NOTICE AND AGENDA
| COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY AWARENESS WEDNESDAY 9/18/2024 |
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
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 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, VICE CHAIR SANDRA DARLING-ROBERTS EMANUEL HERNANDEZ |
TARANG JAIN ANGELICA SANCHEZ MINDY RIESENBERG |
| Present | Absent |
| Carolyn Kidd, Chair Mandy Gebler, Vice Chair Sandra Darling Manny Hernandez Angelica Sanchez Tarang Jain Mindy Riesenberg |
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 Jain read the mission statement and Commissioner Riesenberg read the land acknowledgment.
4.
Upcoming Opportunities and Announcements
Staff Liaison Rhode shared that the Hispanic Heritage proclamation was read at City Council and that Hispanic Heritage Month will continue until October 15.
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.
There was no public comment.
6.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Approval of Minutes - 8/21/2024 CODA Meeting
Chairwoman Kidd asked that her name be corrected in the previous month's minutes. Commissioner Gebbler moved to approve the minutes and Commissioner Sanchez seconded. The motion passed 6-0 with one abstention
7.
Action Items
A.
Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
Staff Liaison Rhode gave an overview of the responsibilities of the Chairperson to run the meeting and set the agenda and explained that terms generally last for 1 year.
Commissioner Sanchez nominated Chairwoman Kidd to serve an additional term as Chairperson. Chairwoman Kidd accepted the nomination. Commissioner Gebbler then moved to appoint Commissioner Kidd as the Chairperson. Commissioner Riesenberg seconded. The vote passed 6-0 with one abstention.
Commissioner Sanchez nominated Commissioner Gebbler as Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Gebbler accepted the nomination. Chairwoman Kidd moved to appoint Commissioner Gebbler as Vice Chair. Commissioner Sanchez seconded. The motion passed 6-0 with one abstention.
Commissioner Sanchez nominated Chairwoman Kidd to serve an additional term as Chairperson. Chairwoman Kidd accepted the nomination. Commissioner Gebbler then moved to appoint Commissioner Kidd as the Chairperson. Commissioner Riesenberg seconded. The vote passed 6-0 with one abstention.
Commissioner Sanchez nominated Commissioner Gebbler as Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Gebbler accepted the nomination. Chairwoman Kidd moved to appoint Commissioner Gebbler as Vice Chair. Commissioner Sanchez seconded. The motion passed 6-0 with one abstention.
B.
Proclamations
Chairwoman Kidd stated that there are no proclamations this month but reiterated that the proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month was approved at the last meeting and runs from September 15 - October 15. Staff Liaison Rhode went over the yearly calendar of proclamations. He highlighted that the next proclamation will be prepared in January for Black History Month in February. He invited commission members to suggest additional proclamations and stated that the commission may want to be present at the City Council in the future when the proclamations are read. Councilmember House noted that October is Global Diversity Awareness Month and LGBT History Month. She also clarified that the proclamations are read by Council, but a CODA member could be present to accept the proclamations or a local group could be invited to do so.
Chairwoman Kidd asked for MLK Day to be added to the calendar and asked for others to be invited to make suggestions. Councilwoman House pointed out that the date for Juneteenth was incorrect on the document being referenced.
Dr. Mallett spoke on the desire to do a larger celebration each year for MLK Day. Chairwoman Kidd expressed agreement on behalf of the commission. She also mentioned the annual Juneteenth Gala and asked Councilwoman House how CODA can play a bigger part in these events in the future. Councilwoman House gave a short history of the annual Juneteenth celebrations and the recent adoption of Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day as a City Holiday. She stated that there is a significant opportunity for CODA to assist with Juneteenth in the future.
Chairwoman Kidd asked Commissioner Darling to give some background on Priode in the Pines. Commissioner Darling stated that she is the Treasurer of Pride in the Pines and that the event takes place the third weekend in June. She provided the website address (https://flagstaffpride.org/) to the commission.
Chairwoman Kidd asked for MLK Day to be added to the calendar and asked for others to be invited to make suggestions. Councilwoman House pointed out that the date for Juneteenth was incorrect on the document being referenced.
