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CODA sets agenda items: inclusive wayfinding, camping ordinance, DEI concerns at local schools; legal guidance requested
Summary
At its Feb. 19 meeting the commission agreed to place inclusive wayfinding, the camping ordinance, and a Department of Education/DEI advisory affecting local education on future CODA agendas. Councilmember House and commissioners urged gathering local evidence and legal guidance before issuing recommendations to City Council.
Commission on Diversity Awareness opened its Feb. 19 agenda for future items and identified four topics for continued attention: an inclusive wayfinding project, the camping ordinance, a memo circulated to education partners related to DEI, and the Library Oral History Project status.
Commissioners discussed the inclusive wayfinding proposal previously presented by Hunter Haber. The proposal would consider using native languages and other non-English languages on city wayfinding signage; commissioners suggested English remain a consistent secondary language while other languages could vary by neighborhood. Commissioners raised the need to consult tribal partners about which languages to include.
Commissioners also agreed to keep the camping ordinance on future agendas so the commission can respond promptly if policy or enforcement changes occur. When the issue was last discussed, the chief of police said current policy was not criminalizing camping, but commission members wanted to monitor any changes.
A separate item arose after a letter circulated to education partners (dated Feb. 14, as described in the meeting) that asked institutions to remove references to DEI-related programming within 14 days. Councilmember House and commissioners said they had heard community concern and recommended CODA invite local stakeholders and collect local accounts of impacts before taking action. Councilmember House encouraged collecting localized information before bringing recommendations to council. Commissioner Mindy Riesemberg reported nonprofits are already changing website language and grant proposals in response to broader guidance.
Commissioners asked staff to seek legal guidance before drafting any recommended action to City Council, and to invite relevant stakeholders and legal staff to the March meeting so CODA can determine what actions (if any) it may lawfully recommend.
