Minutes June 9, 2011

Call to Order – Introductions of Commissioners and Guests

Vivio called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. Commissioners, staff and the audience introduced themselves.

Consent Items

Roper motioned to approve the June 9, 2011 Agenda, and the May 12, 2011 Draft Minutes as revised to reflect that a tour of Valley of the Moon Children’s Center organized for Friday, May 6, 2011 at 2:00PM will be rescheduled. Herries seconded. Motion passed.

Public Comment

None

Guest Speakers

Chris Bekins, Health Information Specialist, County of Sonoma Department of Health Services, Public Health Division, Healthy Communities Section

Bekins presented a Power Point on “Nutritional Health Disparities Among Girls and Women in Sonoma County.” Bekins pointed out that an increase of inactivity and the availability of fast food have increased obesity and cases of diabetes. Youth can opt out of physical education in high school. There are less safe places for youth to be active and to play outside. Prevalence of fast food has exploded - gas stations and video stores offer an amazing array of cheaper, unhealthy food. Exercise can prevent diabetes, thus the Health Services Department has instituted the county wide program iwalk. Anemia and overweight go together - ‘cup of soup’ is an example of high sodium low nutrition.

Openings and Appointments

Vivio announced there is one vacancy in the 2^nd District, and two vacancies in the 5^th District.

Supervisor Communication Updates

Roper encouraged Commissioners to keep email communication with their Supervisors.

Old Business

Work Plan

The work plan meeting is scheduled for July 29, 2011, 8:30am-12:30pm, at Human Resources Training Room. Lunch and coffee will be provided by the Commission.

Planning Sonoma County Coalition of Women’s Organizations

Herries reported that to date eleven organizations are committed to attending. Herries and Reyes are following up to the email invitation with phone calls. Vivio requested a list of those who have been invited and those who have responded.

Women’s History Month Event 2012

The 2012 date and event will be on the July 29, 2011 Strategic Planning Agenda.

New Business

Nominations for 2011-2012 Year

Vivio reviewed the Officer nominations made at the May Commission meeting: Kiely Chair, Vivio Vice-Chair, Herries Officer-at-Large. There were no further nominations. Roper moved to close the nominations and move the slate forward. Herries seconded. Motion passed.

Legislation Committee and Activity Reports

Legislation listed below by Senators directly affecting Sonoma County was reviewed, and the following decisions were made:

• SB 299 (Evans) Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave: Health Care Coverage
  A draft letter in support of SB 299 was presented and discussed.
  Roper moved to write a letter in support. Wallace seconded. Motion passed.
• SB 147 (Leno) Consumer Choice Fire Protection Act
  A draft letter in support of SB 147 was presented and discussed.
  Basham moved the Commission accept and send the letter. Herries seconded. Motion passed.
• H.R.3 (Federal House Rules) No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
  Pavone explained the background and Act.
  Basham moved to draft a letter to Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein and all Senators on the Committee addressing H.R.3, that the Commission opposes it and strongly urges them not to pass it. Herries seconded. Motion passed.
• AB 185 (Hernandez) and SB 155 (Evans) Maternity Services Coverage
  The Legislation Committee will gather further information for discussion at the July Commission meeting.

Budget

The Commission approved Basham and Morgan to attend the ACCW (Association of California Commissions for Women) meeting in Cambria, CA on June 25, 2011. Herries moved to fund Commissioner attendance of the ACCW meeting in Cambria in the amount of $750.00. Reyes seconded. Motion passed.

Herries moved to approve a $500.00 expenditure out of the 2010-2011 budget to purchase Roberta’s Rules of Order and Brown Act Booklets. Schaefer seconded. Motion passed.

Activity Reports

Junior Commission Coordinator(Vivio)

Pavone, Rebich, and Vivio discussed choosing the monthly meeting day for the Junior Commission 2011-2012 Project. Vivio explained that applications for Junior Commissioner should be circulated at the end of July, and then interviews need to be scheduled. Herries suggested asking Noreen Evans and the five County Supervisors to twitter about the Junior Commission applications.

Basham will write a memo that Commissioners can share with their individual Supervisors, outlining accomplishments the Commission achieved in 2010-2011, work in process for 2011-2012, and the progress that has been made in the community, therefore needing its full budget in 2011-2012 to continue working.

Women’s History Month (Basham)

No report

Community Issues Liaison & Coordinators

• Domestic Violence Liaison (Herries / Reyes)

  A previous tour of Valley of the Moon Children’s Center has been rescheduled for Friday, June 24, 2011 at 10:00AM.

• Human Trafficking Liaison (Reyes)

  Reyes is meeting with District Attorney Ravitch on June 10 at 10:00AM to discuss the human trafficking issue. Pavone and Wallace will join Reyes in the meeting. Vivio will join the meeting if able to arrange her schedule.

  Vivio read an email invitation addressed to the Commission from Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook, inviting a Commissioner(s) to attend the Family Violence Prevention Council and possibly be a Liaison to the group. Several Commissioners expressed interest in possibly being Liaison.

• Legislation Coordinator (Vivio)

  Legislation will be reported on under Old Business on future Agendas.

• Representation Coordinator (Roper)

  No report.

• Publicity Coordinator (Herries, Reyes, Vivio)

  No report. Pavone is interested in assisting with publicity.

Administrative Reports

Attendance Report

The attendance report was electronically distributed June 7, 2011.

Budget Report

The budget report was electronically distributed June 7, 2011.

Correspondence

May Mailbag items were electronically distributed June 7, 2011.

Agenda Items for Next Commission Meeting

• Legislation will appear under Old Business on each Agenda as a placeholder.
• Work plan Update
• Coalition Update
• Herries will ask Redwood Food Bank to give a presentation in July.

Commissioner Announcements

Reyes suggested adding Healthcare to Community Issues Liaison and Coordinators. This can be discussed at strategic planning.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

Adjournment

Herries moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:39PM. Wallace seconded. Motion passed.