| INDIGENOUS COMMISSION; COMMISSIONERS IN-PERSON VIRTUAL TEAMS MEETING, PUBLIC JOIN ONLINE AQUA PLEX,1702 N. FOURTH ST., FLAGSTAFF, AZ DECEMBER 4, 2025, THURSDAY, 11:00 A.M. |
1.
Call to Order
Co-chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:11 AM.
Co-chair Darren Lance called the meeting to order at 11:11 AM.
2.
Roll Call
Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe; Council liaison/Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainiablity staff member Jenna Ortega; and Community member Marietta Rodriquez.
| NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means. |
| DIANA CUDEII, EX-OFFICIO; Present LINDA CURLEY, EX-OFFICIO; Excused Absence CHERYLEE FRANCIS; Present KIMBERLY HOSKIE; Present DARREN LANCE, CO-CHAIR; Present MOWANA LOMAOMVAYA; Present DARRELL MARKS; Present (joined @ 11:35) MARIAH ZAVALA, CO-CHAIR; Present VACANT SEAT; VOTING MEMBER VACANT SEAT; EX-OFFICIO |
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Others present: Staff liaison Rose Toehe; Council liaison/Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainiablity staff member Jenna Ortega; and Community member Marietta Rodriquez.
A.
Land Acknowledgment
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. (Maximum three minutes per individual)
None.
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. (Maximum three minutes per individual)
None.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of July10, 2025 Minutes
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Co-chair Zavala motioned to approve the Minutes as is and a second from Commissioner Francis. Motion passed unianimously.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Co-chair Zavala motioned to approve the Minutes as is and a second from Commissioner Francis. Motion passed unianimously.
B.
Approval of September 4, 2025 Minutes
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Due to some issues with the meeting video and transcript, Staff Liaison Toehe requested the Minutes to be tabled to the next meeting. Co-chair Lance tabled the Minutes to the next meeting.
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.
Due to some issues with the meeting video and transcript, Staff Liaison Toehe requested the Minutes to be tabled to the next meeting. Co-chair Lance tabled the Minutes to the next meeting.
5.
GENERAL BUSINESS (Possible Vote)
A.
January 1, 2026, Indigenous Commission Meeting
January 1st is a holiday. The Commission to consider moving the meeting date to the following Thursday, January 8, 2026, or another agreed-upon date and time.
Commissioner Lomaomvaya made a motion to reschedule the IC meeting to January 8, 2026, 11:00 AM. Co-chair Zavala seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
January 1st is a holiday. The Commission to consider moving the meeting date to the following Thursday, January 8, 2026, or another agreed-upon date and time.
Commissioner Lomaomvaya made a motion to reschedule the IC meeting to January 8, 2026, 11:00 AM. Co-chair Zavala seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
B.
Resignation of Commissioner Marian Marshall
Commissioner Marian Marshall resigned on November 21, 2025. This is an update to inform the Commission that another seat will be available for the recruitment process.
Staff liaison Toehe informed the Commission on the resignation of Commissioner Marshall. Her term was to end in December 2026. Recruitment will be done for someone to fulfill her term. The City of Flagstaff and the Indigenous Commission are grateful for her service and participation. Best wishes to her and her next endeavor.
Commissioner Marian Marshall resigned on November 21, 2025. This is an update to inform the Commission that another seat will be available for the recruitment process.
Staff liaison Toehe informed the Commission on the resignation of Commissioner Marshall. Her term was to end in December 2026. Recruitment will be done for someone to fulfill her term. The City of Flagstaff and the Indigenous Commission are grateful for her service and participation. Best wishes to her and her next endeavor.
6.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.
Indigenous Commission Member Recruitment
The recruitment is underway for three voting seats and one ex-officio seat. Updates on details will be provided to commissioners.
Deputy City Clerk Staskey is the lead in recruitment efforts for all Boards and Commissions. She will be marketing the vacancies. Depending on the number of applicants, all three could be appointed. The City Council usually likes to consider a number of applicants. Councilmember Matthews provided insight about the process and what she does for the appointments she makes, as examples. Again, current commissioners can serve until appointments are made. Currently, the appointments are scheduled to be on the January 6, 2026 City Council agenda.
