NOTICE AND AGENDA
| COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY AWARENESS WEDNESDAY June 26, 2024 |
VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING 211 WEST ASPEN AVENUE 1:30 P.M. |
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The public can join the meeting to provide public comment. Please notify Chris Rhode at chris.rhode@flagstaffaz.gov if you need any assistance joining the meeting.
1.
Call to Order
Chairwoman Kidd Called the Meeting to order at 1:41 PM.
2.
Roll Call
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| CAROLYN KIDD, CHAIR MANDY GEBLER TARANG JAIN MARCELA PINO |
ANGELICA SANCHEZ JEAN TONER VACANT |
| Present | Absent |
| Caroline Kidd, Chair Mandy Gebler Angelica Sanchez Jean Toner |
Tarang Jain Marcella Pino |
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.
Commissioner Sanchez read the Mission Statement and the land acknowledgement.
4.
Upcoming Opportunities and Announcements
There were no anouncements or upcoming opportunities presented.
5.
Public Comment
The Commission cannot act upon items presented during the Public Participation portion of the Agenda. Individual Commission members may ask questions of the public but are prohibited by the Open Meeting Law from discussion or considering the item among themselves until the item is officially placed on the Agenda. Each public comment or presentation will be limited to five (5) minutes.
The Commission cannot act upon items presented during the Public Participation portion of the Agenda. Individual Commission members may ask questions of the public but are prohibited by the Open Meeting Law from discussion or considering the item among themselves until the item is officially placed on the Agenda. Each public comment or presentation will be limited to five (5) minutes.
Ther was no public comment.
6.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Approval of Minutes - April 17, 2024 CODA Meeting
B.
Approval of Minutes - May 15, 2024 CODA Meeting
7.
Action Items
A.
Fill Vacancy: Vice Chair
Staff Liaison Rhode explained that the Vice Chair is chosen from the existing commissioners and will only serve the remainder of the term, which will end at the end of August. Commissioner Gebler offered to fill the spot. Commissioner Toner moved to nominate Commissioner Gebler. Chairwoman Kidd Seconded. The motion was approved 4-0
B.
Proclamations
Commissioner Toner stated that she has a copy of the proclamations calendar and will forward it to Chairwoman Kidd and Liaison Rhode. She also noted that the next event will be Hispanic Heritage Month in October. Chairwoman Kidd and Commissioner Toner spoke in favor of discussing proclamations months ahead of time so that there is an opportunity for any changes to be made.
C.
Allegations of cultural appropriation at Council Meeting
City Manager Clifton was present to speak on Councilwoman House's behalf. He conveyed her appreciation for the letter and shared the following suggestions and comments:
Commissioner Sanchez asked if Councilwoman Sweet has seen this letter yet. Liaison Rhode said that she likely has not but that it would be sent to her if approved by the commission.
Chairwoman Kidd stated that she would like to incorporate the changes and send the next draft to Councilwoman Sweet and Councilwoman House. Commissioner Toner agreed. No vote occurred on the letter but rather the commission gave staff direction to make the suggested edits and share the letter with Councilwoman House and Councilwoman Sweet to allow them to share any comments they may have.
- that Miranda Sweet be referred to as Councilwoman Sweet in the letter
- that Councilwoman Sweet was raised by a Hawaiian stepfather and practiced similar celebrations when growing up
Commissioner Sanchez asked if Councilwoman Sweet has seen this letter yet. Liaison Rhode said that she likely has not but that it would be sent to her if approved by the commission.
Chairwoman Kidd stated that she would like to incorporate the changes and send the next draft to Councilwoman Sweet and Councilwoman House. Commissioner Toner agreed. No vote occurred on the letter but rather the commission gave staff direction to make the suggested edits and share the letter with Councilwoman House and Councilwoman Sweet to allow them to share any comments they may have.
8.
Reports/Discussion Items
A.
Multicultural Park Sculpture Exhibition
Cristen Crujido presented on the currently displayed pieces in the City's Park Sculpture Exhibition and outlined the process that will select next year's pieces. Cristen asked for a volunteer to sit on this year's panel. Commissioner Sanchez volunteered.
B.
Rainbow Sidewalk Initiative
Staff Liaison Rhode explained that he had a conversation with Traffic Engineer Jeff Bauman and was told that installing a rainbow crosswalk had been deemed to be against the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. However, Mr. Bauman did invite similar installations in locations that do not cross lanes of traffic.
Commissioner Toner commented that this manual is currently being reviewed and that its recommendations are not binding. She explained that other cities have been able to install rainbow walkways because those cities have had support in their engineering and legal departments have been supportive of doing so. Commissioner Toner asked to share some documents from a federal comment session that she attended and Chairwoman Kidd asked for this item to remain on the agenda.
Commissioner Toner commented that this manual is currently being reviewed and that its recommendations are not binding. She explained that other cities have been able to install rainbow walkways because those cities have had support in their engineering and legal departments have been supportive of doing so. Commissioner Toner asked to share some documents from a federal comment session that she attended and Chairwoman Kidd asked for this item to remain on the agenda.
C.
Updates from Working Groups
Commissioner Sanchez reported that she tabled with the library at Flagstaff Pride on behalf of the library working group. She reported that they submitted another grant and invited other members of the commission to participate in this project in the future.
D.
Updates from Council Liaison
City Manager Clifton stated that he does not have an update but will share the content of this meeting with Councilwoman House.
E.
Updates from Staff Liaison
Liaison Rhode explained that there is currently one vacancy and two more will open on September 1, 2024 (Commissioners Pino and Toner). Commissioner Toner shared that she will not be able to seek another term. Mr. Rhode explained that City Council will have the authority to make appointments for the vacancies and will likely do so after the summer break.
9.
Agenda for Future Meeting(s)
There were no new topics raised for discussion at a future meeting.
10.
Adjourment
Chair Kidd moved to adjourn. Commissioner Sanchez seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 2:55 PM
| CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted at Flagstaff City Hall on , at a.m./p.m. This notice has been posted on the City's website and can be downloaded at www.flagstaff.az.gov. Dated this day of , 2024. __________________________________________ Chris Rhode, Management Analyst |