TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH:
FROM: Steve Powers, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution affirming racism as a public health crisis
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe Community; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council adopt Resolution No. 21-3 affirming racism as a public health crisis?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 21-3 affirming racism as a public health crisis.
body
SUMMARY:
Resolution No. 21-3 affirms that racism is a public health crisis and finds:
• Racial discrimination negatively impacts health outcomes;
• Racism disproportionally impacts the long-term physical and mental health of Black people and people of color, and;
• Racism creates disparate outcomes in many areas of life that result in disparities in family stability, healthcare, physical and behavioral health, mental wellness, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice, incarceration, juvenile delinquency, and housing that disproportionately affects Black people and people of color
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Resolution No. 21-3 determines that racism is a public health crisis and the lives and experiences of Black people and people of color living in Salem matter. Further, that City Council endorses the continued implementation and use of policies and practices for employee conduct and equitable treatment of all people and honors, by adoption of the resolution, the common humanity of all people, regardless or face or ethnicity.
The Resolution also provides that the City shall:
• Employ an equity lens in engagement and planning processes to ensure the resulting product represents the needs of everyone in our community;
• Support the Human Rights Commission and strengthen alliances with out organizations that are confronting racism;
• Build on learning opportunities for elected officials and employees; and
• Commit to actively participate in dismantling system racism and it impacts within the city, and endorse policies and practices for employee conduct and equitable treatment of all people.
BACKGROUND:
At the January 11, 2021 City Council meeting, Council adopted Councilor Leung’s motion to direct staff to bring back a resolution for Council’s consideration to declare racism as a public health crisis. The draft resolution was presented to City Council at its January 19, 2021 work session.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 21-3.