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and more. Discriminatory covenants fortified systemic racism and compounded economic divestment <br />in specific communities within Ramsey County; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants benefitted White communities. For example, homes that <br />were racially covenanted are still predominantly owned by White people and are worth <br />approximately 15% more today than non-covenanted properties; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, discriminatory covenants created demographic patterns that remain in place <br />today. Due in part to this historical practice, some places are less racially diverse than the populations <br />of all of its neighboring communities and has a lower percentage of minority owned businesses than <br />many neighboring communities; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Just Deeds Project connects residents to pro bono attorneys who can help <br />remove discriminatory covenants from property titles; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota, including the City of Little Canada, recognizes the harm <br />that Discriminatory Covenants—and the racial, religious, and other discriminatory practices that they <br />represent—cause to society in general and to the individuals who are adversely affected by racial, <br />religious, and other discrimination through the presence of discriminatory covenants in the public <br />land records. <br /> <br />BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Little Canada that: <br /> <br />1. The City of Little Canada disavows and condemns the past use of discriminatory covenants <br />and prohibits discriminatory covenants from being used in the future. <br /> <br />2. City staff is directed to investigate and to identify any real property owned or leased by <br />the City that contains discriminatory covenants and to prepare and record an affidavit or <br />request an examiner’s directive discharging such discriminatory covenants pursuant to <br />Minnesota Statute § 507.18, subd. 5. <br /> <br />3. City staff is directed to participate in the work of the Just Deeds Coalition to educate the <br />community about this and other historically discriminatory practices; to identify <br />contemporary discriminatory systems, policies, and practices; and to take action to <br />dismantle racist systems, practices, and policies in the City of Little Canada to create <br />equity for all. <br /> <br />Adopted by the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota this 12th day of April, 2023. <br /> <br /> <br /> __________________________________ <br />Thomas Fischer, Mayor <br /> <br />ATTEST: <br /> <br />_________________________________________ <br />Christopher Heineman, City Administrator