but not be limited to: ·The Brown Act ·Myers-Milias-Brown Act, specifically with respect to scope of bargaining/mandatory subjects of bargaining ·Police Officers Bill of Rights ·Firefighter Bill of Rights ·Other pertinent employee relations laws ·Ethics ·Due process and conducting meetings that conform to principles of fairness ·How to have a public meeting on contested issues ·Police and fire ride-alongs ·Jail visits ·Systemic racism, history of racism, racial and social equity terms ·Trauma-informed police oversight ·Police-related terms and issues including: o Investigative practices o Abusive language o False imprisonment o Harassment o Use of force o Serious bodily issues o Death o Constitutional policing, including: §use of force §firearms §custody §mental health issues §juvenile justice §racial profiling §patrol Composition of the South San Francisco Community Equity Safety Advisory Board: ·Volunteer advisory board with seven members plus one alternate, with staggered four-year terms and two-year terms, appointed by the City Council where each councilmember appoints one advisory board member, with the remaining two members and the alternate appointed by the City Council following the standard model used for other South San Francisco Boards and Commissions; ·City Councilmembers may make an appointment from any district and are not limited to selecting an appointee from their district; ·Board members are limited to three consecutive terms; upon serving the maximum number of consecutive terms, a Board member shall not be eligible for re-appointment to the Board for a period of two years; ·Board members must be residents of South San Francisco; ·Members may be removed by the Council as applies to other Boards and Commissions; ·Applications, interviews, and appointments are conducted when vacancies occur; ·City Council is encouraged to consider appointment of members that represent or demonstrate City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 7 of 8 powered by Legistar™25 File #:22-86,Version:1 knowledge of the experiences of limited-English speakers, people who are unhoused, and/or people living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Council is also encouraged to consider a diverse membership along race, gender, sexuality, age, national origin, and other characteristics, and to include diverse communities such as those that have been impacted by the justice system (e.g., people who have been arrested, youth whose parents were incarcerated), faith communities, and small business owners. If possible, it would be ideal to include at least one member with some level of expertise in law and/or public administration. City Council is also encouraged to appoint members from different areas of the city. FISCAL IMPACT Board members will be paid the standard city stipend of $100 per meeting. If there is perfect attendance and monthly meetings, the annual cost would be $8,400. This amount will be funded through the General Fund. This does not include the ancillary cost of time and supplies required to support the Board by existing staff. CONCLUSION The formation of a Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board can further the goals of the South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity. It can provide a community forum to address issues of equity and public safety and a permanent body to make recommendations and continue the work of the Commission in the arena of racial and social equity. Proposed names for the board are “Commission on Equity and Public Safety” or “SSF Vision of Inclusive Community Equity and Safety (SSF VOICES).” Attachments: 1-Appendix A 2-Presentation City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/10/2022Page 8 of 8 powered by Legistar™26 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCORacial & Social Equity Action Plan YEAR 1 IMPLEMENTATION 1 27 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan PLAN OVERVIEW Introduction and Background The South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity formed as a call to action as communities around the nation made a commitment to face issues of injustice and discrimination. In August of 2020, Commissioners began to review data, gather input and listen to ideas for change in health and human services, policing and public safety, education, economic development, and housing. The result of this extensive community engagement process is a summary report and the first South San Francisco Racial and Social Equity Action Plan. 2 28 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan This first year will set the stage for continuing the work into the future. A community effort. Take a look at what the Commission has done. We invite you to join us in the critical journey to broaden and deepen racial and social equity in South San Francisco. This Action Plan is ambitious and balances building on existing work that is taking place to address racial and social inequities in South San Francisco while also identifying new areas of work that the Commission believes will result in critical change. The first year of implementing this Action Plan focuses on areas of work that will be led by the City of South San Francisco (along with recent funding dedicated to local organizations that are leading work in key areas). We hope and anticipate that this Action Plan will be updated over time to reflect additional strategies and action steps that include more local organizations and institutions also working to increase racial and social equity in South San Francisco. In future years, the aim is to expand collaborative efforts (e.g., with local organizations and institutions) that align with the priorities identified by the Commission to have a coordinated and therefore deeper impact. By working together these efforts will be more effective and make a bigger impact than if carried out by one person or a single organization. 3 29 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Development + Organization of the Action Plan Commission and community member recommendations Evidence-based & promising practices 27 approaches evaluated by the Commission GOAL 1 STRATEGY ACTION GOAL 2 STRATEGY ACTION GOAL 3 STRATEGY ACTION GOAL 4 STRATEGY ACTION 11 approaches prioritized by Commission in Dec. 2020 meeting 4 30 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan How the Action Plan is Organized South San Francisco’s strategies to achieve racial and social equity evolved from best and promising practices that were presented as example approaches at Phase I CRSE meetings held August-November 2020. The strategies in this action plan reflect Commissioner priorities for the first 12 months of implementation, with the assumption that additional strategies and new strategies will be identified and be implemented over time. The goals and community outcomes were developed and revised based on Commissioner comments and discussions. Commissioner-identified considerations emerged from focused conversations on each of the strategies included in the action plan. These conversations were facilitated during Phase II CRSE meetings held January-April 2021. Actions were identified in collaboration with City departments taking the lead on each strategy and based on the current status of the strategy (e.g., existing program with practices to be modified, new City initiative with City Council approval, proposed City initiative still in development). Goals (4) Strategies (9) Each strategy has corresponding: • Considerations identified by Commissioners • Community outcomes (the change we want to see in South San Francisco) • Measures (possible data to track intended changes) • Actions (with leads and timeframe) 5 31 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan First Year Action Plan Strategies This Action Plan focuses on those strategies that Commissioners prioritized for the first year of implementation (August 2021-July 2022). The prioritized strategies are shown below. GOAL 1: Ensure ongoing oversight and accountability to advance racial and social equity in South San Francisco Strategy 1.1: Establish a dedicated staff position (e.g., an Equity and Inclusion Officer) to institutionalize accountability, advance equity initiatives and monitor equity-related outcomes throughout South San Francisco. GOAL 2: Ensure the safety of community members of color by eliminating racist practices and policies in the criminal justice system Strategy 2.1: Create a community wellness and crisis response team for mental health crises, substance use, and homelessness focused on conflict management, de-escalation and linking people to supportive services Strategy 2.2: Establish a Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board to review data, provide recommendations, ensure accountability, and build trust Strategy 2.3: Strengthen community cohesion through community engagement efforts to build cross-cultural trust with a focus on residents of color and low-income residents 6 32 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan GOAL 3: Target resources and support to residents of color to reduce gaps created by structural inequities Strategy 3.1: Expand linkage and navigation support for low- income, people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members and build trust between community members and the City Strategy 3.2: Expand economic opportunities for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Strategy 3.3: Expand information and support to address housing insecurity for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Strategy 3.4: Expand educational resources for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members GOAL 4: Ensure local land use planning increases access to resources and opportunities for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Strategy 4.1: Leverage available land assets to expand housing affordability to people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members 7 33 accountability equity in SSF South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan GOAL 1 Ensure ongoing oversight and accountability to advance racial and social equity in South San Francisco To lead a systematic effort to advance racial and social equity throughout the City of South San Francisco, the Commission on Racial and Social Equity prioritized one key strategy: Strategy 1.1: Establish a dedicated staff position (e.g., Equity and Inclusion Officer) to institutionalize accountability, advance equity initiatives and monitor equity-related outcomes. 