Title
Resolution in Support of an Equitable Community Engagement Policy
Body
Whereas, All humans have value but some residents suffer from disadvantage and exclusion from public process;
Whereas, Wherever possible the city shall encourage individuals to speak for themselves and not rely solely on sociological and demographic studies;
Whereas, The city should provide community engagement at the lowest granular level possible to better hear the voices of individuals, with a focus on unrepresented people;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has a community engagement process in place and Council supports policies that prioritize equity; and
Whereas, City boards, commissions and volunteers are advocating for more equitable community engagement and are in the process of revising community engagement procedures to that end;
RESOLVED, That City Council requests that the City Administrator recommend a plan for a comprehensive Equitable Community Engagement policy that represents best practices by March 1, 2021;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator build on existing community engagement practices and the ongoing work of boards, commissions and volunteers; and
RESOLVED, That the Equitable Community Engagement Policy specifically addresses systemic and historical inequities, injustices, and biases.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Griswold and Eyer
As Amended by Ann Arbor City Council on February 1, 2021 and Referred to the Council Administration Committee