Council asks city manager to seek review by Human Relations Commission and provide written response on diversity‑related programs
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Summary
Following public comment expressing concern about a newly implemented ordinance and the future of diversity programs, the council directed the city manager to investigate diversity‑related policy changes and prepare a written response for council consideration.
After public comment raising concerns about the city’s recent changes to diversity and equity programming, Scottsdale City Council asked the city manager to investigate and prepare a written response about the Human Relations Commission and diversity‑related programs.
During the first public comment period Sam Campana, a former Scottsdale mayor and long‑time civic participant, spoke about the origin of the city’s Office of Diversity and Dialogue (created in 1998) and said a recently produced memo and a new ordinance (Campana referenced “4662”) created vagueness about which programs would continue. Campana cited examples from the memo — the cessation of use of city funds for DEI programming, discontinuation of some celebrations (he named Juneteenth), and the stated discontinuation of support for the NAACP and the Hispanic Chamber — and asked council to clarify criteria and work with boards and commissions to create guidelines that demonstrate Scottsdale is “for all.”
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead introduced a mayor/council item asking staff to agendize discussion and possible action related to the Human Relations Commission and diversity‑related programs. Councilmember Barry Graham offered an alternate motion to direct the city manager (charter officer) to investigate the matter and prepare a written response to council. That alternate motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously to direct the city manager/charter officer to investigate and prepare a written response. The motion did not enact new policy; it directed staff to investigate and report back.
The public record during the meeting included statements that the Office of Diversity and Dialogue had been created for ADA, nondiscrimination and Title VI compliance and community outreach, and speakers asked council to clarify which programs would be discontinued and on what criteria those decisions are based. Council’s direction asks staff to return with a written response and any recommendations the Human Relations Commission may provide, so the council can consider clearer guidance for which diversity‑related programs the city will support going forward.
Next steps: the city manager’s office will prepare the requested written response and coordinate with the Human Relations Commission for review and recommendations, then return the findings to council for further discussion and potential policy action.
