Rules Committee recommends Ruslan Gerbets for Immigrant Rights Commission seat

The San Francisco Rules Committee on July 12 recommended the appointment of Ruslan Gerbets to the Immigrant Rights Commission and voted to forward his application with a positive recommendation and a residency waiver to the full Board.

Clerk Derek Evans called Item 2, a hearing to consider appointing one member (term ending June 6, 2019). Applicant Ruslan Gerbets introduced himself, saying he was born in Ukraine, immigrated to the United States, attended Sutro Elementary and Presidio Middle School in District 1 and graduated from UC Berkeley in economics and public policy. Gerbets said he wants to "be a bridge" for Russian-speaking immigrants and to represent immigrants broadly. In his remarks he said he "would be the only Russian speaking member of this committee," adding he wanted to represent all immigrants.

Supervisors asked questions about the needs of Russian-speaking immigrants and whether reliable population figures exist; Gerbets said he had not been able to find a reputable source for exact numbers and would seek that information. Isis Fernandez Sykes, Deputy Director of Policy at the Office of Civic Engagement, spoke in support of the candidate and said the city values having a Russian-speaking member on the commission given the number of residents with limited English proficiency who speak Russian.

Supervisor Norman Yee moved to request a residency waiver (the motion referenced the name "Mister Curtis" in the motion text) and to send Gerbets's application with a positive recommendation to the full Board for seat number 10. The committee approved the recommendation without objection and congratulated the candidate.

The committee record shows the panel advanced the appointment recommendation; the full Board will take final action.