HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2021-05-10 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Monday. May 10, 202JI Q-TY.-GEIUMMO
A special electronic meeting of City Council was held in the Council Chamber at 3:03 PM this date, chaired by
Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present.
Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter
25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
1. COMMENCEMENT
The electronic meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Mayor.
2. STRATEGIC SESSION
Council considered Community Services Department report CSD -2021-4 (E. Moorlag Silk) dated May 5,
2021, which provided an update on the ongoing work of the Mayor's Task Force on Equity, Diversity and
Inclusion (EDI), as well as specific questions related to three bodies of work being completed including: the
creation of a Corporate Equity, Inclusion and Anti -Racism Policy: a new multi-year EDI training program;
and, a grant focused on supporting racialized communities, for which staff wished to receive Council
feedback.
Michael May, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/General Manager Community Services Department
provided opening remarks highlighting eight bodies of work that have been the focus of the Mayor's Task
Force, including: policy; training; demographic data collection; communications; hiring and recruitment;
youth mentorship program: community funding program; and, a permanent City staff model. M. May noted
staff are in attendance this date to receive feedback on three specific areas, noting the presentation would
also include a general overview on all the bodies of work and what has been completed to date.
Victoria Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services Department, introduced Suzanne Charles Watson
as the new Directory of Equity, Anti -Racism and Indigenous Initiatives for the City of Kitchener.
Elin Moorlag Silk, Project Manager, EDI, provided an overview of work related to the development of an
Equity, Inclusion & Anti -Racism Policy, noting staff were requesting specific feedback on the following:
1_. In addition to the creation of a new Equity, Inclusion and Anti -Racism Policy that will apply to City staff
and direct volunteers, it is recommended by the Task Force that the Code of Conduct which governs
members of Council, Advisory Committees and Boards (GOV-COU-005) be updated as well. Do
Council Members see a benefit in having the Code of Conduct updated to reflect the corporate
commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti -Racism at this time?
Several members expressed support for the creation of a new Equity, Inclusion and Anti -Racism Policy
and expressed further support for updating Code of Conduct, which governs members of Council to reflect
the corporate commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Anti -Racism at this time.
E. Moorlag Silk provided an overview of the work completed related to the proposed Training Strategy,
noting staff were requesting feedback on the following:
2, Many members of City Council have expressed an interest in receiving additional training and
resources in areas related to equity, anti -racism and Indigenous reconciliation. Does the City's new
formalized and multi-year training strategy effectively respond to those requests?
Several members indicated their support for mandatory corporate -wide training, noting the City should be
a leader for other organizations. M. May stated the staff would be willing to revisit this topic, noting the
interest expressed from Council this date for a more mandatory training approach. M. May stated there
will need to be a balanced approach for which staff will be required to take additional training, noting there
are additional mandatory trainings such as Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
Training as an example that are also mandatory for staff.
The following suggestions were provided: where possible following the commencement of the first training
cycle, consideration be given to reducing the 3 -year training timeline; the need to be flexible; and, the
need to adjust issues and schedules depending on community needs. In response to questions, M. May
noted there has already been an identified need to extend EDI training to groups such as Neighbourhood
Associations, noting that once work has been achieved on internal training, consideration will be given to
expanding training as necessary.
E. Moorlag Silk provided an overview of the work completed related to Demographic Data Collection,
Equity & Anti -Racism Communications, Hiring, Recruitment & Promotion and, Funding opportunity for
Black, Indigenous & Other Racialized Communities, noting staff were requesting feedback on the
following:
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
3. Having reviewed the draft outline of the proposed Community Funding Opportunity for Black,
Indigenous and other Racialized Groups (Attachment A), what suggestions for improvement should
staff consider before bringing the proposal forward for Council's consideration/approval?
It was suggested that consideration should be given to showing minimum and maximum amounts
available for the grant funding, and to ensure communication is clear that grants can be provided both in
cash and/or in-kind.
2. In -camera Meeting Authorization
Moved by Councillor B. loannidis
Seconded by Councillor M. Johnston
Council is asked to enact the following resolution to authorize an in -camera meeting:
"That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately following the special council
meeting this date to consider a matter related to the security of municipally owned property, and a
personal matter as authorized by Sections 238 (2) (a) and (b) of the Municipal Act, 2001,
respectively."
On motion the meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
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