Dr. Mallett spoke on the desire to do a larger celebration each year for MLK Day. Chairwoman Kidd expressed agreement on behalf of the commission. She also mentioned the annual Juneteenth Gala and asked Councilwoman House how CODA can play a bigger part in these events in the future. Councilwoman House gave a short history of the annual Juneteenth celebrations and the recent adoption of Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples Day as a City Holiday. She stated that there is a significant opportunity for CODA to assist with Juneteenth in the future.
Chairwoman Kidd asked Commissioner Darling to give some background on Priode in the Pines. Commissioner Darling stated that she is the Treasurer of Pride in the Pines and that the event takes place the third weekend in June. She provided the website address (https://flagstaffpride.org/) to the commission.
8.
Reports/Discussion Items
A.
Neighborhood Sustainability Grants
Tia Hatton presented on Neighborhood Sustainability Grants. She highlighted that the grants are meant to strengthen communities by involving diverse groups and underserved community members in addition to having a sustainability component. She asked for CODA's assistance in the program by applying, sharing information about the program, and encouraging others to participate. She also clarified that commissions can apply themselves.
B.
Rainbow Crosswalk Exhibit
Staff liaison Rhode gave a background on the topic. He began by stating that the City's Engineering and Attorney's Offices have stated that a non-standard crosswalk is not permitted by the Uniform Manual on Traffic Control Devices (UMTCD). he also reported that City Council can approve such a crosswalk, but cautioned that the City Attorney's Office would likely advise Council not to do so. He also reported that a community group could be involved in such a project.
Commissioner Riesenberg asked if the Engineering team looked at safety statistics from other cities. Staff liaison Rhode reported that he was not sure but that they reported that their opposition was due to noncompliance with the (UMTCD). She followed up by asking about what kinds of roadways a rainbow crosswalk could be approved for. He stated that the City Engineering Office advised that such an exhibit could be placed off of a roadway on a sidewalk or park space.
Commissioner Hernandez inquired about installing the exhibit in Aspen Alley, which is just adjacent to Aspen Ave. Chairwoman Kidd expressed support for this idea. She also asked Commissioner Darling if FlagPride had any intentions to continue their work on this project. Commissioner Darling stated that she would reach out and report back. Chairwoman Kidd asked for FlagPride to be invited to the next meeting. Commissioner Darling asked Staff Liaison Rhode to share pertinent information with her to facilitate her conversation with FlagPride.
Commissioner Riesenberg asked if the Engineering team looked at safety statistics from other cities. Staff liaison Rhode reported that he was not sure but that they reported that their opposition was due to noncompliance with the (UMTCD). She followed up by asking about what kinds of roadways a rainbow crosswalk could be approved for. He stated that the City Engineering Office advised that such an exhibit could be placed off of a roadway on a sidewalk or park space.
Commissioner Hernandez inquired about installing the exhibit in Aspen Alley, which is just adjacent to Aspen Ave. Chairwoman Kidd expressed support for this idea. She also asked Commissioner Darling if FlagPride had any intentions to continue their work on this project. Commissioner Darling stated that she would reach out and report back. Chairwoman Kidd asked for FlagPride to be invited to the next meeting. Commissioner Darling asked Staff Liaison Rhode to share pertinent information with her to facilitate her conversation with FlagPride.
C.
Anti-Camping Ordinance Discussion
Staff Liaison Rhode presented a history of this topic. He went over how a recent Supreme Court decision has reversed a ban on enforcing municipal Anti-Camping Ordinances. He stated that the City does have an Anti-Camping Ordinance on the books that allows a police officer to arrest a person who camps, makes a fire, or similar on public property if they do not cease after being given a warning.
Commissioner Hernandez asked what stance CODA has taken in the past on the ordinance. Chairwoman Kidd responded that CODA has been against criminalizing homelessness. Councilwoman House stated her understanding that the previous standard was that homelessness could not be criminalized unless there were sufficient beds available in Homeless Shelters. She said that at the time, Flagstaff PD put a pause on arrests for these violations. She also expressed her support for looking at how other cities respond to this issue without criminal referrals.
