REMARKS
Implementation progress and delays of racial equity amendments
0:02:51
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101 sec
Council Member Williams addresses the progress and significant delays in implementing the charter amendments for racial equity.
- The first preliminary racial equity plan, due in January 2024, has been delayed with a new timeline published by MOERJ.
- Appointments to the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) have been severely delayed, with most appointments made nearly a year after the intended start date.
Nantasha M. Williams
0:02:51
By the first amendment, the addition of a preamble has been completed, the mandated work of MOERG and core is ongoing.
0:03:00
While I understand and appreciate that such work takes great effort, time and diligence, there have been significant delays overall.
0:03:08
For example, although the charter required the 1st preliminary racial equity plan was due On January 16 2024 early 2024, M0ERJ published a new timeline and states on his website that the ratio equity planning process kicked off of agencies between March May of 2024 and that that draft agency ratio equity plans are currently under review.
0:03:32
A finalized citywide ratio equity plan is expected to be published in November 2024.
0:03:38
As a result of the new timeline, this year's ratio equity planning process does not align with the ongoing budget process for fiscal year 2025 despite the intent of the Charter Amendment.
0:03:49
With respect to court, the charter states that commissioners would commence their work on August 1, 2023.
0:03:55
However, severe delays and appointments did not allow for their work to begin at the designated time.
0:04:01
In fact, 11 out of 14 appointments were not announced until May 13 ranked May 13 2024 with another 2 appointments announced only 3 days ago on June 24th.
0:04:12
As it stands, there's remains 1 vacancy remaining on the commission nearly a year after the start date required by the charter.
0:04:20
While I agree look forward to hearing about all of the work that is ongoing.
0:04:24
It is not lessen the importance of identifying and tackling any roadblocks that may have or are anticipated to come up.