November 1, 2021
The City of Mill Valley commits to act and encourage community action towards eliminating racial disparities, both inside government and in the community. The City Council has identified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as their top priority, and staff provides regular updates to the City Council and community on activities in Mill Valley and around Marin County on a regular basis.
City Council/Work Plan
Work Plan Update Schedule - The City continues to follow a regular schedule of updates on the DEI Work Plan to Council and the community. Follow the progress on the City’s DEI Tracking Tool.
- At their meeting on November 15, Council will receive an update on items under the purview of the City Manager Department, Human Resources, Recreation, Arts, and Library.
Building Belonging World Cafe Event Sponsored by MVFREE - On Thursday, October 28, several City officials, including Vice Mayor Wickham, Police Chief Navarro, and Arts and Recreation Director McGrew, participated with over 50 Mill Valley residents in the Building Belonging World Café Event, hosted by MVFREE. The conversation centered on creating a belonging community for people of color in Mill Valley. We thank MVFREE for hosting this event and look forward to future opportunities for community dialogue.
Planning & Building
Housing Element - Join Us at the Upcoming Workshop - November 10, 2021 - The Housing Element workshops will discuss housing needs, policies, sites, and land use plans to support housing opportunities for all income levels in the community during the 8-year planning cycle. Register in advance to attend the November 10, 2021 workshop (6:30 - 8:30pm via zoom)
Presentation on the Marin County Restrictive Covenants Program - At their meeting on October 18, 2021, the City Council received a presentation on the County of Marin’s Restrictive Covenant Project from Liz Darby, Social Equity Programs and Policy Coordinator for the Marin County Community Development Agency. Learn more about the program and watch Ms. Darby’s 7 minute presentation here.
Recreation & Arts
Call for Artwork - The City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Arts Commission are seeking artists to showcase their art as part of this pilot project by creating Public Art to be placed throughout the City of Mill Valley. The goal of this project is to enhance the beauty and vibrancy of Mill Valley, showcase artists and their work to a broader segment of the community, and bring art to unexpected places. The City’s intent is to have rotating art in various locations, starting with The Depot on the Downtown Plaza. Learn more and apply today!
Library
Día de los Muertos Craft Program - Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - Learn about Dia de los Muertos traditions and make Day of the Dead-inspired art. Together we’ll decorate a large ofrenda altar to honor loved ones, then you’ll get to make your own calavera skull art and beautiful paper flowers to take home. More information and sign up here.
Fire
Recruitment and Education Efforts - After identifying nine target areas to address, the Fire Department DEI Taskforce is working through the first area of focus - Recruitment and Hiring.
Using census information, regional surveys and publications, and research conducted by the Taskforce, the Taskforce discovered a lack of understanding and interest in the work of the Fire service. In response, the Fire District is working to create partnerships with local schools and neighboring Fire jurisdictions to create opportunities to provide education and information about the Fire service to regions and demographics we haven’t reached in the past. The Taskforce Chair has been in contact with Tam High and College of Marin to work with local schools and their career centers, as well as reaching out to San Francisco Fire Department’s DEI Office to work on partnerships with their organization and affiliate chapters.
Community Partners
Marin County Free Library Celebrates Native American Heritage Month - Explore local Native American history and organizations, as well as events, literature, and media focused on Native culture and experience.
Building Bridges Beyond Bias: an Online Event - Wednesday, November 3, 2021 - 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM - In 1997, Jason Lau, Ph.D., a first-generation college graduate, traveled from Hong Kong to the U.S. to further his education. Today, he is the interim associate dean and senior business officer for the School of Extended and International Education for Sonoma State University and chairs the Marin County Child Care Commission and the Marin YMCA Volunteer Board of Managers. Learn more and register here. This series is offered by Marin County Free Library in collaboration with Age Forward Marin.
Demystifying Affordable Housing Through A Racial Justice Lens; Part 2: How Did Marin County Get to be So White? - Saturday, November 20, 2021 - 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM - In this series, Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Marin and Marin County Free Libraries are teaming up to explore our difficult history with race and housing by looking at the issues in front of us, the history behind them, and possible solutions to this growing problem all through the lens of Social Justice. Learn more and register.
Learn more about the City's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts at www.cityofmillvalley.org/dei