August 16 minutes

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2023-10-18)

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Meeting Minutes 
Human Relations Commission 
Regular Meeting 
 
August 16, 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 Maxwell at 6:03 p.m. 
 
Roll Call 
Commission Attendance  
 
 
 
Staff Attendance 
Chair Erica Maxwell  
 
 
 
 
Niki Tapia, DEI Officer 
Vice Chair Kriti Argwal 
 
  
 
 
Adrianna Erickson, DEI Coordinator 
Commissioner Betty Ramirez 
 
 
 
 
Commissioner Tyler Conaway   
 
 
Commissioners Absent 
Commissioner Joseph Curbelo   
 
 
Commissioner Pamela Morris 
Commissioner Jacob Bello  
 
 
 
Commissioner Garry Ong 
Commissioner Shannon Begay  
 
 
Commissioner John Anguiano 
 
Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances 
None 
 
Consent Agenda Motion and Vote 
 
Commissioner Conaway moved to approve the June 14, 2023, Human Relations Commission 
meeting minutes; Seconded by Commissioner Curbello.  
 
Motion carried unanimously (7-0). 
 
Commissioner Ramirez moved to approve the July 18, External Strategic Planning Subcommittee 
minutes; Seconded by Vice Chair Argwal.  
 
Motion carried unanimously (7-0)

Page 2 of 4 
 
 
Discussion 
HRC Member Survey 
Chair Maxwell shared that we are coming out with a short online five question survey of events 
HRC members attend.  This information will help with the year-end review meetings HRC will now 
hold as it is an action item in the recently approved DEI Strategic Plan.  The survey link will be 
shared in the description field of all calendar notices for upcoming events, so it is always easy to 
find.  If you have any specific questions let us know. 
 
Police Update 
Ms. Erickson shared that Commander Sieczkowski could not be here today, but he looks forward 
to attending next meeting.  She also shared the recent article regarding Chandler having the 
lowest crime rate ever. 
 
Chair Maxwell shared that she read about the Police Chief retiring.  
 
DEI Division Update 
Ms. Erickson shared that our Chandler-Gilbert Community College Intern, Jhordan Jussila begins 
her work with the DEI Division team on September 5.  We are looking forward to her working with 
us on projects including: glossary of DEI terms, outreach to minority and small businesses and 
helping with community events. 
 
Ms. Tapia updated on the Instant Language Translation Device assessment currently underway in 
the city.  Nine city departments are testing four devices from September 2023 - February 2024. 
The goal of using this device is to assess if they can help employees communicate more effectively 
with residents and therefore serve our residents more effectively.   
 
Fall Programs and Events 
Ms. Erickson shared about the upcoming Chandler Contigo activities and events.  She shared 
posters with HRC and explained the events (free and paid) for community. Ms. Erickson also 
commented on two private events: Somos Chandler Collective, to encourage Latino 
representation in government and Latino Leaders Week, to showcase Latino professionals to 
junior high students in Chandler. 
 
Ms. Erickson also shared about the Diwali Festival of Lights event taking place on Saturday, 
November 4 at the Downtown Chandler stage. We still need food and info/merchandise vendors. 
Ms. Erickson finally shared a request of HRC to like our Facebook page and share the events to 
help us with promotion.

Page 3 of 4 
 
Chair Maxwell mentioned HRC attendance at events to increase visibility.  She asked if members 
could attend an event for September and one for October.  This is an effort to hopes to increase 
during her term.  
 
Ms. Erickson mentioned that our internal city staff team submits post event support after each 
event we attend.  It can be any community event, school event or any public event, not just one of 
our city events. This helps us capture new partners and ideas for our programming. 
 
The HRC members agreed that DEI staff will send calendar notices for all upcoming events to help 
capture everything going on in Chandler.  HRC members should only click “attend” on events they 
plan on attending so everyone can see if there is coverage at all events. 
 
Briefing 
Chair Maxwell took this time to acknowledge past Chair Tyler Conaway and past Vice Chair Jacob 
Bello.  She thanked both members for their time, commitment, and leadership. Chair Maxwell 
shared that in two years, under their leadership, the HRC has accomplished so much and has 
progressed so much and she looks forward to continuing that forward progress during her term 
as Chair. 
 
All the commissioners also took some time to express their appreciation. 
 
Member Comments/Announcements 
Commissioner Curbello announced he and his wife were celebrating 32nd anniversary. He shared 
that his entire family celebrates this accomplishment together and the most important thing in 
marriage is respect for each other. 
 
Commissioner Begay shared she was in Window Rock, AZ recently honoring Navajo Code Talker’s 
Day with her grandfathers’ who were both Navajo Code Talkers -- Thomas Begay (97 yrs old) and 
John Kinsel Sr. (107 yrs old).  Commissioner Begay delivered the opening prayer for the celebration 
in Phoenix.  These events pay tribute to the heroes and warriors in our communities. 
 
She also thanked the City of Chandler for promoting Navajo Code Talke’s day on social media by 
sharing images from her grandfather’s Speaker Series presentation to City employees.   
 
Commissioner Begay concluded that in November, her grandfather Thomas Begay, will be part of 
the Phoenix Veterans Parade. 
 
Calendar

Page 4 of 4 
 
The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 6 p.m., in the 
Chandler City Council Chambers, 88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 
 
Adjourn 
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. 
 
______________________________ 
 
 
 
______________________________ 
Niki Tapia, Secretary                                          Erica Maxwell, Chair