On June 21 the Martinez City Council approved its City of Martinez’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Roadmap. It was a 4-0 vote and three-years in the making.
Prior to the vote, the council, consultant and members of the community all agreed it would be a living document that can be changed as they evolve as a city and vowed to work to implement changes rather than allowing the roadmap to sit on a shelf and collect dust.
Chair of the ARDPIE Task Force Linda Olvera highlighted this process has been three years and were thankful to collimate this, but called it “just the beginning” and hoped to get the roadmap approved by the council.
“Back in November of 2020 George Floyd, police brutality and race were at the forefront of the media and sweeping our nation. And Martinez had recently experienced its own defacing of our Black Lives Matter mural on Court Street,” stated Olvera. “But the City of Martinez did not lay back, its residents and elected officials rose to the occasion and passed and implemented Resolution 104-20 on November 4, 2020 to establish an anti-racism, anti-discrimination pro-inclusion and equity task force known as the Anti-Racism & Discrimination and Pro-Inclusion & Equity (ARDPIE) Task.”
She said since that time, the city has come a long way and notes that only one other city in Contra Costa County lead in diversity, equity and inclusion besides the City of Martinez—there are 18 cities in Contra Costa County.
She called her most impressive experience service on ARDPIE which was the three community sessions with Martinez residents which she said there were challenges, but they were all there together, learning from each other, who they all were living together in Martinez and became apparent that they were not one race, color or one culture or one sex, or one religion.
“I really believe we left our community sessions under one umbrella under the city of Martinez accepting our and understanding our differences ,” explained Olvera while encouraging the mayor and council to be the messengers and ambassadors through example to that Martinez is “open and equal to all” because they still have a long way to go.
The city of Martinez approved the task force Nov 4, 2020 to address racism and discrimination concerns regarding implicit bias and systemic racism in the City’s policies, programs and procedures, including the recruitment, hiring and appointment of advisory board members.
This resulted in 12 task force members being appointed who worked with CPS HR to facilitate. The Task Force was assigned to provide recommendations — in the form of a work plan — regarding how to increase diversity representation and eliminate or prevent implicit bias, racism and/or discrimination from influencing municipal activities. The City Council also requested that an outside facilitator support the task force’s efforts.
At the conclusion of the Task Force’s community engagement process, CPS HR began working with staff to conduct a review of relevant City policies and develop a proposed DEIB Roadmap. This work included the following:
- A review and analysis of 10 City policies, including the Civil Service Rules.
- A review and analysis of the City of Martinez’s Mission and Vision statements.
- Identification of current strengths, gaps, and opportunities for updates and revisions to existing policies, with a specific focus examining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging considerations, culture, and other structural issues.
- Themes requiring immediate attention in relation to risk management, checks and balances within the existing powers of Senior leadership, transparency in policy definitions and expectations, clarity in employment definitions, and equity in the consideration and execution of policies within the organization.
- Recommendations around opportunities to align policies with the City’s vision for being inclusive, establishing equitable checks and balances within senior leadership’s authorities outlined in various policies, and special considerations that avert risks of various allegations.
- Implementation roadmap to address gaps and opportunities to create equitable policies within the City of Martinez’s agency with respect to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The Task Force received two draft reports at their April meeting, which included an Executive Summary and Findings Report related to the policy analysis and a draft DEIB Roadmap.
Since the Task Force began its work plan, the City has experienced a record number of applicants to serve on City commissions and committees, which provided an opportunity to increase the representation of people with diverse backgrounds on those commissions and committees. In addition, the City has experienced a high number of new employee hires, and will continue to prioritize filling staff positions, which also provides an immediate opportunity to increase representation on City staff.
In addition, numerous initiatives were implemented to promote DEIB as the Task Force was undergoing its work plan. These initiatives included:
- Establishment of a Cultural Event Grant, which has supported events, such as Lunar New Year, Cinco De Mayo, and the Finding Hope in America showing. The City continues to see strong interest in this grant program by businesses and residents.
