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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDE&I ResoRESOLUTION NO. (2020 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, CREATING THE TASK FORCE FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND DEFINING ITS TERM AND CHARGE WHEREAS, the City Council has expressed a commitment to making San Luis Obispo a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for everyone, and to promoting free thought and speech, while condemning racism, hate speech, bigotry, violence, and prejudice; and WHEREAS, as a part of the adoption of the City's 2019- 2021 Major City Goals, the City Council also set a vision of a dynamic community embracing its future while respecting its past with core values of civility, sustainability, diversity, inclusivity, regionalism, partnership, and resiliency as a guide to approaching the work of the Major City Goals; and WHEREAS, as part of the adoption of the 2020-21 Meta Goal, the City Council adopted eight guiding principles to help guide the implementation of the tasks outlined in the Meta Goal. The eighth principle reads: "The city recognizes that social and economic inequality is embedded in our systems and culture, and that recovery must integrate deep structural transition to support the well-being and empowerment of marginalized communities."; and WHEREAS, during the June 2, 2020 City Council Meeting, in recognizing the need to continue efforts of systemic recovery, the City Council approved a budget of $140,000 to supplement an existing $20,000 towards the advancement and efforts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the City of San Luis Obispo; and WHEREAS, during the June 2, 2020 City Council Meeting, Mayor Heidi Harmon and Council Member Erica A. Stewart volunteered to assist City Staff with the creation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Task Force. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force is hereby created with a composition, term, charge, ground rules and staff support as follows: SECTION 1. DE&I-TF. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force shall be comprised of representatives to be appointed by the Council. The Task Force shall be comprised of an odd number of participants. SECTION 2. ACTION 1. Direct Staff to provide notice and solicit applications and resumes to serve on the DE&I-TF to be submitted to the City Clerk by August 15, 2020. 2. Task force members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may, by a majority Council vote, be appointed, dismissed, or replaced and the term of RS Resolution No. (2020 Series) Page 2 members shall conclude upon the completion of work as outlined in Exhibit A or until January 1, 2021 whichever occurs first. 3. The DE&I-TF is hereby established until January 1, 2021 at which point it will no longer be an ad-hoc committee with the possible extension of this term to be considered by the City Council prior to that time. 4. The purpose of the DE&I-TF is to advise the City in developing recommendations that further the advancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the City of San Luis Obispo as defined in Exhibit A. 5. The DE&I-TF shall select a chair who will be the primary spokesperson for the DE&I-TF. The Chair shall speak for the DE&I-TF at public hearings or other meeting as authorized by the DE&I-TF. 6. The City will provide staff support to the DE&I-TF, with the City Manager to be primarily responsible for providing this support, to include preparation of agendas, and minutes, compilation of material for discussion at DE&I-TF meetings, and assistance with public outreach efforts. 7. The DE&I-TF shall conduct all meetings in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act governing open meetings for local government bodies. 8. The DE&I-TF shall strive to act by consensus and shall promote full and open discussion of all matters and shall abide by the regional Code of Civility which seeks to 1) Listen first, 2) Respect different opinions 3) Be courteous, 4) Disagree constructively and 5) Debate the policy not the person. 9. An audio recording of meetings shall be posted on the City's website following each meeting. No formal minutes shall be recorded for review. 10. Subcommittees may be formed to focus on issues or subjects meriting more detailed discussion and are not legally required to be noticed or posted per the Brown Act. 11. DE&I-TF members are not considered to be "public officials" as defined in §82048 of the California Government Code and therefore are not subject to the state Political Reform Act and its disclosure provisions (Government Code §§81000 et seq.) Nevertheless, DE&I-TF members shall remove themselves from all discussions and votes on matters in which they have any direct personal financial interest, or where the member's professional allegiance and/or personal bias cannot be set aside to allow for the member's fair consideration of the issue(s) at hand. 12. DE&I-TF members shall conscientiously follow high ethical standards and put the public interest ahead of any personal interest and/or bias and to abstain from all discussion and votes where this is not possible. 