Commission Meeting Minutes May 22 2018

Commissioners Present:

First District: Terrence-Christopher Patterson*, Howard Sapper, Dmitra Smith (Vice Chair)*
Second District: J. Kevin Jones (Chair), Faith Ross
Third District: Akash Kalia (Officer-at-Large)
Fourth District: Carmen Cervantes, Rocio Rodriguez
Fifth District: Christopher Kerosky, Ramon Meraz*

Commissioners Absent:

Third District: Alana Bjorkquist (Officer-at-Large)
Fifth District: Marti Estrin

Staff Present: Sylvia Lemus, Programs Manager (County of Sonoma Human Resources)

* Commissioner Meraz arrived at 5.39PM; Commissioner Smith arrived at 5.42PM; Commissioner Patterson arrived at 5.54PM.

Call to Order – Mission Statement – Introductions – Jones
Meeting called to order at 5.34PM by Chair Kevin Jones. Following the reading of the mission statement, Commissioners went through introductions.
Approval of the May 22, 2018 Agenda – Jones
- Due to Brown Act requirements, only changing the order of, or deletion of items may be allowed. New items may not be added.
Motion to approve the 5-22-18 Agenda

Motion: Commissioner Kerosky Ayes: 7 Noes: 0
Second: Commissioner Sapper Absent: 4 Abstained: 1
Commissioners Bjorkquist, Estrin, Patterson, and Smith were absent. Commissioner Jones abstained as Chair.

The motion passed.
Approval of the April 24, 2018 Draft Minutes – Jones

Motion to approve the 4-24-18 Draft Minutes

Motion: Commissioner Kerosky Ayes: 6 Noes: 0
Second: Commissioner Ross Absent: 4 Abstained: 2

Commissioners Bjorkquist, Estrin, Patterson, and Smith were absent. Commissioner Kalia abstained due to absence. Jones abstained as Chair.
The motion passed.
Openings & Appointments – Jones
- Chair reported that Commissioner Carol McHale had resigned, leaving one opening in each of the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^thDistricts
Public Comment on Non-Agendized Items – Jones
- Scott Wagner
Regular Calendar – Jones
Discussion and possible action to follow on items one through five.
1. Guest Speaker – Kathleen Finigan, Homeless Action – Smith
  Kathleen Finigan of Homeless Action presented the introduction to a potential proposed resolution concerning the alleged human rights violations faced by the Sonoma County homeless community. Main points made during presentation:
  - Joe Rodota Trail residents will be evicted on May 30th and have no place to go. Some can’t or won’t go to shelters.
  - Provided a timeline of history since Margaret Van Vliet, Executive Director of Community Development Commission (CDC) initially issued a December 15, 2017 date for eviction of the Roseland encampment.
  - Adrian Lobby from Homeless Action presented the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Stated homelessness is being prosecuted as a crime.
  - The philosophy of ‘housing first’ is helpful, but there’s no housing available. Homeless Action believes residents are being forced to go to shelter or jail, which are cruel options.
  - Homeless Action supports transitional housing/camp/community option.
  - Concerns on the criminalization of homeless and the resulting loss of belongings.
  - Scott Wagner talked about the Roseland encampment lawsuit, and that proper shelter includes reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Feels that Sonoma County gamed the system by providing housings for the specific plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
  - Activists don’t know where the homeless will go and believe the government is distancing themselves by using the Brown Act to limit interaction or discussion on the topic.
  - Asked the Commission to look at Articles 3, 5, and 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  Motion to extend time by 15 minutes
  Motion: Commissioner Smith             Ayes: 9            Noes: 0
  Second: Commissioner Jones            Absent: 2         Abstained: 1
  Commissioners Bjorkquist and Estrin were absent. Jones abstained as Chair.
  
  The motion passed.
  Kathleen Finnigan stated all the articles that have been violated. Requests that the Commission review the topic.
  A discussion by the Commission followed the presentation. Points included determination of number of children affected, tiny home projects in discussion at the County, comparing successful solutions in communities in other states, accommodations by churches, information shared with members of the Board of Supervisors, Smith and Jones touring the Roseland encampment and looking into best practices.
  Motion to extend time by 15 minutes
  Motion: Commissioner Smith                  Ayes: 9            Noes: 0
  Second: Commissioner Rodriguez           Absent: 2         Abstained: 1
  Commissioners Bjorkquist and Estrin were absent. Jones abstained as Chair.
  
  The motion passed.
  Discussion continues. Frustrations with Santa Rosa City Council. Questions of what procedures have been implemented by Catholic Charities. Jones asked about the future of this issue and how the Commissioners wanted to move forward. No action was taken.
2. Resolution: Sonoma County Safe Schools Haven – Patterson
  Commissioner Patterson presented a proposed resolution in support of the Sonoma County Office of Education Safe Haven Resolution. Chair Jones made an amendment to the last paragraph and requested to see the initial information that was used to create this resolution.
  
  Motion to approve the resolution with the discussed changes to be accompanied by a press release approved by Commission Officers
  Motion: Commissioner Patterson Ayes: 9 Noes: 0
  Second: Commissioner Smith Absent: 2 Abstained: 1
  Commissioners Bjorkquist and Estrin were absent. Jones abstained as Chair.
  
