Historical Records Commission Minutes January 11, 2024

Members present:
Margaret Purser (Chair)
Michael Mueller (Vice-Chair)
Robert Chase
Steven Lovejoy

Members excused:
Seana Gause, virtual attendance

Associate Members present:
Amanda King, Secretary
Deva Marie Proto, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor & Registrar of Voters
Erika Thibault, Director, 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

1. Call to order 4:03 pm
2. Introduction of Guests
3. The December 7, 2023 minutes were approved
   1. Motion by Steven Lovejoy
   2. Second by Michael Mueller
   3. Approved
   4. Abstain by Seana Gause
4. Election of Michael Mueller as new Chairperson
   1. Motion by Margaret Purser
   2. Second by Steven Lovejoy
   3. Approved
   4. Abstain by Seana Gause
5. Election of Robert Chas as new Vice-Chairperson
   1. Motion by Michael Mueller
   2. Second by Steven Lovejoy
   3. Approved
   4. Abstain by Seana Gause
6. 2024 Meeting Schedule
   1. Continue with 2nd Thursday of the Month
7. Budget Discussion
   1. Balance is $3,719.59
8. Continuing Business
   
   1. HRC Commissioners Report
      1. Margaret's report:
         • No report
      2. Michael's report:
         • No report
      3. Robert's report:
         • No report
      4. Seana's report:
         • No report
      5. Steven's report:
         • No report
   2. Library Commissioner Liaison Report
      1. Update from Eve Goldberg:
         • Received State Library grant for updating and needed matching funds and LC approved matching funds and includes updates to H&G Library
         • Measure Y Oversight committee reported all funds being used appropriately
         • Approved funding for a half-time year-round Events Specialist to focus on the Summer Lunch program
         • Approved a one step salary increase for Director Erika Thibault
         • Question from Steven Lovejoy: Discussion on Press Democrat article regarding a refresh.
           • Answer from Director Thibault: Two current projects Petaluma and Healdsburg. The number in the Press Democrat is incorrect as Healdsburg did not get a grant that was included in the value. Received grant funding for 4 projects at Guerneville Library, H&G, Northwest, Rohnert Park-Cotati.
   3. Library Report
      1. Library Director Report
         • Library Update:
           • Talking with another donor about a grant to H&G Library
           • Funding Roseland campaign
           • Jamie Anderson, Collections Services Division Manager will be attending in lieu of Erika Thibault going forward
         • Archives Operating Agreement Update
           • No current information on the Archives.
      2. History and Genealogy Library Report
         
         • Update by Zayda Delgado:
           • Upcoming Programs
             • Rainbows by the River, Saturday, February 3, 2024, Guerneville Library. It will be a discussion of LGBTQAI+ history groups discussing their work to preserve queer local history.
             • Launched February 2024 dates for Playback Memory Lab and they booked within 28 hours.
   4. Archives Activity Report
      1. Update by Zayda Delgado:
         
         • Ten (10) archives material requests from 4 unique users. No county requests for December.
   5. Collections & Archives Recognition Awards
      1. Collections and Archives Recognition Awards nominations are due by January 10, 2024.
         • Seven (7) Nominations were received
           • Irene Hilsendager nominated by Barbara Mackenzie in the category of Individual Excellence
           • Tim Danesi nominated by Barbara Mackenzie in category of Individual Excellence
           • Glen Ellen Historical Society nominated by Bean Anderson in the category of Modernization
           • Playback Memory Lab and Sonoma County History & Genealogy Library nominated by Erika Thibault in the category of Special Projects
           • Lesbian Archives of Sonoma County nominated by Eve Goldberg in the category of Preservation
           • Paula Freund and Amy Hogan nominated by Katherine J. Rinehart in the category of Special Projects
           • Steve Lehmann nominated by Karen Alves in the category of Special Projects
         • Nominees will be recognized at the Sonoma County Historical Society Annual Luncheon on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at the Windsor Hilton.
         • Secretary to prepare the certificates.
   6. Outreach
      1. “Researching the History of a Sonoma County Property” pamphlet update:
         • Commission to review pamphlet in March 2024 for updates to be published in June 2024.
      2. Review the Prior HRC Strategic Plan
         • Secretary to add as a regular agenda item
   7. County Recorder update on the status of the Restrictive Covenant Modification Program
      1. County Recorder to begin testing with their vendor in mid-January.
      2. Question from Robert Chase on data from the Restrictive Covenant Modification program and mapping
   8. Legislative Updates pertaining to public records
      1. Continuing to monitor legislation.
9. New Business
   
   1. None
10. Public Comment
    1. Library Commission meeting, February 7, 2024, 6PM, Rohnert Park Branch Library
    2. Sonoma County Heritage Network Meeting, January 13, 2024, 10AM-12PM, Virtual
    3. Museum of Sonoma County Exhibits:
       • Sonoma County Stories, September 9, 2023-Ongoing
       • Light, Clay, and Copper: Mid-Century Arts and Crafts in Sonoma County, September 9, 2023-Ongoing
       • Tilden Daken: The Art of Adventure, December 9, 2023-March 3, 2024
    4. Exhibit "So...What's in the Boxcar?", West County Museum, opens January 6, 2024
    5. Update on Sonoma County Archives video by Eve Goldberg.  Seeking new instrumental music or composers.
11. Meeting adjourned at 5:03PM

Next Meeting - February 8, 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.