The Oshkosh City Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee met Nov. 24 and spent much of its time discussing how city departments could increase data transparency and tracking on equity measures, while tabling a scheduled presentation from NAMI Oshkosh.

At the opening of the meeting Crystal led a land acknowledgment: "We are gathered here on the lands that were originally home to the Menominee and Ho-Chunk nations," she said, noting the committee’s commitment to restorative relationships with the original inhabitants of the area.

"The mission of the diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, committee is to create a more welcoming, connected, and equitable Oshkosh by consciously including the richness and complexities of marginalized voices in its planning and function," Andy said when the committee read its mission statement.

Why it matters: Committee members said better data would help the city identify gaps, set priorities and show progress to residents. Members proposed asking departments to track key performance indicators for equity and considered producing an annual equity "report card" drawn from department data or templates such as the Municipal Equity Index (MEI), an LGBTQIA+-focused index the city already participates in.

Andy and other members urged the group to convert broad ideas into actionable items: set the kinds of metrics departments should collect, identify where information already exists and publicize it. "What does that look like to move this along a little bit further?" Andy asked, urging concrete next steps for implementation.

The meeting also covered routine business. The committee approved the minutes from its Oct. 27 meeting (motion and second not specified in the transcript). A planned presentation by Bob Peschel of NAMI Oshkosh did not occur; staff reported he could not join and committee members agreed to reschedule him for January or February. (Note: the transcript also spells his name "Heschel" in one place.)

Chair remarks touched on council matters: the committee discussed continued evaluation of options to help residents with special assessments related to street and sidewalk repair, noting state law limits some local options for funding or deferral. The chair also reminded members that the city council would interview 14 candidates the following night to fill a council vacancy and that residents could attend and comment.

Other community items included a report that SAPO recently purchased a 13‑passenger van to transport children, and a notice about the Ubuntu Holiday Meal (Menasha, Dec. 13) listed on the committee's City of Oshkosh Facebook page.

The committee confirmed its December DEI meeting would be canceled and that staff would not circulate another agenda until mid-January. With no further business, members moved and seconded adjournment; the chair closed the meeting and wished attendees a happy Thanksgiving.

Votes at a glance: approval of Oct. 27 minutes — approved (voice/roll call as noted in meeting; mover/second not specified); adjournment — approved by voice vote.

What the transcript does not specify: exact tallies, which individual moved or seconded the minutes approval and some speaker-role mappings. Funding amounts or program implementation timelines for special-assessment relief were discussed in principle but not specified.