Human Relations Commission - February 18, 2025

Commission postpones workplan vote for revisions

The Palo Alto Human Relations Commission held off on approving its 2024/25 workplan, directing Chair Mary Kate Stimmler and city staff to reconcile the panel’s discussion, circulate a revised draft and return it for possible amendments and a vote at the next meeting. No motion or vote on the workplan occurred.

Commissioners agreed the next draft should retain or add work involving immigrant Know Your Rights outreach, child-care availability, social housing and other housing alternatives, utility-cost effects on low-income residents and LGBTQ+ recognition. A possible late-April youth program on leadership, social justice, listening and constructive dialogue will remain exploratory pending a fuller description. The commission also wanted flexibility to address emerging public-health, extreme-weather and wildfire-safety issues.

Housing drew particular attention. Staff reported 12 to 15 RVs on Terminal Road and another 12 to 15 on Embarcadero Way, while parking restrictions require vehicles to move every 72 hours. Figures discussed by the commission indicated that about 40% of seniors rent and that 64% of seniors with household incomes below $70,000 identified housing as their major concern. The revised draft will keep RV dwellers and homelessness among the commission’s housing, economic-justice and development priorities.

Staff said CDBG funding could face uncertainty from federal actions and might require contingency planning. Staff also reported that the Mayor’s Youth Mental Health Task Force had not met in months and that its future was unclear; Commissioner Don Barr agreed to seek an update.

The commission also called for a clearer, more transparent process for expressing HRC support for community events. In a separate report, an unidentified commissioner described discussions about training related to antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Commissioners discussed possible workplan language concerning collaboration with city diversity, equity and inclusion staff, but the record does not establish formal action on that proposal.

Commission backs annual community iftar 5-0

The Human Relations Commission approved support for the Palo Alto Annual Community Ramadan Iftar Dinner on a 5-0 vote. Commissioner Katie Causey made the motion. The action expressed HRC support; formal City sponsorship or co-sponsorship follows a separate process.

Event representatives described the dinner as an annual, family-friendly gathering where participants share a meal, learn about Ramadan and break fast together at sunset. They said people who had not fasted could participate and urged continued City co-sponsorship, arguing that the event fosters belonging and inclusion for Muslim residents and families.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet