Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0006) IR 20-10439 - Implementation of Rec from Task Force on Race and CultureINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10439 r.$+p1;TEPt4 P. ti a `o ksrn N 7S To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 23, 2020 Page 1 of 2 SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TASK FORCE ON RACE AND CULTURE The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide quarterly information about progress on implementing recommendations from the Task Force on Race and Culture. On August 1, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution 4817-08-2017, appointing a 23-member Task Force on Race and Culture to advise the City Council about various issues relating to race and culture. On December 11, 2018, the City Council approved 22 Race and Culture Task Force Recommendations in key areas of criminal justice, economic development, education, governance, health, housing and transportation. The City Manager's Office provided the first progress report to the City Council on August 19, 2019. With the adoption of the 2020 City Budget, a new Department of Diversity and Inclusion was created from the Human Relations Unit. On December 9, 2019 a new Chief Equity Officer/Director of Diversity and Inclusion Department started work with the City. On January 28, 2020, the Department of Diversity and Inclusion provided a quarterly Task Force progress report to the City Council. This report serves as the second quarterly report in 2020. Highlights on the most prominent areas of progress are listed below. The attachment includes a full list of the 22 areas of progress. Criminal Justice I Civilian Oversight of Police Department The new Police Oversight Monitor -Director of the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) Kim Neal and Assistant Police Oversight Monitor Denise Rodriguez officially joined the City in March. Since then, the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) has conducted initial meetings with multiple community organizations, city leaders, and FWPD personnel. OPOM has also established a general email and phone number for the Office, created a complaint form and has begun receiving and reviewing complaints, inquiries, commendations, use of force incidents, FWPD policies and procedures including, but not limited to use of force. All members of staff are Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certified and continue to participate in external training opportunities. Office personnel have also received training on the Texas Public Information Act as well as met with the City Attorney's Office regarding OPOM functions and Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. Chapter 143. The next steps during Quarter 3 for OPOM will be to continue meeting with community stakeholders, and FWPD officers and administrators. OPOM will also continue to review policies and procedures, and research of and communications with peer civilian oversight organizations and other law enforcement organizations. Additionally, using the newly created complaint form, OPOM will continue to receive and review complaints, inquiries, and use of force incidents. Economic Development I Capacity -Building of Minority -Owned Businesses The Business Equity Division (DVIN-BE), formally "Office of Business Diversity" transitioned from the Economic Development Department to the new Department of Diversity and Inclusion expanding its responsibilities for capacity -building of minority -owned businesses in the process. DVIN-BE completed the City's 2020 Business Equity Disparity Study in June, 2020 with consultant Colette Holt Advisors. Along with partner organizations, the DVIN-BE completed 77 outreach events for minority businesses to date, and partnered with Beck Construction to launch Beck School of Construction for new or emerging local minority businesses. The Beck School of Construction classes run over a 9-month period covering topics in business marketing and business development to bids and proposals, to bonding and insurance to business accounting. Classes are held virtually due to COVID 19. The next steps during Quarter 3 for DVIN-BE will be to expand opportunities for minority -owned business capacity -building through developing structure for the launch of the City's Mentor -Protege program, and implement the City Manager's Disparity Study recommendations including ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10439 r.$+p1;TEPt4 P. ti a `o ksrn N 7S To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 23, 2020 Page 2 of 2 SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TASK FORCE ON RACE AND CULTURE new Ordinance and Program Plan proposals. DVIN-BE will continue the redesign of equity in contracting processes for contracting departments and purchasing. Governance I Redistricting The 2016 Charter Amendment established increased the number of Council members from 8+1 to 10+1, effective upon redistricting after the 2020 census for the 2023 municipal election. The next steps during Quarter 3 will be to appoint a Task Force by August 2020 to develop criteria and procedures to be used to create City Council districts for the 2023 election. If you have any questions about this information, please contact Christina Brooks, Chief Equity Officer) Director Diversity and Inclusion Department, at 817-392-8988. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS QUARTERLY REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TASK FORCE ON RACE AND CULTURE June 23, 2020 Topic I Strategy I Current Status I Next Steps Criminal Justice Civilian Oversight of Police Department 2. Police cadet program 3. Diversity within Police Department From March to present, the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) has conducted initial meetings with multiple community organizations, city leaders, and FWPD personnel. OPOM has also established a general email and phone number for the Office, created a complaint form and begun receiving and reviewing complaints, inquiries, commendations, use of force incidents, FWPD policies and procedures including, but not limited to use of force. All members of staff are Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certified and continue to participate in external training opportunities. Office personnel have also received training on the Texas Public Information Act as well as met with the City Attorney's Office regarding OPOM functions and Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. Chapter 143. The Fort Worth Police Department completed all tasks related to the advertising, interviewing, and hiring twenty new cadets. The demographic breakdown of the 2020 Police Cadet program stands as follows: Racial Identity Asian Black Hispanic White Total 1 3 12 4 20 Gender Identity Female Male Non -Binary Total 12 8 0 20 On February 5, 2020 members of the Fort Worth Police Department Training Division met with Captain Raven of the Fire Department to share ideas on recruiting. Captain Raven For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 1. Collaborate with community stakeholders through workgroup meetings and surveys to finalize recommendations regarding civilian oversight. 2. Continue to review and monitor inquiries, complaints, use of force, and FWPD policies and procedures. 3. Serve as a member of FWPD's Use of Force Review Board. 4. Commence tracking collection of complainant and police data to identify trends, patterns and circumstances in order to address root causes and recommend next steps including problem solving measures. 5. Finalize OPOM mission, duties, and expectations. 6. Finalize website, social media platforms, newsletter and listsery communication venues. 7. Provide periodic update regarding OPOM activities to stakeholders. 8. Continue ongoing research of and communications with peer civilian oversight organizations and law enforcement organizations. For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 1. The Fort Worth Police Department plans to retain the hired Cadets within the recruitment pipeline. For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: provided us with information on a targeted social media 1. Streamline plan with the Background Unit that will allow campaign and "text this number" campaign that allowed them them to process out-of-town applicants during a single trip to increase their diversity pool with great success. We added into Fort Worth. these ideas to our recruitment plans for future 2. Have preliminary discussions with the Civil Service implementation. Commission to change standards on recreational marijuana use, THC edibles. The City partnered with Workforce Solutions to enhance job For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: fairs and training opportunities and is currently working with 1. Continue its partnership with Workforce Solutions to Workforce Solutions to identify occupations with labor identify occupations with labor shortages and increase shortages. The City Municipal Courts expanded its Safe Harbor training opportunities for these occupations. 1. Job training, Initiative warrant forgiveness program declaring February 2020 2. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that track transportation to Warrant Forgiveness Month". Individuals who voluntarily progress on established and expected outcomes related to jobs, background appeared at a court location in February to act on their cases job training, transportation to job centers, background issues, and hiring were eligible for community service or a reduction in the fine issues (returning resident opportunities, criminal process amount based on their ability to pay. The City Municipal Court background checks, financial background checks), and hiring also continued its Court in the Community initiative to bring process outcomes (candidate pools, interview pools, final the mobile court to sites across the city in February. The City is candidate pools, hires). also currently working with all chambers of commerce on an 3. Continue expulsion clinics and expand and track outcomes MOU about various employment -related issues, including of warrant forgiveness outreach efforts. transportation to work. In partnership with United Way of Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce (who has employed staff to Economic provide oversight and technical assistance to FWISD and Development community GO Centers), Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) currently has For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 42 active GO Centers operating around Fort Worth. GO Centers 1. Establish metrics that tie the number of students visiting the 2. Education incentives are designed to help students see pathways to careers and GO Centers to outcomes in college or vocational training to achieve wage college. They are physical spaces in schools, libraries, workforce application rates, college or vocational training acceptance parity centers, and church -affiliated spaces equipped with computers rates, college or vocational training completion rates, and overseen by school staff. Tarrant County Community employment rates, starting pay rates, by racial College also hosts a mobile GO Center. Students visit the GO demographics and GO Center site. Centers and research career opportunities, college options, and financial aid. Students are assisted by mentors from higher education institutions and from the community. Along with partner organizations, the DVIN-BE has completed For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 77 outreach events to date. Additionally, DVIN-BE partnered 1. Expand opportunities for minority -owned business capacity- 3. Capacity -building for with Beck Construction to launch Beck School of Construction building through developing structure for the launch of the minority -owned for local minority businesses. Classes started on Thursday, Feb. City sMentor-Protege program. businesses 20, 2020, and are being held from 4-6 p.m. virtually due to 2. Implement the City Manager's Disparity Study COVID 19, and upon full implementation of social distancing, recommendations including new Ordinance and Program required facial covering, and screening process, in person Plan proposals. classes may resume at the Business Assistance Center, 1150 South Freeway in Fort Worth or the Hazel Harvey Peace Center 3. Continue redesign of equity in contracting processes for for Neighborhoods, 818 Missouri Ave in Fort Worth. contracting departments and purchasing. The DVIN-BE has also completed 2020 Business Equity Disparity Study with consultant Colette Holt Advisors (CHA). The City partnered with the Early Learning Alliance (ELA) to For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: embark on a 10-year movement working to ensure that all 1. Work with Texas PN3 &State Partners on equitable access 1. Early childhood children have the foundation they need to succeed in school to health and early learning supports for children. intervention via and in life. 2. Build Help Me Grow Community Hub for early care & quality childcare 1. Increased Texas Rising Star quality child care by 131% learning resources 2. Onboarded 3,000+child care professionals on registry 3. Strengthen leadership vision for Racial Equity and Reflective 3. Completed 3000+infants and toddler screenings Practices and develop County -wide Early Ed Equity Plan through Ages & Stages Questionnaire The Rising Stars Leadership Academy has expanded from a 10- week summer program to a year-round experience for youth ages 13 —18. Before COVID 19, the goal was to enroll 20 youth For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: in the first year-round class by March 1, 2020. Youth will be 1. Develop a plan to establish or re-establish Youth Advisory selected from economically challenged communities to Councils (YAC) in City of Fort Worth community centers. 4. Service learning and participate in the Rising Stars Leadership Academy which will 2. Develop at least 1 service -learning opportunity at five civic engagement be held at Martin Luther King Community Center in conjunction community centers: Como, Martin Luther King Jr., Education with the Envision Center. The FW@ 6 program sites Northside, Sycamore, and Worth Heights per quarter. participated in 2seruice-learning projects —working at the 3. Continue recruit youth to participate in the Rising Stars North Texas Area Food Bank and collecting toys for Cook's Leadership Academy. p Children Hospital. The recreation coordinator for NSD, a new team member will be responsible for coordinating these activities. Fort Worth ISD (FWISD) currently has 42 active GO Centers For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: operating around Fort Worth. GO Centers are designed to help 1. Establish metrics that tie the number of students visiting the students see pathways to careers and college. They are physical GO Centers to outcomes in college or vocational training spaces in schools, libraries, workforce centers, and church- application rates, college or vocational training acceptance 5. College and career affiliated spaces equipped with computers and overseen by rates, college or vocational training completion rates, centers school staff. Tarrant County Community College also hosts a employment rates, starting pay rates, by racial mobile GO Center. Students visit the GO Centers and research demographics and GO Center site. career opportunities, college options, and financial aid. 2. Convene a meeting with the work group; Students are assisted by mentors from higher education 3. Survey partner agencies on enrichment and enhancement institutions and from the community. activities provided for college and career readiness. 