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.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None at this time.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Thorpe Park/Indigenous Community and Cultural Center Update
PROSE staff member will update the Commission on the status of the Indigenous Community Cultural Center and information on next steps.

Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Amy Hagin provided an update on the Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC). In December 2022, the City Council approved a concept design. The historic building on the Thorpe Park Annex Parcel has been designated as the ICCC. A map of the concept and a new aerial map were shared with the audience. The construction yard is no longer on site. The next step is to take down the chain link fence around the perimeter of the parcel and then begin to beautify the space. A procurement bid will be provided for a call for contractors to remove the fence. PROSE can host a clean up with volunteers and organize with the Indigenous Commission (IC), and staff can also assist. Ms. Hagin is hopeful to start clean up before winter season and mitigation going forward.

PROSE has started speaking with the City Procurement Department and will definitely engage Ms. Toehe, others, and the City's Real Estate Department to ascertain the type of bid that would be best for an invitation on the lease of the building. PROSE can start to work on some seed money and some grant opportunities when the City designates the Indigenous Community Cultural Center, and possible leasing partner. PROSE also determined a water leak on the parcel under the asphalt and unsure where it's leaking from. They will work with Water Services department and plumber on repairs. Currently the water is shut off to the building and not usable. Work on the leak will begin fall/winter seasons.

For the current fiscal year, PROSE has $100,000 set aside for cleaning up the site and another $200,000 for next fiscal year. This could be additional seed money to partner on with the leasing partner and continue to rehab to be habitable and could be available initially for meeting rooms. Clean up activity information will be shared with Ms. Toehe and IC for volunteers. Commissioner Marks would like to see community members and youths to participate in clean up sooner. Another area of discussion included an estimated budget that it would take to rehab the entire building, what are the opportunities on funding, including the City budget process. This would provide an opportunity to have an estimate on funding level needed and timeline on rehab process. Can that be provided? Further information will be provided.

GENERAL BUSINESS and POSSIBLE VOTE

Indigenous Peoples Day Holiday Designation
There will be discussion on information and research pertaining to a possible official holiday designation on Indigenous Peoples Day and what it may look like.

Staff liaison Rose Toehe stated this agenda item was to bring attention back to a prior discussion around holiday designations. This has also been a conversation with the Indigenous Commission (IC) work group with some members of Commission on Diversity Awareness (CODA) on how these two commissions can work together for the designations. CODA went on to have the Juneteenth FAIR item sponsored by Councilmember House. For the IC, what direction would you like to take and also provide a recommendation to Councilmember Matthews for her future consideration.

After discussion, the recommendation was to move ahead through consensus of the IC members that the commission supports a City official holiday designation for Indigenous Peoples Day which occurs on the second Monday in October. Councilmember Matthews will move forward with a FAIR sponsorship at the next City Council meeting. This will mean that if approved by City Council, it will be an official paid holiday for the City of Flagstaff employees. Co-chair Toya made a motion, seconded by Co-chair Washington, with the motion passing unanimously.

Update on Indigenous Peoples Day Event
Staff liaison will update the events planned for Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD).

Staff liaison Toehe informed and updated Commissioners on IPD. The agenda flyer was shared and also emailed to the Commissioners to forward to their contact networks. All speakers and cultural shares have been confirmed and payment process communicated. IPD will be held at the Elks Lodge and a portion of the facility fee will be off-set by tabling partners. Lunch will be provided by Co-chair Toya and her helpers. Volunteers are needed for the serving line. All Commissioners are encouraged to attend and a "Possible Quorum" will be publicly posted.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS

Councilmember Matthews brought up a discussion with Heidi Hanson on using the original names of the Indigenous nations for the Peaks. While the City's marketing department no longer uses Snowbowl's name, it still promotes skiing and snow play activities. If marketing were to utilize the Indigenous names given to the Peaks or various peaks, would it still be offensive to the Indigenous communities? Co-chair Washington would like to place this item on a future agenda.

Commissioner Cudeii also shared the annual Indigenous Community Connection Fair provided by a partnership between the County's Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (IPAC), IC, and Culture Connection. It will be held on October 21st, 12:00pm, at the ICE House next to the downtown post office. There will be community speakers, artist booths, and music/dance groups.

ADJOURNMENT

Co-chair Toya adjourned the meeting at 12:58 PM.