county of san diego interim chair: ellen nash jewish
TRANSCRIPT
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Cox Daphyne Watson Enrique Morones
Ryan Garcia
District 2, Jacob Austin Jones Kenya Taylor
Vince Kattoula
District 3, Gaspar Kate Chasin
Regina Roberts Shane Harris
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Angel Ortiz
Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Griselda Ramirez Maya Alfonso Pedro Anaya
Tammy Gillies
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: December 15, 2020
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Angela Elliott-Santos Bill Gore- Nadia
Moshirian Binderup as
Cara Dessert Daphyne Watson
designee for second
hour of meeting.
Eleanor Evans Ellen Nash Enrique Morones George Khoury
Gina Roberts Griselda Ramirez Gwen Sanders Kate Chasin
Kate Clark Kenya Taylor Nicole Murray Ramirez Norma Chavez-
Peterson
Pedro Anaya Rashid Essa Ryan Garcia Samuel Tsoi
Summer Stephan-Yoli
Apalategui as designee
for first hour of
meeting.
Taha Hassane Tammy Gillies Vince Kattoula
Warsan Artan
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, CAO Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Office
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Guadalupe Velasquez, Senior Consultant, Othering and Belonging Institute
Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Public Affairs Officer, Sheriff Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Project Manager, Chief Administrative Office
Paul Parker, Executive Officer, Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB)
Priya Shankar, Consultant, UPD
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel
Wendy Ake, Director, Othering and Belonging Institute
Yoli Apalategui, Public Affairs Officer, District Attorney
1. Call to order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll call – Conducted
Commission Members Absent
o Angel Ortiz
o Austin Jones
o Elena Perez
o Estela De Los Rios
o Maya Alfonso
o Shane Harris
3. Public Comment: None.
4. Approval of Minutes for September 22, 2020, October 6, 2020, October 20, 2020, October 22,
2020, November 10, 2020, November 24, 2020, and December 1, 2020.
Commission Member Gina Roberts made a motion to approve the minutes for dates
mentioned above. Seconded by Commission Member Eleanor Evans.
Vote: 18 Approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, 13 absent/no response. Motion Passes.
5. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the
matter on a future agenda for possible action.
6. Presentation on the Citizen’s Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB)
Presentation by Paul Parker, Chief Executive Officer of CLERB.
Member Harris is requesting the commission to conduct a study of all county commissions
and boards to have a break down on Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Age to be added to the
next agenda.
7. Development of mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice – update from
Mission Statement Ad Hoc Committee
Presentation by OBI and UPD.
8. Adoption of 2021 Regular Meeting Schedule
Commission Member George Khoury made a motion to adopt meeting schedule. Seconded by
Commission Member Eleanor Evans.
Approved: Opposed: Abstained: Absent/No Response:
Angela Elliott-Santos
Bill Gore
Cara Dessert
Eleanor Evans
Ellen Nash
George Khoury
Gina Roberts
Griselda Ramirez
Gwen Sanders
Kate Chasin
Kenya Taylor
Nicole Murray Ramirez
Pedro Anaya
Rashid Essa
Ryan Garcia
Yoli Apalategui
Vince Kattoula
Warsan Artan
Angel Ortiz
Austin Jones
Daphyne Watson
Enrique Morones
Estela De Los Rios
Kate Clark
Elena Perez
Norma Chavez-Peterson
Maya Alfonso
Samuel Tsoi
Shane Harris
Taha Hassane
Tammy Gillies
Vote: 21 Approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, 10 absent/no response. Motion passes.
9. Thank you to Commission Members whose terms are soon concluding
10. Communication received from the City of San Diego Human Relations Commission
No action is requested or needed to be taken.