Chairwoman Kidd asked if this should become a Working Group for the Commission. Staff Liaison Rhode noted that Working Groups are the next agenda item and that idea could be discussed under the next item. He also asked if there are questions or items that the commission would like researched prior to next month's meeting. Commissioner Sanchez asked how the ordinance is now being enforced and expressed support for creating a working group. Chairwoman Kidd stated that she knows from her professional job that criminalization has been relaxed and that they are trying not to place people in Jail for violating this ordinance.
Commissioner Hernandez asked what stance CODA has taken in the past on the ordinance. Chairwoman Kidd responded that CODA has been against criminalizing homelessness. Councilwoman House stated her understanding that the previous standard was that homelessness could not be criminalized unless there were sufficient beds available in Homeless Shelters. She said that at the time, Flagstaff PD put a pause on arrests for these violations. She also expressed her support for looking at how other cities respond to this issue without criminal referrals.
Chairwoman Kidd asked if this should become a Working Group for the Commission. Staff Liaison Rhode noted that Working Groups are the next agenda item and that idea could be discussed under the next item. He also asked if there are questions or items that the commission would like researched prior to next month's meeting. Commissioner Sanchez asked how the ordinance is now being enforced and expressed support for creating a working group. Chairwoman Kidd stated that she knows from her professional job that criminalization has been relaxed and that they are trying not to place people in Jail for violating this ordinance.
D.
Updates on Working Groups
Chairwoman Kidd asked Staff Liaison Rhode to e-mail the Commission the list of Working Groups. Staff Liaison Rhode responded that the only active working group is the Library Working Group. chairwoman Kidd asked for the Anti-Camping Ordinance Working Group to be added as a possibility.
Commissioner Sanchez reported that the Library Working Group is working on an AZ Humanities Grant and is focused on obtaining recording equipment so that people are able to check it out and record their oral histories. She also reported that the Library has a new Deputy Director who is supportive of the project. They have also communicated with the NAU Humanities Department and tabled at FlagPride. She mentioned that Jean Toner was formerly a member and will continue as a community member and invited the new commissioners to participate. Commissioners Riesenberg and Jain expressed their interest.
Chairwoman Kidd inquired about the City Logo Working Group. Staff Liaison Rhode responded that CODA had previously appointed Chairwoman Pino as the representative and Chairwoman Kidd as the alternate. Chairwoman Kidd asked if anyone else was interested in this project. Commissioner Sanchez expressed her interest but deferred to Chairwoman Kidd as the alternate Commissioner Sanchez became the new alternate.
Commissioner Sanchez reported that the Library Working Group is working on an AZ Humanities Grant and is focused on obtaining recording equipment so that people are able to check it out and record their oral histories. She also reported that the Library has a new Deputy Director who is supportive of the project. They have also communicated with the NAU Humanities Department and tabled at FlagPride. She mentioned that Jean Toner was formerly a member and will continue as a community member and invited the new commissioners to participate. Commissioners Riesenberg and Jain expressed their interest.
Chairwoman Kidd inquired about the City Logo Working Group. Staff Liaison Rhode responded that CODA had previously appointed Chairwoman Pino as the representative and Chairwoman Kidd as the alternate. Chairwoman Kidd asked if anyone else was interested in this project. Commissioner Sanchez expressed her interest but deferred to Chairwoman Kidd as the alternate Commissioner Sanchez became the new alternate.
E.
Women's Rights Group
Staff Liaison Rhode gave a short description of the desire to create a new group that focuses specifically on Women's Rights. This item was not discussed and was moved to the October meeting.
F.
Updates from Council Liaison
Councilwoman House thanked the commission for the Hispanic Heritage Proclamation and asked staff Liaison Rhode to pass along an Instagram post she came across that discusses the use of latino/latina/latinx.
G.
Updates from Staff Liaison
There was no update from Staff Liaison Rhode other than welcoming the new commission members.
9.
Agenda for Future Meeting(s)
Chairwoman Kidd informed the commission that the meeting date and time will be changing. She asked Staff Liaison Rhode to send out a poll to the commission to see what days and times work best for all members.
No commission members asked to add an item to the agenda for the next month.
No commission members asked to add an item to the agenda for the next month.
10.
Adjourment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:04 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 |