8 34 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 1.1 Establish a dedicated staff position (e.g., an Equity and Inclusion Officer) to institutionalize accountability, advance equity initiatives and monitor equity-related outcomes throughout South San Francisco. The South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 1.1 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. CONSIDERATION 1• Prioritize the skills and experience that the Equity and Inclusion Officer should have: The Commission stressed the importance of hiring an empathetic person with a track record of effectively and proactively forming trusting relationships with residents of color and with members of other historically disenfranchised communities; someone who has a clear understanding of historic and current racial and social inequities and has successfully implemented strategies to promote racial and social equity at the local government level. Commissioners also recommend that the qualifications include being bilingual and culturally responsive. CONSIDERATION 2• Develop and implement the South San Francisco Racial and Social Equity Action Plan: The primary responsibility of the Equity and Inclusion Officer will be to coordinate implementation of this South San Francisco Racial and Social Equity Action Plan. This Action Plan reflects the priorities identified by the Commission and South San Francisco community members, and lays out a plan of action that includes new programs, activities, and initiatives that amplify racial and social equity in South San Francisco. 9 35 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 3 • Infuse diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism throughout South San Francisco: To ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are systematically implemented throughout South San Francisco, the Equity and Inclusion Officer will begin by working closely and collaboratively with South San Francisco City department leads. The Equity and Inclusion Officer will support the leads to identify opportunities to increase racial and social equity in internal and external practices, programs, and policies. A central component of this work requires a focused effort to build trust and strong relationships with leaders and employees across South San Francisco departments. This work will involve identifying how racial inequities impact people differently (e.g., economic status, age) and therefore will require specific approaches to address these differences. CONSIDERATION 4 • Engage community members most impacted by racial and social inequities: Effective implementation of this Action Plan requires that those who are most impacted by and bear the burden of inequities are involved in how these strategies are implemented. It also requires that those most impacted by inequities are invited to review progress and provide feedback along the way. Gathering feedback will require expanding and deepening community engagement efforts (e.g., with promotores, see Strategy 3.1) and ensuring that diverse community voices are centered. CONSIDERATION 5• Engage young community members of color: Young people in South San Francisco must be included in this work. In order for this to happen, the Equity and Inclusion Officer should work closely with youth and provide meaningful opportunities for them to lead. An example might include working closely with the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). 10 36 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 6 • Track progress towards racial and social equity goals: The Commission recognizes the importance of identifying meaningful and realistic metrics to track progress. While a number of outcomes and measures have been identified, the Commission recommends reviewing, confirming, and adding to the metrics below once the Equity and Inclusion Officer has been selected (e.g., develop and implement a City survey on racial and social equity every 2-3 years). Once metrics are confirmed, it will be critical to set up mechanisms to track those data systematically. These data will help the City and broader community understand more about the progress being made and where or how adjustments should be made to the strategies and action steps. CONSIDERATION 7• Provide regular progress status updates to the South San Francisco community: The Commission recommends that the Equity and Inclusion Officer provides regular updates to the community and City Council on the progress, challenges, and adjustments related to the strategies and action steps. The Commission also recommends providing these updates at the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board should provide regular updates to the City Council (see Strategy 2.2). 11 37 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 1.1 Implementation Actions LEADCity Manager’s OfficeTIMELINEJuly 2021 1 Hire a City management fellow to be South San Francisco Equity and Inclusion Officer to lead this work. LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 2 Conduct a racial equity audit (i.e., review South San Francisco City practices and policies to identify barriers, opportunities, and recommendations). LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 3 Connect with/network with similar positions in other jurisdictions to stay informed about emerging best/promising practices and new resources. LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 5 Launch and coordinate the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board (see Strategy 2.2). LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINEAnnually 6 Collect and analyze key data for all South San Francisco City Departments to track progress (e.g., race/ethnicity, zip code) and to establish baseline data and comparisons for the future. LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 4 Coordinate and facilitate conversations/listening sessions with South San Francisco City Departments representatives, leaders of community organizations, and community members; and present findings to the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board to review and discuss further. 12 38 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINEAnnually 7 Make recommendations based on findings from South San Francisco City Department data (see task 6 above) to increase racial and social equity. LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINEEvery 2 Years 8 Develop and conduct racial and social equity training/s for all City staff (e.g., implicit bias, include related competencies in performance reviews). LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINEOnce Officer is Hired 9 Make recommendation for including metrics related to racial and social equity in performance review. LEADSouth San Francisco Equity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 10 Oversee community engagement efforts (targeted to those most impacted by racial and social inequities in South San Francisco) to ensure participation in the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board. 13 39 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase coordination and collaborations between City departments, community organizations, and community members to address racial and social inequities in South San Francisco Increase community engagement (especially with community members most impacted by racial and social inequities) to advance racial and social equity in South San Francisco Increase systematic data collection and analyses related to racial and social equity in South San Francisco Measures Possible data to track intended changes Implement and update the South San Francisco Racial and Social Equity Action Plan annually Develop a standardized approach to tracking data to address racial and social disparities Increase the number and types of South San Francisco policies and procedures that explicitly address racial and social equity Prepare and present annual community information reports (e.g., report on data collected, progress on implementing strategies) related to achieving racial and social equity in South San Francisco Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 1.1 14 40 safety community South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan GOAL 2 Ensure the safety of community members of color by eliminating racist practices and policies in the criminal justice system The Commission on Racial and Social Equity was created to gather community input, in particular, related to policing and community safety and to identify ways to increase safety for community members of color in South San Francisco. The following strategies were prioritized by the South San Francisco Commission for the first year of implementation to promote racial and social equity in South San Francisco related to this overarching goal. Strategy 2.1: Create a community wellness and crisis response team for mental health crises, substance use, and homelessness focused on conflict management, de-escalation and linking