REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
Subject:
title
Approve one or more appointments to the Human Relations Task Force (HRTF) as recommended by City Council Liaisons Natalie Moser and Rhonda Bolton
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Statement of Issue:
The Human Relations Task Force currently has two (2) unscheduled vacancies that will expire on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2023.
Furthermore, the HRTF is anticipating three scheduled vacancies will also expire on December 31, 2021. These vacancies are currently filled by three members who are in good standing with the HRTF and seeking reappointment for an additional term.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve the appointment of Jonathan Smith for his first term as a member of the Human Relations Task Force through December 31, 2023, the end of term for the current vacancy; and/or
B) Approve the appointment of Elaine Keeley for her initial term as a member of the Human Relations Task Force through December 31, 2021, the end of term for the current vacancy and approve an extension of her term through December 31, 2025; and/or
C) Approve the reappointment of Antonio Benitez as a member of the Human Relations Task Force through December 31, 2025; and/or
D) Approve the reappointment of Hemesh Patel as a member of the Human Relations Task Force through December 31, 2025; and/or
E) Approve the reappointment of Chris Hoff as a member of the Human Relations Task Force through December 31, 2025.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended appointments and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Human Relations Task Force (HRTF) was formed in April 1997 with a mission to “promote and celebrate diversity in our community through education and understanding.” Currently, there are two available vacancies on the Task Force, due to unscheduled term resignations.
The City advertised recruitment through the following means: announcement of the vacancies on the City's website, postings at City Hall and Central Library, and announcements during multiple HRTF meetings. The City received eight (8) new applications and also had nine (9) additional applications that were previously considered during the last appointment process and are still active.
City Council Liaisons Natalie Moser and Rhonda Bolton, along with HRTF Chair V.C. Rhone and Vice Chair Antonio Benitez reviewed a total of 17 applications and conducted an interview of the five highest ranked applicants on September 16, 2021. After careful deliberation, the Council Liaisons, with input from the Chair and Vice Chair, recommended the appointment of Jonathan Smith and Elaine Keeley to fill the unscheduled vacancies, which expire on December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2021, respectively. It is also recommended that Keeley’s appointment be extended to December 31, 2025.
A brief description of each candidate is included below. Furthermore, their complete applications are attached.
• Jonathan Smith: Mr. Smith has been a resident of Huntington Beach for 5 years. Mr. Smith is a father and teacher with 16 years of experience teaching 9-12 grade students. He also acts as a teacher advisor to numerous youth-led organizations. Through the HRTF, he wishes to further his passion of building bridges among communities and youth from diverse backgrounds.
• Elaine Keeley: Dr. Keeley is an educator, civic leader, and resident of Huntington Beach for 57 years. Dr. Keeley has served many school districts at various capacities including teacher, principal, school administrator, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She previously served the HB Allied Arts Board among other civic organizations. By joining the HRTF, she wishes to further her passion of engaging citizens in honest dialogue about the strength of a diverse community where all citizens have a voice.
Lastly, three current HRTF members - Antonio Benitez, Chris Hoff, and Hemesh Patel - are serving their initial terms, which are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2021. All three members remain in good standing and have served on multiple ad hoc committees to execute HRTF programs and objectives. These members wish to continue serving and are requesting reappointment for another term through December 31, 2025.
It should be noted that all three members will have served less than two years when their initial terms expire at the end of this year. Benitez and Patel were appointed to unscheduled vacancies in January 2020, and Hoff in March 2021. Per HBMC 2.100.060 (Service Limitation), any term less than 2 years does not qualify as a full term. As such, all three members would be eligible to serve two full consecutive terms, following their initial term.
This is the same case for Keeley that she would be filling an unscheduled vacancy that expires on December 31, 2021 serving only three months; therefore, the recommendation is also to approve her appointment to the subsequent term that expires on December 31, 2025.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. HRTF Membership Roster
2. Application for Appointment - Jonathan Smith
3. Application for Appointment - Elaine Keeley
4. Reappointment Request Letter - Antonia Benitez
5. Reappointment Request Letter - Hemesh Patel
6. Reappointment Request Letter - Chris Hoff