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File Number: 20-495 <br />·The ability to shine a light on instances of racism and inequity in the community, past and <br />present, in a town hall structure and recommend strategies to address them; <br />·Make recommendations to support and ensure the equitable delivery of City services as <br />well as the provision of City programs that address inequity and racism and celebrates our <br />diversity; and <br />·Ensure that accountability is maintained for both City government and all members of our <br />community. <br />Similar to the Budget Task Force, the Rules Committee believed each council member should be <br />able to choose residents from their district to be on the Advisory Committee, with the exception of <br />one at-large member. They felt that “Town Hall” meetings would be appropriate so that people <br />across San Leandro could share their personal stories and that the focus should be on racial <br />justice and inclusion. <br />With the framework provided by the Committee, staff reached out to the Race and Equity <br />Leadership Group of the National League of Cities (REAL). REAL is a Department within the <br />League of California Cities whose mission is to strengthen local government leaders’ knowledge <br />and capacity to eliminate racial disparities, heal racial divisions and build more equitable <br />communities. They do this primarily through three focus areas: a) Training and Technical <br />Assistance, b) Network Building with other local government leaders, and c) Helping <br />organizations establish a field of practice focusing on organizational change. All of these efforts <br />are focused around working with city leaders including City Council and staff. <br />Organizational change is an important element to the Race and Equity conversation in San <br />Leandro; however, community dialogue is also an important first step. Given REAL’s strength <br />and focus on training and workshops for City Hall staff and elected officials, and their capacity <br />stretched to its limits from many similar requests from cities across the nation, staff felt it <br />important to review additional options for City Council consideration. Of importance was finding <br />an individual or organization that could help facilitate conversations in the community as well as <br />fold in the work of City staff’s internal equity team. Staff felt it was important that these <br />conversations be led by others outside of the City structure, given its own capacity and the <br />potential for perceived bias regarding the provision of services. <br />Based on recommendations from leaders in the community, public comment at City Council <br />meetings, as well as other experts in the field, staff reached out to several organizations and <br />individuals including: the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), which is part of the <br />Othering and Belonging Institute of University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley); SEED <br />Collaborative; Visions, Inc.; Dr. Tyrone Holmes; Network for Transformational Change; and <br />SEEDS Community Resolution Center. After discussions with each of these service providers, <br />and the specific recommendation of GARE who is equally stretched and unable to assist the City <br />at this time, staff began a more focused conversation with SEED Collaborative (SEED). Based <br />on those discussions, staff requested a proposal from SEED, which is outlined below. <br />Analysis <br />SEED Collaborative <br />Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 10/28/2020 <br />13