people to supportive services Strategy 2.2: Establish a community safety and equity advisory board to review data, provide recommendations, and build trust Strategy 2.3: Strengthen community cohesion through community engagement efforts to build cross-cultural trust with a focus on residents of color and low-income residents 15 41 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 2.1 Create a community wellness and crisis response team for mental health crises, substance use, and homelessness focused on conflict management, de-escalation and linking people to supportive services The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 2.1 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. CONSIDERATION 1• Hire a South San Francisco mental health clinician for the community wellness and crisis response team: The Commission recommends a bilingual, Spanish speaking person of color and/or culturally responsive person and ideally someone who has lived in South San Francisco/knows South San Francisco well is selected for this position. This position will focus on de-escalating crises and creating the conditions for people of color in South San Francisco to feel more supported/safer, especially during an emergency response. The mental health clinician will partner with members of the Police Department to build commitment and understanding of this new program; and ultimately to provide timely mental health support for community members in crisis. CONSIDERATION 2 • Support training for the community wellness and crisis response team: In order for the crisis response team to be successful and to develop a common understanding across roles and professional training, the Commission recommends developing and conducting trainings for all members of the response team. Topics should include a focus on racial and social equity, the range of symptoms related to mental health crises, de-escalation techniques, culturally sensitive response tactics, anti-bias awareness and skills, among others; trainings should take place on an annual basis. CONSIDERATION 3 • Ensure that response procedures center community needs: The Commission recommends that the primary language spoken by the person in crisis be identified at the time of the dispatch call in order to best meet the person’s needs by communicating with them in their native language. 16 42 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 4 • Ensure that the evaluation assesses racial and social equity outcomes (both positive impacts and unintended consequences): The Commission recommends that the Gardner Center work closely with the Equity and Inclusion Officer (and the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board) to ensure that racial and social equity are central in the design, implementation and analysis of the evaluation and evaluation data. An example includes tracking key demographics of people who are diverted from arrest as well as those who are arrested (e.g., race/ethnicity, age). CONSIDERATION 5• Establish clear parameters for accountability: The Commission believes that this program will only be successful if clear parameters are established related to accountability and the parameters are shared and discussed with community members. For example, identifying a clear response process, documenting the steps taken in a crisis response, and sharing the approach with the community will help increase an understanding of how the program will work. The Commission also recommends identifying procedures for any unexpected or unsuccessful outcomes, including what happens in the case that there is a difference between the mental health clinician and police officer in the recommended approach to take in a crisis situation. CONSIDERATION 6 • Regularly update community members and City Council on progress: The Commission recommends establishing regular updates to community members and City Council (e.g., 2 times per year, annually) to explain how the program will work, describe the roles of each team member, and review evaluation measures and findings. 17 43 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 2.1 Implementation Actions LEADCity Manager’s Office, City Attorney, and City Council working with CountyTIMELINEJan 2021 1 Develop Memorandum of Understanding between City and County to share costs and clarify roles and responsibilities for pilot program. LEADCounty of San Mateo (BHRS) for clinician, SSFPD for law enforcementTIMELINESept-Dec 2021 2 Identify staffing for Community Wellness & Crisis Response Team 2-year pilot program. LEADTBDTIMELINESept-Dec 2021 3 Develop Procedure Manual. LEADTBDTIMELINEJuly-Sept 2021 (repeated annually) 4 Train Police and Dispatchers. 5 LEADTBD who from South San Francisco will coordinate with Gardner CenterTIMELINEDevelop metrics Sept-Dec 2021Ongoing evaluation 2021-2023 Work with Stanford University’s Gardner Center to identify evaluation metrics and to collect data for Gardner Center to analyze to evaluate effects and identify appropriate adjustments. 18 44 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan TIMELINESept 20216Launch Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team program. LEADMental Health ClinicianTIMELINEOngoing once program is launched 7 Mental health clinician responds with law enforcement to assist individuals in mental health crisis. LEADMental Health ClinicianTIMELINEOngoing once program is launched 8 Follow up with clients and provide counseling, referral services. LEADMental Health ClinicianTIMELINEOngoing once program is launched 9 Develop Memorandum of Understanding between City and County to share costs and clarify roles and responsibilities for pilot program. 19 45 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase timely and proactive access to appropriate behavioral health resources for those in crisis, especially for people of color in South San Francisco Increase knowledge of mental health conditions Increase effective intervention strategies among law enforcement personnel Decrease certain types of police calls and police interactions/response with community members when not required (e.g., decrease calls requiring police response) Measures Possible data to track intended changes Percent of 911 calls related to mental health, substance use, and/or homelessness responded to by team Key demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, zip code of residence) of people who are diverted from arrest as well as those arrested Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 2.1 20 46 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 2.2 Establish a Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board to review data, provide recommendations, and build trust The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 2.2 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. CONSIDERATION 1• Ensure diverse membership on Advisory Board: The membership of the Advisory Board should include significant representation from those communities within South San Francisco that are most burdened by structural inequities, with a focus on people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members. CONSIDERATION 2• Conduct targeted and strategic outreach to key community members to ensure that the Community Safety & Equity Advisory Board (CSEAB) hears the perspectives of residents most burdened by structural racism and other inequities: • The Commission recommends that community outreach be done proactively and strategically to ensure that diverse community members attend and participate in Advisory Board meetings, especially community members who are from historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities within South San Francisco (e.g., people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members). • Commissioners recommend outreach efforts be coordinated with promotores (see Strategy 3.1) to successfully engage Spanish-speaking Latinx community members in South San Francisco (both in written form and verbally) and others to ensure that outreach materials will be easily understood and accessible. • The South San Francisco Commission recommends that the CSEAB use a range of methods to invite community member engagement and conversations about issues, needs, and solutions related to public safety. Since the formality of public government meetings (e.g., to ensure that the Brown Act and other regulations are followed) can be intimidating and unintentionally discourage the participation of many residents, the Advisory Board might host community forums, organize listening sessions at existing community meetings (e.g., school English Learner Advisory Committees (ELAC), faith communities) to reduce barriers to participation and so that Advisory Board members stay apprised of community concerns and recommended solutions to community-identified issues. 