Committee on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Regular Meeting

Lansing, MI · December 11, 2024

Minutes

Minutes Committee on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Wednesday, December 11, 2024 @ 4:30 p.m. City Council Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Council Member Jackson called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. PRESENT Council Member Jackson, Chair Council Member Pehlivanoglu, Vice-Chair Council Member Carter, Member OTHERS PRESENT Sherie Boak, Council Office Manager Lisa Hagen-Lawrence, OCA Michael Hopson, HRCS DEI Manager Emily Sorroche, DEI Advisory Board Chairperson Kim Coleman, HRCS Director Charles Randall, Internal Auditor Byron Haskins, DEI Advisory Board Member-via Teams MINUTES MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PEHLIVANOGLU TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 13, 2024, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment at this time. PRESENTATIONS DEI Advisory Board Members Council Member Jackson asked for an update on the Board; if it is pro-active or reactive, is there directive, have there been issues identified, what are plans and Ms. Sorroche provided a bullet point of the Advisory Board activities since they were created in 2022. This included having advanced community outreach and building relationships with the communities. There are monthly meetings with eight (8) core functions; advise DEI staff, maintenance of MRJEA plan, review ordinances, provide advisory, encourage engagement and serve as liaison between City Hall and the community. During a retreat they focused on themes such as public safety, economic empowerment, training new business owners, community sustainability and community conversations. They worked with the Advocacy Group and worked on focus and identified By-Laws. Over the year, there have been four new members of the Advisory Board as well. Highlighting items in a proactive way, holding two special meetings on Ordinance 297; Human Rights Ordinance. In that review they looked at it to make sure it spoke to equitable and was appropriate. They sent their recommendations to HRCS who would be forwarding that to the mayor. Council Member Carter acknowledged the update and asked if they had gotten any input from the Justice and Safety Community survey. Ms. Sorroche stated they have compiled, but with turnover of the Board, they have stepped back and moving now towards that to finish. Council Member Carter asked about the tool kit and training and Ms. Sorroche stated it is being researched to make sure there is no duplicates in those services. Council Member Jackson noted EDI is vaguely defined and asked if there are any specific topic areas in community collaboration, liaison to the community. Ms. Sorroche confirmed they have spoken about what ordinance to combat next and have spoken on municipal law. They want to see what the community is engaged on, what are policies where people get discouraged. That being said the board is going to look at the City policies and which ones should they look at next, which one’s residents talking about, and if there is a problem that is a common denominator. Council Member Jackson noted that with Human Rights Ordinance, there is a small number of complaints filed, and asked Ms. Sorroche if the Board looked at why there are so few appeals or complaints. Ms. Sorroche stated she was not aware of the number of people who have filed complaints, they have reviewed promotional information, need to explore what this means to the community. What is the issue, why do they not get more complaints, and she too questioned if people know. Council Member Carter suggested asked about adding the communication of the human rights ordinance into the survey, and into the tool kit and any communications overall. Council Member Jackson spoke on the proactive nature and supported what they are planning. But the tasks they are speaking to is to look at what is existing. Is there a way to have the committee have eyes on the ordinance changes coming to Council so they can be in the front process of what will be coming as a resolution or ordinance. Other than that, they administration might not think to include the Advisory Board. Mr. Haskins stated he had nothing to add to what Ms. Sorroche had already stated. DISCUSSION/ACTION RESOLUTION – Appointment; Cheryl Bernard; 3rd Ward Member of the Diversity Equity Inclusion Advisory Board; Term to Expire June 30, 2027 Council Member Jackson noted that Ms. Bernard was not able to attend, and Council would like to speak to her before her appointment and have three Committee members present. That being said, the appointment was moved to a meeting in 2025. Other Council Member Carter noted a flyer brought by Mr. Hopson for the upcoming MLK Event on January 16, 2024 Adjourn Adjourned at 4:49 p.m. Submitted, Sherrie Boak Recording Secretary, Lansing City Council Approved by the Committee on February 12, 2025

Agenda

Packet

AGENDA Committee on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion December 11, 2024 at 4:30 PM Lansing City Hall, City Council Conference Room 124 W. Michigan Avenue, 10th Floor To provide input or ask questions on any item that is listed on the agenda, members of the public may contact the City Council at city.council@lansingmi.gov or (517) 483-4177 prior to the meeting. To view the meeting live and participate in virtual public comment: https://www.lansingmi.gov/1212/Council-Committee-Meetings Council Member Jackson, Chairperson Council Member Pehlivanoglu, Vice Chairperson Council Member Carter, Member 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Minutes A. November 13, 2024 4. Public Comment on Agenda Items (Up to 3 Minutes) 5. Presentations: B. DEI Advisory Board Members 6. Discussion/Action: C. RESOLUTION - Appointment; Cheryl Bernard; 3rd Ward member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board; Term to Expire June 30, 2027 7. Other 8. Adjourn Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation to fully participate in these meetings should contact the City Council Office at 517-483-4177 (TTY 711) 24 hour notice may be needed for certain accommodations. An attempt will be made to grant all reasonable accommodation requests. Page 1 of 9 Minutes Committee on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Wednesday, November 13, 2024 @ 4:30 p.m. City Council Conference Room CALL TO ORDER Council Member Pehlivanoglu called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. PRESENT Council Member Jackson, Chair Council Member Pehlivanoglu, Vice-Chair Council Member Carter, Member OTHERS PRESENT Sherie Boak, Council Office Manager Lisa Hagen-Lawrence, OCA Sharon Gillison MINUTES MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PEHLIVANOGLU TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 11, 2024, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment at this time. DISCUSSION/ACTION RESOLUTION – Appointment; Sharron Gillison; At Large member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board; Term to Expire 6/30/2028 Ms. Gillison first highlighted her life long residency in the City of Lansing, career at LAFCU until she retired in 2018 as the HR Director, a role she had since 1992, where she also was involved in the union as steward and on the negotiations team. Council Member Jackson asked what policies she established or followed while she was with LAFCU regarding diversity and inclusion. Ms. Gillison confirmed they had hiring policies and training. Council Member Jackson then asked what the mindset was in 1992 regarding equity, diversity and inclusion. Ms. Gillison stated the goal was to involve equity, diversity and inclusion to promote from within, hiring outreach and a goal to provide opportunities, training and always have a diverse staff. Council Member Pehlivanoglu noted the application was from 2022 and asked if there were any updates. Ms. Gillison stated she now currently sites on the Transcendent Performing Arts Board where they have a mission to educate in performing arts tuition for students that are unable to participate and the underserved. Page 2 of 9 DRAFT Council Member Jackson asked how she heard of this Board and why she applied. Ms. Gillison admitted she was on the City website for something else and saw the opportunity and thought with her past experience and volunteer work on other boards this would be a good fit and continue to help the community. MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER PEHLIVANOGLU TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF SHARON GILLISON TO THE DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY BOARD. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Other No other topics. Adjourn Adjourned at 4:41 p.m. Submitted, Sherrie Boak Recording Secretary, Lansing City Council Approved by the Committee on Page 3 of 9 Resolution #2024-213- excerpt By the Committee of the Whole Resolved by the City Council of the City of Lansing WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Lansing requires the Council to adopt an annual statement of Budget Policies and Priorities serving to guide the Administration in developing and presenting the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion has established the following priorities: 1. $200,000 - Housing Support. Committee recommends creating a comprehensive plan that addresses the unique needs of our unhoused populations that include, unhoused, sheltered, transient, and individuals suffering with addiction, mental health, and physical needs. Equitable housing options for our diverse unhoused populations. I.e. Supporting diverse housing needs such as shelters, warming and cooling centers, those that prefer not to be sheltered, and transient populations. 2. $100,000 - DEI Implementation. Committee recommends adding a DEI Implementation Specialist to work alongside DEI Officer and department leaders and staff to assist in implementation DEI strategies. 3. $50,000 - Citizen Complaints. Committee recommends creating and deploying a Complaint Awareness campaign identifying the citizen compliant process and history of general outcomes. 4. $100,000 - Veterans Assistance. Committee recommends adding a Veterans Assistance Specialist to assist Veterans in applying for city jobs, access resources, and housing support. 5. $100,000 - Youth Opportunities. Committee recommends creating youth opportunities, apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and paid positions where youth can learn, participate in public and civic engagement, and paid experience. 6. Onboarding & DEI Training. Committee recommends all departments, and branches of local government, boards and commissions, receive onboarding and DEI training to ensure quality of work and culture move meeting role expectations. 