January 19, 2022
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 Manager/City Clerk
- Board Commission and Committee Eligibility - In an effort to be more inclusive of Mill Valley residents and community members, at an upcoming February City Council meeting, Council will consider potential changes to some of the eligibility requirements for the City’s Boards, Commissions and Committees. Currently, most appointed positions require the applicant to live within Mill Valley City limits and be registered to vote.
- Board, Commission and Committee Annual Reports - In the City’s continued efforts to share DEI initiatives through transparent regular reporting, upcoming Annual Reports from the City’s Board, Commissions and Committees will include information on how each appointed body is including DEI goals, priorities and initiatives in their policy recommendations, planning, and delivery of programs and services. Please be sure to check upcoming City Council Agendas for the Annual Reports, which will take place in February and March.
Planning & Building
Housing Element - Online Survey and Upcoming Workshop - As part of the Housing Element Update, the State requires the City to demonstrate that it can successfully accommodate new homes on land within City limits for a range of household incomes. City staff is currently working to identify strategies and identify those properties that can help the City plan for and make room for new housing in Mill Valley.
Please tell us your thoughts and provide your input on possible housing strategies by taking this survey and attending the February workshop:
Recreation & Arts/Public Works
At their meeting on January 5, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Commission received updates on the following:
- Public Works & Recreation Department Internship Program - Director of Arts and Recreation Sean McGrew reviewed the internship programs in each department. The goal is to have interns understand municipal government, learn targeted skills, and to further pursue their career interests. Staff from the two departments will collaborate on upcoming internship initiatives, including recruitment, onboarding, and training.
- DEI Initiatives Update - Director McGrew shared that a Parks and Recreation subcommittee has formed, called JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and held a meeting in December and plans to meet in January. The group discussed how to create meaningful and impactful DEI field allocation stipulations and annual Recreation special events.
- Call for Local Musicians - Mill Valley Arts Commission 2022 Concerts in the Plaza: The Mill Valley Arts Commission will host outdoor concerts on Saturday September 10 & Sunday, September 11, 2022 on the Downtown Plaza. Concerts will include performances from at least 4 musical artists/groups per date. Interested? Click here for more information and to apply.
Library
Civic Minded Book Club - Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas - Monday, January 24th | 6:30pm via Zoom. Do you want to effect change in our society? Topics to be explored are the current global political climate, the Constitution, inequalities in the political and economic systems, the state of America and its citizens today, and alternatives for our future. This book club meets the fourth Monday of each month from 7 – 8:30pm on Zoom. Click here to register.
Police
Bias By Proxy Policy - Police Staff continue to work with members of the community on a Bias By Proxy policy. "Bias by Proxy" refers to when an individual calls the police and makes false or ill-informed claims of misconduct about persons they dislike or are biased against (either implicit or explicit bias).
Fire
- Hiring and Recruitment - At their December 15, 2021 meeting, the Southern Marin Fire Department Board received an update on DEI initiatives, which reviewed the organization’s strategic initiatives, described the work of their DEI Task Force, and discussed recent initiatives and recommendations related to hiring and recruitment. Click here to view the Staff Report (Jump to page 118).
- Annual Report - Southern Marin Fire District is proud to present its first Annual Report detailing the major accomplishments of the 2020-21 fiscal year. The report shares how, in 2020, the District’s Vision was updated to include the importance of diversity in the workplace, and reports on DEI initiatives. Click here to view the Annual Report.
Other Community Partners
Chamber of Commerce
Mill Valley Music Festival – Call for Submissions - The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce is planning for the upcoming Mill Valley Music Festival – a new, multi-genre outdoor celebration of arts and culture on May 7, 2022 on Friends Field at the Mill Valley Community Center. Submissions are open for participation - i.e. with a booth, as a sponsor, as an in-kind donor, setting up an interactive station, etc. Learn more and fill out the submission form here.
County of Marin
Homelessness in Marin - On January 10, 2022, the County of Marin presented "Homelessness in Marin: Housing First and Permanent Supportive Housing" - a virtual forum to provide information about the County's historical approach to addressing homelessness, the adoption of the Housing First model, and the importance of Permanent Supportive Housing. This presentation was followed by questions and comments from attendees. Click here to view the meeting recording.
Learn more: