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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05132021 REDI Commission AgendaIn compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the office of the City Clerk (951) 694-6444. Notification 48 hours prior to a meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to that meeting [28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title 11]. AGENDA TEMECULA RACE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 41000 MAIN STREET TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA MAY 13, 2021- 6:00 PM IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THIS MEETING This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20, dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the order, the public may not view the meeting in -person in the Council Chamber. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online. Details can be found at temeculaca.gov/tv. Submission of Public Comments: For those wishing to make public comments at the meeting, please submit your comments by email to be read aloud into the record at the meeting by the Secretary. Email comments must be submitted to erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov. Email comments on matters not on the agenda must be received prior to the time the item for Public Comments is called. Email comments on agenda items must be received prior to the time Public Comments for the agenda item is called. All email comments shall be subject to the same rules as would otherwise govern public comments at an in -person meeting. Public Comments for this meeting may only be submitted via email. Comments via text and social media will not be accepted. Reading of Public Comments: The Secretary shall read all email comments, provided that the reading shall not exceed three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Council may provide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at an in -person Council meeting. The email comments shall become part of the meeting record. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Tiffany Baker FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Ivy Harris ROLL CALL: Baker, Faulkner, Harris, Huerta, Pastorian, Steed, Wilson PRESENTATIONS Presentation Regarding National Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month Presentation by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Presentation by Riverside County Sheriffs Department Page 1 Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Agenda May 13, 2021 Commission PUBLIC COMMENT A total of 30 minutes is provided for members of the public to address the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission on items that appear on the Consent Calendar or a matter not listed on the agenda. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. For all Business items on the agenda, each speaker is limited to five minutes. For this meeting, public comments may be submitted and read into the record pursuant to the important notice provided at the top of this agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and all will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no discussion of these items unless members of the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. 1. Annrove Action Minutes of April 8.2021 Recommendation: That the Commission approve the action minutes of April 8, 2021. Attachments: Action Minutes BUSINESS 2. Receive Presentation on the City's Work Program to Update the Quality of Life Master Plan Recommendation: That the Commission receive the presentation on the Quality of Life Master Plan update and provide recommendations regarding the same. Attachments: Agenda Report COMMISSIONER REPORTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers located at 41000 Main Street, Temecula, California. 101111141a1 1101,1Doa" 3NIN The full agenda packet (including staff reports and any supplemental material available after the original posting of the agenda), distributed to a majority of the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission regarding any item on the agenda, will be available for public viewing in the main reception area of the Temecula Civic Center during normal business hours at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. The material will also be available on the City's website at TemeculaCa.gov. and available for review at the respective meeting. If you have questions regarding any item on the agenda, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (951) 694-6444. Page 2 ACTION MINUTES TEMECULA RACE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 41000 MAIN STREET TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA APRIL 8, 2021 - 6:00 PM IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THIS MEETING This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20, dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the order, the public may not view the meeting in -person in the Council Chamber. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online. Details can be found at temeculaca.gov/tv. Submission of Public Comments: For those wishing to make public comments at the meeting, please submit your comments by email to be read aloud into the record at the meeting by the Secretary. Email comments must be submitted to erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov. Email comments on matters not on the agenda must be received prior to the time the item for Public Comments is called. Email comments on agenda items must be received prior to the time Public Comments for the agenda item is called. All email comments shall be subject to the same rules as would otherwise govern public comments at an in -person meeting. Public Comments for this meeting may only be submitted via email. Comments via text and social media will not be accepted. Reading of Public Comments: The Secretary shall read all email comments, provided that