21 47 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 3 • Create a community-friendly and safe place for community members to build trust: • As part of establishing a welcoming meeting culture and modeling transparency, the Commission recommends that the Advisory Board develop clear guidelines (e.g., bylaws) with a racial and social equity lens to guide how the Advisory Board works together, including identifying roles and responsibilities as well as the board’s approach to decision making. Commissioners recommend that the Advisory Board operate with a trauma- informed approach and that meetings support meaningful bi-directional conversation (e.g., involving both Advisory Board members and members of the public). • The Commission also recommends the Advisory Board help create opportunities for community members and members of the police, fire, and other community safety departments to have conversations related to the diverse lived experiences of community members related to public safety and policing. Commissioners believe that this Advisory Board should focus on promoting positive police-community relations with the ultimate aim of providing improved services. • The Commission supports having the Advisory Board provide a confidential way for community members to submit complaints about alleged police misconduct, in addition to existing complaint processes related to alleged misconduct by City employees. • Commissioners also recommend that the Advisory Board be leveraged to support effective and timely communication between emergency responders and community members. In particular, the Advisory Board could keep the police department, fire department, and other emergency response departments up-to-date on community needs and recommendations. Emergency response service representatives (e.g., police, fire fighters, etc.) could also proactively educate community members about the function and role of emergency services. 22 48 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 4 • Identify possible changes to specific policies and practices that will reduce structural inequities and increase safety for residents of color and members of other historically disenfranchised communities: • The Commission supports establishing an Advisory Board charged with making recommendations to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion related to the emergency services offered in South San Francisco, including making recommended changes related to public safety policies and procedures. • The Equity and Inclusion Officer (see Strategy 1.1) will lead a review of policies and practices in South San Francisco that prioritize early intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the criminal justice system. The Equity and Inclusion Officer will present a summary of this review to the Advisory Board in order for the Board to make recommendations. • Both the Equity and Inclusion Officer (see Strategy 1.1) and the Advisory Board will identify recommendations that expand community-based public safety approaches (e.g., expanding conflict resolution and restorative justice approaches, offering skills-based education on bystander de-escalation and intervention tactics). CONSIDERATION 5• Emphasize accountability and transparency: • Working closely with the Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board should regularly review local and national best and promising practices related to reimagining public safety and the roles and focus of the Advisory Board. • The Advisory Board should review and make recommendations for how to track progress/evaluate the Advisory Board’s work. • The Advisory Board should also reflect on data and track trends related to the effectiveness of the Advisory Board, and use those data to inform recommendations for the future. CONSIDERATION 6 • Recommend additional considerations regarding membership composition: • Commissioners recommend that a member of the City Council (or bridge to City Council) participate on the Advisory Board to establish a clear line of communication and help ensure that results and recommendations from the Advisory Board move forward. 23 49 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Commission Recommendations for Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board • Volunteer Advisory Board • 9 members and 1 alternate member • Members appointed by City Council • Four-year terms • Board should reflect South San Francisco’s demographics • Limited-English speakers • People who are unhoused • People living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders One or more member(s) from the following communities • Indigenous and First Nation • African American • Latinx • Asian • Immigrant and/or refugee • LGBTQ • Youth • Faith • Small business owners with connections to low-income, people of color, and other historically disenfranchised communities • Justice impacted (e.g., people who have been arrested, youth whose parents were incarcerated) • Expertise in the law and/or labor relations Members should be residents of South San Francisco and demonstrate knowledge of experiences of: 24 50 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 2.2 Implementation Actions LEADEquity and Inclusion Officer TIMELINETBD 1 The Equity and Inclusion Officer will begin by drafting rules of conduct, bylaws, etc. with a racial and social equity lens to guide the work of the Advisory Board. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD2Led by the Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will design and oversee targeted and effective community outreach to stay apprised of community concerns. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 4 In coordination with the Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will review policies and practices, and advocate for early intervention strategies that minimize involvement of youth in the criminal justice system. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 5 In coordination with the Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will act as a conduit between the community, law enforcement, City Council, and other Boards and Commissions. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 3 Led by the Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will begin by initiating and leading courageous and honest conversations that increase South San Francisco employee and community awareness and accountability to issues of race, privilege, and inequity. 25 51 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 7 In coordination with Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will work to promote positive police-community relations in an effort to provide better services and expectations from the community and police. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 8 In coordination with Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will make recommendations to assist in identifying areas to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas, including public safety. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 6 In coordination with Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will keep the Police Chief apprised of the community’s need for police services, and assist in informing the community of public safety services, disaster preparedness, and function and role of the SSFPD. LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 9 In coordination with Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Advisory Board will recommend appropriate changes of public safety policies and procedures toward the goals of safeguarding the rights of persons and promoting higher standards of competency, efficiency, and justice in the provision of community public safety services. 26 52 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase civic engagement and sense of belonging among community members Increase community dialogue about public safety, with a focus on transparency and accountability Measures Possible data to track intended changes Track demographics of Community Safety Advisory Board members and participating community members to ensure that the Advisory Board is engaging with persons of color and historically disenfranchised community members Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 2.2 27 53 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 2.3 Strengthen community cohesion through community engagement efforts to build cross-cultural trust with a focus on residents of color and low-income residents There are a number of current efforts in place in South San Francisco focused on strengthening community cohesion through community engagement efforts, including the expanded promotores program (see Strategy 3.1) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Currently, the CERT program: • Offers the training participant manual in English, Spanish, and Chinese • Works with Spanish-language faith community to engage community members The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 2.3 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. The Commission on Racial and Social Equity recommend ensuring that the CERT program prioritizes: CONSIDERATION 1• Work closely with the promotores program: The Commission recommends that the CERT program collaborate closely with the promotores program (see Strategy 3.1) in order to deepen and expand relationships and partnerships with community members and organizations that serve diverse South San Francisco community members including those who do not speak English as their first language. CONSIDERATION 2• Continue to have explicit conversations about how to expand and deepen trust between community members and the City: Commissioners recognize the CERT program as an example of one of many programs and opportunities that can help expand and deepen trust between community members and the City. To ensure that community members have ongoing opportunities to feel heard and engage in ways to address racial and social equity, the Commission recommends discussing the CERT program implementation and outreach further at the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board (see Strategy 2.2) to gather input and make corresponding recommendations. 