Title
Discussion of proclamation language highlighting inclusivity and a welcoming community
Body
Summary and Background Information: At the Nov. 21 regular meeting, city council requested a study session to discuss language for a proclamation highlighting the city's position as an inclusive and welcoming community. Staff compiled the following information in preparation for council's discussion.
Administrative Efforts
Since Commerce City's is one of Colorado's most diverse municipalities, with Latinos comprising 46 percent of the population, the city manager initiated a Latino Engagement Taskforce (LET) in 2015 to help position the city to become a leader in building a stronger and more inclusive community. Facilitated by Cultivando, the goal of LET was to obtain constructive and solution-focused participation from community members on how Commerce City can better engage, involve, and authentically serve its Latino community. An application process was established to recruit interested Commerce City community members and with assistance from Cultivando staff, Promotoras outreach efforts were conducted. Twelve Latinas were selected from 15 applicants for the taskforce, with an average city residency of 13.6 years. Eleven of the 12 members self-identified as Spanish being their primary language and five self-identified as being bilingual (English/Spanish). Over a six month period, monthly meetings were held in Spanish and explored various city topics that were of interest to the taskforce. The attached report outlines recommendations to build meaningful access to needed services and a pathway forward towards greater civic engagement in building a quality community for a lifetime in Commerce City for and with all community members. City staff has begun to operationalize some of the recommendations and will expand efforts in 2017.
National Efforts
In September 2015, the White House Task Force on New Americans launched the "Building Welcoming Communities Campaign" to encourage local communities to engage in local immigrant integration efforts in partnership with Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization. The campaign recognizes that 41.3 million foreign-born residents live in the United States and contribute to the vitality of the country. The initial campaign has grown from 47 to 73 member cities that formally join by committing to one of three involvement tiers noted in the Building Welcoming Communities attachment. More information is available at https://www.welcomingamerica.org/programs/member-municipalities
Regional Efforts
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issued a video message Nov. 10 as did Aurora Police Chief on the role of local governments in immigration enforcement. City Manager McBroom also released a statement on Nov. 19 on how Commerce City would continue to adhere to its existing practice (http://c3gov.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1917.)
The Denver City Council unanimously approved Proclamation No. CP16-1184: Standing Together with Denver Moving Forward (attached) at their Nov. 21 meeting. City staff could not find another example of a metro Denver community that adopted a similar proclamation. Nationwide, cities are endorsing similar efforts; the following link highlights San Diego County community activities, which is not dissimilar from larger cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and New York City. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/immigration/sd-me-welcoming-cities-20161116-htmlstory.html
A draft proclamation will be available for discussion Monday.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Interim Director of External Affairs Halstead
Staff Member Presenting:
Financial Impact: $N/A
Funding Source: N/A
Staff Recommendation: For discussion purposes.