December 14, 2020 IRC meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.



Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Enssani, Fujii, Gaime, Monge, Radwan, Rahimi (5:42 p.m.), Ruiz, Wang (5:40 p.m.)



Not present: Commissioners Khojasteh, Ricarte.



OCEIA staff present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Administrative Programs Coordinator Alvarez, Office Manager Chan, Spanish Language Specialist Cosenza, Language Access Unit Supervisor Jozami, Deputy Director Whipple.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of November 9, 2020 Full Commission Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Wang motioned to approve the minutes from November 9, 2020. Commissioner Radwan seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Overview of ADM Racial Equity Action Plan (Director Rodriguez, Deputy Director Hillsman, Oversight Associate Director Patel, Office of Cannabis)

Chair Kennelly discussed the work of the IRC’s Racial Equity Working Group and introduced representatives of the Office of Cannabis, which has been tasked with creating the racial equity plan for departments under the Office of the City Administrator (ADM).



Director Rodriguez, Deputy Director Hillsman, and Oversight Associate Director Patel of the Office of Cannabis provided an overview of the racial equity plan they have drafted, including issues related to hiring, retention and promotion, leadership and management, and City boards and commissions.



Director Pon thanked Director Rodriguez, the Office of Cannabis, and all ADM leaders who are steering this effort.



Chair Kennelly invited Commissioners to ask questions. Director Rodriguez answered a question from Commissioner Enssani and Gaime about the criteria for equity. Commissioner Gaime voiced her support for the racial equity action plan.



Director Rodriguez thanked City Administrator Naomi Kelly, Deputy City Administrator Ken Bukowski, and ADM leadership for promoting racial equity work.



Chair Kennelly thanked the invited speakers for their presentation and work to advance racial equity.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates Director Pon provided an overview of President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris’ plan for their first 100 days, and discussed the importance of creating an Office of New Americans. She provided an update on the apportionment case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and an overview of the current administration’s final rule on asylum. She discussed the themes of the recent National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) and the importance of both undoing the harm of the outgoing administration, and creating practical, humane policies including a pathway to citizenship, and the inclusion of immigrants in health care, COVID relief, and economic opportunities.



b. IRC Applications and Reappointment Hearings

Director Pon noted that Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, and Commissioner Rahimi have been reappointed to the Commission. Commissioners appointed by the Mayor are up for reappointment, as are five Commissioners appointed by the Board of Supervisors (Commissioners Enssani, Gaime, Khojasteh, Ruiz, and Radwan). OCEIA staff have sent these Commissioners the application forms and instructions to reapply for their seats. Director Pon reminded Commissioners to submit their applications as soon as possible, and to contact Clerk Shore with any questions.



c. IRC Special Immigration Hearing

Director Pon provided an overview of the IRC’s special immigration hearing, which is scheduled for January 11, 2021.



d. IRC Retreat and Officer Elections

The Executive Committee will plan the format of the IRC retreat and officer elections, which is tentatively scheduled for February 8, 2021. Chair Kennelly thanked Senior Communications Specialist Richardson for designing the IRC’s holiday greeting.

There was no old business.

There was no new business.

Chair Kennelly noted that this is the final Full Commission meeting of 2020 and thanked Commissioners and OCEIA staff for their work and dedication to the Immigrant Rights Commission and San Francisco’s immigrant communities. Vice Chair Paz thanked Chair Kennelly for her leadership. Commissioners Wang, Enssani, and Rahimi expressed their thanks to Commissioners and OCEIA staff. Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.