Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2019

Commissioners In Attendance:

First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-At-Large), Dmitra Smith (Vice Chair)
Second District: J. Kevin Jones (Chair), Faith Ross
Fourth District: Carmen Cervantes
Fifth District: Tamara Murrell

Commissioners Sending Regrets:

Third District: Alana Bjorkquist, Akash Kalia
Fifth District: Christopher Kerosky

1. Call To Order – Mission Statement – Introductions – Jones
   The meeting was called to order at 6:10pm
2. Approval of the January 22, 2019 Agenda – Jones
   The agenda for the January 22, 2019 was approved. (Motioned by Commissioner Sapper and seconded by Commissioner Ross. All in favor with Commissioner Jones abstaining as chair.)
3. Approval of the December 18, 2018 Draft Minutes – Jones
   The minutes for the December 18, 2018 were approved as submitted. (Motioned by Commissioner Murrell and seconded by Commissioner Sapper. All in favor with Commissioner Cervantes abstaining, and Commissioner Jones abstaining as chair.)
4. Openings & Appointments – Jones
   Openings in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (2), And 5th
5. Public Comment On Non-Agendized Items – Jones – 15 Minutes
   Kathleen Finigan of Homeless Action provided an update on issues in the HA’s work in the homeless community of Sonoma County. She noted that she had been having difficulties in getting traction with getting press coverage, but finally succeeded in getting a Close to Home piece published. Ms. Finigan shared several observations that she believed demonstrated an increasingly cruel approach in the disbanding of camps by law enforcement:  the end of September 2018,  law enforcement began systematically towing RVs parked in the Northpoint area, and bulldozed tents and belongings of at least 26 homeless individuals, even those in the process of packing belongings;  at the end of November, some people gravitated (6-8 tents) behind the Dollar Store in Rosalind.  The camp was disbanded during pouring rain; advocates were not allowed to help the campers back, and a PD reporter was reportedly not permitted onto the property (County owned). Ms. Finigan asked that the Commission consider any ways to express concern to the SR City Manager/City Council as to the treatment of the people experiencing homelessness in the displacement process.
   Ms. Finigan shared a note from a HA member describing the experience of a homeless woman who was allegedly kicked awake and had property confiscated in the rain.
6. Regular Calendar – Jones – 75 Minutes  
   
   2019 Strategic Planning Conversation
   • Impact of the lack of administrative support (and next steps);
   • Commission staffing – filling open seats; upcoming term renewals;
   • Topics of focus for the year;
   • Outreach and in-district Human Rights meetings
   
   Commissioner discussed the current status of the support for the CHR, lack of resources, priorities, and ways forward. Items raised:
   • using limited time and resources to focus primarily on the Junior Commission as a visible and important program for the Commission
   • explore the possibility of establishing a “friends of CHR” 501(c)3 organization to raise funds and support the work of the Commission, independent from the Commission and separate from County bureaucracy (Commissioners Sapper and Jones to discuss)
   • explore the possibility of sourcing internship support via SRJC and SSU (Commissioner Cervantes to make initial inquiries)

   Commissioner Jones indicated plans to meet with Supervisor Rabbitt to discuss the status of the CHR 

7. AdHoc, Liaison, Project Updates – All – When Applicable – 15 Minutes
   No updates provided
8. Commissioner Announcements/Communications with Supervisors/Tabling Opportunities – All – 5 Minutes
   No updates provided
9. Additional Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting – Jones
   None suggested
10. Adjournment
    Meeting adjourned