SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMISSION

 

MINUTES

 

 

Wednesday, June 8, 5:30 p.m.

 

Commissioners Present:

 

                   D.A. Bob Lee                   Francesca Raphael          Kathleen Loughlin

                   Alan Hiromura                  Heidi Simonson                Steve Robbins

                   Linda Starn            JoAnne Allen                             Gillian Greensite    

 

Commissioners Excused:

 

                   Dee O'Brien           Jewel Roberts                  Judge Thomas Kelly

                   Charles Molnar

 

Commissioners Unexcused:

 

                   Donna Lind            Linda Byrum          Larry Biggam

                   Michelle Finch                 Mary Simoni          Melissa Berrenge

                   Celia Organista      Patrick Meehan      Scott MacDonald

                   Amy Christey                   Ernesto Lopez-Molina

 

Others Present:

 

Patricia Flanagan,SCDAO                   Jim McMillin, PD

          Nicole Jones, SCDAO                         Steve Moore, SCDAO

Alison Sanders, SCDAO                      Linda Root, WAWC

Joanne de los Reyes,

 

1.                  Call to Order.

 

Chair Lee called the meeting to order at 5:41 p.m.

 

2.                  Introduction of Members.

 

Each Commissioner introduced him/herself and welcomed Linda Root from WAWC, a citizen participant, to the meeting.

 

3.          Introduction of Guest Speakers.

 

Chair Lee introduced Assistant District Attorneys Nicole Jones, Alison Sanders and Steve Moore from the Family Protection Unit of the District Attorney's office.  Mr. Moore, Supervisor for that Unit, provided a narrative of the demands and responsibilities faced daily at the DAO due to the high volume of domestic violence cases.  Mr. Moore then explained the process of filing DV cases versus "no filing" them.  Nicole Jones discussed Penal Code Section 243, Battery, and provided a narrative of the guidelines associated with filing that type of case.

 

4.          Consideration and Approval of Previous Minutes.

 

The following changes to the March Minutes were discussed:

 

Correct the misspelling of Francesca Raphael's name;

Delete Joanne de los Reyes as a consideration for the full-time representative for Women's Crisis Support Defensa de Mujeres; and

Add page numbers to the Minutes.

 

The March Minutes were unable to be approved based on a lack of quorum, therefore, these changes will be implemented and presented for vote at the September meeting.

 

5.                  Additions and deletions to Agenda.

 

+  C, Old Business, Combining Positions

+  B, New Business, Elections                                                                                Simonson

+  C, New Business, Domestic Violence Center                                      Lee

 

6.                  Oral Communications from the Community.

 

No communications by the community were made.

 

7.                  Old Business For Further Discussion.

 

A.        DV Commission Membership Update

Chair Lee presented the commission members with a revised membership list, which reflects the recent board appointments, and then revisited the breakdown of the twenty-seven memberships as follows:

 

3          At-Large representatives (one from the Latino community; one from the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual community and a Survivor of domestic violence);

 

7          Terms of Office representatives (a member appointed as long as such member continues to hold that office);

 

16        Board appointed representatives; and

 

1          Remaining member from the County Administrative Office. 

 

The following is the current list of the Board appointed vacancies:

 

Defensa de Mujeres (upon Celia Organista's retirement);

Watsonville Hospital;

Women's Crisis Support;

Women's Commission;

Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual community;

(need resignation from Amy Christey)

Latino community;

(need resignation from Ernesto Lopez-Molina)

SCCLECA;

(need resignation from Donna Lind); and

Courts Representative

(need resignation letter from Judge Stevens and Appointment letter for Judge Kelly).

 

The following is a list of the recent Board appointments:

 

Community Clinic Coalition - Dr. Patrick Meehan;                                                Sutter Hospital - Joanna Goodman;

 

Chair Lee readdressed the discussion to consolidate and/or reorganize the current vacancies.  Although Judge Stevens is the appointed Courts Representative, Judge Kelly has been acting representative for quite some time.  He is currently out with a knee injury and unable to attend the meetings so Chair Lee will contact Judge Akao to check Judge Stevens' availability.  Heidi Simonson suggested that the commission leave Celia Organista on the membership until the final decision is made to merge Defensa de Mujeres with Women's Crisis.  Francesca Raphael questioned the need for a representative from the Women's Commission stating that the previous representative, Dixie Mitchell, felt that position wasn't needed. 

