HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-22 DIAC Regular MeetingPersons with a disability who want to attend this meeting who may need assistance should contact the Assistant City
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AGENDA
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
ANNA MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, 120 W. SEVENTH STREET, ANNA, TX 75409
Monday, January 22, 2024 @ 6:00 PM
1.Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of Quorum.
2.Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
3.Neighbor's Input.
At this time, any person may address the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission
regarding an item on this meeting agenda that is not scheduled for public hearing. Also, at
this time any person may address the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission
regarding an item that is not on this meeting agenda. Each person will be allowed up to 3
minutes to speak. No discussion or action may be taken at this meeting on items not listed
on this agenda, other than to make statements of specific information in response to a
citizen’s inquiry or to recite existing policy in response to the inquiry.
4.Items For Individual Consideration.
a.Discuss Multicultural event next steps. (30 min)
b.Consider/Discuss/Act to develop a process flow and procedural guidelines for the
Commission. (20 min)
c.Consider/Discuss/Act next steps for National Day of Prayer. (10 min)
d.Consider/Discuss/Act to advise the City Council to celebrate Anna's neighbors
from diverse backgrounds for their engagement in Anna Neighbor Academy. (10
min)
e. Discuss the role of the City of Anna in acknowledging Pride month. (10 min)
f.Consider/Discuss/Act on approval of the minutes from the December 18, 2023
Special Called Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission Meeting. (2 min)
5.Items for Future Consideration.
a.Consider/Discuss/Act to advise the City Council to celebrate Kimberly Winarski for
Anna Neighbor Academy/accessibility and equal opportunity/Neighbors of Diverse
Backgrounds (Glenn Brown). (5 min)
6.Reports.
a.Current Projects: Youth in Government Day, Youth Employment Program, Project
Unity Together We Dine Program. (5 min)
7.Adjourn.
This is to certify that I, Taylor Lough, Assistant City Manager, posted this Agenda on the City’s
website (www.annatexas.gov) and at a place readily accessible to the public at the Anna Municipal
Persons with a disability who want to attend this meeting who may need assistance should contact the Assistant City
Manager’s office at 972-924-3325 two working days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Complex and on the Municipal Complex bulletin board at or before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January
18, 2024.
_________________________________________
Taylor Lough, Assistant City Manager
D&I Commission Advisory Process
1. For first review, the Commissioner should consider these questions:
i. Does this idea support the mission of the Commission and does the idea fall within the
duties of Commission?
1. Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission Mission is to work together to
ensure all neighbors are seen, heard, acknowledged, and celebrated.
ii. Does this idea support the City’s Strategic Plan (Strategic Outcome Area(s)/Success
Statement)
2. Discuss viability with the Chair or the Council liaison.
3. Email the staff liaisons requesting item for future consideration. Include desired title for agenda
and any related information or links. Please provide the proposed idea and details two weeks in
advance of the meeting to allow for staff, chair, and liaison review and send these in one email.
If an idea is proposed at a meeting for the next meeting, please also send this information to the
staff liaison prior to the next meeting.
i. Staff sets agenda and reviews with Chair the week prior to the meeting (and posting of
the agenda).
ii. Agendas are required to be posted 72 hours in advance of any public meeting.
4. Provide 5-minute update during posted meeting for Commission action.
i. Commission votes to move item forward or deny item from further discussion or action.
ii. If denied, the item should not be resubmitted for Future Consideration for a period of 6
months.
5. If the Commission votes favorably to place item on next agenda, provide additional presentation
and information to Commission for review, discussion, and if appliable, action to advise.
i. Staff may provide professional expertise to the Commission via memorandums or
presentations.
6. Commission will take action to advise the City Council.
7. Staff liaison provides report to the City Council following Commission action:
i. Council may direct City Manager during the report or individually later on;
ii. City Manager may place an item on the agenda, if needed, or direct staff (note: Council
follows same process for future consideration).
8. Signed minutes (at least one month lag) are placed on the City Council agenda for review.
9. Annually the Commission may provide a report in the form of a memorandum to City Council
outlining the projects they’ve proposed with their priorities among those projects.
