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PRIORITY ISSUE: Develop a City Council Position on Racial Issues <br />Contact: Lauren Chouinard, Executive Director, Human Resource and Risk <br />Services, 682-5663 <br />Greg Rikhoff, Staff Lead, 682-8439 <br />Reporting. period: October -December 2005 <br />The City Council priority on race outlines a plan that the council as a body, and the Mayor and <br />councilors as individuals, can engage in to build a better understanding of race issues among <br />themselves and improve race relations in the community. The plan focuses on community input <br />and council education on issues of race as a background for action. <br />OUTCOMES <br />18 - 24 month outcomes <br />• Inform and educate Mayor and City Council on the nature and status of race relations in the <br />community <br />Mayor and councilors articulate their collective philosophy and commitment regarding race, <br />racism, and race relations <br />• Mayor and councilors act collectively and swiftly against acts of racism in the community <br />• Mayor and councilors enhance existing, and forge new relationships with communities of <br />color and other race relations allies in the community <br />• Mayor and councilors explore areas of personal growth related to issues of race <br />3 -5 year outcomes <br />• Enhanced council and community awareness of race issues <br />Increased understanding by the City Council and the community about the effect race <br />relations have on community members' perception of safety and quality of life <br />• Effective race relations becomes a priority the entire community will actively embrace <br />• People of color in the community feel they are respected, engaged, and have a voice in <br />community affairs <br />Issues of race are engaged proactively versus reactively in time of crisis <br />Eugene will begin to forge a national reputation as a community that actively supports an <br />environment that is viewed as welcoming by all races and cultures <br />PROGRESS SINCE LAST REPORT <br />All councilors and the Mayor attended part or all of a full-day workshop on "privilege" in early <br />September. On November 30, the council met with nine representatives of the communities of <br />color to begin planning a broader communities of color meeting with the council in February 2006. <br />The role of the internal diversity consultant position has been refocused and the position was <br />recently filled. <br />CHALLENGES <br />The action plan identifies several junctures where the City Council needs to spend workshop time <br />with communities of color, the Human Rights Commission (HRC), and in dialogue within the <br />council body. Given the number of priorities and ongoing council business, finding time for these <br />-13- <br />