TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending Chapter 2.44 of the Long Beach Municipal Code to: (1) revise the title of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to the Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission; and, (2) to amend the purpose, functions, and membership of the HRC, as outlined in Attachment A. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On January 19, 2021, City Council directed the City Manager to work with the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to update and expand its mission and scope and change its title to the Long Beach Equity Commission in line with recommendations from the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initial Report.
Since receiving City Council’s direction to update the mission and scope of HRC, the commissioners have been actively engaged in shaping the process and recommendations included in this letter. In February 2021, the Commission formed an ad hoc committee that met on a regular basis to work with staff from the Office of Equity, Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), and City Attorney’s Office to understand the process of updating the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) and the parameters of advisory commissions.
On March 24, 2021, the Office of Equity held a Community Stakeholder Visioning Session (Session) to engage Long Beach community stakeholders in a brainstorming discussion about the potentially updated name, roles, and functions of the HRC. A total of 35 community stakeholders participated in the session, including local nonprofits and community leaders from varied backgrounds and areas of focus. The session was facilitated by a third-party consultant and centered around the following discussion questions:
• Role: What should the Commission do differently, or be tasked with, in order to be more effective at advancing equity and justice?
• Internal: What are ways the Commission could influence internal City culture, programs, and systemic policies and procedures that impact the community?
• External: What are ways the Commission could support external community needs around equity and engage with the community more effectively?
• Accountability: How should the Commission hold the City accountable for internal and external equity efforts?
• Responsiveness: How should the Commission be more responsive to our diverse community's needs in Long Beach? What would be different?
A summary of the stakeholder session and responses is included in Attachment B.
Recommendations Developed and Approved by the HRC
At its meeting on April 14, 2021, the HRC reviewed the community stakeholder responses, continued drafting and discussing the recommendations, which they voted to approve on May 5, 2021. These recommendations include amendments to the name, purpose, functions, and membership. The HRC proposed the revised name of “Equity and Human Relations Commission.” Additional recommendations include the Commission’s resources, placement within the City organization, and ways to address membership barriers. These recommendations are included in Attachment B.
The Office of Equity, Health Department, and the HRC recommend amending Chapter 2.44 of the LBMC, to change the name, purpose, functions, and membership of the HRC, as outlined in Attachment B. Additional recommendations to be explored further by the Office of Equity and Commission are included in Attachment C.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on June 22, 2021 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on July 7, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
The Office of Equity in the City Manager Department will support administration of the Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission with existing staff and will work to administer as many objectives as possible with current resources. The existing HRC has been supported by the Human Dignity Program in the Health and Human Services Department and this will continue together with the Office of Equity. In Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21), additional cost for administration of the Commission is expected to be minimal and will be absorbed in the General Fund Group in the Office of Equity within the City Manager’s Office. Fulfillment of all recommendations on Attachment A, beyond the current services provided for administration will result in a need for additional investment and staff in an estimated amount of $200,000, which is not currently funded. These additional items include the ability to submit detailed biannual reports, implementing an Implicit Bias/Anti-racism training upon appointment, and expanding the level of community engagement. Approving this recommendation does not commit the City to expend any funds for the proposed Commission recommendations outlined in Attachment C. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER