Commission Meeting Minutes April 24, 2019

Attending:

First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-At-Large), Dmitra Smith (Vice Chair)
Second District: J. Kevin Jones (Chair), Faith Ross
Third District: Alana Bjorkquist
Fifth District: Christopher Kerosky

Regrets:

Third District: Akash Kalia
Fifth District: Tamara Murrell

1. Call To Order – Mission Statement – Introductions – Jones
   The meeting was called to order at 5:45pm
2. Approval of the April 24, 2019 Agenda – Jones

   Commissioner Kerosky moved to approve the agenda as presented; Commissioner Sapper seconded. There was no discussion.
   
   In Favor: Sapper, Smith, Ross, Kerosky
   Abstaining: Jones (as chair)
   Not Voting: Bjorkquist (arrived late)
   Motion Carried

3. Approval of the January 22, 2019 Draft Minutes – Jones  
   

   Note: The February meeting of the Commission was canceled due to storms and flood warnings; the March meeting was not able to convene due to lack of quorum. Scheduled speakers (the Junior Commission and SoCo Interfaith Council) and members of the public were in attendance and were acknowledged with any requests deferred until the Commission was able to convene in April.
   
   Commissioners in attendance: Jones, Smith, Sapper and Murrell.
   
   Commissioner Sapper moved to approve the January 22nd minutes as presented (attached). Commissioner Ross seconded. There was no discussion.

   In Favor: Sapper, Smith, Ross
   Abstaining: Jones (as chair), Kerosky
   Not Voting: Bjorkquist (arrived late)
   Motion Carried

4. Openings & Appointments – Jones
   Openings in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (2), And 5th
   
   Chair Jones announced current openings, noting that a candidate was under consideration by Supervisor Rabbitt’s office for an opening in the 2nd District
5. 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. 

6. Regular Calendar – Jones – 90 Minutes  
   
   
   1. Speaker - Carol Gorenberg Family Law – Smith – 30 minutes

      Attorney Carol Gorenberg will provide perspectives on family court in Sonoma County from a human rights perspective.

      Attorney Carol Gorenberg shared her background as a family law attorney and spent time educating members of the Commission on the structure and practices of operations of the Superior Court as related to its family court and dependency court practices. A significant focus of the discussion were focused on human rights issues arising from family court practices related to: lack of accountability of judges, power of one judge, obstacles to appeal (orders not final); biases of court toward favoring 50-50 custody as a default approach (impact on alienation cases), no right to counsel in civil proceedings (in contrast to criminal court), resulting in 85% not represented by attorneys, child safety does not receive sufficient emphasis.

      Noted that Marin County had an innovative approach worth review (judicial settlement conference). Also, some advocate groups working on court reforms (eg Resolution 72 in Congress focused on child safety). AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts). Sonoma County Bar - Family Law Section could be a resource.

      Two mothers who have had their children taken from them, having been accused of alienation when children were afraid to visit their fathers, shared their stories. Heart- wrenching and disturbing.

   2. Speaker - Sanford Horowitz – Sapper – 30 minutes

      Attorney Sandy Horowitz will discuss his elder abuse and his work in defending the human rights of the elderly, and changes in the law he has been advocating.

      Attorney Sanford (Sandy) Horowitz shared his background representing plaintiffs who have filed cases - typically against corporations running care facilities accused of negligence or abuse in caring for elder residents in their care. In Mr Horowitz’ experience, for-profit organizations, while regulated, make decisions based on profit. He shared his observation that efforts to keep expenses as low as possible leads to understaffed facilities. The primary way to keep facilities in check is through court action (law suits), with settlements typically seen as a cost of doing business.

   3. Update from Unofficial Discussion in March – Jones – 15 minutes

      Junior Commission Presentations (Human Trafficking Backpack Drive; Poverty/Food Security Food and Hygiene Drive)

      Commissioner Smith reviewed the various programs in progress by the Jr Commission. The JC will provide their annual report at the May meeting of the CHR.

      Interfaith Council Request CHR support for Declaration for "Sonoma County-United in Kindness" campaign. Anticipated vote for CHR participation.

      Members of the Interfaith Council shared the re-branded United in Kindness declaration and campaign. The Commission voted to support the declaration/campaign as a co- sponsor. Commissioner Ross moved for support with Commissioner Sapper adding a second. All voted in favor (Commissioner Jones abstaining as Chair; Commissioner Bjorkquist not voting, having left the meeting prior to the vote).

   4. Budget request – Jones – 15 minutes
      1. Recommendation to allocate $1000 to the Jr Commission’s mural project, and underwrite and shortfall in fundraising efforts to ensure the mural’s completion (Smith)
         
         Commissioner Smith moved for support with Commissioner Kerosky adding a second. All voted in favor (Commissioner Jones abstaining as Chair; Commissioner Bjorkquist not voting, having left the meeting prior to the vote)
      2. Recommendation to fund the printing of Welcome* posters (Smith)
         
         *(English and Spanish): We Welcome All Races, All Religions, All Countries of Origin, All Sexual Orientations, All Genders, All Abilities.
         
         This item was tabled until the May meeting by consensus of all present.
      3. Update and possible recommendation for funding to support Indigenous Peoples Day Project (Smith) 
         
         This item was tabled until the May meeting by consensus of all present.
      4. Update and possible recommendation for funding on bus backs (Jones)
   5. Administrative Items – Jones – 15 minutes
      Officer nomination and election process
      

      Chair Jones noted that officer elections will take place in June, with nominations accepted at the May meeting. He shared that he will not be seeking re-election and will be resigning from the Commission after the June meeting.

7. Ad Hoc, Liaison, Project Updates – All – When Applicable – 15 Minutes  
   
   1. Ad Hoc Committees
      • Immigrants’ Rights – Kerosky
        • My American Dreamers is working on three new videos
      • LGBTQI – Jones
        • Commissioner Smith has been asked by LGBTQI+ Connections to serve as a mentor
      • Outreach – Kalia, Ross, Sapper
      • People with Disabilities – Sapper
   2. Liaisons & Projects
      • Homelessness liaisons – Bjorkquist, Kalia –
      • Independent Office of Law Enforcement & Outreach liaisons – open
      • Junior Commissioner Project – Smith
      • Legislative Affairs liaison – open –
      • Sonoma County Racial Justice liaison – Smith –
        • the OCR has completed its investigation of Analy High School; surveying students to get a sense of change, efficacy of programs.
        • OCR will now do free Title VI trainings (perhaps SCOE can be encouraged to take advantage of the offer)
8. Commissioner Announcements/Communications with Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All – 5 Minutes
   Nothing reported.
9. Additional Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting – Jones
   Nothing reported.
10. Adjournment
    Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.