February 2026 HRAB Minutes
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Human Relations Advisory Board (HRAB) Minutes February 25, 2026 Meeting Time: 6:00 PM CITY OF MESA HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD (HRAB) February 25, 2026 Minutes The Human Relations Advisory Board (HRAB) of the City of Mesa met on February 25, 2026 at 6:00pm in the Study Session Room at City Hall, 20 East Main Street. MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT GUESTS Christiana Hammond, Chair William Campos Sabrina Dobson Abram Ellsworth Chantelle Frazee-Jacobs Rose Hanne Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez Oscar White Jane Williams-Cooper Spencer Beck Perla Sandberg Andrea Alicoate Bianca Amin Jussane Goodman 1. Chair’s Call to Order. Ms. Hammond called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. (1a) Announcement of excused absences. Mr. Spencer Beck and Ms. Perla Sandberg were announced as excused absences for this meeting. (1b) Announcement and introduction of new HRAB member: Rose Hanne. Board members provided brief introductions and welcomed Ms. Hanne as a new member of the Board. 2. Items from Citizens Present. * No citizens wished to speak to the board. 3. Approval of minutes from the January 28, 2026 HRAB meeting. It was moved by Mr. Oscar White and seconded by Mr. Abram Ellsworth that the above- mentioned minutes be accepted as written. Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: AYES – Ms. Christiana Hammond, Mr. William Campos, Ms. Sabrina Dobson, Mr. Abram Ellsworth, Ms. Chantelle Frazee-Jacobs, Ms. Rose Hanne, Ms. Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, Mr. Oscar White, Ms. Jane Williams-Cooper NAYS – None 4. Hear and discuss a presentation from the City of Mesa Human Services division about their community programs such as Heat Safety and Street Outreach. Human Relations Advisory Board Page 2 Ms. Jussane Goodman, the City of Mesa Human Services Administrator, presented an overview of the division’s programs and services, providing information on how Mesa addresses homelessness, heat safety support for residents, and regarding the opioid settlement fund. In Maricopa County, for every 19 people entering homelessness, only 10 finds housing. In 2025, 5291 Mesa residents received homeless services countywide, while 2346 individuals received services in Mesa. The Off the Street’s (OTS) program was created as an initiative to address homelessness in Mesa. The program allows clients up to a 90-day stay at the temporary shelter with evaluations of milestones throughout their program participation to ensure progress toward self-sufficiency. In 2025, the program served a total of 489 unique clients with 86% positive exit rate. Ms. Goodman also shared the division’s partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, such as Phoenix Rescue Mission, working in tandem to coordinate heat respite spaces and resources for all of Mesa, which often provide care to persons experiencing homelessness. Their collaborations have enabled them to make cooling centers, hydration stations, and day respite centers possible for everyone in Mesa during the heat season. In addition to this, Ms. Goodman also shared information regarding the Portable AC Loan Program for those without working air conditioners within their domiciles to mitigate the risk of heat-related illness and death. The division also manages the Opioid Settlement funding that was allocated to the City of Mesa by the One Arizona Agreement. With Council guidance, Human Services is investing in the funding distribution to youth programs for prevention through their partnership with local organizations, such as Jacob’s Hope, Hushabye Baby, and Community Bridges. The division’s partnership with The Be Kind People Project created the Be Healthy Mesa youth education initiative which aims to bring awareness of the challenges opioids pose in the community and to make prevention and resources for everyone more accessible. Ms. Goodman concluded her presentation by addressing Board questions and feedback. 5. Hear and discuss a presentation about the America 250 Neighborhood Celebration and Volunteer Pledge. Chairperson Ms. Hammond stated that this item would be continued to a future date. 6. Scheduling of meetings, future agenda items, and general information. (6a) Next HRAB meeting will be held on March 25, 2026 at 6pm in the Council Study Session Room at City Hall, 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ, 85201. Human Relations Advisory Board Page 3 (6b) FY 2026-27 Budget Community Information sessions for residents will be held at 6pm on March 4 at the Northeast Public Safety Facility, 1333 N. Power Rd; March 10 at The Post, 26 N. Macdonald; and March 11, 2026 at Gateway Library, 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway. 7. Hear reports on conferences and/or meetings attended. No report was shared by the Board. 8. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Submitted By: Andrea Alicoate, Assistant to the City Manager