the reading shall not exceed three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Commission may provide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at an in -person Commission meeting. The email comments shall become part of the meeting record. CALL TO ORDER at 6:02 PM: Chair Tiffany Baker FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Eric Faulkner ROLL CALL: Baker, Faulkner, Harris, Huerta, Pastorian, Steed, Wilson PRESENTATIONS Department Presentations by Community Development and Public Works PUBLIC COMMENT The following individual(s) submitted an electronic comment on non-agendized item(s): • Bob Kowell • PJ in Temecula • Julie Geary CONSENT CALENDAR Unless otherwise indicated below, the following pertains to all items on the Consent Calendar. Approved the Staff Recommendation (7-0): Motion by Wilson, Second by Faulkner. The vote reflected unanimous approval. 1. Approve Action Minutes of March 11, 2021 Recommendation: RITSINESS That the Commission approve the action minutes of March 11, 2021. 2. Receive Status Update on the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative and Provide General Recommendations Regarding the Same Recommendation: That the Commission receive a status update on the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative adopted by the City Council and provide general recommendations regarding the same. Received update and general direction. COMMISSIONER REPORTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT ADJOURNMENT At 10:01 PM, the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting was formally adjourned to Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 6:00 PM, City Council Chambers, 41000 Main Street, Temecula, California. Adjourned in Memory of John Degange Tiffany Baker, Chair ATTEST: Randi Johl, Executive Director [SEAL] RACE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT TO: Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Commission FROM: Luke Watson, Director of Community Development DATE: May 13, 2021 SUBJECT: Receive Presentation on the City's Work Program to update the Quality of Life Master Plan PREPARED BY: Matt Peters, Senior Planner RECOMMENDATION: That the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission receive the presentation on the Quality of Life Master Plan update and provide recommendations regarding the same. BACKGROUND: The Quality of Life Master Plan (QLMP) was adopted during the Fall of 2011 and identified six Core Values including: 1. Healthy and Livable City; 2. Economic Prosperity; 3. A Safe and Prepared Community; 4. A Sustainable City; 5. Transportation Mobility and Connectivity; and 6. Accountable and Responsive City Government The plan includes specific goals; key accomplishments; key findings; metrics of progress; and strategic priorities. The City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Annual Operating Budget (AOB) are reviewed annually for conformance with the City's Core Values identified in the QLMP. Given the substantial progress on the current QLMP during the last several years, the General Plan Update Subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Maryann Edwards and Mayor Pro-Tem Matt Rahn, determined that an update to the QLMP should be the first step in the General Plan update project. In addition, the update will include a seventh Core Value, currently referred to as "Equity." The newly established Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Commission will provide significant input on the development of this section of the plan. On April 13, 2021, after soliciting interest from Commission and Board Members, the General Plan Update Subcommittee selected representatives to serve on a Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC). The BRC will be responsible for guiding development of the QLMP by attending meetings, reviewing data and reports, and providing input at meetings facilitated by the Consultant. Commission and Board members who serve on the BRC will have the additional responsibility to report back to their assigned Commission/Board to provide updates and solicit further input. In addition to one representative from each Commission and Board, the BRC will also include a diverse group of stakeholders to represent a wide range of interests in the City. It is further intended that the QLMP will set the foundation for a comprehensive update to the City's General Plan using the seven Core Values as the organizing principles. Staff will present additional details regarding the QLMP update process and a four -phase work program to update the General Plan by 2025. ATTACHMENTS: None ELECTRONIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 1:40 PM To: jamie_rdh Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Jessica alexander rant Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MIMIC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika. ramirezTemeculaCA.aov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: jamie_rdh <jamie_ Tuesday, April 20, 2021 1:07 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ram irez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Jessica alexander rant Hello, I am appaled at the rant council member Jessica Alexander made comparing mask wearing to the plight of Rosa Parks!? The mental gymnastics that is required to equate the inhumane treatment of blacks for hundreds of years to the temporary mask mandate is really astonishing. Her rant reeks of white privilege and I find her comments and beliefs to be insensitive and way out of touch with reality. Please remove her of her duties. How does this person represent Temecula? She is another smear to our fine city. There should be no place for this level of ignorance in our city's government. Jamie Ann Lopez Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Sent from my VerlZon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 1:29 PM To: Summer