In late July, the Hood River City Council passed a Resolution for Racial and Social Equity. In this resolution, City Council acknowledges inequities that harm black, indigenous and other people of color in our community. The resolution supports systemic change as the City identifies and eliminates instances of bias and racial/social equity barriers in City programs and services, including evaluating and making changes to city policies such as land use, housing and zoning that are barriers of exclusion and segregation.
This resolution includes broad detail and Council acknowledges that “these goals do not have an endpoint,” committing to review progress and update strategies to address these issues annually. Other highlights of the resolution:
- the City commits to eliminating racial and social inequities within our staff, volunteers and elected officials.
- the City will explore community-based models of safety, support, and prevention related to public safety practices.
- the City will work towards a community-centered process to promote resilience to climate effects on disadvantaged communities.
City Council envisions a community where every person feels safe, where trust is maintained, where all people are equitably cared for; and recognizes that local governments are essential participants in the movement for racial and social equity.
City Council continues to welcome community input, especially from individuals from communities disproportionately affected by racism and other economic and social disparities.
To view the full Resolution 2020-13 – Racial and Social Equity.