Minutes June 14 2018

Commissioners Present:
First District: Jan Blalock (Chair), Joanne M. Brown
Second District: Trisha Almond (Officer-at-Large), Karen Langdon
Third District: Victoria Fleming, Jennifer Whyte
Fifth District: Lorena Barrera, Ariana Diaz De Leon (Vice Chair), Jessica Wood

Commissioners Absent:
Second District: Barbara Badham*
Third District: Jennielynn Holmes

Staff Present:
Tracy Cunha, Deputy Clerk
*Commissioner Badham is on Leave of Absence

Call to Order – Introductions – Mission Statement – Blalock
Meeting called to order at 6.00PM by Chair Blalock.
Approval of the June 14, 2018 Agenda – Blalock
Due to the requirements of the Brown Act, only changing the order of, or deletion of items may be allowed. New items may not be added.

Motion to add an emergency item to the agenda to approve a resolution or letter addressed to the current White House administration demanding they discontinue the practice of separating families at the Mexican-US border.

Motion:
Commissioner Brown          Ayes: Noes:
Second:
Commissioner Fleming    Absent:                Abstained:

Commissioners Brown and Fleming stated the Brown Act allowed for emergency items in extreme cases of emergency, which they both considered this to be. Staff referred to a prior decision on this subject made by Human Resources and County Counsel in determining the definition of an emergency situation and advised that this situation, while deplorable, did not warrant emergency action being taken by the Commission. Staff further advised with such a potentially controversial subject, the Commission would best err on the side of caution and ensure that the public was notified in advance of having the necessary discussion this subject would require.

Commissioners Brown and Fleming continued to state that the Brown Act allowed for this action. Commissioner Barrera objected to the motion, stating that this item should have been brought to the attention of the legislative affairs ad hoc. Chair Blalock agreed that this should have been brought to the attention of the Officers prior to the meeting and urged the Commissioners to move on. Commissioner Brown withdrew her motion.

No vote was taken.

Staff advised the Commission that they could call for an emergency meeting to specifically address this issue if they felt that was needed.

Motion to call for an emergency meeting for the purpose of approving a resolution or letter addressed to the current White House administration demanding they discontinue the practice of separating families at the Mexican-US border.

Motion:
Commissioner Brown          Ayes: 5       Noes: 3
Second:
Commissioner Padilla     Absent: 2       Abstained: 1

Commissioners Barrera, Diaz De Leon, and Whyte opposed. Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair.

The motion passed, although a straw poll indicated they would not have a quorum for such a meeting if it fell within the next two weeks.

Motion to approve the June 14, 2018 agenda as written

Motion:
Commissioner Almond               Ayes:    9      Noes:       0
Second:
Commissioner Diaz De Leon     Absent: 2      Abstained: 1

Commissioners Barrera, Diaz De Leon, and Whyte opposed. Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair.

The motion passed.
Approval of the April 12, 2018 Draft Minutes – Blalock
(pgs. 4 through 9)

Motion to approve the April 12, 2018 Draft Minutes

Motion:
Commissioner Whyte Ayes: 8 Noes: 0
Second:
Commissioner Almond Absent: 2 Abstained: 2

Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Padilla abstained due to absence. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair.

The motion passed.
Public Comment on Agendized Items – Blalock
No members of the public addressed the Commission.
Commissioner Announcements/Communications with Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All – 7 Minutes
1. Commissioner Brown reported out on Sheriff’s Candidate Forum with the Community Advisory Council (CAC) and the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO).
2. The Chair announced that Commissioners did not participate in the Women’s Leadership Summit, therefore funds from the Empowering Women ad hoc were not used.
3. Commissioners Barrera, Almond, and Langdon provided a follow up on the Mental Health Ad Hoc Event, Not Alone.
Openings and Appointments – Blalock
Chair reported that with Commissioner Castro’s resignation, there is now one opening in the 1st District and two in the 4th District.
Public Comment On Non-Agendized Items – Blalock
No members of the public addressed the Commission.
Regular Calendar Items
1. Year-End Ad Hoc Committee Presentations – Blalock
  - Existing ad hocs presented their accomplishments and indicated they will be seeking a renewal by submitting a 2018-19 Work Plan.
    - Affordable Child Care (pg. 10)
    - Empowering Women (pg. 11)
    - Intimate Partner Violence (pg. 12)
    - Mental Health (pgs. 13-15)
  - Summary of the 2017-18 Junior Commissioner Project term
  - Outline FY 2018-19 timeline
    - Commissioner Diaz De Leon discussed the timelines of action related to the next three meetings – July to focus on planning a Women’s History Month or Women’s Suffrage event, and August for potential new ad hoc committees to present proposed work plans. Strategic planning to be scheduled for September.
  No action was taken.
2. Women’s History Month Suffrage Project – Blalock
  Chair Blalock announced there have been some changes to the plans that had been in place. There is now a 2020 celebration involving Commissions in all California counties that will illustrate the history of suffrage in each county. Blalock announced June 20 was the next scheduled conference call and that those interested should take part. Question is, does the Commission want to be a part of that, or create own celebration for the 40th anniversary of the march in Sonoma County.
  
  No action was taken.
3. Changes in Commission Staff Support – Blalock, Staff
  The Chair and Staff announced that the County’s approved FY 2018-19 budget eliminated the Commission staffing position of Commission Coordinator. Staff read a statement from Human Resources Director, Christina Cramer explaining the decision of the Board of Supervisors and what the immediate plans were being put in place to help mitigate the loss of staff support.
  
