January 27, 2021 IRC Executive Committee meeting

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

Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz (left at 6:48 p.m.), Commissioners Khojasteh, Radwan, Rahimi.

OCEIA Staff Present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grants Administrator Chan.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of January 7, 2020 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to approve the minutes from the January 7, 2021 Executive Committee meeting. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Follow Up Actions from Special January 2021 Immigration Hearing

On January 19, 2021, the Commission joined with the national coalition Cities for Action to endorse a series of immigration policy recommendations for the Biden administration. Commissioners discussed the concerns raised during the January 11, 2021 special hearing, including the arrest of young people in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Commissioner Khojasteh volunteered to research the matter and report back to the Commission.



b. IRC Strategic Planning Retreat and Elections Chair Kennelly scheduled the strategic planning retreat and elections for 3:00 p.m. on February 8, 2021. Commissioners will complete the pre-retreat survey this week. Director Pon reviewed the election process and will send Commissioners a call for nominations. Commissioner Khojasteh nominated Chair Kennelly and Vice Chair Paz to continue in their roles. Commissioner Radwan joined him in the same nomination. Chair Kennelly and Vice Chair Paz accepted their nominations. Commissioners discussed additional ways to share responsibility.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates

Director Pon provided an update on the new City Administrator Carmen Chu and the new Assessor-Recorder Joaquin Torres. In response to language access challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Language Access Network is developing recommendations on how to improve language access, including possible amendments to the Language Access Ordinance and proposing a task force on language access. The Commission will discuss language access at its retreat and identify Commissioners to lead the effort.

Commissioner Khojasteh asked about the date of the reappointment hearing and will provide Director Pon with his written remarks. Director Pon provided an update on the reappointment hearings. Chair Kennelly asked for an update on the Racial Equity Working Group. Director Pon provided an update on the racial equity plan.

There was no new business.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.m.