HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2013-01-23COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 5:00 p.m. January 23, 2013
PRESENT:
Mayor Myrick
Alderpersons (10) Brock, Dotson, Murtagh, Clairborne, McCollister, Fleming, Smith,
Kerslick, Proulx, Mohlenhoff
OTHERS PRESENT:
Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn
WDAC Members: Marcia Fort, Audrey Cooper, Elizabeth Vance, Nancy K. Bereano, Erin
Sember-Chase, Ray Benjamin, Sue Kittel
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
City Attorney – Lavine
Director of Community Development – Bohn
Director of Planning, Building, and Development - Cornish
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Myrick led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Presentation from the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee
Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC) Chair Marcia Fort led introductions of the
committee members and invited Common Council to attend a meeting. She shared the mission
of the WDAC and reviewed the City’s Mission, Vision, and Diversity statements.
WDAC Member Erin Sember-Chase led an engagement exercise using the letters of the word
“diversity” and asking Common Council members to find words, starting with the letter assigned
to them, which describe the concepts of diversity and inclusion.
Chair Fort reviewed the Workforce Diversity Plan Attributes and the work that has been
completed on departmental plans and competencies. She explained that in the past,
departments made Diversity Plan progress reports to the Standing Committees of Common
Council that they reported to. She noted that it was a great way of informing Common Council
and the public of the good work that was occurring in the organization.
Human Resources Director Schelley Michell-Nunn offered a description of the various training
opportunities that have been available to the City workforce and in some cases, the community
at-large including the Diversity Consortium Roundtables, Undoing Racism, and Talking Circles.
She further reviewed the City’s hiring process and the role of the Mayor and Common Council
as it pertains to the City’s diversity initiatives. HR Director Michell-Nunn further shared
examples of the diversity work being undertaken by other communities.
WDAC Member Audrey Cooper explained the work being completed by the WDAC on the
development of a Diversity Report Card for the City. She stated that there are many resources
available to city staff from many sources on the WDAC to assist with their work.
Discussion followed on the floor regarding scheduling a meeting, possibly May 29, 2013 from
6:00 – 8:00 pm, where Department Heads could give progress reports to Common Council on
the work they are doing on their diversity plans. Common Council members also expressed an
interest in having an interactive discussion with the WDAC and Department Heads regarding
diversity and inclusion initiatives and goals.
ADJOURNMENT:
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Svante L. Myrick
City Clerk Mayor