11. Future Agenda Items
12. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Approved: Opposed: Abstained: Absent/No Response:
Angela Elliott-Santos
Nadia Moshirian Binderup
Cara Dessert
Daphyne Watson
Eleanor Evans
Ellen Nash
Enrique Morones
George Khoury
Gina Roberts
Kate Clark
Kenya Taylor
Nicole Murray Ramirez
Norma Chavez-Peterson
Pedro Anaya
Rashid Essa
Ryan Garcia
Samuel Tsoi
Summer Stephan
Tammy Gillies
Vince Kattoula
Warsan Artan
Angel Ortiz
Austin Jones
Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios
Griselda Ramirez-left 2nd
hour of meeting
Gwen Sanders
Kate Chasin
Shane Harris
Maya Alfonso
Taha Hassan
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Cox Daphyne Watson Enrique Morones
Ryan Garcia
District 2, Jacob Austin Jones Kenya Taylor
Vince Kattoula
District 3, Gaspar Kate Chasin
Regina Roberts Shane Harris
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Angel Ortiz
Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Griselda Ramirez Maya Alfonso Pedro Anaya
Tammy Gillies
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: January 7, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Angela Elliot Santos Bill Gore Eleanor Evans Elena Perez
Ellen Nash Estela De Los Rios George Khoury Pedro Anaya
Samuel Tsoi Summer Stephan Taha Hassane Tammy Gillies
Taha Hassane Tammy Gillies Warsan Artan
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, CAO Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Office
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Guadalupe Velasquez, Senior Associate, Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging
Institute Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD Consulting
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Community Inclusion Director, Sheriff’s Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Project Manager, Chief Administrative Office Priya Shankar, Consultant, UPD Consulting
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel
Wendy Ake, Director, Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging Institute
1. Call to order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll call – Conducted
Commission Members Absent:
o Angel Ortiz
o Cara Dessert
o Kate Clark
o Maya Alfonso
o Norma Chavez-Peterson
o Nicole Murray Ramirez
o Rashid Essa
3. Public Comment: Francine Maxwell, NAACP.
4. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the
matter on a future agenda for possible action.
5. Update and discussion of development of mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial
Justice
Update and introductions by Wendy Ake, Othering and Belonging Institute; Guadalupe
Velasquez Othering and Belonging Institute; Priya Shankar, UPD Consulting; and Jessica
Chacon, UPD Consulting.
6. Discussion regarding requesting a study of the demographics of board, commissions, and
committees
Commission Member Eleanor Evans made a motion to request the CAO to direct staff to
conduct study of demographics of all San Diego boards and commissions. Seconded by
Commission Member George Khoury.
Vote: 12 Approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, 9 absent/no response. Motion Passes.
7. Vacant seats
To add recruitment strategy to community and opportunities to the next agenda.
8. Future Agenda Items
Workforce Diversity report for program suicide prevention. District Attorney Office will
request her office to provide on the next Agenda.
9. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m.
Approved: Opposed: Abstained: Absent/No
Response:
Angela Elliot Santos
Bill Gore
Eleanor Evans
Elena Perez
Ellen Nash
Estela De Los Rios
George Khoury
Gwen Sanders
Pedro Anaya
Summer Stephan
Taha Hassane
Warsan Artan
None. None. Angel Ortiz
Cara Dessert
Kate Clark
Maya Alfonso
Norma Chavez-
Peterson
Nicole Murray
Ramirez
Rashid Essa Samuel Tsoi/left
meeting
Tammy
Gillies/left
meeting
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Vargas
District 2, Anderson
District 3, Lawson-Remer
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Angel Ortiz
Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Pedro Anaya Tammy Gillies
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: January 19, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Pedro Anaya Warsan Artan Norma Chavez-Peterson Kate Clark
Estela De Los Rios Cara Dessert Angela Elliot Santos George Khoury
Nicole Murray Ramirez Ellen Nash Elena Perez Gwen Sanders
Summer Stephan Samuel Tsoi
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, CAO Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Office
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Guadalupe Velasquez, Senior Consultant, Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging
Institute Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD Consulting
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Community Inclusion Director, Sheriff’s Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Project Manager, Chief Administrative Office
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel Wendy Ake, Director, Targeted Universalism, and Public Finance Othering and Belonging Institute
1. Call to order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll call – Conducted
Commission Members Absent:
o Rashid Essa
o Bill Gore
o Angel Ortiz
3. Public Comment: None.
4. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the
matter on a future agenda for possible action.
5. Update and discussion of development of mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial
Justice
Update by Wendy Ake, Director, Targeted Universalism, and Public Finance Othering and
Belonging Institute.
6. Board action declaring racism as a public health crisis
Update by Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance. Board of Supervisor’s
meeting on January 12 adopted resolution declaring racism is a public health crisis and has
directed CAO to report back to BOS within 90 days with an action plan.
