Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Tom Markus, City Manager
FROM:	Anaiya Underwood, City University Liaison Intern
CC:	Casey Toomay, Diane Stoddard, Brandon McGuire
DATE:	September 27, 2018
RE:	GARE Program

Background

Pursuant to commissioner Ananda’s inquiry, staff researched the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). The parent organization, Race Forward, was established in 1981 and has since created a network of governments that share the goal of achieving racial equity. Early adopters of the GARE program in the Midwest region, in partnership with the Minnesota League of Cities and Twin Cities jurisdictions, helped to create a working network that the city of Lawrence will be able to collaborate with. The organization also keeps an updated list of their membership across the country (see attached).

Project Description

Recommendations from the Midwest Region Project Manager of GARE were for commissioners to join the Racial Equity Here movement and for staff to reach out to other jurisdictions about the racial equity work they have employed. He also recommended staff review the Racial Equity Action Plan and use the Racial Equity Tool Kit in all city departments and among elected officials.  

The Racial Equity Here movement is an affiliated network that allows users to “develop shared understanding of key racial equity concepts”, identify issue areas within the jurisdiction, and allows citizens and outside organizations to see the City is committed to action.

Staff reached out to representatives from Dubuque, IA, Des Moines, IA, and Tacoma, WA.  Examples of their outcomes from joining GARE include:

• Development of an advisory team for the express purpose of creating equity in government decision-making processes;
• Attendance at annual membership meetings and rapid response workshops;
• Creation of a framework for dialogue about racial equity in a government context;
• Development of a network that was beneficial in foundational training;
• Facilitator led training on city-specific issues involving race; and
• Help in figuring out priority budget decision making with a racially sensitive lens

Requirements

Based on the number of full-time staff members, the annual membership rate would be $1,000.00. This price will give the City access to training workshops, webinars, and other resources.  There would be additional expenses for travel and participation in regional and/or national conferences.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends the Commission authorize the City Manager to join the Racial Equity Here Movement and to apply for membership to the Government Alliance on Race and Equity. The Commission may also want to consider using remaining travel funds to attend the GARE Pre-Conference and 2018 Facing Race Conference in Detroit, MI (November 8-10) to learn more about improving racial equity in the City of Lawrence.