Commission Meeting Minutes August 28 2018

Commissioners in Attendance:

First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-at-Large)
Second District: J. Kevin Jones (Chair), Faith Ross
Third District: Alana Bjorkquist
Fourth District: Carmen Cervantes
Fifth District: Marti Estrin, Christopher Kerosky, Ramon Meraz

Commissioners Absent:
First District: Dmitra Smith (Vice Chair)  
Third District: Akash Kalia  

1. Call to Order – Mission Statement – Introductions
   The meeting was called to order by Chair Jones at 6:38pm.
2. Approval of the August 28, 2018 Agenda
   The Agenda as presented was approved without amendment.  
   

   
   MOTION:          Commissioner Sapper
   SECOND:          Commissioner Estrin

   IN FAVOR:        Commissioners Sapper, Ross, Bjorkquist, Cervantes, Estrin, Meraz
   ABSTENTION:   Chair Jones
   NOT VOTING:   Commissioner Kerosky (late arrival)
   

3. Approval of the July 24, 2018 Draft Minutes
   The draft minutes for the July 24 meeting were approved without amendment.
   
   MOTION:         Commissioner Meraz
   SECOND:         Commissioner Sapper
   
   IN FAVOR:       Commissioners Sapper, Ross, Bjorkquist, Cervantes, Estrin, Meraz
   ABSTENTION:  Chair Jones
   NOT VOTING:  Commissioner Kerosky (late arrival)
4. Openings & Appointments
   Chair Jones reported existing openings on the Commission in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (2) districts, encouraging any interested parties to contact their Supervisor’s office to submit their names for consideration.
5. Public Comment on Non-Agendized Items
   No members of the public offered comment on non-agendized items.
6. Regular Calendar – Jones
   1. Update on Response to Encampments and Support for Shelterless
      Chair Jones reported on a visit that he and Vice Chair Smith made to Family Services Center (meeting with Robert Daley, Program Manager, Shelter Operations). The visit was prompted by reports of unsanitary conditions at the shelter. At the time of the visit, we saw regular cleaning in process and two restrooms (which had not been marked closed for use and possible the source of some photos we received) in the process of being renovated. We learned that residents are responsible for the cleanliness of their spaces. Mr Daley was very forthcoming in response to our questions, which spanned a wide range of topics, including the impact of Housing First low barriers/no harm requirements. At the time of our visit and tour, the issues raised appeared well addressed.
      
      It was noted by a member of the public that federally funded shelters are required to display accreditation on premises, containing numbers to call to register complaints.
      
      Chair Jones also shared that through the efforts of Vice Chair Smith and support of Council Member Julie Combs, a meeting is being planned with Santa Rosa to hear from Sharon Lee of Low Income Housing Institute on programs being implemented in Seattle, to outline the successes, challenges, and to discuss concerns of local officials on the topic of tiny house villages as one tool for providing shelter. 
      
      Discussion moved to consideration of the draft resolution with significant and productive input from members of the public. Kathleen Finnegan (Homeless Action) and others provided an update on the experience at Apollo Way/Northpoint where a number of RVs were camped, upwards of 50 being unregistered. Efforts have been underway to get vehicles registered, but not always simple. Noted that St Vincent dePaul had allocated funds to help. Concerns included loss of shelter if the vehicles were towed for lack of registration - and the costs associated with getting them back. Activists were asking for a reprieve to allow for registration process to happen without surrendering shelter. Reported that people at Apollo Way living in tents were told to leave at sunset. Noted that there was clear mechanism for those without shelter to register complaints, nor any clearinghouse to track them.
      
      Focus moved to consideration of the draft resolution. Discussion centered around improving language, especially in noting the difference between shelter and housing, and description of services (support vs case management), to ensure that the scope of what was being described as intended, and that the community for whom shelter is at issue is being described respectfully and sensitively.
      
      The attached resolution was approved in its final form.
      
      MOTION: Commissioner Meraz
      SECOND: Commissioner Sapper
      
      IN FAVOR: Commissioners Sapper, Ross, Cervantes, Estrin, Meraz, Kerosky
      ABSTENTION: Chair Jones, Commissioner Bjorkquist
   2. Update on District 5 Meeting (September 27)
      Date confirmed, with participation of IOLERO, Sheriff’s office, Supervisor Hopkins 5th District Commissioners to meet to confirm recommended scope of meeting and agenda.
      
      [EDIT: The venue subsequently changed to the Guerneville Vet’s Building as the original venue was not ADA accessible.]
   3. Change in Administrative Support of the Commission
      Chair Jones reported that he had been in contact with Supervisors Gore and Rabbitt and was awaiting information as to when the support for the Commissions would be considered for review on the BOS agenda. He expressed hope that the Commissions could be aligned with a different department within the County structure that would have more capacity to provide or supervise support.
   4. Administrative Report
      Chair Jones noted that, along with the CSW, the Commission shares a larger storage space. He can provide information for access as needed.
      
      
7. Ad Hoc, Liaison, Project Updates
   1. Ad Hoc Committees 
      People with Disabilities – Commissioner Sapper reported that our speaker from July, Susan Verde, continued to work with the City of Cloverdale, who had offered to make some initial accommodations (oiling part of the road; funding special tires for her chair).
      
      Commissioner Sapper also noted that the Sonoma Development Center is in a “warm close” status and that the County is likely to bid on the property in what seems to be a protracted State managed process.
      
      
   2. Liaisons & Projects
      • Homelessness liaisons – Bjorkquist, Kalia
      • Independent Office of Law Enforcement & Outreach liaisons – Cervantes, Meraz
      • Junior Commissioner Project – Smith
      • Legislative Affairs liaison – OPEN 
      • Sonoma County Racial Justice liaison – Smith
        
        
8. Adjournment
   

   Meeting adjourned
   Respectfully submitted by,
   
   Kevin Jones