San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Vice Chair Paz called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

Present: Vice Chair Paz, Commissioner Khojasteh

Not Present: Chair Kennelly

Staff Present: Deputy Director Fernández Sykes, Commission Clerk Shore

2. Public Comment
There was no public comment.

3. Action Item: Approval of previous minutes
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Approval of May 23, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Khojasteh and Vice Chair Paz deferred approval of the minutes until a future meeting when Chair Kennelly is present.

b. Approval of September 26, 2018 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Khojasteh moved to approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes from September 26, 2018. Vice Chair Paz seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

4. Old Business
(Information/Discussion/Action)
a. Staff Report (Deputy Director Fernández Sykes)
Deputy Director Fernández Sykes provided an update on the proposed changes to public charge and the City’s plan to submit a public comment. Vice Chair Paz asked what the Commission could do to encourage people to submit comments. Deputy Director Fernández Sykes said that she would ask the City Attorney and keep the Commission informed.

Deputy Director Fernández Sykes provided an update on the Language Access Ordinance compliance report. City departments submitted their data by October 1, 2018. OCEIA will publish the report by February 1, 2019.

Deputy Director Fernández Sykes asked Commissioners if they would like to host a consular reception during the first week of December. Vice Chair Paz said last year’s event was successful and suggested that the Commission host the event at the same venue. Deputy Director Fernández Sykes said staff would check with the venue.

Deputy Director Fernández Sykes asked Commissioners for their input on the agenda for the next Full Commission meeting. Vice Chair Paz suggested inviting the City Attorney, as well as speakers to address the impact of the proposed changes to pubic charge on food, health care and housing. He asked if there was a way for attendees to submit their public comments during the hearing.

Deputy Director Fernández Sykes provided an update on a proposed rule to change the fee waiver form on naturalization and other immigration applications. Vice Chair Paz requested that the Commission discuss the proposed change at their next meeting. Deputy Director Fernández Sykes said she would add it to the agenda.

The November meeting has been rescheduled to November 15, 2018 due to the Veterans Day holiday. Commission Clerk Shore will send Commissioners a reminder.

b. Annual Report
Deputy Director Fernández Sykes invited Commissioners to review the latest draft of the annual report. Commissioners discussed policy recommendations to include in the report. Commissioner Khojasteh will send his recommendations to the Commission Clerk.

5. New Business
(Information/Discussion/Action)
Vice Chair Paz invited Commissioner Khojasteh to present any new business. Commissioner Khojasteh suggested that OCEIA commission a study on barriers to voting in immigrant communities, in order to formulate concrete recommendations on how to increase civic participation. Vice Chair Paz asked if the Registrar of Voters could conduct the assessment.

Commissioner Khojasteh asked if Commissioners could order new business cards. Deputy Director Fernández Sykes said staff would look into it and place an order.

6. Adjournment
Vice Chair Paz adjourned the meeting at 5:59 pm.