Title
December 5, 2024
Body
City of Alameda, California
SOCIAL SERVICE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD
THURSDAY, December 5, 2024
DRAFT MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
President Scott Means called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Present: President Scott Means, Vice President Samantha Green Board Members Gerald Bryant, Dianne Yamashiro-Omi, Bernie Wolf and Michelle Buchholz.
City staff: Marcie Johnson, Grecia Mannah-Ayon, Andre Fairley, and Gabriella San Diego
2. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENTS
Josh Altieri, Community Relations Manager, from the Housing Authority announced that they have opened up their housing waitlist for their housing choice voucher program as well as select project-based voucher programs. It opened on December 3 and will close on December 16. There are also both paper and digital applications in various languages and can translate in other languages upon request. Alameda Point Collaborative, Village of Love, College of Almeda, Alameda Boys & Girls Clubs, Mastick Senior Center, Alameda Free Library, Independence Plaza all have staff trained to help people fill out the application. Almedahsg.org has more information and resources available to assist people wanting to fill out an application.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3-A Review and Approve October 24, 2024 Draft Minutes
A motion to approve the October 24, 2024, minutes made by Board Member Gerald Bryant and seconded by Board Member Buchholz. Ayes: President Means, Vice President Green, Board Members Bryant, Yamashiro-Omi, Buchholz, Pile and Wolf. Nays: None. Abstained: None. Motion passed 7-0.
4. AGENDA ITEMS
4-A Sunshine Ordinance and Brown Act Review
City Staff Marcie Johnson explained the importance of the Sunshine Ordinance and Brown Act. The City of Alameda does a training once every three years for boards and commissions.
City Staff Gabriella San Diego led an activity where Board Members were asked a series of scenarios and were asked whether that was allowed under the Brown Act and Sunshine Ordinance by holding up red and green flashcards.
The Board was asked a series of open-ended scenarios that were discussed.
Staff member San Diego then asked the Board Members the same series of scenarios as in the beginning and were asked whether that was allowed by holding up flashcards now that they had discussed the nuances of the Brown Act and Sunshine Ordinance. After each scenario, the Board was given the answer to the scenario.
Board Member Bernie Wolf asked if it is a City rule that Board Members can only miss two meetings in a twelve-month period.
Staff member San Diego said that the training specified the absences are within a calendar year.
Staff member Johnson said staff will investigate whether it is a twelve-month period or a calendar year.
Board Member Buchholz asked how long they can serve on the Board and if there is a term limit.
Staff member Johnson said there may be a term limit and members must be appointed every four years.
Public Comment - None
President Scott Means asked if they interface with elected officials if they can talk with less than a quorum of the City Council about an initiative or resolution they want to get through.
Staff member Johnson said while it is helpful to not speak with multiple elected officials about a topic that someone is advocating for, it is also on Council Members to hold the line with the public.
4-B Purpose of the Social Service and Human Relations Board
Staff member Gabriella San Diego read the article for the Social Service Human Relations Board and provided the Board with the SSHRB Ordinance.
Staff member Gabriella San Diego asked the Board Members to write down what the purpose of the Social Service Human Relations Board means to them.
Board Member Buchholz pointed out that the ordinance specifies the Board Members may serve up to two terms.
The Board read out loud what the Social Services Human Relations Board Means to them, while Staff member San Diego took notes.
After hearing what each other said, the Board worked to come up with an overarching goal for SSHRB.
The Board decided on the Social Service Human Relations Board purpose is to serve all Alamedans by addressing the social service needs for the most vulnerable to foster an inclusive and thriving community.
Public Comment - None
4-C Social Service Human Relations Board Workgroup Planning with SMART Goals
Each of the workgroups split up to discuss the workplan they had outlined the previous year and broke up their workplans into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound (SMART) goals.
• The Road Home/People Experiencing Homelessness (Means, Green, Buchholz):
• Alamedans Together Against Hate (Yamashiro-Omi, Bryant):
• Domestic Violence Task Force (Buchholz, Pile, Wolf):
Each workgroup shared their SMART goals with the rest of the Board.
Board Member Yamashiro-Omi pointed out that the Board needs to coordinate which workgroups are utilizing which community partners for their work, so that it does not violate Brown Act and Sunshine Ordinance.
Public Comment - None
5. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Social Services Manager, Marcie Soslau Johnson let the Board know that HHS brought two items to Council in December and both were passed.
Staff member Johnson notified the Board that the provider from Dignity Village is changing to Operation Dignity and there is a lot of transition currently happening.
Emergency Supportive Housing contract for Village of Love will continue for one year.
Staff member Johnson announced that Community Outreach Specialist, Krystina Stephens has left HHS.
Staff Member Fairley announced that the Pro Housing Incentive Program provides additional funding for affordable housing. On November 20, 2024, Alameda was officially designated as a pro housing jurisdiction, making the city eligible for approximately one million dollars in funding. The Pro Housing Incentive Program application is planned to be brought to Council on December 17.
Staff member Johnson announced that staff member Fairley was voted in as a Board Member for the Friends of Alameda Free Library.
6. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
President Scott Means addressed the Board and expressed his gratitude for the Board and the staff for their passion, attention, and support.
7. ADJOURNMENT
President Means adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.