News Flash

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Posted on: May 15, 2023

DEI Initiatives Update - May 2023

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Colorful Hands Together

Monday, May 15, 2023

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-Wide

Pride Month & Pride Flags - At their meeting tonight, the City Council will consider a Resolution declaring June, 2023 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the City of Mill Valley and authorize the display of the Pride Flag on City property. 

From the Resolution: “The City of Mill Valley has a diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and more (LGBTQIA+) community, whom we honor and celebrate in the month of June, 2023 for Pride Month… The Pride Flag represents a commitment to honoring the identities, experiences, and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community and its continuing struggle for social, political and economic equality. The prominent display of the Pride Flag demonstrates that the City of Mill Valley stands firmly for equality and inclusion.”

Read the Staff Report and Resolution here.

Planning & Building

  • Housing Element Update - Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) Available for Review - The Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) is now available on the project website. The Final SEIR includes comments received during the public review period for the Draft SEIR, minor corrections to the Draft SEIR and provides additional information to clarify and amplify content of the Draft SEIR. Together, the DSEIR and FSEIR make up the SEIR environmental review for the Housing Element Update. 

    City Council Meeting to Consider Housing Element Adoption - At their meeting tonight, City Council will consider adopting the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update and amending the Land Use Element and Land Use Map of the MV2040 General Plan. As part of the adoption process, Council will also review and consider certification of the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) associated with the project. Learn more here.

  • 1 Hamilton News - Study Session Scheduled for May 23, 2023 (6:30pm) - The Planning Commission will review the preliminary design review plans (available on the project website) at a Study Session scheduled for May 23, 2023 at 6:30pm ati City Hall. The purpose of the Study Session hearing is to provide feedback on the preliminary design prepared by the EAH project team based on feedback received to date. Learn more here.
  • City of Mill Valley to Consider Mandatory Retrofit Program - At their June 5, 2023 meeting, the Mill Valley City Council will consider a new, mandatory “Soft Story” Retrofit Program with an objective of protecting existing housing stock in the community. “Soft Story” structures are typically multi-story residential buildings with open parking or commercial space on the first floor. These buildings, built prior to modern building codes, may sway or sometimes collapse in an earthquake.

    The program is important both for public safety and for preserving the diversity of housing options in Mill Valley, including workforce and affordable housing. The City estimates that as many as 50 to 90 buildings would be considered Soft Story (with 3 or more units) in City Limits. The program would include a screening phase to confirm building conditions and would allow property owners several years to complete a retrofit. We invite you to learn more: Please visit www.cityofmillvalley.org/SoftStory  

    Contact us if you have further questions: Patrick Kelly, Director of Building and Planning
    Email: pkelly@cityofmillvalley.org or call: 415-388-4039

Recreation & Arts

  • Save the Date for the Freedom Festival - Mill Valley Recreation, along with the City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity & Empowerment (MVFREE), will host the second annual Juneteenth celebration this year called the Freedom Festival. Join us on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 from 11am-3pm in the Mill Valley Downtown Plaza.
  • Apply for a Scholarship - Our Scholarship program provides access to recreation activities offered by the Mill Valley Recreation Department as well as the use of the Aquatic/Fitness Center. The funds will provide the recipient with funds that can be used 100% all at once or spread out over a one year period. Funding is available to individuals and families of Mill Valley and many areas of Southern and West Marin. Learn more.

Library

  • A Memoir of Fighting Fire with Clare Frank - Clare Frank fought fires for nearly 30 years and served as the State of California’s first and only female Chief of Fire Protection. Her new book Burnt: A Memoir of Fighting Fire is an inspiring, richly detailed, and open-hearted account of an extraordinary life in fire. Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm - At the Mill Valley Public Library Creekside Room and online. Learn more and register here.
  • After Hours – Queer Chorus of San Francisco - The Queer Chorus of San Francisco performances entertain, educate and inspire audiences with the spirit of inclusion and harmony. This program revisits the past and looks toward the future through songs and stories covering the chorus’ 40+ year history. Friday, June 2, 2023 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in the Library Main Reading Room. Learn more and register to attend.
  • Drag Queen Story Hour - All ages. An interactive storytime with a fabulous drag queen! Celebrate diversity, kindness, and acceptance through reading and activities. Kids can meet the drag queen, ask questions, and take pictures. Sunday, June 4, 2023  from 11:00am - 12:00pm at the Outdoor Amphitheater. Learn more.
  • Queer Book Club - Looking for a safe space to read and discuss books about the LGBTQIA+ community? You've found us! In this monthly book club we'll read both fiction and nonfiction books about the queer experience, the intersectionality of queerness, class, religion, and race, and discuss the ways in which things have changed, remained the same, or ways we can affect the change we want to see. This month we'll be discussing Friday, I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett on June 7 at 7:00pm online. Register to attend.
  • Come As You Are: A Pride Dress Up Day In-Person (For Kids) - We'll read a story then create fun and colorful things to wear. Come in your favorite costume or borrow one of ours. Express yourself, show off your creativity, and have a blast with us this Pride Week! Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2:30pm in the Mill Valley Public Library Creekside Room. Learn more and register here.
  • LGBTQIA+ Stories | Pride Month - Help us fill an important gap in our City’s history. We’re opening our Recording Booth to collect stories from Mill Valley’s LGBTQIA+ community. To participate, email nsnoyman@cityofmillvalley.org.

Police

Community Engagement - Police Department staff and City staff continue to meet with members of the community on topics such as the Bias by Proxy Education Campaign, RIPA data, our complaint process and training programs. 

Fire

Southern Marin Fire District staff continue to make progress on developing career pathways and resources to encourage a diverse and inclusive workforce. Please find the latest report at this link, and go to page 59 for the April DEI update.

Other Community Partners

Marin County Participatory Budgeting

The County of Marin is making $2.5 million available, and YOU will decide how to spend it. This new way of making decisions about publicly funded projects is called Participatory Budgeting (PB). It gives community members real power over real money!

Community members propose ideas, turn their ideas into grant proposals, and community members vote on which proposals to fund. PB grants are available between $10,000 - $250,000. The application period will last from February – May 2023.

Check out the upcoming workshops and deadlines here.

Learn more:

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