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Councilmember Abdulle supported the statement having a racial equity definition. Ms. Tabor supported this <br /> recommendation. She noted she would bring this suggestion, along with the feedback she receives from the <br /> public. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented on the 2020 census data and noted there was an 11% increase in the <br /> BIPOC community in New Brighton. She asked if City contracting should have a preference with the BIPOC <br /> community. Massopust explained this did not come up with staff but noted this would be incorporated into the <br /> equity strategic action plan and a change in policy would be made in coordination with the DEI Coordinator. <br /> Councilmember Allen stated he has really enjoyed the conversation that has been held. He believed this was a <br /> great statement for the City to have in place but noted what comes next would be even more important. <br /> Councilmember Abdulle asked what accountability looked like and how would this be communicated to <br /> residents. Ms. Tabor explained she would take this into consideration. <br /> Ms. Tabor commented further on the community feedback process and noted she had received survey results <br /> from 47 individuals to date. She noted the vast majority of the results were very positive. <br /> Matt Farmer discussed the numerous ways the City was advertising the DEI survey to the public. Massopust <br /> noted staff would continue to discuss the survey with the public throughout the community engagement time <br /> period at the farmer's market. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth suggested a larger flyer be created with a QR code for the farmer's market as this <br /> would allow residents to complete the survey in a more timely manner. She recommended the equity statement <br /> be printed and laminated as well to allow the public to provide feedback. Zoe Kesselring explained sandwich <br /> boards could be created to assist with promoting the community engagement survey. <br /> Councilmember Axberg reported the equity statement doesn't have anything stated about religion and asked if <br /> this was intentional. Massopust indicated the reference to "other differences" was staff's attempt to refer to <br /> religion. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas suggested staff reach out to the City's commissioners in order to get the equity <br /> survey further circulated to the public. <br /> Councilmember Allen recommended the survey be offered in both English and Spanish. Massopust reported <br /> she would have to work with Ms. Tabor to see if this was possible. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth recommended all Commissions meeting before September 10 discuss the equity <br /> survey and provide the Council with feedback. Massopust stated he would send the survey out to each of the <br /> Commissions in order to gain additional feedback. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth questioned how the City would commit to measuring or remaining accountable as <br /> an organization. She suggested some form of measurement be included in the equity statement. Massopust <br /> stated staff worked a great deal on the commitment section of the framework. He noted the third bullet point <br /> states the City would be measuring its progress on items within the plan. He commented the measurement and <br /> progress on the plan remains to be seen and noted the DEI Commission would have a role in this. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth recommended this be more clearly stated to ensure the work being done was not <br /> invisible, but rather was a commitment to the community. <br />