September 23, 2020 IRC Executive Committee meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:43 p.m. 

Present: Chair Kennelly, Commissioners Rahimi, Khojasteh. 

Not present: Vice Chair Paz (excused), Commissioner Radwan (excused). 

OCEIA Staff Present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Office Manager Chan.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action) 

a. Approval of August 26, 2020 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes 

Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to approve the August 26, 2020 Executive Committee meeting minutes. Commissioner Rahimi seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action) 

a. Abolish ICE Proposal Introduction (Commissioner Khojasteh) 

Commissioner Khojasteh discussed introducing a resolution to call for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Director Pon and Commissioners discussed the proposal and whether such a resolution would be within the Commission’s purview. Commissioner Rahimi suggested inviting the City Attorney to the next Full Commission meeting. Director Pon will invite the City Attorney. Chair Kennelly asked Commissioner Khojasteh to draft the resolution and bring it to the Full Commission meeting on October 19, 2020.



b. Racial Equity Working Group Update (Commissioner Khojasteh) 

Commissioner Khojasteh provided an update on the racial equity working group. He reached out to Director Simley to request information on the Friday community roundtable meetings. Director Pon discussed the need to coordinate with OCEIA, which participates in weekly meetings with the Office of Racial Equity. Director Pon will ask the City Administrator’s leadership team to advise the Commission on how to proceed.

(Information/Discussion/Action) 

a. Director’s Updates 

Director Pon invited Commissioners to participate in the Census Week of Action, which includes census assistance events in Civic Center, Chinatown, the Bayview, the Mission, and a census caravan throughout the city. She also provided an update on OCEIA’s first virtual citizenship workshop. Commissioner Rahimi noted reports that local U.S. census workers are being sent outside San Francisco and asked if the Commission should issue a statement. Director Pon said it would likely not be helpful to issue such a statement since the U.S. Census Bureau has already initiated the action. She invited Commissioners to join OCEIA at the remaining census events. Chair Kennelly will participate in the events in Civic Center, and encouraged other Commissioners to attend.

(Information/Discussion/Action) 

a. Tracking of Commission Deliverables and Results (Commissioner Radwan) 

Chair Kennelly deferred this item to the next meeting. 

(Information/Discussion/Action) 

a. IRC Elections 

Director Pon asked the Executive Committee if they would like to schedule officer elections or postpone them due to COVID-19. Commissioner Khojasteh suggested that the Commission continue to hold its elections during its January retreat. Commissioner Rahimi motioned to defer the office elections to January 2021. Commissioner Khojasteh seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.