To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk of the Board
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Request from the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission to Sign a Letter of Support for All Humboldt County Community Members
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair to sign the Letter of Support.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
The following discussion has been provided by the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission (HRC) for your Board’s consideration:
In light of the current situation throughout the country, the Human Rights Commission urges strong and immediate statements supporting citizen and non-citizen residents to assure their rights at this current time. This may not be the last time that the Board will be expected to defend the will of the people (Measure K-Sanctuary Ordinance) in grey areas of cooperation with federal authorities.
It is clear that Measure K was written at a time when the full scope and aggressive level of federal departments could not be anticipated. For instance, the new Federal rules are using other arms of the federal government to do some of the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) and Homeland Security. This was not expected.
The Board, the Sheriff, and District Attorney may need to broaden their interpretive skills to anticipate how a bait and switch approach could be used by Drug Enforcement Administration and others to do what the proper authorities are not permitted to do. The wishes of the majority of Humboldt County voters must be kept in mind at all times.
The Human Rights Commission understands the difficulty of upholding a measure approved by voters in 2018. It also understands the need for moral and ethical clarity as it conducts its business on behalf of every resident.
Therefore, the HRC is requesting the support for the Letter of Support attached.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
Human Rights Commission Letter of Support
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A