0 Resolution No. (2020 Series) Page 3 13 Specific legal issues are to be directed through the City Manager to the City Attorney for a response. Upon motion of and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this ATTEST: Teresa Purrington City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney seconded by day of 2020. Mayor Heidi Harmon IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, this day of , Teresa Purrington City Clerk 0 Resolution No. (2020 Series) Page 4 Exhibit A Overview Background This Council action stems from the work that began in June 2019, and is propelled by increased xenophobia, the Black Lives Matter protests, and the problems of systemic racism suffered by many, in many forms. We acknowledge that biases also adversely affect other marginalized groups in SLO. This Task Force is a commitment by the City to take local action on these longstanding problems by making recommendations to the City Council as outlined in this charter. Vision We envision a San Luis Obispo that is welcoming, inclusive, and safe. Our city values diversity, promotes equity and belonging, actively denounces systemic racism, and actively works toward racial justice. Charter Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in San Luis Obispo by engaging community leaders and change agents to: 1) Focus on activities that support marginalized racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. 2) Collect information and insight about advancing DE&I in San Luis Obispo. 3) Develop a notice of funding availability (NOFA) to support the DE&I work of proven organizations and best practices for change. 4) Provide guidance and a foundation for creating a potential 21-23 DE&I- focused Major City Goal. 5) Strengthen the focus and role of the City's Human Relations Commission (HRC) to support the City's vision. Outcomes 1) Support the work of DE&I Providers with directed funding for proven or promising impactful, sustainable projects. 2) A framework / potential scope for a 21-23 DE&I-focused Major City Goal. 3) Provide a recommendation on the role and function of the HRC in relation to DE&I efforts. Guiding Support DE&I efforts and organizations; the City is not a subject matter Principles expert. Research should incorporate work and input already done in this region and not burden people from unnecessarily retelling their stories and lived experiences. People can provide critical expertise and play a vital role in terms of leadership and give perspectives to fund systemic change in diversity, equity, and inclusion. R Resolution No. (2020 Series) Page 5 COMMIT our resources to support these efforts should be allocated to those that have the potential for the highest impact. We acknowledge that MEANINGFUL and SUSTAINABLE change will happen over time; the City will support radical incrementalism for the long- term. FLEXIBILITY is needed; the initial charter may be modified in response to what is learned and to maximize impact. Approach A Task Force of approximately 9-13 members with diverse community and organization representation, and varied perspectives, will work with City leadership to: 1) Further understand DE&I issues and what people are experiencing in SLO. Learn what is happening, what people are experiencing, how to be more inclusive, and how to make improvements towards a sense of welcoming and belonging. Understand issues, concerns, what is missing, and what is desired. 2) Determine target areas and priorities - the needs and gaps that the City should and could begin to address and improve, in partnership or otherwise support through funding. 3) Oversee a grant process focused on targeted areas and priorities. Create a NOFA and administer the application and award -selection process. 4) Assist City staff in developing a scope of work for DE&I Major City Goal for 21-23 Financial Plan. Proposed July 7, 2020 City Council Review and Authorization Timeline July 8 — Aug 15, 2020 Task Force recruitment Discovery - Learn needs, gaps, strengths Draft NOFA Sept 1 — Oct 15, 2020 Task Force convenings Discovery, continued Determine target areas, priorities, areas City can most impact Finalize NOFA Sept 15 — Oct 15, 2020 Release NOFA Oct 16 — Nov 1, 2020 Review grant applications; make selections Nov 17, 2020 Grantee recommendations to Council Funds awarded 0 Resolution No. (2020 Series) Task Force Development Committee [Mayor Heidi Harmon, Councilwoman Erica Stewart, Derek Johnson, project facilitator Dale Magee] clarifies purpose, end goals, process, expections, etc. Focus: Racial, ethnic, cultural inequity and injustice To Council for approval July 7, 2020 Page 6 City Clerk to oversee the recruitment process Seeking members with expertise and/or lived experience, can help City understand the gaps/needs Obtain recommendations for members from those in the field Applicants recommended to City Council by Mayor and Councilmember Erica A. Stewart Grants could be used for small - medium - large efforts, short term - medium term - long term projects; and a variety of approaches. 2. NOFA •Adopt "best fit" criteria: intersection of need x resources x impact Task Force reviews input, information learned Determine priority populations and impact areas - e.g. welcome, inclusion, belonging, equity, awareness, allyship - to fund Task Force and support review NOFA. Seek providers to address the identified needs and priorities Potential option: partner w Community Foundation to adminster the process. Task Force members as the grant committee Select grantees/awards; Grantees recommended to City Council