04-12-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Regular Meeting Executive Summary City of Golden Valley October 7, 2020 3 Another example of discriminatory covenant language found in Golden Valley stated “No persons of any race other than the Caucasian race should use or occupy any building or any lot, except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race domiciled with an owner or tenant.” This covenants was found in the Spring Green neighborhood. While completing title research, the City Attorney and the City’s GIS Specialist identified 61 City-owned parcels with discriminatory covenants in places such as the Golden Ridge Nature Area, Lakeview Park, Seeman Park, North Tyrol Park, and South Tyrol Park. See map of affected City-owned parcels (attachment 4). Further research is required to determine whether the City knew about the covenants at the time these properties were acquired. The City can discharge these covenants under state law and the proposed resolution contains a provision authorizing the City Attorney to prepare and record the necessary forms to complete the discharge process. While this action will discharge the covenants and affirm that they are no longer enforceable, it will not delete them from the property records. Discriminatory covenants in Golden Valley created long-lasting consequences and a legacy of inequity between White persons and Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC). Discriminatory Covenants promoted and established residential racial segregation, which continues to prevent access to property ownership, accumulation of wealth, property transfers, mortgage eligibility, rental eligibility, property values, property tax base, education, transportation, medical care, home ownership, internet access, environmentally healthy spaces, and more. Data shows that homes that were racially covenanted are still predominantly owned by White people and are worth approximately 15% more today than non- covenanted properties. Additionally, in part due to discriminatory covenants, the City of Golden Valley’s population is less racial diversity than surrounding cities. Dismantling the Legacy of Discriminatory Covenants By starting the Just Deeds project and joining the Coalition, the City of Golden Valley is taking the first step to mitigate its role in systemic racism in housing. The Just Deeds project acknowledges that discriminatory covenants are one part of a racist system that intentionally excluded Black, Indigenous and People of Color from social, economic, and political benefits associated with homeownership generally and living in Golden Valley specifically. In order to address all matters of racial inequity, the lasting impacts of racial segregation must be addressed through the public denouncement of this historical practice. The City must establish new systems to replace the old. The City of Golden Valley can become a model for racial restitution for all groups harmed by the institutional practice of discriminatory covenants by intentionally and deliberately taking the following steps: discharging the discriminatory covenants on City-owned property, continuing to actively participate in the Just Deeds Coalition, educating the community about discriminatory covenants, and identifying and overturning all policies influenced by the use of discriminatory covenants. Financial Or Budget Considerations Not applicable