7. Request for diversity information regarding staff of San Diego County Suicide Prevention
Council based on public comment received on January 7, 2021.
Update by Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance. County of San Diego
Behavioral Services has a contract with Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) by
facilitating advisory council and other related subcommittees. Staffing level breakdown
provided.
8. Future Agenda Items
9. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Vargas
District 2, Anderson
District 3, Lawson-Remer
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Angel Ortiz
Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Pedro Anaya Tammy Gillies
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: February 4, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Pedro Anaya Warsan Artan Kate Clark Estela De Los Rios
Angela Elliot Santos Eleanor Evans Tammy Gillies Bill Gore Designee -Nadia
Moshirian Binderup
Taha Hassane George Khoury Nicole Murray Ramirez Ellen Nash
Elena Perez Gwen Sanders Summer Stephan Samuel Tsoi
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, CAO Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Office
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Guadalupe Velasquez, Senior Associate, Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging Institute
Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD Consulting
Matthew Brown, Associate Director, Anti-Defamation League
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Community Inclusion Director, Sheriff’s Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Project Manager, Chief Administrative Office
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel
Wendy Ake, Director, Just Public Finance, Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging Institute
1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll Call
Commission Members Absent:
o Cara Dessert
o Norma Chavez-Peterson
o Rashid Essa
3. Public Comment: None.
4. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the matter on
a future agenda for possible action.
A discussion occurred to address and resolve the complaint received by former Commission Member
Enrique Morones of Gente Unida against the County of San Diego Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s
Department provided a response referring the complainant can file a complaint with Citizens Law
Enforcement Review Board (CLERB). The Leon L. Williams Human Relations Commission does not
have authority over Sheriff matters. A letter from the commission will be sent to complainant with
option to file a complaint with CLERB. The commission will inquire with CLERB if such complaints
have been filed and report back to the commission.
5. Update and discussion of development of mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Presented by Guadalupe Velasquez, Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging Institute.
6. Presentation on extremist/hate groups by Anti Defamation League (ADL)
Presentation by Matthew Brown, Associate Director, Anti-Defamation League-San Diego.
7. Update on vacancies
Updated provided by Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance. Demographic
information to be shared with the commission on the next agenda. The Board of Supervisors currently
has ten open seats for which nominations will be made.
8. Future Agenda Items
The office of the District Attorney will be presenting in the upcoming March meeting. A request will be
made to take a vote on the next meeting to provide the commission with monthly status reports on hate
crimes filed with the District Attorneys’ Office.
9. Adjournment – Meeting Adjourned at 11:53 a.m.
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Vargas
District 2, Anderson
District 3, Lawson-Remer
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Pedro Anaya Tammy Gillies
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: February 23, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Pedro Anaya Warsan Artan Norma Chavez-Peterson Kate Clark
Estela De Los Rios Cara Dessert Angela Elliot-Santos Rashid Essa
Eleanor Evans Tammy Gillies Bill Gore Taha Hassan
George Khoury Nicole Murray Ramirez Ellen Nash Elena Perez
Gwen Sanders Summer Stephan Samuel Tsoi
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, Director, Office of Equity and Social Justice
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD
Kelly Martinez, Undersheriff
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Community Inclusion Director, Sheriff’s Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Chief of Staff
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel Wendy Ake, Director, Targeted Universalism, and Public Finance Othering and Belonging Institute
Yolanda Apalategui, Assistant District Attorney (Attended for Summer Stephan)
1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Public Comment: None.
4. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the matter on
a future agenda for possible action.
5. Update and discussion of development of mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Presentation by Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD and Wendy Ake, Director, Targeted
Universalism, and Public Finance Othering and Belonging Institute.
6. Presentation on protests, demonstrations, and rallies by the Sheriff’s Department
Presentation by Sheriff Bill Gore and Undersheriff Kelly Martinez.
7. Update on vacancies: demographics and nomination process
Update by Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance.
8. Update on Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Introduction of OERJ Director, Andrew Strong.
9. Upcoming Officer elections: overview of process
Members to express interest to select the Chair and Vice Chair nominees for Human Relations
commission to be at the next meeting.
10. Communications sent regarding non-agenda public comments relating to November protest
Communications from Human Relations Commission were provided to the individuals and no
additional follow up was received.
