21-090/11-16 Adopt Updated Equity PlanDocuSign Envelope ID: C9691C9A-8DD4-4127-AA53-28591134FOCE0
RESOLUTION NO.21-90
RESOLUTION ADOPTING UPDATED EQUITY PLAN
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the first iteration of the City's Equity Plan in
January 2019; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends updating the plan in order to re -structure and add
time bound measurable action items.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council for the City of Golden
Valley adopts the updated Equity Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Adopted by the City Council of Golden Valley, Minnesota this 16th day of November, 2021.
rDocuftned by:
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Shepar . arris, Mayor
ATTEST:
FZDxuSipned by:
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Theresa c yma, City Clerk
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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. The City spent 2017 developing a strategic vision and
actionable goals to advance equity and inclusion, both internally and externally within the city.
The City Council adopted the Equity Plan in 2018. In 2019, the City Council appointed a Task Force to
provide recommended implementation action steps based on the City's objectives. The City's equity
plan is considered a living and responsive document. The City regularly updates its Equity Plan with data,
progress, identified needs of the community, and recommendations (adopted by City Council) from Task
Forces/Commissions.
The City recognizes the historical and present disparities perpetuated by its structures, policies, and
procedures burdened by different communities, particularly within Black, Indigenous and People of
Color communities. Consequently, the City is committed to transforming local government to dismantle
barriers, provide resources, and enhance opportunities for all of its residents and visitors.
Elements of the City s Equity Intr'astructure
City Welcome Statement
In March 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 statement reads:
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.
Our journey has taken us down a path to acknowledge our history, recognize where we are now, and
make changes to enhance our future.
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Just Deeds Coalition
Just Deeds is the name of a project launched by the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission (the
"HRC") to provide free legal assistance to homeowners who want to research and discharge
discriminatory covenants from their property titles. Just Deeds also shares the name with a coalition of
cross -disciplinary organizations whose goal is to acknowledge the harm caused by discriminatory
covenants and actively work to dismantle structural and institutional racism. The Coalition is actively
working to educate Minnesotans of historically racist practices; the deliberate damage they have caused
communities of color and other traditionally marginalized groups of people; and how these systems
directly benefited white persons. Additionally, the Coalition aims to take an active role in identifying
discriminatory systems and devote resources toward creating equity for all persons.
Equity leadership Team
Outlined in the GARE process, a central part of any agency's commitment to equity should include a
working group tasked with initiating, measuring and reflecting upon practices, policies and procedures in
the name of equity. The City of Golden Valley's Equity Leadership Team is comprised of the M-Team (all
Department Directors and City Manager) with the support of the Equity and Inclusion Manager. The
Equity Leadership Team meets monthly to review the Equity Action Plan, assess progress and
collectively problem solve any obstructions to completion.
Equity Advancement Team
The Equity Advancement Team is a group of self-selected and nominated staff from all levels and all
departments that are committed to personal and professional learning regarding equity, inclusion and
social justice. This team meets monthly and has a yearlong commitment. The purpose of this group is to
act as ambassadors to their colleagues regarding the City's Equity initiatives and help facilitate
conversations and raise questions in the name of equity advancement.
The City Council and the City Boards and Commissions are dedicated to examining practices and
frameworks to dismantle inequity and barriers. Each board and commission submits an annual equity
action item as part of its ongoing work plans. Additionally, the City Council provides directives to Boards
and Commissions to carry out equity actions. This includes, but is not limited to Resolutions of Support
such as the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Just Deeds; and
Resolutions condemning practices such as Conversion Therapy.
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Equity Tool
The purpose of the Equity Tool is to evaluate various equity impacts in the decision -making process.
There are five steps in the tool:
1. Set outcomes
2. Determine stakeholders
3. Gather and review stakeholder data
4. Evaluate impact over intent
5. Report back to stakeholders decision and impacts
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Equity Plan Pillars
The City has erected four key pillars to guide its transformation. The City is committed to:
1. an infrastructure that supports and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion
2. practices that promote economic prosperity for all
3. eliminating barriers and providing unbiased programs and services
4. effective and inclusive community engagement
20t1 Equity Action clan
Each year, the Golden Valley Management Team develops goals to structure and build intentionality for
their department's work for the following 12 months; at least one of these goals relates to the City's
commitment to equity. The following plan outlines the work of the each department in an action plan
for the next year.