  The motion passed.
3. Nominations for the 2018-2019 Officers – Jones
  The Chair read the duties and qualifications of the Chair, Vice Chair, and Officer-at-Large and opened nominations for the FY2018-2019 term that begins July 1, 2018.
  - Commissioner Jones nominated himself as Chair
  - Commissioner Smith nominated herself as Vice Chair
  - Smith nominated Commissioner Cervantes as Officer-at-Large; Cervantes declined due to other commitments at this time; Smith withdrew nomination.
  - Commissioner Patterson nominated Commissioner Rodriguez for Officer-at-Large; Rodriguez declined due to her imminent departure to enter into a graduate program at Columbia University.
  Jones asked if there was any interest in the Officer-at-Large positions. Commissioner Sapper to consider prior to June meeting.
4. Facebook Policy – Estrin, Kalia, Ross, Sapper
  Outreach ad hoc committee presented the proposed Facebook policy:
  - Requests for items to be posted on Facebook must be submitted to the full Officer’s team for approval.
  - A minimum of two Officer approvals are required for any post. No item can be posted without prior approval. Ideally, this should happen within five hours of submission.
  - Submissions must include accompanying language for context.
  - No item shall be posted that could be perceived as a promotion of the business interests of any Commissioner.
  - Commissioners have the option of taking ownership of the post by publicly including their name.
  - Submissions may not claim a specific Commission position on any issue that has not been approved of by the full body, although posts that are purely informational can be published, and individual Commissioners can take ownership of a position.
  A discussion began on the merits of the policy, the potential need for a system of checks and balances vs. having an honor system not requiring Officer approval.
  Motion to extend time by 5 minutes
  Motion: Commissioner Patterson Ayes: 9 Noes: 0
  Second: Commissioner Sapper Absent: 2 Abstained: 1
  Commissioners Bjorkquist and Estrin were absent. Jones abstained as Chair. The motion passed.
  Discussion continued and addressed issues such as self-promotion, securing services of a volunteer to maintain social media. Commissioner Kerosky suggested accepting the proposed guidelines presented with the caveat that Commissioners would advise Officers and Staff if they suspected an inappropriate post. Commissioners Kalia and Kerosky to work on another draft proposal and asked Commissioners to submit their suggestions. No action was taken.
  Kalia mentioned the t-shirts related to the Safe Sonoma County PSA campaign have been ordered.
5. Operational Adjustments – Jones
  The reiterated the changes that were outlined in the materials he forwarded to the commission from Christina Cramer on the changes to Tracy Cunha’s position. Patterson asked if they should create a commission secretary position. Jones stated they have discussed that possibility, especially since the materials state the budget could be impacted such that there would be very limited to no support to the commission sometime in the future.
6. Administrative Report – Jones – 3 Minutes
  The Chair reported that a generator was purchased and that the commission needs to look into increased storage space.
Ad Hoc, Liaison, Project Updates – All – When Applicable
1. Ad Hoc Committees
  - Immigrants’ Rights – Cervantes, Estrin, Kerosky, Meraz, Rodriguez – Kerosky presenting to Leadership Santa Rosa group with DACA recipients at their 05.31.18 meeting. He’s planning on taking two Junior Commissioners, who have also been working on immigrants’ rights to the presentation.
  - LGBTQI – Jones, Meraz – Jones sent out a Doodle for tabling at PRIDE. Asked commissioners to please help at the PRIDE festival. States this is the first time it’s being held in Santa Rosa after a long period, so expecting large attendance.
  - People with Disabilities – Sapper states that Jen Mendoza (4^thDistrict) helped connect him to Susan Verdes, a disabled resident in Cloverdale. The street she lives on is inaccessible in her wheelchair. The law reads that if a city is ‘broke,’ then they don’t need to be in compliance. Sapper trying to find resources/help for her. City of Cloverdale wants easements on her property. Sapper trying to work with all to get a positive solutions – seeking a public solution. Wants approval to find private solutions to help her. Sapper asked if anyone can join the Disability ad hoc to help with this process. Jones stated he doesn’t need authority to do the research, but he can bring back his recommendations.
2. Liaisons & Projects
  - Homeless liaison – Bjorkquist, Kalia – Kalia states that Regional Parks is shutting down Joe Rodota Trail on 05.30.18.
  - Independent Office of Law Enforcement & Outreach liaison – Cervantes, Meraz – Meraz states there was no meeting last month due to the Sheriff’s Forum that was held in May. IOLERO will be tabling at PRIDE Festival and will be placed next to CHR.
  - Junior Commissioner Project – Smith, Rodriguez – Smith stated interviews are completed for incoming year JCs. There will be 22 junior commissioners, some will be returning from this year. Smith asked if anyone wants to work with JCs, please let her know. They meet the third Thursday of each month. Kerosky indicated interest.
  - Legislative liaison – Patterson – no report
  - Sonoma County Racial Justice liaison – Smith – Smith states that the racism report was ignored locally. She was able to connect with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), who are working on SB 1375, protections for Title 9. They are considering a Federal Ombudsmen for civil rights. She will be having a conference call with Jackie Moseley of CBC.
Commissioner Announcements/Communications with Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All - 3 Minutes
1. Meraz interviewed Senator Kamala Harris about a bill she introduced to Senate about ICE detention facilities. Meraz will send the information to the group and is looking for support from CHR for the bill. Jones asks that resolution and copy of bill be sent out to Commission prior to the next meeting.
2. Sapper talked to the Board of Supervisors about the closing of Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC.) There are 42 patients left at the Center. There’s a meeting at Altamira High School about the transition process. They expect a master plan presented in June on the closing of SDC.
Additional Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting - Jones
1. Cervantes – the additional question on citizenship that will be added to the Census in 2020
2. Smith – follow up discussion and decision on the Rohnert Park Public Safety procedural justice process – support or co-sponsor.
3. Kerosky – resolution on supporting Sanctuary law
Chair Jones reiterated that the deadline for new resolutions and agenda items is by the next Officer’s meeting, generally the third Tuesday of the month.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8.13PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Cunha, Deputy Clerk
On behalf of:
Sylvia Lemus, Programs Manager
County of Sonoma Human Resources Dept.