TITLE
Authorizing acceptance of travel expense reimbursement and in-kind travel support for the Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment’s participation in convenings related to community wealth building, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, housing, and community development.
BODY
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul recognizes the importance of advancing financial empowerment, community wealth building, entrepreneurship, housing stability, and equitable community development strategies to improve resident financial stability and expand economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Financial Empowerment is responsible for advancing strategies that support resident financial health, community wealth building, and cross-sector partnerships that align with the City’s broader economic and community development goals; and
WHEREAS, Marcus Owens, Director of the Office of Financial Empowerment (the “OFE Director”), participated in a Knight Foundation-supported city tour in Atlanta and Macon, Georgia from May 6–8, 2026, to learn more about how cities are supporting financial empowerment strategies related to entrepreneurship, housing, and community development; and
WHEREAS, the Knight Foundation has offered to provide the City with travel expense support of up to $2,500 for eligible expenses associated with participation in the Atlanta and Macon city tours; and
WHEREAS, the OFE Director also attended the Reframing Community Wealth Building for Black America convening hosted by The Democracy Collaborative in Washington, D.C. from June 11–13, 2026; and
WHEREAS, this convening brought together approximately 15 professionals from government, nonprofit, academic, and private-sector organizations to discuss how community wealth building strategies can create impact in communities, and the OFE Director participated as a speaker representing the City’s work and perspective; and
WHEREAS, The Democracy Collaborative has offered to provide in-kind trave...
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