Meeting started at 6:03 p.m.

Members Present:  Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Lemus, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (10); Absent:  Avila and Whittington (2); Vacant:  Council Districts 6, 7, and 12 (3)

Approval of the Minutes from October 19, 2020.

Minutes from the October 19, 2020 meeting  were approved.

Motion: Kato - Sirota

Ayes:  Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Lemus, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (8); Abstentions:  Estradas and Grimmig (2); Absent:  Avila and Whittington (2)

Presentation by Leepi Shimkhada and Susan Spinelli, Housing for Health, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, on the Countywide food program operated in partnership with the World Central Kitchen and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank as a targeted response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of sheltering in place for people living on the streets, and on those formerly homeless and in permanent supportive housing; and possible Commission action.

Ms. Shimkhada and Ms. Spinelli discussed the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services' partnership with the World Central Kitchen to provide fresh and healthy meals to individuals and families living in permanent supportive housing, and to people living on the streets and in encampments; and responded to questions from the Commissioners.

Members Present:  Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Lemus, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (10); Absent:  Avila and Whittington (2)

Presentation by Dipa Shah, Director of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and Alison Frazzini, Deputy Director of the Los Angeles County Food Security Branch, on improving healthy food access and addressing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic; and possible Commission action.

Ms. Shah discussed food insecurity trends in Los Angeles County, and the coordinated approach by the Department of Public Health to address this issue and obesity;  Ms. Frazzini discussed the County's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic; and both responded to questions from Commissioners.

Testimony was provided by people experiencing homelessness, and by individuals and organizations who work with this population.

The Commissioners approved the drafting of a letter to the Los Angeles City Council regarding the matters raised in the public testimony on Item No. 2. Said letter to be sent on behalf of certain individual Commissioners, not acting within their capacity as Commissioners, but on behalf of themselves as individuals. In addition, said letter could not be written by more than five individuals, and could be introduced in the next meeting of the Commission for discussion and action.

Motion:  Shannon - Sirota

Ayes: Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Lemus, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (10); Absent: Avila and Whittington (2)

Items for future discussion.

Commission President Mandel reminded Commissioners to submit any items for future discussion to the Commission Interns.

Members Present: Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Lemus, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (10); Absent: Avila and Whittington (2)

Meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

Motion:  Kato - Ossey

Ayes: Estradas, Grimmig, Hisserich, Kato, Khalfani, Lemus, Mandel, Ossey, Shannon, and Sirota (10); Absent: Avila and Whittington (2)