On December 16, 2020, Council unanimously adopted Resolution 7318, which, in part, affirmed the Council’s commitment to meaningful advancements of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), declaring the intent to end any racial and social disparities internal to the City. 

The resolution also established an ad-hoc committee appointing Jenny Crosswhite and Andy Sobel to serve on the committee, to work with City staff to examine practices and policies, meet with local organizations and individuals to obtain input on their experiences with the City, and to return to the Council with a report on their findings and recommendations.

Additionally, the committee was tasked with drafting a statement addressing racism, diversity, and police brutality and working on items such as:

• Working with community stakeholders to hold listening sessions. 
• Providing guidance to develop internal policies that prioritize, support, and invest in equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Supporting and encouraging public participation to ensure meaningful engagement and capacity-building opportunities for residents most impacted by racial and social injustice. 
• Study and analyze quantitative and qualitative indicators that show existing inequities and disparities in the City, and how the community experiences the City’s desired outcomes. 
• Developing a summary report that describes existing equity-related activities throughout City departments. 
• Preparing a set of policies and recommended changes to City policies to promote equity and social justice. 
• Acknowledge the historic role government has played in systemically driving and perpetuating societal inequities along racial, gender, and socioeconomic lines that have resulted in vastly different living and social conditions and access to opportunities; 
• Recognize that systemic racism resulting from the inherent biases and prejudices within social and political organizations, groups, or institutions continue to create barriers to success for people of color; 
• Recognize that systemic racism negatively impacts the social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care; and 
• Recognize that the City has to play a role in understanding and communicating the impacts that its decisions have on low-income families, communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other disadvantaged communities.