SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMISSION

MINUTES

Wednesday, May 10, 5:30 p.m.

Commissioners PRESENT:

Heidi Simonson Patrick Meehan Mary Simoni

Scott MacDonald Gillian Greensite Celia Organista

Larry Biggam Steve Robbins Bob Lee

Jackie Grubelnik Alan Hiromura

Commissioners Excused:

Dee O'Brien Kathy Loughlin Irwin Joseph

Melissa Berrenge JoAnn Allen Linda Starn

Charles Molnar Francesca Raphael

Commissioners Unexcused:

Linda Byrum JoAnna Goodman Jewell Roberts

Others Present:

Jennifer Pike Jennifer Buesing

1. Call to Order.

Chair Simonson called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. and announced that, due to a family issue, she must leave the commission meeting early. DA Lee would act as vice-chair.

2. Roll Call: Introduction of Members.

Each Commissioner introduced him/herself.

3. Additions or Deletions to Agenda.

+ Item 5, under Oral Communications from the Community, Ron Garcia, County Counsel's Office re: Brown Act.

4. Approval of March Minutes.

The March Minutes could not be approved due to a lack of quorum.

5. Oral Communications from the Community.

Ron Garcia from the County Counsel's Office gave a presentation on the Brown Act. He explained that the Brown Act was established to allow the public to hear deliberations of a legislative body. A legislative body must give notice to the public so that members of the public can attend any meetings held by a legislative body. As for subcommittees/task force formed under a legislative body, they must be limited jurisdiction and formed for a limited period of time before they are disbanded or they must comply with Brown Act regulations. Unfortunately however, the Brown Act does not specify how long a "limited period of time" is.

As for the DV Commission, the Brown Act does apply, as the DV Commission is a legislative body. If subcommittees/task force are established and take any type of formal action, they too must comply with the Brown Act. Exceptions to compliance include; if a committee is composed of less than a quorum they do not need to comply; or if a task force is established with limited jurisdiction and meet for a limited period of time before dissolving, and then Brown Act compliance is not required. Since the DV Commission Executive Committee is an ongoing task force that takes formal action it should comply with the Brown Act requirements. As far as the other subcommittees already formed under the DVC, it is important that their tasks are discrete and over quickly. Any continuing topics require compliance under the Brown Act.

A community member attending the meeting asked when the Commission anticipates the Annual Report would be distributed. Alan Hiromura responded by stating that there were unexpected computer problems at Dominican Hospital (where the report is printed) but expect to have the project completed by the end of May.

6. Old Business.

A. Nominations & Terms of Officers

Due to a lack of quorum, this topic has been moved to the next meeting.

7. New Business

A. Subcommittee Reports:

1. By-Laws Taskforce

Vice-Chair Lee reported that he and JoAnn Allen reviewed by-laws from other counties and morphed those by-laws with those of the DV Commission and then gave them to Chair Simonson to review. He suggested that this topic be revisited next week when Chair Simonson would be available for comment.

2. Education Subcommittee

It was reported that this subcommittee had met twice so far including at the Retreat when they discussed their goals. Since that time they have gathered educational materials on domestic violence that are available to medical facilities. Their goal as a subcommittee is to train medical facilities in mandatory reporting. They have contacted several doctors and asked them to participate but the doctors asked for a fee to do so. This subcommittee will ask the hospitals in Santa Cruz to participate. The District Attorney's Office will begin training on how to identify domestic violence in the work force.

3. Annual Report Subcommittee

Scott MacDonald reported that this subcommittee has met and prepared a questionnaire. They must solicit responses now for input and will begin with the DV Commission members. (See handout) The new Attorney General's report stated specific requirements and this survey was one of them. Further, the DV Commission should ask various providers to attend a DVC meeting and report on their questionnaire answers.

4. Executive Committee

Vice-chair Lee reported that this committee met in Commissioner Joseph's chambers two months ago to discuss memberships and more participation. They felt that an amicable resolution would be to include a "proxy" in the new by-laws. The Executive Committee will submit this to the Board for approval.

B. Awards Ceremony

Vice-chair Lee suggested that a task force be formed to coordinate the Awards Ceremony. Sheriff Robbins announced that his office could help provide food for the ceremony but a new venue is needed. Scott MacDonald suggested utilizing the Board's meeting room and coordinating a ceremony similar to how the Board honors volunteers (i.e. televised w/proclamation, etc.) Vice-chair Lee asked that this topic be moved to the next meeting to further discuss venues and vote.

C. Removal of Member - Survivor Seat

Chair Simonson addressed the issue of absences and the effects it has on the efficiency of the commission. She explained that three unexcused absences would result in termination as a commissioner. Linda Byrum, Survivor Seat representative has had more than three unexcused absences. Chair Simonson attempted to contact her by email to discuss this issue as her telephone number is no longer in service. Due to a lack of quorum, this item will be placed on the next Agenda.

D. Women's Commission Research Proposal

Chair Simonson reported that Kaki Rushmore, Women's Commission, was conducting an independent study of domestic violence amongst women and girls in Santa Cruz County and asked that the commissioners help in any way possible. Bob Lee reported that he had spoken with Ms. Rushmore and gave her a variety of contacts to discuss her research project.

E. Legislative Update.

Chair Simonson reported that she made contact with Assemblyman John Laird's office and requested updates on new legislation. (See handout California Partnership to End Domestic Violence). Celia Organista commented that her partnership identifies new bills and she is hoping to get on their mailing list for regular updates. This item will be placed on next months Agenda.

F. Attorney General's Report.

Vice-chair Lee reported that the Attorney General's Office had released their report on Restraining Orders and Santa Cruz County ranked in the first quartile in issuing CPOs, and EPOs. However, Santa Cruz also ranked in the fourth quartile for CPOs without firearm prohibitions. Vice-chair Lee announced that the DAO will pursue individuals with Family Law Restraining Orders. If an individual gets a Temporary Restraining Order, he is on notice. Unfortunately, not all permanent orders are being served. This area needs improvement. This topic will be revisited on the next Agenda to discuss improvement tactics.

G. United Way Community Assessment.

Scott MacDonald reported on the goals outlined in the United Way of Santa Cruz County, Community Assessment Project (See handout). The United Way hopes that the goals they previously set are sufficient enough to improve the quality of life in Santa Cruz through 2010. The assessment states that the crime rate went down but domestic violence has increased over the years. Vice-chair Lee commented that when protective orders are being requested it is an indication that a domestic violence situation is occurring. Generally, a protective order is requested before the situation has been reported to law enforcement. Those statistics should be updated along with teen violence statistics.

8. Announcements.

Jennifer Buesing, Probation DV Supervisor, reported that PVPSA must cancel their services at the county jail. PVPSA is discussing with Phoenix the possibility of replacing them. Although Probation oversees the dynamics of these services they do not make the decision of who provides them. Scott MacDonald commented that Probation may need to approach County Counsel for advice as so far nothing is mandated. There is no money transferring hands and no one agency seems to be in control. It appears that one agency is allowed to pick another for its replacement. Mary Simoni suggested that it be open to any agency interested in providing the jail program. Scott MacDonald stated that it is Probation's responsibility to certify an agency and prior to doing so he recommends an endorsement from the Domestic Violence Commission.

Gillian Greensite invited the commissioners to attend the Annual Public Hearing of the PVAW on Thursday, May 25.

9. Adjournment.

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