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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 3, 2021 Minutes/Meeting Summary Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Thursday, June 3, 2021 7:00 pm Electronic Meeting – Webex Platform Attendees: C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture (Staff Liaison) T. Ryce, Supervisor, Cultural Services (Staff Liaison) G. Chang-Campbell, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member (Chair) C. Mosca, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member (Vice-Chair) Z. Adatia, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member S. Charles-Watson, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member R. Diaz-Matus, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member M. Francis, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member D. Governor, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member A. Graham, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member O. Grignon, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member F. Heath, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member N. Holland, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member A. Laylor, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member K. Noronha, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member T. Olanbiwonnu, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member N. Sinclair, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member J. Smith, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member A. Vincent, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member D. Poole, Clerk-Typist (Recording Secretary) Absent: D. Ryan, Mayor A. Davis, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member C. Farinha, Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Member Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Call to Order G. Chang-Campbell welcomed everyone in attendance and called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. The taskforce members engaged in a moment of silence to express their deepest sympathies for the discovery of the remains of the 215 children at the former Kamloops Residential School. Page 1 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosure of interest was brought forward by any of the taskforce members. 3. Adoption of Agenda and Previous Minutes The taskforce reviewed the agenda and the minutes from the meeting held on Thursday, May 6, 2021. It was the consensus of the taskforce members to approve the agenda and adopt the minutes as received. 4. Delegations There were no delegates registered for the meeting. 5. Action Items Update Staff T. Ryce advised that she provided information regarding the remuneration process to the chair and vice-chair for review prior to dissemination among the members. T. Ryce noted that the City has identified a web URL for the taskforce, which will include t email access. Staff are reviewing the current model to align with municipal best practice. Proposed launch date to align with the call for sub-committee members. A proposal will be provided to the executive members for review. T. Ryce advised that the City has recently launched a community piano in Esplanade Park, which was supported by the Cultural Advisory Committee. Staff would like to host a round table discussion on diversity, unity and race and invite the PABRT to partner in this initiative, planned for August of this year. It was the consensus of the taskforce to partner with the Cultural Advisory Committee in this initiative. T. Ryce advised that the City is putting in for a Community Foundation Grant, which prioritizes Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) equity of access, for a safe community space related to Music and Wellness including a public work dedicated to the memory of lives lost in the pandemic, and the bravery of front line workers within the City Centre. T. Ryce requested that the taskforce write a letter of support, and partner in the development of the project. This would include a review of the program plan to ensure equity and barrier free access. Moved by S. Charles-Watson Seconded by C. Mosca That the PABRT provide a letter of support for this initiative. Carried. T. Ryce to invite the sub- committee members that decide to take this on to the planning meeting for the session at the end of the summer. G. Chang-Campbell to prepare the letter on behalf of the PABRT 6. Marketing Considerations O. Grignon provided an overview of the marketing plan, noting the following costs that would come out of the PABRT budget if it was decided to utilize these marketing methods:  Curbex sign -$167.00 per location per month  Mass mailing -$3,500.00 for printing and $3,000.00 for delivery to all Pickering residents and businesses  Paid social media advertising -$150.00 T. Ryce advised that any expenditure over $1,000.00 requires an RFP. Any in house design work is complimentary as is inclusion of marketing material that is distributed via eblast, the enewsletter or the Community Page. All other costs would be the responsibility of the taskforce. T. Ryce noted that the taskforce will have a standalone URL and can use the City template for the PABRT website, as it is within the City’s model thus making it easier to plug in the information and thereby making it economical and visual. The possibility exists to select another layout that exists within the City website, should the taskforce prefer T. Ryce to provide the following documents: 1. draft press release 2. website outline 3. previous call for committee members 4. copy of the presentation from the Cultural Advisory Committee meeting held on February 24, 2021 5. City brand guidelines. Full survey data from the initial ABR survey completed in fall of 2020. Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) it.. The contact us section of the page will go to members of the taskforce, the City is linked at the top left corner of the page, the main image will dominate the central section and indicate the page belongs to the taskforce. Moved by F. Heath Seconded by G. Chang-Campbell That the taskforce accepts T. Ryce’s recommendations for the website. Carried. 7. Bang the Table O. Grignon provided an overview of the Bang the Table engagement platform while highlighting all of the benefits. O. Grignon noted that the taskforce has two licenses. She will hold one of them and it will be determined in the future who will host the other license. Training is open to all of the taskforce members. Support, if needed, will be provided by T. Ryce along with the City’s Corporate Communications staff. O. Grignon to forward the training materials to any member of the taskforce who is interested. 8. Scheduling of Sub-committee and Executive Meetings G. Chang-Campbell advised that the executive committee has agreed to meet on the third Wednesday of each month. It was recommended that the sub-committees meet on the Monday or Tuesday of the third week or each month or during the second week of each month so that anything that occurs in the meeting can be brought to the executive for inclusion on the next PABRT meeting agenda. 9. ABRWG Statement on Goss Gilroy Inc. Discussion ensued regarding the hiring of the consulting firm Goss Gilroy by the City of Pickering. Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Taskforce members raised concerns regarding the selection, and inquired about the process. Key concerns were diversity of representation on the consulting team, lack of evidence on their website to support diversity of staffing, and past work in this area; thus questioning the ability of the firm to properly engage the full community in a meaningful dialogue. Staff provided an overview of the selection process, staff team at Goss Gilroy, and high level overview of their experience, noting that the consultant will be supported by the City’s diversity, equity and inclusion steering committee. The taskforce reviewed the letter that was written by the Pickering Public Library’s Anti-Black Racism Working Group that expresses their concerns regarding the decision making and selection process that lead to the hiring of Goss Gilroy. The main concern was that this firm does not have expertise in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusivity, nor do they represent racialized communities. Moved by N. Sinclair Seconded by F. Heath The PABRT support the letter brought forward by the Pickering Public Library’s Anti-Black Racism Working Group, and will submit back with recommended edits. Carried. T. Ryce to inquire if the information related to the proposal/bios of Goss Gilroy can be shared with the taskforce. 10. Code of Ethics Moved by G. Chang-Campbell Seconded by F. Heath To adopt the PABRT Code of Ethics. Carried. Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 11. Updates from Executive and Sub-committee Chairs No updates were provided by the executive members or the sub-committee chairs. 12. Action Plans Due to time constraints, the action plan was deferred to the next meeting. Moved by G. Chang-Campbell Seconded by O. Grignon To hold a meeting in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting to focus on the action plan. Carried. O. Grignon to poll the taskforce members regarding their availability and advise staff of such. 13. Other Business N. Holland recommended putting together a Facebook page. S. Charles-Watson advised that she will be stepping down from the taskforce, as she will be relocating to another municipality to take on the role of DE& I coordinator, the taskforce and staff wished her well, and regret at her loss to another deserving community. No other business was conducted resulting in the adjournment of the meeting at 9:05 pm. Meeting Adjourned: 9:05 pm Copy: (Acting) Director, Community Services City Clerk Page 6 of 6