Berg Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Public Comments to be read at next REDI commission meeting Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951) 694-6407 erika.ramirez &..TemeculaCA, aov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Summer Berg < Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 10:39 AM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Public Comments to be read at next REDI commission meeting To the Temecula REDI Commission, Thank you for taking the time to hear my concerns. My name is Summer Berg and I have been a resident of Temecula for over a decade. I would like to address the shocking culturally insensitive remarks made by Council Member Jessica Alexander at the April city council meeting. To hear Councilmember Alexander compare the mask mandate to the oppression of the Black Community and herself to Rosa Parks was so out of line it made me feel nauseated. This is especially sickening after I learned that Councilmember Alexander did not attend the Diversity Training Workshop on April 6. Councilmember Alexander's own Facebook page tagline states "Strengthening the Heart of Temecula, Protecting its Values and Traditions, Unify, Educate, Serve." I do not see those words reflected in Councilmember Alexander's actions and words. She chose not to educate herself at the workshop. She is choosing not to unify the city or the council by defying mask mandates. She should be setting an example for citizens, yet she is dividing the community by making tone-deaf statements about racial icons. I urge the council and the city to take action. Please address this behavior with a public statement in support of unity and in support of the Black community. And please demand that Councilmember Alexander receive the diversity and equality training that she needs and has previously refused. I ask that if she chooses to remain ignorant and closed minded on matters of racial equality and her own privilege that she resign from office. Please stand up for the BIPOC community in Temecula. There is no place for this behavior here. Period. Thank you for your time, Summer Berg Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 8:12 AM To: Allison Donahoe -Beggs Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Last City Council Meeting Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide II I City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika. ramirez(@TemeculaCA.aov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Allison Donahoe -Beggs < Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 11:18 AM To: Randi Johl <randi.johl@temeculaca.gov> Cc: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov>; Matt Rahn <matt.rahn@TemeculaCA.gov>; Aaron Adams <aaron.adams@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Last City Council Meeting I would like this public comment read before the 4/27 City Council Meeting and the next REDI Meeting. Hello, I am a Temecula resident of 23 years and my husband and I have raised our two children in this community. My youngest is currently a Sophomore at Great Oak High School. After hearing the remarks made by Jessica Alexander at the last City Council meeting about mask -wearing, I had to send in a comment. All I heard from this public servant was how mask wearing affects her. Not only was this extremely selfish and inappropriate to her seat and her job, she then compared herself to Rosa Parks for not wearing a mask. This should not go unaddressed as this is extremely offensive. I understand that Ms. Alexander failed to attend the Equity and Diversity Training that all of the other Councilmembers attended. It appears she truly needs this training and should rectify this immediately and apologize for comparing herself to a civil rights icon. She should also apologize for her self-centered remarks that do nothing but harm to this community. To combat COVID and ensure no more deaths, no more debilitating illness, no more jobs and businesses lost, we HAVE to be in this together. We need to follow the safety protocols to ensure we are not infecting each other and one EASY way to do this is wear a mask. To say, in a City Council meeting, that she is against mask -wearing, is just downright dangerous. Jessica Alexander should resign unless she retracts her statement, apologizes for comparing herself to Rosa Parks, attends the Diversity and Equity Training, and attends the REDI Commission meetings. Thank you, Allison Donahoe -Beggs Temecula, CA 92592 Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 10:S3 AM To: Fredric Ball Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Alexander is NO Rosa Parks Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 eri ka. ra m i rez@Temecu I a CA. gov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Fredric Ball < Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 6:37 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov>; Aaron Adams <aaron.adams@temeculaca.gov>; Maryann Edwards <Maryann.Edwards@citycouncil.org>; Matt Rahn <matt.rahn@TemeculaCA.gov>; Council Assistant <council.assistant@temeculaca.gov>; Zak Schwank <Zak.Schwank@temeculaca.gov>; James Stewart <James.Stewart@TemeculaCA.gov>; Jessica Alexander <Jessica.Alexander@TemeculaCA.gov> Subject: Alexander is NO Rosa Parks Dear City Officials - While I am not a fan of Jessica A. Alexander's politics (like her views on reproductive rights or if COVID-19 is real), I feel she has stepped over the line in a recent council meeting comparing the need to wear a mask to civil rights activist Rosa Parks being forced into the back of the bus. For someone who is so vehemently pro -life, you would think she would wear a face mask to protect others' lives. Corey Parker, political action chair for the Riverside NAACP, said it best: "Not being treated as a human being or (being treated as) a second-class citizen is totally different from a universal measure to protect lives." I understand that Alexander missed the