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Commission on the Status of Women
County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › Human Resources › Boards, Commissions and Committees › Commission on the Status of Women › Commission Meetings › Minutes March 6 2018
Commission on the Status of Women

Minutes March 6 2018

Commissioners Present:
First District: Jan Blalock (Chair), Joanne M. Brown, Carrie Castro
Second District: Trisha Almond (Officer-at-Large), Karen Langdon
Third District: Victoria Fleming, Jennifer Whyte
Fourth District: Leticia Padilla
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
* On Leave of Absence
Meeting held in collaboration with the Petaluma Community Relations Council, with a special presentation to celebrate Women’s History Month. Forum minutes attached to Draft Minutes.

  1. Call to Order – Introductions – Blalock
    The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM. After reading the mission statement, the Chair welcomed members of the public and thanked the Petaluma Community Relations Council for the opportunity to collaborate on a special meeting in the 2nd District to celebrate Women’s History Month. Commissioners then introduced themselves.
  2. Approval of the Agenda March 6, 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.

    3. Motion to approve the March 6, 2018 Agenda
    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: Commissioner Almond
    Ayes: 10
    Noes: 0
    Second: Commissioner Barrera
    Absent: 2
    Abstained: 1
    Commissioner Holmes was absent. Commissioner Badham was on leave of absence. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair. The motion passed.
  3. Approval of the January February 8, 2018 Draft Minutes– Blalock
    Motion to approve the February 8, 2018 Draft Minutes
    Motion: Commissioner Almond
    Ayes: 7
    Noes: 0
    Second: Commissioner Barrera
    Absent: 2
    Abstained: 4
    Commissioner Holmes was absent. Commissioner Badham was on leave of absence. Commissioners Brown, Fleming, and Wood abstained due to absence. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair. The motion passed.
  4. Public Comment on Agendized Items – BLALOCK
    • No members of the public addressed the Commission
  5. Commissioner Announcements/Communications With Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All – 5 Minutes
    1. Commissioner Fleming reported out on addressing County Supervisors at the Economic Development Board forum about the work the Affordable Child Care ad hoc is currently engaged in. Fleming also announced she was seeking a seat on the Santa Rosa City Council in the upcoming elections.
    2. Commissioner Almond reported that she had invited Supervisor Rabbitt to attend the March 23, 2018 reception for the Associations of California Commissions for Women (ACCW).
  6. Openings and Appointments– Blalock
    1. Chair reported there are two openings in the 4th District
  7. Public Comment on Non-Agendized Items – BLALOCK
    • No members of the public addressed the Commission
  8. Regular Calendar Items
    1. Upcoming Officer Elections – Blalock – 7 Minutes The Chair outlined the process and protocol for the 2018-2019 Officer elections that will take place at the June 2018 meeting, including what steps Commissioners should take prior to submitting nominations:
      • Review the bylaws for eligibility requirements as well as duties assigned to each Office
      • Reach out to existing Officers for information prior to nominating self or others
      • Confirm others wish to be nominated prior to submitting nomination
        No action was taken.
    2. Tabling Opportunities – Blalock – 7 Minutes
      Commissioners discussed opportunities for tabling during the 2018 seasonal outdoor markets. Commissioner Brown to table at the Sonoma Market on Tuesdays, where there isn’t a tabling fee. Commissioner Langdon requires training on voter registration. Staff reported that the Commission on Human Rights would like to table with the Commission at the Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market and has offered to cover the cost. Dates to be determined.

      Commissioners to review dates and locations and coordinate with Staff for market registration. No action was taken.
    3. Association of California Commissions for Women (ACCW) – Almond, Blalock, Diaz De Leon, Langdon – 7 Minutes
      Commissioners reported out on the status and format of the March 23 & 24, 2018 event, including listing the guest speakers – Ann Gray Byrd, Gloria Robinson, Sue Smith, former US Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, and Elece Hempel – and special invited guest, Supervisor David Rabbitt. No action was taken.
    4. Legislative Affairs Report – Barrera, Brown, Diaz De Leon, Fleming – 10 Minutes
      Liaisons provided an update on the legislative issues they are monitoring and letters of support or opposition that have been written. Commissioner Brown praised liaisons and Staff for providing detailed background of both bills, as well as the opposing views for US Senate 1693.
      • In support of S. 1015 – National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2017 Motion to approve sending the letter in support of S. 1015
        Motion: Commissioner Barrera
        Ayes: 10
        Noes: 0
        Second: Commissioner Brown
        Absent: 2
        Abstained: 1
        Commissioner Holmes was absent. Commissioner Badham was on leave of absence. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair. The motion passed
      • In support of: US S. 1693 – Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017
        • Congressional Budget Office Summary & Cost Analysis
        • Letter to US Senator Kamala Harris
          Commissioner Fleming requested a discussion. Commissioners Brown, Castro, and Langdon voiced concerns about effectiveness of bill and future legalities surrounding it. Commissioners Blalock and Diaz De Leon spoke in support of the bill and its intended effect on trafficking young girls.

          Motion to approve sending the letter in support of S. 1693
          Motion: Commissioner Diaz De Leon
          Ayes: 7
          Noes: 0
          Second: Commissioner Barrera
          Absent: 2
          Abstained: 4
          Commissioner Holmes was absent. Commissioner Badham was on leave of absence. Commissioners Brown, Castro, and Langdon abstained. Commissioner Blalock abstained as Chair. The motion passed.
    5. Administrative Report – Staff – 5 Minutes
      • Staff reported there would be an $11 per month increase, effective April 1, 2018, for the rented unit at StoragePro. This cost, to be shared with the Commission on Human Rights, will add $16.50 to the FY2017-18 expenses.
      • Staff reported there will be a review of the 2017-18 budget allocations at the April meeting, and asked all Commissioners to submit an estimate of anticipated expenditures by Tuesday, April 3 for review by the Officers prior to discussion at the April 12 meeting. This request will be noted on the Commission calendar.
        No action taken on either item
  9. Ad Hoc Updates – Blalock -10 Minute
    Relevant updates are attached to the agenda packet
    1. Ad hoc committees
      • Affordable Child Care – No update to report
      • Empowering Women – Update attached
      • Intimate Partner Violence – Update attached
      • Mental Health/Suicide – Update attached
    2. Project committees
      • Junior Commissioner Project – Update attached
    No comments or questions on the ad hoc updates. No action was taken.
  10. Community Issues, Liaisons, and Coordinators – 5 Minutes
    Program development updates not included above.
    • Field Trip – Northing to report
    • Human Trafficking Task Force – Blalock reported that the Task Force was putting a team together and participating in the 2018 Sonoma County Human Race fundraising event
    • Speaker Coordinator – Nothing to report
    • Volunteer Coordinator – Vacant
  11. Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting
    Proposal, discussion, and possible action items for next Commission meeting.
    1. Commissioner Brown requested a discussion about the Commission joining the Commission on Human Rights in co-hosting and co-sponsoring a Sheriff’s Candidate Forum being put on by the Community Advisory Council (CAC) of the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review & Outreach (IOLERO) being held in April. Brown indicated she would provide more information to the Officers in the coming days.
    2. Staff requested having a discussion about potential dates for annual strategic planning.
  12. Adjournment
    The regular meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women was adjourned by Chair Blalock at 6.20PM. This was immediately followed by the public forum: Extraordinary Women are Ordinary, in collaboration with the Petaluma Community Relations Council. Minutes of forum attached here, and available through the Commission office

    Meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm.
    Respectfully submitted,
    Tracy Cunha, Deputy Clerk