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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021.03.17 @4001 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR’S COMMISSION ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL EQUITY Meeting held at: Teleconference meeting Wednesday, March 17, 2021 4:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chair Nicolas Roll Call COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Edith Arias, Jeff Azzopardi, Gladys Balmas, Norm Faria, Mike Futrell, Cheska Ibasan (4:15 pm), Vanessa McGovern (4:09 pm), Hermes Monzon (4:07 pm), Patricia Murray, Mark Nagales, Flor Nicolas, Kayla Powers, Bobby Vaughn ABSENT: Liliana Rivera Alternate Present: Andrea Fernandez Welcome/Introductions Chair Flor Nicolas welcomed the Commissioners to the meeting and provided welcoming comments. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the meeting minutes of February 17, 2021 Moved by Pat Murray seconded by Bobby Vaughn to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2021 meeting as submitted. Motion passed with no opposition. New Business 2. Meeting Overview Kym Dorman provided an overview of the meeting goals and overview of the agenda items. Kym Dorman reviewed definitions of racism. Myra Jolivet asked what is one result you hope an SSF Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board will achieve? Commissioners commented that it would be a Board that would hear from the community, continue the important conversation, increase transparency and trust with the community, uplift the voice and direct contact with community members, effect real changes, safe space to be heard and provide a consistent feedback loop. 3. Discussion on Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board Sky Woodruff provided an overview of General Law City, City’s powers, reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the City Manager, City Council and Police Chief. He noted the police officer personnel records are confidential and the investigation of police officers are personnel matters that are confidential and not shared with the City Council 2 or the public. An Advisory Board can review and recommend changes to policies and procedures and gather community input on policies and procedures to inform their recommendations. Leah Lockhart, Human Resource’s Director, reviewed the labor relations relating to public employees and police officers as governed by State law. She also reviewed public employee’s discipline and appeals process. The City has a Personnel Board and binding arbitration process. Leah Lockhart noted the Police Officer’s bill of Rights act requires an administrative appeal process for punitive action. She also noted that the City utilizes services of outside investigator services. She noted that an Advisory Board can educate the community about complaint process, receive complaints, refer complaints to investigation process and track trends around complaints. Commission questions:  Kayla Powers asked what information on the complaint could the Board see to be able to advise. Sky Woodruff responded that who filed and who the complaint is filed against and the nature of the complaint is public information, and that other details would be confidential. A process could be established for the Board to receive complaints  Mark Nagales asked if in all situations the name of the complaining party is public. Sky Woodruff responded that we research if anonymous complaints can be filed.  Norm Faria asked about negotiations. Sky Woodruff responded that there are State laws that govern negotiations process and authority. Sharron Watts provided an overview of different types of oversight bodies, including community safety advisory board, and police oversight models that include Investigative, Review-focused, Auditor/Monitor-focused and hybrid models. Community Safety Advisory Board provides recommendations regarding community issues, assist law enforcement, collaborate between the community, law enforcement agencies and focus on crime reduction, solution building, receiving citizen complaints and disaster preparedness. Cities with larger populations typically have Police Oversight models. The Investigative Model operates independently of police departments, address complaints against law enforcement and has authorization to investigate certain types of complaints. The Review Model reviews the quality of completed police internal affairs, receive and forward complaints and hears appeals. The Auditor/Monitor model performs ongoing reviews of complaint process and promotes organizational change. It is recommended that a Hybrid Model would be best suited for South San Francisco to be a combination of the community safety advisory board and oversight model with focus on a holistic approach to community safety. Commission questions:  Andrea Fernandez asked if applicants could apply at large or be selected by the City Council. Mike Futrell noted that this would operate in the same manner as other Boards and Commissions with open application process and Council interview/appointment.  