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Advisory committee seeks council guidance on its role and asks staff to gather language-access data
Summary
Members debated whether to request a joint workshop with City Council after GovOps raised questions about the advisory committee's role; the group also agreed staff should begin collecting basic language-access data and explore outreach with the Maine Multicultural Center before proposing a formal language-access plan.
The Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights debated whether City Council should invite the group into a joint workshop or whether the committee should wait for council to define the guidance it seeks. Councilor Michael Beck advised waiting for council's internal discussion before the advisory committee requests a joint meeting; committee members said they want formal direction so their work aligns with council priorities.
Committee members reviewed the advisory committee's ordinance mission (subsection 23-44) and asked whether the council chair could unilaterally disband the group; staff and the council liaison said city solicitor guidance and council practice indicate repeal or disbandment requires a council vote and two readings. Members proposed asking for a workshop or for council to provide clear instructions before moving forward with changes.
On language access, the committee discussed models for providing translators and tracking language needs. Committee members cited LanguageLine as an example (one member noted a rough comparison of a $10,000 annual subscription versus about $3 a minute pay-per-use) and urged targeted, low-cost steps while staff collect data. Assistant City Manager Courtney O'Donnell said staff do not currently collect comprehensive language-use data across departments but would raise the issue at a department-head meeting and follow up with initial findings.
Members suggested schools'enrollment language data and outreach to the Maine Multicultural Center as low-cost starting points and proposed simple interventions such as signage that tells visitors how to request interpreter services. The committee agreed to revisit the topic after staff report back and to consider whether small pilot steps could address barriers for residents who lack devices or digital literacy.
Councilor Beck also reported that council unanimously accepted the committee's report and set council priorities: homelessness, housing and regional cost sharing. He said an order to limit certain 287(g) cooperation agreements advanced out of workshop and will receive a first reading at the next council meeting.
