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Minutes, GPLAC County Council meeting, June 9, 2019

Green Party of Los Angeles County County Council Meeting Minutes
4344 Russell Ave, Los Angeles 90027
Sunday, June 9, 2019, 2-5pm meeting, vegetarian potluck 1pm

County Councilmembers present (9): Doug Barnett, Marla Bernstein, Diana Brown, Mike Feinstein, Melissa GuevaraAva Kermani, Linda Piera-AvilaAjay Rai, Julia Russell

County Councilmembers not present (2): Rachel Brunhke, Annie Goeke

County Councilmembers alternate (1) : Lisa Taylor (for Annie Goeke)

Other Greens present (1): David Bond, Steve Correa, Cesar Flores, Shannel Pittmnd, Lisa Salvary, Rohan Sabnis, Juan Verdin, Bruce Villa, Margaret Villa

Non-Greens present (1): Jose de Leon

Meeting began at 4:04 with quorum (6/11) - Brown, Feinstein, Guevara, Kermani, Piera-Avila, Rai, Russell, Taylor (a)

Facilitator: Ajay Rai
Minutes: Mike Feinstein
Time Keeper:  Linda Piera-Avila
Vibes Watcher: Ava Kermani

Bond arrives at 2:25
Barnett and Bernstein arrived at 2:40
Flores arrived at 3
others arrival time not recorded

Feinstein left after item #14


1. Welcome and Introductions - All attendees                                         

Heard from those in attendance


2. Reviewing our process  (two minutes)                                                                          
Presenter: Facilitators

Relevant Bylaw: Section 9.3 Participation
9.3.1 Open Meetings: With the consent of the Council, all members of the Green Party of Los Angeles County may participate in the 'Consensus-seeking Process' but only Council members may hold any 'unresolved concerns' and participate in any vote, should one become necessary.
9.3.2 County Council members shall receive priority in discussions, to ensure that they have time to a) seek clarifications. b) express their concerns and affirmations, and c) take a vote, if necessary. At the discretion of the facilitation

Rai presented this review


3. Opportunity to amend agenda and/or add emergency items (five minutes)               
Presenter: Facilitators

Relevant By-Law 7.5.2.3 The agenda may be amended by a 3/5 vote of County Councilmember present. Emergency and/or late items may be added to the agenda by a 2/3 vote of County Councilmembers (in the interest of time, suggested amendments and their rationale should be offered on-line before the meeting)

Proposal (Russell) add to the non0vioelnce item , second decision

Approved by consensus

Proposal (Piera-Avila): Add "Decision: Support Loraine Lundquist for Los Angeles City Council District 12 special election run-off election and authorize email blast" after minutes

Approved by consensus


4. Discussion: Treasurer's Report  (five minutes)                                                                  
Presenter: Barnett (Treasurer)

Treasurer didn't arrive until 2:40, item heard after he arrived


5. Decision: Approval of minutes from GPLAC April 28, 2019 County Council meeting* (three minutes)
Sponsor/Presenter: Feinstein (Secretary, minutes taker)

Proposal (Feinstein): Approval of these draft minutes: https://losangeles.cagreens.org/county-council/minutes/2019-04-28

Amendment (Piera-Avila): correct spelling of last name for Lundquist

Approved by consensus


6. Decision: Support Loraine Lundquist for Los Angeles City Council District 12 special election run-off election and authorize email blast
Sponsor/Presenter: Piera-Avila

Proposal (Piera-Avila): Support Loraine Lundquist for Los Angeles City Council District 12 special election run-off election and authorize emails to registered Greens in her district notifying them of the GPLAC statement of support, how to get involved in the campaign and when to vote

Yes (8): Barnett, Bernstein, Feinstein, Kermani, Piera-Avila, Rai, Russell, Taylor
No (2): Brown, Guevara
Abstain (0):

Proposal approved 8-2-0
(Under GPLAC bylaws, this decision requires 2/3 support with at least 3/5 of County Council voting)


7. Discussion: Update on Greens Running for Neighborhood Council
Sponsor/Presenter: Feinstein

Feinstein reported that six of 11 Greens who had run for Los Angeles Neighborhood Council as of June 9 were elected (references www.gpelections.org/?t=2019 and  gpus.org/elections/report-greens-in-spring-2019-elections).


7. Discussion: Update on candidates already planning on running in 2020
Sponsor: Feinstein

Background: At this point the following Greens have declared their intention - US House of Representatives: Rodolfo Cortes Barragan (CD-40), Shannel Pitman (CD-34); State Senate: Cesar Flores (SD-33); State Assembly: Juan Verden (AD-51)Pittman and Verden presented on their candidacies


8. Decision: Authorize email blast for candidate recruitment for local, state and federal office in 2019 and 2020
Sponsor/Presenter: Feinstein

Proposal (Feinstein): That Feinstein be authorizent to prepare a draft email blast for candidate recruitment for local, state and federal office in 2019 and 2020, send it to the GPLAC for input and then send a final version