11. Future Agenda Items
12. Adjournment – Meeting Adjourned at 12:08 p.m.
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Vargas Rodney Fowler Sr. Cinnamon Clark
District 2, Anderson
District 3, Lawson-Remer
Christina Griffin-Jones
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Pedro Anaya Tammy Gillies
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: March 4, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Pedro Anaya Warsan Artan Cinnamon
Clark
Estela De Los Rios
Angela Elliot Santos Rashid Essa Eleanor Evans Rodney Fowler
Tammy Gillies Bill Gore – Designee Nadia
Moshirian Binderup
Taha Hassane George Khoury
Nicole Murray Ramirez Ellen Nash Elena Perez Gwen Sanders
Summer Stephan
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, Director, Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Doug Austin, CEO & Founder, UPD Consulting
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD
Leonard Trinh, Deputy District Attorney
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Community Inclusion Director, Sheriff’s Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Chief of Staff
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel Wendy Ake, Director, Targeted Universalism, and Public Finance Othering and Belonging Institute
1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll Call
Commission Members Absent:
o Cara Dessert
o Christina Griffin-Jones
o Kate Clark
o Norma Chavez-Petreson
o Samuel Tsoi
3. Public Comment: Gina Roberts
4. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the matter on
a future agenda for possible action.
5. Introduce new Commission members
6. Update on Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Update by Andrew Strong, Director, Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ). Two new recruitments
for OERJ staff vacancies have been released. Uplift Boys & Men of Color, and Cannabis Social Equity
Program are newly approved BOS initiatives under OERJ’s purview.
7. Update and discussion of development of mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Update by Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD Consulting and Doug Austin, CEO & Founder,
Urban Policy Development Consulting. Mission Statement development update: Survey link will be
distributed by email March 8th. Outreach mechanisms will be used. Survey feedback to be provided at
the next Ad Hoc Committee on March 23rd.
8. Presentation on hate crimes and hate incidents by the District Attorney’s Office
Presentation by District Attorney Summer Stephan, and Deputy District Attorney Leonard Trinh.
9. Upcoming Officer elections: statements of interest in serving as Chair and/or Vice-Chair
Meeting ended; item trailed.
10. Resolution proposed by Member Gillies regarding January 6, 2021
Item trailed to strategic planning at Member Gillies request.
11. Future Agenda Items
12. Adjournment – Meeting Adjourned at 11:43 a.m.
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission
Interim Chair: Ellen Nash
Interim Vice Chair: Warsan Artan
LEON L. WILLIAMS SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: March 23, 2021
TIME: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATION: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Commission Members in Attendance
Pedro Anaya Warsan Artan Norma Chavez-
Peterson
Cinnamon Clark
Estela De Los Rios Cara Dessert Rashid Essa Eleanor Evans
Rodney Fowler Tammy Gillies Bill Gore- Nadia
Moshirian Binderup as
Proxy
Christina Griffin-Jones
Taha Hassane Dennis Hodges George Khoury Nicole Murray Ramirez
Ellen Nash Elena Perez Gwen Sanders Summer Stephan
Samuel Tsoi
District Attorney Summer Stephan
International Rescue Committee Rashid Essa
Jewish Family Services Kate Clark
San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Samuel Tsoi
San Diego Rapid Response Network
Norma Chavez-Peterson
San Diego County Sheriff
William D. Gore
San Diego County Chairmen’s Tribal
Association Angela Elliot Santos
San Diego Chapter of the Black Political
Association Ellen Nash, Chair
San Diego LGBT
Community Center Cara Dessert
District 1, Vargas Rodney Fowler Sr. Cinnamon Clark
District 2, Anderson Tim Riemann
Dennis Hodges
District 3, Lawson-Remer
Christina Griffin-Jones
District 4, Fletcher Nicole Murray Ramirez
Taha Hassane Warsan Artan, Vice
Chair
District 5, Desmond Eleanor Evans Gwen Sanders
Commission Seats 10-16 Elena Perez
Estela De Los Rios George Khoury
Pedro Anaya Tammy Gillies
Guests & Staff
Andrew Strong, Director, Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Claudia G. Silva, Director, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Denise Alvarez-Negrete, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Ethics and Compliance
Elizabeth Bustos, Community Development Liaison, HHSA Executive Office
Guadalupe Velasquez, Senior Consultant, Othering and Belonging Institute
Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD
Nadia Moshirian Binderup, Community Inclusion Director, Sheriff’s Department
Natalia Bravo, CAO Chief of Staff
Priya Shankar, Consultant, UPD Consulting
Rachel Witt, Chief Deputy County Counsel, Office of County Counsel
Wendy Ake, Director Othering and Belonging Institute
1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Roll Call
Commission Members Absent:
o Angela Elliot-Santos
o Kate Clark
o Tim Riemann
3. Public Comment: Dave Myers.
4. Discussion of community raised matters relating to the Commission promoting positive human
relations. Discussion is limited to 15 minutes which may include the Commission placing the matter on
a future agenda for possible action.
5. Introduce new Commission members
The Commission welcomes members Christina Griffin-Jones, Dennis Hodges, and Tim Riemann.
6. Calendaring Commission special meeting to be held April 13, 2021
7. Upcoming Officer elections: statements of interest in serving as Chair and/or Vice-Chair
Interest expressed by members Warsan Artan, Ellen Nash, and Nicole Murray Ramirez.
8. Proposed mission statement for the Office of Equity and Racial Justice
Presentation by Jessica Chacon, Senior Consultant, UPD; Priya Shankar, Consultant, UPD Consulting;
and Andrew Strong, Director, Office of Equity and Racial Justice; Gina Roberts.
A motion was made to adopt final mission statement as presented. Motion was made by member
Eleanor Evans. Seconded by member George Khoury.
Vote: 21 Approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, 3 absent/no response. Motion Passes.
Approved: Opposed: Abstained: Absent/No
Response:
9. Presentation on anti-Asian hate incidents by the San Diego API Coalition
Presentation by member Samuel Tsoi, Kent Lee, Kirin Macapugay, API Coalition.
10. Future Agenda Items
11. Adjournment – Meeting Adjourned at 12:02 p.m.
Pedro Anaya
Warsan Artan
Norma Chavez-Peterson
Cinnamon Clark
Estela De Los Rios
Cara Dessert
Rashid Essa
Eleanor Evans
Rodney Fowler
Tammy Gillies
Nadia Moshirian
Binderup/Proxy for
Sherriff Bill Gore
Christina Griffin Jones
Taha Hassan
Dennis Hodges
George Khoury
Nicole Murray Ramirez
Ellen Nash
Elena Perez
Gwen Sanders
Summer Stephan
Samuel Tsoi
Angela Elliot-
Santos
Kate Clark
Time Riemann
The Ralph M. Brown Act
Open Meeting Law
Gov. Code §§ 54950‐54963
Executive Orders N-29-20 /N-08-21*
Office of County Counsel
Rachel H. Witt, Chief Deputy
July 27, 2021
Purpose and Goals of the Brown Act
Transparency Goals
Public access to meetings
Public access to deliberations
Public participation
Public access to documents
How the Brown Act
Accomplishes its Goals
Broad definition of “legislative body”
Broad definition of “meeting”
Logistical requirements
Notice requirements
Communication rules
Public records
Sanctions
What is a “Legislative Body”?
The governing body of a local agency
County, city, school district, special district
Any local body created by state or federal statute
Any commission, committee, board or other body
created by formal action of a legislative body
Gov’t Code § 54952
A Legislative Body Can Be:
Permanent or Temporary
Decision making or Advisory
Created by charter, ordinance, resolution or any formal
action
Includes standing committees
Exception: advisory committees of less than a quorum
with limited duration and no formal meeting schedule
(ad hoc) - May be more restrictive
What is a “Meeting”?
Broadly Defined
A congregation of a majority of members
At the same time and place
To hear, discuss or deliberate on something
within their jurisdiction.
Gov’t Code § 54952.2
Majority of Members
Human Relations Commission
31 member commission
Currently
29 members appointed
Bylaws – Majority of members appointed
15 to take action
16 with a full Commission
What is a “Meeting”?
Serial meetings are prohibited
What is a Serial Meeting?
