May 26, 2021 IRC Executive Committee meeting

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

Present: Executive Committee members Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Commissioners Khojasteh and Rahimi (5:38 p.m.); and Commissioners Fujii and Monge.

OCEIA staff present: Director Pon, Commission Clerk Shore, Operations and Grants Administrator Chan, Communications Specialist Richardson.

Chair Kennelly read the Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of May 14, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Vice Chair Paz motioned to approve the minutes from the May 14, 2021 Executive Committee meeting. Commissioner Khojasteh seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. IRC Awards Planning

Commissioner Fujii asked Director Pon for an update. Director Pon and OCEIA staff provided an overview of the awards event planning.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates Director Pon provided an update on OCEIA, including return to work status and the new civic engagement officer who will be joining the office soon.

Commissioner Khojasteh thanked OCEIA staff for organizing the special hearing on anti-AAPI hate and discussed follow-up actions. Commission Clerk Shore will draft the minutes, and Commissioner Khojasteh will draft a letter to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, Police Chief, and District Attorney. Director Pon suggested attaching recommendations to the letter to address victims’ assistance, language access and community support and funding for service providers. Because the hearing was not planned by a subcommittee, Director Pon stated that the Executive Committee can take the lead on follow-up actions.



Commissioner Monge provided an overview of follow-up actions from the special hearings on language access. He will contact President Walton’s Office and consolidate recommendations from the hearings. OCEIA staff created a language access survey and the Language Access Network is producing a needs assessment. Director Pon, Chair Kennelly, and Commissioner Monge presented before the Board of Supervisors’ Government Audit and Oversight Committee.

Director Pon asked the Executive Committee if they would like the Commission to take a recess during the summer. Chair Kennelly suggested that the Full Commission take a tentative recess in July. Subcommittees can continue to meet.

Chair Kennelly thanked Commissioners and staff for their work organizing the special hearings on language access and AAPI hate, and the upcoming Immigrant Leadership Awards. She adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m.