The recruitment is underway for three voting seats and one ex-officio seat. Updates on details will be provided to commissioners.
Deputy City Clerk Staskey is the lead in recruitment efforts for all Boards and Commissions. She will be marketing the vacancies. Depending on the number of applicants, all three could be appointed. The City Council usually likes to consider a number of applicants. Councilmember Matthews provided insight about the process and what she does for the appointments she makes, as examples. Again, current commissioners can serve until appointments are made. Currently, the appointments are scheduled to be on the January 6, 2026 City Council agenda.
B.
Indigenous Community Cultural Center (ICCC) Update
Progress updates will be provided to the commissioners regarding the ICCC. Next steps are to be identified by internal staff.
Explanation of the past process of RSOQ and selection of Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff (ICF), the Indigenous-led nonprofit, that will be providing programming for the ICCC and later occupancy in the building. These will be determined by the finalization of the MOU between ICF and the City of Flagstaff. The MOU is close to completion, and there has been an initial review by Legal Counsel Sterling Solomon. There is still a question from ICF regarding funds that will need to be resolved. The next step is to have a few internal conversations as to the approval of the MOU and also more conversation on the occupancy document - one suggestion was to have a phased lease. Since the City of Flagstaff has never been in this situation regarding a building that needs a number of repairs and upgrades, it is still a learning curve for all parties involved.
Councilmember Matthews also included information from the last Council meeting about the City proposing a possible Arts and Culture District bond, and the ICCC would be part of that package. This would entail voter approval, and could be slated for 2027. More about that as this conversation progresses with City leadership. ICF would like to keep activities going outside the building. ICF would also like to hire an Executive Director to start looking for funding opportunities. They have expressed that they have donors but need to get the MOU finalized before they can formally accept the donations. There was discussion on various scenarios and Q&A. The updates to be aware of thus far are the following:
Progress updates will be provided to the commissioners regarding the ICCC. Next steps are to be identified by internal staff.
Explanation of the past process of RSOQ and selection of Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff (ICF), the Indigenous-led nonprofit, that will be providing programming for the ICCC and later occupancy in the building. These will be determined by the finalization of the MOU between ICF and the City of Flagstaff. The MOU is close to completion, and there has been an initial review by Legal Counsel Sterling Solomon. There is still a question from ICF regarding funds that will need to be resolved. The next step is to have a few internal conversations as to the approval of the MOU and also more conversation on the occupancy document - one suggestion was to have a phased lease. Since the City of Flagstaff has never been in this situation regarding a building that needs a number of repairs and upgrades, it is still a learning curve for all parties involved.
Councilmember Matthews also included information from the last Council meeting about the City proposing a possible Arts and Culture District bond, and the ICCC would be part of that package. This would entail voter approval, and could be slated for 2027. More about that as this conversation progresses with City leadership. ICF would like to keep activities going outside the building. ICF would also like to hire an Executive Director to start looking for funding opportunities. They have expressed that they have donors but need to get the MOU finalized before they can formally accept the donations. There was discussion on various scenarios and Q&A. The updates to be aware of thus far are the following:
- MOU process — going through both parties, the City and ICF.
- Finalize the MOU.
- Approval of the MOU, will it be internal or by the City Council? Information being obtained.
- Occupancy document — define which document to use for ICF to operate the building and also make repairs as determined.
7.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
- Announcement by Councilmember Matthews that she had been working with County Attorney and Police Chief on a detox center different from the Guidance Center (GC). There's an empty place at/near GC that could be available sooner than later. This is different than relocating the Juvenile Justice Center, which will come much later.
- Co-chair Zavala made an announcement about Flagstaff Leadership; Girls on the Run and its funds.
- Due to inaudible recording, the other announcements were not picked up.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 11:48 AM.
Co-chair Darren Lance adjourned the meeting at 11:48 AM.