HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 7, 2021Page 1 of 4
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
October 7, 2021
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: D. Ryan, Mayor
A. Davis
R. Diaz-Matus
D. Governor
A. Graham
O. Grignon
F. Heath
N. Holland
K. Noronha
T. Olanbiwonnu
N. Sinclair
J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |
C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture, Pickering Public Library
R. Perera, Committee Coordinator
Absent: G. Chang-Campbell, Chair
C. Mosca, Vice Chair
Z. Adatia
S.Charles-Watson
C. Farinha
J. Smith
A. Laylor
A. Vincent
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome and Call to Order
J. San Antonio assumed the Chair in the absence of
G. Chang-Campbell and welcomed everyone to the
meeting.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by O. Grignon
That the agenda for the October 7, 2021 meeting of
the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be
approved.
Carried
Page 2 of 4
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Review and Approval of Minutes
- June 9, 2020
Moved by R. Diaz-Matus
That the Minutes of the September 9, 2021 meeting
of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be
approved.
Carried
5. Delegations
There were no delegations.
6. General Business
6.1 Process for Onboarding and Including New
Applicants on Taskforce Subcommittees
J. San Antonio informed the Taskforce that 5
applications were received for the Taskforce
Subcommittees and that the Subcommittee co-chairs
could contact the applicants directly to notify them of
their selection. She further noted that as per the ADM
040 Policy, each subcommittee must have 2 voting
members from the Taskforce and added that there
was no formal appointment process for
Subcommittee members.
6.2 Call for a Volunteer for the Interim Vice Chair
Position
J. San Antonio informed the Taskforce that C. Mosca,
Vice Chair, would be stepping away from the Vice
Chair position for a short period of time and that there
was now a call for an Interim Vice Chair Position.
O. Grignon nominated F. Heath for the Interim Vice
Chair Position.
There were no other nominations.
Page 3 of 4
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
F. Heath stated that he accepted the nomination.
Moved by N. Holland
That Floyd Heath be appointed as the Interim Vice
Chair.
Carried
6.3 Updates for Culture Days Events
O. Grignon provided the Taskforce with an update on
the Piano project and added that the next event
would be on October 9, 2021 which would entail an
afternoon of festivities.
Discussion and a question and answer period ensued
between Members of the Taskforce and Staff
regarding:
• Taskforce Members colour coding for the
event to show uniformity;
• why the backpack initiative was no longer
taking place;
• the City’s three pronged approach to
addressing Anti-Black Racism;
• PABRT having a $25,000 budget and Policies
in place being a barrier to accessing the funds
in a timely manner;
• the need for autonomy for the Taskforce to
conduct its business;
• the implementation of the new financial system
causing delays in accessing funds within the
Taskforce budget in time for its events;
• the need to place purchase orders aside
ahead of time for future expenditures of the
Taskforce;
• the need for communication tools in place to
inform Taskforce Members when there is a
change to Policies that may affect their work;
• ensuring that Taskforce Members were
informed of the guidelines surrounding
spending policies;
• concerns regarding the option of
reimbursement for Taskforce members and
the process taking four to six weeks;
Page 4 of 4
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• the possibility of providing a corporate
spending card to the Taskforce to access
funds allocated in its budget;
• the City currently working on a 4 pronged
approach to address the concerns raised,
which includes the implementation of an
evaluation tool, informing the Taskforce of City
policies, consulting with other Municipalities
with similar Taskforces for best practices, and
engaging the Taskforce in strategic planning;
• the PABRT holding an event in November and
the need to have the raised concerns
addressed prior to the event;
• the need for processes in place to expedite the
use of the Taskforce’s allocated budget;
• working together to identify and diminish
barriers; and,
• the need for the City to promote PABRT
events through its Social Media platforms far in
advance.
7. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
8. Other Business
There was no other business.
9. Next Meeting – November 4, 2021
10. Adjournment
Meeting Adjourned: 8: 55 pm