Commission on Human Rights Meeting

Agenda

First District: Howard Sapper (Officer at Large), Maria Barakat, Will Shonbrun
Second District: Elizabeth Escalante, Isai Garcia
Third District: Katrina Phillips
Fourth District: Paulina Lopez, Lannie Medina, Rosa Reynoza
Fifth District: Jerry Threet (Chair), Lyndsey Burcina, Mickale Jones

Instructions for the Public:
***Please note changes due to State of Emergency and Shelter-in–Place Order effective 12:00 am, March 18***

Zoom Teleconferencing – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172483616

Changes to the Brown Act authorized by Governor Newsom in response to Covid-19:
Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-29-20 which supersedes Executive Order N-25-20 as such Order relates to the Brown Act (the Order can be found here)

Executive Order N-29-20 further responds to concerns of public health officials and public agencies that observance of public meeting laws could accelerate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The new Executive Order no longer requires public agencies subject to the Brown Act to have one physical location open for the public to observe and address the meeting.

Agencies are now permitted to allow the public to observe and address the meeting telephonically or otherwise electronically.

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 most supporting materials are available on the Commission’s website at sonomacounty.ca.gov/Commission-on-Human-Rights/. 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) 565-2821, 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 or the public 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.

1. CALL TO ORDER – MISSION STATEMENT – INTRODUCTIONS – Threet
2. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 22, 2020 AGENDA – Threet
   • Due to Brown Act requirements, only changing the order of, or deletion of items may be allowed. New items may not be added unless imperative for emergency circumstances.
3. OPENINGS & APPOINTMENTS – Threet
   • Openings in Districts 2 (1 opening) and 3 (1 opening)
   • Welcome new Commissioners & self-introductions
4. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS – Threet
   • Public comment is limited to two minutes per topic.
5. REGULAR CALENDAR – Threet
6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO FOLLOW ON ITEMS BELOW:
   • Election of Vice-Chair – 15 minutes - Threet
     Nomination of candidates for position of vice-chair, election of vice-chair of the Commission.
   • Commissioner Orientation & Training – 15 minutes - Threet
     Discuss plans for conducting training for Commissioners including the role of a commissioner, legal parameters, Brown Act, Public Records Act, ethics, etc.
   • CHR Strategic Planning Session – 15 minutes - Threet
     Discussion of proposed CHR Strategic Planning meeting for January, 2021, including commitments of Commissioners to take on responsibility for specific task forces, working groups, and/or projects
   • Community Service Spotlight – 15 minutes – Phillips (intro), Guest Speaker
     Monthly featured guest to present on their service contributions to the community. This month we feature Heather Jackson, Sonoma County Acts of Kindness
   • Update on Sonoma Development Center – 15 minutes - Sapper
     Discussion of status of discussion on possible redevelopment of the Sonoma Development Center located near Kenwood.
   • Update on CHR Report on Policing of BLM Protests – 15 minutes – Threet
     Discussion & possible action regarding the CHR Report issued in , and the lack of progress in securing an agreement from local elected bodies to conduct a public hearing on the report.
   • Update on Reports from the HRVP – 30 minutes – Threet
   • Review Committees and Projects Below – 10 minutes
     Ad hoc and Standing Committees
     • Sonoma County Human Rights Visibility Project – Threet
     • Rights of People with Disabilities – Sapper
     Liaisons & Projects
     • Homelessness liaison – Threet
     • Junior Commissioner Project – Jones
     • Racial Justice liaison –
7. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT COMMISSION MEETING – Threet
8. ADJOURNMENT