9/14/2021 - Meeting Minutes
SALT LAKE CITY HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Online WEBEX REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
Tuesday, September 14th, 2021
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
The Human Rights Commission met in an electronic meeting pursuant to the Commission’s
determination that conducting the meeting at a physical location presents a substantial risk to the
health and safety of those who may be present at the anchor location. The Commission Meeting
will not have a physical location and all attendees will connect remotely.
Members of the public were provided a WebEx link and could comment by joining through
WebEx.
The meeting was called to order.
The meeting was conducted by: Moana Uluave-Hafoka, Equity Manager
Members of the Human Rights Commission in Attendance:
Commissioner Jason Wessel, District 1
Commissioner Ivis Garcia, District 4
Commissioner Shannon Kelly, District 6
Commissioner Luna Banuri, At-Large
Mayor’s Office Staff in Attendance:
Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach
Moana Uluave-Hafoka, Equity Manager
Agenda Items
1. Welcome
• Acknowledge Public in Attendance
• Public Comment
• Roll Call
• Approve August Minutes
Moana welcomed all commissioners to the meeting and was supposed to approve August
minutes but there was not a quorum to vote.
2. Homeless Policy and Outreach Presentation – Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless
Policy and Outreach
After attending City Council Meeting, Andrew joined the HRC meeting to discuss
homelessness in Salt Lake City. He stated that the state is now more involved in the process.
He also highlighted how housing is the largest factor in stability and instability. 24 million
dollars needed to pay for permanent supportive housing. Right now, hotels per room are
cheaper than housing right at this moment and being used to house people. The Tiny home
Village or the Otherside village is in planning stages, it is modeled after places like Austin,
Texas which have done similar housing. It has been successful there because it is low cost,
community building and allows people to bring in chosen family to their tiny home.
Commissioner Wessel asked, “Are there resources for mental health? Ongoing funding for
substance abuse and mental health?” Andrew answered that Medicaid is still being argued on
state level. However, the Women’s HRC does have licensed therapists but still a larger need for
wrap around services.
Commissioner Garcia asked, “Has recent evictions raised the number of folks in shelter?”
Andrew answered, Family shelter gets hit but wave has yet to hit the rest of the shelter system;
subsidized housing folks were in shelter; housing loss with older homes being bought up and
flipped.
Commissioner Kelly asked about how young folks are being housed? And how microunits could
be used? Andrew was called back into City Council Meeting, and we committed him to return to
the October meeting.
3. HRC Vacancies Review Process – Moana Uluave-Hafoka, Equity Manager
Moana stated that Nahum, her Equity Intern, is creating a flyer and doing social media outreach
to fill the vacancies. Moana will also be reaching out to community members to apply.
4. Chair & Co-Chair Vote – Moana Uluave-Hafoka
We were unable to hold a vote due to there not being quorum.
Commissioner Banuri stated that she does not support hierarchical, new structure and believes a
flat structure invites for more community and connection.
5. Goals & Priorities Follow-Up – Moana Uluave-Hafoka
Moana stated that she is in talks with Council scheduling staff to set appointment w/CM
Wharton. She also stated that next month the announcement of Gentrification Study contractor
will be made by Angela Price.
6. Sub-Committees Follow-Up – Moana Uluave-Hafoka
• CEDAW
• Homelessness
• Gentrification
No follow-up was discussed. The Commission will await the election of the Chair and Vice Chair.
7. Human Rights Commission Meetings for 2021:
• Tuesday, January 05, 2021
• Tuesday, February 02, 2021
• Tuesday, March 02, 2021
• Tuesday, April 06, 2021
• Tuesday, May 04, 2021
• Tuesday, June 01, 2021
• Tuesday, July 13, 2021
• Tuesday, August 03, 2021
• Retreat, August 28, 2021
• Tuesday, September 14, 2021
• Tuesday, October 05, 2021
• Tuesday, November 02, 2021
• Tuesday, December 07, 2021
• Friday, December 10, 2021
• https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day
Meeting adjourned:
Minutes awaiting approval on Oct 5, 2021 Meeting
MOANA ULUAVE-HAFOKA
SALT LAKE CITY MAYOR’S OFFICE
This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript as additional discussion may have
been held; please refer to the audio or video for entire content pursuant to Utah Code §52-4-
203(2)(b). This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the
Human Rights Commission Regular Meeting on September 14, 2021.