Diversity and Inclusion in Boards and Commissions Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 3.
ITEM TITLE: Diversity and Inclusion in Boards and Commissions
SUMMARY: City Clerk recommending approval of a resolution for Diversity and
Inclusion in Boards and Commissions, which measures the community's
progress towards becoming a more sustainable community
RESOLUTION Affirming the Dubuque City Council's commitment to
diversity and inclusion through broad recruitment and appointments to city
boards and commissions so that residents of varied backgrounds are
represented and have the opportunity to provide input
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
❑ STAR Diversity Memo to Council Staff Memo
❑ Diversity Resolution Resolutions
❑ STAR Communities Request Form Supporting Documentation
❑ STAR Communities Request Form part 2 Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
AII4meric11 a City
DUBW&E r
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk
DATE: December 10, 2014
SUBJECT: —Diversity & Inclusion in Boards & Commissions Resolution
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council review and approval of the
attached resolution related to diversity and inclusion in the City's boards and
commissions.
BACKGROUND
In 2012 the City updated it boards and commissions application process to comply with
the State of Iowa Gender Balance law. Of the eight state-mandated City boards and
commissions, four comply with the intent of that law with two more possibly realizing
compliance within the next few months. The attached Diversity & Inclusion in Boards &
Commissions resolution furthers the City's goals to appoint qualified commissioners
who draw from a variety of perspective and experiences in order to build a community
where all people feel welcome and valued.
DISCUSSION
Sustainable Community Coordinator Cori Burbach and Human Relations Specialist
Manisha Paudel are working on submission of a STAR Communities application, which
measures the community's progress towards becoming a more sustainable community.
One of the areas in which the City is scored is Equity and Empowerment. In addition to
being rated on a number of outcomes, the City can apply for credit for actions taken that
promote an equitable and sustainable community. One of the actions associated with
these goal areas is the adoption of a policy that provides clear guidance on how to
increase diverse representation across appointed boards and commissions.
Additionally, the attached resolution is one example of how the City is supporting the
community-wide Inclusive Dubuque initiative. By intentionally seeking out and
appointing qualified board and commission members with diverse perspectives and life
experiences, we are better able to represent the Dubuque community in our policy
decision-making. Though this resolution does not contain any minimum requirements, it
does send the message that the Council is supportive of building a community where all
people feel welcome and valued and where individuals work to understand each other's
different backgrounds, economic circumstances, needs, and philosophical beliefs.
The City Clerk's Office and the Human Rights Department have partnered on the
creation of the attached resolution affirming the City Council's commitment to diversity
and inclusion in the process of appointing boards and commissions members.
REQUESTED ACTION
The requested action is for the City Council to review, edit and/or approve the Diversity
and Inclusion in Boards and Commissions Resolution.
KF
cc: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director
Manisha Paudel, Human Relations Specialist
Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator
RESOLUTION NO. 390-14
AFFIRMING THE DUBUQUE CITY COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION THROUGH BROAD RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENTS TO CITY
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS SO THAT RESIDENTS OF VARIED BACKGROUNDS
ARE REPRESENTED AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT
WHEREAS, The Dubuque City Council defines diversity as the different backgrounds,
values, and ideas of those who comprise the Dubuque community; and
WHEREAS, the Council defines inclusion as drawing forth the variety of perspectives
and life experiences each person brings in order to enhance the quality and contribution
of board and commission members to the democratic process; and
WHEREAS the Council values diversity and inclusion as essential sources of vitality
and strength for the effective pursuit of the City's goals and priorities, and is committed
to the ongoing proactive process of diversity and inclusion in its governance,
committees, membership, programs and activities; and
WHEREAS, the Council is supportive of building a community where all people feel
welcome and valued and where individuals work to understand each other's different
backgrounds, economic circumstances, needs, and philosophical beliefs; and
WHEREAS, The Council seeks to engage in a holistic process to identify the most
qualified applicants who can best contribute to, and benefit from, participating on a
board or commission, evaluating each applicant as an individual while valuing a variety
of talents, backgrounds, experiences, and personal characteristics, so that board and
commission membership is representative of the various cultural, economic, social,
religious, ethnic and racial groups in the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA,
Section 1. That this Resolution serves as a declaration of official intent to seek out
and appoint individuals with the professional expertise, personal experience, multilingual
abilities, and cultural backgrounds that can expand the board or commission's collective
cultural awareness and support the board or commission in responding to the needs of
the various communities represented in Dubuque.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa hereby puts diversity
recruitment into practice by
Clearly defining open positions
Partnering with multiple entities such as Inclusive Dubuque and the Multicultural
Family Center to
o Recruit a diverse, qualified applicant pool
o Identify and use multiple forms of advertising, announcements and search
strategies designed to find qualified applicants
o Include wording that emphasizes the city's commitment to diversity
Including all available avenues to publicize the position
Engaging in inclusive recruitment activities and proactive informational outreach
Encouraging applicants to provide information on their application that illustrates
aspects of their lives, culture or community that would contribute positively to
serving on a board or commission
Passed, approved, and adopted this 15th day of December, 14.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk
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ASUSTAINABILITY
TOOLS FOR
it4-, STAR ASSESSING&
COMMUNITIES RATING COMMUNITIES
Data Request Form
Action Type: Policy and Code Adjustment
Goal Equity and Empowerment
Objective Civic Engagement
Action# 1
Action Description Adopt a policy to encourage diversity in local government appointments to advisory boards and commissions
Date Required
Filled Out By
This action type includes changes to laws, ordinances,and codes. Plans will NOT be accepted for
credit, unless otherwise noted in the Technical Guide.Applicants are required to submit all of the
following information:
Submittal Requirement Please provide data and narrative below
Provide the title of the specific policy or code
Link to or upload copy of the policy or code
requirement
Describe the compelling characteristics of the policy or
regulation that advance progress towards the desired
Outcome(s)
Was there public engagement during development of
the policy or regulation?(Yes/No)
Date policy or code adoption was adopted or last
major update
�1
ASUSTAINABILITY
TOOLS FOR
it4-, STAR ASSESSING&
COMMUNITIES RATING COMMUNITIES
Data Request Form
Action Type: Policy and Code Adjustment
Goal Education,Arts,and Community
Objective Social and Cultural Diversity
Action# 3
Action Description Adopt a policy to encourage diversity in local government appointments to advisory boards and commissions.
Date Required
Filled Out By
This action type includes changes to laws, ordinances,and codes. Plans will NOT be accepted for
credit, unless otherwise noted in the Technical Guide.Applicants are required to submit all of the
following information:
Submittal Requirement Please provide data and narrative below
Provide the title of the specific policy or code
Link to or upload copy of the policy or code
requirement
Describe the compelling characteristics of the policy or
regulation that advance progress towards the desired
Outcome(s)
Was there public engagement during development of
the policy or regulation?(Yes/No)
Date policy or code adoption was adopted or last
major update