Agran to support resolution reaffirming Irvine’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

A note from Councilmember Agran ahead of tomorrow’s City Council meeting:

For decades, the City of Irvine has worked to identify and dismantle the systems and culture that have operated against people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and others who call Irvine home. At tomorrow’s City Council meeting, I’m pleased to be joining my fellow Councilmembers in bringing forward a resolution to continue that work on our very doorstep.

The Resolution, sponsored by Mayor Farrah Khan, is titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Irvine Reaffirming Irvine’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”. This resolution starts a process through which the City will strive to examine and correct any biases that may exist in our operations, including but not limited to hiring staff and contractors, planning, and licensing. I think the greatest strength of this resolution is its commitment to looking inwards. We cannot call on the people of Irvine to recognize and meaningfully respond to inequality throughout our City without also holding the City’s core operations to the same standards.

The full text of the Resolution is copied below and can be downloaded here.

To eComment on this topic ahead of the January 26th meeting, click here: https://irvine.granicusideas.com/meetings/1742-supplemental-agenda-city-council-regular-meeting-and-regular-joint-meeting-with-the-city-of-irvine-as-successor-agency-to-the-dissolved-irvine-redevelopment-agency/agenda_items/6000efc9442538f55502dd48-4-dot-3-star-consideration-of-a-request-by-mayor-khan-vi?fbclid=IwAR3zsgkA6Fmsv0YPqpbVDFAkBGh5niPJrPu98HdzJzgge_NVXtA5taRjIDg.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IRVINE REAFFIRMING IRVINE’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

WHEREAS, the mission of the City of Irvine is to maintain a community where people can live, work and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant and aesthetically pleasing; and

WHEREAS, we embrace and celebrate our community’s diversity and welcome all residents who live, work and visit here; and

WHEREAS, it is our duty to confront the systemic racism and racial inequities that have been created and sustained over time; and

WHEREAS, we reaffirm Irvine’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment that values the diversity of cultures and backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, we strive to ensure that every person living and working in our community is treated with fairness, and has access to equitable services and opportunities.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Irvine, California, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

1. The City reaffirms its commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; and commits to ending racial and other disparities within City government, creating fairness in hiring and promotions, greater opportunities within contracting, and equitable service to all residents;

2. To help us identify measurable equity goals and outcomes, Staff will gather and analyze relevant data pertaining to the problem of racial and other inequities, including but not limited to initiating a review of the current demographics of City employees and contractors;

3. Staff will also review current City policies and guide the Council on revising policies that do not meet diversity, equity, and inclusion; including but not limited to the City’s outreach process for contracting, and recognition of women, minority, and disadvantaged-owned businesses through our business licensing program;

4. Staff will establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee that will provide input on the needs of the community, and advise the Council in meeting the aforementioned goals.