HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - HUMAN RELATIONS LACO SC (2)t
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: June 24, 1997
SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND THE
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS.
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services
BACKGROUND
The Human Relations Mutual Assistance Agreement was signed into effect on
September 26, 1995. It was initiated as a result of citizens requesting the Santa Clarita City
Council in May of 1994, to take action to counter an increasing number of racist incidents in our
community. The Human Relations Mutual Assistance Agreement enables the City of Santa
Clarita to enlist the Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations in resolving tension and
conflict between intergroup interests. The Los Angeles County Commission on Human
Relations agrees to provide the necessary personnel and technical assistance to the City of
Santa Clarita in the event of an incident or crisis. Both the City of Santa Clarita and The Los
Angeles County Commission on Human Relations work together to establish coordination,
ground rules, initial work plan ideas and time lines of the Agreement.
The Human Relations Mutual Assistance Agreement is one way the City of Santa Clarita is
attempting to end discrimination and prejudice based. on race, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other factor. It provides valuable assistance
and resources to the City of Santa Clarita towards making Santa Clarita a place where there
is inclusion of all and by all, and peace.
The original agreement stated that the agreement shall be in effect from October 1, 1995, until
September 30, 1996. The agreement has been modified so that it is not necessary to renew it
every year. It now states that "not withstanding any provision of this agreement, either party
may terminate this agreement with or without cause, by providing written notice of such
termination, specifying the effective date, thereof, at least thirty (30) days prior to such date."
The Santa Clarita Valley Human Relations Forum Mutual Assistance Agreement will not need
to be renewed every year and shall be in effect unless termination occurs.
It is recommended that the City Council approve the renewal of the Human Relations Mutual
Aid Agreement and direct the City Manager to execute documents pertaining thereto.
ATTACHMENTS
Human Relations Mutual Assistance Agreement with new terms. Ll
humanrel/hrm rep.agn �1 )` ,�A� OURa�}� Agenda Item:
UUU
HUMAN RELATIONS MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT
Between the City of Santa Clarita
and the
County of Los Angeles
This agreement is made and entered into this day of October 2, 1995 by and between the City of
Santa Clarita (hereafter referred to as "City") and the County, of Los Angeles (hereafter referred
to as "County").
WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles has a Human Relations Commission which was
established to promote improved human relations, civic peace, intergroup understanding, and the
full acceptance of all persons in all aspects of community life; to actively promote ajust and
equitable intercultural society that fosters positive human relations; and to reduce and eventually
eliminate intergroup violence, conflict, and tension, as well as discrimination, prejudice and
stereotyping based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or
any arbitrary factor.
WHEREAS, this agreement is designed to specifically address critical and emergent human
relations issues which occur within the City of Santa Clarita;
WHEREAS, the County's Human Relations Commission and the City of Santa Clarita recognize
the importance of collaborating in resolving human relations issues;
WHEREAS, the County's Human Relations Commission will provide local jurisdiction support
and assistance in managing and resolving situations and conditions which are manifested in
tensions and conflicts between groups with opposing interests;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita desires sufficient resources and expertise to be able to
effectively handle its human relations and intergroup conflict issues.
WHEREAS, the County's Human Relations Commission desires to help the City increase its
capacity in identifying and resolving human relations issues; and subsequently be able to assist the
County or another local jurisdiction in times of crisis. .
L NOW THEREFORE THE CITY OF SANTA CLARIT'A AND THE COUNTY
AGREE THAT THE COUNTY'S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WELL
PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
A Crisis Intervention: Technical assistance and resources to stabilize a critical
incident or situation related to intergroup conflict.
B. Assessment and Recommendations: Technical assistance to assess structure and
Page 1
volatility of intergroup tensions and to assist development of work plan proposal
and recommendations to manage and resolve conflict.
C. TI3ll1 n : Intergroup conflict management and resolution training.
D. Planning: Technical assistance in developing contingency plans to address
situations or conditions of intergroup conflict.
