Historical Records Commission Minutes July 14, 2022

Members present:
Eric Stanley (Chair)
Margaret Purser (Vice-Chair)
Gretchen Emmert
Steven Lovejoy
Michael Mueller

Members excused:
Amanda King, Secretary
Deva Marie Proto, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

Associate Members present:
Erika Thibault, Interim Director, Sonoma County Library
Deborah Doyle, Library Commissioner & Liaison to HRC

Guests present:
Christina Barclay, Executive Secretary to Deva Proto (in place of absent Amanda King, Secretary)
Zayda Delgado, Supervising Librarian, History & Genealogy Library
Mike Von der Porten, Sonoma County Historical Society, Treasurer and Western Sonoma County Historical Society, Member
Nour Maxwell, CAO Policy, Grants, and Special Projects Division

1. Call to order 4:03 pm; Vice-Chair
2. Introduction of Guests; Vice-Chair
   1. Deborah Doyle introduces Erika Thibault, who is taking over after Ann Hammond's retirement.
3. Introduction of New Commissioner, Michael Mueller
   1. Michael is a local licensed Land Surveyor since 2014 and working in the industry since 2005.  He has an appreciation for old records and regularly uses maps from a hundred years ago and they make a difference in people's lives.
4. June 9, 2022 Minutes were approved
   1. Motion by Steven Lovejoy
   2. Second by Mikey Mueller
   3. Approved
5. Budget Discussion
   1. No report
6. Continuing Business
   
   1. HRC Commissioners Report
      • Steven's report:
        • No report
      • Eric's report:
        • Not in attendance at this time.
      • Gretchen's report:
        • No report
      • Margaret's report:
        • Attended the Heritage Network Meeting
          • Let them know about the Researching the History of a Sonoma County Property document.
            • Secretary will work to make sure the document will be available for the Sonoma County Finding History Day on August 6, 2022.
   2. Library Commissioner Report  
      • Update by Deborah Doyle:
        • Began the new Fiscal Year
        • Had a discussion during the last commission meeting regarding LGBTQ displays after someone came and checked-out all the books from the display
          • There was a concern that they were stolen as part of the “Hide-the-Pride” movement, but the books were indeed returned
          • Lots of support from the community and we will continue to educate the public
        • Some commissioners are in appointment-limbo
          • Still looking for someone up in Cloverdale
            • Trying to focus on diversity and inclusion
        • Updated the by-laws
      • Update by Erika Thibault:
        
        • Library Commissioner appointments:
          • City of Santa Rosa, reappointed David Cahill
          • City/County, has two candidates that they will send to the County.
        • New Library Director
        • Next week we will have the new BiblioBox, book lockers outside of the library, unveiling at the Sonoma County Library.
        • Meeting with Nour to work on the Archives operational agreement
          • Steve: is there going to be a public comment?
            • Deborah: we are not sure
            • Erika: The library has created it’s version and the county is going to respond.
            • Nour: Shared the terms that the Library has provided with our County Counsel. As soon as I have an update I will let you know.
   3. Archives Activity Report
      • Update by Zayda Delgado:
        • In the month of June, there were 30 archives request with 10 requests from the County
        • Launched a new English/Spanish LGBTQ+ history project, Here + Queer, Sonoma County, a digital history project and focusing on documenting LGBTQ and queer communities.
        • Participating as a co-sponsor on Finding History Day and a press release will be going out next week
        • Filled Library Associate position with Marshall McGraw. Marshall has 3 years of Library experience and is currently a Library student with a specialization in archives and special collections.
        • The Librarian position hoping to be filled in September. Hoping to be fully staffed by the fall.
        • For questions please email history@sonomalibrary.org
        • Steve: Was there any update on the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors pre-1906 BOS Meeting Minutes?
          • No, there is no update. I have not heard back on that.
          • Zayda will reach back out to the Clerk of the Board for an update
        • Nour: Would it be possible to share with me the County Departments requesting archives this month?
          • Zayda will follow up with Nour 
   4. Collections & Archives Recognition Awards
      • Discussion on edits to the forms and press release draft
        • Secretary to add “special exhibits, publications, partnerships, and programs” to the description.
        • Approval of edits
          • Motion by Margaret Purser
          • Second by Gretchen Emmert
          • Approved with amendment
        • Steve worked on these forms and the press release is just a first draft
          • The County will “massage” it further, but we can look it over to make sure it’s what we want
        • Secretary to create a Collections & Archives Recognition Awards website to place the forms and list prior winners.
   5. Outreach
      • “Researching the History of Your Sonoma County Building” pamphlet update:
        • Update by Margaret Purser:
          • Document has been cleaned up quite a bit, but the gist is still the same
            • Eric will send Margaret a document with edits
          • Timeline may need to be extended due to Secretary being out. The goal is to have the document prepared and remediated for accessibility to be published on the website for the Finding History Day event on August 6.
          • Thank you to Simone Kremkau, Denise Hill, Bryan Much, and John Murphey on all their work on the document.
      • Other California County Historical Records Commission
        • No report
      • Sonoma County Historical Society 60th Anniversary and Sonoma County Finding History Day, Saturday, August 6, 2022, Finley Community Center, 10AM-2PM
        • Update from Steven:
          • Still discussing on if speakers will be starting at 9:30AM instead of 10AM
          • Finley Center has been rented from 9AM-3PM
          • 8-10 speakers with 20-25 minutes each to present
        • Update from Mike Von der Porten:
          • Want to really thank the Library for being our co-sponsor.
          • Five (5) other Historical Societies stepped up to support
          • Looking to get publicity materials out in the next few weeks
          • Goal is to get the public involved
7. New Business
   1. Discussion occurs on Community Investment Fund Program grant opportunity
   2. Secretary to provide an update on the County Recorder Restrictive Covenant Modification Program Plan.
   3. Secretary to update HRC brochure for Finding History Day with Michael’s name
8. Public Comment
   1. Sonoma County Heritage Network Meeting, 10AM-12PM, TBD
   2. Library Commission meeting, August 3, 2022, 6pm, on ZOOM   
   3. Museum of Sonoma County Exhibits:  
      • Light, Clay, and Copper: Mid-Century Arts and Crafts in Sonoma County, August 20, 2021-Ongoing:  https://museumsc.org/light-clay-and-copper/
      • Year of the Tiger: Chinese Traditions in Sonoma County, 1890-2022, February 5, 2022-Ongoing
      • Collective Arising: The Insistence of Black Bay Area Artists, June 25, 2022-November 27, 2022
      • SoCoClicks, July 9, 2022-September 10, 2022
9. Meeting adjourned at 5:05PM

Next Meeting - August 11, 2022 - ZOOM, 4:00PM