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Commission on Human Rights
County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › Human Resources › Boards, Commissions and Committees › Commission on Human Rights › Commission Meeting Minutes September 28 2021
Commission on Human Rights

Commission Meeting Minutes September 28, 2021

Commissioners Present:
First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-at-Large)* 
Second District: Elizabeth Escalante (Vice Chair), Isai Garcia
Third District: Katrina Phillips (Chair), Isabel Lopez*
Fourth District: Rosa Reynoza, Paulina Lopez
Fifth District: Lyndsey Burcina (Officer-at-Large)*, 

Staff: Meira Bowcut, Deputy Clerk

Commissioners Absent:
Second District: Iliana Madrigal
 
*Commissioner Sapper showed up late. Commissioner Burcina only showed for Lisa DeCarbo’s resolution. Commissioner Lopez departed early at approximately 6:10PM. Commissioner Sapper departed early at approximately at 6:33PM.

Meeting held through publicly available link via Zoom Meeting.

  1. CALL TO ORDER - MISSION STATEMENT - INTRODUCTIONS - PHILLIPS
    Meeting called to order by Chair Phillips at 5:36PM. Spanish translation services were provided to members of the public by Oscar Cano, Managing Partner of The Grey Highlander Corporation.
  2. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 24, 2021 MINUTES - PHILLIPS  
    Motion: Commissioner Reynoza
    Second: Vice Chair Escalante
    Ayes: 5      Noes: 0
    Iliana Madrigal was absent. Commissioner Sapper and Burcina were late. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair.
    Motion passed.
  3. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 AGENDA - PHILLIPS
    Motion: Commissioner Sapper
    Second: Commissioner Reynoza
    Ayes: 6     Noes: 0
    Commissioner Madrigal was absent. Commissioner Burcina was late. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair.
    Motion passed.
  4. OPENINGS & APPOINTMENTS - PHILLIPS
    The Chair announced that Commissioner Jones will no longer be in the Commission. Commissioner Garcia who is in the mist of transition will need to resign and reapply to the Commission. Chair reported there are seven openings – two in the First District, one in the Second District, one in Third District, one in the Fourth District, and two in the Fifth District.
    • Chair invites Commissioners to do outreach in their District. Commissioner Sapper has couple of people for the First District and recommended to Supervisor Gorin. 
  5. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS - PHILLIPS  
    No public comment.
  6. REGULAR CALENDAR
    Discussion and possible action on items below.

    Chair Phillips proposed the order change of Community spotlight and ALMAS resolution. No one opposed and no public comment.
    1. Development Center – Sapper
      Commissioner Sapper explained that the organization is creating a report with current data.The report will be available mid-October and Commissioner Sapper can present it to the public and the Commission. Commissioner Sapper recommends waiting for the report to provide a better summary. He asked Alice, who has been working on this for over 3.5 years to do a presentation for the Commission. Commissioner Sapper asked the Commission for their indulgence to go with the format that he suggests. The Commission agrees.

      Public comment: Kathleen. 
    2. Community Spotlight - Phillips 
      Chair Phillips mentioned that Commissioner Burcina couldn’t present the resolution due to being in the hospital. Chair Phillips read aloud the resolution honoring Lisa Decarbo. The resolution recognized Lisa Decarbo for displaying actions of a true leader as an educator and advocate for students in Elsie Allen High School.

      Vice Chair Escalante, Commissioner Garcia, and Commissioner Paulina Lopez commented on how inspirational Lisa DeCarbo is for them and thanked her for positive impact on students.

      Commissioner Burcina was able to make the meeting and concluded Lisa DeCarbo’s resolution.

      We had one public comment. Kathleen voiced her appreciation to all teachers.

      No action was taken.
    3. ALMAS Resolution – Lopez
      Commissioner Isabel Lopez was unable to present due to technology issues. Chair would like a motion to move this item to next month.

      Motion: Commissioner Sapper
      Second: Vice Chair Escalante
      Ayes: 5     Noes: 0
      Commissioner Madrigal was absent. Commissioner Burcina left late early. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair.
      Motion passed.
    4. Ad hoc and Standing Committees Updates
      Vice Chair Escalante reported on API coalition of Sonoma County. The API Coalition will be meeting on September 29th at 6:30pm on zoom. Elections will be taken place soon because they are looking forward to building a team for this organization.

      Commissioner Paulina asked for age clarification. Vice Chair Escalante mentioned that it’s open to anyone ages 9-99.

      Vice Chair Escalante reported out that she intends to invite the Fiji Indigenous people’s group to the next Commission meeting. She’s been in contact with the group.
  7. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING - PHILLIPS
    Commissioner Paulina Lopez request approval to bring North Bay Jobs with Justice, an organization that supports the safety of farmworkers to present and have farmworkers share their experiences during the Commission’s meeting.

    Motion: Vice Chair Escalante
    Second: Commissioner Garcia
    Ayes: 4      Noes: 0
    Commissioner Madrigal was absent. Commissioners Burcina, Lopez and Sapper left early. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair.
    Motion passed.
  8. ADJOURNMENT
    The meeting adjourned at 6:33PM

    Motion: Vice Chair Escalante
    Second: Commissioner Garcia
    Ayes: 4      Noes: 0
    Commissioner Madrigal was absent. Commissioners Burcina, Lopez and Sapper left early. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair.
    Motion passed.