December 1, 2021 IRC Executive Committee meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.



Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz (left at 6:46 p.m.), Executive Committee members Khojasteh, Rahimi (5:38 p.m.), Commissioner Souza.



OCEIA Staff Present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grants Administrator Chan, Policy and Civic Engagement Officer Noonan, Deputy Director Whipple.

Chair Kennelly read the land acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of October 27, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to approve the October 27, 2021 Executive Committee meeting minutes, seconded by Vice Chair Paz. The minutes were approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Language Access Survey Updates and Follow-Up Actions

Director Pon thanked Commissioners, OCEIA staff and community-based organizations for their help with the language access community survey, and invited Commission Clerk Shore to present key findings. Clerk Shore presented an overview of key findings of the survey. Director Pon suggested that the Commission issue the language access community survey report with the annual Language Access Ordinance compliance report. Chair Kennelly asked about OCEIA staff capacity, and suggested postponing the Commission’s annual retreat to March 2022. Commissioner Souza suggested that the Commission hold language access hearings after the 2022 reports have been issued.



In response to a question from Vice Chair Paz, Director Pon provided an overview of the Commission’s role in reviewing the annual Language Access Ordinance compliance report and language access complaints, and recommending policy changes. At the request of Director Pon, Policy and Civic Engagement Officer Noonan provided an overview of language access complaints. Commissioners discussed how to increase City department compliance, and Commissioner Souza suggested that the Commission partner with City departments to encourage, not penalize, them. Director Pon provided an update on her meetings with Supervisors’ offices on amendments to the Language Access Ordinance, and has submitted the Commission’s input from their two hearings. She suggested that Commissioners be included in future discussions. Chair Kennelly asked Director Pon to make the request and inform the Commission about Commissioners’ representation in the conversations.



b. Letter of Support on Immigrant Family Homeownership (Commissioner Souza)

Commissioner Souza presented an overview of the purpose of the letter, and Vice Chair Paz and Director Pon discussed the importance of the issue. Vice Chair Paz made a motion to move the letter forward to the Full Commission for consideration and approval, and Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The motion was approved.



c. Anti-AAPI Hate Follow-Up Actions

In response to a question from Commissioner Khojasteh, Director Pon stated that OCEIA staff, on behalf of the Commission, have sent the letter, recommendations and multilingual resource guide to City leaders and departments, and have not yet heard back from the recipients. OCEIA staff will resend the documents to the Executive Committee. Commissioner Khojasteh suggested that the Executive Committee discuss the matter at its next meeting in January 2022.



d. Proposed Time Change of Executive Committee Meetings

Chair Kennelly asked Commissioners about changing the time of future Executive Committee meetings. Commissioners Khojasteh, Rahimi, and Souza are available at 5:00 p.m. on the committee’s regular meeting day. Chair Kennelly will follow up with Vice Chair Paz.



e. Scheduling/Planning of IRC Annual Strategic Planning Retreat and Officer Elections

Chair Kennelly tentatively scheduled the Commission’s annual strategic planning retreat for March 14, 2022. OCEIA staff will poll Commissioners on their availability that afternoon.

(Information/Discussion)

a. Director’s Updates

Director Pon provided an update on the expansion of the Community Ambassadors Program to District 4, 5 and the border between Districts 10 and 11. The next San Francisco Pathways to Citizenship Initiative workshop will take place on December 4, 2021, and Commissioners are invited to attend.

There was no old business.

Director Pon asked Commissioners if they would like to join a meeting with leaders of the UCSF Health and Human Rights Initiative to discuss a program supporting refugee patient asylum claims. The Initiative is led by Dr. Suzanne Barakat, Assistant Professor, activist and well-known speaker. Chair Kennelly and Commissioners Khojasteh and Souza volunteered. Chair Kennelly canceled the Executive Committee’s December meeting.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.