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<br /> <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas stated the Equity Commission agreed this statement should evolve over time. She <br />commented on how staff should be delegated to review this statement over time. Massopust reported the land <br />acknowledgement was not statutory, but rather the City was doing it on its own accord. He anticipated staff <br />could come back to the Council with every revision in the future, or staff could be directed to review and revise <br />the statement going forward. He explained this statement was the City’s commitment or an awareness to <br />working with this group. <br /> <br />Councilmember Axberg supported the City Council being able to make changes to the land acknowledgement <br />when the Council knows more and learns more. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth agreed with this statement, but recommended the City continue to ask how the <br />City was honoring the cultural ways of this people group. She supported the City moving forward with the land <br />acknowledgement, but supported the City Council being able to ask questions. Schlieu thanked the Council for <br />their valuable feedback. <br /> <br />The Council thanked DEI Coordinator Schlieu for her efforts on the land acknowledgement statement. <br /> <br />Equity Commission Applicant Interviews <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Mary Margaret Reagan for coming in and applying for this position. <br /> <br />Councilmember Axberg asked Ms. Reagan to provide the Council with a brief history on how her personal and <br />professional experiences will help her be an effective commissioner, if appointed. <br /> <br />Ms. Reagan stated she has been a resident of New Brighton for almost 19 years. She explained her family was <br />a family of color as she was Korean and her husband was Mexican, which meant she was raising multi-racial, <br />multi-language children. She indicated when she first moved to New Brighton, she did not receive the <br />welcome she hoped. However, this has since changed. She commented on how New Brighton has become her <br />home. She reported she has worked in non-profits for close to 20 years and she has worked with families who <br />need access. She anticipated serving on the Equity Commission would lead to heated or interesting <br />conversations and now that she was an empty nester, she had time to contribute to this endeavor. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle asked what are some of the specifical goals Ms. Reagan hoped to accomplish while <br />serving on the Equity Commission. <br /> <br />Ms. Reagan stated she has had the opportunity to educate and share what she knows, based on the challenges <br />she has faced, with others. She hoped to continue this work on the Equity Commission, while also bringing her <br />professional experience to this group. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth requested Ms. Reagan speak to the City’s biggest opportunity and biggest <br />challenges in New Brighton when considering inclusion. <br /> <br />Ms. Reagan stated there were challenges surrounding inclusion including cultural and language. She believed <br />there were unique and innovative ways to overcome some of those challenges. She believed she could offer fun <br />ways to move that forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen stated each Commission is tasked with making recommendations to the City Council <br />that comply with policies, rules or ordinances already adopted by the City Council. She asked Ms. Reagan <br />what she would do if she disagreed with a policy or ordinance already in place.