 

Chair Lee spoke about the District Attorney's Office participation with Gay Pride Day.  The office provided a booth to educate and help the community identify what a hate crime is.   He took that opportunity to recruit for the GLBT position but was unsuccessful in finding anyone interested.

 

Francesca Raphael stated that she would continue to seek a representative for the Latino community.   Chair Lee suggested placing either an advertisement in the local newspapers and/or do a public service announcement for these two positions.  Discussions were held and it was determined that Julie Schneider would contact Debra Abbott.

 

B.        DV Statistics Update

 

It was reported that all agencies are reporting their stats.  Alan Hiromura will provide that information at the next meeting.

Chair Lee turned the discussion to the DV 2004 Annual Report.  Congratulations to Alan and Linda for all of their hard work.  Alan suggested holding a contest for the cover of the 2005 Annual Report.  This would be a creative way to raise public awareness about domestic violence.  Chair Lee suggested that the commission send out a press release for the contest.

 

C.        Combining Memberships

 

In March, discussions were held with regard to combining Sutter and Watsonville Hospital memberships.  At that time, Sutter Hospital was not interested in consolidating their position.   Linda Starn reported that Watsonville Hospital is in dire straits with the current layoffs and, therefore, it may be difficult for them to assign a representative.  

 

Also in March, Heidi Simonson made a motion to consolidate Sutter Hospital with the Community Clinic Coalition and to add another small clinic to fill a seat. At that time there were no representatives for either and a Motion was passed and seconded by Francesca Raphael.  Kathi Loughlin, newly appointed H.S.A. representative, disagreed with the motion and stated that they are too different to combine.   Francesca Raphael stated that she was not aware of the definition of combining and felt the previous discussion did not place enough importance on the issue.  She requested that this topic be placed on the next agenda for further discussion.

 

8.                  New Business.

 

A.        Membership Discussion Timeframe

           

This topic was not discussed.

 

B.        Elections

 

Chair Lee asked that each commissioner bring their suggestions for the 2006 Chairman, Vice Chairman and two general positions to the September meeting so that elections can be held at that time.

 

C.        Domestic Violence Center

 

Chair Lee stated that he had visited a Domestic Violence Center in San Diego and was very impressed.  He feels that Santa Cruz would benefit from such a center.  The center would provide medical services, victim services for child abuse and sexual assault cases, everything from counseling to advocacy.  The county building on Water Street directly in front of the jail would be a prime location for a "one stop" office.  A center such as this could take pressure off of the Walnut Women's Center.  This issue will be placed on the next agenda for further discussion.

 

This tope raised the issue of support groups.  Walnut Women's Center is understaffed and overwhelmed.  Chair Lee asked that each commissioner contact the DAO with a list of the support groups their agency offers so that a master list can be created and distributed.  If the master list is posted on the DVC website, along with widespread media coverage, this should relieve some pressure off of Walnut Women's Center.

 

This topic raised the issue of teen dating violence.  Joanne Allen voiced her concerns about the failure of young girls reporting these crimes, as it appears to be acceptable within the teen circle.  Not only is the violence between girls but also girls perpetrating against boys.  This type of violence includes verbal abuse, physical abuse and forced sex.   Teen girls discuss how to hurt boys just for looking at other girls.  The County Office of Education has created a task force that will go to various schools to discuss these issues, in private, and help to educate teens that this behavior is not okay.  Classroom teachers are cooperative and have set rooms aside for the interviews.  What is needed now is funding so that the task force can expand.  Heidi Simonson recapped a recent case where a 16-year-old girl was involved in some bizarre sexual behavior.  Francesca Raphael suggested that a committee be formed to review and manage these cases.  Chair Lee asked that Joanne Allen gather more information on the schools, any possible reports of teen violence and their outreach programs.  Chair Lee, Linda Starn and Alan Hiromura will contact the media.  This topic will be moved to the next Agenda for further discussion.

 

9.                  Announcement from Commissioners.

 

Joanne de los Reyes will present Celia Organista with the gift certificate for outstanding dedication to the community since she was unable to attend tonight's meeting.

 

10.             Adjournment.

 

                        The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.