POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: X B
MEETING DATE: 2/17/2026
TITLE
Cultural Awareness Training
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Point Arena to invest $4,000 from the General Fund for a cultural awareness training session provided by Kno'Qoti Native Wellness, Inc.
ANALYSIS
In November 2025, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) mural located at 243 Main Street was vandalized. The mural is a culturally significant work of public art honoring Native women and acknowledging the historic and ongoing trauma experienced by Native communities. The incident raised concern among community members and City leadership and underscored the need for continued learning, dialogue, and relationship-building with our Native neighbors.
Following the incident, the City Manager engaged in discussions with Bernadette Smith to identify constructive and preventative steps the City could take in response. Through those conversations, Smith recommended that City staff and Council participate in cultural training to deepen understanding of Native history, perspectives, and community experiences. The training is intended as a proactive educational measure that supports respectful governance and strengthens community relationships.
Kno’Qoti Native Wellness, Inc. provides professional cultural awareness training services focused on Native wellness, education, and community engagement. The proposed training consists of a single session hosted at City Hall. Attendance will be required for City staff, and City Council members are encouraged to attend. Local agencies will be invited to attend the training. Kno’Qoti Native Wellness, Inc. will coordinate registration and facilitate the training.
This training supports the City’s commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and culturally informed workplace. It serves as a preventative measure by increasing awareness, strengthening communication, and enhancing cultural sensitivity among City leadership and staff, particularly when responding to community concerns, public incidents, or emotionally charged situations.
From a risk management perspective, cultural awareness training reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, miscommunication, and actions that could escalate tensions or result in complaints, claims, or liability exposure. Increased awareness among staff and elected officials promotes informed decision-making, appropriate responses to community incidents, and consistent application of City policies.
From a public safety standpoint, proactive education strengthens trust between the City and Native community members, encourages respectful engagement, and contributes to a safer, more cohesive community environment. Training of this nature aligns with best practices in municipal governance and supports CIRA’s emphasis on training as a key risk mitigation strategy.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the training is $4,000, to be paid from the General Fund. The City anticipates reimbursement of up to $2,000 through CIRA’s training reimbursement grant, reducing the net General Fund impact to approximately $2,000. FEMA reimbursements from the 2023 storms will provide the remailing $2,000. No other fiscal impacts are anticipated.
ATTACHMENTS
None
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
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Molly C. Haviland, City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-02
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POINT ARENA AUTHORIZING
EXPENDITURE FOR CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING SERVICES WITH KNO'QOTI NATIVE WELLNESS, INC.
WHEREAS, the City of Point Arena is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and culturally informed workplace that serves the community with integrity and understanding; and WHEREAS, cultural awareness training supports City staff and officials in better understanding the history, experiences, and perspectives of Native communities, including those with ancestral ties to the region; and
WHEREAS, Kno'Qoti Native Wellness, Inc. provides professional cultural awareness training services focused on Native wellness, education, and community engagement, and will perform participant registration and provide the training session; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that participation in this training will benefit City staff, leadership, and the broader community by strengthening awareness, communication, and cultural respect; and
WHEREAS, City staff will attend a single training session, which will be hosted by the City of Point Arena at City Hall; and
WHEREAS, funds in the amount of $4,000 have been identified and will cover the cost of ten (10) City Staff and Councilmembers to attend the training session; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Point Arena hereby supports and approves the expenditure of up to $4,000 for cultural awareness training services provided by Kno'Qoti Native Wellness, Inc.; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to execute any agreements and take any actions necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution, consistent with applicable law and City policies.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, the foregoing Resolution No. 2026-XX was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Point Arena City Council on the 17th day of February 2026, by the following vote:
Ayes: Noes: Absent: Abstain:
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Barbara Burkey, Mayor
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Paul Andersen, City Clerk