December 2025 HRAB Minutes

Human Relations Advisory Board (HRAB) Minutes 
December 3, 2025 
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM 
 
 
 
 
CITY OF MESA 
HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD (HRAB) 
December 3, 2025 Minutes 
 
The Human Relations Advisory Board (HRAB) of the City of Mesa met on December 3, 2025 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  
Spencer Beck 
William Campos 
Sabrina Dobson 
Chantelle Frazee-Jacobs 
Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez 
Oscar White
Abram Ellsworth 
Perla Sandberg 
Jane Williams-Cooper 
Andrea Alicoate 
Elisha Gutierrez 
Jesse Simms 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Chair’s Call to Order. 
Ms. Hammond called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
(1a)  
Announcement of excused absences. 
(1b)  
Announcement of resignation from Vice-Chair, Nina Allred.  
Mr. Abram Ellsworth, Ms. Perla Sandberg, and Ms. Jane Williams-Cooper were announced as 
excused absence for this meeting. 
 
2. Items from Citizens Present. * 
 
No citizens wished to speak to the board. 
 
3. Approval of minutes from the October 22, 2025 HRAB meeting. 
It was moved by Mr. Oscar White and seconded by Mr. Spencer Beck that the above-
mentioned minutes be accepted as written. 
 
Upon tabulation of votes, it showed: 
 
AYES – Ms. Christiana Hammond, Mr. Spencer Beck, Mr. William Campos, Ms. Sabrina 
Dobson, Ms. Chantelle Frazee-Jacobs, Ms. Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, Mr. Oscar White 
NAYS – None  
 
4. Hear, discuss a presentation from Mesa Public Library on an overview of library services, 
including the new Gateway Branch, strategic plan goals and other programs and initiatives. 
 
Mr. Jesse Simms, Assistant Library Director, presented to the Board an overview of services 
offered by the Mesa Public Library (MPL). Mr. Simms shared the MPL’s vision of “Dreaming 
Starts Here” is to inspire community members to dream and think big, supported by a mission 
focused on lifelong learning, individual empowerment, and building community strength. The 
library system includes four full-service locations, a self-serve express library, and a 
bookmobile that expands access across the community. Now in the third year of its strategic 
plan, MPL measures success through four pillars: customer experience (with visitation trend 
rebounding to 690,000 in FY 2024–25), community literacy (tracked through item circulation),

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engagement and access (extending services and partnerships beyond library walls), and staff 
support (fostering staff growth to better serve the community). Mr. Simms concluded the 
presentation by addressing questions and responding to feedback from the Board.  
 
5. Hear and discuss an update on Read On Mesa and the AARP Experience Corps literacy tutor 
program. 
 
Ms. Alicoate presented an overview of Read On Mesa and the City’s partnership with AARP 
Foundation Experience Corps. Read On Mesa promotes a love of reading through accessible 
materials and programs that support Mesa’s multigenerational readiness for school, career, 
and community. Through the partnership, seniors aged 50 and older receive training in reading 
and fluency tutoring then are paired with students in kindergarten through third grade who are 
reading below grade level. The program aims to help students build fluency and accuracy skills 
to become strong readers by the end of third grade. Launched in January 2024, the partnership 
has expanded to 10 Mesa Public Schools during the current school year. Ms. Alicoate noted 
that the program has benefited students academically while also fostering community 
connections among students, families, and volunteer tutors. Ms. Alicoate concluded by 
addressing questions and responding to feedback from the Board. 
 
6. Scheduling of meetings, future agenda items, and general information.  
(9a)  Next HRAB meeting will be held on January 28, 2026 at 6pm in the City Hall Study 
Session Chamber (20 East Main St.). 
 
7. Hear reports on conferences and/or meetings attended.  
Mr. Beck attended the East Valley Veterans Day Parade and Veterans Day flag plantings.  
Ms. Dobson attended the Mesa Arts Center’s Dia de Los Muertos and Mesa Community 
College Empty Bowl event.  
Ms. Frazee-Jacobs attended the East Valley Veterans Day Parade. 
Ms. Hammond attended the lighting of the tree at Merry Main St. 
Mr. White attended the Mesa Arts Center’s Dia de Los Muertos, Marine Corps Ball, and East 
Valley Veterans Day Parade.  
8. Adjournment.  
      The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. 
Submitted By: 
 
 
 
Andrea Alicoate,  
Assistant to the City Manager