Key Pillar: Infrastructure that Supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
2021 Action Item Department
Strengthen the City's equity accountability Human Resources
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
® Equity Action Plan
® Create system of data collection measuring
® Individual commitment statements
diversity of applicants and employees by race,
gender, age, educational attainment,
geography
® Transition Rising TIDES Task Force to existing
Human Rights Committee
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Develop or research data systems to
® Human Resources Director
calculate and measure demographic make-
o Equity & Inclusion Manager
up of staff and applicants by 2021
® Supporting Staff: Equity Leadership Team
❑ Develop new structure and functions of
Human Rights Committee by March 2021.
❑ Establish regular Equity Team meetings by
Feb. 2021
❑ Establish Advancement Team and create
meeting agendas and schedules by Feb.
2021
Task Force Recommendations
2020 — The Task Force recommends updating the Equity Plan on a regular basis, consistent with the
needs and input of the community (p. 4)
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2021 Action Item Department
Create system of demographic data collection to Human Resources
support equity goals across the City
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Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
® Employee demographics
® Data collection system/structure
® Community/resident demographics
® Data collection, synthesis and reporting
® Data -driven decision making
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Determine relevant demographic data to
• Human Resources Director
measure and collect
® Equity & Inclusion Manager
❑ Develop or research data systems to
® Supporting Staff: Equity Leadership Team
calculate and measure demographic make-
up of staff and applicants by 2021
❑ Publish data system and report dates
Task Force Recommendations
2020 — The Task Force recommends the City put into place various opportunities for gathering data (p.
4)
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Key Pillar: Practices that Promote Economic Prosperity for All
Action Item Department
Establish framework for inclusive and effective Human Resources
recruitment measures
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Data
Performance Measures
•
Recruitment tools
• Optimize recruitment processes, including
•
Applicant + employee demographics
employment (career website, onsite
•
Mobility data
recruitment, etc), boards + commissions and
•
Compensation study results
task force applications
•
Job posting language
® Develop comprehensive supervisor training
program including internal and external
•
Job duties and responsibilities language
resources and complete implicit bias training
by end of 2021.
• Establish relationships with community
organizations/institutions
Check
Points
Assignees
❑
Review policies and practices for systemic
• Human Resources Director
barriers in hiring, retention, and upward
• Equity and Inclusion Manager
mobility
❑
Review enhance recruitment opportunities
within diverse communities (e.g. online
postings, job fairs, and college and high
school relations).
❑
Initiate use of POC job website for
postings
❑
Collect and synthesize demographic data
employee and applicant (employee and
boards + commissions, task force) to
determine growth areas for recruitment by
❑
Conduct implicit bias training for all hiring
managers
❑
Participation in community events for
recruitment
Task Force Recommendations
2020—The Task Force recommends that the City diversify employee recruitment by updating
recruitment collateral (job postings, job description, interview guides) to emphasize commitment to
inclusivity and review and adjust recruiting practices (p. 11)
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2021 Action Item
Department
Develop and provide comprehensive supervisor Human Resources
training program, including internal and external
training resources including implicit bias by end of
2021.
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
• Recruitment matriculation data
® Increased staff diversity, mobility and
• Staff retention and mobility data
retention
• Training completion and implementation
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Identify supervisor training needs
• Human Resources Director
❑ Research and explore internal and external
® Equity & Inclusion Manager
training resources
• Supporting Staff: Equity Leadership Team
❑ Develop training schedule
❑ Complete training(s)
Task Force Recommendations
2020 — The Task Force recommends The City provide training for all hiring managers on how to
effectively source and recruit talent (p. 10)
2021 Action Item
Department
Increase the number of contracts awarded to Physical Development
minority owned businesses. Apply one of three
methods at least four projects requiring bids,
quotes or professional services to eliminate
potential procurement barriers
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
• Contracts and vendors awarded
• Expanded outreach to vendors beyond
MNUCP Directory
• Modified project scopes to attract smaller
firms
• Adjusted procedures and requirements that
eliminate barriers
• Dollars spent with minority, woman, vet, -
owned, small, young firms
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Choose at least four contracts for method
• Physical Development project managers
application
• Equity and Inclusion Manager
❑ Develop success indicator for contracts
• City Attorney
awarded
❑ Measure impact of method and compare
outcomes
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Task Force Recommendations
2020 — The Task Force recommends The City create a process for reviewing City contracts and RFPs to
eliminate potential biases (p. 7)
2021 Action Item
Department
Review paid on -call firefighter hiring process and Fire Department
work to eliminate barriers/challenges, make
meaningful changes to process and increase
number of applicants by 10 percent
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
Fire Department applications
+ Number of applications
® Fire Department hiring process
Check Points
Assignees
Identify barriers and challenges to
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application and hiring process based on
• Human Resources Manager
social identity
❑ Develop new process with data -based
decision making
❑ Implement changes
❑ Measure and collect application data
Task Force Recommendations
2020 — The Task Force recommends that the City diversify employee recruitment by updating
recruitment collateral (job postings, job description, interview guides) to emphasize
commitment to inclusivity and review and adjust recruiting practices (p. 11)
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Key Pillar: Eliminating Barriers And Providing Unbiased Programs And Services
Action Item
Department
Implement improvements at one park shelter Parks and Recreation
building to expand physical accessibility to the
building and restroom facilities by December 2021
Data
Performance Measures
® ADA building compliance
• Increased access to buildings and restrooms
for impacted identities (physical ability,
parental status, gender identity)
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Completion of one park shelter for all ADA
• Parks and Recreation Director
requirements
• Park Superintendent
• Golf Maintenance Supervisor
Task Force Recommendations
2020—The Task Force recommends The City eliminate barriers in programming and facilities in the
areas of inclusiveness, accessibility and appropriateness (p. 15).
2021 Action Item
Research and evaluate language conversion
software, including reviewing current software
packages
Department
Administrative Services
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
• Increased customer satisfaction and
• Utility and implementation of language
engagement with City developed materials
conversion software
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Develop software assessment tool
• Finance Director
❑ Determine community language needs
• IT Department
❑ Choose software by_
❑ Train appropriate staff with software
❑ Communicate software adoption to other
staff
Task Force Recommendations
The Task Force recommends The City use communication tools to reach a wider representation of
people from diverse groups within the Golden Valley community (p. 13)
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2021 Action Item Department
Conduct racial profiling study on all traffic stops Police Department
by the Golden Valley Police Department
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Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
® Traffic stop
• Racialized traffic stop data and report
® Practice and procedure recommendations
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Train officers in software and data collection
® Police Chief
process
• Police Department
❑ Establish data collection as a part of a traffic
stop
❑ Draft, publish and present report findings
Task Force Recommendations
N/A
2021 Action Item
Draft amendments to provisions of City Code
dealine with zonine of relieious institutions
Department
Legal Department
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
® Zoning Code
® Zoning Code implementation and
enforcement
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Audit zoning codes with impacts on religion
❑ Update language to minimize impact
® City Attorney
Task Force Recommendations:
N/A
2021 Action Itern
Implement Driver's License Reinstatement
Prneram
Department
Legal Department
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
® Program participation and outcomes
® Payment of outstanding fees and citations
® Number of participants and completions of
program
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Establish program
® City Attorney
❑ Determine eligible cases
® City Prosecutor
❑ Track completions and reinstatements
Task Force Recommendations
N/A
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2021 Action Item
Department
Prepare and present annual prosecution report to Legal Department
Council and City Manager
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Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
• Report data
• Prosecution transparency and accountability
• Data -informed practices
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Ascertain which data to collect
• City Attorney
❑ Research existing data sources
• City Prosecutor
❑ Develop report and communication
• Equity and Inclusion Manager
mechanism
❑ Facilitate presentation to Council + City
Manager
❑ Develop prosecution recommendations
based on findings
Task Force Recommendations
N/A
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Key Pillar: Effective and Inclusive Community Engagement
2021 Action Item
Department
Establish three new partnerships with community Public Works
organizations to promote Golden Valley Public
Works at local events
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Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
• Community knowledge of Public Works
• Increased number of Public Works job
functions
applications
• Public Works job applications
• Pipelines and relationship development within
community
Check Points
Assignees
❑ Initiate contact with organizations related to
. Public Works Director
Public Works
• Public Works Managers
❑ Determine scope of relationship
❑ Plan involvement in local events
Task Force Recommendations
The Task Force recommends the City review and adjust recruiting practices to ensure diverse outreach
by building connections with local school districts about careers in Government (p. 11)
2021 Action Item
Improve comprehensive community
engagement process to measure diversity and
participation by underrepresented groups.
