Equity PlanEquity Plan
Introduction
In late 2016 the City joined the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) program, sponsored by
the Center for Social Inclusion. GARE is a national network of government working to achieve racial
equity and advance opportunities for all. We joined the GARE program as a 2017 Introductory Cohort
along with approximately 22 other government organizations in the Minnesota Twin Cities area. We
have spent the past year developing a strategic vision and actionable goals to advance equity and
inclusion, both internally and externally within our city. Our journey has taken us down a path to
acknowledge our history, recognize where we are now, and make changes to enhance our future.
Step 1. Create an Equity Team
This team would engage with other GARE participants each month, receive significant education on
racial inequity, and lead our City initiatives. The Workforce Equity Team is made up of the City’s senior
management group, which includes: City Manager, Human Resources Director, Communications
Manager, Finance Director, Physical Development Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief,
Fire Chief, and one Police Sergeant. We felt it would serve our City best to have our leadership and
decision-makers engrained in the program.
Step 2. Determine Team Name
We were thoughtful and deliberate about the name we chose for our team, and decided upon “The
Valley Values.” The City of Golden Valley’s “Valley Values,” are six core values that encompass who we
are as a City, including who we hire, how we work every day, how we interact with each other and our
community, and how we measure success. Each of our values is a key pillar of this work to establish an
equitable and inclusive City. Our values:
•Open Communication – We listen, share ideas, welcome input, and encourage
transparency across the City and in the community.
•Teamwork – We trust each other and work as a cohesive unit to resolve issues, build
solutions, and achieve our shared goals.
•Work/Life Balance - We dedicate ourselves to our work with the City, but are committed
to a culture that embraces life outside of work.
•Customer Focus – We strive to provide the highest level of service and treat everyone in
our community with honesty and respect.
•Know How – We have confidence in our abilities, promote life-long learning, and use the
tools, resources, education, and training we need to be successful.
•Positive Attitude – We approach every day with optimism and enthusiasm, celebrate our
successes, and take pride in what we do.
Step 3. Create a Race Equity Action Plan
At this point our team took a long look at our City demographics, and what equity means for us. We
realized that we have an opportunity to make an impact on both our internal and external community
by developing strategies directed toward inclusivity and equity for all. With that in mind, we crafted an
Equity Plan to focus on our infrastructure, internal and external practices, community engagement, and
public services. We recognize the need to openly examine and willingly engage together in advancing
equality by committing to:
•an infrastructure that supports and advances equity
Equity Plan
•fair and equitable hiring practices
•providing impartial public service
•a framework for inclusive community engagement
The plan laid out below has projected goals, action items, leadership/accountability, performance
measures, as well as a projected timeline. With the continued support of the Council, we, as the Valley
Values Workforce Equity team, will lead the implementation of our Equity plan. Our implementation will
at times be internally focused, and at other times will benefit from the input of our community
members and stakeholders. Together we strive to establish a narrative of a truly inclusive, welcoming,
and equitable City.
Council-Approved Equity Plan
Objective 1. Commit to an infrastructure that supports and advances equity
Action Items Notes/Questions Performance Measure Progress/Completion
Develop workforce
equity team dedicated
to workforce equity,
with authority and
ability to influence
change and direction
of the City
Design workforce
equity plan
Review GV policies and
procedures
Conduct a
handbook review-
do our policies
reflect an open,
diverse, equitable
workplace?
Review of entire
handbook – use racial
equity tool when
needed
Review Valley Values Do our values
reflect an inclusive,
diverse, and
equitable
workforce?
Staff responses to
survey on values
Communication plan
development
How will we
communicate our
goals and action
items to
employees?
# of employees who
receive equity plan and
goals
Equity Plan
Objective 1 Notes:
Provide ongoing
employee training
Train current staff
on workforce equity
(to understand the
importance, and
how each staff
member plays a
role)
Staff attendance – all
staff trained by end of
2018
Equity Plan
Objective 2. Commit to fair and equitable hiring practices
Action Items Notes/Questions Performance Measure Progress/Completion
Identify representation
of diverse candidates
in recruitment pools.
Collect demographic
data of applicants
over past two years.
Where do
applicants find us?
Basic demographics:
race/ethnicity,
gender, and age
group.
Number staff
information collected
Candidate
identification of
recruitment location
List recruitment sites
Establish framework
for inclusive and
effective
recruitment and
retention measures
Review policies and
practices for
potential equity
barriers (in hiring,
retention, and
upward mobility).
Review recruitment
practices and
identify ways to
enhance
recruitment
opportunities within
diverse
communities (eg,
online postings, job
fairs, and college
and high school
relations).
Collected demographic
information
Number of policies
reviewed
Number of diverse
posting locations
identified
Conduct initial and
ongoing implicit bias
training
Reduce implicit bias
in hiring by
providing all
supervisors/hiring
managers with
training.
Number of staff
completed training
Conduct benefit review Do our current
benefits allow us to
attract diverse
candidates?
Number of benefits
reviewed and
added/changed to
make accommodations
Equity Plan
Objective 2 Notes:
Equity Plan
Objective 3. Commit to providing impartial public service
Objective 3 Notes:
Action Items Notes/Questions Performance Measure Progress/Completion
Review City contracts
and RFP process to
ensure elimination of
biases and
encourage minority
involvement.
Union labor/Davis
Bacon/livable wages
Number of contracts/
agreements reviewed
Ensure equity in our
programming, services
and facilities.
Looking at both
current inventory,
and future projects
for potential equity
barriers.
Inventory of programs,
services, and facilities
and reviewed for
potential barriers.
Number of projects run
through review for
barriers prior to project
completion
Research and propose
affordable housing
standards.
Equity Plan
Objective 4. Commit to a framework of inclusive community engagement.
Objective 4 Notes:
Action Items Notes/Questions Performance Measure Progress/Completion
Communicate the
equity plan to
community members
Develop communication plan for stakeholders and leverage relationships with community members who have existing ties with diverse organizations and can communicate equity goals.
Including Council, commissions, boards, advisory groups.
Communication plan should include other community members and groups.
Increase diversity in
the commissions,
advisory groups and
elected officials
How can we
increase diversity in
these groups?
Demographics of
board/commission
members
Continue community
education and
outreach
Continue reviewing
intitiaives that allow
GV to connect with
community.
Number of activities
planned each year
Number of touchpoints
Attendance at events,
open houses, public
meetings, etc.
Equity Plan
City Welcome Statement
In March of 2018 the City Council unanimously voted to adopt a Welcome Statement, declaring our
belief that all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status,
gender, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, economic status, sexual orientation, familial
status, or cultural background, are welcome in Golden Valley.
The City of Golden Valley believes in and stands for the values of social equity, inclusion,
and justice.
We embrace diversity and recognize the rights of individuals to live their lives with
dignity, free of discrimination, fear, violence, and hate.
We welcome individuals to Golden Valley regardless of race, color, creed, religion,
national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identity, marital status, age, disability,
economic status, sexual orientation, familial status, or cultural background.
We strive to provide fair and unbiased services and programs, giving opportunities for all.
We are dedicated to being a supportive and united community, strengthened by the
diversity of our residents and visitors.