D&I Commission Code of Conduct
•Timeliness and Attendance:
o Being on time is important to allow Commission meetings to begin and end within a
reasonable window.
o Advanced notice of absence is necessary to ensure quorum for a meeting except in the
case where an emergency arises.
▪Past meetings have been cancelled after the time in which the meeting was
supposed to start because 4+ members weren’t able to attend and did not
inform staff.
▪Notice is essential to respect the time of all Commission members, Council
members, staff, and the public.
o Attendance is recorded and reported to the City Council. Members may be removed at
the will of the Council.
o If a Commission member is not present during a discussion or vote, they are forfeiting
their opportunity to discuss or vote on an item. Decisions on items should only be
revisited when absolutely required to ensure projects keep moving forward.
•Coming Prepared:
o Staff will maintain a database of relevant project information to reference in project
discussions.
o Staff will include relevant project information in the agenda packet prior to meetings.
o Reading the packet and being prepared with the information provided will allow for
quality conversations and direction during the meetings.
o Attend annual orientation in June.
•Legal:
o Following the Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act
▪Decisions are made at meetings, not between meetings.
▪Group texts, series of gatherings (meeting with one member, then another,
then another, then another) on a single topic may develop a predetermined.
o Neighbors’ comment is limited to 3 minutes. Commissioners may not ask questions of
the speaker, rather they may only respond with fact.
o Share other members’ contact information (including but not limited to email, phone
number, and address) only with their consent.
Agenda Item for discussion and action/consideration to send to City
Council in January 2024 as an actionable item:
Celebrate Anna Neighbors from Diverse Backgrounds Engagement in Anna
Neighbor Academy
ITEM (Sponsor: Commission Member Glenn Brown):
Commission offers that the Anna City Council recognize and celebrate Anna
Neighbors:
The Anna City Council would like to acknowledge and commend:
1) Anna Neighbors from Diverse backgrounds for responding in such a strong
and representative manner, reflective of Anna’s diverse makeup, to the
Neighbor Academy Experience.
NOTE: For consideration
1) Develop certificate and pictures of groups of participants from diverse
backgrounds for public display in Municipal Building Reception area.
- On a video monitor looping displayed with other community items in
the Municipal Entrance
2) Mayor, City Council, and D&I Chair present acknowledgement in
celebration at the Anna Multicultural Festival in 2024.
3) Cost: <$100.00
MINUTES
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
120 W. 7th St., Anna, TX 75409
Monday, December 18, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of Quorum.
Theresa King-Bell called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Commission Members Present: Theresa King-Bell, Elijah Nelms, Yoshanda Sims, and Glenn
Brown. Quorum is present.
Commission Members Absent: Dallen Morgan, Valencia Edwards and Rahul Luthra.
Others in Attendance: Assistant City Manager Taylor Lough.
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Glenn Brown provided an invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Neighbor's Input.
Michael Penner of 628 Lilianna Lane in Anna Town Square participated in the fourth Neighbor
Academy and encouraged the Commission to sponsor the program.
Andrew Michrina of 902 Fulbourne Drive suggested Natural Springs Park stays a quiet, teaching
and learning park. Mr. Michrina shared the amenities of various parks and programs in the
community. He explained shuffleboard was replaced with cornhole at Slayter Creek Park. He
suggested the City provide horseshoes and shuffleboard equipment for seniors to borrow as you
can for fishing equipment.
4. Reports.
a. Reintroduction of Commission and staff.
Taylor Lough directed the Commission to a handout with the photos and bios of city management
staff. Commission members present introduced themselves and why chose they to serve on the
Commission.
b. Commission information repository.
Taylor Lough directed the Commission to the resources provided on the City Secretary’s Office
website. The agenda and related documents were shared electronically prior to the meeting.
c. Current projects update.
Taylor Lough reminded the Commission to provide input on the memorandum regarding the
multicultural event by the end of the year. Staff is working with Project Unity for an agreement. The
Youth in Government Day will be held on January 26 at the Anna Municipal Complex. Attendance,
engagement, a survey sent after the event will indicate measures of success. For the youth
employment program, the interns could provide a presentation to the Commission about what they
learned and their suggestions for where the city may improve for future events.
