Commission Meeting Minutes July 11 2024

Commissioners Present:
First District: Joanne M. Brown (OAL), Nancy Padian*, Haunani Pakaki
Second District: Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff
Third District: Ana Diaz-Garcia, Melanie Jones-Carter (Vice-Chair)
Fourth District: Gina Fortino Dickson (Chair), Letitia Hanke

Commissioners Absent:
Second District: Katie Gordon (Leave of absence)
Third District: Ofra Isler
Fifth District: Jessica Wood, Angie Dillon-Shore, Zobida McCorquodale
*Commissioner Padian attended via Zoom (AB 2449 Excuse)

Meeting held through publicly available link via Zoom Meeting, and in-person.

1.CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL
Meeting called to order at approximately 6:20 p.m. Roll call taken by Staff.

2.LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Commissioner Diaz-Garcia read the Land Acknowledgement.

3.PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
No Public Comment.

4.APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 13, 2024 MEETING MINUTES
Motion to approve the June 13, 2024 meeting minutes.

No Public Comment.

Motion: Commissioner Diaz-Garcia Ayes: 7 Noes: 0
Second: Vice Chair Jones-Carter Absent: 5 Abstained: 1
Commissioners Isler, Wood, Dillon-Shore, and McCorquodale were absent. Commissioner Gordon is on leave of absence. Chair Fortino Dickson abstained as Chair. Motion passed.

5. OFFICER REPORTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
a. Staff reported on her task to find a new home for Commission’s historical photos. She contacted the Historical Records Commission, and they might take the photos. More to come on this topic. She reminded Commissioners about the strategic planning meeting on August 3rd.

6. COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Commissioner Diaz-Garcia announced that she will not be asking for reappointment. Council Member Alvarez asked her to serve in the Community Advisory Board - a Board through the City of Santa Rosa. She will stay on the Commission until Supervisor Coursey finds a replacement.

b. Commissioner Brown started writing articles for the Index Tribune and she highlighted the work of the Districts Attorney’s Office. She will also be highlighting the Pharmacy Access Project.

c. Commissioner Pakaki inquired the Bylaws Committee and would like to revamp the committee.

7. OPENINGS AND APPOINTMENTS
Chair Fortino Dickson announced openings in the 2nd district, 3rd district, and in the 4th district.

8. AD HOC AND PROJECT CLOSE OUT REPORTS
a. Women’s Recovery Response Ad Hoc wrapped up their project by having a breakfast event to report on some needs that women face in Sonoma County.

b. Women and Girls Reproductive Health Ad Hoc created QR code stickers to promote reproductive health in Sonoma Count. They suggested to have description on what the sticker is about. They will be updating the report as well as following-up with pharmacies to work with them. They will be some continuous work for next ad hoc.

c. Junior Commission Educational Project had successful ad hoc projects on menstrual poverty, reproductive health, and women empowerment. They had a successful career panel event and graduation. Some of the challenges included attendance and content for group meetings. Next year, attendance will be enforced and have content for meetings. They will be working with the Youth Commission on the Commission on Human Rights.

d. Legislative Advisory Group wrote the ERA letter that was sent to the President, President’s wife, legislative representatives, AAW, and to the National
Commission on the Status of Women. They believe it’s not supported, but glad they wrote a letter. e. Community Engagement Working Group tabled at 6 events, 7 Commissioners participated, they spent all their allocated funds of $4,500. They bought magnets, stickers tee shirts, totes, Pride swag, flash drives, 2 retractable banners, 2 totes on wheels and more. They hosted the 2024 Spirit Award and the roll of the 2023 Report on the Status of Women and Girls.

9. STRATEGIC PLANNING EXPECTATION
Commissioner Brown led the discussion on the expectations of the strategic planning meeting. Participation was emphasized many times. Commissioner Brown recommended to come committed to the strategic planning meeting with projects that they are willing to commit. Some commissioners recommended structure with the onboarding procedure, formalizing participation, and the structure of the strategic planning meeting. The Officers and Staff will work on creating more structure for the strategic planning meeting.

10. BUSINESS ITEMS
a. Chair Fortino Dickson led the discussion on Women’s Equality Day Resolution. She directed the Commissioners to contact their City Council to get the proclamation on their agenda. The Officers will create a synopsis of what they might say to represent the Commission while accepting the proclamation. Motion to approve the Women’s Equality Day Resolution.

No Public Comment.

Motion: Commissioner Diaz-Garcia Ayes: 7 Noes: 0
Second: Commissioner Brown Absent: 5 Abstained: 1
Commissioners Isler, Wood, Dillon-Shore, and McCorquodale were absent. Commissioner Gordon is on leave of absence. Chair Fortino Dickson abstained as Chair. Motion passed.

b. Chair Fortino Dickson led the approval of the strategic planning session budget of up to $2,500: $300-$700 for the venue, $500-$1,000 for facilitation of content, and $400-$800 for food and drinks. Motion to approve the budget to up to $2,500 for the strategic planning meeting.

No Public Comment.

Motion: Commissioner Brown Ayes: 7 Noes: 0
Second: Commissioner Kaykas-Wolff Absent: 5 Abstained: 1
Commissioners Isler, Wood, Dillon-Shore, and McCorquodale were absent. Commissioner Gordon is on leave of absence. Chair Fortino Dickson abstained as Chair. Motion passed.

11. AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST 8, 2024 COMMISSION MEETING
a. No agenda items were mentioned for August 8, 2024 Commission meeting.

12. ADJOURNMENT
This meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.