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Human Resources Department

Commission on Human Rights

Commission on Human Rights Meeting

Date: September 27, 2022

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

Webinar Information:

Participate by computer, table, or smartphone application:

Go to: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/99283822992?pwd=Wi9wZUpzOTBsSDVSaFRQOHB0ZmFTUT09   

Passcode: 308124

Participate by phone:

Dial +1 (669) 900 9128

Webinar ID: 992 8382 2992

Passcode: 308124

Registration Required: No

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First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-at-Large), 2 vacancies      

Second District: Elizabeth Escalante (Vice Chair), Iliana Madrigal, Yensi Jacobo

Third District: Katrina Phillips (Chair), Isabel Lopez, Liz Cruz

Fourth District: 3 vacancies

Fifth District: Lyndsey Burcina, D’Ayona Jerome, Nichole Warwick

Staff: Adriana Call  

This meeting is dedicated in memory of former Commissioner Kathleen Finigan, R.I.P.

Agenda

  1. CALL TO ORDER – MISSION STATEMENT – ROLL CALL – PHILLIPS
  2. APPROVAL OF THE August 23, 2022 MINUTES – PHILLIPS
  3. OPENINGS & APPOINTMENTS – PHILLIPS
    1. Appointments- Commissioner Liz Cruz, Third District, Commissioner Nichole Warwick, Fifth District
    2. Openings – two (2) in the First District, and three (3) in the Fourth District.
  4. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS – PHILLIPS
    1. Public comment is limited to two minutes per topic or four minutes when using interpretation services
  5. REGULAR CALENDAR – Discussion and possible action on items below
    1. Honoring Kathleen Finigan – Spotlight, with guest speakers
    2. Kathleen Finigan Merit Award for Champions for Human Rights.
      1. Form a committee to determine a budget and criteria for nominations to be awarded on July 1st, on Ms. Finigan’s birthday each year.
    3. Commission on Human Rights Mission Statement Review - Phillips
      1. Final Draft of the revised Mission Statement for approval. 
  6. OFFICER REPORTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES Officers and Staff to discuss administrative-related matters including, but not limited to, field trip ideas and speaker coordination.
    1. Upcoming Outreach Events- October 1, 2022, LandPaths Harvest Festival at Bayer Farms. No fee to participate. Need volunteers to help at the table. - Katrina Phillips
  7. AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT COMMITTEE UPDATES  Commissioners to provide reports and/or updates from the work being done by their ad hoc committee(s) and/or project committee(s).
  8. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING – PHILLIPS
    1. Meet and Greet in October
  9. ADJOURNMENT

Meeting Documentation

September 27, 2022 Minutes

Instructions for the Public

In accordance with AB 361, Governor Newsom’s March 4, 2020 State of Emergency due to COVID19 pandemic, Sonoma County Public Health Officer’s Recommendation for Teleconference Meetings, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Resolution 21-0399, the Commission on the Status of Women meetings will be held virtually.

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361) on September 16, 2021, which amends the Ralph M.Brown Act to provide additional provisions that allow meetings of legislative bodies to continue to be conducted via teleconference. This Resolution makes the findings to confirm the current conditions allow teleconference meetings pursuant to AB 361 for the Board of Supervisors and on behalf of all of the commissions and committees created by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Government Code section54952(b). This will allow members of the public to safely observe and participate in local government meetings during the continued pandemic.

The following are key provisions of the Executive Order with the substantive changes from the prior order identified in bold below:

  • Allows public agencies to hold public meetings via teleconference and to make the meeting accessible electronically or telephonically to all member of the public seeking to attend and address the Board.
  • The requirement that each teleconference location be publicly accessible is suspended.
  • The requirement to post agendas at all teleconference locations and notice each location where the member is calling in from is suspended.
  • The requirement that at least a quorum be present in the boundaries of the jurisdiction is suspended.
  • Notice must still be given 72 hours in advance for regular meeting and 24 hours in advance for special meetings.
  • Local Agencies may hold meetings via teleconferencing and allow the public to observe and address the meeting telephonically or otherwise electronically. (NOTE: the prior order required at least one physical location be open for the public to observe and address the meeting. A physical location for observing the meeting is no longer required.)
  • If meeting is held telephonically or otherwise electronically, agencies must implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable modification or accommodations from individuals with disabilities, consistent with the ADA. The procedure must be advertised each time notice of the meeting is given.
  • Agencies are encouraged to use sound discretion and to make reasonable efforts to adhere to the Brown Act as closely as possible.

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.

NOTE: Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, materials that are not posted will be available directly from the Commission at chr@sonoma-county.org

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 the Deputy Clerk at (707) 565-1851, as soon as possible to ensure arrangements for accommodation.

Approval of the Consent Calendar

The Consent Calendar includes routine financial and administrative actions that are usually approved by a single majority vote. There will be no discussion on these items prior to voting on the motion unless Commission Members request specific items be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar.

Public Comment

Any member of the audience desiring to address the Commission on a matter on the agenda:

Members of the public are invited to join this meeting via Zoom teleconferencing. In order that all interested parties have an opportunity to speak, please be brief and limit your comments to the subject under discussion. Each person is usually granted 3 minutes to speak; time limitations are at the discretion of the Chair.

While members of the public are welcome to address the Commission, under the Brown Act, Commission members may not deliberate or take action on items not on the agenda, and generally may only listen.

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.