R 5142 RESOLUTION NO. 5142
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING A DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE POLICY
WHEREAS, it is the mission of the City to make Arroyo Grande the best place possible
for everyone who lives, works, and visits; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, in
all facets of society; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arroyo Grande does not currently have a policy specifically stating
its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
(DEIJ) policy that provides guidance and standards for the City to model and implement
the aforementioned objectives within the community and the City organization; and
WHEREAS, in adopting this policy, the City Council declares that it is vital to assume the
responsibility to face the challenges and seize opportunities created by diversity, and to
identify opportunities in policies, regulations, and guidance to address systemic
inequities.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande
that:
1. All recitals set forth and above, are true, correct and incorporated herein.
2. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Policy, attached hereto as
Exhibit A and incorporated herein, is hereby adopted.
3. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
On motion of Council Member Storton, seconded by Council Member Paulding, and on
the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Storton, Paulding, Barneich, George, and Mayor Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 11th day of January, 2022.
RESOLUTION NO. 5142
PAGE 2
CAREN R USSOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
///te •
WHITNEY MC,IDONALD, 11TY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
C
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
Exhibit A
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE POLICY
POLICY:
The City is committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in all
facets of society, the principles of which include fairness of treatment, recognition of
rights, acceptance of responsibilities, commitment to equity and justice, and dedication to
expanding opportunities for all. The mission of the City is to make Arroyo Grande the best
place possible for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. Valuing diversity is a core
City principle that will be practiced and communicated at all levels of the organization.
PURPOSE:
Members of our community face challenges and opportunities related to their race,
religion, gender, ethnicity, language, age, sexual orientation and gender identity,
socioeconomic background, and diverse abilities. It is important for members of our
community and the City as a whole to assume the responsibility of facing the challenges
and seizing the opportunities created by diversity, and to identify opportunities in policies,
regulations, and guidance to address systemic inequities.
Inclusion and equity do not seek to 'treat everyone the same,' but recognize that everyone
is different, that there are strengths inherent in those differences, and that people's needs
are met in different ways. This can be as a resident, visitor, City Council Member, City
Advisory Body Member, or employee. Diversity awareness recognizes that each
individual is unique, engendering recognition, respect, and celebration of the added value
that differences bring.
DEFINITIONS:
Diversity
Diversity refers to the variety of similarities and differences between people based on
which they experience advantages or encounter barriers to opportunities, including but
not limited to: gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age,
generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion/belief system, marital status, parental
status, socio-economic status, appearance, language and accent, physical and mental
ability, mental health, education, geography, and nationality.
Equity
Equity refers to the consistent and systematic, fair, just, and impartial treatment of all
individuals, seeking to ensure that all people have access to the same opportunities and
resources while recognizing that people do not all start from the same place due to
systemic and individual advantages and barriers.
POLICY #:
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
PAGE 2
Inclusion
Inclusion seeks to support people with different identities to feel valued and welcomed
within a given setting, including fostering a sense of belonging by centering and amplifying
the voices, perspectives, and styles of those who experience more barriers based on their
identities.
Justice
Justice refers to the practice of directly dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities
in society so that all individuals and communities can live a full and dignified life.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The City is committed to modeling and implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, and
justice within the community and the City organization, and will do so through measures
that include but are not limited to the following:
A. Provide informed, authentic leadership supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and
justice by:
1. Connecting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice to the City's mission as critical
principles to ensure the well-being of the City's employees and the community;
2. Acknowledging and dismantling inequities within the City's policies, systems,
programs, and services, including continual review and updates to support ongoing
progress;
3. Embedding language in the City's plans, policies, and goals consistent with the
intent of this Policy to promote diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice;
4. Exploring potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with
diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice;
5. Advocating for and supporting executive team-level thinking about how systemic
inequities impact the City's work, and how best to address these inequities in a
way that is consistent with the City's mission and this Policy;
6. Challenging assumptions about what it takes to be a strong leader within the City
organization and who is well-positioned to provide leadership;
7. Practicing and encouraging transparent and inclusive communication in all
interactions, including focus on and commitment to reducing and preventing
incidents of prejudice;
8. Committing time and resources to expand diverse leadership opportunities within
the City Council, employees, committees, and advisory bodies, including outreach
to diverse social and professional organizations and publications;
9. Championing diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice by leading with respect,
awareness, and acceptance;
10.Committing to keeping current on "best practices" that take place in other cities
and government jurisdictions, and partnering with other cities in sharing
information and efforts;
POLICY #:
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
PAGE 3
11.Expecting all employees to exemplify this Policy in all workplace interactions and
through everyday practices.
B. Abide by the following to help promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace:
1. Pursue cultural competency throughout the organization by creating substantive
learning opportunities and formal, transparent policies;
2. Pursue and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research related to justice, equity,
diversity, and inclusion initiatives and barriers to guide the implementation of
effective measures;
3. Make incremental, measurable progress toward the visibility of the City's diversity,
equity, inclusion, and justice efforts;
4. Improve the City's cultural leadership pipeline by creating and supporting programs
and policies fostering leadership that reflects the full diversity of American society;
5. Identify and incorporate DEIJ efforts and components in the City's recruitment,
retention, and training efforts;
6. Pool resources and expand offerings for underrepresented communities by
connecting with other organizations committed to DEIJ efforts;
7. Develop and present sessions internally on DEIJ to provide education and
resources and to support full implementation of this Policy;
8. Promote opportunities for organizations, businesses, and advocacy groups to
share information with the City and with each other regarding the changing
realties of the workforce and workplace;
9. Be intentional in bringing awareness and consciousness of bias during the hiring,
promoting, and/or evaluating process and institute practices to increase DEIJ in all
aspects of recruitment and retention;
10.Advocate for public and private-sector policies that DEIJ and challenge systems
and policies that create inequity, oppression, and disparity.
C. Promote inclusive outreach to diverse communities by:
1. Identifying traditionally underrepresented or marginalized communities within the
City and developing and implementing strategies to increase effective
communication and engagement;
2. Regularly conferring with representatives of diversity groups to better understand
and support the community and to ensure ongoing application and review of this
Policy;
3. Work with community partners to support opportunities for professional leadership
and DEIJ training for small businesses within the City;
4. Intentionally incorporate DEIJ initiatives into the City's economic development
efforts, including support for small and diverse businesses;
5. Evaluating barriers to participation in decision-making processes by traditionally
underrepresented or marginalized communities and developing mechanisms to
reduce identified barriers;
6. Fostering an environment of inclusivity in internal and public-facing events,
meetings, and processes through intentional application of this Policy.
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, JESSICA MATSON, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis
Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that the attached
Resolution No. 5142 was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 11th day of January, 2022.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 13th day of
January, 2022.
-JESSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK