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Philomath Inclusivity Committee moves to codify structure, debate name and committee practices
Summary
The Philomath Inclusivity Committee agreed to form a subcommittee to draft high‑level municipal‑code language that would make the group a standing committee; members debated wording (including the term 'unlearning') and whether to change the committee name.
The Philomath Inclusivity Committee agreed to move forward with drafting municipal‑code language to formalize the group's role and membership, and it appointed a small drafting subcommittee to consolidate existing procedure documents.
Jessica Andrade, who presented draft language drawn from past committee documents, said the intent is "to put language into the municipal code that says we are a committee" so future councils know to appoint members and preserve continuity. The packet she shared includes a high‑level 'establishment' section and a separate procedural handbook that would describe day‑to‑day practices.
City staff noted that municipal code language should be concise and high level, with detailed expectations kept in a handbook. Staff explained the ordinance process and that an amendment would go to the city council as an ordinance; if the council is unanimous on first reading it can pass immediately, otherwise it would require a second reading and a simple majority.
The committee debated specific wording in the proposed mission statement. One member suggested the phrase "fostering a safe space where learning, unlearning, and sharing can occur," and another, who is a teacher, asked to remove "unlearning," saying "changing what you've learned or learning more so that your views change is still learning." Other members defended the inclusion as intentional language to confront implicit bias.
Members also discussed whether to rename the group. Some favored keeping "Inclusivity Committee" for community recognition; alternatives like "Human Relations Commission" and "Equity and Inclusion" were raised but not adopted. The committee agreed not to finalize a rename at this meeting.
Action and next steps: Jessica Andrade and Jane Goodwin volunteered to lead a subcommittee to consolidate the blue‑boxed documents into (a) concise municipal‑code draft text and (b) a procedural handbook for committee operations. Staff requested feedback by the February meeting so the city attorney and staff can prepare ordinance language for council consideration.
The committee did not take a formal vote; members agreed to revisit a draft at the next meeting and to follow open‑meeting rules for subcommittee feedback.
