[Occupymendocino] Minutes of 2/6/16 meeting

[she-la]

Please let me know if this has gone through to OM members.

she-la <sheila.dawn50 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>   Present: Irene, John F., Bob L., Sheila, Daniel, Agnes ,Anne
>  Facilitator- Agnes; Secretary-Sheila; Stacker-John
>    Charter Project Update: 
>   Agnes stated that the petition signatures for a vote to make Mendocino a Charter County were turned in to the Clerk-Recorder's office  on Tues. Jan. 19th. About twenty people, both signature gatherers and those endorsing the petition, were present with signs and banners to celebrate the success of the drive with photos and subsequent publicity in local newspapers.
>     Over 4000 signatures were presented for verification. If there are 2500 valid signatures, the initiative will be voted on in the June 6th election. If successful, voters will also vote for 15 Charter commissioners who are tasked with bringing a proposal for a County Charter for approval in a subsequent election. 
>      Afterwards, about half the group attended a strategy session at Robin S's house. The organization of ten Town Hall meetings throughout the County to inform the public of the advantages of a Charter County was discussed. The number of current people willing to apply for the position of commissioner, fundraising activities as well as the necessary timeline for gathering input from citizens to present an inclusive, well thought through document for ratification were also topics on the afternoon's agenda.
>        OM thanked Agnes for her perseverance and hard work in the success of the signature drive.
>   Agnes gave two upcoming dates in which the former Director of the Pennsylvania Public Bank, Walt McCree, will speak to the community about details involved in creation of a Public Bank which is of primary interest in the upcoming Charter discussion. The scheduled dates are Sat., Feb 27th at the Dragon House in Boonville at 1 p.m. (Call Linda McClure if planning to attend) and Sun. Feb 28 the at the Matheson Theater in the town of Mendocino.
>   Anne asked if laws passed thus far in the County would be grandfathered into the Charter. Agnes responded that input would be taken by commissioners both electronically and through Town Hall meetings to help determine what would be included. A public bank will be one of the items broadly discussed.
>   Agnes also noted that Paul Cienfuegos , a community rights advocate, will be the guest speaker at all Town Hall meetings scheduled in April.
>   A formal invitation to attend  will be sent to the classes instructed by Andy Wellspring.
>     Behavioral Health Update
>    The first meeting at the refurbished Old Coast Hotel regarding mental health services was held on Jan. 20th.. Ms. Jenine Miller PhD is the new Mental Health Director. A suggestion of doing background checks on clients of the Hospitality House was made resulting in a controversial comment by Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB) member Dina Ortiz alluding to similar tactics used by Nazis. New BHAB member, Supervisor McCowen, stated no background checks would be made.
>   It was learned that only three patients have been sent out of county to a mental health facility. Emergency room physicians often differed from the conclusions of the crisis responder provided by Ortner and were critical of the time it took for the responder to arrive. The contract with Ortner Mgmt. Group is due to expire in April. No  other options were discussed.
>    The Trinity Lutheran Church hosted an extreme weather shelter on Jan. 23rd.
> Complaints were made against the Hospitality House for hanging up on people who called about their lack of services regarding extreme weather shelters.
>    Police Advisory Board/Teen Court--John has opened a discussion about the prospect of reopening a city jail. Council member Cimolino asked for more info on maintenance costs vs. officers time in transporting arrestees to the Ukiah facility.
>        Teen Court will be once again be available through the Ten Mile Court with facilitation through the efforts of Jean Cunningham.
>     Home Owner's Bill of Rights-five laws protecting home owners from bank practices such as selling notes without having proved ownership are due to expire in Jan. 2017. Letters to legislators to extend  the law are needed. It was suggested to draft a letter for review to publish in the local paper for the next meeting. Details of the law can be researched online.
>        Future of Occupy
>   More involvement in the Police Advisory Board, court witnessing and legal aid advocacy.
>   May 1st-- International Workers Day Event
>   New signs for Friday Street Protest
>        Animal Shelter
>      Options are being considered by the Board of Supervisors for management of the Ukiah shelter. Sage Mountainfire has been put on paid administrative leave for reasons unknown. Requests for proposals include outsourcing service through the Petaluma Animal Shelter or  administration through the Sheriff's Dep't.
>       MLK Jr. Event & Financial Report--Sheila reported total income received from the MLK Jr event was $367.50 Linda J. reported that 308.50 had been deposited in the Occupy Mendocino account. Expenses for food, paper goods, printing costs and reimbursement of refreshments for the  Ft. Bragg Freedom Singers totaled $309.50 for a net gain of $66.
>     All present felt the march around town with over 50 participants was inspiring and a significant statement honoring  MLK  Jr. and the principles he stood for.  It was also agreed that the program was well received and the event was successful and appreciated by the community.
>     Respectfully Submitted, 
>      Sheila Dawn Tracy
>