2016 Charter Amendment established increased the number of For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: Governance 1. Redistricting Council members from 8+1 to 10+1, effective upon redistricting 1. Appoint a Task Force by August 2020 to develop criteria and after the 2020 census for the 2023 municipal election. procedures to be used to create City Council districts for the 2023 election. The activities identified related to the creation of the Department of Diversity and Inclusion have all been completed. As of October 1, 2019, the Diversity and Inclusion Department For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: was established. The Municipal Equity Division has 1.5 staff 1. Review staffing levels are appropriate to achieve expected members, Business Equity Division has 6 staff members, departmental and divisional outcomes. 2. Diversity and Enforcement Division has 10 FTE and 3 PTE staff members and 2. Continue tracking Race and Culture Task Force Inclusion 1 Department Director. The new Diversity and Inclusion Recommendation Progress Director/Chief Equity Officer began work in December 2019. 3. Begin Equity Plan process with consultant in TPW Department Developed new mission, objectives, and measures for new 4. Finalize Values Summit Workshops for non -supervisory staff department. The Business Equity Division, formally reporting to 5. Begin implementation of Disparity Study recommendations the Economic Development Department, now reports to the including Ordinance revisions, new regulations, and process Diversity and Inclusion Department. All divisions are co -located changes. at Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods using a shared space model to reduce utility costs. For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 1. Complete Values Summit Diversity and Mutual Respect workshops for staff in August 2020. The Values Summits The Department of Diversity and Inclusion (formerly Human that will be held in August will be facilitated by Dr. Bryant Relations Unit) and the former Performance and Budget Marks, the same facilitator who was used for the supervisor Department completed Values Summits on Diversity and training last October 2019. There will be 21 sessions over 7 3. Diversity training Mutual Respect for supervisors in October 2019. DVIN days with a variety of times to accommodate non- implemented specialized department inclusion, diversity, traditional work schedules. Dates include Monday, Aug .10, equity, and access workshops. The City has Diversity and Tuesday, Aug. 11 and Wednesday, Aug. 12; Thursday, Aug. Inclusion educational workshops available online through City 20 and Friday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Employee University. Aug. 28. 2. Continue to implement additional inclusion, diversity, equity, and access workshops for staff with accountability metrics included in staff performance evaluations. For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: Fort Worth's overall 2018 Well -Being Index score rose to 62.5, 1. Add 2019 health data in GIS system over Neighborhood 1. Health education a gain of nearly four points since 2014. Gallup Sharecare Well- Profile Areas (NPA). and outreach Being Index has not released new reports for 2019 or 2020 to 2. Organize the citywide Wellness Neighborhood Leader date. Forum that was scheduled for April 2020 but delayed because of COVID-19. Health The City opened Hillside Community Center fitness center in For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: February 2020. The City has finalized Silver Sneakers and Active 1. Renovate or expand community center facilities in target Renew agreements and implemented new programs to NPAs and/or replace equipment in identified facilities. 2. Active lifestyles increase older adult use of fitness classes and facilities through 2. Replace fitness equipment at four community centers (R.D. existing healthcare providers at community centers. Evans, Southwest and Sycamore), and complete major In order to encourage active lifestyles in neighborhoods, the renovation and expansions of Handley Meadowbrook and City began installing 6,800 feet of sidewalk improvement and Eugene McCray community centers. 1,000 streetlights within target NPAs using existing bond and 3. Initiate discussions with school district to discern feasibility PayGo funds. To date, the City has 7,230 LF of sidewalks of shared use of public -school recreation facilities at three planned in NPAs, and 1,200 LF or 20% completed. The City has schools within target NPAs. also focused efforts on streetlight maintenance to encourage 4. Work with IT-GIS to add target NPAs to the CRM system for walkability in neighborhoods. To date, 860 lights have been tracking sidewalk and streetlight improvement requests. improved and converted to LED in NPAs since January 1, 2020 (86%). The City's Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was adopted by Council April 2019 and is currently used as a guide to prioritize sidewalk gap implementation and 2022 Bond project identification. With the approval of the Farmer's Market Ordinance by City For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: Council January 14, 2020, the City approved residential food 1. Continue to support the Farmers Market Nutrition Program carts that can sale packaged fresh fruit cups in Fort Worth at WIC clinics. neighborhoods. This was accomplished through a standing 2. Establish a centrally located farmers market closest to WIC 3. Healthy foods partnership with Blue Zones, a local food cart operator (Gabriel clinics. 