Inclusion and Belonging Commission

12/8/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Council Liaison Aurora Hurd, Commissioner Margaret Bass, Commissioner Abdi Mohamed, Commissioner Bruce Wilson, Commissioner Nick Woolf, Commissioner Parker Silver City Staff Present: Interim Staff Liaison Jenny Willingham Guests Present: Marielle Matthews and Amanda Froeschle Call to Order by: Councilor Hurd Meeting Start Time: 6:02 PM Minutes Recorded by: Jenny Willingham II. Public Comment Marielle Matthews - representing the Winooski Partnership for Prevention discussed similar and overlapping interests with the Inclusion & Belonging Commission. This organization would like the opportunity to continue to discuss various topics for the health of the community. Amanda Froeschle – representing the Vermont Department of Health (Healthy Community Specialist) works with Municipalities on health and policies of health equity. III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approve Motion by: Bruce Wilson Second: Nick Woolf A motion to approve the Minutes of August 11, 2022. Abdi Mohamed and Parker Silver abstained. IV. City Council Updates (Councilor Aurora Hurd) City Councilor Hurd provided updates on the continuation of ARPA Language surveys. (available on our website). In addition, the City Leaders & Staff Leadership participated in Equity Training. Councilor Hurd provided a brief overview of the budget season (FY’24) describing the proposed increases as well as the elimination of positions. There will be future discussions in December & January. V. City Updates (Jenny Willingham) Interim Staff Liaison discussed the upcoming Annual City/School Election (Town Meeting Day) on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. As a reminder, voting in the Town Meeting Day election is available to all Winooski residents, regardless of citizenship status. VI. Ambassador & Commission Updates Nick Woolf (Municipal Infrastructure) gave an overview of his role as part of the Commission. He  on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. As a reminder, voting in the Town Meeting Day election is available to all Winooski residents, regardless of citizenship status. VI. Ambassador & Commission Updates Nick Woolf (Municipal Infrastructure) gave an overview of his role as part of the Commission. He is engaged about his role, ability to listen and process in order to eventually be a voting member. Margaret Baas (Housing) has a similar experience including goals & objectives and how the Commission views her input. Abdi Mohamed (Safe, Healthy, Connected People) attended the November 1st meeting. He provided an overview of the process to award ARPA Funds for non- profit organizations and the organizations that were recipients of the award (Fight For Kids Foundation, Somali Bantu Association, Methodist Church/ Food Shelf and the Winooski Parents & Students Project. Parker Silver (Finance) unable to attend due to incorrect email address Bruce Wilson (Planning Commission) provided an overview where I & B issues could be integrated into the Planning Commission process and development reviews. VII. Ground Rules/Community Agreement for the Commission Motion by: Margaret Bass Second: Abdi Mohamed Decision: Parker Silver, Interim Chair & Nick Woolf, Interim Minutes Clerk The structure of the Inclusion & Belonging Commission is less of a hierarchical structure allowing the ability to share opinions and guidelines. Discussion arose over the traditional Chair structure and the rules and responsibilities associated with the role. The Commission decided to have a Trial (Interim Chair) for 3 meetings at a time. Parker Silver volunteered to be the Interim Chair for the next 3 meetings. The Commission decided to have the same process with the Minutes. The creator of the Minutes is for 3 meetings. Nick Woolf volunteered to be the Trial (Interim Chair) for preparing the Minutes. VIII. Equity Audit Review - Key Takeaways & Potential Policy Focus Areas An extended discussion on the Equity Audit particularly the findings of the School. Questions arose on the extent of the findings to be addressed for both the City and the School. Discussion continued on ways to address the issues in relation to the WSD. The question of more comprehensive form of accountability was raised by Commission members. Commission members mentioned the Anti-Racism Steering Committee (current) and the inequities that continue to occur. Commissioners mentioned the media pointing out the segregation that still exists in the school. All agreed there is more work to be done to address these inequities. IX. How to Engage People in the Understanding of the Proposed Budget Jenny Willingham mentioned the thought of having various language community gatherings to provide an overview of the budget and the impact for both Owners and Renters. The cost of services and what is included in all of the services. The Commission will discuss this agenda item at the next meeting (January or February). X. American Rescue Plan Act Languages The Commission will discuss this agenda item at the next meeting (January or February). XI. Adjourn Motion by: Parker Silver Second: Abdi Mohamed XI. Adjourn Motion by: Parker Silver Second: Abdi Mohamed Meeting End Time: 7:45 PM