Aprpoved by consensus


9. Discussion: Update on South Central Farm legal case
Sponsor/Presenter: Piera-Avila

Piera-Avila reported that approval of the PIMA warehouse would be going before the Los Angeles City Council Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) committee in June (reference June 25 PLUM hearing https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2016/16-1411-S1_rpt_plum_6-25-19.pdf)


10. Discussion: Report Back from GPCA San Francisco General Assembly, May 18-19
Sponsor/Presenter: Brown

Brown, Sabnis, PIttman, Bond shared their experiences in attending the meeting


11. Discussion: GPLAC voting on SGA items in May/June 2019 Standing General Assembly

Discussion centered around supporting GPLAC members Barnett and Guevara for Coordinating Committee


12. Decision: Consideration of any amendments to GPLAC Bylaws proposal before SGA on GPLAC Liaison to SoS job description
Sponsor/Presenter: Feinstein

Proposal (Feinstein): That the GPLAC's proposal be as amended in Attachment #1 below

Approved by consensus


13. Discussion: Nominations for GPLAC Representation to GPCA Standing General Assembly 
Sponsors/Presenters: Rai, Russell in their ministerial role as co-coordinators

Because the new GPLAC voting page was not ready to use for this vote, discussion centered around extending the period for nominations through June 30 and then going to discussion and vote, contingent upon the voting page being ready by that time


14. Decision:  Proposal for GPLAC to host GPCA General Assembly
Sponsor/Presenter: Brown

Proposal (Brown): That the GPLAC host a GPCA General Assembly in Los Angeles County on either the weekends of November 16/17 or December 7/8

Yes (2): Brown, Guevara
No (8): Barnett, Bernstein, Feinstein,Kermani, Piera-Avila, Rai, Russell, Taylor
Abstain (0):

Proposal not approved 2-8-0


Because Feinstein had to leave at 4:30, item #16 for which he was sponsor was heard before item #15.  Also it was realized that item #16 had not been amended at the appropriate time at the beginning of the meeting in response to actual new text for SB 505 being available, and that the GPLAC had only until the following day to render a decision on the amended bill, therefore it was decided on this one time basis to hear the item as a decision making item


15. Proposal: Proposed GPLAC Nonviolent Communication Guidelines/Spirit of Inclusiveness/Conflict Resolution to be included in GPLAC Rules and Procedures
Sponsor/Presenters: Russell, Avila, Bruhnke

Proposal (Russell): That the GPLAC agree to add the above language on non-violent communication to the GPLAC Rules and Procedures.

15.1.  Stick to the facts: try to be as objective as possible.
a. Don’t use evaluative language, avoiding such words as, sneaky, arrogant, rude, stupid, mean, greedy, outrageous, lazy, irresponsible, etc.
15.2.  Stick to the issue.  Principles above personalities.
15.3. Practice Active Listening: Avoid interrupting each other.
15.4.  Don’t resort to ad hominem attacks, i.e. negative evaluations of an individual’s character, intentions, intelligence, etc.           
15.5  Don’t assume we know other peoples’ motivations.  Ask them and let them tell us their motivations.  Give them the benefit of the doubt.
15.6.  Make an effort to make others right. Seek to find something in what another has said that you agree with first, and acknowledge it before going on to the issues you disagree on.  It helps people to be less defensive, more open to really listening.
15.7.  Don’t deliver ultimatums. Ultimatums leave no room for negotiation and harden people’s defenses.  No one likes to be told they have no choice and ultimatums do that.
15.8.  Have a clear desired outcome in mind.  That helps us avoid being sidetracked into bickering about non-essential issues.

Approved by consensus

Proposal (Russell): That the GPLAC agrees that the vibes watcher will use the non-vioelnt commujnciations guidleines in the GPLAC Rules and Procedures as gthe basis for moederating GPLAC disucssion in GPLAC meetings.

Approved by consensus


16. Decision: SB 505 - Presidential primary elections

Proposal (Feinstein): Support SB 505 as amended (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB505)

Approved by consesnsus


17. Discussion: Update on GPLAC Voting Page implementation
Sponsor/Presenter: Rai

Rai provided status update about the item.


18. Discussion: Update on GPLAC Nationbuilder data base
Sponsors/Presenters: Feinstein, Rai

Rai provided status update about the item.


Attachment #1:

Subject: Bylaws Amendment: GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State 

Sponsor:  Green Party of Los Angeles County

Background:

 Although the position of GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State is in GPCA Bylaws - as well as in the California State Elections Code (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB477) - there is no Article in the GPCA Bylaws specifying the duties and responsibilities of the position of Liaison.