28 54 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 2.3 Implementation Actions Target outreach for South San Francisco CERT offerings in specific South San Francisco neighborhoods (e.g., Old Town). Coordinate with expanded promotores program (see Strategy 3.1). Work with promotores program (See Strategy 3.1) to expand engagement to Latinx and faith-based communities. Partner with library to ensure that key populations have access to information about CERT and other South San Francisco programs and resources. Coordinate with the Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board (Strategy 2.2) to ensure that conversations continue to take place related to community cohesion, how to continue to find opportunities to build trust, etc. LEADSouth San Francisco Fire DepartmentTIMELINETBD LEADSouth San Francisco Fire DepartmentTIMELINETBD LEADSouth San Francisco Fire DepartmentTIMELINETBD LEADSSF Fire Department and promotoresTIMELINETBD LEADEquity and Inclusion OfficerTIMELINETBD 1 2 3 4 5 29 55 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase participation of people of color and residents fluent in languages other than English in the South San Francisco Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program Measures Possible data to track intended changes Key demographic data of CERT participants (e.g., race/ethnicity, zip code, age) Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 2.3 30 56 resources support South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan GOAL 3 Target resources and support to residents of color to reduce gaps created by structural inequities People of color and members of other historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities have experienced the most harm from the COVID-19 pandemic’s health and economic impacts due to centuries of cumulative, multi-generational structural racism and other inequities. Especially in the short term, supportive resources and services are critical to prevent disparities from growing--but such resources are only effective if they reach the communities most burdened by structural inequities. The following strategies were prioritized by the South San Francisco Commission for the first year of implementation to promote racial and social equity in South San Francisco related to this overarching goal. Strategy 3.1: Expand linkage and navigation support for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members and build trust between community members and the City Strategy 3.2: Expand economic opportunities for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Strategy 3.3: Expand information and support to address housing insecurity for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Strategy 3.4: Expand educational resources for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members 57 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.1 Expand linkage and navigation support for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members and build trust between community members and the City The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 3.1 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. Expanding linkages and navigation support through promotores and community navigators is a cross cutting strategy that is connected to many other strategies identified in this Action Plan. Promotores and community navigators will help ensure that many other strategies in this action plan are implemented in a culturally responsive way (see Strategies 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4). CONSIDERATION 1• Recruit and hire diverse and responsive promotores and community navigators: To ensure that linkage and navigation support are culturally responsive and effective, the Commission recommends that South San Francisco residents who bring strong community relationships, trust and connections be recruited and hired as promotores and community navigators. CONSIDERATION 2• Provide ongoing training for promotores and community navigators: Once the navigators and promotores are hired, ongoing trainings must be provided to ensure that they are knowledgeable about requirements to access and how to navigate services and service systems. CONSIDERATION 3• Reduce documentation to increase access to services: The Commission recommends minimizing the documentation required to access supportive resources (e.g., driver’s license, lease, pay stubs) to reduce barriers to seeking and utilizing services, including eliminating requirements whenever possible. 32 58 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 4 • Increase trust between community members and South San Francisco City services: The expanded promotores and community navigator programs should focus on identifying trusted, multi-lingual, culturally responsive community promotores and navigators to help residents of color learn about, connect to, and navigate supportive services. CONSIDERATION 5• Address fear and stigma related to accessing services: The Commission believes is it critical to address commonly felt stigma related to accessing services (e.g., mental health services) among those most impacted by racial and social inequities, as well as community concerns (e.g., that accessing supportive services will trigger deportation proceedings). CONSIDERATION 6 • Expand and target outreach to hard-to- reach populations: The program should encourage open dialogue and provide opportunities to inform people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members in South San Francisco about the range of supportive services and resources that exist, as well as helping people connect with specific services. Expanding outreach might include continuing to provide outreach materials in multiple languages and using both paper and digital approaches (e.g., fliers and posters in key locations including Grand Ave). Expanding outreach could also include deepening partnerships with SSFUSD, faith communities, and other institutions and organizations that work with hard- to- reach communities. 33 59 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan CONSIDERATION 7 • Build on work done during the COVID-19 pandemic: The City of South San Francisco has focused on providing essential resources to low-income families and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., ensure that these residents access/utilize available support). The expansion program should build on lessons learned to continue to best meet emerging needs of low-income families of color in South San Francisco. CONSIDERATION 8• Focus on tracking progress and impact: The South San Francisco Commission recommends tracking the demographics of program participants before the launch of these expanded promotores and health navigator programs in order to track change and impact over time. The Commission also recommends that the program evaluate which resources and referrals are utilized and the outcomes that result from accessing these services. 34 60 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.1 Implementation Actions Identify and confirm program funding. Meet and engage with community agencies for resource training. Identify and engage bilingual South San Francisco city staff for participation. Implement outreach strategy for informing community about navigators. Develop customer service surveys to use to evaluate program. Soft launch of services with review of evaluation findings from initial 3 months and adjustments to program as needed. LEADCLC/SSF Library staffTIMELINEApril-June 2021 LEADLibrary, Economic & Community Development DepartmentTIMELINEJuly-Sept 2021 LEADLibrary, Economic & Community Development DepartmentTIMELINEJuly-Sept 2021 LEADLibrary, Economic & Community Development DepartmentTIMELINEJuly-Sept 2021 LEADLibrary, Economic & Community Development DepartmentTIMELINEJuly-Sept 2021 1 2 3 4 5 6 LEADCLC/SSF Library staffTIMELINEApril-June 2021 35 61 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Inform, educate, and empower the community through targeted outreach and education efforts Ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches are used in civic engagement opportunities Increase use of supportive services by residents of color Measures Possible data to track intended changes Demographic data for all people utilizing resources and services Track utilization of key services by South San Francisco residents who are eligible Track levels of fear in accessing health and social services Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 3.1 36 62 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.2 Expand economic opportunities for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Since the launch of the Commission in August of 2020, the Commission has inspired the City of South San Francisco to make important commitments to increase racial and social equity in South San Francisco by focusing on those populations in South San Francisco which are most impacted by racial and social inequities (i.e., low- income, people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members). One example is the City Council’s initiative to break the cycle of poverty in South San Francisco by providing increased funding for wraparound services. This is an overarching and multi-pronged approach and the City Council has dedicated $2,210,000 to align with priorities and approaches discussed at the Commission on Racial and Social Equity. The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 3.2 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. CONSIDERATION 1• Support residents of color and low-income residents in starting and retaining small businesses: The Commission understands that supporting residents to start and retain small business assists in securing ongoing income and the diversity of small, local businesses. CONSIDERATION 2• Expand career pipelines for residents of color and low-income residents: The Commission recommends creating and expanding career pipelines for residents of color, low-income residents, and residents with disabilities in key neighborhoods to support the development of careers (with a focus on sustainable wages). 