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

-Marin City Job & Resource Fair - Human Resources staff attended the recent fair hosted by Workforce Alliance of the North Bay. The event provided an opportunity to talk with multiple job seekers and fair participants, and to share with them the many career opportunities currently available at the City.

Recreation & Arts

-Mill Valley Arts Commission Call for Artwork for new dedicated DEI Exhibition Space - The Mill Valley Arts Commission is 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.

Planning & Building

-1 Hamilton Drive - At their meeting tonight, Council will receive a report from staff on the affordable rental housing proposed for 1 Hamilton Drive. Council will consider  the approval of the relocation of the existing restroom, parking and electric vehicle charging facilities to the Public Safety Building (PSB) Parking Lot. Council will also consider approaches to further explore other recreation-related parking and circulation improvements and next steps for developing affordable rental housing on the northern portion of 1 Hamilton Drive. Review the Staff Report.

Public Works

-East Blithedale Project - ADA Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Replacement: If you have traveled recently on East Blithedale Avenue through the construction zone, you have seen considerable concrete work, which involves the replacement of curb ramps, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. This is part of the City’s compliance with ADA standards to assure mobility access and equality of opportunity and participation, independent living, and self-sufficiency for all community members.

Without curb ramps, sidewalk travel in urban areas can be dangerous, difficult, or even impossible for people who use wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices. Curb ramps allow people with mobility disabilities to gain access to the sidewalks and to pass through center islands in streets. New sidewalks also serve an important purpose in creating safe pathways of travel for people with disabilities, such as people with low visibility or that use mobility devices. New City sidewalks reduce trip hazards and provide a safer, more accessible path of travel.

Library

-Great Escape Book Club - This book club invites members to step into other worlds and experience the best of speculative fiction (including science fiction, fantasy, and alternate reality). On September 21, 2022 (6:00 - 7:00 pm), join us to discuss Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler. Learn more and register.

-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. Learn more about Queer Book Club here.

Police

-Community engagement - The Police Department continues to meet with community members to further develop a Bias by Proxy policy, and discuss current RIPA data.
-Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) - Police Department will present the current RIPA data at the October 3, 2022 Council meeting.

Fire

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Update-  At their August 24, 2022 meeting, Southern Marin Fire Protection District Board members received a written update on DEI initiatives (p. 68). A few projects that are underway include:

-The creation of a Career Track Chart to help interested individuals navigate the requirements to join the Fire Service.
-Webpage specifically dedicated to careers in the Fire Service and upcoming opportunities.
-Participating in County-wide projects and programs and supporting local efforts to increase opportunities in our community (i.e. FIRE Foundry program participation).

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.