01-08-2025 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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GG-24 RACE EQUITY GG-25 OPEN MEETING LAW In 2024, legislation was passed establishing the Office of Emergency Medical Services, which will replace the EMSRB, effective January 1, 2025. The new office is comprised of three divisions for Medical Services, Ambulance Services, and Emergency Medical Service Providers. Additionally, three advisory councils are established to provide input and guidance to the office. Metro Cities supports the local government representation on the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. Metro Cities supports regional balance among the membership of the various advisory councils established by the office. Metro Cities supports allowing local units of government to designate which licensed ambulance service provider(s) serve their community and to determine the appropriate level of service. Metro Cities further supports additional tools and local authority that ensure transparency by EMS providers. Metro Cities supports decoupling the professional standards overview role from the service area determination. In the seven-county metropolitan region, people of color represent 28% of the population, and this percentage is expected to grow to 44% by 2050, according to the current population forecast from the Metropolitan Council. As racial and ethnic diversity increases in the region, people of color continue to experience significant barriers in housing, employment, criminal justice, public infrastructure, health, and education, and disparities are becoming more apparent. Across the metropolitan region, many cities are working to examine local policies and systems, to revise the delivery of public services, and to allocate resources to help advance race equity. All levels of government as well as the nonprofit and business sectors have roles to play in addressing race inequities and must work collaboratively to ensure that services and resources are considered, designed, and implemented in a comprehensive, purposeful, informed, and inclusive way to achieve race equity. Metro Cities supports: •An examination and revision of state, regional, county and city laws, ordinances, and policies to address racial disparities. •State resources to assist with comprehensive data collection, disaggregation and sharing to ensure informed policy and funding decisions at all levels of government. •Funding to assist in the development of tools and resources that advance racially equitable outcomes. •Activating partnerships among state, regional and local governmental institutions, and other entities to advance race equity. Public meetings in the State of Minnesota, including city council meetings and local boards and commissions, must be conducted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law under Minnesota Statute 13D. 25