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Discussion regarding the Appointment of an Acting Mayor for 2021 <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested the Council discuss who would serve as Acting Mayor for 2021. She <br /> reported she discussed this matter with City Manager Massopust and understood seniority would make the <br /> most sense for this appointment. She explained in the previous election Councilmember Dunsworth received <br /> more votes than Councilmember Allen. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle supported Councilmember Dunsworth being appointed as the Acting Mayor for 2021. <br /> Councilmember Axberg asked if Councilmember Dunsworth was willing to serve in this capacity. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth stated she would be willing to serve as the Acting Mayor. <br /> Councilmember Allen supported this recommendation as well. <br /> Continued Discussion on Inclusive Community Task Force Findings <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas reported she had a conversation with City Manager Massopust about the <br /> findings from the Inclusive Community Task Force. She indicated the City would like to bring a new staff <br /> person on board mid-year to assist with inclusivity/equity issues for the City while also supporting <br /> an Inclusive Community Commission. <br /> Massopust commented further on the findings from the Inclusive Community Task Force. He noted the task <br /> force was formed in October of 2017 and convened in April of 2018. He explained this group was tasked with <br /> addressing how the City of New Brighton can be made more inclusive. The final recommendations from this <br /> group were presented to the Council in January 2019. These recommendations were discussed with the Council <br /> in further detail. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth requested staff provide further comment on the term outcomes. Massopust stated <br /> he would like to know more about the Council's vision for the work this Commission would be doing on a <br /> monthly basis and from this work, what expectations would the Council have for outcomes for this <br /> organization and the overall community. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas stated some of the work this Commission would do would be interconnected with <br /> existing organizations in the community. She anticipated there were specific changes that should happen in the <br /> community. She would like the Council to identify and envision what this would look like. She anticipated this <br /> would help the Council and staff create a job description for the new position and would assist in setting the <br /> framework for the new Commission. She supported the Council having an outcomes mindset in order to assist <br /> this Commission in getting things done. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle explained he would like to see an assessment of where the City is and how the <br /> different services and programs are either helping or hurting racial minorities or underserved groups. He <br /> believed from this information goals could be set. He loved the idea of maximizing power from the <br /> community and trying to get direct feedback from community members. He supported having community <br /> involvement in the hiring for the new position. He recommended the future Commission members be diverse. <br /> He stated he appreciated all of the work that was completed by the Task Force. <br /> Councilmember Allen discussed where the City was at this time and believed areas of focus should be ableism, <br /> ageism, training and diversity and race relations. He agreed the City needed to hear more voices and supported <br /> the City celebrating its diversity. He supported the City continuing to listen when issues arise. The Council <br />