37 63 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.2 Implementation Actions LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development TIMELINEDecember 2021 1 Establish and open a Community Resource Center in Downtown where multiple services will be offered. LEADRenaissance Entrepreneurship Center (City Council approved contract of $467,000 contract to serve 200+ businessesTIMELINEJuly 2021 2 Provide funds for small business and entrepreneurship resource center. LEADJobTrain(City Council approved $404,000 4/14 to serve 100+ individuals)TIMELINEJuly 2021 3 Provide workforce development services, including job training. LEADLibrary, Economic & Community Development DepartmentTIMELINETBD 4 Establish 2 full-time Community Navigators (see Strategy 3.1 for more information). LEADLibrary, Economic & Community Development DepartmentTIMELINETBD 5 Establish 3 part-time Promotores (see Strategy 3.1 for more information). LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 6 Continue to provide support for rental/food assistance. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 7 Consider a Basic Income program (to increase income for key populations). 38 64 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase income for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Increase in small, local businesses owned by residents of color (especially Latinx residents) Measures Possible data to track intended changes Key demographics of program participants to ensure programs are reaching/engaging people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 3.2 39 65 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.3 Expand information and support to address housing insecurity for low-income, people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members The City’s work to address housing insecurity is another example of how the Commission has inspired the City of South San Francisco to expand efforts to address racial and social equity and housing costs. The City’s approach to reducing housing insecurity involves three overlapping and related areas: 1) increasing income for key populations (see Strategy 3.2); 2) keeping people housed who are at risk of homelessness; and 3) ensuring that residents can still afford to live in South San Francisco. While the action steps are also interrelated, they are organized into two areas as outlined in the table of actions below. In addition to the action steps outlined below, the Commission identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 3.3 advances racial and social equity in South San Francisco: CONSIDERATION 1• Coordinate closely with promotores and community navigators: Commissioners believe that leveraging the promotores and health navigators (identified in Strategy 3.1) will ensure that key community members have up to date information and are able to access and navigate available services. Promotores and community navigators can also identify ways to reduce stigma related to seeking out supportive resources. CONSIDERATION 2• Target outreach to neighborhoods where low-income, people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members live including: The Commission recommends that resources to keep residents housed should: • Continue to build on the effective outreach that is working for the COVID-19 vaccine education • Focus on key community locations (e.g., Old Town residents, the Community Resource Center, at public transit stops/stations and on transit) • Ensure that meetings and community events are offered in multiple languages and/or provide translation services and childcare 40 66 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan • Continue to be distributed in a wide range of modes (e.g., printed materials, radio, and virtual outreach materials, as well as through conversations with the promotores and community navigators) CONSIDERATION 3• Partner with local organizations and institutions to increase outreach opportunities: Commissioners recommend partnerships include: • Local universities (e.g., Skyline) • SSFUSD/schools (especially since sites are being used for COVID testing and vaccinations, food distribution, etc.) • Local organizations that work in and with people of color and other disenfranchised communities in South San Francisco • Landlords (to educate them about their legal obligations and tenant right) • Faith communities 41 67 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.3 Implementation Actions To keep people housed who are at risk for becoming unhoused/homeless Provide technical assistance + City renter assistance available through YMCA: ymcasf.org/community-resource-center-ymca Provide legal help through Legal Aid & Project Sentinel: RenterHelp.net To ensure that residents can still afford to live in South San Francisco Continue to grow and expand South San Francisco City housing funds (from inclusionary fees). Ensure people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members have access to minor home repair programs for low-income owners. Coordinate with promotores and community navigators (Strategy 3.1) to ensure that key populations know about existing support and information (e.g., South San Francisco City Housing line that offers referrals/assistance in Spanish, rental and cash assistance programs). Continue to provide Federal, State, and County COVID-related renter assistance now delivered through one portal: HousingisKey.com LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development TIMELINETBD LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development TIMELINETBD LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development TIMELINETBD LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development TIMELINETBD LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development TIMELINETBD LEADCommunications Dept.TIMELINETBD 1 2 3 4 5 6 42 68 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase upward economic mobility for residents of color Keep people housed who are at risk of homelessness Ensure that residents can still afford to live in South San Francisco Measures Possible data to track intended changes Key demographics of small businesses receiving funds (e.g., race/ethnicity, location of business) Key demographics of individuals receiving workforce development/job training (e.g., race/ethnicity, disability) Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 3.3 43 69 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.4Expand educational resources for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Educational opportunities and resources include not only the K-12 school system (primarily addressed by the South San Francisco Unified School District), but also early childhood education, adult education and lifelong learning opportunities, and out-of-school “enrichment” programming (e.g., sports teams, activities involving the arts, leadership development programming) that supports holistic development. Socioeconomic inequities interact to create an opportunity gap, with children and youth from higher income families able to participate in holistic enrichment programs (which are rarely available in California’s public schools--especially ones serving predominantly low-income students) and children and youth from lower income families missing out. In addition to this inequity, structural racism and other structural inequities create additional barriers to academic success (e.g., curricula that centers whiteness and does not reflect students’ identities or culture, disparate access to reliable technology to participate in distance learning). The Commission prioritized three approaches for the City to focus on in order to reduce educational inequities: • Implement universal preschool and pre-K (high quality early childhood education) in an anti-racist way, with targeted sites, and with explicit inclusion of families, • Support low-income and students of color at SSFUSD in attendance/participation during and post-distance learning, and • Expand free/affordable outside-of-school enrichment programs and support youth leadership development (especially for teens) in an anti-racist way, with targeted sites, and with explicit inclusion of families. 44 70 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 3.4 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. CONSIDERATION 1• Expand early childhood education for families of color and low-income families in South San Francisco and/or establishing universal preschool: • Continue exploring possible funding to establish and maintain universal preschool or to establish universal preschool for lower-income families. • Explore facilities to expand or establish new early childhood education, preschool, and pre-K programs in key neighborhoods (e.g., Old Town) and along high frequency transit lines (especially those that connect with key neighborhoods) -- this may include opportunities to develop/build new facilities or to renovate/re-purpose existing buildings. • Advocate in support of state and federal funding and programs that subsidize or expand early childhood education. CONSIDERATION 2• Support students around attendance and participation at SSFUSD: • Identify specific resource gaps (e.g., wifi access, digital literacy) that make it more challenging for low-income students, students of color, and other historically disenfranchised community members (e.g., students with disabilities, English language learners) to participate in classes and meaningfully engage; and pilot approaches to addressing specific resources gaps or barriers. • Identify and pilot new ways to engage students and their families in school engagement and learning. CONSIDERATION 3• Ensure that City-run enrichment programs promote racial and social equity: • Ensure that young people—and especially youth of color and youth from other historically disenfranchised communities—are involved in (and ideally leading) City-run enrichment programs. • Identify and pilot new ways to engage young people and their families who have not previously participated in City-run enrichment programming -- and use these efforts to identify common reasons youth and families have not participated in these community resources. • Use targeted locations and coordinate with existing programs/organizations to strengthen/expand youth development opportunities specifically for youth of color and youth from historically disenfranchised community members. 