10A Action Items 2018 0116 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Surlene G. Grant Councilmember 1998-2008, City of San Leandro, CA San Leandro Resident since 1993; San Leandro Business owner since 2000 San Leandro City Council Position • Backstory: Ms. Grant became involved with the City because the telephone company installed a utility box on her property. The phone company claimed the box was in the public easement. It was not. Through her efforts the box was relocated and the City implemented new internal procedures for installation of utilities. Upon learning of the City Council vacancy, her neighbors encouraged her to apply for it. Thus, Ms. Grant entered the appointment process. Four people vied for the vacancy. After completion of the interviews, the existing City Council tied in their votes for / against Ms. Grant. After two rounds of voting the tie was broken. With a vote of 4-2, Ms. Grant became the Councilmember for District 2. • Ms. Grant served on the San Leandro City Council from July 27, 1998 to December 31, 2008 including two terms as Vice Mayor in 2006 and 2007. Following the initial appointment, Ms. Grant was elected to the City Council in November 2000 with 63%, and again in November 2004 with the same percentage (63%) of voter support. • Ms. Grant’s became the first person of non-European descent to be appointed or elected to the City Council in the City’s 125+ years. Some civic leaders attribute Ms. Grant as the “change agent” that encouraged the City Manager to achieve a city management team reflective of the diverse population of the city, as well as paving the way for African Americans and non-Europeans to be on the City Council. While at the time of her appointment, some managerial and supervisorial positions in the City were held by people of color, key leadership positions such as the department directors were held by Caucasian men and women. Today, the City leadership and staff is a mix of ethnic community members and underrepresented groups from across the globe and is reflective of San Leandro’s current demographics. • During Ms. Grant’s tenure on the City Council, the following were some of the positions that were held for some point of time by people of color -- Finance Director, Engineering Services Director, Senior Library Management, Planning Director, City Attorney (2 African American women in turn), and additional staff positions. It was also during her tenure that the San Leandro Police Department began to show changes in the diversity of personnel and in the development of promotional opportunities that included people of color. During her tenure Orval “OB” Badger became a City Council member, and Kim Wilson and Gary Thompson became members of the San Leandro School Board. Ms. Grant’s years of service outlasted all of theirs for various reasons. Ms. Grant’s term ended because of term limits. In 2008, Ursula Reed won the District 2 election. • A number of incidents occurred early in Ms. Grant’s career with the City that demonstrates the need for a diverse leadership body when there is a diverse constituency. For example, she was called upon by parents of African American and Hispanic children to assist with redressing issues with the schools because there was no representation on the School Board. She interceded with an issue with black male youth and the San Leandro Police Department, and she managed an issue when someone was asked to produce a deed in order to get a library card. Ms. Grant believes the worse of San Leandro’s past is behind us and with organizations such as Unity in the Community, she looks forward to celebrating the City it has become.