Department
Communications Department
Data & Community Indicators
Performance Measures
•
Community/resident participation and
• Event attendance
engagement
® Survey, social media, website engagement
•
Community/resident demographic
information
Check Points
Assignees
❑
Understand City demographics
• Communications Department
❑
Determine underrepresented groups
a Equity and Inclusion Manager
❑
Develop outreach strategies for groups
® Boards and Commission Staff Liaisons
❑
Implement strategies
❑
Measure and collect data
Task Force Recommendations
The Task Force recommends The City develop communication tools to reach a wider representation of
people from diverse groups within the Golden Valley community (p.13)
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DEW Progress Made
2017
® Plan draft completed (Nov 2017)
® Create a team of leaders within the City and provide them with foundational training on equity,
diversity and inclusion by end
® City Management Team assigned as workforce equity team
Review Valley Values
2018
® City Council adopted Equity Plan (Jan 2018)
® Researched and proposed affordable housing standards (Jan 2018)
® Designed Equity Workforce Plan
® Completed Respectful Workplace training (Nov 2018)
® Updated employee handbook to remove any gender -specific pronouns; updated nursing mother's
room, and updated dress code and religious accommodations policies (Dec 2018)
® Added written application for individuals without computer access
2019
• Communicated equity plan to community members
® Launched Rising TIDES platform and 11-person Task Force (Jan 2019)
® Hosted first Rising TIDES Public Open Forum (Oct 2019)
® Launched Just Deeds Project (Nov 2019)
020
® Issued Proclamation Conversion Therapy (Jan 2020)
® Hosted second Rising TIDES Public Open Forum (Mar 2020)
® Rising TIDES submitted official recommendations report to City Council (June 2020)
® Began Equity 101 staff training to all full-time/regular staff
o Communication plan development - all full-time staff looked at Equity Plan and department
goals during Equity 101 training
® Completed Full Compensation and Classification Study
2021
® Completed Equity 101 training to all full-time/regular staff and Paid On -Call Firefighters
® Issued Proclamation in support of CEDAW
Continued/In Progress
® Candidate identification of recruitment location
o Continually review the City's application platform for candidate identification of
advertisement locations
® Collect demographic information
Employee Policy Review
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o Using an equity lens, continually review the policies and procedures within employee
handbooks across the City.
® Conduct Benefit Review
o Using an equity lens, continually review the policies and procedures within employee
handbooks across the City.
® Inventory of programs, services and facilities and reviewed for potential barriers
® Continue community education and outreach
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Glossary
This glossary is a set of terms adopted by the City to ensure common language and
understanding regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. When discussing the diversity, equity
and inclusion efforts, use these terms and definitions in all contexts:
Accountability: Processes and procedures that ensure the centering of equity in the decision -
making process
Barrier: Social, economic and physical impediments constructed to decrease access to
resources essential for positive life outcomes
BIPOC: An acronym for Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Bias: a mental process that evaluates and classifies others by their appearance and/or
behaviors based on personal schemata. Bias influences our actions, beliefs and attitudes about
others positively and negatively. There are two types of bias in regards to equity and justice:
i. Explicit: Bias we are aware of and act in the name of
ii. Implicit: Subconscious feelings, perceptions, attitudes and stereotypes developed
over time
Source: US Justice Department
Capacity Building: Exercises and trainings developed to ensure all members of a community
work towards equity
Community Indicator: An impact on a life -outcome influenced by public policy
Disparity: a pattern of disproportionate life outcomes based on a social identity
Diversity: A measurement of individuals' differences from one another in the form of social
identities and lived experiences; all the ways in which people differ. Source: City of Portland
Office of Equity and Human Rights
Equity: Fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people; one's social
identity cannot predict the outcome. Source: City of Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights
i. Racial Equity: practices and policies to mitigate adverse impacts one's race has on life
outcomes
Equality: Evenly distributed tools and assistance to access resources and opportunities
Inclusion: Systems that allow for access to all spaces regardless of social identity; a variety of
people have power, a voice, and decision -making authority. Source: City of Portland Office of
Equity and Human Rights
Inequality: Unequal access to opportunities and resources
Justice: Fixing the system to offer equal access to both tools and opportunity
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Oppression:
• Personal: thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes about yourself, coworkers, supervisors,
customers, residents, etc. based on their social identity
• Interpersonal: negatively expressed words and actions based on social identity
• Institutional: Golden Valley (or other agency) enforced practices, policies and procedures
that create barriers to resources and opportunities
• Structural/systemic: Golden Valley (or other agency) enforced practices, policies and
procedures created by larger entities (local, state, federal government and agencies)
Racialized Violence: an instance of bodily/mental harm as a result of systemic racism
Social Identity: all of the ways people are grouped and stratified in society e.g. race,
socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, nation/language of
origin, family structure, age, religion, immigration status, marital status, etc.
Systemic Racism: A collection of institutions that create unequal access to resources and
opportunities
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