Publication Date: Wednesday Feb 3, 1999

Board of Contributors: Putting a human face on city government

"Hey, I saw you on TV last night. What was that meeting about, anyway?"

It's amazing how may people have said that to me in the past four years. Actually, I'm not sure what surprises me more: how many people stop while channel surfing to see what's on local cable, or how many don't know anything about what I think is one of our city's most important civic bodies. So I'm here to let you in on one of Palo Alto's best-kept secrets: the Human Relations Commission.

The HRC is made up of seven volunteers appointed by the City Council to advise on a wide range of human service and human relations issues. From homelessness to diversity, from affordable housing to youth, the HRC is concerned with some of our most pressing community needs. We meet the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Council conference room at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public and also broadcast live on Cable Co-op Channel 16.

So why does this matter to you? First, because we are there to hear your concerns. We're charged with representing various segments of Palo Alto's diverse community, including children, youth, seniors, people with disabilities and those who are at risk because of poverty or other circumstances. If you feel the city isn't meeting your human service needs or have concerns about a social issue facing our community, we can investigate and respond.

Among others, we've heard from people who've been forced to leave Palo Alto because of escalating rents, those with disabilities who face the challenge of negotiating city sidewalks and parents who can't find affordable child care.

The HRC's work also matters because the issues we address go to the heart of the kind of community we want to be. What kind of social safety net should we provide? What should the city's community service priorities be? How should those who are homeless or otherwise at risk be treated? What kind of services should we have for youth and seniors? The HRC plays an integral role in helping the City Council identify and respond to these and other questions. Some have called us the "conscience of the community," and we take this role very seriously.

So how does the HRC make a difference? One of the things I've found as a commissioner is that we have to focus on creating small victories. Many of the issues coming before us represent widespread social problems. Clearly we're not going to end homelessness, create enough affordable housing for all or overcome society's racial barriers. But we can and do put issues on the table, get the city to look at its policies, and propose solutions that address at least a small part of the problem. For example:

Escalating rents: The HRC brought this issue to the City Council's attention and helped recommend and implement a strategy to deal with the problem. Last year, we sponsored a workshop for landlords about Palo Alto's lease ordinance. Another workshop on survival skills for tenants is scheduled for Feb. 13.

Homelessness: Through a report by our Homelessness Task Force, we made recommendations on how the city could meet the needs of our homeless population, and we are participating in the Community Working Group on Homelessness' efforts to create an opportunity center.

Equal access to programs: With the help of our Disability Awareness Task Force, we proposed a fee reduction for disabled and low-income residents that is currently in effect for many Department of Community Service programs.

We believe each of these efforts is a small step in making Palo Alto a better place to live for everyone. But while we've had some successes, there is much more we can do. We hope the City Council, city staff and community residents will make even better use of the HRC in the days ahead.

As advocates, for example, we can raise issues both within and outside of the city structure. We are the only commission permitted to lobby state and county agencies and governmental bodies on any issue the council hasn't taken a position on. We can also lobby the City Council on behalf of our constituents. As watchdogs, we can give the council and staff a perspective they may not consider otherwise. Our involvement before policies are created can make them stronger and reduce unintended consequences. And as problem solvers, we can work with the city to address some vexing issues it faces and fill gaps in services and policy.

So please join me and my fellow commissioners--Eve Agiewich, Roy Blitzer, Litsie Indergand, Adele Khabbaz, Catherine O'Brien and Andrew Pierce--as we fight in our small way to help Palo Alto live up to its reputation as a caring and compassionate community that can make things happen. Come to our meetings or follow us on television. Bring us your concerns. Help us make a difference. Soon, the work of the HRC will no longer be such a secret.

Wynn Hausser, chairman of the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission, is a member of the Weekly's Board of Contributors.



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