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Home My WebLink About2022-08-19 Public Arts PACKET PUBLIC ARTCOMMISSION-REGULAR MEETING August 19,2022 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 8:30 a.m.via Zoom APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Arts Commission regular meeting of July 16, 2022 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA PUBLIC FORUM LIAISON REPORTS Council Liaison –Stefani Seffinger Community Development Liaison –Johanna Tuthill APRC Liaison –Jim Lewis OTHER BUSINESS Remarks by Councilor Gina DuQuenne – Council Liaison:Social Equity and Racial Justice Commission Equity Lens Follow-Up, Land Acknowledgement(1) Review of Resolution to Council of Say Their Names Collective Gift:Micah Blacklightswork (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) Elks Club & John Pugh Mural Project Presentation Haines & Friends Grant Application Proposal PAC WORKPLANand PROJECT UPDATES First Friday Art Talks–September 5th Golden ConnectionsUpdate ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting:September 15,2022–8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m. ATTACHMENTS Minutes from July 16, 2022 meeting 1.Land Acknowledgement draft 2.AMC 2.29.110 3.Crystallizing Our Call Concept Presentation 4.Photo of Aiden Ellison Banner in Railroad Park 5.Power of Public Art slide text 6.Social Equity and Racial Justice Council Agenda Item In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). PUBLIC ARTSCOMMISSION REGULAR MEETING July 15, 2022 DraftMinutes I.CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Engelundcalled the meeting to order at 8:31a.m. via Zoom. Commissioners Present:Staff Present: Ken EngelundJohanna Tuthill, Associate Planner Cassie Preskenis Mike Morrison, Public Works Superintendent Laura Bloom Stanley SmithAPRC Liaison: Jim Lewis(absent) Council Liaison: Stefani Seffinger(absent) Absent Members:Members of the Public: Joel Frank Peter Finkle Destiny YoungAndrew Stallman Jennifer Longshore II.ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA-None III.PUBLIC FORUM-None IV.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Arts CommissionRegular Meeting,June 17, 2022 Commissioners Preskenis/Smithm/s to approve the minutes as presented. Voice Vote: ALL AYES. Motion passed4- 0. V.LIAISON REPORTS Community Development Liaison –Associate Planner Johanna TuthillsharedthattheGolden Connections sculpture hadbeencleaned. Council Liaison –Councilor Seffinger informed the Commission that the City Councilwill consider reducing the number of commissions forthe Cityand who they each report toat its July 19, 2022meeting. The Council will consider the Commission be renamedthe Public Arts Council, which would report directly to the City Council. Councilor Seffinger addedthat City Manager Joe Lessard is currently working on acode amendment to this affect, but that she believesit would not hugely impact the Commission’s duties or mode of operation. Commissioner Smith inquired if this would impact how the Commission chose new members or how it acquired funding. Councilor Seffinger stated thattheCouncil is not considering a change how new Commissioners are chosen, but that concerns have been raised that a more thorough process ofselecting new commissionersshouldbe adhered to. She noted that there does not appear to be any desire from the Council to change the direction of theCommission. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleasecontact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). Councilor Seffinger related that the budget is still of concern to the Council, and that the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department is considering ending its lease of Pioneer Hall in addition to other budget changes. On the next election ballot will be how much of the food and beverage tax will go the Parks department versus the general fund. Mr. Lessard has also indicated that all city administrators be consideredcity employees, and therefore Park Administrators would be hired by the City Manager instead of the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission. VI.OTHER BUSINESS Equity Lens Follow-Up, Land Acknowledgement Chair Engelund read the Land Acknowledgement that was approved at the Commission’s June 17, 2022 meeting, and suggested that the Commissioners rotate who reads the acknowledgement at the begging of each meeting. Commissioner Smith was in favor of the inclusion of the statement, but that the Commission should add an acknowledgement that the land had been illegally taken from the original inhabitants,and include an apology. Commissioner Preskenis agreed, and volunteered to work with Commissioner Smith on anaddendum to the land acknowledgement. Public Works Update –Mike Morrison Medallions –Four of the five medallions are ready, but the fifth one located at Railroad Park has become complicated. The concrete for the inlay will need to be replaced, along with a nearbyADA rampthat is out of compliance. -The plans for the installation are