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Council committee to amend staffing ordinance, renaming DEI/training role to community engagement and accessibility coordinator
Summary
The finance and personnel committee reviewed a draft change to the 02/2025 staffing ordinance to remove the DEI/training coordinator title and create a mayoral-appointed community engagement and accessibility coordinator; the change is framed as a lateral reclassification with no change to benefits or salary.
City HR staff presented a draft ordinance Tuesday to amend ordinance 121-24 (02/2025 staffing ordinance) to remove the DEI/training coordinator position and create a Community Engagement and Accessibility Coordinator, an appointed position that will report to the mayor.
Why it matters: The proposed change formalizes a shift in focus from internal DEI/training duties toward outward-facing community engagement, accessibility work and liaison activities with commissions and community groups.
What was presented
At the finance and personnel committee meeting, HR representative Lucas described the proposed change as a retitling and refocusing of a position that has evolved since its creation in September 2023. "This position would not be a civil service commission or civil service appointee or position. It would be a politically appointed position by the mayor," Lucas said. Lucas and other staff said the current employee in the role would move laterally into the new title.
Council and public input
Member Wood and Member Clotfelter asked whether the change was lateral and whether the political appointment status would alter employment protections; HR replied the position had always been an appointed, exempt position with no civil-service eligibility list. Member McCarrie confirmed there are "no expected fiscal implications of this change as far as employee benefits or salaries;" staff said there are "no changes."
Two members of the public spoke in support. Rob Delich, who said he serves on a commission committee, told council he had "heard discussion and the movement in this direction" and called it "the right approach." Another resident suggested public examples of the role’s work would help community understanding.
Next steps
The ordinance draft will be presented to the full council on Monday for introduction. Committee members asked staff to provide the ordinance language at that meeting and continue presenting examples of the position’s public-facing activities and commission liaison work.