recent Diversity Training City Council Meeting, and it may be for a good reason, but she should know that her recent actions are culturally insensitive and not the values we want in city leadership. I would hope that you take action and call out this behavior. Maybe she should sit down with members of the BIPOC community as well as receive the diversity and equality training she missed. Thanks for your time. Respectfully, Fredric Ball Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 10:54 AM To: Gia Rueda Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Denounce Alexander's racially insensitive comments, & require training Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 eri ka. ramirez(c7n.TemeculaCA.uov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Gia Rueda < Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 6:45 PM To: Randi Johl <randi.johl@temeculaca.gov>; Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov>; Aaron Adams <aaron.adams@temeculaca.gov>; Maryann Edwards <Maryann.Edwards@citycouncil.org>; Matt Rahn <matt.rahn@TemeculaCA.gov>; Council Assistant <council.assistant@temeculaca.gov>; Zak Schwank <Zak.Schwank@temeculaca.gov>; lames Stewart <James.Stewart@TemeculaCA.gov>; Jessica Alexander <Jessica.Alexander@TemeculaCA.gov> Subject: Denounce Alexander's racially insensitive comments, & require training April 24, 2021 Dear Temecula City Councilmembers, City Manager & REDI Commission, I request that the members of the City Council make a public statement denouncing the words of Councilmember Jessica Alexander regarding her inappropriate and racially insensitive comment comparing mask wearing to Rosa Parks. I also request she be required to attend the Diversity & Equality Training Workshop she previously missed on April 6, 2021. I was disappointed to hear comments by Councilmember Jessica Alexander, comparing the reasonable, lifesaving act of donning a face covering, to the civil rights struggles of Rosa Parks. Her comments were insensitive and historically ill- informed. It is shockingly inappropriate to compare the task of slowing the spread of a deadly virus, to the hateful institutionalized segregation enforced upon people of color in the Jim Crow south. Furthermore, if Ms. Alexander is going to invoke the spirit of Rosa Parks, she should at least understand the bus incident, instead of making up her own version of history. News flash, Jessica: Rosa Parks did not demand to sit in the front of the bus, she simply refused to give up her seat in the "colored section" of the bus, for a white man. Hate and intolerance has no place in Temecula. Denounce Ms. Alexander's comments, and require her to attend training. With Respect, Gia Rueda Temecula Resident Sent from Mail for Windows 10 Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 10:56 AM To: Tanya Littman Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: City Councilor Remarks on April 13 meeting Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika.ramirez@TemeculaCA.gov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. -----Original Message ----- From: Tanya Littman < Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 10:54 AM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: City Councilor Remarks on April 13 meeting The views expressed by City Councilor, Jessica Alexander at the City Council meeting on April 13th were extremely misleading and hurtful. To compare a mask mandate to the racist laws of segregation is a false equivalency. It's very simple, and please make sure Mrs Alexander is aware, that she is comparing being discriminated against for something you CAN change with being discriminated against for something you CAN'T change. Mrs Alexander could change whether or not to put on a mask and move freely anywhere she may choose where Rosa Parks could NOT change the color of her skin and could NOT take any action to change whether she was discriminated against or not. Please share this simple concept with all of Temecula Valley City leadership so that these false comparisons will end. They are only serving to damage and divide our community and the MUST stop. Thank you for your consideration to this matter. Sincerely, Tanya Spedalieri Sent from my iPhone Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 10:57 AM To: LeeAnn Keer Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Public comments for next REDI meeting Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951) 694-6407 erika.ramirez@TemeculaCA.gov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. -----Original Message ----- From: LeeAnn Keer < Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2021 6:31 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Public comments for next REDI meeting Good evening and thank you for taking the time to read this. My name is LeeAnn Keer and I have been a Temecula resident for the last 4 years. I recently learned about some abhorrent statements made at the April City Council Meeting by Council member Jessica Alexander. I am appalled and horrified that an elected official in my city would feel it is ok to compare herself to a civil rights icon like Rosa Parks. This is not acceptable! In no uncertain terms, is the requirement for EVERYONE to cover their face for public safety during a pandemic anywhere near the same as forcing Black citizens to give up their seat on public transportation to a white citizen! For Council member Alexander to make that connection shows an unbelievable amount of privilege and ignorance. I have also learned recently that Council member Alexander was the only member on the council that was absent at a Workshop Regarding Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative. This is again unacceptable. Temecula needs to be uplifting, supporting, and protecting its BIPOC community, not trivializing their struggles. I urge the council and the city to take action! Demand that Council member Alexander receive the training