Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting – April 29, 2025
Alameda Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting – April 29, 2025
Note: The transcript indicates the meeting occurred on April 24, 2025, but the provided date for this summary is April 29, 2025. This discrepancy is noted rather than silently resolved.
The Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) met in regular session at 7:03 p.m. on the recorded date. The board discussed and voted on amendments to its Fiscal Year 2025-26 work plan, provided feedback on a student-designed logo, and received updates from work groups and staff. Several routine items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval (March 27, 2025): Motion to approve, seconded, passed unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jennifer Rkowski spoke during agenda item 4A (work plan). She urged the board to update the city's domestic violence resources webpage, noting the current guide dated from 2011 contains disconnected crisis numbers and outdated locations. She emphasized the real consequences for the community and called for a more accurate and caring resource.
Discussion Items
- Fiscal Year 2025-26 Work Plan Amendment (Item 4A): Staff explained that the community needs assessment (CNA) is conducted every five years and the next cycle is 2026-27. Therefore, the board discussed amending the work plan to shift from completing the full CNA in FY25/26 to only performing data collection in that year, allowing ramp-up time. The amendment was moved, seconded, and after public comment, passed unanimously (7-0).
- Age-Friendly Cities Update (Item 4B): Board member Scott Means reported on stakeholder engagement and lessons learned from Oakland's age-friendly initiative. He highlighted a volunteer list being developed, which will be hosted on the SSHRB website and updated quarterly. No vote was required.
- Student Logo Design for SSHRB (Item 4C): The board reviewed a logo created by Alameda High School students. After discussion, the board voted (7-0) to provide feedback to the design team: include the full name “Social Service Human Relations Board,” use the official Alameda font, and incorporate imagery of people working together to reflect the board's mission.
- Work Group Reports (Item 4D): - Domestic Violence Work Group: Reported progress on a central web page for domestic violence organizations, thanks to community input. - United Against Hate Resolution Work Group: Outlined a timeline to bring a resolution to the board in July, finalize in August, and present to City Council in October. Weekly meetings are being held with community leaders. - Road Home/Experiencing Homelessness Work Group: Announced a virtual presentation with a resident of Dignity Village, partnership with the school district’s McKinney-Vento liaison, and potential outreach at the Fourth of July race.
Staff Communications
- Gracia Manayan (Housing & Human Services Program Manager) reported: - Three items going to May 6 City Council meeting: CDBG consolidated plan, CDBG sub-recipient awards, and the SSHRB FY25-26 work plan. - Welcome to new staff member Camille Rodriguez, who will lead homelessness efforts. - Season for Nonviolence event on April 26. - Residential rehabilitation program now accepting applications for low-/moderate-income homeowners (grants up to $5,000, loans up to $15,000) for safety and accessibility modifications. - Budget update: slowing development has led to cautious budgeting; approximately 3% of general fund operating costs from reserves. - Day center relocation: 99% construction drawings, on track for mid-2026 opening.
Board Communications
- Upcoming Events: Speech contest, API Heritage Month (Bohol Circle festival), Buena Vista United Methodist Church Spring Festival, Older Americans Month, and discussion about a possible parade float for the Fourth of July.
Key Outcomes
- Work Plan Amendment (Item 4A): Approved unanimously (7-0) – the board will conduct data collection in FY25/26 rather than a full community needs assessment.
- Logo Feedback (Item 4C): Approved unanimously (7-0) – the design team will be asked to include the board's full name, Alameda font, and imagery of people working together.
- Minutes Approved (Consent): Unanimous.
- No other formal votes taken.
Meeting Transcript
I thought I heard Michelle on it. And thus concludes our meeting. Okay. As soon as we can't, it's like clockwork, it's amazing. We're happy birthday? Happy Thursday. Oh, I was like, it's not a birthday, but I appreciate that. No, it's really cold out, so it's like the frost of the snowman thing. Happy birthday. Did I recently rewatch or like oh didn't we rewatch the claymation old like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph? The clay one. Do you know the elf didn't want to be a dentist? Yeah. That's what he wanted to do. Doesn't everyone want to be? I must five. Seems like a weird choice. No, it's today. Okay. I think that's fine. All right. Are we live? Yes. Excellent. Um good evening and welcome to the April 24th, 2025 Social Service Human Relations Board meeting. Um this meeting is being recorded. If a panel member would like to speak, please physically or digitally raise your hand, and the chair will acknowledge your request that the chat function has been turned off. If members of the public would like to comment on an item, please digitally raise your hand or email Gracia Manayan, G M-A-N-N-A-H-A-Y-O-N at Alameda C A.gov. Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read in the record. Her email address is also on the meeting's agenda. If you are calling by phone, please email Ms. Manayan, and we can not as we cannot see you raise your hand. You can also dial star nine to raise your hand, and we will call on you. Public comments will be limited to three minutes. To clarify the public has two opportunities for public comment. First, under agenda item two, public comments. Comments from the audience may concern matters either on or not on the agenda, but must deal with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Social Service Human Relations Board. Second, under each agenda item, there will be an opportunity for public comment on that specific item. Each item calls a format similar to city council meetings. First, after presentation, we will ask if there are any clarifying questions from Shrub members for staff. Second, we will ask if there are any public comments on this agenda item. And third, after public comment, we will open the item up for board discussion and a vote if recommended. The meeting is now called to order at 7.03 p.m. Um and roll call, we'll be doing um everything by roll call today since we have um you know someone remote. Um Bernie Wolf here, Diana Mashiroomi here, Joe O'Brien, here Michelle Buckholz here, Samantha Green here, Scott Means here, and from the Housing and Human Services Division, Gracia Mana. Thank you. I don't know if I'm supposed to be just like so um do we need to say anything about her yeah, she needs to give an explanation. Oh, okay. So um Diane, um, if you could just you know, just very briefly just say um I'm not here because I'm not physically present there because I'm sick. Thank you.
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