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Tualatin’s IDEA advisory committee outlines mission, priorities and outreach in first annual report
Summary
The newly formed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) advisory committee reported its first year’s work to the Tualatin City Council, presenting a mission and vision, community agreements, priority topics and early outreach and proclamations.
TUALATIN, Ore. — The city’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) advisory committee presented its first annual report Dec. 9, outlining its mission, initial workplan and early community engagement.
Jeriann Thompson, the city library director and the city’s equity and inclusion officer, introduced the report and identified herself and Betsy Rodriguez Rufe as staff liaisons to the committee. Chris Paul and BJ Park, co‑chairs of the committee, described the committee’s organization, membership and priorities.
The committee began meeting in December 2023 and currently has 10 members who “bring a spectrum of backgrounds and experiences,” Chris Paul said. The committee adopted community agreements to guide internal discussion, developed a mission statement and drafted a two‑year action plan based on the city council vision, an earlier equity planning report and the results of the 2023 National Community Survey.
Priorities and work
Committee priorities are organized under three themes: culture and identity, community engagement, and housing and public safety. The committee identified several short‑term priorities including:
- Supporting community proclamations (the committee recommended proclamations for Tonga Day, Dystonia Awareness Month and an affordable housing and childcare awareness day). - Considering a native land acknowledgment as an early agenda item. - Exploring food carts and small‑scale community gathering places as a way to support small business and multicultural events; committee members noted the topic is already on the planning department’s work program.
Committee members said they have begun outreach at city events, including the Tualatin Bridal Stride and Viva Tualatin Festival, and that consultants from Paradigm Public Affairs assisted with early launch activities. The committee is drafting an action plan to guide its work over the next two years. Members asked the council to keep the committee in mind for topics where the council would value advisory input.
Council response
Several councilors thanked committee members for their volunteer work and encouraged continued outreach to business stakeholders, civic groups and other community organizations. Councilors also emphasized keeping discussions civil and constructive and avoiding divisive rhetoric.
What’s next
The committee will finish its two‑year action plan with staff support and has offered to provide advice on topics the council or staff refer to it. Committee members said they intend to expand outreach to business and community organizations and to assist the council with crafting proclamations and community engagement initiatives.
Speakers and participants
Presenters included Jeriann Thompson (library director/equity and inclusion officer), co‑chairs Chris Paul and BJ Park, committee members (Kaleany Fusitula, Aaron Stimpson, Rebecca Morgan) and staff liaison Betsy Rodriguez Rufe.
No formal council action was required on the report.
