SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMISSION

 

MINUTES

 

 

Wednesday, January 11, 5:30 p.m.

 

Commissioners Present:

 

Heidi Simonson      Mary Simoni          Scott MacDonald

                   Melissa Berrenge   Bob Lee                          JoAnna Goodman

                   Gillian Greensite     Kathy Loughlin       Charles Molnar

Dee O'Brien           Irwin Joseph                            

 

Commissioners Excused:

 

                   Jewell Roberts                 JoAnn Allen           Celia Organista

                   Francesca Raphael Patrick Meehan      Linda Starn

                   Steve Robbins                  Alan Hiromura       

 

Commissioners Unexcused:

 

                   Larry Biggam                   Linda Byrum          Jackie Grubelnik

                                                                  

Others Present:

 

Jennifer Pike, SCDAO     Julie Schneider      Nancy DeLaPena                     

 

1.                  Call to Order.

Chair Simonson called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

 

2.                  Introduction of Members.

Each Commissioner introduced him/herself.

 

3.          Additions/Deletions to Agenda.

No additions or deletions were made.

 

4.         Introduction of Guest Speakers.

No guest speakers were scheduled for this meeting.

 

5.                  Oral Communications from the Community.

Community members Kim Camacho, Marilyn Humphrey and Marry Bassano introduced themselves.

 

6.          Consideration and Approval of Previous Minutes.

District Attorney Bob Lee made a motion to approve the November Minutes, Charles Molnar seconded the motion and the Minutes were approved.

 

7.                  Old Business.

 

A.        Executive Committee Report

Chair Simonson reported that Kay Archer Bowden agreed to facilitate the DVC Retreat scheduled for February 13 and has presented her proposal to the Executive Committee.  Her fee is $2,635.  The Retreat will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Central Fire Protection District located at 930 17th Avenue.  There is no fee for utilizing the facility.  District Attorney Bob Lee stated that the request for agency participation, with regards to funding, has drawn a negative response.  (HRA is on board.)  To date, $2,000 has been collected.  A suggestion was made to go before the Board and request funds.  District Attorney Bob Lee stated that the Board of Supervisors generally does not allot funding for meetings and felt that they would not make an exception for the DVC.  JoAnn Allen will arrange catering to the Retreat. 

 

Discussions were held with regards to the lack of funding and various suggestions were made, however, the commissioners decided to wait to see if additional funds could be generated before making any final decisions.

 

B.        Report to the Community 2005 Funding

This topic was moved to the February 8 Agenda.

.

8.                  New Business

 

A.        Funding for DVC Retreat.

This topic was combined with 7.  Old Business, A. Executive Committee Report.

 

9.                  Announcements.

District Attorney Bob Lee announced that the District Attorney's Office recently won a 3-year competitive grant for $300,000.  The grant will provide funding for the DAO to focus on South County issues.  With the majority of the population being Latino, the DAO will provide a Spanish speaking Assistant District Attorney, Inspector and support staff to help Latino victims of domestic violence and other crimes.  He hopes to keep all new cases filed in Watsonville in the new Watsonville Courthouse.

 

Dee O'brien announced that she is coordinating with the Courts to have an individual from her facility in the courtrooms so that they may be available for referrals to a visitation site.

 

Commissioner Irwin Joseph announced that since Judge Stevens assumed the domestic violence calendar in place of the late Judge Akao, Department 5 is still on track.  District Attorney Bob Lee announced that he has contacted Judge Stevens to coordinate a meeting to discuss the new domestic violence court, as he did with the late Judge Akao, but had not heard back from him as of yet.

 

Dee O'brien announced that Family Matters closed their doors.  Patricia Gilbertson could not keep the business end up and closed after 5 years. This is unfortunate as it was the only place Restraining Orders could be issued for male victims.  District Attorney Bob Lee suggested having Patricia Gilbertson speak to the Commission about what Family Matters offered. 

 

Chair Simonson announced a suggestion made by Kay Bowden, facilitator for the Retreat.  Ms. Bowden suggested that the DVC Agenda include  "networking" or "flea market" time.  The purpose would be to spend a few moments before each meeting speaking with another individual, or individuals, on the Commission to learn about what their facility and what part they play in our goal to end the cycle of violence. 

 

10.       Adjournment.

                        The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.