2020.06.30 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilmember Fynewever commented on the recommendations of the Inclusive Community Task Force. She explained the Department of Justice could complete an audit for the City and could provide New Brighton with guidance. She reported the YWCA can provide racial justice education and have worked with other communities. She indicated there would be value in creating a new festival to celebrate who New Brighton is now along with the celebrating who New Brighton was. She stated it would benefit the City to discuss the recommendations of the Inclusive Community Task Force in order to create a timeline of actions. She provided further comment on the work that would be generated by a new commission and how staff or a consultant would have to be able to address the research and work that would be created. Councilmember Jacobsen discussed the eight recommendations from the task force. He believed the first step should not be a full time staff member. He wanted to see the City moving on the eight recommendations and agreed they should be prioritized in order to consider budgetary requirements. He discussed how the 2021 budget would be impacted by COVID -19 and how the Council would have to keep this in mind in the coming months. He stated the City’s resources were tight and the Council would have to consider how to use its resources wisely in order to address inclusivity and the task forces recommendations. He anticipated the City would be financially challenged through the end of 2020 and maybe even half way into 2021. Councilmember Dunsworth agreed but recommended the eight recommendations be considered by the City Council in order to put a strategic timeline in place. She commented this would ensure that when the money is available, the City can move forward with inclusivity initiatives. Mayor Johnson questioned who was going to come up with a comprehensive plan and do the research for the goals of the City. Massopust explained this work would fall under his direction. Mayor Johnson indicated she was worried about staff taking on additional tasks at this time. Councilmember Dunsworth stated this was a matter of setting priorities for the City. She explained staff would then shift its tasks in order to meet the Council’s priorities. She understood the Council would have to be mindful of the budget. Councilmember Fynewever commented in regard to the budget this matter would keep coming up. She stated when the Council begins discussing the 2021 budget, the staffing needs would have to be considered. She reported a Human Rights and Inclusivity Commission would demand a City staff person. She explained this staff person could be shared between several communities in order to assist with covering the expense of the staff member. She believed it would be critical to have a staff member to address issues such as oppression and exclusion. She indicated if New Brighton were to prioritize these issues as highly as streets and parks, then a staff member should be dedicated. She stated she was not resistant to considering a staff member in 2021 and understood this may be a joint position with another community. She commented institutionally having a staff member and commission in place would benefit the community far greater than trying to have the City Council trying to take on this entire issue alone. Mayor Johnson requested further comment from staff regarding the City’s effort to speak with neighboring communities regarding a joint staff member. Massopust stated discussions were held last year with Shoreview and Roseville. He noted a job description was created but noted Shoreview and Roseville could not commit to a shared position. He believed it would be beneficial to have further discussions with these cities and other communities. He stated he knew his own limitations and workload, and recommended if a commission was being created that a staff member be added.