Although the GPLAC believes that GPCA would be best served by including all duties and responsibilities of the position of Liaison in the GPCA Bylaws, in the interest of gaining sufficient support to gain passage of this proposal, the GPCA has amended it’s proposal as follows: 

(1) Adding into the GPCA Bylaws a clear Article specifying that there is a job description in the GPCA governing rules documents for the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State, and that such a job description shall be embedded in a newly established GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State Protocol

(2) Clarify that amending the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State protocol shall require the same 2/3 approval as amending the the GPCA Bylaws and other GPCA governing rules documents 

(3) Including in the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State Protocol all duties and responsibilities of the Liaison as specified by the California Elections Code, and a numerical reference to those corresponding sections of the California State Elections Code

(4) Adding to the the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State Protocol the responsibility for the Liaison to communicate with the Coordinating Committee and the county parties in order to ensure that endorsed candidacies by the GPCA and county Green Parties are reported to county registrar of voters as specified by the California Elections Code

(5) Adding to the the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State Protocol the responsibility for the Liaison to communicate with the Coordinating Committee any correspondence from the Secretary of State requiring action by the GPCA or its county Green Parties.

(6) Providing that should the numbering be changed of those corresponding sections of the California Elections Code by an act of the Legislature of a vote of the people, authorizing the Coordinating Committee to amend the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State protocol to reflect that change in numbering without the need to return to a vote of the GPCA General Assembly or Standing General Assembly to authorize such changes.

Proposal: 

Part I - That the GPCA Bylaws be amended to add the following new Article:

Article XIV: Liaison to the Secretary of State

14-1.1  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall be authorized to act in accordance with the GPCA Liaison to the California Secretary of State Protocol. 
 
14-1.2.  The GPCA Liaison to the California Secretary of State Protocol may be amended by the General Assembly and/or Standing General Assembly by a 2/3 vote.

Part II - That the following new GPCA Liaison to the California Secretary of State Protocol be established 
 
GPCA Liaison to the California Secretary of State Protocol
 
Article 1. Duties and Authority
 
1.1  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall respond to all correspondence from the California Secretary of State, as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code, regarding submission of names by the GPCA for consideration by the Secretary of State in the determination of candidates to be placed on the Green Party presidential preference primary ballot, as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code.  [See California Elections Code Section 6851.5.]
 
1.2  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, a copy of the list and and any subsequent additions to the list of candidates placed on the Green Party presidential preference primary ballot by the Secretary of State.  [See California Elections Code Section 6852.]
 
1.3 The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall certify to the Secretary of State as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code, the name of each elector nominated, and the elector's residence address, of the electors nominated by the GPCA for President and Vice President. [See California Elections Code Section 6864.]
 
1.4 The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall communicate to the Secretary of State as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code, changes in the number of members of any County Council, and shall do so no later than 175 days before the next presidential primary election, as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code.   [See California Elections Code Section 7903.]
 
1.5  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, the certificate from the Secretary of State as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code, of the number of members of a county council to be elected in each county; and to each county Green Party, the certificate from the Secretary of State of the number of members to be elected for that County Council in that county.   [See California Elections Code Section 7912.]
 
1.6  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, the certificate from the Secretary of State as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code, stating the final total of votes cast for each candidate for member of county council, including the name, address, and ballot designation of each such candidate, and a specification as to which candidates were declared elected, upon completion of the official canvass.  [See California Elections Code Section 7922.]
 
1.7  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, the certificate from the Secretary of State as specified by the Green Party section of the California Elections Code, stating who are the elected members of all county councils.  [See California Elections Code Section 7922.]
 
1.8  The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, as specified by the California Elections Code, any correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding length and submission deadlines for Political Party Statements of Purpose, and shall submit to the California Secretary of State, such Statements of Purpose as authorized by the Coordinating Committee by the deadline required by the Secretary of State.
 
1.9 The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, any correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding submission deadlines to report GPCA endorsements of statewide candidates; and shall submit to the California Secretary of State, such GPCA endorsements to the Secretary of State, as communicated by the Coordinating Committee and/or as recorded in decisions of the Standing General Assembly.
 
1.10 The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, any correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding submission deadlines to report county Green Party endorsements of non-statewide candidates for state and federal office, and shall forward to each individual county Green Party, said correspondence from the Secretary of State and/or any County Registrar of Voters regarding reporting endorsements from that individual county Green Party; and shall submit to the California Secretary of State, such county Green Party endorsements to the Secretary of State, with a copy to the Coordinating Committee, as communicated by the county Green Parties as recorded in the approved minutes of that county Green Party.
 
1.11 The Liaison to the Secretary of State shall forward to the Coordinating Committee, any correspondence from the Secretary of State requiring action by the GPCA or its county Green Parties, not otherwise contained herein; and shall respond to the Secretary of State accordingly, including at the direction of the Coordinating Committee.

Part III - Should the numbering be changed of those corresponding sections of the California Elections Code in the GPCA Liaison to the California Secretary of State Protocol by an act of the Legislature of a vote of the people, this proposal authorizes the Coordinating Committee to amend the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State protocol with a new, dated version on the GPCA web site to reflect that change in numbering without the need to return to a vote of the GPCA General Assembly or Standing General Assembly to authorize such changes.

Implementation:  Immediately upon passage, with updates to GPCA Bylaws, to establishing a GPCA Liaison to the California Secretary of State Protocol document, and with updates referencing these to the GPCA Liaison to the Secretary of State webpage

Resources:  No financial resources required 

 


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