Title
Establishing the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council adopted Ordinance 22-52 on January 4, 2023 establishing the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "commission"); and
WHEREAS, the Commission serves as an advisory body to the mayor and city council on matters related to repairing the damage caused by public and private systemic racism in the City of Saint Paul which resulted in racial disparities in generational wealth, homeownership, health care, education, employment and pay, and fairness within the criminal justice system among the American descendants of chattel slavery; and
WHEREAS, the commission shall consist of eleven (11) at-large members appointed by the Saint Paul City Council; and
WHEREAS, of the members first appointed, three (3) shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, four (4) for a term of two (2) years, and four (4) for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, the term of each member shall be three (3) years. Members shall serve no more than 2 consecutive terms. Vacancies on the commission for whatever cause shall be filled by the City Council through the open appointment process for the unexpired term; and
WHEREAS, all members shall be residents of the City of Saint Paul and to the extent possible, members shall be representative of the city's diversity of neighborhoods, races, cultures, ages, abilities, incomes and sexual orientations consistent with city’s diversity and equity goals; and
WHEREAS, preference shall be given to candidates who demonstrate lived experience as it pertains to the work of the commission, are engaged in the local community and understand the role of reparations in addressing the impacts of chattel slavery and its aftermath.
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council established the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission effective February 11, 2023; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council appoints Jamila Pickett, Khulia Pringle, and Nick Khaliq to terms of one year; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council appoints Carla Robinson, Idman Ibrahim, Joseph Bloedoorn, and Nick Muhammed to terms of two years; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council appoints Arthur McCoy, Nila Gouldin, Trahern Crews, and Jeremie English to terms of three years; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council determines it is in the public interest to provide a nominal stipend to support to these community advisors who bring valuable perspectives and whose presence builds public trust, ensures transparency and accountability; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council establishes a $50 stipend per meeting for the commission members which is intended to help defray expenses associated with participating in Commission meetings; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council will provide professional and clerical staff and administrative and financial support to the work of the commission.