5. Items for Individual Consideration
a. Consider/Discuss/Act to draft a code of conduct for the Commission.
Theresa King-Bell reminded the Commission about attendance requirements. Yoshanda Sims
stated the Commission needs to enforce attendance and bring action to the Commission if a
member is in violation. The Commission took no action.
a. Consider/Discuss/Act to create a process to develop procedural guidelines for the
Commission.
Taylor Lough explained the recent reports to the City Council and read Section 3. Duties and
Responsibilities. Yoshanda Sims asked that the Council liaison and staff provide updates and bring
items for Commission advice. Theresa King-Bell made a motion to re-word this agenda item to
“development of process flow and procedural guidelines” for the initiatives discussed by this
commission. Elijiah seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
b. Consider/Discuss/Act on meeting schedule.
The Commission would like to keep the current frequency. Yoshanda Sims will not be able to
attend the January 2024 meeting.
c. Consider/Discuss/Act on approval of the minutes from the November 27, 2023
Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Commission meeting.
Elijiah Nelms made a motion to approve the minutes. Theresa King-Bell seconded the motion. All
were in favor. Motion passed.
6. Future Consideration.
a. Advise the City Council to celebrate that Anna neighbors from diverse
backgrounds attended Neighbor Academy.
Glenn Brown shared that he would like to recognize the neighbors from diverse backgrounds who
participated and engaged in the Neighbor Academy. He would like to recognize and highlight the
attendees and neighbors. He suggested the Council and Chair acknowledge neighbors at the
multicultural event or on the TV in the Municipal Complex. Elijiah Nelms stated this may encourage
more program participation. Glenn Brown asked for suggestions on how to rephrase. Theresa
King-Bell made a motion to move this item to the next agenda for individual consideration. Glenn
Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
d. Discuss the role of the city in acknowledging Pride month.
Elijiah Nelms shared that this should be examined. Temple, Texas has a billboard with the shape
of Texas with the Pride flag inside that states “We see you. You are welcome here.” Yoshanda
Sims shared may also fall within recognizing Black History Month or other recognition months.
Elijah shared that the city recognizes Juneteenth as it is a federal holiday. Pride month is not
federally recognized. Yoshanda Sims stated it would mean a lot to acknowledge Black History
Month in monthly newsletters. Theresa King-Bell made a motion to add this individual
consideration next month. Glenn Brown seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion passed.
7.Adjourn.
Theresa King-Bell made adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Elijah Nelms seconded the motion.
Agenda Item for Future Consideration at January 2024 D&I
Commission Meeting.
Celebrate Kimberly Winarski/Anna Neighbor Academy/Diversity: Consideration
for discussion and possible action of sending to City Council in March 2024 as an
actionable item:
ITEM (Sponsor: Commission Member Glenn Brown):
Commission offers that the Anna City Council, recognize and celebrate Kimberly
Winarski.
The Anna City Council would like to acknowledge and commend:
Kimberly Winarski in designing the Anna Neighbors program to not only be
accessible to Neighbors from diverse backgrounds but provide equal opportunity
for an excellent civic engagement and leadership experience.
NOTE: For consideration
1) Options for the Physical Award
a. Purchase Crystal Like display with above citation engraved.
b. Develop display with certificate (with above citation) and pictures of
Ms. Winarski with groups of several cohort graduates from diverse
backgrounds.
2) Presentation of Award
a. Mayor, City Council, and D&I Chair present commendation in
celebration at the Anna Multicultural Festival in 2024.
b. Mayor, City Council, and D&I Chair present commendation in Council
Chambers during a City Council Meeting “following” the completion
of the Anna 2024 Multicultural Festival.
3) Cost: $100 - $250
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission Projects
1/18/2024
Together We Dine
Purpose: The purpose of the Together We Dine project is to facilitate a community
conversation about race to ensure all neighbors are seen, heard, acknowledged, and
celebrated.