being reviewed by engineers, andthe plan review themselves will likely costapproximately $17,000, and the installation will cost approximately $25,000for the Railroad Park medallion alone. -The Ashland Parks and Recreation departmentwill need to pay for any work done in the park itself, while Public Works will pay fortheADA ramp and the sidewalks adjacent to the installation site. The artwork itself will be paid for out of the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), and will likely cost $1,000 per medallion. -Commissioner Smith inquired if it would be more efficient to install the four medallions first and delay the installation of the Railroad Park medallion, to which Mr. Morrison responded that it would be more cost effective to install all medallions at once. Nourishing Our Community Plaque -Mr. Morrison suggested that a plan be submitted to the city engineers for review. He informedthe Commission that Public Works has had plaques stolenafter installation in the past. Art Painting of Utility Boxes -Chair Engelund stated that there is interest from the Ashland High School to have some teachers and students paint utility boxes aroundthe City. Mr. Morrison requested that the Commission provide him with a list of utility boxes that it wished to see painted, but that thelist would need to be sent to theElectric Department for confirmation. He noted that some stickers are legally required to be placed on utility boxes, and that they may affect theartwork. Rio AmistadRepair In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleasecontact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). -Mr. Morrison stated he is waiting for a proposal from the artist before beginning repairs. He added that any contractor working for the City would need to be given insurance for the work, which creates a cost barrier to repairing the art piece. An exception could be made, but the City Attorneys would need to examine any reduction in the required insurance before work could begin. Chair Engelund pointed out that the City is required to maintain its art pieces, and Mr. Morrison replied that the city employeesworking on the project would be not able to accomplish it in an artistic fashion. Therefore the artist would need to be involved. Haines & Friends Grant –Neighborhood Project–Peter Finkle Mr. Finkle suggested that the Commission submit an application for art funding to the Haines & Friends Grant for more neighborhood art projects, specifically the utility boxes proposal.Any application would need to be submitted before August 30, 2022. Mr. Finkle stated that he would be willing to help find individuals or neighborhood groups who wish to have public art on their streets or in their HOAs. Mr. Finkle requested that the Commission apply for $1,500 -$2,000 from the Grant to fund neighborhood art. Commissioner Smith inquired what the process for approval would be, citing the Commission’s arduous process in confirming any art project. Mr. Finkle suggested that the Commission contact any Commissioners who were part of the original approval process for the utility box art projects done between 2009 –2015.He added that it appeared that the Commission would request designs from artists before approving them and moving them on to the City Council for final approval. Chair Engelund asked if a motion to submit an application for $3,000 for neighborhood funding from the Haines & Friends art fund would be sufficient. Mr. Finkle responded that the application will also need to include a specific timeline, costof equipment and supplies,andaproposalfor the artwork. Commissioner Preskenis suggested that the application included a disclaimer that the Commission would be awarding the funds to 5-6 neighborhoods that apply for it. This could meet the requisitelevelof specificity for the application, while also giving the Commission an opportunity to create a application to be used by various neighborhoods looking to fund utility box art projects. Commissioner Preskenis volunteeredto help create the neighborhood art application, and also assist in writing the grant application. Commissioner Bloomalsoagreed to help write the grant application. Commissioner Smith suggested that the Commission not make the neighborhood art fund requests conditional upon approval of the Haines & Friends Grant application, and that the Commission should instead commit to funding the neighborhood art regardless. Commissioner Preskenis pointed out that any funding from the Commission would first needto be approved by the Council. Commissioner Bloom expressed concern that the Commission had too many variables to th considerbeforewritingthe grant application before the August 30deadline.Mr. Finkle responded that he had had already seen interest from the community in reviving the utility box art project, and added that he couldalsoreach outto individuals andvarious art groups. He concluded that he could garner interest in the project to meet the grant requestdeadline if the Commission could create a simplecommunity applicationform within the next two weeks. Commissioner Smith queriedif the Commission shouldrequest funding from the Council before requesting art work applications from the community. Councilor Seffinger suggested that the community applications stipulate that acceptance of the proposal would be contingent upon approval of the funding by the Council or the Haines & Friends art grant. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleasecontact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). Commissioners Bloom and Preskenis volunteered to work with Mr. Finkle the grant application th and neighborhood art project, and provide an update to the Commission at its August 19 meeting. VII.PAC WORKPLAN First Friday Report Commissioner Preskenisstatedthat the First Friday art talk was very successfuland that she appreciated being able toengagewith the community. There will be another First Friday art talk in September.Chair Engelund agreed, andnotedthat there was a large amount of foot traffic. Golden Connections Update–Plaque clean-up Chair Engelund informed the Commission that they have been moved up for the plaque fabrication,at which pointthe Commission can move on to bidding for the plaque attachment. Say Their Names Proposal Update The proposal went before the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission on July 13, 2022. The location was approved, and the project will now goto the City Council. John Pugh Mural Project: Status Report Chair Engelundand Commissioner Smithwent toMr.Pugh’s studio last weekandlooked at some of hisprojects in development. He is an internationally renownedartist who now resides in Ashland. There was also an Elks Lodgerepresentative who was very excited, and the Elks Lodgewill be funding a draft model for Mr. Pughto make. Commissioner Smithconveyed thatthis would be an incredible and significant addition to the public art,butthe cost would be approximately$160,000. The Commissioner discussed it couldfind independent supports and fundingfor the project. Chair Engelundinformed the Commission that Mr. Pugh will begin by creating a 3D model of the projectbefore potentiallymakinga proposal tothe Commissionin August. Beyond that, it would need all necessary approvals. -Chair Engelund noted that The ElksLodgedoesnot want to be the champion of the fundraising, so funding will need to be secured before approving the project. -He spoke with Ms. Tuthill aboutrequestingthe new finance director, who has yet to be determined,to create a specific account for these contributions.Historic CommissionerBeverly Hovenkamphas indicated that theHistoric Commissionis in agreement that Mr. Pugh’s muralcould be the basis for the MAP II for downtown. Commissioner Preskenisdrew the Commissions attention to projects from Micah BlackLightthat is also looking to be funded, andsuggested that the Commissionview this discussion through an equity lens. She askedwhat the Commissioner wasraising forMr. Pughversus what it was raising forMr. BlackLight. Chair Engelund stated that both projects wouldtotala$300,000investment, and that both would bring the art scene forward in the City. He also noted that Mr. Pugh has indicated that hewill be including representation of native people in his artwork. Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Preskenis that these two art pieces should not be competing for funding from. Chair Engelundstated that the Commissionhas the opportunity to recommend seed money which could draw attentionto each project. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleasecontact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). Chair Engelundnoted that he hadsent Mr. BlackLight a link to a websitethat fundsBlack Lives Matter art pieces. ClassProject –Commissioner Preskenis Commissioner Preskenis informed the Commission that she was tasked with interviewing members of the community, andshe chose to conduct these interviews through the lens of public art. She was taken aback at how few people knew of the Commission and its work, and wondered how they could connect with the community on a greater level. Councilor Seffinger commented thatthe City in general does not have a large social media presence. Chair Engelund mentioned the Power of Public Art video that was created by the Commission in 2020 as an informative source. He suggested that they shorten the video and use it to connect with deeply with the community and get people to think about public art in a way that they may not have in the past. Chair Engelund assured the Commission that he would bring this forward in a later meeting. VIII.ADJOURNMENT -9:43AM Next Meeting:July 15, 2022 IX.ATTACHMENTS June 17, 2022Minutes In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleasecontact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). “We acknowledge and honor the aboriginal people on whose ancestral homelands we work --the IkirakutsumBand of the Shasta Nation, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.We denounce the egregious acts of the colonizers and recognize the horrific impacts that still exist today.We honor the first stewards in the Rogue Valley and the lands we live and depend on: Tribes with ancestral lands in and surrounding the geography of the Ashland Watershed include the original past, present and future indigenous inhabitants of the Shasta, Takelma, Athabaskan people. We alsorecognize and acknowledge the Shasta village of K’wakhaha -“Where the Crow Lights” -that is now the Ashland City Plaza.” AshlandMunicipalCode 2.29.110Reviewprocessforgiftsordonations TheCommissionmaysolicitgiftsandbequestsofpublicartorfundstobenefitthe AshlandPublicArtCollection.TheCouncilshalldecidewhethertoacceptallsuchgifts ofartworkonbehalfofherCityandtheAshlandPublicArtCollectiononitsownmotion oruponarecommendationbytheCommissionbasedonitsevaluation,orby recommendationoftheCommissionaftertheSelectionPanelhasevaluatedtheartwork usingtheguidelinesinAMC2.29.130andthetotalcostoverthelifeoftheartwork. ThePACmetwithSTNCollectivefollowingtheApril,162021PACmeetinginongoing discussionstosharetheCodeCriteriaforselection,andaprocessfortheirSelection Panel.TheSTNCollectivefollowedtheseinconsideringtheselectedworktogifttothe city.Theircriteriaisalsothatblackpeopleinourcommunityshouldmakethese decisionswithamajorcriteriabeing“blackpersonslivedexperience”inanypermanent installationhonoringGeorgeFloyd,AidenEllisonandthemanyotherliveswhohave beenlosttoviolence. ThemembersofthePACalsoagreedthatthetwodimensionalconceptmeetsthecode criteriaof:Quality,Site,historyandContext,InitialCost,maintenanceandDurability, Permanence,Media,PublicLiability,Diversity,CommercialAspect,Compliance; AndGuidelinesforsiteSelection:OwnershiporControl,VisualAccessibility,Visual enhancement,PedestrianAccessibility,Circulation,Scale. NZ!UFBN! Dpmmbcpsbupst; Kbdl!Mbohgpse! Mpdbm!bsujtu!boe!sfdphoj{fe!nbtufs!tdvmqups!tljmmfe!jo!tupofnbtposz-!nfubm!xpsl-! hmb{joh-!dbtujoh-!boe!npsf!xjui!mjufsbm!efdbeft!pg!fyqfsjfodf!dpotvmujoh!boe! dsfbujoh!mbshf-!qvcmjd!tdvmquvsft!jo!Btimboe-!Evcbj-!boe!fmtfxifsf/! If!xjmm!nfoups!nf!uispvhi!uif!qspdftt!pg!tdvmqujoh!boe!dbtujoh!uif!gbdf!boe! kfxfmsz!pg!uif!tdvmquvsf!\\cspo{f^ Xf!Bsf!Ifsf!\\Cspo{f!Sfqmjdb^ Fsjd!Djtmp! Mpdbm!nfubm!tnjui!xjui!fyufotjwf!lopxmfehf!pg!mbshf.tdbmf!gsbnjoh-!tdvmquvsf! boe!nfubm!gbcsjdbujpo!bdsptt!b!xjef!sbohf!pg!bqqmjdbujpot!boe!pwfs!uxp!efdbeft! pg!fyqfsjfodf/!If!xjmm!cf!sftqpotjcmf!gps!gbcsjdbujpo!boe!bttfncmz!pg!uif!ÑhvsfÉt! cpez/!\\If!bmtp!xpslt!dmptfmz!xjui!Kbdl!Mbohgpse!boe!uivt!gvsuifs!tusfohuifot!bo! bmsfbez!qpxfsgvm!ufbn^ J!ibwf!bmsfbez!bqqspbdife!fbdi!pg!uiftf!dpmmbcpsbupst!xjui!uijt!jefb-!tibsfe!uif! wjtvbmt!boe!hpof!pwfs!mphjtujdt-!boe!fwfsz!tjohmf!pof!pg!uifn!jt!fydjufe!bcpvu! uif!qpttjcjmjuz!pg!dpousjcvujoh!up!uif!nbojgftubujpo!pg!uijt!wjtjpo/!Uiftf!bsujtbot! xjmm!cf!nz!qsjnbsz!ufbn!boe!J!bn!jo!upvdi!xjui!tfwfsbm!puifst!jg!uif!offe!bsjtft/ Council Business Meeting July 20, 2021 Social Equity and Racial Justice Resolution Council Discussion and Action Agenda Item Identification From Adam Hanks City Manager Pro Tem adam@ashland.or.us ͳ 541-552-2046 Contact SUMMARY This agenda item is also to discuss and give an update on the Social Equity and Racial Justice Resolution. POLICIES, PLANS & GOALS SUPPORTED Resolution No. 2021-01 PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION Resolution No. 2020-15 was discussed and approved by Council at the July 7, 2020 Business Meeting. At the same meeting, Councilor Graham requested to place this item on reoccurring agendas and Council agreed. Resolution No. 2021-01 was approved and replaced Resolution No. 2020-15 at the January 19, 2021 Business Meeting. BACKGROUND AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION On July 7, 2020, Resolution No. 2020-15 was approved establishing a formal commitment by the Council to for advocacy efforts while putting in place the elements necessary for long-term systemic change. the items in Section 2 of Resolution No. 2020-15. Staff and Council assigned to each item and background, status and progress updates can be found in Attachment 1. On September 1, 2020, staff gave progress updates on assigned items. On January 19, 2021, the resolution was repealed and replaced by Resolution No. 2021-01. The new resolution added two items to Section 2: L. Periodically provide updates on local legal cases with social equity and racial justice implications and M. Review and update this resolution as necessary to ensure accurate and relevant objectives, policies and actions are defined and accomplished. FISCAL IMPACTS N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the tracking list be reviewed, and some items reassigned to do staffing changes. ACTIONS, OPTIONS & POTENTIAL MOTIONS N/A REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Social Equity and Racial Justice Statement Tracking List (new items in green) Resolution No. 2021-01 A Resolution Declaring the City of Ashland's Commitment to Social Equity and Racial Justice and Repealing Resolution No. 2020-15 Page 1 of 1 Resolution No. 2021-01 (formerly 2020-15) Social Equity and Racial Justice Statement Tracking Sheet Item: Assigned to: Section 1.A. Designate Social Equity and Racial Justice as a Value Service in the City of Ashland's strategic planning process, which will provide an opportunity for focused and sustained attention within the City's planning, management, and policy structure. Section 1.B. Proclaim Juneteenth as an annual day of municipal commemoration and partner with communities of color and other local organizations to celebrate African American/Black culture on this day annually. 