Hermes Monzon asked about resources for the Board. Mike Futrell responded that City staff would be assigned and the meetings would be open to the public. Tony duVoix, Shaina Pomerantz and Brody Sargent of the Portland, Oregon Police Equity Advisory Council. The City has an Equity and Inclusion Office within the Police Chief’s office. They are responsible with forwarding equity work throughout the bureau. The goals of the Police Equity Advisory Council (PEAC) is to have open and honest feedback, contribute to current work and ideas for future work, important for meetings to 3 be informal to receive feedback, have an open and inclusive space for the community and be results driven. City has a five year Racial Equity Plan with goals. PEAC meetings are open to the public, hear presentations and hear from the community on how efforts are addressing equity. They leave the last 30 minutes of the meeting open to optional discussions. Shaina Pomerantz, PEAC Board member is a community activist from Race Talks. She noted the need to talk about race, cross representation, need for the Board to be supported by staff and City Attorney. Tony DuVoix PEAC Board members works at Homeland Security. He noted the need to get the word out on the Board activities to educate the community. Graham Young, Captain with National City Police Department. The National City Community and Police Relations Commission provides a forum for citizens to voice concerns about police conduct, practices and policies, examine police practices and policies as they pertain to conduct issues and identify opportunities to mediate adversity between the Police Department and citizen complaints. He noted that items that are brought up at one meeting are required to be agenized for the following meeting as they are subject to the Brown Act. The Board follows the Review Model and reports to the Mayor and City Council. Final Internal Affairs report is submitted to the Commission for review and the Board has the ability to request further review of a case. Decisions of the Board are advisory and non-binding. Commission questions:  Mark Nagales asked what the most difficult aspect to establishing the Commission was. Shania Pomerantz responded that it’s important to centralize the marginalized voices and it’s important for people to share when they are there to build trust. Graham Young noted they reach out to the Board to perform ride-alongs and work with them to gain a better understanding of Police functions.  Flor Nicolas asked if any changes were made recently due to protests and riots. Shaina Pomerantz noted that this is a stressful time and they are making time to listen to the community. Graham Young noted they adopted policy to not use certain restraint tactics. Shaina Pomerantz noted they have a subcommittee that evaluates police use of force.  Gladys Balmas asked about Racial Equity Plan and how it was developed. Brody Sargent responded that there was a city-wide template and broken down by bureau with five year goals  Bobby Vaughn asked how the Police department views the Review Board and positive aspects. Graham Young responded that the public forum creates a good opportunity to resolve problems and inform the public of police practices and practices. i. Small Group Discussion and Report Out  Myra Jolivet reported that her group discussed roles and responsibilities should include creating a safe space where people have complaints or suggestions about police can share, lift the veil of secrecy and build trust. Place for dialogue, focus on accountability, be open to best practices. For membership, find people that are involved in their community, representation of all ethic groups and consider people that are advocates.  Nayeli Bernal reported that her group commented that the roles and responsibilities needs to ensure open communication to hear directly from the community, inclusive and representative civic engagement, work together and listen to each other, lean and adapt, establish a trauma-informed approach and address language barriers. Edith Arias commented that the membership 4 should include a member with disabilities.  Kym Dorman reported that her group commented that the Board should focus on listening, forum for safe space to speak, track trends and use that data to inform recommendations. Board should also conduct outreach to better inform the community, track progress and pivot to emerging issues. Membership should consider a bridge to the City Council. ii. Public Comment None. iii. Commissioners Discussion  Norm Faria felt the discussion was very informative and appreciated the guest speakers.  Bobby Vaughn commented that the Advisory Board should forge relationships with other boards to share best practices and learn together. He also noted the Equity Officer’s should have a role in forming and working with the Advisory Board.  Hermes Monzon thanked the guest speakers. He asked how frequent the Board would meet and if they would be subject to the Brown Act. Mike Futrell responded that as a formal Board it would be subject to the Brown Act and meetings would need to be public. The Board could form sub-committees to address specific issues and could meet more frequently.  Gladys Balmas expressed concern with the City Council appointing the Board.  Vanessa McGovern commented that there needs to be a review timeline to ensure goals are being met timely.  Brody Sargent, Portland, OR noted that this group is welcome to attend a PEAC meeting. They meet the third Tuesday of the month. 4. Updates from SSFUSD This item was continued to the next meeting. 5. Next Steps Flor Nicolas thanked guest speakers. Kym Dorman reviewed meeting topics for upcoming Commission meetings and General Plan community meetings. The next Commission meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2021. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.