Tentative dates: January 2024 – December 2025
Location: Varies
Other details: No update since 12/18/2023 - Staff is working with Project Unity on
agreement for program.
Member Dallen Morgan brought this opportunity to the Commission in 2023. At the
August meeting, the commission advised staff to obtain a recommendation from Project
Unity on how to implement this program within the City of Anna. Executive Director
Charlene Edwards explained that this would be the first time the organization has
worked directly with a government entity. Most of their work thus far with civic leaders
has been through their attendance at “dine events” held at religious institutes, with
churches inviting their local leaders to participate. As a result, Ms. Edwards suggested
the following for Anna:
1.Attend monthly “Community Dines” on Zoom and at churches in the area.
These are free and open to the public. The last two dines for 2023 are
Tuesday, October 24 at Highland Park United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. and
Thursday, October 26 at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, starting at 6:30
p.m.
2. Host an internal “dine” with and for city staff. Staff recommends including
AISD staff for increased participation and quality conversation amongst those
serving Anna neighbors.
3. Host a “pilot dine” with at least 25 invited attendees from the City Council,
Boards and Commissions, Anna Pastoral Alliance, School Board, community
leaders, etc.
a. The pastoral alliance or a few members may choose to host a dine at
one of their facilities with participation from at least two bodies
b. The school district could host school dines at one or more of their
facilities
c. City encourages and becomes an advocate for these efforts
4. Host an open Community Dine in Anna.
•Partnership opportunities with Project Unity vary between $2,500 to $1,250
annual (12 months, not calendar year)
o Associate Partner - $2,500: 4 events, 1 hour team
presentation/discussion, inclusion in “Collab Lab” DEI Network
o General Partner - $2,150: 3 events
o General Partner - $1,1750: 2 events
o General Partner - $1,250: 1 event
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission Projects
1/18/2024
Youth in Government Day
Purpose: The purpose of Youth in Government Day is to teach highschoolers about
local government processes and encourage them to be civically engaged young adults.
Tentative date: Friday, January 26, 2024
Location: Anna Municipal Complex (City Hall)
Other details:
•6 students have registered, and the agenda is being finalized based on their
interests.
•Board members have expressed an interest in developing a longer-term program
like a Youth Council or a Neighbor Academy geared towards teenagers. This
could be phase two of our Youth in Government project if the Youth in
Government Day goes well/has a lot of interest.
•City staff has presented to students at both middle schools since the inception of
this project, and additional outreach is planned for 2024.
Local Youth Employment Project
Purpose: The purpose of the Local Youth Employment Project is to develop a pipeline
of local students interested in and prepared for a local government career in the City of
Anna. We want to build up members of the community to come and work for the
community over time.
Tentative date: Summer 2024
Location: Anna Municipal Complex (City Hall)
Other details: No update since 12/18/2023
•This summer staff would like to start small with this – i.e. one intern or a few
dates for students to job shadow – to help the program start with a good footing
and grow over time. As there is no budget for this project yet, it allows staff to
potentially be able to demonstrate interest from students in the program to
request funding in the future.
•Starting in the fall, the City of Anna partnered with Best Buddies International to
host three(+) local Anna ISD students for a job shadowing program. Best
Buddies programs help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD) form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live
independently, and develop self-advocacy and communication skills. This is an
opportunity for staff to explore what capacity different city departments have for
job shadowing and/or a potential intern.
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission Projects
1/18/2024
•Other cities have programs like the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment
Program in Dallas or Plano’s Mayor’s Summer Internship Program where the city
facilitates internships in the city government but also in the community. This
could be an opportunity to expand.
National Interfaith Day of Prayer
Purpose: TBD by Commission
Tentative date: Occurs on the first Thursday in May
Location: TBD
Other details: Rahul shared links related to what other areas are doing in
acknowledgement of National Interfaith Day of Prayer:
•https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-celebrates-national-day-of-
prayer-at-governors-prayer-breakfast-in-round-rock
•https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/A_Day_of_Prayer_1.pdf
•https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/03/a-
proclamation-on-national-day-of-prayer-2023/