Majority of members use a series of communications of any kind directly or through intermediaries to discuss, deliberate or take action
Gov’t Code § 54952.2
Serial Meetings - Methods
Discussing/sharing views through a series of:
Emails, text messages
Phone conversations
Face-to-face conversations
Intermediaries or polls
Examples
Reply All
Chain: A contacts B; B contacts C …
Hub & Spoke: A contacts B; A contacts C …
Social Media – January 1, 2021
AB 992 : internet based social media platforms open to the public
Allows members to engage on social media to answer questions, provide or solicit information so long as a majority does not discuss among themselves
Prohibits a member from responding directly to any social media on the internet of another member of the same legislative body on a subject matter within the jurisdiction of the shared board (No digital icons/emojis/tweets/sharing)
Prohibition Against Serial Meetings Does Not Prohibit
All Communication
Prohibition of serial meetings does not prevent an
employee or official of a local agency from engaging in
separate communications with members of legislative
body in order to answer questions or provide information
regarding a matter so long as that person does not
communicate the comments or position of the
member to other members of the legislative body.
- Gov’t Code § 54952.2(b)
Not a Meeting
Individual contacts with a member
Attendance at a conference or noticed non-County meeting so long as:
a - it’s open to the public
b - members don’t discuss business within their jurisdiction except as part of the scheduled program
Gov’t Code § 54952.2(c)
Not a Meeting (cont’d.)
Attendance of a majority at a purely social or ceremonial occasion [no discussion of County business]
Attendance as observers only at an open and noticed meeting [no discussion of County business]
Gov’t Code § 54952.2(c)
Meetings Open to the Public
All meetings shall be open and public and all
persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting
unless the Brown Act expressly states otherwise
Secret ballots are prohibited
Must publicly report any action taken and the vote
or abstention on that action for each member
present
-Gov’t Code § 54953(a)
Teleconferenced Meetings
Meetings where members are in different locations connected electronically by video, audio or both
Specific procedures are required:
- Votes taken by roll call
- Agendas must list and be posted at all locations (including the remote location) *
- A quorum must be within the jurisdiction and open to the public with an opportunity to speak*
Zoom – Chat Function
Gov’t Code § 54953 as modified by EO
Regular Meetings: Time and Place
Establish regular meetings by ordinance, resolution,
bylaw or other rule
Gov’t Code § 54954
Meetings- Prohibited Facilities
Meetings may not be in any facility that:
Discriminates
Inaccessible to disabled
Requires payment
Gov’t Code § 54961
Accommodations Under the ADA
All public meetings must meet the protections and prohibitions contained in the ADA (physical locations)*
Under the EO: Establish a procedure to receive and resolve requests for reasonable accommodations (virtual locations)
Gov’t Code § 54953.2 as modified by EO
No Conditions to Attendance
by the Public
Registration is not required
Attendance or registration lists must state
signing is voluntary
Gov. Code § 54953.3
Regular Meetings – Notice:
Agenda Content and Posting Requirements
Post 72 hours before a regular meeting
A brief general description of each item to be
discussed or acted upon
Specify the time and location of the regular meeting
and must be posted in a location that is freely
accessible to members of the public and on the
County’s web site
Agenda must state who to ask for an alternate agenda
as required by the ADA
Requirement to Mail Notice to
Requesting Parties
Upon written request the agenda and backup
materials must be timely mailed to a person
The written request is valid for one calendar year
A fee may be charged - not to exceed the cost of
providing the service
Alternate agenda packets must be available if
requested as required by the ADA
- Gov’t Code § 54954.1
Special Meetings- Notice:
Agenda Content and Posting Requirements
Presiding officer can call (Chair)
Majority of members can call
24-hour notice to be received by:
- members
- media having requested it
Post notice in a location freely accessible to the public and on the County’s web site
Notice to identify time, place & business.
