HomeMy WebLinkAbout8113RESOLUTION NO. 8113
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS
AFFIRMING THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
WHEREAS, racism results in a structured absence of opportunity and the assigning of a
person's societal value based solely on physical characteristics, such as skin color, which creates
unfair disadvantages for some individuals and communities, while simultaneously creating unfair
advantages for other individuals and conununities, therefore preventing societies as a whole from
achieving their full potential; and
WHEREAS, throughout the history of the United States systemic racism has manifested
by acts of discrimination and oppression directed towards immigrant populations and
disproportionally towards Black Americans resulting in fear, anxiety trauma, terror, and long-
term physical and mental health impairments, as well as causing economic oppression for the
targets of racism and acts thereof their communities, and subsequent generations; and
WHEREAS, the United States Office of Disease Prevention recognizes that racial
discrimination negatively impacts health outcomes and further the U.S. Census Bureau has
documented a significant increase in anxiety and depression among Black people nationally
following the May 25, 2020 killing of Mr George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, in response to this and the death of countless others previously and
subsequently under similar or other such circumstances, people across the country have risen to
protest against historic acts of systemic racism and the resulting historic economic, environmental,
and social injustices occurring towards people of various races and etlmicities, which continues to
disproportionately affect the Black community and
WHEREAS, protesters are marching to signal a 'call for action to dismantle systemic
racism and reform government policies and practices across all levels of government and all public
agencies and private organizations to ensure all people of color regardless of race or ethnicity are
protected from experiencing racism, discrimination or unnecessary personal injury or loss of any
kind, including loss of life; and
WHEREAS, systemic racism throughout the public and private sectors of society creates
disparate outcomes in many areas of life that results in disparities in family stability healthcare,
physical and behavioral health, mental wellness, education, employment, economic development,
public safety criminal justice, incarceration, juvenile delinquency and housing that
disproportionately affects Black Americans and people of color; and
WHEREAS, systemic racism creates disparate outcomes in many areas of life such as
housing, education, employment, economic opportunity public safety the criminal justice system,
and physical and behavioral health; and further has led to geographic segregation that
disproportionally exposes the Black community and people of color to lead poisoning, poor air
quality inadequate nutrition, and under -resourced recreational and healthcare facilities; and
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WHEREAS, this City Council acknowledges that systemic racism was manifested
throughout the history and development of our community and region resulting in the forced
dislocation of local Native American settlements in its earliest forms and in a latter form by the
implied geographic segregation of cornrnunities of color, known to them as the North and South
sides of town, causing disparities of access and service to be felt by these residents due to their
race, color, level of education or income, educational and recreational disparities, and other such
deficiencies consistent with systemic racism; and
WHEREAS, The City of Redlands began working with and supporting `Unity In The
Community' in 2016, organized by pastors, police, and city educators, to address relationship
building between the Black community and the Redlands Police Department and to establish the
first Juneteenth Celebration in Redlands in 2018 at Israel Beal Park, in honor of a native Redlands
African American pioneer. and
WHEREAS, in 2018 this City Council adopted Resolution No. 8022, titled `Establishing
a Healthy Redlands, that, in relevant part, states: 'The City Council hereby declares that the City
will work with other cities, county departments, community partners, and regional agencies to
adopt preventive measures, develop initiatives and programs to address chronic conditions, and
create or support existing coalitions which collectively advance equitable community health and
wellness; and
WHEREAS, this City Council acknowledges the historic grievances held by Black
Americans and the various forms of injustice that people of color have experienced for generations
and further recognizes the opportunity for our City to participate in the healing process with
members for our Black and Latino communities and other communities of color by acknowledging
past transgressions; and
WHEREAS, this City Council recognizes and respects the value of all human life and
dignity without prejudice to anyone, and further acknowledges that employee conduct requires
continuous support, training, monitoring, evaluation and a careful balancing of all interests to
ensure equity of access, services, and treatment for all persons, including people of color and
regardless of race or ethnicity.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this City Council and by extension, the
elective offices of the City Clerk and City Treasurer, the City's appointed officials, the offices of
the City Manager and City Attorney and the City departments (Facilities and Community
Services, Development Services, Fire, Police, Library, Management Services, and Municipal
Utilities and Engineering), will implement, with intent and fidelity policies and practices that
reflect a conscious effort to ensure racial equity equity of access and service and further to ensure
the equitable treatment of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity
Section 1. This City Council declares that racism is a public health crisis and further
acknowledges evidence of such throughout the historic development of our city
Section 2. This City Council declares that the lives and experiences of Black People matter
and furthermore that the lives and experiences of people of color living in Redlands matter.