E. Response: The County's Human Relations Commission will respond to incidents /
problems in the Santa Clarita Valley upon:
1) Request from the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los
Angeles
2) Request from the City of Santa Clarita, following the
establishment of this signed Mutual Assistance Agreement.
11 TERM:
The City. and County agree that this agreement shall be in affect from October 1, 1995
until either party terminates this agreement with a thirty day notice in writing.
H. ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT PROTOCOL:
A. Definitions: For purposes of this Mutual Assistance Agreement, the following
terms have been defined and mutually agreed upon by the County and the City:
HUMAN RELATIONS: How human beings relate to one another, an attempt to
eliminate discrimination and prejudice based on race, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other arbitrary factor. The City
works to promote full acceptance of all persons in all aspects of community life
and to build cultural understanding. The goals of human relations are equity,
inclusion of all and by all, and peace.
INTERGROUP CONFLICT: In human relations terms, it refers to tensions or
disputes between people who group together on the basis of race, ethnicity,
national origin, language, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, with others not
of their group, or because of any other group characteristic such as socioeconomic
status, marital status, personal disability, and not just on the basis of some common
experience. Intergroup conflict also includes any harmful act - be it a verbal,
written, or physical action causing emotional or physical injury, or property
damage - which is directed against an individual, group, or institution and
motivated by bigotry based on protected group characteristics.
B. Iniliatio : The City agrees to provide an initial assessment of the problem. This
Page 2
assessment will include:
1) Identification and description of the problem / incident
2) Assessment of the extent and possible future evolution of the problem
3) Chronology of recent related incidents
4) Identification of key organizations, populations, individuals and institutions
affected by the conflict
5) Identification of the resources available to handle the problem
(government, community, etc.)
6) Explanation of what assistance is needed, such as:
* Technical Assistance
* Identification of further resources
mechanism
* Providing direct resources (materials, persons)
* Setting in motion the local intergroup conflict response
* Identifying staff responsible to coordinate and initiate the
agreem
ent
C. Formal Request of Mutual Assistance: If the assessment identifies local needs
which cannot be met, or are only partially met, the City shall make reasonable
efforts to contact other jurisdictions or organizations which may have the
resources available. The City, by signing this Mutual Assistance Agreement will
have the authority to formally request the assistance of the County.
D. Entrance. Interview: Representatives of the Human Relations Forum of the City of
Santa Clarita will work with consultants from the County's Human Relations
Commission to establish coordination, ground rules, initial Work Plan ideas and
timelines and will review the initial assessment. The City representatives will be
determined according to the Santa Clarita Valley Human Relations Forum
Response Plan as designated by the City Manager. This process will identify the
authority, leadership and contact persons, and will identify any special concerns
related to media coverage.
E. Work Plan Agreement: Representatives from the City and the County will discuss
and mutually develop a Work Plan agreement that shall include goals, strategy,
reporting, communication and resources. Assignments and agreement on specific
responsibilities, such as confirmation and agreement of coordination (authority,
leadership, contact persons), ground rules (e.g. media confidentiality and other
concerns), initial Work Plan, and time fines will be outlined in the Work Plan.
F. Work Plan Implementation: The County agrees to provide necessary personnel and
technical assistance, at no cost, to assist the City in implementing the Work Plan.
The City agrees to cover all costs related to actual implementating the Work Plan
Page 3
related to any Commission services requested and approved by the City.
G. Exit interview: Closure, final report and recommendations along with
recommendations for the prevention of future intergroup conflict will be completed
by representatives from the City and the County.
iiV. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
Not withstanding any provision of this agreement, either party may terminate this
agreement with or without cause by providing written notice of such termination,
specifying the effective date, thereof, at least thirty (30) days prior to such date.
City of Santa Clarita
Signed by:
Title:
Date:
City Attorney:
Date:
City Clerk:
Date:
Hd..W
Los Angeles County
Signed by: 7�rY1 Gi- —
Title:
Page 4