Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Ms. Wells related a brief parable to the council which she maintained provided "a depiction of the impacts of crisis and the limits of reactive approaches, as well as to the relative inattention that is paid to the broad causes of social inequity." She further expressed the fundamental need of cities to address the various root causes of social inequity within communities. Ms. Wells directed the council members to their copies of a fact sheet she had distributed regarding the various goals and program areas of the Equity and Human Rights Center and the HRC. She proceeded to briefly elaborate upon the information contained therein for the benefit of the council. Ms. Wells reported that the current HRC structure had been in place for more than 20 years and had been a strong asset to the City organization and the community at large. She cited the recent passage of the City's mental health resolution as an example and directed the council members to their copies of a Human Rights Timeline which further outlined the HRC's accomplishments. Additionally, Ms. Wells briefly noted the HRC's more recent events and activities. Ms. Wells briefly highlighted elements of the HRC work plan and the Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan for the benefit of the council and provided a detailed breakdown of both the work plan and the six goals of the Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan. Ms. Wells noted the HRC was committed to providing the City with a strong community advisory system that could review and advise the City's various boards and commissions. Ms. Wells reported that one of the key priorities of the commission was to provide a successful orientation and development process for the ten new HRC members that had recently been appointed. She added that other key HRC priorities had addressed the commission's input on the City's accessibility levels. Ms. Wells commented on other key priorities of the HRC and noted the commission hoped to have a successful human rights summit event on April 10, 2010, at Lane Community College. Ms. Wells concluded her presentation and generally expressed her belief that basic human rights and dignities were essential to the creation of a healthy and thriving community. Ms. Solomon arrived to the meeting at 12:23 p.m. Ms. Wells referenced the council's "Vision and Values" statement approved in May of 2009 with respect to the DESP and directed the council members to their copies of the statement and outcomes included as Attachment C in the agenda item summary materials. Ms. Wells continued that the HRC's questions to council in that regard addressed: 1) the levels of support the council would need for its continued work on its priority goal regarding race issues; 2) the council's vision for the HRC and equity and human right staff in supporting its Visions and Values statement; and 3) the levels of support the council would need to help ensure diversity among the City's boards and commissions. Mr. Zelenka thanked Ms. Wells and her colleagues on the commission and expressed that any decisions made by the council with respect to the HRC and its DESP should incorporate the triple-bottom line assessment components of environmental sustainability, economic development, and social equity. He appreciated the HRC's efforts to address social equity issues and commended their efforts to coordinate with the City's Sustainability Commission as part of their work. Ms. Wells, responding to a question from Mr. Zelenka, restated that the Human Rights Summit was scheduled for April 10, 2010, at Lane Community College. MINUTES—Eugene City Council November 18, 2009 Page 2 Work Session