that she missed earlier this month, or resign from office. I would also like to see a public statement from city leadership denouncing her words at the April council meeting. Hate has no place in Temecula. Thank you for your time. -LeeAnn Keer Sent from my iPad Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 8:42 AM To: Cc: Randi Johl Subject: Letter regarding Alexander for REDI Meeting Attachments: REDILetter Alexander Kandus.docx Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika. ramirez &.. TemecuIaCA.00v 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Julia Kandus < Sent: Monday, April 26, 20218:47 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Letter regarding Alexander for REDI Meeting Hello, Attached is my letter regarding my opinions on Jessica Alexander's recent actions, to be read into the record at the next REDI meeting. Thank you, Julia Kandus k. Hello REDI Commission, My name is Julia Kandus. I have been a Temecula resident since 1998. Equity for individuals in our community, as well as education and training for those in office in regards to inclusivity and diversity, is of utmost important. As a teacher, practicing and teaching equity is at the forefront of my life and classroom. I would hope that practices of equity and inclusivity are intertwined in the decisions and actions of elected officials as well. Jessica Alexander has not been reflecting these values, which are held by not only myself but also by many individuals in this community. This has been shown in her unwillingness to participate in the Diversity Training City Council meeting on April 6th (the workshop regarding Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Initiative), which she framed as a punishment rather than an opportunity to grow as a human being. Her ignorance has been clearly highlighted by her recent comparison of her refusal to wear masks to the civil rights demonstrations by the iconic Rosa Parks. This is racially insensitive to the struggle of Rosa Parks and people in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community, who are still experiencing major racism and discrimination in our society today. Refusing to wear a mask puts others in danger who may be older, immuno compromised, etc. Wearing a mask shows empathy to others in our community, and the refusal to do so should not be the actions demonstrated by elected officials. Jessica Alexander has clearly shown ignorance, racial insensitivity, and a lack of empathy in her actions and statements. Alexander's Facebook tagline includes the words "Unify, Educate, Serve". Some of my BIPOC friends have told me that she not only does not unify this community, but her actions actually makes this city feel unsafe for them, their families, and their friends. Elected officials should make the people in their city feels safe, not the opposite. She has also clearly shown that she is not willing to educate herself, with her refusal to attend the REDI trainings. She does not set the example or reflect the values that many of us want to see in Temecula city leadership. Her actions leave me wondering, who is she truly trying to serve? We cannot allow elected officials to behave this way and ignore the struggles, trials, and tribulations of diverse voices in the community. I would like to see the city council address this abhorrent behavior from Jessica Alexander. I also greatly push for Jessica Alexander to sit down with members of the BIPOC community, receive the diversity and equity training she missed, and/or resign from office. Hate has no place in Temecula. Best regards, Julia Kandus, M.A. Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 1:17 PM To: Richard Kandus Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Equity in our community Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika.ramirez(@TemeculaCA.aov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Richard Kandus < Sent: Monday, April 26, 20219:22 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ram irez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Equity in our community April 26, 2021 Dear Temecula City Council, I generally have a lot of respect for the members of Temecula City Council. You are performing an essential and at time, difficult job balancing various decisions regarding Temecula and the people who live here. However, I feel compelled to write and express my disappointment and discontent with one councilor, Jessica Alexander. I am appalled by Jessica Alexander's recent behavior and comments. Black Lives Matter, the murder of George Floyd, and other members of the community have clearly indicated that we, as a society, need to take significant steps toward equity and fairness. Jessica's refusal to educate herself with equity trainings is a strong indication of her need to attend such trainings. Further, her recent comments comparing her refusal to wear a face mask during a global pandemic to Rosa Parks is beyond insensitive, it is a sign of ignorance and lack of understanding of racial equality and the struggles toward that equality. Has she and other people who refuse to protect all of us through a face mask suffered hundreds of years of mistreatment, hate, prejudice, discrimination, and struggled to correct these societal injustices? Clearly, this is a rhetorical question, but one that she needs to understand before she makes any other ugly and erroneous comments. Jessica Alexander's comments and behavior have clearly indicated that she is part of the problem we face today. I encourage her to be involved in extensive diversity and equity education with members of our diverse community. The Temecula City Council does not have room for anyone unwilling to work toward increased equity in our community. Sincerely, Richard Kandus 2 Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 8:27 AM To: 'Tami Simms' Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: City council