3. Expand access to healthy food choices for an additional day Velazquez) and Code Compliance department. To ensure access a week from May through August to access three additional to healthy foods in neighborhoods designated healthy food farmers' market locations to buy fresh, local produce with deserts, the amendment reduces and or eliminates permit fees, their SNAP benefits. updates, and eases requirements for new pop-up farmers 4. Launch 6 more healthy foods produce carts in high -need markets in the city. areas. The City identified Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget funds to establish the Near Southside Medical District ZIPZONE. The Trinity Metro ZIPZONE program is the agency's "first mile/last mile" solution for users of public transportation. Riders can For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 4. Access to providers travel their "first mile" and their "last mile" from the nearest 1. Begin ZIPZONE service in July 2020 pending COVIDI9 bus stop via on -demand rideshare service. The City paid its first citywide restrictions. installment invoice to Trinity Metro of the total cost of $250,000 for Near Southside. The City's 5 Year Consolidated Plan marks the City as achieving 43% of its goal to Promote Affordable Housing for Renters and For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: Owners through 4 funding streams —Community Development 1. Gain support from Economic Development Department and Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), City Council, for a proposed policy on Payment in Lieu of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities Taxes (PILOT) for multifamily properties that will encourage Housing 1. Affordable housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). additional development and/or dedication of affordable incentives policy housing units in proposed market -rate property areas that While some policy, procedure, and plan development tasks for are seeking incentives from the City. Affordable Housing goals are currently on hold due to extensive 2. Identify funding to pay a consultant for an Affordable staff time dedicated to COVID-19 pandemic -related issues, the Housing Framework Plan. City responded with the creation of emergency rental assistance program through new CARES Act funding. The City's Homebuyer Assistance Program provides up to $20,000 in mortgage assistance for income -eligible first-time For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: homebuyers within the Fort Worth city limits. To date, the 1. Research national practice and standards for homebuyer 2. Homebuyer City's Homebuyer Assistance Program reported 80% minority assistance programs. Staffing is limited to focus on this assistance participation. Currently, the policy, procedure, and plan project. development tasks for Housing goals are currently on hold due 2. Identify a source of funding to pay consultant to finalize to extensive staff time dedicated to COVID-19 pandemic- Homebuyer assistance policy. related issues. The City has completed a brochure summarizing information on For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: all city housing programs. This information will also be used on 1. Continue to work together on a regular basis to provide 3. Resident awareness the new city's website. The workshops and public meetings housing education and information. There has been of housing resources originally scheduled for 2020 have been postponed because of significant impact on staff due to COVID 19 priorities to COVID-19. Staff is continuing to work on the new presentation focus on this issue. and will roll it out when public meetings resume. 2. Continue to work with partner organizations to share marketing and materials costs. The Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) will be the pilot department for the process establishing the City 1. Transportation Equity Plan for Municipal Service Delivery. The City is finalizing For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: equity policy and a consultant contract in June 2020, to partner with Diversity 1. Coordinate with the consultant by December 31, 2020 to five-year action plan and Inclusion (DVIN), and Planning and Data Analytics (PDA) to begin the Equity Plan process development. create the framework that will include the City Transportation Equity Policy and Five -Year -Plan with public input. Transportation For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 2. Transportation The City has actively incorporated equity as a criteria for 1. Coordinate on development of a Transportation Equity funding criteria project evaluation in the preparation of the transportation Policy and Five-year Action Plan. projects considered in the 2022 Bond Program. 2. Continue to consider equity as transportation projects are identified, funded, and implemented. TPW collected and monitored bicycle and pedestrian crash For Q3 Progress Report Due September 2020: 3. After -action reviews data, observing a reduction is crashes and fatalities for both 1. Develop reporting and documentation procedures and of pedestrian and bicyclists and pedestrians between 2018 and 2019. TPW propose processes for after -action infrastructure/policy bicycle crashes prepared a bi-annual report to PABAC documenting trends and recommendations. comparisons among peer cities.