MINUTES
| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION REGULAR VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE WEDNESDAY, 11:00 A.M., MARCH 2, 2022 |
1.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:08 AM by Co-chair Phillips.
The meeting was called to order at 11:08 AM by Co-chair Phillips.
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| Diana Cudeii, Ex-Officio; Absent Dorothy Gishie, Ex-Officio; Present, joined at 43 minutes Meg Kabotie Adakai, E-Officio; Present, joined at 68 minutes Cora M. Phillips, Co-Chair; Present Joe. W. Washington, Co-Chair; Present Darrell Marks; Present, joined within 8 minutes Fawn Toya; Present Kiara Weathersby; Present Shawna Whitehat; Present, joined within 8 minutes Jonathan Yellowhair; Absent |
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Others present at the meeting: Staff Liaison,Rose Toehe; City Clerk Specialist Annie Tisi; Councilmember Liaison Adam Shimoni. |
A.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Flagstaff City Council humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
3.
Public Comment
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard. (Five minutes maximum per speaker)
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject within their jurisdiction that is not scheduled before the Commission on that day. Due to Open Meeting Laws, the Commission cannot discuss or act on items presented during this portion of the agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard. (Five minutes maximum per speaker)
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes for January 5, 2022
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Toya motioned to approve Minutes as is. Co-chair Washington seconded. It was passed unanimously.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Toya motioned to approve Minutes as is. Co-chair Washington seconded. It was passed unanimously.
B.
Approval of Minutes for February 2, 2022
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Toya motioned to approve Minutes as is. Co-chair Washington seconded. It was passed unanimously.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Commissioner Toya motioned to approve Minutes as is. Co-chair Washington seconded. It was passed unanimously.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE VOTE
A.
Introduction of New and Current Commissioners
New Commissioner: Darrell Marks; Re-appointed Commissioner: Fawn Toya
Co-chair Phillips opened introductions. Commissioner Toya introduced herself and very grateful to be reappointed. She feels the group is doing important work and appreciates the support she has received. Newly appointed Commissioner Marks introduced himself by his clans and is happy to continue service to the people through this commission. Introductions were also made by all current and present commissioners for the benefit of all.
New Commissioner: Darrell Marks; Re-appointed Commissioner: Fawn Toya
Co-chair Phillips opened introductions. Commissioner Toya introduced herself and very grateful to be reappointed. She feels the group is doing important work and appreciates the support she has received. Newly appointed Commissioner Marks introduced himself by his clans and is happy to continue service to the people through this commission. Introductions were also made by all current and present commissioners for the benefit of all.
B.
Nominations for Commission Co-chairs
The co-chairs were elected for one year. The one year appointments have expired in January 2022. Nominations are open for Commission Co-chairs. As stipulated by the City Board and Commission (B&C) Manuel, co-chairs "can serve for a predetermined period of time (for example, one or two years)".
Staff liaison shared the B&C Manual page pertaining to "Who runs the meeting" and nomination process. After a discussion on the following: the need for a balance between male and female reflective of Indigenous values; current Co-chairs are doing a great job; and both Co-chairs stating they would step aside if there is interest from others to fill the role, otherwise, they were both willing to serve another year.
Commissioner Toya motioned to nominate Commissioner Washington to remain in the Co-chair role. Commissioner Phillips seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Toya motioned to nominate Commissioner Phillips to remain in the Co-chair role. Commissioner Weathersby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
The co-chairs were elected for one year. The one year appointments have expired in January 2022. Nominations are open for Commission Co-chairs. As stipulated by the City Board and Commission (B&C) Manuel, co-chairs "can serve for a predetermined period of time (for example, one or two years)".
Staff liaison shared the B&C Manual page pertaining to "Who runs the meeting" and nomination process. After a discussion on the following: the need for a balance between male and female reflective of Indigenous values; current Co-chairs are doing a great job; and both Co-chairs stating they would step aside if there is interest from others to fill the role, otherwise, they were both willing to serve another year.
Commissioner Toya motioned to nominate Commissioner Washington to remain in the Co-chair role. Commissioner Phillips seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Toya motioned to nominate Commissioner Phillips to remain in the Co-chair role. Commissioner Weathersby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS AND POSSIBLE VOTE
A.
Roster on Attendance and Absence
The roster will be shared and put forward for discussion. Update if needed. Staff will share any information or updates around Commission responsibilities per B&C Manual.
Staff liaison shared page pertaining to Attendance from the B&C Manual. Attendance Sheet was also shared. Corrections were made regarding any absences and replaced with excused absences based on individual Commissioner feedback.
The roster will be shared and put forward for discussion. Update if needed. Staff will share any information or updates around Commission responsibilities per B&C Manual.
Staff liaison shared page pertaining to Attendance from the B&C Manual. Attendance Sheet was also shared. Corrections were made regarding any absences and replaced with excused absences based on individual Commissioner feedback.
B.
Revisit the Work on Vision and Mission Statements
Discuss where the Commission would like to take this process. There was interest to allocate about 10 minutes at each regular meeting to complete the process. Does the Commission still want to pursue this topic and how would the Commission want to proceed in the new year? Is there time and interest to address this topic at this meeting? Staff will be prepared to share the last discussion.
Staff liaison shared the Commission's last discussion and work provided toward the topics. The Commission discussion pertained to the importance of completing this task and possible ideas of obtaining external assistance through a facilitator. Several names were provided. In the end, the Commission decided that an Informal Work Group (according to the B&C Manual) can provide the work needed to complete the Vision and Mission statements. Commissioners Whitehat and Toya volunteered to work together. Commissioner Gishie stated she can help as she is able. Ms. Toehe reminded that Open Meeting Law is to observed, so if any work on this topic is to be communicated to the rest of the Commissioners, please send information to her.
Ms. Toehe also encouraged to have this item on the Commission's May agenda as the April agenda is already full. The topics for the April agenda are: CJCC with Judge Slayton; Refurbishment of an Old Building with City Manager Clifton and former colleague; and Flagstaff Regional Plan with Jordan Hollinger and team.
Discuss where the Commission would like to take this process. There was interest to allocate about 10 minutes at each regular meeting to complete the process. Does the Commission still want to pursue this topic and how would the Commission want to proceed in the new year? Is there time and interest to address this topic at this meeting? Staff will be prepared to share the last discussion.
Staff liaison shared the Commission's last discussion and work provided toward the topics. The Commission discussion pertained to the importance of completing this task and possible ideas of obtaining external assistance through a facilitator. Several names were provided. In the end, the Commission decided that an Informal Work Group (according to the B&C Manual) can provide the work needed to complete the Vision and Mission statements. Commissioners Whitehat and Toya volunteered to work together. Commissioner Gishie stated she can help as she is able. Ms. Toehe reminded that Open Meeting Law is to observed, so if any work on this topic is to be communicated to the rest of the Commissioners, please send information to her.
Ms. Toehe also encouraged to have this item on the Commission's May agenda as the April agenda is already full. The topics for the April agenda are: CJCC with Judge Slayton; Refurbishment of an Old Building with City Manager Clifton and former colleague; and Flagstaff Regional Plan with Jordan Hollinger and team.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
Announcements and Comments included the following:
Announcements and Comments included the following:
- Vision and Mission presentation to be on the May agenda, led by Commissioners Whitehat and Toya.
- Commissioner Kabotie Adakai announced that a researcher from NAU is gathering information on Wildfire Safety and would like Indigenous input.
- The need to develop a plan for Indigenous Commission awareness by Commissioner Whitehat
- Recent uptick of use of derogatory terms against POC by Commissioner Whitehat
- Building allyship by all Commissioners and Staff Liaison.
- Climate Change, water use/water conservation by Commissioners Phillips and Toya
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Phillips adjourned the meeting at 1:13 PM.
Co-chair Phillips adjourned the meeting at 1:13 PM.