Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Novmeber 28, 2006 - HRC Azusa Human Relations Commission Minutes from Meeting of November 28, 2006 Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m. II. Commissioners in attendance: Paul Naccachian (Chair), Marty Villanueva, Terry Franson, Christina Valdez, Diana Williams III. Absent: Logan Westbrooks, Nancy Gibson, Ilean Ochoa. Interns Jackie Dodds, Sandra Harden & Coordinator Claudia 0. Shields were also in attendance. IV. Public Comment— Executive director from the Mosque Al-Fatiha in Azusa, Napha A. Phyakul Quach, stopped by to visit the Commission. She said that she had not heard from the HRC in a couple of years and wanted to reconnect and open up the lines of communication again. She would like for us to collaborate with the Mosque as we did once in the past. Napha wondered if there was a reason why we have not been in contact with them. Chairman Naccachian and Commissioner Villanueva assured her that we have had them in mind and was hoping to reconnect after the Hands Across Azusa event has occurred in mid- January. V. ,Approval of Minutes — Motion made to accept minutes by Terry Franson, seconded by Marty Villanueva with one clarification: Claudia asked that there be a clarification that even though she was not present during the October meeting, that her report was submitted earlier by email to the other commissioners. Paul stated "So noted, with a caveat that it is customary for a coordinator or staff to submit a staff report prior to scheduled meetings as the reports are public and should be there for review when requested from the City Clerk's office." VI. Terry Franson asked for a moment to speak to the commissioners. He said that he regretfully is resigning from the Commission. He spoke with his wife and they decided that it was best for him to not continue as a Commissioner given the circumstances. He said that it has been wonderful work for him and that he will continue to be an advocate and will help us in any way that he can. He added "God bless you guys. I am still available to help in any way I can." Diana said "Thank you, Terry". Claudia and Christina wished Terry the best of luck. Marty and Paul said that they would miss him and loved having the opportunity to work with him. VII. Scheduled Items Discussion of Plans for the MLK event: Claudia stated that the street banner has been submitted and approved. Ten days before the event it will hang over the street. Committee members agreed that the banners should go up earlier than ten days before the event. Paul asked for the second time the status on the extension. He reiterated that for a policy change to occur, it will have to go in front of the council. Claudia said that she would ask and check with Martin Quiroz and Fran Delach on the banner policy for city events and that she will take care of it. There are two banners total. One banner will be at Citrus, north of Alosta Blvd. and the other will be near CostCo. The flyover has been arranged with the AZPD. There will be a cost involved but don't worry about it. It should not be a problem. Flyover will be at 3:45 pm. The flyer that was created by Commissioner Naccachian last year served as a template for this year's information which was used to create the AUSD flyer. The flyer is in English and Spanish. She will bring it to tomorrow's HAAZ planning subcommittee meeting. The Light and Water Bill insert will need extra postage in the amount of $7500.00. Martin Quiroz said that more residents read that insert per a survey that was done recently. We will put a larger ad in the newsletter rather than an insert. Claudia said that the Belly Dancers will need to know an approximate time of their performance. Paul said that he and Marty will speak to Vernon Lewis of Village Mandala regarding the belly dancers, at the next Drum Circle they attend. The program does not have any performance times yet. Claudia asked if we are going to recognize the Police Dept. for the lack of hate crimes in the last few years. "Most of the hate crimes were gang related because the gangs want taxes paid by dealers. The PD has put a lot of resources into drug trafficking." Commissioner Naccachian added that "That is old information." Commissioner Villanueva said that she would like to think that hate crimes have been reduced due to the outstanding outreach work of the Human Relations Commission. Commissioner Naccachian agreed. Claudia said, "I do not see a consensus on the Commission supporting the recognition of the PD". Commissioner Naccachian said "That is accurate". Claudia said that she had a few speakers to recommend. She handed out a biography to each Commissioner for Michelle/Mike Dennis, a transgender individual who represents the transgender community in the greater Los Angeles area. Paul said that he has been in contact with Phill Wilson, who is the founder and executive director of the Black Aids Institute of L.A. He is a dynamic speaker who was highly recommended. His office will get back to Commissioner Naccachian by Friday. Paul reported that he spoke to Commissioner Nancy Gibson who said that she has not yet heard from In-n-Out regarding food and drink donations for the event. She has arranged to have the fee waived by the Citrus College President for our announcement on the College Marquee. We can have our event posted on the marquee for a period of one week. Commissioner Villanueva went over a list of the confirmed performances and speakers thus far. She added that there is a middle school teacher who is interested in donating additional prizes for the "Six Acts of Kindness" essay contest. This donation is welcomed by the other Commissioners present. Commissioner Christina Valdez wanted to know if the program is going to be as long as last year's. Commissioner Naccachian told her that the program will run on time because we will have an MC to keep the program flowing. Commissioners Valdez and Diana Williams volunteered for the "Welcome" tent/table for the day of the event. Commissioner Naccachian will invite and acknowledge the dignitaries. He said that the Council and others would like to be part of the crowd this year. Last year they sat separately in a designated place and the mayor personally requested that they be part of the crowd. Paul said that an APU student had called the HRC Hotline requesting some statistics from the Police Dept. His name is Adrian Mercado. He has attempted to solicit the public information from the Police Department but was unable to do so. Mr. Mercado is doing a research on youth and gang violence and wanted to know some statistics to incorporate in his research paper. Paul asked that there be a cooperation between the P.D. and the student. Claudia said she will call him to offer him some assistance. Coordinator's Report: Claudia said that the interns, Jackie Dodds and Sandra Harden have both been cleared today. They just need to fill out more paperwork. She said that they can now be given assignments maybe with HAAZ and other community outreach projects. Welcome aboard. Claudia reporting on another issue, said that Grant funds are secured for the Youth Conference. No date has been set yet but it looks like the interns will be able to help. The intern's term is for at least 9 months. Reports from Commissioners: Christina apologized that she has not been able to be here last two meetings. She has been busy with her teaching job. Commissioner Diana Williams suggested that we bring awareness to the community by attending Open Houses and other events. HRC outreach is needed. The soreness she has is "graffiti." She asked if we can focus on that area. We could share the concept of"pride." She spoke with Frank Chavez and he said that tagging crews are doing most of the writing around town. Paul asked, "How can we affect it? Can we find out who is doing it first? We can then address those groups/crews. They are expressing themselves. It is part of free speech and also an art form. I don't like it either but maybe we can give them the space to express themselves." Diana said that Frank Chavez can give some insight into the tagging. He said that he thought prevention is a necessity but the P.D. is not taking that direction. Maybe we could work toward prevention. Claudia and Diana will look into statistics. Maybe there are other issues besides expression. Maybe interns can work on this as a project. Paul said "lets take a positive approach and find out why they are doing it. Are they angry? Do they need to express this anger? What is the originating point?" He asked Commissioner Williams to put a proposal together and bring it back to the commission. She agreed to do this. Maybe interns can work on this as a project. Paul said lets take a positive approach and find out why they are doing it. "Are they angry? Do they need to express this anger? What is the originating point? If they are caught tagging, they can be redirected...maybe do another art form?" Christina thinks it should be taken care of with consequences. "They have no fear and don't care if they ruin property." Paul asked, "Are you suggesting that the harsh punishment is putting them in jail because that is contrary to our mission as an HRC." Christina answered, "No, I'm not suggesting that." Adjourned at 8:27 pm.