HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/2025 - Meeting MinutesHuman Rights Commission
Salt Lake City, Utah
Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
5:30 p.m.
The Human Rights Commission met in an electronic meeting pursuant to the Salt Lake City
Emergency Proclamation and determination of the Chair. Minutes are provided in conjunction
with the video/audio file.
You may also watch a recording of the meeting on the SLC HRC Meeting YouTube Channel.
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CONDUCTED BY: Michelle Mooney, Impact Manager
Commission Members in Attendance:
Commissioner Lisia Satini, District 1
Commissioner Olivia Jaramillo, District 3
Commissioner Will Terry, District 4
Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn, District 5
Commissioner David Leta, District 6
Commissioner Emily Khan, District 7
Commissioner Everette Bacon, At-Large
Commissioner Pamela Silberman, At-Large
Commission Members Absent: None
Guests from the Public in Attendance: None
Mayor’s Office Staff in Attendance:
Michelle Mooney, Impact Manager
Maria Romero, Executive Assistant
Damian Choi, Chief Impact Officer
Darby Egbert, Special Projects Manager
Roxana Orellana, Policy Advisor for Refugees and New Americans
Erin Mendenhall, Mayor
The meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM.
Agenda Items
1. Welcome
• Roll Call
• District 2 Vacancy – Open for Residents to Apply!
2. Approve and Adopt Minutes
• November 2024 - A motion to approve and adopt the November 2024 meeting minutes
for the Human Rights Commission was made by Commissioner Pamela Silberman. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner David Leta. The vote passed unanimously from
the commissioners present to approve and adopt minutes from the November 2024
meeting.
3. Public Comment (5 minutes)
• Attendees may be provided one or two minutes of time, determined by the number of
attendees and the time available determined by the Commission. Please observe the
time limit stated at the beginning of the public comment period so everyone may have
a chance to speak.
• Per the public meeting guidelines, keep comments free of discriminatory language
referring to a person or group based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race,
color, descent, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or other gender identity
factor. Items or comments that disrupt the meeting, intimidate other participants or
that may cause safety concerns are not allowed.
No public comment held as no guests were in attendance.
4. Public Safety Plan Discussion (~ 20 minutes)
• Mayor Mendenhall will address the Commission and solicit feedback on this plan.
The Salt Lake City public safety plan was requested by Utah Governor Spencer Cox,
Senate President J. Stuart Adams, and House Speaker Mike Schultz.
• Mayor Erin Mendenhall asked Commissioners the following question “What specific
actions or strategies do you believe Salt Lake City should be taking on to address
public safety and homelessness issues in public spaces like parks and sidewalks?”
o Commissioner Chair David Leta commented that Salt Lake City has many
public safety concerns in public spaces specifically people occupying public
spaces as residential spaces. Commissioner commented solutions should be
focused on housing and shelter, and treatment, and funding the state. The
Commissioner added the need to illustrate the need for an adequate justice
system.
o Commissioner Pamela Silberman commented, homelessness should not be
criminalized. Commissioner acknowledges there is a need for more shelter
space, there is also a need for day services for socialization and programming
to promote community and safety and integrating this in our city.
o Commissioner Lisia Satini provided feedback on illegal activity occurring in
the City, and the need for enforcement.
§ Commissioner Pamela Silberman added that it is important to
separate the data from unsheltered people who are committing crimes
and those who are not. Commissioner Pamela Silberman also
mentioned it is important to map that homelessness is a state-wide
issue.
o Commissioner Jennifer Mayer Glenn commented for the need to humanize
homelessness, creating spaces to bring lawmakers to speak with people who
are experiencing homelessness.
o Commissioner Everette Bacon commented that it is important for the
document to highlight data for the affordable housing disparity.
§ Commissioner Lisia Satini requested data from the Living Room
conversation hosted by the Westside Coalition and the Human Rights
Commission Constructive Conversations around Homelessness last
year should be included in this strategic plan. Mayor Erin Mendenhall
requested this data be shared with Andrew Johnston, Director of
Homeless Policy and Outreach
• Mayor Erin Mendenhall asked, “What resources are needed to affectively address
public safety and homelessness issues in Salt Lake City?”
o Commissioner Everette Bacon commented Salt Lake City needs funding for
more officers, as well as training, and officers who are trained to respond to
issues the homeless community faces with empathy. Commissioner David
Leta commented Salt Lake City needs more social workers, as well as
supportive housing. Commissioner Pamela Silberman added that the city
needs resources on education for residents for reporting mental health
episodes, drug use, and other non-violent activity.
o Commissioner David Leta commented the Courts should sentence
individuals with a choice of jail time or receiving resources. Commissioner
Jennifer Mayer-Glenn commented on the need for additional community
policing, and more positive police interactions by community outreach.
• Mayor Erin Mendenhall asked, “Are there solutions or actions you believe can be
taken to improve services for people who are experiencing homelessness?”
o Commissioner Jennifer Mayer Glenn and Commissioner Everette Bacon
commented general resources; the report can include positive data from the
new tiny home development. Commissioner David Leta added the need of
county, and city collaboration to bring together available resources.
o Commissioner Everette Bacon included a proposal to expand free UTA
transportation to people.
o Commissioner David Leta proposed Utah Gov commission a study on the
origins of homelessness, Commissioner Pamela Silberman and
Commissioner Olivia Jaramillo added the information can be analyzed.
5. Historical Markers Presentation (~ 20 minutes)
• Darby Egbert, Special Projects Manager for the Access and Belonging Team will
provide a presentation on the historical markers program.
o She provided a brief overview of program, of the program website, the
Historical Marker pilot program application, and the scoring rubric HRC
members will use for submissions.
6. Other Items (~30 minutes)
• Review ADC End of Year Report
o Commissioner Everette Bacon will present an overview of the 2024 year-end
report for the Accessibility and Disability Commission. The ADC 2024 end of
year report priorities were shared with the commission
• Post-Event Feedback on Human Rights Day Celebration –
o Item not held due to time
• Overview of 2025 Priorities and Upcoming Community Forums
o Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn will commit to an education-focused
community forum in the Fall. Commissioner Pamela Silberman will plan on an
immigration forum part two in the Spring.
• Elect 2025-2026 Commission Chair and Vice Chair
o Nominations were made for Commissioner David Leta to remain as Chair and
Commissioner Will Terry to remain as Vice Chair. The nominations were
moved and seconded to vote upon. The motion was approved unanimously by
the Commissioners in attendance.
7. Discussion/Dialogue about Human Rights Around the World (5-10 minutes)
• During this portion of the meeting, Commissioners may raise topics and discuss
current events that may impact or influence the Commission’s overall work,
discussions, and deliberations to provide recommendations to the Mayor and City
Council. No action will be taken during this section of the meeting. Matters
discussed during this section of the meeting may be scheduled on a subsequent
agenda for follow-up.
Item not held due to time.
8. Review Human Rights Commission Meetings for 2025:
• Tuesday, January 07, 2025
• Tuesday, March 04, 2025
• Tuesday, May 06, 2025
• Tuesday, July 01, 2025
• Tuesday, September 02, 2025
• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Final Regular Meeting of 2025
• Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – Human Rights Day
o https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day
MICHELLE MOONEY
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 January 7, 2025.
Commissioner ____________ made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner _________ has seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:21 PM.
Approved through consensus: March 4, 2025