September 22, 2021 IRC Executive Committee meeting

Chair Kennelly called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.



Present: Chair Kennelly, Vice Chair Paz, Executive Committee members Khojasteh, Rahimi, Commissioner Souza.

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

Chair Kennelly read the land acknowledgment statement.

There was no public comment.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Approval of August 25, 2021 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Khojasteh motioned to approve the minutes from the August 25, 2021 Executive Committee meeting. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Planning for October Full Commission Hearing

Chair Kennelly rescheduled the Full Commission hearing to October 18, 2021 and Commissioners discussed speakers and topics. Commission Clerk Shore will communicate the rescheduled date to Commissioners and OCEIA staff will invite speakers.



b. Resolution on Immigrant Parent Voting (Commissioners Souza, Paz, Obregon): Introduction and Invited Speaker Gabriel Medina, Executive Director, La Raza Community Resource Center

Director Pon reviewed open meeting laws and Commission protocols. Commissioner Souza introduced the resolution and invited La Raza Community Resource Center Executive Director Gabriel Medina to speak. Director Medina provided an overview of the proposed legislation to eliminate the sunset provision from immigrant parent voting. Commissioners Rahimi, Khojasteh and Chair Kennelly requested to be added as co-sponsors of the resolution. Chair Kennelly motioned for OCEIA staff to make final edits to the resolution and send it to the Full Commission for a vote at its October 18, 2021 meeting. Commissioner Khojasteh seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.



c. Federal Actions Strategy

Director Pon provided an overview of the communications toolkit that OCEIA staff have prepared and sent to the Mayor’s Office. She will inform the Executive Committee if the Commission is approved to make a statement.



d. Language Access Follow-Up Actions

Commission Clerk Shore provided an overview of the language access survey responses. Commissioner Souza suggested discussing the survey at the November Executive Committee meeting. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Chair Kennelly will reschedule the November meeting during the Executive Committee’s October 27, 2021 meeting.



e. Anti-AAPI Hate Follow-Up Actions

Director Pon provided an update on the anti-AAPI hate letter and the We Are More art campaign. She is making final edits to the letter and following up with City partners regarding the campaign.

(Information/Discussion/Action)

a. Director’s Updates

Director Pon deferred this item.



b. Reappointment of Commissioners

Director Pon reminded Commissioners to submit their applications for reappointment to the Commission.

There was no old business.

Chair Kennelly proposed that the Commission make a statement on the actions taking place at the southern border with Haitian refugees. Chair Kennelly will draft a statement with Vice Chair Paz and send it to OCEIA staff.

Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.