- The General Plan Vision Statement was developed with input by the Task Force and with DEIB principles at the forefront.
- The Public Art Policy was developed with input by the Task Force and with DEIB principles at the forefront.
- The Facilities Naming Policy was developed with input by the Task Force and with DEIB principles at the forefront.
- The newly instated City Council members received training on DEIB.
- The City significantly expanded its communications program to reach a broader audience within the community, and is working towards opportunities to improve outreach to underrepresented groups.
- The City has strengthened its relationship with numerous social service providers who often serve as the first point of contact for underrepresented groups.
- The City Council has increased the number of proclamations recognizing various cultural groups.
According to the presentation, at the conclusion of the Task Force’s work, its merely the City’s first step in what will be an ongoing journey. Having conversations about DEIB should be as important as having conversations about City finances, planning, public safety and other core areas of public service. The roadmap should be a living document to be developed and refined as the City continues its journey towards building a more welcoming, inclusive and equitable community.
Mark Ross, Vice Mayor, asked about the main sticking points of what prevents a legislative body from taking a report and actually making changes versus a report being accepted and sitting on a shelf. He asked about the main sticking points.
“The main roadblock is not understanding what this work is,” stated Jacques Whitfield who noted there is always room for improvement. “When folks understand the work, they have no problem engaging and being courageous for improvement.”
He said the second part of the answer was becoming a high performing organization and operating with high degree with self-awareness, situational awareness and bravery to work collaboratively.
Ross paraphrased by stating the holdup was someone thinking they were at a destination versus a continuous journey.
Whitfield agreed noting that “words are weaponized” and the news says one things but being on the ground he sees other things such as in Dallas, Texas which is not on the news which has some of the best movements.
“We are appreciative of the work you have brought to us and help us navigate,” stated Ross.
Councilmember Jay Howard stated the takeaway from the presentation was this had to be a living document where they have to evolve and grow.
Councilmember Satinder S. Malhi highlights his experience living in Martinez
Councilmember Satinder S. Malhi called this a lot of work needed to get to where they were tonight and focus on next steps while understanding leadership at the top to see this report doesn’t just go on a shelf and the recommendations come to fruition.
“The night that I was appointed, this was one of my key reasons for wanting to be on this dais. Was to be that champion. To be that DIEB champion,” stated Malhi. “My lived experience in this community are very different than many in this room and they continue to be different just by who I am, where I come from, my upbringing. But that doesn’t mean other peoples lived experiences should be discounted. These are not mutually exclusive of one another. I am sitting here and thinking the tragedy of George Floyd may not be top of mind for many folks. But it certainly is for me. And I know it is for a lot of black and brown folks in this country. Even though it may not be fresh, the need to have those conversations hasn’t waned and when you consider what is happening in other parts of the country… the reality is there is a lot of division out there right now. The sad part is its coming from leaders at the highest levels.”
He continued saying it was happening in California and the East Bay and not a problem removed, its happening locally.
“Folks who are trying to eliminate conversations surrounding DIEB from public spaces,” said Mahil. “This task force, 3-years of work, I am here to say that this is not one of those spaces where this gets pushed out. In fact, we are going to embrace it. So long as I have the good fortune to be on this dais I am going to commit myself every single day to making sure that we continue to make Martinez more welcoming, more inclusive, more diverse community because that is our strength.”
He continued saying it was happening in California and the East Bay and not a problem removed, its happening locally.
“Folks who are trying to eliminate conversations surrounding DIEB from public spaces,” said Mahil. “This task force, 3-years of work, I am here to say that this is not one of those spaces where this gets pushed out. In fact, we are going to embrace it. So long as I have the good fortune to be on this dais I am going to commit myself every single day to making sure that we continue to make Martinez more welcoming, more inclusive, more diverse community because that is our strength.”