letter Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MIMIC Management Aide I II City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951) 694-6407 erika.ramirez TemeculaCA. ov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Tami Simms < Sent: Monday, April 26, 20219:33 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Fwd: City council letter Please read into the minutes for the upcoming REDI commission meeting. Thank you! City Council members, I am calling for the resignation of Jessica Alexander. I have been a resident of Temecula for 33 years I am also a former Navy ICU nurse. I am and I hope you are as well, completely shocked and offended that Jessica Alexander, one of our City Council members is comparing wearing a mask to protect the health of our community to that of Rosa Parks actions after being forced to submit to institutional racism. It has not even been a year since another one of our city council members, James Stewart had to resign for making the comment "He did not believe there has ever been a good person of color killed by a police officer in Temecula". How is it possible that we have not learned from that mistake? Yet here we are on April 13 during a general meeting of the Temecula City Council ,Jessica Alexander made the following statement " look at Rosa parks, she was accommodated in the back of the bus and she finally took a stand and moved to the front because she knew that wasn't lawful, so she took a stand. At what point in time do we? I'm getting pushed to the back of the bus, this is what I feel like." This is wrong on so many levels but the two most obvious are, as an ICU nurse, shame on any civic leader who refuses to follow the CDC guidelines of mask wearing in which to protect the public. We have now had 572,000 people die from this disease and she is unwilling to wear a mask that might save someone's life? She is unfit to serve our community. She also needs to apologize for comparing herself to Rosa Parks who is a civil rights icon and fought against institutional racism. I understand Ms. Alexander failed to attend the equity and diversity training that all other councilmembers attended. It is very obvious that she needs this type of training much more than anyone. If she is unwilling to join her fellow council members, she needs to resign as she has shown she is not a team player. I would also like to point out that Jessica Alexander advertised and promoted the Jan 6th inserection 92 times on her Facebook page. Anyone who was part of or promoted the insurrection does not deserve a seat on our city Council. I know we are better than this, I urge you to consider and encourage Ms. Alexander to step down for the greater good of our community. Ms. Alexander does not have what it takes to be a representative of our community and as a fellow Veteran I am embaresed by her words, her actions, and encourage her to do the right thing and resign. Thank you for your time, Tami Sims Temecula Resident of 33 years Sent from my iPhone 2 Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 8:30 AM To: Eva Smith Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Jessica Alexander Needs To Apologize to BIPOC Community and Take Diversity and Inclusion Training or RESIGN Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide II I City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika. rami rezCa]TemeculaCA.gov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Eva Smith < Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 7:48 AM To: Aaron Adams <aaron.adams@temeculaca.gov>; Maryann Edwards <Maryann.Edwards@citycouncil.org>; Matt Rahn <matt.rahn@TemeculaCA.gov>; Council Assistant <council.assistant@temeculaca.gov>; Zak Schwank <Zak.Schwank@temeculaca.gov>; James Stewart <James.Stewart@TemeculaCA.gov>;lessica Alexander <Jessica.Alexander@TemeculaCA.gov> Cc: Randi Johl <randi.johl@temeculaca.gov>; Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Jessica Alexander Needs To Apologize to BIPOC Community and Take Diversity and Inclusion Training or RESIGN Good morning Mayor and City Council members, I am also copying Randi Johl and Erika Ramirez to request that my statements be read into record respectfully at the City Council meeting and REDI commission. My name is Eva Smith, I am a registered voter, retired Wireless Communications Engineer, Community Volunteer, Faithful voter and a proud resident of Temecula for over 23 years. Serving the City of Temecula is a great honor and should be revered as such. During the past two months I have seen a lot of growth in our City's leadership thru the formation of the REDI Commission, a Diversity and Equity workshop and Temecula City Council's open discussions on face masks mandates and best practices to keep our community safe. I commend you for having several transparent public discussions. However, during the last Temecula City Council meeting, City Council member Jessica Alexander compared her disapproval for Riverside County health orders to Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks and her remarks are problematic. 1 As a concerned citizen, I demand action against Council member Jessica Alexander for her culturally insensitive and tone deaf remarks comparing her unwillingness to protect her colleagues from the spread of coronavirus by wearing a face mask to Civil Rights icon Rosa Park's segregation protests. I would also like to request a public statement on whether or not the City of Temecula has a social media policy for City Council members. How does the City of Temecula protect itself from liability when events, messages and content posted on social media platforms, blogs, newsletter by public officials is perceived as being made on behalf of the City of Temecula or organized by the City. What is the liability the City of Temecula has when City officials post, promote and spread disinformation and misinformation? Where does the City of Temecula draw the line? As the wife, daughter, sister and sister in law of military veterans who have proudly served our country in all branches of the Armed Forces, I also find it concerning that Council Member Jessica Alexander fails to follow County, State and Federal guidelines to protect our citizens, teachers, students and first responders. Especially since she is also a veteran. There is no comparison between Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat on a bus to fight racial segregation on public transportation and Council member Jessica Alexander's tone deaf statements. Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat was just the beginning of a twelve month boycott. After the segregation laws were made unlawful Black teens were beaten, shot and churches were bombed. It also resulted in years of hardship for Rosa Parks as she received death threats, lost her job, her marriage, her home and financial stability in the wake of the Montgomery boycotts. History teaches us that on that faithful day, it wasn't a planned protest, it was a day when she was burdened, pained and angered by the details of Emmet Till's death and systemic racism which failed to hold his murderers accountable. It's shameful and disheartening that Council member Jessica Alexander would compare her refusal to follow social distancing and face mask health orders to the pain, brutality and injustice suffered by segregated Black Americans during the Jim Crow era. There is no comparison. Jessica Alexander's statements show a disregard for Black American's pain, suffering and systemic racism then and today. Council member Jessica Alexander has also spread COVID misinformation during the City Council meeting with statements that minimize the severity of the widespread coronavirus pandemic by falsely stating that "coronavirus has a 99.9% recovery rate" and that "coronavirus cured the flu". These statements show a disregard for human life, health orders 2 and safety of immune compromised constituents, especially those who have not fully recovered from coronavirus, but continue to experience fatigue, loss of smell, loss of taste, brain fog, heart, lung damage and cognitive disfunction months after reporting their first symptoms. Jessica Alexander's callous statements disregards the lives of over 572,000 victims who died from COVID. Coronavirus is REAL. Coronavirus also took the life of many of my loved ones. Coronavirus severely impacted my immediate family members, including my mother and father. Unfortunately, my young nephew is still suffering with COVID long -hauler symptoms including body aches, the loss of smell and taste. These statements of misinformation and disinformation are not isolated incidents. Since taking office, Council member Jessica Alexander was also absent from a recorded virtual Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training workshop which shows disregard for the BIPOC community members which she serves. Especially since the City of Temecula made a commitment to raise awareness and educate themselves on the intersection of race, equity and systemic racism. Council member Jessica Alexander has also made questionable statements in public settings via social media. Can public officials use their positions and title as a public servants to organize, promote and speak at events that may be perceived as organized by the City of Temecula? Can public officials align themselves with organizations which fuel distrust in authority? Here. Here. Here. Is this something that is sanctioned or condoned by the City of Temecula? Can a public servant use their title, position, digital platforms and social media platform with their City of Temecula titles to fuel rejection of County healthcare policies, mistrust of authority and still serve her constituents in a nonpartisan manner? I demand that the city of Temecula investigate her questionable statements and take necessary action against Jessica Alexander. As a representative of the City of Temecula, her spread of COVID misinformation and disinformation is dangerous, violates human rights and does not align with the core values we seek from nonpartisan public servants. I also demand that Jessica Alexander sit with members of the BIPOC community to discuss Rosa Park's legacy and formally receive the Diversity and Equity training she missed in public. There is no place for Hate in Temecula. There is no place for cultural insensitive statements and spread of disinformation by public officials. If the City of Temecula has an existing policy on City of Temecula public servant use of Social Media and Digital platforms policy please make it public and provide more information of whether or 3 not city officials can participate, organize, promote, lead and speak at events which promote human rights violations and fuel mistrust in public offices? Temecula City Council Member Jessica Alexander needs to represent all her constituents or RESIGN! Human lives are at Stake! Sincerely, Eva Smith Questionabale statements, acts 1. Jessica Alexander absent from the Diversity Training City Council Meeting_ April 6th (Workshop Regarding Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Initiative). 2. Jessica Alexander's disrespectful and tone deaf statements at Temecula City Council Meeting - April 13, 2021. This is a caption of Jessica Alexanders statements made: "Look at Rosa Parks ... She finally took a stand and moved to the front, because she knew that that wasn't lawful. It wasn't true," Alexander said, according to a videotape of the meeting. "So she took a stand. At what point in time do we? ... I'm getting pushed to the back of the bus. This is what I'm telling you I feel like." Alexander added that she "cannot" and "will not" wear a mask. "So it's not that I want to be disrespectful," she said. "But the fact of the matter is when is enough enough?" 