Roseville council hears Equity and Inclusion Commission check-in; staff proposes department work-plan pilot

City staff and the Equity and Inclusion Commission presented a progress update to the Roseville City Council on Feb. 24, outlining a phased approach to establishing the commission and proposing a pilot role applying an equity and inclusion lens to department work plans.

Assistant City Administrator Rebecca Olsen summarized the commission's origin and purpose. The council created the Equity and Inclusion Commission after earlier discussion of the former Human Rights and related commissions; the new commission's ordinance directs it to “serve in an advisory capacity to council and staff” and to review and provide feedback on department equity work plans and the city’s Strategic Racial Equity Action Plan, participate in an equity-and-inclusion action team and represent the city at approved events.

Antonio Montes (equity staff) described the commission's first three phases: building history and relationships (Sept–Nov), organizational review and shared language (Dec–Jan), and developing a work plan (Feb onward). He said commissioners identified strengths—data and metrics, accountability and transparency, and community perspective—that staff would try to use as part of a pilot aligning the commission with departmental work plans coming from the strategic plan.

Montes and Olsen proposed a practical starting point: rather than place equity in a separate silo, embed an equity lens into the strategic plan and then partner the commission with administration to review department work plans and metrics. They proposed using the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) “involve/collaborate” level for engagement, and said the commission would return with a detailed work plan in May or June after departments finish draft work plans.

Commissioner Praj, who attended the council discussion, said the commission needed clearer scope guidance and training on the rules that govern public commissions. Council members probed whether the commission's format (commission vs. committee) should be revisited. Several council members urged patience: the commission has been in place only a few months and most members are new. Mayor Rowe and others recommended staff and the commission continue to develop a practical two-part approach—work at the department-work-plan level first, then expand involvement as the commission gains experience.

Council requested staff to onboard new commissioners, continue the engagement and return with a more detailed commission work plan after departments complete their work plans. No formal vote was required; staff will draft the commission work plan and present it to council for review in late spring.