  Staff announced she had been offered and accepted a full-time position working as a Board Aide to Supervisor Shirlee Zane.
  
  No action was taken.
4. Nominations and Elections for FY 2018-2019 Officers – Blalock
  The Chair read the duties and qualifications of Chair from the Commission bylaws and opened nominations for the FY 2018-2019 term that begins July 1, 2018.
  - Commissioner Brown nominated Commissioner Almond for Chair
    - Almond accepted
  - Commissioner Almond nominated Commissioner Barrera for Vice Chair
    - Barrera accepted
  - Commissioner Brown nominated Commissioner Whyte for Officer-at-Large
    - Whyte accepted
  - Commissioner Brown nominated Commissioner Langdon for Officer-at-Large
    - Langdon declined
  - Commissioner Brown nominated Commissioner Wood for Officer-at-Large
    - Wood declined
  Commissioner Fleming asked if Commissioner Blalock would serve as Chair Emeritus, as an advisor during this transition period. Blalock agreed. Commissioner Almond stated they would move forward at the moment with only one Officer-at-Large.
  
  Chair Blalock announced the slate of Almond for Chair, Barrera for Vice Chair, and Whyte for Officer-at-Large, and called for a vote.
  
  The slate passed unanimously with no abstentions. Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent.
5. National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW) – Blalock
  - Commissioners discussed frustration with the changing dates of the 48th NACW Annual Conference and the Association of California Commissions for Women (ACCW) meeting which made it challenging to commit or allow for scholarships. Commissioner Langdon expressed concern that the changes could cause a potential rift between two organizations. Blalock to continue trying to seek clarification from outgoing ACCW president.
  - Commissioner Whyte provided feedback on the June 7, 2018 Webinar on Advancing Gender Justice through Increased Employment, Earnings, and Economic Security. Whyte indicated the report has valuable information that would benefit each current ad hoc committee and will forward the link to the full Commission.
  No action was taken.
6. Women’s Equality Day Resolution – Blalock, Brown
  - 08-14-18 HR-CSW Women’s Equality Day Resolution (pgs. 16-19 of agenda packet)
    
    Motion to request a Gold Resolution from the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors proclaiming August 26, 2018 Women’s Equality Day
    
    Motion:
    Commissioner Brown          Ayes: 9    Noes: 0
    Second:
    Commissioner Almond       Absent: 2 Abstained: 1
    
    Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair. Individual ad hoc committees to update relevant portions of the Board Item Summary document.
    
    The motion passed.
    
    Motion to request a city and town councils to officially recognize August 26, 2018 Women’s Equality Day
    
    Motion:
    Commissioner Brown          Ayes:    9    Noes: 0
    Second:
    Commissioner Almond        Absent: 2    Abstained: 1
    
    Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair. Individual Commissioners to reach out to the governing bodies in each of their respective Districts.
    
    The motion passed.
7. Tabling Dates at Regional Markets – Almond, Staff
  Commissioners confirmed dates of participation at regional markets, as well as at the Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market.
  - Commissioner Brown to continue tabling in Sonoma on Friday mornings; no fee required; will begin mid-July
  - Commissioners Barrera and Diaz De Leon to table at the Santa Rosa Vet’s Hall on either August 4 or August 11, 2018
  - Commissioners Almond and Barrera to table at the Wednesday night market in Petaluma on June 27, July 18, and August 15, 2018
8. Administrative Report – Staff
  - Review year-end budget
    
    Motion to approve moving $22.99 from General Expenses to balance the allocations to the Junior Commissioner Project and the ACCW March conference
    
    Motion:
    Commissioner Barrera Ayes: 9 Noes: 0
    Second:
    Commissioner Diaz De Leon Absent: 2 Abstained: 1
    
    Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair.
    
    The motion passed.
    
    Motion to approve moving all remaining funds into the marketing allocation to be used by Officers for promotional materials
    - Commissioner Wood rescinded the motion
    Motion to provide up to $1500 for registration and travel expenses related to the NACW/ACCW conference – to be divided up equally between number of Commissioners attending – and providing the Outreach allocation with $1500 to be spent on promotional items deemed appropriate by the Officers
    
    Motion:
    Commissioner Barrera Ayes: 9 Noes: 0
    Second:
    Commissioner Wood Absent: 2 Abstained: 1
    
    Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair.
    
    The motion passed.
    
    Discussion ensued on types of promotional items.
    - Bumper stickers with slogans previously submitted
    - Sandwich signs for events
    - Table cloths with log
    Motion to extend time five minutes
    
    Motion:
    Commissioner Wood Ayes: 9 Noes: 0
    Second:
    Commissioner Almond Absent: 2 Abstained: 1
    
    Commissioners Badham (leave of absence) and Holmes were absent. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair.
    
    The motion passed.
  - Storage Unit – Staff reported on the need to move up to a larger unit, and reported the Commission on Human Rights is in agreement and will participate in a scheduled move in July.
Community Issues, Liaisons, and Coordinators
Program development updates not included above.
- Field Trip – Update from Commissioners managing specific field trips
- Human Trafficking Task Force – Blalock
- Speaker Coordinator – All
- Volunteer Coordinator – Vacant
Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting
1. Barrera – if an emergency meeting is not scheduled, the legislative ad hoc will create a resolution on the separation of families at the border.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned by the Chair at 8.30PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Cunha, Deputy Clerk