Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 2021-66 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-66 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AMENDING AND RECONSTITUTING THE HUMAN RELATIONS TASK FORCE TO THE HUNTINGTON BEACH HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE (HBHRC) WHEREAS, on April 7, 1997, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach created and established the Human Relations Task Force; and WHEREAS,on October 19, 2021, the City Council desires to amend and restate the purpose, changing the name and redoing the bylaws in order to better meet the needs of the City Council and the community, NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby resolve as follows: 1. The Human Relations Task Force is hereby renamed Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee (HBHRC). 2. That the primary duty of the HBHRC shall be to implement programs supporting the City's Declaration of Policy about Human Dignity, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit"A"and incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. The City Council may, by minute action, assign other such duties to the HBHRC as may be convenient or necessary. 3. The HBHRC's updated bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and approved by this Resolution and incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held on this _�n'lday of A&yfa bfijQ—, 1. Mayor 1T"FDD A�JPROVED: City Manager ( — APPROVED AS City tomey 21-10619/271165 Resolution No. 2021-66 Exhibit"A" Declaration of Policy On Human Dignity Huntington Beach is a city whose residents represent every walk of life, come from many nations, share varied lifestyles, and hold different religious beliefs. This diversity brings to our city a rich and varied cultural heritage. Our citizens honor and respect the diversity that exists in Huntington Beach. When acts of hate are committed against any citizen, it is considered an act against the entire community. The Huntington Beach City Council declares that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their actual or perceived racial background, their nation of origin, the religion they practice, their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression, or disability status. It is the right of all residents to pursue their daily lives with the knowledge that they will not be physically harmed or verbally abused. The Huntington Beach City Council states in the strongest terms that it condemns all hate incidents and hate crimes and will vigorously fight criminal activity related to hate with all of the resources at its disposal. A hate incident is the behavior that is motivated by hate or bias towards a person's actual or perceived disability, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation but is not criminal in nature. Typically, these behaviors are protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of expression. If this type of behavior escalates to threats or is carried out against a person or property, or becomes an incitement to commit violence, it would be classified as a hate crime. According to California penal code 422.55, a hate crime is a criminal act committed, in whole or in part, because of one or more of the following actual or perceived characteristics of the victim: disability, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. It may involve a verbal, written, or physical action that is intended to create emotional suffering, physical harm or property damage. The City Council warns those who advocate or perpetrate hate not to test the community's resolve to oppose them. It is the city's stated policy to vigorously pursue a course of investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, and incarceration of all those who participate in hate crimes. For hate incidents, and in cases where incarceration or prosecution is not sought or granted, the City Council strongly supports alternatives to carceral punishment, which gives an opportunity to repair harm within the community where and if possible. In support of this declaration, the City Council sends these messages: To the Community To the commumity ive say, "Believe in the value of inlerdepenclenee of all people. Every member of our community has the right to be treatecl with dignity and it is our collective responsibility to ensure this is norinali_ed behavior. Participate at your places of worship community meetings, and Wherever you are, lend your- voice in opposing hate. " To the Schools To the schools ive say, "Continue fostering safe environments of learning and care. Encourage curiosity- and keep developing programs and curricula which promote respect, inclusion and acceptance towards all. Call on resources of the city, the county, the state, and the nation cis you engage in the echicational process to combat hate." To the Parents To the parents the say, "Act as positive role models for yow• chilcb-en by demonstrating inclusion and acceptance of those ivhose race, nationalilly, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gentler identity, or gender expression, or disability stabs may be dlffer•eiit fronrr yoiu-s. Yoit