January 26, 2022 IRC Executive Committee meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.

Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz (left at 7:26 p.m.), Executive Committee members Khojasteh (left at 6:34 p.m.) and Rahimi (left at 6:15 p.m.), Commissioners Latt and Souza.

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

Commissioner Rahimi announced his resignation from the Executive Committee, and said he will continue to serve on the Commission. Chair Kennelly thanked Commissioner Rahimi for his leadership on the Executive Committee.

Chair Kennelly read the land acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of December 1, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Vice Chair Paz motioned to approve the minutes from the December 1, 2021 Executive Committee meeting. Commissioner Khojasteh seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Proposed Time Change of Executive Committee Meetings (Chair Kennelly)

Chair Kennelly stated that the Executive Committee meetings would continue to be held at 5:30 p.m.



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

This item was heard out of order. Director Pon noted that Commissioners had not reached a consensus on a time for the March 14, 2022 retreat, and suggested that the Commission reschedule its retreat and officer elections to April or May. Chair Kennelly motioned to reschedule the annual strategic planning retreat and officer elections for April 11, 2022, with May 9, 2022 as a back-up date. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The motion was approved by the three Executive Committee members present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, and Commissioner Khojasteh.



c. Language Access Ordinance Report, Recommendations and Follow-Up Actions (Director Pon, Commissioner Souza)

This item was heard out of order. Director Pon provided an update on the 2022 Language Access Compliance Summary Report. Per the San Francisco Language Access Ordinance, OCEIA is required to collect, analyze and summarize all data submitted by departments and present the summary report to the Board of Supervisors and to the Commission each year for adoption. Commission Clerk Shore provided a brief overview of the Language Access Community Survey, which is included in this year’s report. Commissioner Souza asked how she could contribute language access recommendations. Director Pon said that following the release of the report, the Commission can adopt the report, then consolidate and add to their recommendations, and present them to the Board of Supervisors at its language access hearing. City leaders are also discussing making amendments to the Language Access Ordinance.



d. Anti-AAPI Hate Follow-Up Actions (Commissioner Khojasteh)

In response to a question from Commissioner Khojasteh, Director Pon stated that OCEIA staff had not received responses from City departments to the Commission’s letter. Director Pon suggested following up with each Department to ask for an update on what actions they have taken to address the issue, and to invite them to present their updates to the Commission at its second hearing on AAPI hate. She suggested that the Chair and Vice Chair draft the email, and OCEIA staff send it on their behalf. Director Pon will follow up with Department heads by phone or email. Commissioner Khojasteh suggested that the Commission hold the hearing on March 14, 2022. Chair Kennelly will draft the email with Vice Chair Paz and Director Pon.



e. Housing Follow-Up Actions (Commissioner Souza)

Commissioner Souza proposed organizing a hearing on housing priorities for immigrant communities, including Limited English Proficient (LEP) residents, in April or May. The focus will be affordability, and can include preservation of affordable housing, and rental assistance. Chair Kennelly asked Commissioners to send Commissioner Souza suggestions of organizations to invite, and asked that the item be added to the February meeting agenda.



f. Universal Basic Income for Immigrant Communities (Vice Chair Paz)

Vice Chair Paz provided an update on efforts to develop a Universal Basic Income pilot program for 250 immigrant families. The plan is still in development and Vice Chair Paz will provide an update at a later date. Commissioners discussed the matter and Director Pon suggested including it as part of their strategic planning retreat.



g. Federal Immigration Reform and Local Responses (Vice Chair Paz)

Vice Chair Paz stated that this item is intended to help the Executive Committee plan its retreat, and discuss what can be done locally to support immigrants in the absence of federal immigration reform. Chair Kennelly asked about proposed legislation. Commissioner Souza said she can provide updates at the next Executive Committee meeting.



h. Multilingual COVID-19 Communications (Commissioner Khojasteh)

This item was deferred to the next Executive Committee meeting.



i. Proposed Resolution on Chartered Commission (Commissioner Souza)

Commissioner Souza provided an overview of the draft resolution in support of chartering the Immigrant Rights Commission. She is in the process of obtaining additional information, and requested that the discussion on the resolution be deferred to the Full Commission meeting. Chair Kennelly noted that the Commission has not previously discussed the matter. In response to a question from Vice Chair Paz, Director Pon noted that the Commission and OCEIA should not advocate for anything that directly benefits them.



j. Proposed Hearing on Burma (Commissioner Latt)

Commissioner Latt proposed organizing a hearing to discuss resources for the Burmese American community. Director Pon suggested that the item be added to the Commission’s retreat agenda. She reminded the Commission to be strategic about its role in hearing from community members without making political statements. Commissioner Latt agreed and highlighted the importance of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and other resources available to community members.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates

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



b. IRC Report

Commission Clerk Shore provided an update on the annual IRC report. OCEIA staff drafted the report and sent it to the Executive Committee for their review.



c. Implicit Bias Training

Commissioners who have not completed the implicit bias training should do so as soon as possible.

There was no old business.

This item was heard out of order. Chair Kennelly asked Commissioner Souza to join the Executive Committee. Commissioner Souza agreed, and Chair Kennelly appointed Commissioner Souza as a member of the Executive Committee.



Chair Kennelly asked about the Immigrant Leadership Awards event. Director Pon said Chair Kennelly can appoint a committee to work with OCEIA staff on planning and scheduling the event, and identifying the honorees. Chair Kennelly asked that the item be added to future meeting agendas.



Commissioner Souza asked about the citizenship workshop planned for February 12, 2022. The event has been postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions. Director Pon noted that OCEIA has held Temporary Protected Status (TPS) workshops in the past, and suggested holding a future TPS workshop for Burmese, Haitian and other communities.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.