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Human Resources Department

Commission on Human Rights

Commission on Human Rights Meeting

Date: October 22, 2018

Time: 5:30 - 11:59 p.m.

Address:
Sebastopol Library
7140 Bodega Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472

Registration Required: No

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Agenda

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

  1. Call to Order – Mission Statement – Introductions – Jones
  2. Approval of the October 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.
  3. Approval of the September 27, 2018 Draft Minutes – Jones
  4. Openings & Appointments – Jones
    • Openings in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (2)
  5. Report By The Junior Commission (5:40 PM) - 15 Minutes
    • Junior Commission Officers: Lucia Garay, Chair; Rima Makaryan, Vice Chair; Cameron Heid, Officer-at-Large
  6. Public Comment on Non-Agendized Items – Jones – 15 Minutes
    • Members of the public are invited to comment on items not on the agenda. Due to Brown Act restrictions, Commissioners will be able to ask clarifying questions but will not be able to take specific action until a future date, if and when the topic is added to a regular agenda.
  7. Regular Calendar – Jones – 75 Minutes
    1. FOCUS ON IMMIGRATION (Immigrant Rights Ad Hoc) (60 minutes)
      • Immigration Attorney Liliana Gallelli will provide an update on asylum applicants at the border and child /parent separation, and the refugee population in Sonoma County.
      • Non-profit immigration group VIDAS and it's attorney / director Rick Coshnear will provide an update on deportation policy as applied in Sonoma County and other immigration law matters.
      • Local non-profit North Bay Organizing Project and the North Bay Rapid Response Network will present on their work on monitoring ICE and providing assistance to undocumented victims of the fire.
      • SSUProf. Daniel Malpica and SSU lecturer, activist and filmmaker Malinali Lopez will be presenting on Immigration and Mental Health and a film they did on this subject.
      • My American Dreams will be showing "The Only Home They've Known", the film made in connection with the Human Rights Commission about Sonoma County DACA recipients for PBS. Jorge Casanova of My American Dreams will introduce the film.
    2. Change in Administrative Support of the Commission – Jones (10 minutes)
      Summary of discussions with HR and various supervisors; strategic planning dates
    3. Administrative Report – Jones (5 minutes)
  8. Ad Hoc, Liaison, Project Updates – All – When Applicable – 15 Minutes
    1. Ad Hoc Committees
      • Immigrants' Rights – Cervantes, Estrin, Kerosky, Meraz
      • LGBTQI – Jones, Meraz
      • Outreach – Estrin, Kalia, Ross, Sapper
      • People with Disabilities – Sapper
    2. Liaisons and Projects
      • Homelessness liaisons – Bjorkquist, Kalia
        • Nov 3rd Forum on Innovative Housing Solutions (Jones, Press Release)
        • Homes for All Forum (Jones)
      • Independent Office of Law Enforcement & Outreach liaisons – Cervantes, Meraz
      • Junior Commissioner Project – Smith
      • Legislative Affairs liaison – OPEN
      • Sonoma County Racial Justice liaison – Smith
  9. Commissioner Announcements/Communications with Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All – 5 Minutes
  10. Additional Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting – Jones
  11. Adjournment
    Meeting adjourned.

Agendas and Materials

Agendas and Materials: Agendas and most supporting materials are available on the Commission’s website.

Due to legal, copyright, privacy or policy considerations, not all materials are posted online. Materials that are not posted are available for public inspection between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 575 Administration Drive, Suite 116B, Santa Rosa, CA.

Disabled Accommodation

If you have a disability which requires an accommodation, an alternative format, or requires another person to assist you while attending this meeting please contact:

Commission Office, (707) 565-2693 or email: socochr@sonoma-county.org

Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure arrangements for accommodation.

Commitment to Civil Engagement

All are encouraged to engage in respectful dialog that supports freedom of speech and values diversity of opinion. Commissioners, Staff, and the public are encouraged to:

  • Create an atmosphere of respect and civility where Commissioners, County Staff, and the Public are free to express their ideas within the time and content parameters established by the Brown Act and CHR’s standard Parliamentary procedures (Robert’s Rules of Order);
  • Establish and maintain a cordial and respectful atmosphere during discussions;
  • Foster meaningful dialogue free of attacks of a personal nature and/or attacks based on age, (dis)ability, class, education level, gender, gender identity, occupation, race and/or ethnicity, sexual orientation;
  • Listen with an open mind to all information, including dissenting points of view, regarding issues presented to the Commission;
  • Recognize it is sometimes difficult to speak at meetings, and out of respect for each person's perspective, allow speakers to have their say without comment or body gestures, including booing, whistling or clapping;

Public Comment at Commission Meetings

Members of the public are free to address the Commission. Public comments:

  • On items not on the agenda are heard following the consent items at the beginning of the meeting.
  • Should fall under the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission (as noted in the founding documents).
  • Are limited to 3 minutes per topic; time limitations are at the discretion of the Chair. If several individuals wish to address one topic, the time will be divided between/among speakers

Commission members may not deliberate or take action on items not on the agenda, and generally may only listen.