HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-22 DIAC Regular Meeting MinutesTHE CITY OF
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MINUTES
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
120 W. 7th St., Anna, TX 75409
Monday, January 22, 2024 @ 6:00 PM
1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of Quorum.
Elijah Nelms called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
Commission Members Present: Elijah Nelms, Yoshanda Sims, Dallen Morgan, Valencia Edwards
and Rahul Luthra. Quorum is present.
Commission Members Absent: Theresa King -Bell and Glenn Brown
Others in Attendance: Councilmember Kevin Toten, Assistant City Manager Taylor Lough,
Assistant to the City Manager Kimberly Winarski.
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Dallen Morgan provided an invocation and Kevin Toten led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Neighbor's Input.
Jeff Reece of 1237 Carinna Drive presented the Commission information on the Anna Art
Association. The association partners with school and local artists. He asked the Commission to
think of ways the association could be a part of events and programs in the future.
4. Items for Individual Consideration
a. Discuss Multicultural Event next steps.
Taylor Lough introduced Neighborhood Services Director Marc Marchand who discussed his
background and experience with special event planning and presented options for the spring
multicultural event. To ensure food trucks or vendors are in attendance staff had discussed paying
for a certain number of servings. Valencia Edwards suggested food trucks for Indian, Caribbean,
African food. She asked how data is gathered at events. Marc explained there are number of ways
to estimate attendance. The first year the targeted number of attendees is 500. The first year of
concerts in the park was 200 people. Staff is proposing Saturday May 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m. at Slayter Creek Park with entertainment and vendors and food. The Commission discussed
the time being too early. Elijah Nelms asked the Commission thoughts on the name. Valencia
suggested Anna Multicultural Festival and the marketing needs to feature people of color.
Commission members agreed. Valencia stated she would look at the school district's demographic
data. Taylor Lough shared the Commission could have a booth with the Commission's mission and
set of questions to ask and welcome attendees. The Commission recommended the time for 11
a.m. to 2 p.m.
b. Consider/Discuss/Act to develop a process flow and procedural guidelines for
the Commission.
The Commission tabled this item. No action was taken.
C. Consider/Discuss/Act next steps for National Day of Prayer.
Taylor Lough reminded the Commission that this item was an item for Future Consideration in
October 2023 by Rahul Luthra. An event was previously held in Anna with area faith leaders.
Rahul and Dallen opted to work together to provide more information at the Commission's next
meeting.
d. Consider/Discuss/Act to advise the City Council to celebrate Anna's
neighbors from diverse backgrounds for their engagement in Anna Neighbor
Academy.
The Commission tabled this item. No action was taken.
e. Discuss the role of the City of Anna in acknowledging Pride month.
Elijah Nelms shared he was asked why the City of Anna did not fly the Pride flag. He shared the
city did not fly anything other than the State of Texas. He shared that Taylor, Texas held a Pride
parade. He suggested the city could share a social media post and pamphlet with resources and
events held elsewhere. In the future the city could hold a parade or event similar to the one in
McKinney's Pride Festival. The city could also have yard signs that said, "All are welcome here,"
"Love is love" etc. if someone wanted to place one in their yard. Dallen Morgan would like more
information on the Veterans Lives Here signs. Taylor Lough shared that staff was seeking direction
from the Commission on how and what to celebrate. Yoshanda Sims would like the Commission to
advise what the city should recognize. Valenica Edwards encouraged members to bring a list of
items to the next meeting. Currently the city does not feature any heritage months with post on
social media or in its marketing materials.
f. Consider/Discuss/Act on approval of the of the minutes from the December
18, 2023 Special Called Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Commission
Meeting.
Elijah Nelms made a motion to approve the minutes. Dallen Morgan seconded. All were in favor.
Motion passed.
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).
The Commission tabled this item. No action was taken.
6. Reports.
a. Current Projects: Youth in Government Day, Youth Employment Program,
Project Unity Together We Dine Program.
Taylor Lough shared she is still working on the agreement with Project Unity. Kimberly Winarski
shared seven students signed up for Youth in Government Day this Friday. Slayter Creek Middle
School is touring the building Wednesday. Staff have also attended Clemons Creek and events at
elementary schools.
7. Adjourn.
Elijah Nelms adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
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