Date: April 25, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Human Relations Commission
Re: Proposed Changes to Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 2.36
The Human Relations Commission considered proposed changes to the Chula Vista Municipal Code (CVMC) Chapter 2.36 related to the Functions and Duties as well as Membership of the Commission as referred by City Council on February 20, 2024.
The Commission and public’s input was considered at two regular meetings of the Commission: March 28 and April 25, 2024.
The Commission’s feedback and recommendations are summarized below.
Current CVMC
Section
Proposed Amendment HRC Feedback
2.36.030 In cooperation with other relevant boards and
commissions and the Chief’s Community Advisory
Board, the Human Relations Commission shall
perform the following duties and functions:
Consensus was reached to keep
the language as is and reject the
deletion of the “Chief’s
Community Advisory Board”.
2.36.030 (B) B. The first duty of the Commission shall be to assist the City, by completing all required steps, to
become a Certified Welcoming City;
- Commission considered and
failed to pass two motions:
1. To replace the proposed
amendment with “B. The ongoing
duty of the Commission shall be to
assist the City in becoming a truly
Welcoming City, by identifying
needs and measures to protect
immigrant rights and increase
well-being, using resources from
networks like Welcoming
America.” (Vote was 3-2)
2. To replace the proposed
amendment with “B. The ongoing
duty shall be to continue to help
the city fulfill its commitment to
welcome all peoples." (Vote was 3-
2)
- Some Commissioners believed it
was important to keep the original
mission of the Commission alive in
some way, even if the City does
not pursue certification.
- Some Commissioners believed
that failing to include all or
identifying specific groups would
result in divisive language of one
group vs. another.
- Some Commissioners expressed
the need to identify and support
marginalized people specifically
immigrant members of the
community.
2.36.030 (F) EF. Work together with City, state and federal agencies in developing programs and events
showing the contributions of the various groups to
the culture and traditions of the City, state and
nation, with support from the Office of the City
Manager:
1. Recognize on annual basis City of Chula Vista
residents who contribute to improved human
relations among all Chula Vistans. The
commission shall recommend Chula Vista
residents for this honor following a nomination
and selection process and resolution by the
commission. The honorees will be recognized at a
regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council in
the month of September.
2. Sponsor in partnership with Office of the
Mayor and City Council: Black History Month,
Women’s History Month, Asian/Pacific Islander
Month, Jewish American Month, Arab-American
Month, Disability Awareness Month, Pride
Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Filipino
American Month, and Native American Month.
3. Sponsor in partnership with the Office of the
Mayor and City Council significant days of
celebration through official ceremony to be held
at City Hall Complex at six pm to include-
Memorial Day Celebration, Veterans Day
Celebration, Pride Flag Raising Day, Juneteenth
Flag Raising, Kumeyaay Heritage Celebration on
Indigenous Peoples Day, Youth Day, and Seniors
Day.
4. Cosponsor with the Office of the Mayor and
City Council the annual 4th of July Independence
Day Celebration and Fireworks Program
Consensus was reached to support
these changes as proposed, with
the exception that
acknowledgement of major faith
traditions be recognized through a
calendar on both Human Relations
Commission and the main City
website page.
5. Acknowledge through the Human Relations
Commission City Website Page important dates
of major faith traditions through a calendar.
Include brief narratives that inform Chula Vista
residents about such traditions.
2.36.030 (G) FG. Promote the establishment of local community organizations in building and strengthening
relationships with community groups and
nonprofits; In recognition of the growing community
of unhoused Chula Vista residents promote
understanding, cooperation, and general support for
the well-being of this community.
Consensus was reached to replace
the proposed amendment with,
“Strengthen relationships with
community groups and nonprofits
that support and assist the
growing unsheltered community
in the City of Chula Vista.”
2.36.030 (H) GH. Work with relevant boards and commissions, including the Chief’s Community Advisory Board
Office of the Police Chief, as needed to explore ways
to improve municipal services and community
relations within the scope of the Commission’s
purpose as stated in CVMC 2.36.020(A);
Consensus was reached to reject
deletion of Chief’s Community
Advisory Board and add “Office of
the Police Chief”.
2.36.040 (A) A. The Human Relations Commission shall consist of 151 Voting Members and one Youth Advisory
Member. Each City Council Member will nominate
three members that reside in their respective
districts, and the Mayor will nominate three at-large
Chula Vista residents and the Youth Advisory
Member, to be appointed in accordance with Article
VI of the City Charter, Chapter 2.25 CVMC, and this
chapter.
- Commission supports keeping
the membership to (11) members
due to quorum issues as is.
- Commission failed to pass a
motion that would have kept the
Mayor as the nominating
authority. Vote to keep the Mayor
as nominating authority was 4-1.
Attachments:
March 28, 2024, Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes April 25, 2024, Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)