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Council keeps DEI advisory committee and forms subcommittee to craft immigration statement
Summary
After public comment urging protection for immigrants and extended debate over funding and scope, the council directed staff to retain the DEI Advisory Committee as an advisory body (monthly meetings) and approved a working group of two councilors and the mayor to draft a statement on federal immigration activity; membership was set by roll call 3-2.
The McMinnville City Council on Feb. 10 voted to keep its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee in place as an advisory body, asked city leadership to work with committee members on clarifying scope and possible ex officio seats, and authorized formation of a separate subcommittee to draft a council statement about federal immigration enforcement.
Multiple members of the public urged the council to maintain or strengthen DEI work. Sydney Winfield (Chair, Planning Commission) and DEI advisory members described the committee's role in public engagement and noted historical and demographic context; Caitlin Nemeth of the DEI advisory committee said the body "gives voice to people who have been excluded." Public speakers also called on the council to declare a state of emergency and provide legal, mental-health and food support in response to immigration enforcement activity affecting local families.
Interim City Manager Adam Garvin and staff recapped the committee's January 8 meeting and the staff recommendation that the council decide the committee's future role. Staff noted the committee had proposed focusing on two priorities (plan framing and relationship-based community connections). Councilors discussed possible name changes, translation and signage projects, and available ARPA funds linked to DEI work; staff said a work session on ARPA funding is planned for March to provide detailed accounting.
Councilor Scott Cunningham moved to create a subcommittee to draft a statement regarding federal immigration activity and solidarity with the community. The motion included direction that staff be involved in drafting and limited the subcommittee to two councilors plus the mayor; an amendment specifying the committee membership (Councilor Cunningham, Council President Sal Peralta, and Mayor Kim Morris) passed by roll call vote 3-2.
The formal direction adopted by the council: retain the DEI Advisory Committee as an advisory body, keep the committee's monthly meeting frequency, leadership will work with staff on potential structural changes and ex officio seats, and staff will report ARPA project status at a forthcoming work session. The subcommittee will draft the immigration-related statement and return a proposed text to the full council.
