Minutes of the Work Session of April 13, 2023
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Meeting Minutes
City Council Work Session
April 13, 2023 | 4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers Conference Room
88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Hartke at 4:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Council Attendance
Appointee Attendance
Mayor Kevin Hartke
Josh Wright, City Manager
Vice Mayor Matt Orlando
Kelly Schwab, City Attorney
Councilmember OD Harris
Dana DeLong, City Clerk
Councilmember Mark Stewart
Councilmember Christine Ellis
Councilmember Jane Poston
Councilmember Angel Encinas
Staff in Attendance
Tadd Wille, Assistant City Manager
Dawn Lang, Deputy City Manager / CFO
Andy Bass, Deputy City Manager
Matt Burdick, Communications and Public Affairs Director
Melissa Quillard, Mayor and Council Communications Manager
Rae Lynn Nielsen, Human Resources Director
Niki Tapia, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Tawn Kao, Assistant City Attorney
Ryan Peters, Strategic Initiatives Director
Discussion
1.
Presentation and Discussion Regarding City of Chandler’s Proposed Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Strategic Plan
Page 2 of 8
MAYOR HARTKE called for a staff presentation.
JOSHUA WRIGHT, City Manager, introduced the discussion item.
NIKI TAPIA, presented the following presentation.
• 2023 Strategic Plan | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
• 2023 – 2025 Strategic Framework Direction
o Focus Area: Quality of Life
Cultivation of a community and municipal organization that values diversity,
equity and inclusion.
Unique amenities and experiences that attract people to Chandler.
Activities and entertainment that capitalize on Chandler’s culture, unique
history and captivating arts and music scene.
Partnerships, volunteerism and consistent processes that foster recreational
and cultural activities relevant to all residents.
• Agenda
o Timeline of Events
o Vision & Mission
o DEI Priorities
o Strategic Plan Goals & Objectives
o Next Steps
• Timeline of Events
o Mayor proclamation, diversity survey & presentation of results to Council July –
December 2020
o Strategic Framework - commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity through an
update to Chandler’s Brand Statement May 2021
o City Council approves contract with CPS HR for DEI Assessment. City-wide DEI
Assessment (focus groups, survey and evaluations) October 2021 – June 2022
o CPS HR Assessment Final Report to HRC and City Council
• Vision & Mission
o DEI Vision: The City of Chandler is home to a talented, diverse and inclusive
community that celebrates and honors the contributions and experiences of all
residents and employees.
o DEI Mission: Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental values to the City of
Chandler. We strive to cultivate a community and municipal organization that values,
supports and embraces diversity while simultaneously creating a more inclusive and
equitable place to live, work and thrive.
o Human Relations Commission Mission: Elevating and celebrating the diverse
population of Chandler through ongoing engagement in multicultural, educational
and inclusive efforts so that everyone is valued and has the opportunity to thrive.
• DEI Priorities
o Community Events
Page 3 of 8
o Education
o Advocacy
o Collaboration
• Strategic Plan Goals
o GOAL 1 Communicate. Create compelling messages and manage diverse
opportunities for sharing DEI messaging. Create additional opportunities for
dialogue that encourage all residents and employees to see the importance of DEI to
their personal success and the success of the City.
• GOAL 1 Communicate
o 1.1 Incorporate inclusive communication methods to reach diverse communities.
o 1.2 Communicate pathways towards inclusion in the City.
o 1.3 Develop marketing strategy.
o 1.4 Educate and train hiring staff with competency tools to create DEI standard
practices in hiring.
• GOAL 2 Connect
o Cultivate connections with organizations and individuals to drive collaboration,
nurture healthy working relationships, and promote knowledge-sharing. The more
connected we are, the more inclusive our workplace and community will be.
• GOAL 2 Connect
o 2.1 Work with community groups to advise, support and promote events showcasing
Chandler’s diverse community.
o 2.2 Enhance the support and process of bringing nonprofits together towards the
spirit of collaboration and compassion to best serve Chandler.
o 2.3 Stay apprised of sensitive and timely DEI topics and connect with organizations
in programming for these topics.
• GOAL 3 Develop
o Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts and support pathways for
advancement for diverse candidates throughout all levels of the organization.
Additionally, create a work environment of inclusivity and authenticity for employees.
• GOAL 3 Develop
o 3.1 Highlight Chandler as a diverse and inclusive workplace.
o 3.2 Enhance DEI training, leadership development and cultural awareness
throughout the organization.
o 3.3 Educate and train hiring staff with competency tools to create DEI standard
practices in hiring.
COUNCILMEMBER STEWART asked about the standard practices in hiring with regards to DEI.
MS. TAPIA explained that we do not currently have an unconscious bias training. Unconscious bias
is when people are more comfortable with what they are familiar with, this would be a training in
looking at things objectively.
Page 4 of 8
RAE LYNN NIELSEN, explained that there is a video explaining unconscious bias and fair interview
practice as a required training before sitting on an interview panel which will be continually
updated. This will be rolled out in the next couple weeks.
COUNCILMEMBER STEWART asked if this can be shared with council.
MS. TAPIA added we can share that and discuss what kinds of language is used in interview
questions as another option.
COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS asked if this will be available for anyone who sits on a panel, as it was
mentioned that this is internally focused.
MS. NIELSEN said that anyone who sits on a selection committee, whether they are City of
Chandler employees or an external representative, will be required to take the training.
MAYOR HARTKE added that it would be beneficial to have council participate in the training.
