Commission Meeting Minutes March 26, 2024

Commissioners Present:
First District: Howard Sapper (Officer-at-Large), Sarah Kerlow
Second District: Yensi Jacobo*, Andrew Lemarquand*, Sadie Ferguson*
Third District: Katrina Phillips (Chair), Liz Cruz Reyes
Fourth District: Irmina Benson
Fifth District: Nichole Warwick (Vice Chair) *
Staff: Meira Bowcut

Commissioners Absent:
Third District: Isabel Lopez
Fourth District: Trevor Merrell
*Commissioners Lemarquand and Ferguson attended via Zoom per Gov’t. Code Section54953(b) at this location: 1094 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952.
*Commissioner Warwick attended via Zoom per AB2449 excuse.
*Commissioner Jacobo arrived late at approximately at 5:40 PM.

Meeting held virtually and in person.

I.CALL TO ORDER – MISSION STATEMENT – ROLL CALL – PHILLIPS
Meeting called to order by Chair Phillips at 5:35 PM. Chair Phillips read the missionstatement. Roll call taken by Staff.

II.COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT– PHILLIPS
This month’s community spotlight was Jason Windus and Richard Jump. They talked abouthow they initiated the warming centers that are currently housing the unhoused with theusage of trailers. They shared some challenges they are facing have with neighbors and lawenforcement. Those challenges haven’t stopped them. They have received a lot of donationsand they will be partnering with other organizations as well to continue to help theunhoused.

III.YOUTH COMMISSION PRESENTATION- CRUZ REYES & JACOBO
The Youth Commission’s ad hocs presented on three topics: education, environment, andhomelessness. The Educational Ad Hoc presented on disparity in funding. Their data showedthat the more minority students the lower the graduation rates and the less funding thatschool gets. Funding Equity is their main goal, and they would like schools to be moretransparent with their funding breakdown. The Environmental Ad Hoc presented on recyclingeducation. They are collecting data from Sonoma County Schools-students and leaders to
gain knowledge of waste-disposal process and actions taken across the district. Once they have the data, they will present to the Board of Supervisors to provide recommendations. The Homeless Ad Hoc presented current Sonoma County and Santa Rosa City data. Unaffordable housing and mental health are the main reasons for the rise in homelessness. They provided an overview of Coordinated Entry and how it works to find housing/shelter. The ad hoc is creating an informational film to summarize the spread of homelessness and the impact it has on individuals throughout their life as well as they want to include qualitative data from interviews.

IV. OPENINGS & APPOINTMENTS – PHILLIPS
1. Chair Phillips welcomed Commissioner Benson. She introduced herself before Staff completed her oath of office.
V. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 27, 2024 MINUTES – PHILLIPS
No Discussion. Motion to approve the February 27, 2024 Minutes.

No Public Comment.

Motion: Commissioner Sapper   Ayes: 8   Noes: 0
Second: Commissioner Cruz Reyes   Absent:2   Abstained: 1
Commissioners Merrell and Lopez were absent. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair. Motion passed.

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS- PHILLIPS
No Public Comment.

VII. AD HOC COMMITTEE AND PROJECT COMMITTEE UPDATES
1. Collective Care Response Team handed out a informational packet for their update. This packet contained Piqui’s law and supporting research of their work.

VIII. REGULAR CALENDAR
1. Chair Phillips suggested to postpone all the items to April’s meeting. Motion to table the items until next meeting.
No Public Comment.
Motion: Chair Phillips   Ayes: 8   Noes: 0
Second: Commissioner Sapper Absent:2   Abstained: 1
Commissioners Merrell and Lopez were absent. Chair Phillips abstained as Chair. Motion passed.

IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.