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CCRPC reviews draft equity statement and reframes $100K FHWA funds to emphasize transportation nexus
Summary
Equity Manager Anne Nelson Stoner presented a draft CCRPC Equity Statement and reported staff reframed a $100,000 FHWA-funded solicitation to emphasize transportation assessment and engagement (not general capacity building) after FHWA, VTrans and FTA review; the Executive Committee will review before a September Board action.
Anne Nelson Stoner presented an update on CCRPC equity work and a draft equity statement at the Aug. 2 Executive Committee meeting. She explained initial plans to use $100,000 in federal highway funds to support capacity-building for community organizations had drawn pushback from FHWA, VTrans and the FTA, which required a clearer transportation nexus for the funds. CCRPC staff are reframing the solicitation toward assessment and community engagement events led by community groups partnered with CCRPC around transportation projects.
Nelson shared a slide deck and the draft CCRPC Equity Statement, which states that structural racism and other forms of oppression contribute to persistent disparities and commits CCRPC to improving practices, meaningful collaboration with those most affected, and continuous education. Staff priorities cited included using strong, concise language, acknowledging CCRPC’s role as planners, and committing to what the commission can influence. Community priorities called for acknowledging planning’s role in past inequities and prioritizing race, ability, and socio-economic status.
Chair Chris Shaw, Executive Director Charlie Baker and others asked procedural and presentation questions; staff asked EC members for edits ahead of the September Board meeting. Charlie Baker noted that updating mission and vision statements (rather than adding a stand-alone equity statement) would require bylaw changes and a longer process.
