Feb. 15 Minutes

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2023-06-14)

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Meeting Minutes 
Human Relations Commission 
Regular Meeting 
 
February 15, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. 
Chandler City Council Chambers 
88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 
 
 
Call to Order 
The meeting was called to order by Chair Conaway at 6:03 p.m. 
 
Roll Call 
Commission Attendance  
 
 
 
Staff Attendance 
Chair Tyler Conaway 
 
  
 
 
Niki Tapia, DEI Officer 
Commissioner Betty Ramirez 
 
 
 
Adrianna Erickson, DEI Coordinator 
Commissioner Pamela Morris 
Commissioner Garry Ong 
Commissioner Erica Maxwell 
Commissioner John Anguiano 
Commissioner Joseph Curbelo 
Commissioner Shannon Begay 
 
Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances 
 
Consent Agenda Motion and Vote 
 
Commissioner Anguiano moved to approve the December 7, 2022, External Strategic Planning 
Subcommittee meeting minutes; Seconded by Commissioner Morris.  
 
Motion carried unanimously (7-0). 
 
Commissioner Anguiano moved to approve the December 14, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes; 
Seconded by Commissioner Morris.  
 
Motion carried unanimously (7-0)

Page 2 of 3 
 
 
Action Agenda Item No. 2 and Discussion 
2.  
DEI Strategic Plan  
 
Chair Conaway informed the committee that the subcommittee had met and had an opportunity 
to review the plan page by page and give constructive feedback. The subcommittee was able to 
collaborate on strengthening the language of the document. He shared that this document also 
creates the vison, mission and role for the HRC as well as adding structure to the DEI division.  He 
added that this plan harmonizes the role of the HRC and the DEI division for the betterment of 
the city.  
 
Ms. Tapia stated that the goal for each tenet coincides with the suggestions from the Internal and 
External assessments. She added that the develop tenet is solely internal and part of the goal is 
to highlight Chandler as a diverse workforce, training and professional development and 
Unconscious Bias Training for hiring panels.  
 
Commissioner Ramirez asked the purpose behind Unconscious Bias training is. 
 
Chair Conway stated that it is standard for most corporations, and it helps eliminate bias in the 
decision-making process.  
 
Ms. Tapia also explained that Digital Equity is a goal that will allow us to better work with our 
communities.  
 
Chair Conaway reported that the HRC will begin to recap the events at the end of the year and 
reflect on the work that is being done. He stated that he sees this as an opportunity to highlight 
the strengths and discuss the opportunities for improvement.  
 
Ms. Tapia added that goals and measurables will be the first focus of the DEI division. She also 
thanked the subcommittee for their time, diligence and dedication to the Strategic Plan.  
 
Commissioner Bello asked what the next steps will be for the Strategic Plan? 
 
Ms. Tapia explained that the plan will be presented to Council soon either in March or April.  Once 
it is presented to Council, the team will reach out to stakeholders to share the information. 
 
Chair Conaway added that the hope is the Commissioners will seek feedback about the plan and 
be able to answer questions about the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the city. 
Ms. Tapia reminded the committee that this document is an accumulation of three years of 
community feedback and internal and external assessments.

Page 3 of 3 
 
Action Agenda Item No. 2 Motion and Vote 
Commissioner Ong moved to approve Action Agenda Item No. 2 of the February 15, 2023, Regular 
Human Relations Commission Meeting; Seconded by Commissioner Curbelo.  
 
The item passed by majority (8-1) with Committee Member Erica 
Maxwell abstaining  
 
Discussion 
Chair Conaway informed the committee that the 2nd Annual Asian American Community 
Conference (AACC) would be held on May 20, 2023. The AACC topic for this year would be mental 
wellness and the stigma that is attached. The goal is to have a keynote speaker, a panel of experts 
and then discussions at each table to get feedback from the community.  
 
Briefing 
Ms. Tapia shared that interviews for the Special Event Coordinator position will take place on 
February 27. She added that Chandler Gilbert Community College is working with the city to bring 
interns to our organization and the DEI division will have an intern for fall.  
 
Ms. Tapia reminded everyone that State of the City is tomorrow, and doors open at 5:30 p.m. and 
the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. She also stated that Volunteer Recognition Award nominations 
were currently open and will close on March 1.  
 
She also stated that the next HRC meeting will be in April and the May meeting will have two new 
commissioners. In the June meeting, a new chair and vice chair will be elected.  
 
Member Comments/Announcements 
Commissioner Curbello shared that he was accepted into the Valley Leadership Explore Program 
Class 2.  
 
Calendar 
The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 6 p.m., in the Chandler 
City Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 
 
Adjourn 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. 
 
______________________________ 
 
 
 
______________________________ 
Adrianna Erickson, Secretary                                                  Tyler Conaway, Chair