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Mayor Johnson explained she did not know what was missing, which was the reason for her request. She <br />believed a task force would help her in identifying what the City does not know. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strub stated it would be difficult to pre-judge the outcomes for this group. He understood that <br />some groups were fearful of government but he did not want this to be a barrier in New Brighton. He stated he <br />welcomed the task force and looked forward to hearing feedback from this group. It was his hope that the City <br />could work to reach a more diverse population in the community through its programming. He explained he <br />would like to see a City -wide IZI held at some point in the future. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson believed it took more than just being nice to people to fully understand them. It was her hope <br />that the task force would assist with greater understanding of the diverse needs in the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated he would like to better understand the goals and objectives of the task force. <br /> <br />Lotter summarized the comments made and noted the goals of the City for this group would be to foster <br />relationships with the Mounds View Public School District, finding barriers that exist in the community, <br />diversifying the work force, while also ensuring that all groups within the community are invited to the table. <br /> <br />Councilmember Bauman asked if the Council would be meeting the members of the task force. She explained <br />she worked for a global company and had a lot of experience working with people from all over the world. <br />She questioned the timeline for the proposed task force. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson stated she would be happy to bring this group before the Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked Councilmember Bauman what the downside of this group was. <br /> <br />Councilmember Bauman believed there was an issue of government interference. She believed the citizens of <br />the community should be pursuing this group and not the City Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strub was of the opinion it would benefit the City to have a task force working on multi- <br />cultural issues. He encouraged the City to move forward on the task force. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson questioned how people should be appointed to the task force and asked if the six current <br />members could continue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen stated he did not know who the current members were and therefore could not make <br />a recommendation on this matter. <br /> <br />Lotter suggested the different members of the neighborhood group identify members fo r the task force. He <br />stated the Council could expand upon the group after these individuals were evaluated. He recommended the <br />Council readdress this issue and meet some community folks on October 3rd. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg asked what the Mayor believed the goal of the task force would be. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson stated she would challenge the task force to decide if the City needed a multi-cultural <br />commission and what the goals of this group would be. She wanted to improve inclusivity in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Councilme mber Bauman encouraged the Council to get away from looking strictly at color and rather look at <br />traditions and melding into the community. Lotter stated the goal of this group from the recent neighborhood <br />meeting was to create an inclusive community that would make a place for everyone.