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Home My WebLink About2026.02.05 SERJAC minutes ASHLAND SOCIAL EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 5' 2026 51 WiDbUrD Way - Siskiy0u ROOD0 - 4:30-6:OOPM |. Call toOrder The meeting was called bo order at4:32PM Present were committee members John Tyler..Sean Smith, Catherine Greenspan, Emily Simon, and Allison Mendel Also present was council |iaiaomGimaOu(]uenmeand staff|ioiaomKeniokGooden 1. Land Acknowledgment'We acknowledge and honor the aboriginal people on whose enoeotna| home|ands we vvurk,the |kinakuteum Bend of the Ghesbs NaUon. oo well| as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today. We denounce the egregious acts of the colonizers and government and recognize the horrific impacts that still exist today. We honor the first stewards in the Rogue Valley and the lands we love and depend on: Tribes with ancestral lands in and surrounding the geography of the Ashland Watershed include the original pest, present and future indigenous inhabitants of the Sheota. Take|rne and Athabeskan people. We also recognize and acknowledge the Shasta village of K'vvakhokha ' "Where the Crow Lights" -that is now the Ashland City Plaza Tyler read the land acknowledgment 2. Labor Acknowledgment'We also pause to recognize and acknowledge the labor upon which our country, state, and institutions are built. We remember that our country ia built on the labor of enslaved people who were kidnapped and brought to the U.S. from the African continent and recognize the continued contribution of their survivors. We also acknowledge all immigrant labor, including voluntary, involuntary,trafficked, foroed, and undocumented peoples who contributed to the building of the country and continue to serve within our labor force. We acknowledge all unpaid care-giving labor. To the people who contributed this immeasurable work and their desuendants, we acknowledge their indelible mark on the space in which we gather today. It is our collective responsibility to critically examine these hiotories, to repair harm, and to honor, proteot, and sustain their contribution to our society. Smith read the labor acknowledgment 11. Approval of Minutes from 1.8.2026 Meeting 1. Approval of Minutes from 1.8.2026 meeting Tyler moved to approve the minutes.Greenspan seconded the motion.All ayes. The motion passed. ..l. Rub.icFo-~m none U\/. Unfinished Business 1. Belonging Survey-Status upd�abp, discuoaion, and next steps (5 min.) The committee discussed how 10 analyze survey responses. Gooden has downloaded the results,which had 351 responses.The committee requested Gooden to send the data to committee members and Smith agreed to collate and draft.o report om the data for review bythe Gommittee.The committee also reflected on how the,survey as distributed outside direct community engagement efforts. The committee asked Gooden to find out where the press releases went and report back so the committee can understand and reflect on the survey's distribution for any future efforts. 2. SERJAC Social Event' ideas for discussion and planning The committee decided to table this idea until the next regular meeting and to add the topic of committee member recruitment asem ongoing issue. Discussion included:whose role itiato recruit members to advisory committees,what barriers might be to participation(potential assumptions that one needs toboaB|PDC community member tosomo)'and that social justice is important work for everyone despite race. The committee considered drafting a letter to the editor of Ashland-News outlining a call to service.Greenspan agreed tovvorkomofiatdroft.Th000mnnitteaoskedGoodemio distribute to the committee at-large for revision suggestions when ready. V. Liaison Updates and Reports 1- Update from current liaison assignments: Greenspan—Planning Commission (no report expected due to joint session) Tyler— Climate and Energy Policy Advisory Committee? Shnon— PublkcArtoAdvisoryConnmittee? Mendel — Housing and Human Services Advisory Committee- Mobile Home Park issues (15- 20 min.) Smith— Parks (5nin.) Smith—CoCoConvo (5min.) Committee chairs requestedto know about potential updates from committee liaisons ahead of regular meetings to best prepare time allotment for agenda items.Gooden will