CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive an update on the City's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
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DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
SUBMITTED BY: Geneace Williams, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are guided by the City's mission statement, "To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity," as well as the City's core values of People, Trust, Respect, and Pride.
In December 2022, staff presented a DEI update to the City Council and discussed the following five areas of the 2023 workplan:
1. growing internal workforce recruitment, retention and engagement to better reflect our community,
2. investing in expanding DEI education,
3. increasing DEI awareness,
4. engaging externally by partnering with individuals and community organizations for greater involvement in inclusion and belonging, and
5. beginning the process of evaluating City services.
DISCUSSION:
Internal Organization Efforts:
As an organization, we support an environment where all employees feel like they belong and are respected and valued, no matter their age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, income or background. Engaged employees perform better, remain in organizations longer, and experience less burnout. Moreover, inclusive organizational climates enable well-being, learning, and greater organizational performance. Every person within the organization has a role in advancing an environment of equity and inclusion for the workforce.
Employee Retention
Across the country, local governments continue to work toward the goal of having inclusive workforces that broadly reflect the communities they serve. In January 2023, Chief Arres and I completed the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus/U...
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