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Section 3. This City Council endorses the continued implementation and use of policies
and practices for employee conduct and equitable treatment of all people and honors, by approval
of this Resolution, the common humanity of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity
Section 4. This City Council commits to actively participating in the dismantling the
remnants of racism in Redlands by
A. Implementing annual training on the following topics: implicit bias, diversity
equity and inclusion for all elected officials, City staff and members of boards, commissions and
committees.
B. Assessing and revising City department policies, procedures, and ordinances to
ensure racial equity and transparency are core elements.
C Ensuring that hiring practices provide greater opportunities for people of color to
be employed to further diversify our workforce.
D Ensuring diversity of race, age, and gender within the city commissions.
E. Creating a system ofreporting progress towards achieving the goals outlined in this
resolution and communicating such to the greater community
F Supporting community efforts to amplify issues of racism and engaging actively
and authentically with conununities of color wherever they live.
G. Adding health, equity and justice to the objectives and purview of the appropriate
city commission to address ways to improve the public health and welfare of all the residents
through an equitable lens as prescribed in the Healthy Redlands resolution and to identify specific
activities to further enhance diversity and principles of equity
H. Continuing to work with and support `Unity in the Community' in conjunction
with The Human Relations Comnission and/or appropriate City commissions and community
groups to help measure and achieve the goals outlined in this resolution.
I. Building and strengthening alliances with other organizations that are confronting
racism, and encouraging other agencies to recognize racism as a crisis, including considering City
membership in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), which is a national network
of local government agencies working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all.
Additionally involve community representation and input in matters of historic and continued
racial injustice.
Section 5. This City Council will continue to, through its goodwill, dialogue, and decision-
making efforts and powers, support policies that are consistent with the principles of equity of
access, services, and treatment of all people regardless of race, color, or ethnicity
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ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 21' day of July, 2020
Paul W Foster, Mayor
ATTEST
Jea'Donaldson, City Clerk
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I, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 21st day
of July, 2020, by the following vote
AYES Councilmeinbers Tejeda, Momberger, Davis, Mayor Foster
NOES None
ABSENT Councilmeinber Bauch
ABSTAIN None
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Donaldson, City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
To declare racism as a public health crisis in the City of Redlands is to direct our full attention to improving
the quality of life and health of our residents who are marginalized based on their racial identity This
resolution recognizes that racism and oppression has dramatically affected the populations who have
experienced more than 400 years of slavery, genocide, poverty and forced relocation. Racism and its effects
continue to contribute to intergenerational trauma in millions of people in the State of California.
By definition, a public health issue is something that hurts and kills people or impedes their ability to live
a healthy prosperous life. Racism certainly falls in that category
Michelle A. Williams, epidemiologist and dean of the faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public
Health, and Jeffrey Sanchez, a former Massachusetts state representative, is a lecturer at Harvard Chan
published the following in a June 4, 2020, Washington Post article:
Across the country, black Americans suffer from higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, asthma and heart
disease than white Americans. They are more likely to be obese and get insufficient sleep, which can
contribute to such health issues. The role of racism in these underlying conditions cannot be denied.
A growing body of literature shows that social determinants — otherwise known as the conditions in which
we're born and in which we live, work and play — are key drivers of health inequities. For generations,
communities of color have faced vast disparities in job opportunities, income and inherited family wealth.
They are less likely to have housing security and access to quality schools, healthy food and green spaces.
All these factors undoubtedly undermine mental and physical well-being
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