| COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY AWARENESS Tuesday May 17, 2022 |
VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 1:30 P.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Chair Wegwert called the meeting to order at 1:32 PM.
2.
Roll Call
Others in Attendance
| PRESENT | ABSENT |
| DeAnn Wegwert, Chair | Claire Hardi |
| Marcela Pino | |
| Dan Duke | |
| Jean Toner, Vice-Chair | |
| Christine Tucci | |
| Mandy Gebler joined at 1:47pm. |
Others in Attendance
- Jessica Vigorito (Staff Liaison)
3.
Mission Statement and Land Acknowledgment
MISSION STATEMENT
A commission to foster support, respect, awareness and appreciation of diversity among all citizens of Flagstaff.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Commission on Diversity Awareness 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.
The Mission Statement was read by Chair Wegwert and the Land Acknowledgment was read by Commissioner Pino.
4.
Upcoming Opportunities and Announcements
- Chair Wegwert reminded the group about the purpose of this section.
- Chair Wegwert stated that the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Proclamation was read by the Mayor at the May 3rd Council meeting.
- Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson provided an update on the Alternative Response Model. See the attachment for a summary of the talking points.
- Staff Liaison shared the Coconino County Stronger as One website.
- The Leadership group asked if members are interested in participating in a CODA Social Event. Commissioner Pino and Commissioner Duke stated interest for an event and Chair Wegwert asked to add this to the June agenda.
- Commissioner Pino provided updates from the NAU Equity and Inclusion including:
- President Cruz has been doing a lot of work in the equity and inclusion space and has announced the hiring of a Chief Diversity Officer as a Vice president, reporting directly to the president starting in fall. There's going to be potentially some structural changes in hiring of additional support, but overall it seems like there is continued support at NAU for Diversity, inclusion and justice efforts.
- The Roadmap includes diversity, equity, inclusion and justice as a foundational principle, as well as the support of diverse faculty, staff, and students as one of its core initiatives. So perhaps we can think about how we tie back in after we have achieved diversity officer in place for kind of collaboration opportunities next year.
5.
Public Comment
- Felicia Fiedler provided an update on the Library Pride Month activities.
- LGBT book club happening on June 13th at 6:30 and will be virtual and for ages 12 and up.
- Pride paint night for adults at creative spirits at 6:30 and will be in person on June 16 and 17.
- Clear board game night at Bookman's and that will be at 6:00 o'clock.
- Pride right night that will be happening earlier in the month of June possibly on the 7th but will confirm.
- Drag story time that will be happening in the morning of pride on June 18th.
6.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Consideration and Approval of Minutes
- Commissioner Toner motioned for the March 15, 2022 minutes to be approved as written.
- Commissioner Pino seconded the motion.
- Motion approved unanimously.
7.
Date of Next Meeting - June 21, 2022
- No conflicts stated with the date
- Time was tentatively TBD but will be at 1:30pm since the Commission lost it's quorum before they could discuss this item.
8.
Action Items
A.
Working Group for the Indigenous Representation Project at Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park
- Listened to a recap from City Staff Jana Weldon.
- Discussed who will represent the Commission on Diversity Awareness for this working group.
- Commissioner Duke and Commissioner Toner expressed interest in representing CODA.
- Jana Weldon stated that she would like to accept both members. Jana asked for both members contact info from the commission members.
B.
Proclamations Work Group Update
- Commissioners reviewed the draft Pride Proclamation to be sent to the Mayor’s Office for consideration. Vice Chair Toner read the draft aloud for the group.
- Commissioner Duke suggested replacing “women of color” with “persons of color”
- Chair Wegwert motioned for the Pride Proclamation to be approved with amendments.
- Commissioner Duke seconded the motion.
- Motion approved unanimously.
- Commissioners discussed who will be present to accept the Proclamation, virtually or in person on May 31st.
- Commissioner Toner stated that the President of Northern Arizona Pride Debra Taylor will be in attendance to accept the Proclamation.
- Chair Wegwert and Commissioner Duke, will be present to accept the Proclamation.
- Commissioner Toner stated the next Proclamation is October Hispanic Heritage Month
9.
Reports/Discussion Items
A.
Introduction from LisaRenee Keita, City of Flagstaff Human Resource Analyst; Compliance & Training
- Lisa provided an introduction on her role with the City of Flagstaff, duties of her role, including Diversity efforts.
- Commissioner Pino asked about how the City keeps the trainings up to date and relevant.
- Commissioner Wegwert asked to have Lisa’s contact information sent to the Commissioners. Staff Liaison provided the link to Lisa's contact information online: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/4557/HR-Team-and-Responsibilities
B.
Regional Plan
Jordan Hollinger - Associate Planner, Comprehensive Planning, City of Flagstaff
- Associate Planner Jordan Hollinger shared a presentation on the Regional Plan and asked for CODA to participate in a SWOT analysis. Staff Liaison will send the SWOT questionnaire to the members to complete on their own time. Jordan will return to a future meeting for feedback and discussion. Confirm what meeting to schedule the follow up.
- Commissioner Toner asked if the Commission Members would be interested in scheduling a special meeting with Jordan after all members have a chance to complete the SWOT questionnaire. Jordan stated that they would like to complete the process in June.
- Commissioner Pino left the meeting at 3:01pm.
- Staff Liaison will send a Doodle poll for Special Meeting Dates and Times and include Jordan.
C.
Flagstaff Public Libraries Anti-racism Committee
- Felicia Fiedler discussed collaborating with the Diversity Commission and the Flagstaff Public Libraries Anti racism committee.
- Felicia Fiedler provided an update on the Library Anti racism Committee.
- Mandy Gebler left the meeting at 3:12pm.
- The Anti racism Committee is now called the Library Equity in Action and shared goals, accomplishments and meeting information. Asked the commission for ideas and thoughts.
- Felicia offered to attend a future meeting once the Commissioners had time to brainstorm ideas. Requested to add this to the Future Items list.
D.
Transition of the Commission Leadership roles
- Commissioner Toner stated that she needs to resign as Vice Chair
- Dan Duke left the meeting at 3:28pm
- Chair Wegwert adjourned the meeting at 3:28 PM due to a lack of quorum.
E.
CODA Regular Meeting
Lost quorum before this item was addressed.
10.
Agenda for Future Meeting(s)
A.
Equitable Restroom Recommendation
The item is currently in the Staff Future Agenda Items queue which means it is waiting for some research and staff work before it moves forward again.
B.
Municipal Equity Index
The item is currently in the Staff Future Agenda Items queue which means it is waiting for some research and staff work before it moves forward again.
C.
Renaming of the Peaks Workgroup Update
Pending follow up from the High School group on when to send the Commission's recommendation to Council.
D.
Future Priorities
Criminal Justice conversation with Flagstaff Police Department
Conversation with Downtown Business Alliance including literature to distribute
Civil Rights
Conversation with Downtown Business Alliance including literature to distribute
Civil Rights
11.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned prior to the end of the agenda due to a lack of quorum.