Gov’t Code § 54956
Emergency Meetings
Allowed where prompt action is necessary due to disruption of public facilities (without 24-hour notice)
- in an emergency where the majority finds the emergency severely impairs public health, safety or both
Allowed in dire emergency (cannot provide even 1-hour notice)
- mass destruction or threatened terrorist act that poses so immediate and significant a peril as to warrant not even one hour notice
Gov’t Code § 54956.5
Public Comment
Public opportunity to provide comment on specific agenda items and general public comment
May impose reasonable time limits
Public criticism must be allowed
Under the EO members allowed to observe the meeting and provide comment either telephonically or otherwise electronically
Gov’t Code § 54954.3 as modified by EO
No Action
Discussion on Items Not Posted
General Rule:
No action or discussion may be taken on any item not on the posted agenda
“Action” means
A collective decision of a majority
A collective commitment or promise of a majority
An actual vote by a majority sitting as a body or entity
Gov’t Code § 54952.6
Exceptions to No Discussion Rule
Briefly respond or ask a question arising out of public comment
Ask a question for clarification
Make a brief announcement or report on member’s activities
Referral to staff
Direct staff to place a matter on a future agenda
Gov’t Code § 54954.2
Conduct of Meetings - Right to Record
By audio or video or motion camera recording unless
persistent disruption results
Recordings made by the agency are public records but
may be destroyed 30 days after recording
Inspection of video or tape recordings must be
provided for without charge
Gov’t Code § 54953.5
Conduct of Meetings - Right to Broadcast
Cannot be restricted unless there is finding that it
results in persistent disruption
-Gov’t Code § 54953.6
Greater Access to Meetings
Local agency may impose greater access on
legislative bodies they create
May allow for greater access than required
Gov’t Code § 54953.7
Documents Given to Legislative Body at Open
Meetings
Writings available to public
Available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities
Available at meetings - prepared by agency
Available after meetings – prepared by other
Not required if the Public Records Act provides an exemption
Gov’t Code § 54957.5
Clearing of Meeting Room
Willful interruption
Orderly conduct of meetings unfeasible
Removal of disruptive individuals
Removal of everyone except media not involved in the disturbance
Gov’t Code § 54957.9
Meetings May Be Adjourned
To a time & place specified in the order
Less than a quorum may adjourn
Staff may adjourn if no members
The adjournment order must be posted within 24 hours on the door and online
Hearings may be continued by the same process
For continuances of less than 24 hours, immediate notice must be posted
Gov’t Code §§ 54955 & 54955.1
Closed Session - General
Authority for closed sessions narrowly construed
Closed sessions must be expressly authorized by statute
Litigation (Exiting/Threat/Initiation)
Labor Negotiations
Real Property Negotiations
Public Employment
Gov’t Code §§ 54956.75 through 54957.8
Confidentiality of Closed Session
Disclosure of closed session confidential
information prohibited
Legislative body may authorize disclosure
Remedies for Violations:
Injunctive relief
Referral to District Attorney
Gov’t Code § 54963
Sanctions
Each member who attends a “meeting” where
“action” is taken in violation of the Brown Act and
the member knows or has reason to know the public
is entitled is guilty of a misdemeanor
The DA or any interested person may sue to ask a
court for judicial relief (including stopping,
prevention or invalidating an action)
Gov’t Code §§ 54959 & 54960
Questions?
Rules of Order
Adopted by Human Relations Commission November 10, 2020
In order to maintain order in the meeting to ensure all matters on the agenda can be addressed
and all voices have the opportunity to be heard, as Chair and Vice-chair of the Commission we
are implementing some general rules of order.
1. Arrive to the meeting on time having read the agenda materials.
2. Be respectful of others who are speaking, remain on mute until it is your turn to speak
and avoid interrupting others. Raise your hand to be called on by the Chair. Do not speak
until called on by the Chair.
3. Each Commissioner will be allowed no more than 3 minutes of time to speak on an item
and those who have not spoken will be given an opportunity to speak before anyone who
has previously spoken on the agenda item. The Chair may mute Commissioners who
repeatedly violate the 3 minute time limit.
4. Keep discussion focused on the Agenda item.
5. Do not use the chat function for any discussion. The chat function should only be used to
announce your arrival or departure from the meeting or if you are having IT problems.
6. Be clear when making a motion or taking an action. For example, “I, [Commission
Member’s name] make a motion to adopt the staff recommendation.” “I [Commission
Member’s name] second that motion.”
7. Commissioner correspondence regarding Agenda Items will be distributed to the
Commission on the Monday before the Meeting and will be posted onto the Commission
webpage.
The chair will adjourn the meeting promptly at the designated stop time. Any item on the agenda
which has not been fully discussed or heard will carry over to the next Commission meeting.