3. Jessica Alexander_promoting event that fuels facemask disregard and mistrust in authority on politician page. and personal page. 4. Rosa Parks Was My Aunt. It's Time to Set the Record Straight The quiet, tired seamstress caricature isn't her real story. 4 Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 4:11 PM To: Reynisha Day -Ballinger Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Comments to be read into record at a REDI commission meeting Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 erika. ram i rezC7a. Te m e c u I a CA. aov 41000 Main St.. Temecula. CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Reynisha Day-Ballinger< Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 3:53 PM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ram irez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Comments to be read into record at a REDI commission meeting Dear REDI commission My name is Reynisha Day. I lived, worked, and went to school in the Temecula Valley. I am also a member of Temecula Unity. First of all, I would like to commend the four members of the City Council that attended the diversity training on April 6. Their actions let me, and other residents of color, know that Temecula is committed to knowing better to do better. They have my thanks. Once again, I am saddened to see Temecula on the news for utter nonsense. As I said during the Unity in the Community event held last summer, Temecula has a reputation to people of color and it is not a positive one. I was appalled and angered to hear Councilwoman Jessica Alexander's incendiary remarks during April 13th's meeting. Perhaps she skipped on the day they covered The Civil Rights Movement in school (not unlike how she skipped the diversity training she clearly needs) but I would like to set a few things straight: 1. As an elected official who prides herself on serving her constituents, Councilwoman Alexander certainly used the word "I" a lot. "I can not" "I will not"... The focus should be more on the nearly 5,000 Riverside County residents who lost their battles to Covid and the prevention of any more deaths, not throwing a temper tantrum about having to wear a mask? 2. No one likes wearing masks. You know what doesn't care about anyone's feelings about that? Covid- 19. 3. Rosa Parks never moved from the back of the bus to the front. She refused to give up her seat at the back of the bus to a white man. If you are going to co-opt a Civil Rights leader's defining moment in history to make a painfully terrible metaphor, at least do the research and get the story correct first. 4. Speaking of poorly planned uses of figurative language, as an English teacher, I would also like to point out that a nationwide mandate to wear masks for the health of your fellow countrymen is in no way, shape, or form comparable to the dehumanization, subjugation, and oppression of an entire racial group. Full stop. I am calling on Councilwoman Alexander to apologize to the members of the community whom she hurt with her racially insensitive remarks and commit to going to diversity training. If she is unwilling to do these things to make amends, then it is clear she has no place in public office and needs to resign. I hope she will take the positive road and decide to grow and be better. Sincerely, Reynisha Day Erika Ramirez From: Erika Ramirez Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 11:44 AM To: Gillian Larson Cc: Randi Johl Subject: RE: Public comment for REDI meeting 5/13/2021 Thank you for your email. It was received and will be read into the record at the next Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission meeting. If you do not wish for your email to be read into the record, please advise. Erika Ramirez, MMC Management Aide III City Clerk's Office City of Temecula (951)694-6407 e ri ka. ra m i rez('Je m ecu l a CA, gov 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590 Please note that email correspondence with the City of Temecula, along with attachments, may be subject to the California Public Records Act, and therefore may be subject to disclosure unless otherwise exempt. From: Gillian Larson < Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 10:25 AM To: Erika Ramirez <erika.ramirez@temeculaca.gov> Subject: Public comment for REDI meeting 5/13/2021 Hi Erika Please read my public comment at the REDI meeting tomorrow Thank you My name is Gillian Larson and I have lived in Temecula for 20 years I watched the August 11th City Council meeting with interest as the REDI Commission slides were presented so Temecula could see, in detail what this commission would be structured to accomplish. I reviewed it again on Youtube so I could send the link to people I thought might be interested. I watch the REDI commission meetings on Youtube regularly to keep up with their progress. I applaud our City Council for their forethought in creating this groundbreaking Commission. It is very exciting that this Commission is tasked with listening to our community to hear the needs of all of our citizens. Temecula has been doing a great job including our aging population, special needs groups, those with various religious choices, families with all ages of children, different cultures and races, lifestyle choices and so much more in what has been created and offered in Temecula. There is always more that can be done to enhance the lives of all of our community to ensure all of our needs are included in what Temecula has to offer and that is what the REDI Commission will be doing. Listening and presenting our ideas to the Council and City for consideration. Thank you for the virtual opportunity to submit a public comment. Gillian Stay safe and well Gillian Creator and Event Producer, President Reality Rally Inc My T.E.D talk. My S.U.E Talk www.realityrally.com Please sign up for our News Updates Reality Rally Sizzle Reel Follow us on facebook.comlrealityrally Twitter @realityrally IG @realityrally CBS Survivor Reality Star Gillian Sizzle Reel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr6YpFMwu-c