Agenda

1.

Call to Order

Co-chair Washington called the meeting to order at 12:09 PM.

2.

Roll Call

NOTE: One or more Commission Members may be in attendance telephonically or by other technological means.

Diana Cudeii, Ex-Officio; Present
Meg Kabotie Adakai, Ex-Officio, Resigned
Vacant Seat; Ex-Officio
Cora M. Phillips, Co-Chair; Present, joined at 12:20 PM
Joe. W. Washington, Co-Chair; Present
Darrell Marks; Present
Fawn Toya; Present
Kiara Weathersby; Present
Shawna Whitehat; Present, joined at 12:22 PM
Jonathan Yellowhair; Excused Absence

Others Present: Staff Liaison Rose Toehe; Council Liaison Councilmember Lori Matthews; Sustainability staff, Jenna Ortega; Mayor's Chief of Staff, Shawn Johnson (limited time)

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. (Five minutes maximum per speaker)

Commissioner Marks provided information regarding a visitation to Seattle, WA. He was able to see some interesting use of unused business spaces. Their Arts and Culture office has been providing those spaces to Native entrepreneurs and they were renting them for a week, a month, etc. so the Native businesses are able to make some money and office owners are getting paid. Is there a way to explore that idea with the empty offices/business spaces here in Flagstaff? Can the Commission lead that conversation with City Manager and Council? It would be a way to elevate our Native American entrepreneurs.

4.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A.

Approval of Minutes for November 2, 2022
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.

Commissioner Toya made a motion to approve the November 2, 2022 Minutes as is. Co-chair Washington seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

B.

Approval of Minutes for December 7, 2022
Motion to approve Minutes as is or approve with amendments.

Commissioner Marks made a motion to approve the December 7, 2022 Minutes as is. Co-chair Washington seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

5.

GENERAL BUSINESS/POSSIBLE VOTE

A.

Nominations and Election of Indigenous Commission Co-Chairs
The Commissioners will discuss, provide nominations, and vote on the next Co-chairs to start terms in January 2023. As voted in December 2022, one seat has a one-year term and the other seat has a two-year term.

After a thorough discussion, nominations were made. Co-chair Washington was nominated to the one-year co-chair position by Commissioner Weathersby. Commissioner Marks seconded the nomination. Co-chair Washington accepted and there were no other nominations. The vote was unanimous in favor of the nomination.

Commissioner Phillips nominated Commissioner Toya for the two-year co-chair position. Co-chair Washington seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Toya accepted. The vote was unanimous in favor of the nomination.

B.

Introduction of new Council Liaison for the Indigenous Commission
At the last Regular Council meeting on December 20, 2022, under 14-B. City Council Liaison Assignments. Councilmember Lori Matthews volunteered to be the Council Liaison for the Indigenous Commission. Councilmember Matthews be available for this meeting, she will introduce herself and Commissioners can provide a Q & A.

Due to audio issues, Councilmember Matthews was not able to provide an introduction to the Commission at the start. While the technical issues were being worked on, Rose Toehe informed the Commissioners that on 12/20/22 City Council took assignments of Boards & Commissions as part of their work. Councilmember Matthews chose to be the Council Liaison for the Indigenous Commission. Mayor Daggett will be the alternate for the Commission and will attend meetings as her schedule allows. The Commissioners started introductions of themselves to Councilmember Matthews.

After a short while, Councilmember Matthews was able to join with audio. She made introductions, her move to Flagstaff and, professional background. She moved to Flagstaff in 2011. She started work with Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) after a couple years as Executive Director and later as Interim Director. Her background is in banking and business. During her time at FSS, she met many of the unsheltered population and got to know many of them. She would like to see an avenue for talented Native American community members to share their skills and for the City to focus more on. She also started a non-profit seven years ago which is a transitional housing program for the homeless working poor. She feels being Council Liaison is a great opportunity for her to expand her knowledge and understanding of Native American community and help her non-profit to ensure they are providing respectful service and boundaries. This is a summary and can be viewed on the Indigenous Commission meeting video.

The rest of the time was taken with each Commissioner's introductory to Councilmember Matthews. At conclusion of this section, Rose Toehe stated she would set up an appointment with Councilmember Matthews to go over the history of the Commission and other related items.

6.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
None scheduled

7.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS TO/FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS, STAFF, AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS

Commissioner Phillips requested the Water item to be on a future agenda for discussion. She stated the water issue is highly at stake because we are experiencing drought and looking at survival for humanity. There are media reports of reducing water usage. She would like to know more about what the City of Flagstaff's plan is or how City is engaging in this crucial issue.

Councilmember Matthews informed the Commission on the update from the federal and state lobbyist at the last Council meeting. One of the topic brought up was Grand Canyon and expanding that space was critical because of uranium mining and the danger to contamination of water sources for tribal communities in that area. Water is vital part of all our survival. She welcomes inviting Sustainability and Water departments to fill us all in on what is being done in Northern Arizona to preserve our water sources.

Rose Toehe made two announcements. 1. Commissioner Meg Kabotie Adakai has resigned. That seat is reserved for an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council (IPAC) member through the MOU with the Coconino County. 2. Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) has reached out for Indigenous input on their economic development strategic plan. It is time-sensitive, so if anyone from the Commission is interested, please contact her immediately.

Added also to this section is Commissioner Marks' public comment on empty offices or business spaces discussion.

Possible quarterly reports from City departments such as Water Services, Sustainability, etc.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

Co-chair Washington adjourned the meeting at 1:09 PM.