Equity and Inclusion Commission

7725 W. North Avenue Wauwatosa, WI Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Equity and Inclusion Commission Meeting Minutes - Final Thursday, October 5, 2023 6:00 PM Committee Room #1 Regular Meeting CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Christopher Due called the meeting to order at 6:06 P.M. ROLL CALL Present 7 Commissioner, Chair Christopher Due Commissioner - Alderperson Margaret Arney Commissioner Rosemary Fox Commissioner Nancy Hall Commissioner Darla Hium Commissioner Cynthia Nation Commissioner Jordan Roman Absent 3 Commissioner Shane Arnold Commissioner - Student Daisy Lehman Commissioner Will Robertson APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner - Alderperson Arney, seconded by Commissioner Roman, that this be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Margaret Arney SECONDER: Jordan Roman Aye: 7 Due, Arney, Fox, Hall, Hium, Nation, and Roman Absent: 3 Arnold, Lehman, and Robertson NEW BUSINESS 1. Report on the equity efforts by Wauwatosa Police Department in 2023. 23-586 Captain Vetter presented report highlighting the departmental goals under Chief MacGillis. The goals are: a. MISSION: Dedicated service and protection for all. b. VISION: To foster a safe and secure community through collaboration, trust and exceptional police service. c. VALUES: Courage, integrity, respect and compassion. d. Captain Vetter discussed the department’s efforts to proactively implement equity and diversity and reviewed the department’s leadership and staff make-up. Page 1 of 3 Equity and Inclusion Commission Meeting Minutes - Final October 5, 2023 e. Captain Vetter presented recommendations made in 2021 by the Center for Public Safety Management. Specific recommendations include: 1. Creation of a Crisis A Response Team (CART) consisting of an officer and social worker. Currently on hold due to budgetary issues. 2. Enlisting assistance from the city social worker. Kendall Wolter, Social Worker, is working with the department. 3. Implementing Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for all front-line officers on how to provide services to emotionally disturbed individuals. This process is currently ongoing. 4. In addition, both Mayor McBride and Captain Vetter discussed the increased collaboration between City Hall and the Police Department. 5. The Equity and Inclusion Commission expressed support and gratitude for the department’s efforts to achieve the Commission’s goals. 2. Consideration of resolution relative to support for minority owned 23-619 businesses a. 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 prohibits counties and municipalities from granting preferential treatment to persons in protected classes based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation when making employment decisions or contracting for public works, unless that preferential treatment is required to secure federal aid. The Commission discussed a proposed resolution to reaffirm Wauwatosa’s commitment to equity and inclusion and a continuation of diversifying its hiring and contracting policies, including requesting the State of Wisconsin to rescind the provisions in Act 12 that prohibit hiring and contract preferences for protected classes of race, color, ancestry, national origin and sexual orientation. Commission members expressed approval of the proposed resolution and their support of the Council’s taking acting on the resolution. 3. Final report on the Tax Increment District procurement and hiring results 23-623 for the MSP River Parkway and Irgens Discovery Parkway projects a. No discussion. 4. Summer Commission Updates 23-620 a. Members of the Commission participated in the Wauwatosa Fourth of July parade, the groundbreaking for the Moss Universal Park in Wauwatosa and in the raising of a new flag in honor of persons with disabilities. 5. Common Council updates 23-621 a. Former Equity & Inclusion Chair Sean Lowe drafted and introduced an anti-discrimination ordinance which the Common Council approved. Page 2 of 3 Equity and Inclusion Commission Meeting Minutes - Final October 5, 2023 The ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment or in public places based on age, disability, race, sexuality, gender, appearance of criminal record. 6. Agenda items for the next meeting 23-622 a. Discussion with Superintendent Means about the Wauwatosa School System and the effect of proposed anti-trans legislation regarding gender-affirming care for students, Milwaukee’s sanctuary city status, possibility of Wauwatosa making the same decision and related issues. b. Discussion with Karl Schreiber regarding the housing fund. c. Election of Chair and Co-Chair. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M. Page 3 of 3