MS. TAPIA continued the presentation.
• GOAL 4 Innovate
o Advance our DEI mission to improve the consistency of desired outcomes by
developing and/or strengthening policies and procedures while utilizing technology.
• GOAL 4 Innovate
o 4.1 Consult with Information Technology to assess current DEI process methods and
identify innovative technology solutions that further advance these processes.
o 4.2 Grow and develop partnerships to collaboratively work on digital equity solutions.
o 4.3 Educate and update, as necessary, external and internal policies, programs,
practices and procedures to ensure Chandler remains a diverse, equitable and
inclusive city.
MAYOR HARTKE asked if these practices allow us to communicate in other languages to residents.
MS. TAPIA answered that we are working on a translation device pilot program in City locations
for multiple language communication to help us communicate and learn what languages are used
in our community.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked if this includes disability accommodations.
MS. TAPIA said that this is not only about language, but about hearing and visual accommodations.
MS. TAPIA continued the presentation.
• GOAL 5 Assess
Page 5 of 8
o Continually look for opportunities to reevaluate and improve DEI’s measurement of
success through solicitation of feedback from both the community and the municipal
organization.
• GOAL 5 Assess
o 5.1 Establish criteria and a defining matrix for DEI efforts and implement across the
City and municipal organization.
o 5.2 Create an evaluation tool that can be used at all DEI activities and events to assess
the direction of programing.
o 5.3 Host an annual Human Relations Commission year-in-review meeting to assess
DEI division programs, partnerships, measurables and areas of success and potential
growth.
COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS asked how we quantify the feeling of inclusion.
MS. TAPIA said that is in the works. Whatever we can quantify we will, while continuing to learn
from the growing field of DEI.
COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS said this is not about pleasing everyone, this is about opening the door
to start understanding who we are as a city. Respect is one of the goals of DEI but was not included
in this presentation. Councilmember Ellis asked if this would be included.
MS. TAPIA added that assessment is about communication to get as much input as possible.
COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS said that creating an environment with mutual respect should be a goal
of DEI.
MS. TAPIA said that the connection goal creates these environments. The city provides situations
for people to connect and learn. We can do better and more.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS suggested that cultivating connections with respect be added to the
goal statements.
MAYOR HARTKE described an example where an employee was investigating what it would take
for Chandler to be able to accommodate different underrepresented groups as potential Chandler
employees.
COUNCILMEMBER STEWART said there is investment and importance behind this objective. It is a
challenge to measure success in DEI. Making sure our employees feel included and getting our
community involved are the top goals. Councilmember Stewart asked what a timeline for
generating metrics looks like.
MS. TAPIA said that is our priority.
Page 6 of 8
TADD WILLE, Assistant City Manager, explained that they will first identify what is quantifiable and
trackable. This strategic plan document is a living document and will be changed and adapted
based on what works based on feedback.
MS. TAPIA added that there are quite a few measurables like attendance. We are in a good place
right now based on what we currently have.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS added that DEI is sometimes unmeasurable. Some actions are to show
support and makes people feel like they are heard.
COUNCILMEMBER STEWART said there is a baseline and can measure internally what people think
of the city. If our efforts improve through employee assessment, we know we are doing something
right.
MS. TAPIA said there was a volunteer surveying people at the Multicultural Festival about
awareness. The goal is to spread awareness of the DEI objectives.
MAYOR HARTKE said that the largest comment received in 2020 was a lack of communication.
Communication can be presence to let people know what we are doing.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked about the workforce being representative of the community at
large. Change over time would be a metric that could be measured.
MS. TAPIA said that we want to make sure we are representing a diverse workforce without
misrepresenting our employees. We make sure we get diverse candidates for our employees.
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON said that getting a diverse workforce is making sure the
communication is in the right places.
MS. TAPIA added that that membership in different professional organizations helps promote
Chandler job openings.
VICE MAYOR ORLANDO asked if we provide enough recreational programs to reach our diverse
community’s wants.
MS. TAPIA said the goal is for DEI to be embedded in everything we do. Different departments will
be involved once assessment begins.
MR. WRIGHT said that in the Parks Master Plan recently conducted, the question was asked of
what amenities or sports does the community want. There are some other priorities first, but we
need to make sure we get input from community members with these specific desires.
Page 7 of 8
COUNCILMEMBER STEWART said that survey responses are likely underrepresenting different
groups who would then have different desires for service.
MR. WRIGHT said that we must respect different approaches to government, we need to establish
meaning and connection with underrepresented parts of our city. Build rapport with community
members.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRIS said we are putting in a lot of work on this. The strategic plan addresses
different levels of these issues. We care to strategize about how we are enacting these policies.
This plan is the first step to start working towards our DEI goals. What we are doing now works.
Councilmember Harris asked to consider how we can help amplify these goals.
• Next Steps
o Meet with Chandler HRC Subcommittee to begin work on Strategic Plan Objectives.
o 5.1 Establish criteria and a defining matrix for DEI efforts and implement across the
City and municipal organization.
Define DEI dimensions, establish baseline measures, set targets, establish
accountability and tracking of results.
• Questions?
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
ATTEST: _______________________
______________________________
City Clerk Mayor
Approval Date of Minutes: April 27, 2023
Page 8 of 8
Certification
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Work
Session of the City Council of Chandler, Arizona, held on the 13th day of April 2023. I further certify
that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
DATED this _______ day of April, 2023.
__________________________
City Clerk