Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting - June 25, 2026
Social Service Human Relations Board Meeting - June 25, 2026
The Social Service Human Relations Board met on June 25, 2026, to approve the fiscal year 2026-27 scope of work, hear work group reports, and receive staff updates. The meeting convened at 7:05 PM and adjourned at approximately 7:44 PM.
Consent Calendar
- The board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting (Item 3A).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alfina Shofa, an Alameda resident, commented on the work group reports, expressing appreciation for the programs and suggesting increased social media presence on the city's Instagram account to raise awareness.
- Craig provided public comment regarding his search for a permanent location for a live/work space, mentioning collaboration with others and efforts to find a suitable property.
Discussion Items
- Scope of Work (Item 4A): Vice President Samantha Green presented the fourth draft of the fiscal year 2026-27 scope of work, incorporating changes from previous meetings. Key revisions included rephrasing the board's role, adjusting language on collaboration, updating work group descriptions, and adding an evaluation review section. Board members expressed appreciation for the collaborative process and noted the document addressed their concerns.
- Work Group Reports (Item 4B): Board members provided updates and reflections on the three work groups:
- The Road Home Work Group highlighted dissemination of homelessness policy metrics, point-in-time count data, overdose response training, age-friendly survey, and outreach to PTAC (PTA presidents). Opportunities identified included supporting service providers, addressing rising costs, and improving program awareness.
- Alamedans United Against Hate Work Group focused on building partnerships with community organizations and co-creating events.
- Domestic Violence Work Group reported building a task force meeting four times a year with diverse stakeholders. Board member Gerald Bryant also noted ongoing efforts to develop a work plan for the future.
- Staff Communications (Item 5A): Shelby Neal from Housing and Human Services reported on overdose response training, an RFP for residential rehabilitation program administration, staff promotions and new hires, and the opening of below-market-rate waitlists via RISE Housing.
- Board Communications (Item 6): Bernie Wolf recommended the Vision Zero report on traffic safety. Gerald Bryant raised the closure of Child Unique Montessori School due to Oakland Diocese issues, urging the board to support founder Dr. Cindy Acker, an award-winning educator and community figure. He reported that other avenues had not yielded support.
Key Outcomes
- The board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026-27 scope of work (Version 4) after a motion and second. No abstentions were recorded.
- The board discussed work group plans and opportunities, with a retreat planned for the next meeting to further refine priorities.
- No other formal votes were taken.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the June 25th, 2026 Social Service Human Relations Board meeting. This meeting is being recorded. The chat function has been turned off. If members of the public would like to comment on an item, there are multiple options to do so. If attending via Zoom, digitally raise your hand, and Secretary Manaeon will announce when it is your turn. You will then have the option to unmute yourself and proceed with your public comment. Email your public comment to Secretary Mannaeon at GMANAHAYON at Alameda C A.gov. Before or during the meeting with your name, the agenda item number and your referencing and your comment. Comments submitted during the meeting before the conclusion of the public comment section will be read into the record. Her email address is also on the meeting's agenda. If you are calling in by phone, please email Ms. Manna Ayan as we cannot see you raise your hand. You can also dial star nine to raise your hand, and we will call on you. To provide a public comment in person, please complete a public comment slip with your name and the agenda item number you will be speaking on. You will be called up when it is your turn. Public comments will be limited to three minutes. The public has two opportunities for public comment. First, under agenda item two, public comments. Comments from the audience may address matters not in 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 follows a format similar to city council meeting. First, after a 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 then third, after public comments, we will open the item up for board discussion and a vote if recommended. I'd like to remind everyone that we are conducting business for the city of Alameda this evening. We agree as a community to listen respectfully when other people are speaking. Public speaking can be very stressful for all of us, and we do not want anyone to feel intimidated. Shrub meetings will always be a safe space for people to share their views. I also want to remind everyone that disrupting a public meeting is a California penal code violation that could result in actions up to and including police intervention. None of us want that. As a reminder, the exits are located right here. So we will now call this meeting to order at 7.05 p.m. Give me a second here. All right, we will do a roll call. Chantel Carter. She's currently absent, but she'll be here in 15 minutes. Yeah. Bernie Wolf? Here. Gerald Bryant? Here. Michelle Buckholz? Here. Samantha Green? Here. And Scott Means here. And from the Housing and Human Services Division, we have Simone Falls, Division Manager, Gracia Man, Program Manager, and Shelby Neal, Administrative Specialist. Let's move to uh non-agenda public comments. The city welcomes speakers providing public comment, but please be advised this is a limited public forum. 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 and human relations board.
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