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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Community Conversation and Listening Session <br />September 2, 2020 <br />6:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br /> Councilmember Nasreen Fynewever <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust <br /> <br />Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. <br /> <br />Community Conversation and Listening Session: <br /> <br />City Manager Massopust introduced himself to the public and welcomed all who had joined the meeting. He <br />explained the Mayor and City Council were sitting in on this meeting. He indicated this session was providing <br />a platform and a means for having a conversation on an important topic. He explained Ruben Vazquez would <br />be facilitating this session. He requested members of the public to remain muted during the meeting being <br />called upon to speak. He reported this meeting was being recorded because a quorum of the City Council was <br />in attendance. <br /> <br />Ruben Vazquez introduced himself to the community noting he has been a resident of New Brighton for the <br />past 14 years. He explained this City has been a great place for him to raise his children. He commented as a <br />person of color and an immigrant he wanted to live in an equitable community that was also inclusive and <br />made him feel like he belonged. He stated his goal was to make this meeting a conversation. He reported the <br />topic of this meeting would be to consider what each person can do to ensure the City was working towards an <br />equitable and inclusive City. He encouraged residents to speak out of their own personal experiences, to lean <br />into the conversation, and to be mindful of others. He went on to further define equity and inclusion. <br /> <br />Discussion included: <br /> Mr. Vazquez recommended the discussion begin with one word as to why people were participating in <br />this conversation. His one word was optimism. <br /> Larry Justin stated his one word was information. <br /> Deborah Douglas stated her word was caring. <br /> Councilmember Jacobsen explained his word was community or us. <br /> Rob Boyd indicated his word was serve. <br /> Mayor Johnson commented her word was home because New Brighton was home to her and 23,000 <br />other people. She wanted home to feel protected and safe for all New Brighton residents. <br /> Emily Becher stated her word was hope. She hoped the City could create a kinder more welcoming <br />community. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth indicated her word was future. She stated she was trying to listen <br />thoughtfully and carefully to learn how to move things forward in the future.