7/20/2021 Update: Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday on June 18, 2021. The City Council held a listening booth at the 2021 Juneteenth Celebration organized by BASE Southern Oregon. Section 1.C. Advocate at the state and federal levels for policy reform that includes: a searchable database of officers sanctioned for excessive use of force and other misconduct; a national data collection program to determine the number of people killed or injured by police officers tracked by race, gender, age, and other demographic characteristics; limiting the transfer of military equipment to local jurisdictions; providing more extensive training for police officers regarding de-escalation, intrinsic bias, and procedural justice; and assisting people with mental health or addiction issues which have interactions with law enforcement. Section 1.D. Work in the near term as a "Committee of the Whole" to move these efforts forward by assigning tasks outlined in this resolution to individual staff and councilors and regularly reporting them back to Council. Simultaneously, a more formal process and timeline is underway that includes regular progress reports to the Council. Section 2.A. Support the Ashland Police Department is taking a Tighe O'Meara, Police Chief more active role in on-campus conversations about racial justice at Southern Oregon University and developing engagement events to help residents understand APD's policies regarding the use of force and other relevant issues. 9/1/2020 Staff Progress Update: APD is in the middle of analyzing its community engagement effort. APD has routinely accepted the SOU Football Coach's invitation to meet with his student-athletes and will continue to do so. Chief O'Meara appears as a criminology guest speaker a few times a year, as requested by the professors. A community town hall is being planned for later in the year to engage BIPOC and concerned community members on how recent events and requests have informed APD policies. Resolution No. 2021-01 (formerly 2020-15) Social Equity and Racial Justice Statement Tracking Sheet Item: Assigned to: Section 2.B. Strengthen our cultural competency and intrinsic Tina Gray, Human Resources Director bias training program for members of the City Council and City Staff. ЊΉЊЋΉЋЉЋЊ Ώ {ƷğŅŅ tƩƚŭƩĻƭƭ ƦķğƷĻʹ 95L {ƷğƷĻƒĻƓƷ The first step in creating change that will resonate in the organization is to adopt an Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion Statement. The statement will set the tone for our existing staff and inform those seeking employment or services with the City of our organization's values. The EDI statement will be prominently displayed on the City's website, HR Materials, and used internally to reinforce our workplace culture's inclusivity. Staff developed a draft statement and invited all employees to provide feedback and suggest edits to the EDI Statement. ŷĻ ĭƚƌƌğĬƚƩğƷźƚƓ ƩĻƭǒƌƷĻķ źƓ ƷŷĻ ƩĻǝźƭĻķ ƭƷğƷĻƒĻƓƷ ĬĻƌƚǞʹ "The City of Ashland is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We acknowledge, celebrate, and support our differences across all spectrums, including but not limited to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, or socioeconomic status. We will provide a work environment of respect that values diversity in background, opinions, and perspectives. We commit to furthering equity in our work and our community by continually challenging bias, eliminating structural racism, and actively recruiting and promoting a diverse workforce. We will become allies to those with less access and take responsibility for making changes that will help others be successful. Respect for one another is at the core of everything we do." hǒƷƩĻğĭŷ ε 9ƓŭğŭĻƒĻƓƷ The plan is to engage the community and our employees with a survey about how we can improve equity, diversion, and inclusion Staff hopes to post the survey by the end of January or early February. Input from the survey will be reviewed and used to support internal initiatives. Staff will also request volunteer participation within the City organization to participate on an EDI Committee. The Committee will have a role in proactively advancing our EDI Statement and providing a venue to bring issues to the table that can be sensitive or uncomfortable to discuss. Many employees have expressed a desire to participate. There is a lot of internal expertise and willingness to force change within our employee population. Passionate employees can be internal champions that can create a shift in workplace culture rather than a top-down approach. ƩğźƓźƓŭΉtƚƌźĭźĻƭΉbĻǞ IźƩĻ hƩźĻƓƷğƷźƚƓ This will include continually training staff and keeping equity at the forefront to permeate our organization at all levels. Managers and Supervisors will receive additional training, so they model EDI for those they supervise and to promote inclusive practices in their everyday work. Job Descriptions are being updated, making EDI an essential job function for all positions in the City. As time allows, City policies will be reviewed and updated with gender-neutral terminology. New hires need to start their career with the City clearly understanding and embracing EDI principles. Staff is planning a training and will invite voluntary Council participation in an interactive exercise called "Walk a mile in their shoes." Course Description Attached. We hope to schedule the training for Resolution No. 2021-01 (formerly 2020-15) Social Equity and Racial Justice Statement Tracking Sheet Item: Assigned to: April 2021 based on CIS staff availability. Additional training to educate staff will be provided throughout the year. tğƩƷƓĻƩƭŷźƦƭ -Continue collaborative partnerships within the community and region that focus on EDI to help us learn and grow and bring back new ideas to the City for implementation. Section 2.C. Display Black Lives Matter signs at City-owned Bill Molnar, Community locations to offer visible and immediate support for racial Development Director justice advocates in our community. David Lohman, City Attorney Councilor Tonya Graham 9/1/2020 Staff Progress Update: Community Development Department staff coordinates permit requirements with Public Works to install signs on City-owned facilities/buildings. Existing building signage will need to be evaluated to ensure new sign installation complies with the size, location, and materials standards described in the City's Sign Code. Additionally, the City Attorney will advise on a legal framework to support the Council's desired signage content. 10/6/2020 Staff Progress Update: Government-sanctioned displays or messages supporting particular public policies or viewpoints are allowed only in limited circumstances without also allowing displays or messages to support other, possibly opposing views. To respond to Sections 2.C and 2.H of Council's Resolution on Social Equity and Racial Justice in a way that fits within those limited circumstances, staff requests Council input on the following questions: 1. Are the displays referenced in Sections 2.C and 2.H envisioned intended to be temporary or permanent? a. If temporary, what timeframe is intended? b. If temporary, are the referenced displays intended to be tied to a one-time event or a recurring event such as an annual celebration? 2. What steps should the City take to involve the community, including BIPOC members of the community, in planning such displays? 3. Could the referenced displays serve their intended purpose while also being an addition to the City's Public Art Collection (perhaps similar to the Peace Wall in front of the Ashland Public Library)? a. Note: The process for making an addition to the Public Art Collection is prescribed in AMC 2.29; it generally includes a request for proposals, a Selection Panel distinct from the Public Arts Commission, and recommendations to the City Council from the Selection Panel and the Public Arts Commission based on artistic merit and the artist's experience in producing public art. 4. Is establishing the referenced displays feasible with existing staff and funding? a. What should be the dollar limit for such an effort, and which budget funds should bear that expense? b. Might a private fundraising effort be feasible? Might a private donation (as occurred with the Guanajuato Mural along the Calle) be feasible? c. Should a project manager be designated to head up the effort? Could such a project manager be a volunteer from the community, as opposed to City staff? Section 2.D. Continue and enhance our support of the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Resolution No. 2021-01 (formerly 2020-15) Social Equity and Racial Justice Statement Tracking Sheet Item: Assigned to: Section 2.E. Connect with Southern Oregon University and its Adam Hanks, City Manager Pro Tem students to better understand all college students' experience, but particularly students of color, in the City of Ashland as a first step toward improving that experience. Through this process, the City will help all local college students understand the City's ideals and expectations regarding respect for all people. 