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CCRPC Executive Committee lays groundwork for regional racial equity work, policy review
Summary
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee agreed to expand racial equity training, review organizational policies, and pursue regional coordination, naming staff leads and setting a timeline to update the public participation plan by November.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee on Aug. 5 agreed to step up internal and regional work on racial equity, starting with staff-led education and a review of organizational policies. Charlie Baker, Executive Director, said staff and committee members will attend workshops, share readings and invite external speakers as the commission develops a sustained approach to the issue.
Committee members designated Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager, and Bryan Davis, Senior Planner, to take the lead on the initiative. Baker told members he has been consulting with Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Justice for All and a member of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, and that the commission will consider inviting additional speakers and partners to broaden understanding.
Members emphasized moving beyond discussion to specific actions. Mike O’Brien, Chair, said education is a necessary first step that can inform concrete changes; Bard Hill asked how the commission would transition from training to measurable steps in member municipalities. Catherine McMains, Vice Chair, pointed to recent demonstrations in Jericho and asked what municipalities could do to make meaningful progress.
Committee members discussed concrete near-term steps: reviewing bylaws and consultant relationships to ensure equity considerations are embedded in CCRPC work; using available data to identify geographic or programmatic inequities; and updating the public participation plan. Baker said staff will draft an update to the public participation plan for review by November.
Members cited local program models and potential external expertise. Bard Hill recommended contacting Xusana Davis, Executive Director of Racial Equity for the State of Vermont; Baker said he would continue discussions with community leaders and noted the Howard Center’s outreach program as a possible model for regional coordination.
The committee did not take formal action beyond these direction-setting steps. The meeting continued with routine reports on finance and grants and adjourned at 7:02 PM.