crre the most powerful infhrence on your children's behavior. " To the Youth To the youth we say, "Echicate yourself to the ivoys of the worlcl and the lessons of history. Develop sensitivity towards the feelings of others. Thus, os YOU grow into adulthood and become society's lenders, you ivill be more effective in the fight to preserve our humanity. " Do not ignore history. What we do should be a monument to all who have lost their lives because of hatred. We must all become activists in this battle as a living memorial. Remember that silence and apathy are the greatest allies of those committing hate crimes and initiating hate incidents. If you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime or hate incident, call 9-1-1, and say "I want to report a hate crime." With those seven words, you will instantly have as an ally the full resources of the city of Huntington Beach and the nearly 200,000 residents of our city. You are not alone! Together, the city of Huntington Beach and its residents will promote a city that welcomes all and vigilantly protects against hate crimes and hate incidents. The Huntington Beach City Council declares that it will not tolerate any hate crimes or hate incidents in our community. The previous Declaration of Policv on Hunan Dignity uvas unanimously adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council on play 6, 1996 in response to brutal hate crimes in Huntington Beach resulting in the murder of Vernon Flournoy and attempted murder of George Mondragon by members of white supremacist groups. The matter of hate incidents and hate crimes, which are numerous and pernicious, do much to degrade the quality of life for all in our community. Now known as Declaration of Policy on Fluman Dignity, this document was adopted by the Huntington Beach City Council on November 16, 2021. Resolution No. 2021-66 Exhibit "B" HUNTINGTON BEACH HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE BYLAWS 1. Article I: NAME The name of this committee shall be the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee (HBHRC). 2. Article II: VISION & MISSION STATEMENT 2.1 VISION STATEMENT Huntington Beach is a community where all people feel respected, valued, and are free from discrimination and violence. 2.2 MISSION STATEMENT The HBHRC mission is to inspire and promote mutual understanding, respect, safely and the wellbeing of all in our community through education and engagement. 3. Article III: MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION 3.1. MEMBERSHIP Membership shall consist of 9 voting members. All members shall be residents and electors of the City of Huntington Beach. 3.2. FULL VOTING MEMBERSHIP The full voting membership of the HBHRC shall consist of 9 members. 4. Article IV: MEMBERSHIP TERMS OF SERVICE Each member shall be appointed by the City Council as recommended by the Council liaisons for a four-year term, with no member serving more than two consecutive terms. Members seeking reappointment for a second term shall submit a letter requesting reappointment to the City Council Liaisons for review and consideration 90 days prior to the expiration of their current term. Approximately one-half of the membership shall be appointed every two years. If a member fills a vacant seat with more than 2 years left for that term, this will count as 1 term. 5. Article V: MEMBERSHIP ATTENDANCE 5.1. RULES FOR MEMBERSHIP Any member shall automatically vacate his/her membership upon a fifth (5th) unexcused absence during the calendar year or upon more than three (3) consecutive absences. With the exception of emergencies, absences must be reported to the Chairperson preceding the meeting so the absence may be recorded as excused in the minutes. 5.2. VACANCIES Upon removal or resignation of a member prior to the end of a term, a successor shall be appointed in accordance with Article IV to complete the vacated term. Resolution No. 2021-66 Exhibit "B" 6. Article VI: VOTING 6.1. RULES Each member of the HBHRC shall have one vote. 6.2, QUORUM A quorum of the full membership is required in order to transact business at every regular meeting. For the purposes of the HBHRC, a quorum is represented by a simple majority of the members then in office. 7. Article VII: MEETING REQUIREMENTS 7.1. TIME AND PLACE Regular meetings of the HBHRC shall be held in a designated location specified in the public posting. Additionally, if unforeseen or extenuating circumstances arise alternate accommodations can be made via digital platform. T 2. OPEN MEETINGS All meetings of the HBHRC shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting. All meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Orders and the Brown Act. 7.3. POSTING OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE All agendas and notices of meetings for the HBHRC and its standing committees shall be posted for public review in accordance with the Brown Act. 7.4. ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINGS Any regular meeting of the HBHRC may be adjourned to a subsequent date prior to the next regular meeting to consider further items. An adjournment notice shall be posted on the official posting board within 24 hours after the time of the adjournment. If a regular meeting of the HBHRC is adjourned to a subsequent date, a new agenda and notice of meeting must be posted as required by the Brown Act. 7.5. SPECIAL MEETINGS Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or a majority of the HBHRC. Notice of a special meeting must be given as required by the Brown Act. 8. Article Vill: OFFICERS 8.1. COMPOSITION Officers shall consist of one chairperson, one vice chairperson, and one secretary. 8.2. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS At the regular meeting immediately preceding the meeting at which officers shall be elected, the chairperson shall appoint a Nominations Committee consisting of three members. The Nominations Committee shall solicit and/or receive nominations and meet as frequently as necessary to screen nominees for the officers who will be elected. All officers shall be drawn from the membership. EXHIBIT B Resolution No. 2021-66 Exhibit "B" 8.3. ELECTION The annual election of officers shall be held at the regular meeting each December, or at such other meeting set by the membership. The Nominations Committee shall announce the names of those members who are seeking election to each of the officer positions to be elected. The chairperson shall ask the membership for additional nominations for each of the officers to be elected. Members may nominate other members or themselves. The chair shall allow the members to question any of the nominees. The election of each of the officers shall be conducted by secret ballot. 8.4 POSTPONING ELECTION OF OFFICERS By a majority vote of the members present, the HBHRC may postpone for a period not to exceed 90 days, the annual election of officers. In the event of a postponement, those members serving in the positions whose election was postponed shall be asked to continue until the new election. In the event that such officers do not wish to continue to serve in their positions, interim officers shall be elected by the membership to serve until the postponed election takes place. 8.5 TERMS All officers shall be elected by the full membership for a one-year term, with no officer serving more than three consecutive terms in the same position. 8.6 ATTENDANCE Officers are required to attend all regular meetings. Any officer having more than three unexcused absences during his or her term of office shall automatically vacate his or her position. 8.7 VACANCIES An unanticipated vacancy of an officer, which may occur during the course of an Officer's term, shall be filled by a vote of the membership within 30 days of the notice of resignation or vacancy. 9. Article IX: DUTIES OF OFFICERS 9.1. CHAIRPERSON The Chairperson shall preside at all regular meetings of the HBHRC, prepare the agenda for all regular meetings, and shall have powers and duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the membership. The Chairperson shall be the spokesperson for the HBHRC and shall also have a vote on all matters. 9.2. VICE CHAIRPERSON The Vice Chairperson shall preside at all regular meetings in the absence of the Chairperson and perform duties as assigned by the Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall also have a vote on all matters. 9.3. SECRETARY The Secretary shall prepare minutes for all regular meetings. Other duties include the drafting of required business correspondence and the preparation of an annual summary of activities. The Secretary shall also have a vote on all matters. EXHIBIT B Resolution No. 2021-66 Exhibit "B" 9.4. ADDITIONAL DUTIES The executive officers, in conjunction with the staff liaison, will maintain a calendar of events and activities. 10. Article X: AUTHORIZATION TO TAKE ACTION The HBHRC shall take such actions that it deems necessary and proper to further the goals identified in its Mission Statement set forth in Article Il;provided, however, that such actions shall not be inconsistent with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances as well as any recommendation or guidance received from a majority of the City Council. 11. Article XI: CONFLICT OF INTEREST Any member who believes they may have a financial or business conflict of interest with respect to any activities of the HBHRC shall disclose the fact to the membership and refrain from voting on such matters. No member of the HBHRC may utilize information obtained by reason of membership for personal gain. 12. Article XII: AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of board members then in office, providing that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting. All by-laws are subject to approval of the Huntington Beach City Council. EXHIBIT B Res. No. 2021-66 STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss: CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ) I, ROBIN ESTANISLAU, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council at a Regular meeting thereof held on November 16, 2021 by the following vote: AYES: Bolton, Delgleize, Carr, Posey, Moser, Kalmick NOES: Peterson ABSENT: None RECUSE: None City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California