Carbondale Latino advisory group names officers, sets monthly meetings and outreach priorities

Carbondale’s Latino Advisory Committee nominated Maribel to serve as chair and Viviana as vice chair and set a standing meeting time: the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting location to be confirmed before the next session on Feb. 3.

The committee — convened in Spanish and led by a facilitator and town staff — agreed by voice that members should meet at least quarterly but decided to hold monthly meetings. The group also listed near-term priorities including building trust with law enforcement, increasing civic participation, offering information about community resources (including the 988 crisis line), and improving Spanish-language access for the town’s online meeting materials.

A facilitator explained the nomination and motion process and asked for volunteers to make motions and seconds; members then nominated Maribel for chair and Viviana for vice chair and concurred on the meeting cadence. The facilitator summarized the agreement: “¿Estamos de acuerdo que sea el lunes primero de cada mes a las 6 y media?” and members responded “Sí, de acuerdo.” The committee set the next meeting for Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and directed staff to confirm a consistent meeting location and distribute a bilingual agenda and packet by email.

During discussion members emphasized outreach locations and channels that reach people where they are — workplaces, churches and community gathering places — rather than relying only on schools. Participants suggested posting announcements in Sol del Valle, the town website and Facebook, and to share materials with local organizations and food banks. Members also discussed rotating meeting locations (library, Third Street or town hall) but noted that changing venues complicates public notice requirements and argued for a primary location when possible.

Committee members raised two programmatic priorities they want addressed this year: one, a presentation by local law enforcement to explain local practices and resources and to allow community questions; two, an informational session about civic participation (how to attend and speak at public hearings). Members said both topics would help reduce misinformation about national incidents that may not apply locally and build local trust.

Members also described a technical barrier: the town’s online meeting system (referred to in the meeting as “Deligence”) does not translate agendas and materials into Spanish. Staff said they will send Spanish-language documents by email and provide translated packets at meetings while the town explores longer-term fixes.

The committee clarified membership terms are staggered — some two-year and some three-year terms — to avoid all members’ terms expiring simultaneously; the facilitator said that arrangement follows the “ordinance” that created the committee. Staff said they will assemble member folders, collect signatures on conduct/Roberts Rules acknowledgement forms (the facilitator referenced following meeting rules), and circulate meeting notices and materials before the next meeting.

No formal roll-call vote with named tallies was recorded in the public transcript; participants signaled agreement by voice. Staff will confirm the recurring meeting location, post bilingual notices and email the next meeting packet ahead of Feb. 3.