Historical Records Commission Minutes September 7, 2023

Members present:
Margaret Purser (Chair)
Robert Chase
Seana Gause
Steven Lovejoy

Members excused:
Michael Mueller (Vice-Chair)

Associate Members present:
Amanda King, Secretary
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
Bill Turner, Guest
Mark DeBacker, Landmarks Consulting, LLC

1. Call to order 4:04 pm
2. Introduction of Guests
3. The August 10, 2023 minutes were approved
   1. Motion by Seana Gause
   2. Second by Steven Lovejoy
   3. Approved
4. Budget Discussion
   1. Balance is $3,796.07
   2. Business cards have been ordered for Robert Chase; they do not reflect in the balance as of 9/7/2023.
5. Continuing Business
   
   1. HRC Commissioners Report
      1. Margaret's report:
         • Secretary completed the request from the Office of Equity regarding the Historical Records Commission for the developing Community Engagement Plan. The goal of the Community Engagement Plan is to achieve equitable participation and access to County government services and resources for systemically underserved communities of color and other communities who have traditionally experienced marginalization from government processes and services.  The survey is to help Office of Equity better understand the Commission and Boards recruitment efforts, current makeup, and stipend policies.
      2. Robert's Report:
         • No report
      3. Seana's report:
         • No report
      4. Steven's report:
         • No report
   2. Library Commissioner Liaison Report
      1. Update from Eve Goldberg:
         • Met September 6, 2023
         • Approved funding for History & Genealogy Library ADA compliance
   3. Library Report
      1. Library Director Report
         • Update from Erika Thibault:
           • Hired a New Deputy Director, Dara Bradds, that started in September
           • Conducted a Community Survey about how the community feels about library programs and services and how likely they will support a renewal of sales tax measure that expires in 2026. 60% Definitely Yes, 20-21% would probably support a renewal.  Plan to put on the November 2024 ballot.  Poll was conducted by Godbe Research.  Polled 891 likely voters. 
           • Starting a Public Outreach and Media Campaign to educate the public on how the tax money is spent.
         • Secretary to add Library Update and Archives Operating Agreement Updates as a standing item under Library Director Report.
      2. History and Genealogy Library Report
         
         • Update by Zayda Delgado:
           • Playback Memory Lab continues to be high use. Booked through December and people have been coming into their appointments.
             • Creating a plan to roll out a Mobile unit in January 2024 to reach more rural areas.
           • Held event “Slavery in Sonoma County” Panel Discussion NAACP and SSU Professor Amy Kittelstrom. Well attended by over 125 people in person and virtually. Research is ongoing and collaboration with the SSU professor continues.  Recording available through the Sonoma County NAACP YouTube.
           • Mexican Genealogy program at Roseland Library. Had a lot of good feedback.  Hoping to offer another Spanish language virtual event.
           • Offering a series of genealogy services to different community groups to do one-on-one lectures
           • Upcoming Programs
             • Save your Photos, Saturday, September 30, 2023, 11AM-12PM, Central Library
             • Participating in Finding History Day and working on marketing materials.
             • Other events in the works
   4. Archives Activity Report
      1. Update by Zayda Delgado:
         • Provided a tour of the Archives with the rest of the Library Commissioners.
         • Four (4) resources requested from three unique users; no County requests.
         • Would like to do a soft launch of ArchivesSpace with the HRC before launching to the public. Will come to the October 2024 HRC meeting with information on how to access the site.
         • Advocates of the Sonoma County Archives may reach out to Zayda to request an Archives Tour..
   5. Collections & Archives Recognition Awards
      1. Margaret did get in touch with Ray Johnson regarding the date and location of the Sonoma County Historical Society Luncheon. He did confirm there is not yet a location but are trying to keep a March 2024 event.
      2. Secretary to finalize the Collections and Archives Recognition Awards documents and send to HRC for final review.
   6. Outreach
      1. “Researching the History of a Sonoma County Property” pamphlet update:
         • Secretary to make updates to the pamphlet for Library website addresses due to server change. Once made, Secretary notify interested parties when the updated document is available.
         • Margaret will bring the updated pamphlet the Heritage Network meeting on October 14.
         • Commission to review pamphlet for March 2024 for updates to be published in June 2024.
      2. Other California County Historical Records Commission
         • Steven has been working on the spreadsheet and is about 90% completed
         • Secretary requested spreadsheet from Steven to provide to County Recorders to assist in determining which County’s may have Archives..
      3. Finding History Day, October 21, 2023, 10:00AM-2:00PM, Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa
   7. County Recorder update on the status of the Restrictive Covenant Modification Program
      1. Evaluation process is still underway.
      2. Power lost, meeting restarted 4:43PM
   8. Legislative Updates pertaining to public records
      1. Federal bill S.2340 “Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2022” aka “Daniel’s Law”
         • Statewide, County Counsels do not believe that this law pertains to local government and this is only for federal government. This interpretation is coming from the definition within the Law for “government agency” to which the law applies being defined as:
           • An Executive agency, as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code; and
           • Any agency in the judicial branch or legislative branch
         • Send questions to ClerkRecorder@sonoma-county.org.  
6. New Business
   1. None
7. Public Comment
   1. Library Commission meeting, October 4, 2023, 6PM, Rohnert Park Branch Library
   2. Sonoma County Heritage Network Meeting, October 14 2023, 10AM-12PM, location TBD
   3. Museum of Sonoma County Exhibits:
      • Nature Abstracted, June 17, 2023-November 5, 2023
      • 2023 SoCo Clicks, August 16, 2023-September 24, 2023
      • Sonoma County Stories, Grand Opening on September 9, 2023
8. Meeting adjourned at 5:04PM

Next Meeting - October 5, 2023 - 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.