Flagstaff staff propose citywide anti‑bullying policy for all city‑run programs

City staff on May 21 presented a draft citywide anti‑bullying policy aimed at staff‑run programs and city‑sponsored activities, describing definitions, reporting and enforcement mechanisms and seeking the Commission on Diversity Awareness’ feedback.

The draft matters because staff said it would create a single, consistent rule set for harassment, bullying and retaliation across library, parks and other public programs and address both youth and adult participants.

Chris (staff liaison) said the draft was created after the annual Municipal Equality Index submission process highlighted a gap: the city previously earned points only for youth programming and staff wanted a policy that covers participants of all ages. The draft contains definitions for harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and retaliation and lays out prohibited conduct and consequences. The policy proposes that on‑site staff be authorized to remove disruptive participants for the day and that division directors (for example, the library or parks director) retain authority to bar repeat or severe offenders from future programs after a documented review.

Staff said the draft draws on Flagstaff Unified School District and Northern Arizona University policies for structure but aims to be broader than many existing examples because it must apply across a variety of program types. Chris said: "We wanna run it by all of you to see if you have any thoughts or any, experience with this." Councilwoman Coral House praised the effort: "making sure that it was more than just checking a box or or anything like that, but actually just working to make it truly meaningful and, supportive to the communities that need it," she said. Chair Carolyn Kidd added: "First of all, I wanna I wanna commend whoever came up with this." (All quotes attributable to speakers in meeting.)

Key elements staff highlighted include confidentiality, staff training, and a graduated consequence structure that gives front‑line staff immediate authority for session‑level removals while reserving longer‑term exclusion decisions to division leadership. Staff emphasized the draft does not explicitly limit coverage to youth programs and would apply to public swim lessons, sports leagues and adult programming.

Next steps staff outlined: incorporate commission feedback, consult affected divisions (library, parks) and, if supported, request the city manager’s office adopt the directive as a staff policy rather than seeking separate City Council action. Commissioners generally voiced support and asked to provide written comments to staff; Chris said he would circulate the draft and accept emailed suggestions prior to advancing the policy through division leadership.

Less critical details: staff said they reviewed examples from other municipalities and health organizations but found no single existing model that met the city’s scope and that the draft is roughly three pages single spaced.