January 10, 2022 IRC meeting

Commissioner Khojasteh called the meeting to order at 5:49 p.m.



Present: Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Enssani, Fujii, Khojasteh, Latt, Rahimi, Ricarte, Souza, Wang.



Not present: Chair Kennelly (excused), Commissioners Gaime (excused), Mena (excused), Obregon (excused), Ruiz (excused).



OCEIA Staff Present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grant Administrator Chan, Deputy Director Whipple.

Commissioner Khojasteh read the land acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

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

Director Pon provided a review of the resolution to continue to allow teleconferenced meetings. Commissioner Souza motioned to approve the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Enssani. The resolution was approved unanimously by the nine Commissioners present.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of December 13, 2021 Full Commission meeting minutes

Commissioner Souza motioned to approve the December 13, 2021 Full Commission meeting minutes, seconded by Vice Chair Paz. The minutes were approved unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Language Access (OCEIA Staff, Language Access Committee, Executive Committee)

Director Pon provided an update on the 2022 Language Access Compliance Summary Report and Commissioner Souza, chair of the language access committee, will follow up with Director Pon on recommendations.



b. Newcomer Working Group (Commissioner Obregon)

Commissioner Obregon will present an update at the next Full Commission meeting.



c. Executive Committee (Chair Kennelly)

OCEIA staff sent City departments the Commission’s letter on inclusive housing.

(Information/Discussion)

a. Director’s Updates

Director Pon provided an update on the Language Access Compliance Summary Report.



b. Vaccination Requirements and In-Person Meetings

Director Pon thanked Commissioners for sharing their vaccination information. As of February 28, 2022, Commissioners must meet in person; members of the public will be able to join meetings in person or remotely.



c. Implicit Bias Training Requirement for Commissioners

Director Pon reminded Commissioners to complete the mandatory implicit bias training.



d. 2022 Strategic Planning Retreat and Officer Elections

Director Pon reminded Commissioners to provide their availability for the tentative retreat date of March 14, 2022.

Vice Chair asked Director Pon about planning a hearing on what actions San Francisco can take in the absence of federal immigration reform. Director Pon stated that the Executive Committee will be discussing and planning the hearing.



Commissioner Souza thanked Commissioners for the resolution supporting the ordinance regarding paid time off for domestic workers, which passed the Board of Supervisors. She noted that she had discussed a hearing on housing as a follow-up to the Commission’s letter to City departments.

Commissioner Souza will introduce a resolution at the upcoming Executive Committee meeting in support of chartering the Immigrant Rights Commission in the November election.



Vice Chair Paz suggested launching a pilot program to provide Universal Basic Income to immigrant communities.



Commissioner Latt discussed holding a hearing to engage with Burmese community members on the situation in Burma. In response to a question from Commissioner Khojasteh, Director Pon stated that Commissioners should propose new hearing topics to the Executive Committee, which will prioritize the Commission’s activities. The next Executive Committee is scheduled for January 26, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.



Commissioner Khojasteh discussed the importance of ensuring that information about COVID-19 testing and vaccines is available in multiple languages. Commissioner Enssani added that information about therapeutics must also be made available. Commissioner Khojasteh will bring the matter before the Executive Committee.

 

Commissioner Khojasteh adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.