Agenda Packets - 2023/02/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mows viEw Item No: 8E Meeting Date: February 13, 2623 Type of Business: CB Administrator Review: City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator Item Title/Subject: Resolution 9701 Human Dignity Task Force and Declaration Background: The Mounds View Council has been focusing on human dignity/diversity and inclusion since 2020 when five additional workshops were added to bring in guest speakers to help understand the complexities and challenges facing our society. Additionally, staff and Council have attended seminars, training, and focus groups over the same time -period. Furthermore, census data shows that our current BIPOC population is just over 30%, as compared to a few percentage points just one generation (30 years) ago. In 2020, after extensive work and additional meetings, Council adopted their 2020-2022 Strategic Plan, which included a goal of being a "Welcoming and Livable Community." The Mounds View Police Department has excelled in outreach efforts ranging from the New American's Academy to Shop with a Cop, Coffee with a Cop, Daddy Daughter Dance, and more. Our Community Center staff and Park and Recreation Staff endeavor to offer programs and services addressing all residents and observers readily see the diversity of the community. Discussion: Whilst past efforts have addressed and will continue to address the goal, the question remains is that enough. Former Council Member Bill Bergeron has been an advocate for further exploration and prior to his retirement from the Council suggested more work was needed, and has been working and endeavoring to formulate a pathway for this exploration. At their February 3, 2023 Workshop Mr. Bergeron presented a Proposal for a Declaration to act for equality for all and to work towards equity and justice in Mounds View. Council Consensus was to move forward with adopting the Declaration and creation of a Task Force. Attachment A is the Declaration and Attachment B provides the responsibilities and goals of the Human Rights Task Force Strategic Plan Strategy/Goal: Diverse livable community The Mounds View Vision A Thriving Desirable Community