1.  Call to Order and Roll Call

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

Present: Chair Kennelly; Vice Chair Gaime; Commissioners Fuentes, Enssani, Romanenko, Paz, Kong (6:16 pm, excused)

Not Present: Commissioners Price (excused), Maldonado (excused), Bernabeu (unexcused)

Staff: Executive Director Pon; Deputy Director Sykes; Commission Clerk Richardson; Office Manager Chan

2.  Public Comment

There was no public comment.

3.  Action Item: Approval of previous minutes

1. Approval of June 6, 2016 Full Commission Minutes

(Information/Discussion/Action)

The Commission did not reach quorum; approval of the Full Commission Minutes from June 6, 2016 was deferred to next meeting Full Commission Meeting by Chair Kennelly.

4. Presentations from Invited Speakers

1. Sally Kinoshita & Lena Graber | Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Lena Graber, Staff Attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center provided the Commission with a brief update on San Francisco’s Sanctuary City Ordinance.

Sally Kinoshita, Deputy Direct of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center presented a summary report on immigration reform as it relates to the July 2016 Supreme Court of the United States Decision to uphold the injunction of expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA). Kinoshita provided information on current undocumented populations in San Francisco eligible for deferred action as well information on populations eligible to become naturalized citizens.

2. Sandy Close | New America Media

Sandy Close, Executive Director of New America Media presented a comprehensive overview of the ethnic media landscape in San Francisco and the Bay Area, highlighting the resilience of particular outlets that exist despite financial challenges and the collaborative efforts that occur between rival media. Close noted the robust reach and efforts of Filipino media in recent years.

3. SF Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative

Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly and lead agency in the SF Pathways to Citizenship Collaborative, presented a programmatic and service update to the Commission. Chung announced the upcoming National Citizenship Day press event and celebration to occur on Friday, September 17, 2016 in Chinatown, inviting Commissioners to attend. Chair Kennelly thanked Chung for the positive efforts in helping San Francisco residents become citizens.

5.  New Business

1. Annual Consular Reception Planning (Chair and Vice Chair)

(Information/Discussion/Action)

Chair Kennelly provided information to the Commission on the date for the Annual Consular Reception. The date suggested by the Chair was Thursday, December 8, 2016 starting from 4:00 pm. Location TBD.

2. IRC Bylaws Update on Proposed Changes

(Information/Discussion/Action)

Chair Kennelly initiated a review of the proposed changes to the Commission bylaws, to date. Commissioner Enssani requested clarification on excused absences for Full Commission Meetings that are rescheduled from the regular meeting time. Commissioner Kong requested clarification on excused vs. unexcused tardiness. Director Pon responded to stated requests for clarification, noting that the current bylaws acknowledge emergencies and allow for absences or tardiness with advance notice.

Commissioner Romanenko proposed to change the unexcused (without advance notice) tardy margin as stated in the Commission bylaws from 1 hour to 30 minutes. Deputy Director Sykes advised that this is possible if the Commission is in agreement. Chair Kennelly requested staff change the margin of an unexcused tardy, recorded as an unexcused absence, from 1 hour to 30 minutes.

3. IRC Reaffirmation Letter (Director Pon)

(Information/Discussion/Action)

Director Pon stated that per the suggestion by Commissioner Paz and Commissioner Maldonado at the July 27, 2016 Executive Committee Meeting and via the approval of Chair Kennelly and Vice Chair Gaime at the September 7, 2016 Executive Committee Meeting, the Commission released a statement on September 8, 2016 to reaffirm its mission and commitment to immigrants.

4. Proposed Tri-City Immigrant Event (Chair, Commissioner Paz)

(Information/Discussion/Action)

Chair Kennelly led a discussion on the progress of the proposed Tri-City Immigrant event.

6.  Old Business

1. Director/Staff Report

Director Pon provided an update to the Commission on the San Francisco Language Access Ordinance compliance requirements for City Departments. Director Pon informed the Commissioners to reserve Monday, January 9, 2017 as the date for the Annual Planning Retreat. Clerk Richardson to poll Commissioners on time of day for the planning meeting. 

2. Annual Report

Chair Kennelly gave a brief update on the progress of the Annual Report.

Chair Kennelly asked the Commission if there was any other old business. Vice Chair Gaime provided an overview of the Citizenship Day and USCIS Naturalization event on Angel Island that she attended on behalf of the Commission. 

Adjournment

Chair Kennelly asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Gaime motioned to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Enssani seconded the motion. The motion was passed with no opposition. Chair Kennelly adjourned the meeting at 7:02 PM.

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Minutes prepared by Clerk Jamie Richardson and reviewed by Executive Director Adrienne Pon.