April 28, 2021 IRC Executive Committee meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:41 p.m.

Present: Chair Kennelly, Executive Committee Members Khojasteh and Rahimi, Commissioners Fujii and Ricarte.

Not present: Vice Chair Paz (excused).

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

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of March 24, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Rahimi made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 24, 2021 Executive Committee meeting, seconded by Commissioner Khojasteh. The minutes were approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Introduction of Draft Resolution (Commissioner Souza)

b. Introduction of Draft Resolution (Commissioner Zamora)



The draft resolutions submitted by Commissioners Souza and Zamora have been shared with the Executive Committee. Chair Kennelly deferred action on the resolutions until Vice Chair Paz is able participate in the discussion. Commissioner Khojasteh asked about the process of introducing resolutions. Previous resolutions have been discussed and drafted by the Executive Committee to reflect the positions agreed on by the Full Commission. Director Pon stated that since these resolutions were drafted directly by Commissioners, staff recommended that they be reviewed and discussed by the Executive Committee. Commissioner Khojasteh discussed the resolution in support of AB 1259. At the request of Director Pon, Clerk Shore provided additional information about AB 1259. Chair Kennelly deferred discussion on both resolutions until the next Executive Committee meeting to allow Vice Chair Paz to participate. If the resolutions are time sensitive, Chair Kennelly will schedule an additional Executive Committee meeting.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Adoption of Statement (Director Pon)

Director Pon provided an overview of the Ramaytush Ohlone land acknowledgment statement, which was developed by the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone (ARO) for use by City boards and commissions and adopted by entities such as the Human Rights Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The statement would be read at the beginning of all Commission meetings. Commissioner Khojasteh made a motion to adopt the Ramaytush Ohlone land acknowledgment statement for Immigrant Rights Commission meetings. Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Awards Committee: IRC Immigrant Leadership Awards Nominations and Planning for June Awards Event (Commissioners Fujii and Ricarte)

Chair Kennelly welcomed IRC Awards Committee Co-Chairs Fujii and Ricarte. Commissioners discussed the nominations and finalized the selection of award winners. Chair Kennelly made a motion to confirm the award winners as finalized by the Executive Committee. Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The motion was approved. OCEIA staff will prepare award letters and notify award winners.



b. Language Access Committee: May Hearing and Language Access Survey (Director Pon)

Director Pon provided an update on the May 10, 2021 special hearing on language access and Commission Clerk Shore provided an update on the language access survey. Commissioners are invited to share the multilingual flyers with their networks and invite community members to the hearing.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates

This item was deferred by Director Pon.



b. Special Joint Hearing on AAPI Hate

This item was heard out of order. Director Pon is in the process of confirming a joint hearing with the Human Rights Commission on Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate crimes. The City Administrator has been invited to speak at one of the Immigrant Rights Commission’s May hearings. If the Human Rights Commission is unable to participate, the Immigrant Rights Commission can host the hearing on its own. Commissioner Khojasteh suggested inviting the San Francisco Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office. He also suggested that the Executive Committee schedule an additional meeting to plan the special hearing. Chair Kennelly will ask Vice Chair Paz for additional suggestions of speakers.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Follow Up Actions from Special January 2021 Immigration Hearing: Research into Tenderloin Arrests (Commissioner Khojasteh)

Commissioner Khojasteh provided an update and suggested referring community members to the monthly community meetings held by police station captains. He will provide more information about the meetings and discuss how to disseminate it to community members. In response to a question from Chair Kennelly, Director Pon said the City Administrator racial equity plan is moving to the next phase and once conversations begin, an update will be provided.

Chair Kennelly may schedule an additional Executive Committee meeting in May to discuss the draft resolutions and plan for the special hearing on anti-AAPI hate.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m.