UPDATE ON THE
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, &
INCLUSION INITIATIVE
June 13, 2023
VISION STATEMENT
2 We value and celebrate a strong
commitment to diversity,
inclusion, safety, equality, and
dignity for all individuals in
Belmont.
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 3
TIMELINE
2017
City Council
resolution
protecting
civil rights
2021
DEI Officer
Appointed
2022
Consultant
engaged:
Steering/
Working
Committees
+ internal
survey
2022 - 2023
Working
Committee
executed
internal
improvements
2023 - 2024
Improvements
continued +
community
engaged
(discussions/
events)
2017 - Present
Improvements continue for community’s benefit
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 4
DEI INITIATIVE
ASSESSMENT
• Assess internal
practices
• Listening sessions
• Surveys
• Review policies,
processes,
practices, and data
AWARENESS
• Generate DEI
awareness
• Identify
opportunities for
advancing DEI
practices with City
staff
PLANNING &
EXECUTION
• Develop long-term
strategy
• Recommendations
• Employee life cycle
policies and
procedures
• Procurement
• Budgeting
• Communications
ASSESSMENT
5 6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 6
ASSESSMENT TOOLS
POLICY/
DOCUMENT
REVIEW
STAFF SURVEY
FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 7
• Organizational improvements to address challenges
due to COVID-19, attrition, and turnover
Expanded HR resources to accelerate recruitment/hiring Created/filled Administrative Services position
Piloting third party IT support
Revising personnel documents to incorporate
DEI objectives
Expanding management training to include DEI
FINDINGS & ACTIONS
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 8
• City staff seek more interaction and recognition
Expand internal communication channels
Improve staff events to be more inclusive
• DEI Awareness is high, but more is needed
Held training sessions; more to come
Create internal DEI web page
FINDINGS & ACTIONS
(CONT.)
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 9
• Expand outreach to our diverse community
Integrated DEI into Strategic Plan update
Community Engagement Specialist position
Multiple channels and communication pieces
Engage cultural groups to curate events
• Create space for DEI discussions
Identify/connect with underrepresented groups
Conduct community listening sessions
FINDINGS & ACTIONS
(CONT.)
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 10
• Further incorporate DEI concepts
Continue DEI training for staff and community
Reaffirm DEI purpose at each Council meeting
Encourage diversity in Council and Commission
appointments
FINDINGS & ACTIONS
(CONT.)
AWARENESS
11 6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 12
• 2 senior management team training sessions
• 2 staff training sessions
In person and virtual options
Topic #1: DEI Introduction
Topic #2: Biases and Microaggressions
• Continue to provide resources to staff
TRAININGS
It's a marathon, not a sprint
PLANNING &
EXECUTION
13 6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 14
DEI Steering Committee
Brigitte Shearer (DEI Officer),
Ken Stenquist (Police Chief),
Stacey Stevenson (Interim Assistant
City Manager)
DEI Consultant
Irma Zoepf, The Z Bridge
DEI Working Committee
12 members of various
dept./tenures/backgrounds;
met monthly, Nov – June
Staff/Stakeholders
City Manager support, senior
management leadership, all staff
participation, City Council and
Commission input
WHO IS INVOLVED?
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 15
• Review policies and procedures
Review telework policy to incorporate DEI
Install computer at City Hall to facilitate online job application process
Review/update interview process to seek diverse
external interview panelists
• Improve internal communication
Identify ways to improve communication among staff
Host informal events to encourage interdepartmental
collaboration
WORKING COMMITTEE
GOALS & ACTIONS
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 16
• Review City event logistics and communications
Create staff event checklist including DEI considerations Provide opportunities for staff to engage with other
departments and build relationships at events
Partner with local organizations/groups to provide
cultural events
• Developed DEI Statement for City Staff
The City of Belmont values and celebrates a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace environment and commits to providing everyone an equal opportunity to thrive.
WORKING COMMITTEE
GOALS & ACTIONS
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 17
• Cultural Events
Pride Month event (since 2019)
Lunar New Year event (since 2022)
Martin Luther King Poetry Contest (since 2023)
Poet Laureate activities (ongoing)
• Teen writing workshops
• Monthly poetry events on Zoom for greater participation • Multicultural poetry events
Support/promote Belmont Library cultural events
Belmont Historian position created to help highlight the City’s diverse history
NEW AND ONGOING
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FOR
THE COMMUNITY
6/13/2023 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Update 18
• Parks and Recreation Department
Provided additional support to children with different abilities at signature events Inclusion Camp, including staff training to support this program Universal design playground swings installed
Camp scholarships offered
“Belmont Talks” monthly speaker series offered in-person and virtually Senior Tech Program at the Belmont Library and Twin Pines Senior and Community Center Mental Health Awareness Month activities
Adopted Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBOR)
Multiple communications channels – email, social media, flyers, activity guide Meeting with Carlmont High School students interested in advancing DEI at school and in community • Police Department
C.A.R.E Program (Crisis Assessment Response and Education) T.R.A.C Program (Tracking and Recovery of Adults and Children) Specialized staff training for mental health awareness and approaches • Citywide Communications
City website can be translated into 12 different languages Multi-media exposure
NEW AND ONGOING
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FOR
THE COMMUNITY
NEXT STEPS
19 • Internal
Create DEI Working Committee 2.0
Continue Working Committee goal
identification and implementation
Continue staff trainings
• External
Identify program and service delivery improvements within each department Identify City’s underrepresented
groups and learn best ways to
communicate/interact
Establish criteria to evaluate improvements
Continue to connect with community to
build relationships and share experiences.