Full Commission
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 Immigrant Rights Commission
Minutes of Meeting on January 8, 2007 at City Hall – Room 416
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Sonia Melara at 5:15 p.m.
I. Roll Call:
Members Present: Commissioner Alexander, Dajani, Haile, Jones, Lau, Levy, McCarthy, McCoy, Melara, Moses, Ng, and Nguyen .
Excused Absent: Commissioner Enssani, Escobedo, and Lee.
Unexcused Absent: None
Staff Present: Dang Pham, Executive Director and Michelle Hong, Intern
II. Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Haile made a motion and seconded by Commissioner McCoy to accept the draft of minutes of November 13, 2006 meeting for review. Commissioner Melara suggested the following changes, which the Commission agreed on:
- (Section V, first paragraph): “The Commission unanimously agreed that the Executive Committee members are to be the Chair, Vice Chair, and the chairs of the Committees. In addition, a member at-large needs to be added.”
- (Section V, third paragraph): “Committee Members: Commissioner Sonia Melara (Chair), Jamal Dajani (Vice Chair), Gilberto Alexander, Solomon Jones, Vera Haile, Deborah Escobedo (Ex-officio), and Diana Lau (Ex-officio).
- (Section VII): List proposed changes
- (Section VIII, fourth paragraph): “Followed Commissioner Enssani’s briefing, three Iranian-American reported their
unpleasant experiences, …..”
- (Section VIII, item 1, first paragraph): “…..Hence, he requested the Commission to further investigate the case.”
- (Section VIII, item 1, second paragraph): “The Commission suggested that he submit a formal complain to the US Customs and Boarder Protection and the Airport Commission on the mistreatment”
- (Section VIII, item 2, second paragraph): “…..Hence, Commissioner Escobedo suggested she contact the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) for further assistance.”
- (Section VIII, item 3, first paragraph): “Wife of an Iranian-American has been detained by the Immigration Officer at the San Jose International Airport since August 2006…..”
- (Section VIII, item 3, third paragraph): “Due to the legal sensitivity of the case, Commissioner Escobedo suggested the Iranian-American to further consult his lawyer…..The Commission also appointed an ad-hoc committee headed by Commissioner Enssanni. She was asked to work with staff and contact Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s office for their assistance on the case.
Commissioner Lau suggested that the ex-officio should have been involved in the Executive Committee as voting members. Commissioner Melara clarified that the information on the voting power was listed in its Committee Outline and requested the Executive Director to re-forward the document.
The discussion of the Retreat Minutes was moved until the discussion of the Commission’s Plan.
III. Public Comments: None
IV. Statement of Incompatible Activities (SIAs):
The Executive Director briefed the Commission that all commissions were requested by the Ethnic Commission to submit an approved SIA with documentations that support the Commission’s discussion and approval of its SIA. The SIA is a legal document that provides guidance to the employees about what types of activities are incompatible with their duties to the Commission.
The Commission expressed concerns on information provided under Section III: Compensation for Assistance with City Services and requested the Executive Director to clarify it with the Ethics Commission.
V. Review and Approval of Commission’s Plan:
Commissioner Melara briefed that the Commission discussed its long-term and short-term goals at the retreat. The long-term goals reflect the vision of the Commission and the short-term goals prioritize its accomplishments to be within the next year and within the next 2 to 3 years. Commissioner Melara proposed to approve the Plan as resulted from the retreat for the coming year and at the end of the year evaluation, review the accomplishment and revisit the relevance of other priorities.
Commissioner Haile suggested including Arabic and Farsi as the additional languages in the expansion of Language Access Services. In addition, she recommended having rooms to be able to accept new priorities that arise due to unforeseen situations.
Commissioner Levy rose, as a reminder, that the Commission should focus on action items only those that are within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Commissioner Melara explained that the issue was discussed at the retreat. Using the Iranian-American’s case as an example, the Commission could still provide its resources on action items that it has no jurisdiction over and achieves positive results.
Commissioner Levy made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Moses to approve the Retreat Minutes and the Commission’s Plan, as well as the action item – letter to the Juvenile Probation Department on new visiting procedures for the Youth Guidance Center. The Commission unanimously approved all three items.
VI. Commission Meeting Time:
Commissioner Levy addressed on the topic and proposed, for more public comments, the Commission and its subcommittees to hold meeting on any item that requires a discussion either after traditional working hours after 5:00 pm or before the working hours between 5:00 and 6:00 am.
Commissioner Haile opposed the proposal reasoning that such may suggest the exclusion of some groups (i.e. senior citizen, school children). Commissioner Melara agreed and suggested to keep the meeting time flexible and it can be changed as needed.
Commissioner Levy motioned to further debate on the item. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCoy. Commissioner Levy will propose an appropriate language on the topic for the Bylaw for the Commission’s review and approval. The item will be included in the agenda of the next Commission Meeting for further discussion.
VII. Process to Add An Item to the Agenda of the Commission Meeting:
The commissioners should forward their suggested items for agenda to the Executive Director and/or the Executive Committee, and copy the Chair at least 3 working days prior to the meeting. The commissioners may not initiate an item for discussion that is not listed in the agenda. Any unfinished discussion item will automatically be included in the agenda of the following meeting.
VIII. Documents Related to the New Immigration Laws for Victims of Trafficking and Domestic Violence:
Info item
IX. The Director’s Report:
1. Monitoring Visit to the Day Labor Program:
Commissioner Moses, Ng, and Nguyen, and Executive Director Pham conducted a monitoring visit to the Day Labor Program in Mission District on November 28, 2006. The team was received by Ana Maria Loya, Executive Director of the La Raza Centro Legal and the Day Labor Program Director. Ms. Loya provided the team an overview of the program and highlighted its accomplishments according to the contract. During the month of November in 2006, the Day Labor Program had provided 156 jobs to day laborers and referred one day laborer to the CityBuild Academy for training. In addition, the Program conducted 4 trainings to a total of 50 employers on their responsibilities when hiring day laborers.
The commissioners raised concern on the inadequate space for the Program because their current site is clearly small to meet the needs of the day laborers.
2. We the People:
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program in the Congressional District 8 convened their meeting at the City Hall on December 1, 2006. The primary goal of the Program is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s elementary and secondary students. What makes the program so successful is the design of its instructional program, including its innovative culminating activities.
Since the inception of the We the People Program in 987, more than 28 million students and 90 thousand educators have participated in the course of study. The Program endorsed by active participation of members of Congress and received supports from professional, business, and community organizations across the nation.
X. Committees’ Reports:
The next Executive Committee meeting will be held on January 18, 2007.
Commissioner Alexander reported that the draft letter for Call for 2007 EAS Compliance Plan is under final revision; and the next Program and Access Committee meeting will take place on January 24, 2007.
XI. Adjournment:
Commissioner Levy moved which seconded by Commissioner Haile and Moses to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 pm.