November 8, 2021 IRC meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.



Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Gaime, Khojasteh, Mena (5:48 p.m.), Obregon, Ricarte, Souza, Wang.



Not present: Commissioners Enssani (excused), Fujii (excused), Rahimi (excused), Ruiz (excused).



Staff present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grants Administrator Chan, Spanish Language Specialist Cosenza, Language Access Unit Supervisor Jozami, Policy and Civic Engagement Officer Noonan, Deputy Director Whipple. OCEIA staff provided announcements in Spanish about how to access interpretation services during the meeting.

Chair Kennelly read the land acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.



Director Pon, Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, and Commissioners Wang and Khojasteh thanked Commissioner Zamora for his service on the Commission and congratulated him on his new position, and Commissioner Zamora thanked Commissioners.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Adoption of resolution making findings to allow teleconferenced meetings under California Government Code Section 54953(e)

Director Pon provided an overview of the resolution. The Commission adopted the findings at its last meeting and will continue to include the item on its meeting agendas. Commissioner Wang motioned to adopt the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Khojasteh. The motion was approved by the nine Commissioners present.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of October 18, 2021 Full Commission meeting minutes

Vice Chair Paz motioned to approve the October 18, 2021 Full Commission meeting minutes. Commissioner Obregon seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Invited Speakers

Commissioner Souza provided an overview of the resolution in support of Supervisor Ronen’s proposed ordinance, and introduced Santiago Lerma, legislative aide for the Supervisor. Legislative Aide Lerma provided an overview of Supervisor Ronen’s proposed legislation and answered questions from Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz and Commissioners Gaime, Obregon, Ricarte, Wang, and Khojasteh.



b. Adoption of resolution in support of paid time off for domestic workers in San Francisco (Commissioners Souza, Khojasteh, Rahimi, Obregon, Kennelly)

Commissioner Obregon motioned to adopt the resolution in support of paid time off for domestic workers in San Francisco. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

 

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Adoption of motion to send letter, recommendations and resource guide on ending AAPI hate to Mayor’s Office, Board of Supervisors, and City Departments as listed (Director Pon)

Director Pon asked the Full Commission to vote to distribute the letter, recommendations and resource guide on ending AAPI hate. The Commission did not vote on the agenda item during its special hearing on the subject. Commissioner Souza made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Wang. The motion was approved. Director Pon will issue the letter, recommendations and resource guide.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Motion to authorize Executive Committee to develop and execute follow-up actions on future hearings

Director Pon provided an overview of the motion to authorize the Executive Committee to develop and execute follow-up actions on future hearings for items that are consistent with the Commission’s positions, properly calendarized, agendized and discussed. Commissioner Souza made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Khojasteh. The motion was approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Language Access Survey and Follow-Up Actions (Executive Committee, Language Access Committee, OCEIA Staff)

Chair Kennelly, Commissioner Souza and Director Pon provided an update on the Commission’s actions on language access. OCEIA staff are currently analyzing the language access survey responses as well as the Language Access Ordinance compliance data, and will provide an update on the survey findings at the next Executive Committee meeting.



b. Newcomer Working Group (Commissioner Obregon)

Commissioner Obregon discussed follow-up actions from the special hearing on Haitian migrants and Afghan assistance efforts, and invited Commissioners to join her working group. Commissioner Mena volunteered to join the working group. Chair Kennelly and Vice Chair Paz will join as ex officio members. Commissioner Obregon will work with OCEIA staff to schedule a meeting.



c. Executive Committee (Chair Kennelly)

Vice Chair Paz discussed the lack of progress in U.S. Congress on immigration reform, and what the City can do to support immigrants locally.

(Information/Discussion)

a. Director’s Updates

Director Pon provided an update on the Commissioners’ reappointment hearings and the appointment of Zay David Latt to the Commission. The Board of Supervisors’ vote is scheduled for November 9, 2021. City Administrator Chu plans to attend the Pathways to Citizenship Initiative workshop on December 4, 2021, and Commissioners are encouraged to attend.



b. Vaccination Requirements for Commissioners

Director Pon reminded Commissioners about the notice they received requiring all Commissioners to be vaccinated by December 31, 2021.



c. Voluntary Commission Diversity Survey

Director Pon reminded Commissioners about the email they received regarding the diversity survey. November 12, 2021 is the last day to participate.



d. 2022 Strategic Planning Retreat

OCEIA staff are polling Commissioners about their availability for the 2022 strategic planning retreat. The Executive Committee will schedule the Commission’s strategic planning retreat for January 10, 2022 or February 14, 2022.

There was no old business.

Vice Chair Paz discussed the importance of including undocumented immigrants in any universal basic income program. Commissioner Souza discussed immigrant families’ access to homeownership and affordable housing. She will submit a letter of support on the matter to the Executive Committee

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.