August 25, 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.
Human Resources
- Summer Internship Program - In partnership with the Marin County Cooperation Team (MCCT), the City of Mill Valley is pleased to report the completion of a successful 7-week paid summer internship opportunity for high school students. Five students were placed with various City Departments including Recreation, Library, Finance & Public Works and received practical and bona-fide workplace experience. The interns gained exposure to civic engagement while working on projects and focused career development with credible mentors.
At their August 3, 2022 meeting, Parks and Recreation Commissioners received a presentation from Recreation interns Charlee Dorhan and T’Yanna Thomas about the highlights from their experience. View their presentation here (Jump to Item 1). We congratulate the interns on the completion of their internships and thank them for their excellent service.
Recreation & Arts
- Mill Valley Arts Commission Call for Artwork for new dedicated DEI Exhibition Space - The Mill Valley Arts Commission is now accepting 2D artwork from artists in the greater Bay Area to be considered for a showing in a NEW exhibition space which was created (and specifically allocated) to promote and highlight artists and/or artwork that represents Diversity and/or Equity, and/or Inclusion (DEI). Learn more about the Call for Artwork here. Submission deadline extended to September 23rd, 2022 at 12 noon.
- MCCT and the Mill Valley Golf Club’s Donald L. Williams Jr. Golf Program - Sponsored by the MCCT and the Mill Valley Golf Club, every month, five Marin City elementary and middle schoolers will have the opportunity to learn the game of golf, its rules and values, and its impact on developing valuable life skills and relationships. The Mill Valley Golf Club provides free golf range access, golf clubs and balls, coaching from a Golf Pro, instruction, and mentorship. Learn more and see photos of this new program here.
- JEDI Committee Update - The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee (JEDI) met on August 18, 2022. Topics of discussion included a summary of a pilot summer internship program offered in partnership between MCCT and the City of Mill Valley, future meeting and priority/goal setting, and ways to include more diversity, equity and inclusion in Golf Course programming and operations.
Planning & Building
- Housing Element Update - The Draft Housing Element Update was sent to the State Department of Housing and Community Development for review on August 23 for a 90-day review period for review and comment. The Revised draft will be posted to the City website when it is completed. In the meantime, please refer to the August 1, 2022 City Council meeting to review the draft document and public comments. Learn more about the Housing Element Update here.
Library
- Digital Divide: Wi-Fi on the Plaza - You can now enjoy free Wi-Fi service on the Depot Plaza! From the Gravity Car to the Lytton Square median, enjoy free access to the internet. Apply for jobs, access health information and government services, do school work, read email, or just surf the web with a speedy and reliable connection. The advance of technology is rapid in our connected world, but an emerging digital divide and lack of steady internet access makes full participation in society increasingly difficult for many people. Beyond being convenient for downtown visitors, the Wi-Fi on the Plaza project intends to help bridge this gap and increase opportunity and equity. The project was made possible by funding from the Library’s support groups, The Friends of the Library and the Mill Valley Library Foundation. Learn more about the Wi-Fi on the Plaza.
- NEW! 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 book club is open to anyone who identifies as being part of or is supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community. Meets the 1st Wednesday of every month from 7-8 pm on Zoom. First meeting:Wednesday, September 7th, 7pm. We will read and discuss Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey. Click here to register. Virtual meeting on Zoom. Registrants will be sent a Zoom link upon registration.
Police
- National Night Out - The Mill Valley Police Department hosted another very successful National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Over a hundred residents and visitors came to the Depot Plaza in Downtown Mill Valley to meet their local law enforcement and other local government and community-oriented organizations to make connections within our City. Thank you to everyone that came out for the evening of fun, games, food, and great conversation! See photos from the event here.
- Community engagement - The Police Department continues to meet with community members to further develop a Bias by Proxy policy, and discuss current RIPA data.
- Student Resources - The MVPD is working with Tam High leadership to draft a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the School Resource Officer program.
Fire
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Update - At their July 27, 2022 meeting, Southern Marin Fire Protection District Board members received a written update on DEI initiatives, as well as a presentation from Sukh Singh, Development Officer for Fire Foundry to educate the Board on the new program, how Southern Marin Fire has supported the efforts of the program, and how the District will continue to support their mission.
Other Community Partners
- Marin City, a Foundational Marin Community, Is Set to Celebrate Its 80th Anniversary With a Series of Blockbuster Events – Aug. 20-Nov. 1 - Marin City is set to have an extended, much-deserved opportunity to celebrate its rich history and deep cultural impact with a series of events that kick off Aug. 20 and run through early November. The overarching series – dubbed Marin City 80 – celebrates eight generations of Black people from Marin City. Learn more about Marin City 80.
- MVFREE Hosts Marin County Director of Equity - JAMILLAH JORDAN - Thursday, September 15, 7:00pm - Director Jordan will share information about the $2.5 million that will be spent to advance racial equity in Marin County, as well as other County equity initiatives. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about equity in Marin, to connect with the broader equity community and to share your priorities and concerns. MVFREE is excited to welcome her and look forward to forging a collaborative relationship to advance shared values.
The event will be held via Zoom - Click here for the link
Passcode: 834063 • Meeting ID: 892 3799 1201
Contact MVFREE: www.mvfree.org and action@mvfree.org
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