9/1/2020 Staff Progress Update: APD has routinely accepted the SOU Football Coach's invitation to meet with his student-athletes and will continue to do so. Chief O'Meara appears as a criminology guest speaker a few times a year, as requested by the professors. HR will continue collaborative partnerships within the community and region that focus on EDI to help us learn and grow and bring back new ideas to the City for implementation. HR is participating on a Committee with SOU, but COVID-19 impacted activities on that commission. When meetings resume, staff will continue to hold a seat and represent the City of Ashland on the Committee and report progress back to the Council. City Manager meets with SOU President monthly through the Ashland Coalition and will engage President Schott on this concept in upcoming meetings and provide additional information as available Section 2.F. Work with community partners to develop training, incident response, and community acknowledgment programs that help residents and business owners address the long-term, systemic root causes of inequality and racial injustice and celebrate progress. Section 2.G. Work with Jackson County and neighboring Tighe O'Meara, Police Chief communities to develop a program that will provide trained Councilor Tonya Graham mental health professionals for instances where the Ashland Police Department is called upon to serve the needs of people who are suffering from mental health issues and/or addiction. 9/1/2020 Staff Progress Update: APD hosted two crisis intervention (CI) workers from Jackson County Mental Health (JCMH) on August 12, 2020. The workers went on patrol with the downtown officers and made several contacts with community members who are chronically in need of mental health assistance. APD is starting to explore a possible relationship with JCMH to make available more robust CI resources. APD is also beginning to examine the feasibility of standing up its own 24/7 CI program using vetted and trained local practitioners. Section 2.H. Determine the feasibility of a mural project to Bill Molnar, Community provide a mode of artistic expression of our community's Development Director commitment to making meaningful, visible, and ongoing progress on social equity and racial justice issues. 9/1/2020 Staff Progress Update: Creation and installation of murals, visible from a public right-of-way, are subject to the process and guidelines established by Council Resolution 2016-29 - A RESOLUTION Resolution No. 2021-01 (formerly 2020-15) Social Equity and Racial Justice Statement Tracking Sheet Item: Assigned to: ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR THE CREATION AND INSTALLATION OF MURALS. The Public Arts Commission (PAC) has established criteria for approval of wall murals, a list of information describing the mural design application, and a process for presentation and review, with final approval by the City Council. Staff will schedule this item on a future PAC agenda to get input on how best to proceed, including identifying and considering possible mural locations for Council consideration. Section 2.I. Request a proactive review of the policies that Tighe O'Meara, Police Chief pertain to the standard process of investigating incidents Councilor Tonya Graham where deadly force is used in Jackson County. 9/1/2020 Staff Progress Update: The Jackson County Deadly Force was revisited by the Jackson County District Attorney's office and approved by all municipalities and accepted by the State. The plan calls for maximum transparency and outside agency involvement to ensure all aspects of a deadly force encounter are scrutinized. There is likely limited ability to impact change on this. If APD officers were involved in a deadly force incident, best practices would mandate an outside agency to handle the investigation. All other agencies in Jackson County have signed on to this plan, as has APD, so even if we reviewed it and wanted change, the other agencies would still adhere to the plan as currently presented. Section 2.J. Review recruiting/hiring practices to address Tina Gray, Human Resources Director implicit bias with input from leaders of local diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. ЊΉЊЋΉЋЉЋЊ {ƷğŅŅ tƩƚŭƩĻƭƭ ƦķğƷĻʹ wĻĭƩǒźƷƒĻƓƷ ε {ĻƌĻĭƷźƚƓ HR has implemented a blind application review feature for several recruitments successfully. We have removed fields in the application that could reveal irrelevant details about an applicant and/or socioeconomic status to reduce the opportunity for unconscious bias in application review. By eliminating unnecessary variables in the application process, we can focus on the specific knowledge, skills, and experience related to the minimum job qualifications. We have established pre-requisite training required for anyone serving on an interview panel for the City. The training is available on-line and speaks to the many positives of having a diverse workforce while educating panelists about bias and how it can unconsciously influence hiring decisions. tƩƚƒƚƷźƚƓğƌ hƦƦƚƩƷǒƓźƷźĻƭ HR is continuing work on internal promotional processes to ensure they are competitive and fair with transparent scoring. Section 2.K. Renew the effort with Indigenous leaders in the Scott Fleury, Public Works Director community to find a solution to Dead Indian Memorial Road's Adam Hanks, City Manager Pro Tem renaming.