Timeline

Over the course of the next two years, two more Community Conversations on Race and one virtual Town Hall on Race and Policing were held in our community. The goal of these events was to facilitate a dialogue to develop a deeper awareness of diversity, culture, and equity, and provide an opportunity for all voices to be heard. 

One of the reoccurring recommendations from participants in the community conversations was to establish a City commission to focus on race equity work. After researching and talking with other cities about current practices and how they successfully launched their race equity work, staff recommended first convening an intermediary Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Task Force to work with a consultant to create an actionable race equity plan that would guide the City's race equity work and shape a new REDI Commission.

In July 2021, the Savage City Council approved a resolution to charter a special task force to assist the City in developing an action plan to address race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

To authentically engage underrepresented racial and ethnic communities in this process, we wanted the REDI Task Force members to: 

1. Represent voices of those directly impacted by racial disparities
2. Be residents of Savage or individuals who work in Savage
3. Have expertise in race equity work or a connection to race equity work
4. Commit to a one-year term from 9/21-9/22.

Potential task force members were identified by looking at current relationships and connections in the community. Thirty-four individuals were identified and reached out to. The recommended task force members are: 

Mr. Sheriff Ahmed
Ms. Kate Payton
Ms. Hamde Daoud
Ms. Eddieca Ontiveros
Mr. Keontay Jackson
Ms. Gail Lewis-Miller
Mr. Cyril Mukalel Thomas.
Mr. Sam Ouk 
Ms. Patsy Reed Zweber
Mr. Pat Stieg
Dr. Amenah Agunwamba
Ms. Victoria Ombuna Schultz
Ms. Corrina Lyons 

Council and staff representatives are: 

Christine Kelly, Councilmember
Brad Larson, City Administrator
Rodney Seurer, Police Chief
Emily Gunderson, Communications Manager and REDI Task Force liaison 

The REDI Task Force meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month from 5 - 7 p.m. 

On November 7, 2022 the REDI Task Force presented the REDI Report and recommendations to the Savage City Council. Read the full REDI Report here.

To help inform the recommendations included in the REDI Report, over the last 14 months,  the REDI Task Force engaged with key external and internal stakeholders, including residents, elected officials, and city staff. In addition, the REDI Task Force used collective harvesting sessions to learn about the lived experiences of specific groups of individuals living in the City of Savage. The task force also reviewed best practices of other communities and met with key leadership staff to better understand current practices and processes. Through this collection of data, input, and feedback, the task force narrowed in and built consensus for recommendations categorized into five themes:

1. Community Experience
2. Sense of Safety
3. Diverse Representation at all levels of the City
4. Connection to Community
5. Support to BIPOC Businesses

Instead of thinking our work is done, we feel the hard work is just beginning. We want to acknowledge that the REDI Report and recommendations are just the beginning of a long-term commitment to making the City of Savage a welcoming community for all. The next steps include turning the report over to City staff to review the recommendations and suggested actions and begin creating implementation plans.  

One of the recommendations of the REDI Task Force and the REDI Report was to establish an ongoing equity commission. In December 2022, the Community Equity Commission was established to elevate diverse voices in our community, advise on equity and inclusion strategies, review city policies and practices, provide oversight to the REDI Report, and ensure that the City's equity work moves forward. 

Residents are encouraged to apply for the Community Equity Commission (CEC) at https://www.cityofsavage.com/government/commissions, and the first appointments of Community Equity Commissioners will be made by the City Council in February 2023.