7. $150,000 Disability Inclusion. Committee recommends hiring a disability consultant to address the needs of persons with seen and unseen persons with disabilities. Consultant can address creating an inclusive culture, making adaptive accommodations, providing additional supports in the community and in homes, and infrastructure investments to support those with visual impairments amongst others who have specialized conditions with further focus on handicap parking enforcement. Page 4 of 9 TOPICS OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON EQUITY DIVERSITY & INCLUSION and DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY BOARD • What strategic plans or initiatives are being implemented, with a focus on community service? • Are there any community input or specific needs? • Please provide an update on the following committees: Justice and Safety, Economic Empowerment, and Community Sustainability. • Have you faced any barriers in reaching the goals of your work? • Are you currently reviewing any data on relevant diversity topics? • Has there been, or do you anticipate any facilitation of community listening sessions, or promotion of educational/cultural lectures, events, or activities? • Are you open to having a member of your board attend this committee meeting quarterly to give updates, ask questions, and in general strengthen communication? • This is an opportunity to learn what projects, strategies, or plans are being implemented or developed within the department. (see first bullet point as well). • Review Council budget priorities and use this as an opportunity to see if anything was in alignment with the Advisory board. The initial thought behind the meeting was to listen and learn from the Board. There are some individuals that we haven’t met. 12/2/2024 Page 5 of 9 Application for Appointment to Board or Commission 11/08/2024 5:55 PM (EST) Application for Appointment to Board or Commission Thank you for your interest in serving on a Lansing Board, Commission, or Committee. Certain boards, commissions, or committees require appointees to be a registered elector in the City of Lansing (Charter Section 2-102) and be a resident of Lansing for one year prior to taking office (Charter Section 2-102). Appointees to every board, commission, or committee must not be in default to the City at the time of taking office (Charter Section 2-103.2) and not have been convicted, within 20 years of taking office, of a violation of the election laws of the City of Lansing, State of Michigan, or the United States; a violation of public trust; or any felony (Charter Section 2-103.1). Lansing City Charter, Section 5-104, Ineligibility For Boards, restricts certain City employee activities on some boards: "No person holding another City office or activity employed by the City shall be eligible to be a voting member on any board." Date 11/08/2024 First Name Cheryl Last Name Bernard Other name(s) by which you have Horn been known, including maiden names Date of Birth Home Address 3419 Sandhurst Dr, Lansing, MI 498911 City Lansing State MI Zip Code 48911 Email Gender Female If you don't know which ward you live in, visit the Lansing Neighborhoods Ward Map and type in your address to find out! Ward Ward 3 Page 6Page of 91/3 Precinct 24 Best Phone Number to Contact 5178967760 You In what year did you move to 1981 Lansing? Additional Information Regarding MPA in Public Administration Experience and Credentials Occupational Background Public Health Consultant - State of Michigan Employment Counselor and Director of Education - Lansing Urban League I have experience with program planning, budgeting, contracting and policy development, I have trained and evaluated staff and programs. in my past and current position. I have supervised and hired staff and volunteers. Currently, I am a Public Health Consultant for the Nutrition Program and Evaluation Section with the WIC Division. In this position, I have the opportunity to work with all levels of local health department staff as well as State level consultants and staff. Within my current position I participate on the Department DEI team and on the Health Equity Committee. Educational Background Master of Public Administration (MPA) Are you a current City of Lansing Yes or Lansing Board of Water and Light employee? Previous Appointments N/A Current Appointments N/A First Choice for Board to Serve on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board Second Choice of a Board to Mayor's Diversity Advisory Council Serve on Please comment briefly on why I strongly believe when there is diversity, in the population within the State, City, you wish to serve on a particular County, communities and workplaces you have a greater collection of ideas from board or commission. Please be like-minded community members on how to move forward with ideas which will specific as to your goals and strengthen the communities within the Greater Lansing area. My goal as a ideas about how you wish to member of the DEI Advisory Board will be to work with the team regarding contribute to the work of the board community events and activities in the Lansing area where people may not feel or commission. included and work on how to get those more involved and to listen to what they may need to be too effective in their communities. Qualifications and Eligibility – At N/A this time, if you do not meet one or more of the qualifications or eligibility requirements listed at the top, please state here the requirement to be met and explain how you will be qualified or eligible before you would be sworn in to an appointed office. This certification is not required but may impact potential consideration of the appointment being sought. I authorize the use of the information provided above to conduct a background search, including but not limited to criminal history, residency, and indebtedness to the City of Lansing. If selected to serve, I further authorize additional background checks during the term of my service to ensure the required criteria continue to be met. I also acknowledge that I have Page 7Page of 92/3 the affirmative duty to inform the City if I become aware of any change or condition in my status that fails to meet the required criteria. Agreement to Background Check I agree Authorization Please type your name in this box Cheryl Bernard to signify that you can serve on a board or commission and the information in this application is accurate to the best of your knowledge. Date & Time 11/08/2024 12:00 PM (EST) Receive an email copy of this Yes form. Page 8Page of 93/3 BY THE COMMITTEE ON EQUITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANSING WHEREAS, the Mayor has made the recommendation for appointment of Cheryl Bernard as the 3rd Ward member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board for a term to expire June 30, 2027; and WHEREAS, the Mayor’s office has confirmed with this resolution, that they have vetted the applicant based on the original application and believes that the applicant meets the qualifications as required by the City Charter; and WHEREAS, the Committee on Equity Diversity and Inclusion met on December 11, 2024 and took affirmative action. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lansing City Council, hereby, confirms the appointment Cheryl Bernard as the 3rd Ward member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board for a term to expire June 30, 2027. Page 9 of 9