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Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

Historical Records Commission

Historical Records Commission Minutes April 11, 2024

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Members present:
Robert Chase (Vice-Chair)
Seana Gause
Margaret Purser

Members excused:
Michael Mueller (Chair)
Steven Lovejoy

Associate Members present:
Amanda King, Secretary
Deva Marie Proto, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor & Registrar of Voters
Jamie Anderson, Collections Services Division Manager, Sonoma County Library
Eve Goldberg, County of Sonoma Library Commissioner and Liaison to the Historical Records Commission

Guests present:
Zayda Delgado, Supervising Librarian, History & Genealogy Library
Jonathan Kajeckas, Records Manager, ISD
Melonie Gonzalez, ISD Records Analyst

  1. Call to order 4:05 pm
  2. Introduction of Guests
  3. The March 14, 2024 minutes were approved
    1. Motion by Seana Gause
    2. Second by Margaret Purser
    3. Approved 
  4. Budget Discussion
    1. Balance is $3,719.59
  5. Continuing Business
      1. HRC Commissioners Report
        1. Robert's report:
          • Held a brown-bag lecture at Sonoma State University on April 8 on research regarding animal arrest records of Santa Rosa, which are held in the County Archives
        2. Seana's report:
          • No report
        3. Margaret's report:
          • No report
      2. Library Commissioner Liaison Report
        1. Update from Eve Goldberg:
          • Held a budget workshop in March to prepare for the 2024-2025 budget
      3. Library Report
        1. Library Director Report
          • Library Update by Jaime Anderson:
            • This week is National Library Week and LC approved a resolution at their meeting. 
            • The library continues to see an increase in visitors, events, and circulation numbers which are all up compared to this time last year. 
            • Had a successful budget workshop.   
            • Planning to purchase a second BiblioBus next fiscal year to increase outreach in underserved parts of the county. 
            • Reports the preservation consultants prepared on Disaster Preparedness and Security recommendations for locations with special collections have been finalized and the library is taking steps based on the recommendations.   
            • Library is kicking off a Speaker’s Bureau where they are getting out in the community with a special focus on reporting what the library has been up to and how it has been utilizing Measure Y funds to provide services.  Visits are to government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, etc. Offer to provide such an update for the HRC at a future meeting.
          • Archives Operating Agreement Update
            • No update
        2. History and Genealogy Library Report
          • Update by Zayda Delgado:
            • Working through the Disaster reports  
            • Pursuing two grants to purchase the supplies we need to implement Water sensor improvements, temperature and humidity improvements.  Busy doing research and comparing costs and looking to submit the grant information by the end of the month.  One grant is specific for History & Genealogy Library and the other one is for the Archives. 
            • Zine Fest occurring April 17-20. This is a collaboration between History & Genealogy Library, Roseland, Northwest, Sebastopol, and Santa Rosa Zine Collective: https://sonomalibrary.org/stayinformed/librarynews/zinefest2024
      4. Archives Activity Report
        1. Update by Zayda Delgado:
          • Zero (0) archives material requests. No county requests for March.
      5. Collections & Archives Recognition Awards
        1. No update
      6. Outreach
        1. Researching the History of a Sonoma County Property” pamphlet update:
          • History & Genealogy Library reviewed and submitted their updates to the HRC to update for the June 2024 publication.  
          • Margaret will be attending the Heritage Network meeting in April and request further updates.
      7. Strategic Planning
        1. No update
        2. Secretary to put the link to the Archives video on the HRC website
      8. County Recorder update on the status of the Restrictive Covenant Modification Program
        1. Planning to go-live on Wednesday, April 17 and begin reviewing documents recorded in 1964 and work toward all recorded documents recorded through 12/31/2023.
      9. Legislative Updates pertaining to public records
        1. Assembly Bill 1785
        2. Continuing to monitor legislation
    1. New Business
      1. None
    2. Public Comment
      1. Katherine Rinehart: https://cityofpetaluma.org/historic-preservation-events/
      2. Library Commission meeting, May 1, 2024, 6PM, Rohnert Park Library
      3. Sonoma County Heritage Network Meeting, April 13, 2024, 10AM-12PM, Museum of Sonoma County
      4. Museum of Sonoma County Exhibitions:
        • Sonoma County Stories, September 9, 2023-Ongoing
        • Light, Clay, and Copper: Mid-Century Arts and Crafts in Sonoma County, September 9, 2023-Ongoing
        • A Question of Balance, January 27-May 26, 2024
        • On Tap: Sonoma County Hops & The Beer Revolution, April 20, 2024-September 1, 2024
    3. Meeting adjourned at 4:28PM


    Next Meeting - May 9, 2024 - 4:00PM

    • In Person: County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor, Sonoma Room, 585 Fiscal Dr Rm 103, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
    • Virtual: Guests may also join virtually. Please see the meeting month’s agenda for login information.