45 71 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 3.4 Implementation Actions LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 3 Ensure that staff, mentors, and presenters reflect community members’ demographics. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 1 Review outreach/engagement process for existing resources, identify who is not being reached and how to address barriers to promote racial and social equity. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 2 Leverage community navigator program (Strategy 3.1) to conduct effective outreach in non-English languages both via in-person and printed/paper materials. Actions related to all 3 CRSE priorities for expanding educational resources 46 72 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 4 City support for expanding eligibility birthdays for transitional kindergarten (TK) in low-income neighborhoods. LEADParks and RecTIMELINETBD 6 Explore possible new facilities in key neighborhoods to provide preschool/pre-K. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 7 Develop and implement Childcare Master Plan. LEADParks and RecTIMELINETBD 8 Build new childcare facility in Westborough; continue to explore childcare at Orange Avenue Library. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 5 Develop criteria to select people from waitlist for City preschools (e.g., Siebecker) that further equity (e.g., prioritizing children of low-wage workers). To expand access to high quality early childhood education for families of color and low-income families in South San Francisco and/or implement universal preschool or pre-K: 47 73 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan 9 LEADTBDTIMELINETBD Add recurring agenda item and/or key questions focused on equity to existing regular collaborative meetings. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 11 Identify specific resource gaps (e.g., wifi access, digital literacy) and how to address them. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 10 Create a regular structured/systematic meeting between SSFUSD and City managers/leadership focused on proactively coordinating services to identify opportunity gaps and to identify other ways to reduce inequities. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 12 Identify and pilot new ways to engage students and their families who are not currently participating/connected; evaluate what is working, how, and with whom. To support students of color and low-income students in attendance and participation at SSFUSD (both during and after distance learning) 48 74 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan LEADLibraryTIMELINETBD 13 Identify how to get diverse books to people not visiting libraries (initially via summer reading program). LEADCity Manager’s OfficeTIMELINETBD 15 Convert South San Francisco Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to a Commission to increase influence on policy. LEADTBDTIMELINETBD 17 Develop mentorship/job pipeline to address structural inequities/opportunity gaps. LEADHR TIMELINETBD 14 Pilot summer youth/teen internship program within South San Francisco City departments with targeted recruitment to address opportunity gap via exposure to government. LEADCity Manager’s OfficeTIMELINETBD 16 Support YAC in developing speaker series on business language, job and resume skills, etc. that features speakers who reflect demographics of South San Francisco youth. To ensure that City-offered enrichment programming promotes racial and social equity: 49 75 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Increase enrichment opportunities for children of color in South San Francisco Increase youth development opportunities for youth of color in South San Francisco Increase participation among low-income young people and their families in enrichment programs/leadership development programs Reduce barriers to academic success Measures Possible data to track intended changes Key demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity, socio-economic status) of participants in educational resource programming Types of programs available Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 3.4 50 76 land opportunities GOAL 4 Ensure local land use planning increases access to resources and opportunities for people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members Although land use planning has reinforced and exacerbated structural racism and economic inequities, it is also an important tool to encourage (or mandate) equitable development and to reduce displacement of low- income residents and people of color. The current housing affordability crisis is largely the result of decades of regional land use planning decisions -- and current changes to land use designations and the City’s long-term General Plan provide an opportunity to proactively reduce structural inequities. Recognizing both the current process to update the City’s General Plan and the disproportionate burden that housing costs have on residents of color and lower-income residents, the Commission on Racial and Social Equity prioritized one key strategy to focus on in this goal: Strategy 4.1: Leverage available land assets to expand housing affordable to people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members. 51 77 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 4.1 Leverage available land assets to expand housing affordable to people of color and other historically disenfranchised community members The Commission on Racial & Social Equity identified the following considerations to ensure that Strategy 4.1 is implemented in a way that effectively promotes racial and social equity. CONSIDERATION 1• Engage the community using clear language: The Commission recognizes that the legal and regulatory constraints and requirements related to building new housing (especially housing at varied levels of affordability) is complex. To ensure that community members (especially those whose primary language is not English and those with less formal/academic education) are able to help shape these conversations, the Commission has emphasized the importance of using clear language to explain what “affordable housing” means, including defining area median income (i.e., half of families in a region earn more than the median and half earn less than the median) and explaining what this means for lowest income units. CONSIDERATION 2• Support lowest- and low-income families: The Commission recommends targeting support for down payments to low- and lowest-income families to ensure that these community members can remain in South San Francisco. CONSIDERATION 3• Collect key data to track progress: Collect and track demographics of people who buy and rent deed-restricted affordable housing units. 52 78 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Strategy 4.1 Implementation Actions LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development DeptTIMELINETBD 1 Support work to establish City and former Redevelopment Agency land to be declared surplus and offered first to affordable housing developers. 2 LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development DeptTIMELINETBD Align priorities identified by Commissioners with Housing Element and General Plan update. 3 LEADSouth San Francisco Economic & Community Development DeptTIMELINETBD Continue to work with SSFUSD to leverage school district assets to provide housing that is affordable for teachers and school district employees in SSFUSD. 53 79 South San Francisco Commission on Racial & Social Equity | Action Plan Outcomes The change we want to see in South San Francisco Decrease in costs for developing housing units that are affordable Increase in housing units prioritized for people who already live and/or work in South San Francisco Measures Possible data to track intended changes Track demographics of South San Francisco community members who participate in programs Outcomes & Measures for Strategy 4.1 54 80 south san francisco commission on racial and social equity Racial & Social Equity Action Plan SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO 81 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:22-519 Agenda Date:6/20/2022 Version:1 Item #:3. Brown Act Training - Claire Lai, Assistant City Attorney City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/16/2022Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™82 Brown Act TrainingEquity and Public Safety CommissionClaire Lai, Assistant City AttorneyShandyn H. Pierce, AttorneyJune 20, 202283 •Overview of Key Elements •Meetings•Agendas•Public Participation•A note on public records What We Will CoverCity of South San Francisco84 •“All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency shall be open and public.”