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the Equity Commission as being more externally governance related than internally focused. He indicated the <br /> DEI Coordinator would serve with the senior leadership. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas recommended the verbiage be changed from relationship to Commission work flow <br /> for clarification purposes. Ms. Tabor supported this recommendation. <br /> Councilmember Axberg questioned if what the Commission should not be doing should be said, for clarity <br /> purposes. Ms. Tabor indicated this had not been discussed,but could be done. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth supported this recommendation. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle explained he liked the idea of providing clarity on the Commission's role, but did not <br /> recommend the City highlight what they should not be doing given the mistrust some have with the <br /> government. Ms. Tabor agreed and suggested at orientation that the DEI Coordinator have the empowerment <br /> to ensure that the group doesn't bleed into direct action. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle requested further information on why this group should not be doing projects that <br /> lead to direct action. Ms. Tabor stated this was her perspective. She explained there were plenty of <br /> organizations and individuals that will do that work. She feared that if the group focused on direct action type <br /> work there would be redundancy. She indicated this groups main focus should be policy and governance. She <br /> recommended the City have a separate human rights commission. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle anticipated there would be capacity issues if the Equity Commission were to try and <br /> address diversity, equity, inclusion and human rights issues. He explained he did not understand if there was an <br /> appetite for a separate human rights commission. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth agreed with this and supported the change to Item A and suggested the language <br /> be further edited to read the Commission may address issues of human rights. She stated this would provide <br /> the group latitude if a human rights issue were to arise. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained at this time there was no group looking into human rights issues on behalf <br /> of the City and it may be of benefit to the community to have some group charged with this task whether this <br /> was done by the Equity Commission for the Public Safety Commission. <br /> Ms. Tabor reported the language could be changed to read the Equity Commission will also address issues of <br /> human rights, including liaison with regional human rights organizations and supporting their endeavors. In <br /> addition, the commission will review human rights issues on behalf of the City. <br /> Councilmember Axberg requested further perspective on why the parallel wasn't made between the equity <br /> statement and the diversity makeup. Ms. Tabor stated she didn't think about this but noted this could happen. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth asked if the Equity Strategy Team was now part of the City organization. <br /> Massopust reported this was the case. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle supported human rights violations or issues being brought to the Equity Commission. <br /> Further discussion ensued regarding how human rights issues will be addressed by the City along with the how <br /> subcommittees can be formed within the Equity Commission. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth explained not all human rights issues should go to the Equity Commission. She <br />