Mayor Brianne Zorn appreciated the task force and their efforts while saying their expectation was going to make this a “living document” because they have not yet reached everyone in the city.
After public comments, Councilmember Mark Ross said a week after George Floyd died, he called for a committee while providing an overview of how they need to ban the word “those” and they all have to work together because there are many wounds that needs healing.
“Three years later we are here. But Martinez has had problems for a lot longer than 3-years. I grew up here, we have had racial issues for well over a 100-years, especially with the Asian immigrant community and before them I am sure there other incidents,” explained Ross. “I was a victim, to some degree, but not nearly in the degree as others due to my Jewish heritage, its not about me, but there are wounds in this community still.”
He continued.
“There are wounds in this town and we have a lot of work to do,” said Ross. “As someone who has grown up here and heard it all, I am glad we are going to try and address it. We all have to learn how to walk through this life together and its changing those perceptions of those people.”
He stated “redevelopment” might have been based on racism because in San Francisco it tore out one community and replaced it with another.
“There was a great fear that it was going to happen here. A lot of that fear was based on those people coming to town. It’s the fear of those people that persist here in Martinez and we have to ban that word those, there are no those people, we are all just one people. We persist in this delineation of others and I know its hard to agree with what the truth is, its hard to even agree on the truth but we have to agree we are all humans. We have different views and you came to believe this, that is fine, and I came to believe this, that is fine, but how can we come together and believe that we are all equal. We all have our fallible, we all have our negative aspects and how can we overcome those together. That is the challenge we have as a community and I think Martinez has a to more hope than people give it credit for.”
He highlighted Martinez is the only city on this side of the hill to do a Black Lives Matter mural which the conversation to do it only lasted 2-seconds but caused a lot of discussion in the town.
“But the benefit was, we had a protest that wasn’t the nicest thing said, but it was peaceful. Martinez that didn’t have any broken windows or riots in it during the those times. So what does it say that maybe if you reach out, you listen and show a damn little bit of concern maybe the other side or other folks can understand and at least they are listening. Now the trick is to go behind reformative and show that we are a real city with real people and everybody is here and how can we really help each other. If we do that, we all will really progress and all benefit and that is what we need to show.”
He called the challenge is in valuing people.
He called the challenge is in valuing people while noting a lot of media attention on the five people in a submersible by the Titanic but little to no attention to the 500 people missing in Greece boat disaster.
“We have to start valuing everybody,” said Ross who called for making this a town welcoming to everybody.
It passed 4-0.
Once adopted, staff will commit to an annual report to the City Council on progress to implement the roadmap, along with an updated resident satisfaction survey to be conducted every two years to maintain a pulse on the community’s experience with their municipal government. Updates to the roadmap will be presented annually
12 Task Force Members included:
- Steeve Boulingui
- William Bynum
- Marshall Cochrane
- Laura Ebbert
- Barbara Gordon-Kaleva
- Satinder S. Malhi
- Hilary Fitzgerald-Nicholson
- Linda Olvera
- Albert Ponce
- Collen Sibanda
- Stephen Welch
- Michelle Williams
Since its formation, seven of the 12 members either resigned from the Task Force for personal reasons, mostly challenges with the time commitment, or were absent at Task Force meetings. While this is not atypical given the size of the original group, most of the original 12 members were able to contribute significantly to the process, despite needing to resign before its conclusion. — note, former Chair Satinder S. Malhi resigned and was appointed to the Martinez City Council
Staff Report: Click Here
Watch the Meeting: Click Here
Documents:
- Staff Report – Recommendations from ARDPIE Task Force
- Resolution – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Roadmap
- Attachment A – Resolution Establishing ARDPIE Task Force
- Attachment B – City of Martinez ARDPIE Task Force Work Plan
- Attachment C – Task Force Outreach
- Attachment D – Community Survey Results
- Attachment E – Community Listening Session Feedback
- Attachment F – Executive Summary and Findings/Policy Analysis
- Attachment G – Draft DEIB Roadmap
