HRC Meeting Minutes - August 26
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Meeting Minutes Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting August 26, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers Conference Room 88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 85225 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Agarwal at 6:03 p.m. Roll Call Commission Attendance Staff Attendance Chair Kriti Agarwal Niki Tapia, Cultural Development Asst. Director Vice Chair Betty Ramirez Dara Gibson, Connection & Impact Commissioner Omar Rodriguez Commander Dan Shellum, Chandler Police Commissioner Shauna Risinger Commissioner Joacim Mattisson Commissioner Antonette Shirley Commissioners Absent Commissioner Jevan Bremby Commissioner Pamela Morris Commissioner Erica Maxwell Commissioner Garry Ong Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances None Consent Agenda Motion and Vote Vice Chair Ramirez made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of July 22, 2026. Commissioner Risinger seconded the motion. All in favor of approving the meeting minutes. (6-0). Action Agenda None Page 2 of 3 Discussion At-Large Discussion: Subcommittee Goals and Deliverables The Commission discussed the subcommittee goals and deliverables presented during the meeting. Based on the discussion, members agreed to review the proposed goals and deliverables in October, consider approval in November, and present them to the Mayor and City Council in December. The presentation may include each subcommittee’s purpose, priorities, proposed activities, expected outcomes, timelines, and how the work will support the Commission’s overall goals and benefit the community. Subcommittee Breakout Sessions During this time, commissioners were assigned to their respective subcommittees and met to discuss priorities, identify goals and deliverables, and determine next steps and timelines. Subcommittee assignments were as follows: Commission Administration: Chair Agarwal and Commissioner Bremby Community Relations: Commissioners Mattisson, Risinger and Shirley Community Engagement: Vice Chair Ramirez and Commissioner Rodriguez A worksheet was provided to commissioners to complete during the breakout sessions. The completed results are included as Attachment A. Connection & Impact Updates Tapia reported that Commissioner Kent Lane was removed from the Human Relations Commission due to attendance concerns and that the Mayor is expected to appoint a new commissioner in the coming months. Tapia also shared that a new Connection & Impact Senior Manager position will be posted and remain open for two weeks. This position will oversee the Connection & Impact Division and support the coordination and direction of the division’s programs and initiatives. In her new role as Assistant Director of Cultural Development, Tapia will play a key role in developing the City’s Arts & Culture Strategic Plan. A community town hall will be held on October 6 from 5:30–7 p.m. to gather public input and help shape the future priorities and direction of arts and culture in Chandler. Chandler Police Updates Commander Shellum reported that the Chandler Police Department will offer its Citizens Police Academy in Spanish for the first time. This will make the program more accessible to Spanish-speaking residents, strengthen relationships with the community and provide participants with a better understanding of police operations and services. Commissioner Shirley asked whether, amid increased immigration enforcement nationwide, Chandler Police officers are stopping members of Native American communities and requesting proof of tribal affiliation or identification. Commander Shellum clarified that Chandler Police does not request this information during traffic stops. Page 3 of 3 Member Comments/Announcements Vice Chair Ramirez shared that the Chandler International Film Festival (CIFF) is collaborating with the University of Sonora to screen the film Fortis Femina for university students in Sonora, Mexico, in November. Commissioner Risinger shared that the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) will discuss a land acknowledgment during its September 9 Governing Board meeting, with an opportunity for community input during public comment. Commissioner Shirley shared that she was named the August recipient of the Arizona Department of Education’s Copper Apple Award for her work as CUSD’s Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist. Her efforts have helped students in the Indigenous Education Program build community across the district and contributed to Chandler hosting its first Powwow in April. She will be recognized for the award on September 9. Calendar September 12, Chandler Contigo Dia de Fiesta, Dr. A.J. Chandler Park September 16, Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting, Council Conference The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 6 p.m., in the Chandler Council Conference Room located at 88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 85225. Adjourn Commissioner Mattisson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Risinger seconded the motion. All in favor to adjourn the meeting (6-0). The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Dara Gibson, Recording Secretary Kriti Agarwal, Chair Human Relations Commission Page 1 Breakout Group Discussion Guide Initial Session — Defining the Work Breakout Group / Topic: Engagement (Talking) Date: 8/26/2026 Note-taker: Omar Rodriguez Group Members Present: Betty Ramirez & Omar Rodriguez 1. What do we want to accomplish? Write a clear, specific goal statement. What problem, need, or opportunity is this group addressing? What does success look like? Communicate to the trusting voices for the different communities. (Communicate what? What does different mean?) 2. How do we want to accomplish it? List the key strategies, actions, or steps the group will take. Who is responsible for what, and by when (if known)? Inviting community members to HRC meetings & sharing what HRC does for the community. 3. What are we measuring? Identify the specific indicators, data points, or evidence that will show whether the goal is being met (e.g., number of events held, participation rates, survey results, complaints resolved). How many people we reach? (What is a successful or helpful “Reach”?) How many people who were invited to attend, do attend. 4. How often will we report? Decide on a reporting cadence (e.g., monthly at Commission meetings) and who will deliver the update. We plan on reporting every month at commission meetings. This one would be internal. Quarterly reports would be to show the impact. Betty will deliver update. ATTACHMENT A Human Relations Commission Page 2 Breakout Group Discussion Guide Initial Session — Defining the Work Breakout Group / Topic: Relations (Listening) Date: 8/26/2026 Note-taker: Shaunna Risinger Group Members Present: Shaunna, Antonette, Joacim 1. What do we want to accomplish? Write a clear, specific goal statement. What problem, need, or opportunity is this group addressing? What does success look like? Get the voices of Chandler residents and find out who the “other” demographics are in the city. Find out how we can better represent these additional voices. 2. How do we want to accomplish it? List the key strategies, actions, or steps the group will take. Who is responsible for what, and by when (if known)? Surveys at events or QR link with code. Table at events. – get tablecloth 2 events first year. Multicultural Festival & Ballet Under the Stars. Add more if working and sustainable. 3. What are we measuring? Identify the specific indicators, data points, or evidence that will show whether the goal is being met (e.g., number of events held, participation rates, survey results, complaints resolved). What “other” means on demographic reports. How they feel about being represented. 4. How often will we report? Decide on a reporting cadence (e.g., monthly at Commission meetings) and who will deliver the update. We plan on reporting every month at commission meetings. Human Relations Commission Page 3 5. Additional Notes. Bag w/ giveaways for completing surveys. Survey questions. Contact information Group identification What is Chandler doing well How could we serve your community better Automatic email response when survey completed.