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NOTICE AND AGENDA
To participate in the meeting virtually use the following link: Join the Meeting Online 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. |
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| 1. | Call to Order | ||||||||||
| Chair Kidd called the meeting to order at 1:32 PM | |||||||||||
| 2. | Roll Call NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means.
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| 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. |
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| Chair Kidd Read the Mission Statement. Marcella Pino read the land acknowledgment. |
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| 4. | Upcoming Opportunities and Announcements | ||||||||||
| Staff Liaison Rhode informed the commission that Miss Cleo's Tea Party (the annual fundraiser for the Southside Community Association) would take place on Friday, April 26. | |||||||||||
| 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. |
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| Rachel Simukonda introduced herself. She serves on the Commission for Inclusion and Adaptive Living. Kengatta Callen also introduced himself. | |||||||||||
| 6. | Approval of Minutes: February 17th, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Commissioner Pino moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Sanchez seconded. The motion passed 7-0. | |||||||||||
| 7. | Action Items | ||||||||||
| A. | Letter of support on behalf of the commission for rainbow cross walk | ||||||||||
| Commissioner Toner read the draft letter in support of a rainbow-colored crosswalk. Kim Robinson asked how the crosswalk would be funded. Commissioner Toner said that she cannot speak for Flagstaff Pride but believes that they have secured funding through an underwriter. Mandy Gebler moved to approve the letter. Angelica Sanchez seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7-0. |
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| 8. | Reports/Discussion Items | ||||||||||
| A. | Updates from Council Liaison | ||||||||||
| There was no update from the Staff Liaison as Councilwoman House was not present. | |||||||||||
| B. | Updates from Staff Liaison | ||||||||||
| Staff Liaison Rhode introduced himself to the commission. | |||||||||||
| C. | Update on data for anti-camping ordinance | ||||||||||
| Commissioner Toner presented the cover letter for the white paper prepared on the topic of the anti-camping ordinance. Jean Toner moved to approve the letter and recommendations. Mandy Geblerseconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0. |
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| D. | Women's commission right group discussion | ||||||||||
| Jean Toner reported that this initiative began several mayors (Mayor Coral Evans) ago with the intent of creating a new Citizen Commission on women's rights. Chair Kidd asked the staff liaison if CODA is able to recommend creating a new commission. Staff Liaison Rhode advised that such a recommendation would be within the purview of the commission and provided information on the creation of new commissions, sub-committees, and working groups. Commissioner Gebler stated her support for recommending the creation of a new commission. Commissioner Toner agreed. Tarang Jain stated that he would like more information. The Commission gave Staff direction to do more research into the idea of creating a subcommittee and bring it back as an action item at the next meeting. |
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| E. | Ideas from commissioners on areas of interest to work on in 2024. | ||||||||||
| The commission gave staff direction to keep this as an item on the next agenda and provide a structure of existing working groups and projects. | |||||||||||
| F. | Discussion on collaboration with the city on upcoming heritage history month event | ||||||||||
| This item was skipped as nobody knew what it referred to. The Commission did instruct staff to add an ongoing "Proclamations" item to future agendas. | |||||||||||
| G. | Collaboration with the library-update | ||||||||||
| Commissioner Sanchez shared that she has worked with the Library on a few grant items and they will be looking for future grant opportunities. | |||||||||||
| H. | Discussion on allegations of cultural appropriation at Council Meeting | ||||||||||
| Jean Toner gave a short description of the event and the sentiment expressed by Emily Davaols that the use of Hawaiian clothing in a celebratory manner could constitute offensive behavior through mascotting sacred Hawaiian tradition. Councilwoman House explained her perspective that a member of the public took offense to members of Council wearing floral and tropical patterns and leas. Councilwoman Harris also provided context that Councilmember Sweet does have Hawaiian heritage. She recalled that the same member of the public also commented that a dance dome by a member of staff was similarly offensive. Councilwoman House stated that she did not feel a need to respond to the substance of the complaint from this community member. Staff was given direction to keep this item on the agenda for next month and send out a link to the meeting. |
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| 9. | Agenda for Future Meeting(s) | ||||||||||
| Commissioner Gebler asked for a future item on the commission's involvement in the June Pride parade. | |||||||||||
| 10. | Adjourment | ||||||||||
| Chairwoman Kidd adjourned the meeting at 2:47 PM. | |||||||||||
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