Fiscal Note
Common Council staff time staffing the workgroup will be absorbed with existing resources. No appropriation required.
Title
Establishing the President's Workgroup on Racial Justice, Antiracism and Equity.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison is committed to creating a City that is “Inclusive, Innovative and Thriving” and names equity as a core value; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the City of Madison established the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative to “establish racial equity and social justice as core principles in all decisions, policies and functions of the City of Madison”; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, the Madison Common Council accepted the Final Report of the Task Force on the Structure of City Government, which included recommendations on ways to make the City Boards, Commissions and Committee (BCC) structure more equitable; and
WHEREAS, in a presentation by the City Finance Director to the Finance Committee in April 2021, the City affirmed its commitment to “articulating and prioritizing racial equity and social justice in the City’s budget and operations”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Madison establish a President’s Workgroup on Racial Justice, Antiracism and Equity to to provide the Council with policy recommendations on participatory budgeting and creating a framework for all of the boards, committees and commissions (BCCs) around antiracism, equity and inclusion training.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Workgroup will be staffed by Common Council staff and will seek expert opinions from a variety of departments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Workgroup will use a racial equity and social justice lens throughout its work.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Workgroup will be constituted of the following six (6) alders:
• Alder Nasra Wehelie
• Alder Brian Benford
• Alder Nikki Conklin
• Alder Jael Currie
• Alder Sheri Carter
• Alder Juliana Bennett
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Workgroup will begin work upon adoption of this resolution with a goal of completing its Final Report and Recommendations by December 31, 2021.