•“All persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local agency.” Default:  All Commission meetings must be open and public, unless an exception is permitted. Brown Act Key ElementsCity of South San Francisco85 The Brown Act applies to: •Committees, Commissions, Advisory Bodies–Created by action of the City Council–Continuing subject matter jurisdiction–Fixed meeting scheduleBrown Act Key ElementsCity of South San Francisco86 MeetingsA congregation of a majority of Commissioners at the same time and place to discuss or act on public business City of South San Francisco87 Exceptions•Individual contacts•Conferences*•Open community meetings*•Another body of the agency*•Social or ceremonial events*•Standing committee meetings*Provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves, other than as part of the scheduled program, City business.MeetingsCity of South San Francisco88 Serial Meetings:•Outside of an open and noticed public meeting, a majority of a Commission may not discuss, deliberate, or take action by direct communication, intermediaries, or technologyMeetingsCity of South San Francisco89 Hub and spokeA staff member or commissioner (hub) communicates with other commissioners (spokes) one‐by‐one for input on a proposed actionDuring this process, commissioners’ positions are revealed to other commissioners.Daisy chainChain conversation results in a quorum discussing and taking actionSerial MeetingsCity of South San Francisco90 •Reply‐allwhen responding to emails or texts copying other Commissioners•Social Media, Blogs, Forums (AB 992)–Commissioners may not discuss, or respond directly to any communications posted online by other commissioners, regarding a matter within its jurisdiction.–i.e. posting or using emojisSerial MeetingsEmail, Texts and Social MediaCity of South San Francisco91 Teleconferenced MeetingsCity of South San FranciscoTraditionally… •A quorum must meet in SSF •Meeting notice must be posted at each location where a commissioner is calling in•Each call‐in location must be:–Listed in the public agenda–Accessible to the public (attend, listen and participate/provide comments) •All votes must be by roll call92 Teleconferenced Meetings During COVID‐19City of South San FranciscoAB 361 •Signed Sept. 16, 2021 –Expires Jan. 1, 2024•Relaxes some of the Brown Act’s teleconferencing requirements during states of emergency proclaimed by Governor•City Council makes the required findings regarding existence of emergency and public health risks to allow the City’s Council, commissions and other bodies to meet by teleconference 93 Teleconferenced Meetings During COVID‐19City of South San Francisco•Same notice and agenda requirements—EXCEPT must provide instructions for participation•No physical location or meeting within SSF required—BUT must allow public to participate by phone or internet–Mayallow submission of comments prior to meeting–Mustallow “real‐time” participation–Mustprovide reasonable time for public comment, registration•If phone or internet service disrupted, cannot take action until fixed.•Third‐party registration requirement for internet‐based service OKNote: All votes must still be by roll call94 AgendasCity of South San Francisco95 •Posting requirements:–Regular meetings must be posted 72hours before meeting –Special meetings must be posted 24hours before meeting AgendasDiscuss & act only on items on a posted agenda•Exceptions:–Emergency–Urgency need for immediate action came to agency’s attention afterposting the agendaCity of South San Francisco96 •Those that are within the Commission’s jurisdiction •The scope of the Commission’s review is limited to what has been assigned to it by the City Council. Items on the AgendaWhat items can be agendized?City of South San Francisco97 •Identify areas to improve equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. •Provide a community forum to discuss issues related to equity and safety.   •Receive, refer, and at times review resident complaints about City personnel.•Review data and track progress using measures meaningful to the community. JurisdictionEquity and Public Safety CommissionCity of South San Francisco98 Public ParticipationCity of South San Francisco99 •At all regular meetings –Before or during consideration of item –Any issue within subject matter jurisdiction •At special meetings –Agenda topics only •Reasonable time limits and other management measures are okay–Speaker cards must be voluntary/optional–May not limit “negative” commentsPublic ParticipationCity of South San Francisco100 •Members of the Public have the right to take photographs or record meetings  •Only conduct “disruptive” to the meeting can be halted  –Speech and body language offensive to legislative body or audience must be tolerated if meeting can proceed–High bar for “disruptive”Public Participation101 Hypothetical•During public comment time for items not listed on the agenda, a speaker requested that the Commission review a parking plan proposed for a nearby project and the traffic lights that the developer is going to construct. •The Commission discussed the project and whether the number of parking spaces is adequate and voted to propose an alternative parking plan.Is this a Brown Act violation?City of South San Francisco102 •Yes; the Commission has taken action on an item that was not noticed on the agenda. If the item is not agendized, it cannot be discussed or acted upon. •In addition, the Commission will need to consider whether the topic is within its scope of duties. Any discussions must be limited to such scope of duties. AnswerCity of South San Francisco103 Hypothetical•A Commissioner e‐mails a newspaper article pertaining to an upcoming agenda item to the rest of the Commission. •The Commission indicates support for the agenda item based on the article and three members respond back to the email and indicate that they also support the item and that the information was very helpful.Was this a Brown Act violation?104 •Yes, the Commissioners participated in a discussion of an item within the jurisdiction of the body that was not noticed, open, or public. Answer 105 Violations of the Brown Act can result in:•Nullification of a decision made in violation of the Brown Act’s requirements•Willful violation can incur criminal penalties;•A possible award of attorneys’ fees to the party successfully bringing a Brown Act lawsuit•Loss of public confidenceConsequences‐SummaryCity of South San Francisco106 A Note on Public Records ActCity of South San FranciscoTransparency Privacy 107 Public RecordsCity of South San Francisco•All non‐exempt, state and local government agency records in any form or medium are subject to public inspection during office hours or copying upon payment of duplication costs•Emails and text messages about public business on personal phones, devices, or accounts»CA Supreme Court held that these records are subject to disclosure in response to a Public Records Act request. (City of San Jose et al. v. Superior Court)108 Questions?Q&ACity of South San Francisco109 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:22-520 Agenda Date:6/20/2022 Version:1 Item #:4. Discussion of Protocol, Guiding Language, Meeting Structure, and Next Steps City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/16/2022Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™110 Protocol to note •Chair will run the meetings •Speak through the Chair •Action items must be agendized prior to the meeting •Decisions are made through a motion, a second, and a vote 111 Guidance from previous Commission Mission Vision Group Agreements Guiding Principles Levers of Change Framework 112 Discussion of Guiding Language from Prior Commission Do you like any of this guiding language? Do you want to adopt it on this Commission? What edits would you make today? Would you prefer to discuss this further? 113 Mission –CRSE The South San Francisco Mayor’s Commission on Racial and Social Equity aims to proactively advance equity in the City’s internal and external processes, as well as to recommend policy and program changes to overcome institutional inequities in education, policing, healthcare (including mental health and addiction services), and other social services. The commission recognizes that each of these areas has a direct impact on the other. They are interrelated and there is a need to develop solutions to address each area of concern. 114 Vision -CRSE Government and other institutions within the city proactively address structural racism and promote social equity. This will create a community in which all Black, Hispanic/Latinx, other residents of color, and historically disenfranchised community members are safe, feel a sense of belonging, have abundant opportunities, and reach their full potential. 115 Group Agreements Focus on our common goal Build and strengthen partnerships and community relationships Be open to new ideas and perspectives Participate and be self- aware Be prepared for uncomfortable conversations Calling IN versus calling OUT 116 Guiding Principles •Recognize systemic racism and social inequities •Support learning and innovation •Promote transparency •Focus on action and systems change 117 Levers of Change Framework 118 Proposed meeting structure •Meeting flow: •Trainings •Content introduction •Departments •Experts •Discussion •Timing •Engage diverse community members, especially those who are marginalized •Will create a work plan and if desired, bylaws 119 Looking Ahead How can we build on the work of the initial commission? What data would you like to see? What policies and programs do you want to learn more about? Are there specific places implementing innovative approaches? Are there specific people, programs, or organizations with relevant expertise you would like to have participate? 120 [email protected] 121 City of South San Francisco Legislation Text P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, CA File #:22-521 Agenda Date:6/20/2022 Version:1 Item #:5. Action Item - Election of Officers City of South San Francisco Printed on 6/16/2022Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™122 Election of Officers •Set agenda with staff •Run meetings Responsibilities: 123 Meeting Adjourns 124