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Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Affirming Princeton’s Race and Social Justice Work and Directing Municipal Departments to use Available Tools to Assist in the Elimination of Racial and Social Disparities Across Key Indicators of Success, Including Health, Criminal Justice, the Environment, Employment, and the Economy; and to Promote Equity Within Princeton and in the Delivery of Municipal Services
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WHEREAS, legislative reforms such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 have been adopted banning discrimination because of a person’s color, race, national origin, religion, or sex and have supported progress towards racial and social justice; and
WHEREAS, racial and social disparities nevertheless continue to exist across key indicators of success, including health, criminal justice, the environment, employment and the economy; and
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2020, a subcommittee of Princeton’s Civil Rights Commission presented to Mayor and Council their report on a proposed Racial Equity Impact Assessment Toolkit; and
WHEREAS, said subcommittee subsequently worked with the Administrator’s Office to formulate recommended guidelines for implementation of a racial equity toolkit; and
WHEREAS, at its most recent meeting, Princeton’s CARES Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Mayor and Council approve the implementation of the Equity Toolkit that was presented to Council in 2020; and
WHEREAS, the principles of inclusiveness, multiculturalism and respect are values that can create a healthier and more productive workplace, improve customer service and drive policies and outcomes that benefit the entire municipality; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the Equity Toolkit envisions a community where racial and social disparities have been eliminated and equity and inclusiveness achieved. The mission of the Toolkit is to end institutionalized racism and social inequities in municipal government and to promote multiculturalism and full participation by all its residents. The goals and strategies of the Toolkit are to 1) end racial and social disparities internal to the municipality by improving workforce equity; 2) strengthen the way the municipality engages its community and provides services by improving existing services using best practices and enhancing immigrants’ and refugees’ access to municipal services; and 3) eliminate race-based disparities in our communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as follows:
1. The preamble to this resolution is hereby incorporated as if restated in full.
2. The Mayor and Council hereby reaffirm their commitment to principles of equality and freedom for all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability, national origin, and other protected classes. The Mayor and Council hereby further declare racism unjust, advocates equal rights for all, and affirm Princeton’s commitment to implementation of the Equity Toolkit.
3. Princeton’s municipal departments are hereby directed to use all available tools to work to eliminate racial and social disparities across key indicators of success, including health, criminal justice, the environment, employment, and the economy; and to promote racial and social equity in the delivery of municipal services. Said efforts should include implementation of equity tools in budget, program, and policy decisions, including review of existing programs and policies.
4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.