send out reminders to the committee at-large in an effort to support chairs with the goal to publish agendas a week ahead of regular meetings. Mendel reported on the joint session between HHGAG Planning, and Council regarding mobile home park zoning. Mobile home parks do not currently have a unique zoning class, but exist within other zones such as commercia]or residential. Related issues were discussed, including how recreational vehicles (RV's)might be permitted and/or defined,and divergent interests between |omd owners and residents. Greenspan reported there was indeed onmeotimg' but had othIng substantial toreport. Tyler had nothing to report. Simon reported that PAAC discussed Q8F'a upcoming production and will be connecting on March 21. 2O28to discuss the Railroad Playwrights Plaque with those that will be in town with the production: AR8isxn in the Sun March 15 — July 19. 2026 Angus BQVVrDerTheatre BY Lorraine Hansbe[[y Directed by Tim Bond Smith reported that Parks Commission elected BaGhman as its new Chair-SERJAC may be interested in it's discuss ion regarding access ibi|ityrelated to the YVinbmrm Way project which imc|u des AOAaccess innprovememts at the Japanese Gardens. The committee discussed a recommednng an opening/celebration for this to promoie/ce|ebrotoAOA access. Smith also reported on the discussion at the Commissions and Committees Conversations (CoCoComvo)meeting of Chairs. Topics of interest included access issues at 2200 street. what to do with land around the building, and impact on nelghbors;the upcoming Equitable Housing Plan and Social Service Grants with HHSAC;the VYimbmrmWay project with Parka;the Electrify Ashland initiative with CEPAC; and consideration of round-about on B street at4th street byTAC. 2. Upd ate from ELEAouboommittee (15min.) No update to report.The subcommittee is in the beginning process of assessing the history of ELEAGhanges over time before inviting O'Meara and Neiswander provide perspective.The committee decided to move this forward as a working group rather than having itasam official subcommittee. V1. New Business 1. Pioneer Hall ' Discussion regarding equitable use (10 min.) This topic was brought forward out ofconcern community meals would not be allowed.The committee|eamedthat Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice returned to Pioneer Hall mith Peace Meals im serving food and providing warmth for anyone in need at 3:30 p.m.Thursdays until April as reported in Ashland-News. 2. Discussion ' regional ICE activity'should SERJ/\Cissue any recommendations toCouncil? (1D min.) The committee discussed suggestions for updating the resource list on the city's website in terms of local agencies working on this. Tyler and Simon volunteered towork on reviewing the site and drafting an update for committee review to include other resou rces such as U N ETE, Northwest Seasona I Workers Association. omd Coal ioion Forto|eza A. Current resources from City of Ashland m/eboite: Vill. Ongoing or Future Items for Consideration 1. Equitable Housing Plan working group No update as this joint committee working group has not met yet-pending direction from HHSAC. Vill. Announcements and Events The committee discussed the success and robust attendance at the MLK Jr. Day celebration. Gooden also announced an upcomIng land justice event opportunity sponsored by Vesper Meadow Education Program: Ves2er Meadow Education Program The Path to Justl*.Ce: Ti-lbal Vol*ces on Land Back Thursday,Febr-uarv- 19.2026 2:00 PM 4:00 PM Virtually over Zoom(tuap) Goo le Calendar ICS Join us for a 2 hour educational panel discussion with Tribat voices on how to meaningfully engacre in tared justice for Tribal conmiun iti e s. 1 Building,Short Bridges Sunday, February 8, 2026 @ 3:00-4:30pm Ashland Public Library 410 Siskiyou B I vd (Gresham Roorn) Here is more information from Ashland Together 2. Choosing Courage Wednesday, February 18, 2026 @ 6:30-8:00pm SOU Recital Hall 450 S. Mountain Avenue Here is more information from Ashland Together 3. BASE Second Annual Fundraising Gala Saturday, February 28, 2026 g 6:00-9:00pm Ashland Hills Hotel and Convention Center 2525 Ashland Street Here is more information from Ashland Together IX. Adjournment to March 5, 2026 meeting The meeting was adjourned at 5:58pm