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Human Resources Department

Commission on Human Rights

Commission on Human Rights Meeting

Date: August 27, 2024

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Meeting Information:

1. JOIN IN PERSON:
Human Resources Large Training Room
575 Administration Drive, Suite 117C, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Limited seating is available for public participants.

2. JOIN VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM:
Participate by computer, table, or smartphone application. Go to: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/99356615285?pwd=UUlSNllDQkUvTitzTWQ5bnNkL2NBUT09 
Webinar ID: 993 5661 5285
Passcode: 575862

3. JOIN IN ZOOM BY TELEPHONE:
Dial +1 (669) 900 9128
Webinar ID: 993 5661 5285
Passcode: 575862

Registration Required: No

Add to Calendar

First District: Howard Sapper, Maria Barakat
Second District: Andrew Lemarquand*, Sadie Ferguson
Third District: Katrina Phillips (Chair), Isabel Lopez, Liz Cruz Reyes (Officer-at-Large)
Fourth District: Trevor Merrell (Officer-at-Large), Irmina Benson, Cecilia Sofranko
Fifth District: Nichole Warwick (Vice Chair), Mason Koski, Nox Riley 

*Commissioner Lemarquand will be attending hybrid via Zoom per Gov’t. Code Section 54953(b) at this location: 1094 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952.

Agenda

I. CALL TO ORDER – MISSION STATEMENT – ROLL CALL – PHILLIPS

II. KATHLEEN FINIGAN AWARD CEREMONY– PHILLIPS
The Commission on Human Rights honors Kathy King with S.O.S. by awarding her with the 2nd annual Kathleen Finigan Award.

III. COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT– WARWICK

Monthly featured guest to present on the Asphalt Plant issue in West County.

• Cherry Kane and Alissa Henderman from Asphalt Stinks

IV. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 25, 2024 MINUTES – PHILLIPS

V. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 27, 2024 MINUTES – PHILLIPS

VI. OPENINGS & APPOINTMENTS – PHILLIPS

  1. Openings - one (1) in the Second District and one (1) in the Second District.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS – PHILLIPS
Public comment is limited to two minutes per topic or four minutes when using interpretation services

VIII. OFFICER REPORTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
Officers and Staff to discuss administrative-related matters including, but not limited to, field trip ideas and speaker coordination.

  1. Tabling opportunity at Rancho Cotati High on September 21 at 1pm-9pm for their Fiesta De Independencia and Car Show.

IX. REGULAR CALENDAR – Discussion and possible action on items below

1. Ad hoc/Project Workplans and Budgets-Phillips
Review and approve the 2024-2025 ad hocs work plans and their budgets. Each ad hoc/project has 3 minutes to present.

• Housing and Homelessness Committee (HHC)
• Racial Equity and Social Justice Framework Committee
• Youth Commission Project
• Sonoma County Human Rights Visibility Project
• Adult Prom
• Disability Justice

2. League of Women Voters Presentation- Phillips
The Commission on the Status of Women invites the Commission to hear the
presentation on October 10, 2024, and/or co-sponsor the event.

X. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING – PHILLIPS

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Meeting Documentation

Agenda Packet

Instructions for the Public

In accordance with AB 361, Governor Newsom’s March 4, 2020 State of Emergency due to COVID19 pandemic, Sonoma County Public Health Officer’s Recommendation for Teleconference Meetings, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Resolution 21-0399, the Commission on the Status of Women meetings will be held virtually.

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361) on September 16, 2021, which amends the Ralph M.Brown Act to provide additional provisions that allow meetings of legislative bodies to continue to be conducted via teleconference. This Resolution makes the findings to confirm the current conditions allow teleconference meetings pursuant to AB 361 for the Board of Supervisors and on behalf of all of the commissions and committees created by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Government Code section54952(b). This will allow members of the public to safely observe and participate in local government meetings during the continued pandemic.

The following are key provisions of the Executive Order with the substantive changes from the prior order identified in bold below:

  • Allows public agencies to hold public meetings via teleconference and to make the meeting accessible electronically or telephonically to all member of the public seeking to attend and address the Board.
  • The requirement that each teleconference location be publicly accessible is suspended.
  • The requirement to post agendas at all teleconference locations and notice each location where the member is calling in from is suspended.
  • The requirement that at least a quorum be present in the boundaries of the jurisdiction is suspended.
  • Notice must still be given 72 hours in advance for regular meeting and 24 hours in advance for special meetings.
  • Local Agencies may hold meetings via teleconferencing and allow the public to observe and address the meeting telephonically or otherwise electronically. (NOTE: the prior order required at least one physical location be open for the public to observe and address the meeting. A physical location for observing the meeting is no longer required.)
  • If meeting is held telephonically or otherwise electronically, agencies must implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable modification or accommodations from individuals with disabilities, consistent with the ADA. The procedure must be advertised each time notice of the meeting is given.
  • Agencies are encouraged to use sound discretion and to make reasonable efforts to adhere to the Brown Act as closely as possible.

Agendas and Materials

Agendas and Materials: Agendas and most supporting materials are available on the Commission’s website.

Due to legal, copyright, privacy or policy considerations, not all materials are posted online.

NOTE: Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, materials that are not posted will be available directly from the Commission at chr@sonoma-county.org

Disabled Accommodation

If you have a disability which requires an accommodation, an alternative format, or requires another person to assist you while attending this meeting, please contact the Deputy Clerk at (707) 565-1851, as soon as possible to ensure arrangements for accommodation.

Approval of the Consent Calendar

The Consent Calendar includes routine financial and administrative actions that are usually approved by a single majority vote. There will be no discussion on these items prior to voting on the motion unless Commission Members request specific items be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar.

Public Comment

Any member of the audience desiring to address the Commission on a matter on the agenda:

Members of the public are invited to join this meeting via Zoom teleconferencing. In order that all interested parties have an opportunity to speak, please be brief and limit your comments to the subject under discussion. Each person is usually granted 3 minutes to speak; time limitations are at the discretion of the Chair.

While members of the public are welcome to address the Commission, under the Brown Act, Commission members may not deliberate or take action on items not on the agenda, and generally may only listen.

Commitment to Civil Engagement

All are encouraged to engage in respectful dialog that supports freedom of speech and values diversity of opinion. Commissioners, Staff, and the public are encouraged to:

  • Create an atmosphere of respect and civility where Commissioners, County Staff, and the Public are free to express their ideas within the time and content parameters established by the Brown Act and CHR’s standard Parliamentary procedures (Robert’s Rules of Order);
  • Establish and maintain a cordial and respectful atmosphere during discussions;
  • Foster meaningful dialogue free of attacks of a personal nature and/or attacks based on age, (dis)ability, class, education level, gender, gender identity, occupation, race and/or ethnicity, sexual orientation;
  • Listen with an open mind to all information, including dissenting points of view, regarding issues presented to the Commission;
  • Recognize it is sometimes difficult to speak at meetings, and out of respect for each person's perspective, allow speakers to have their say without comment or body gestures, including booing, whistling or clapping.