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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,January 29, 2024 <br /> Page 10 <br /> Councilmember Etten thought, because the language for the current HRIEC is <br /> going to have to go through more substantial changes than the City can do in a few <br /> weeks, it is unwise to ask people to make a commitment to something that the City <br /> cannot define at this time. Because of that, he felt the Code language for other <br /> Commissions is only being tweaked and applications and interviews should be able <br /> to move forward easily because there is not a big change. But with the larger <br /> changes for this Commission, he thinks the City should pause efforts to recruit <br /> people to interview and seating of members until the City Council can figure this <br /> out a little more themselves. <br /> Councilmember Strahan appreciated that thought and felt it was clear in the round <br /> table discussion working group that there are many things. Having known many <br /> people who have been on that Commission, she stated it is not something she wants <br /> to see go away but she wants to make sure the City is respectful of the people who <br /> are involved. Councilmember Strahan agreed with Councilmember Etten's <br /> mention of the participation of Culture Brokers who the City had contracted with <br /> several years ago in preparation for a DEI Manager within the City, and thought <br /> someone like that would be a wise decision to bring in as the City tries to fashion <br /> what this is and make sure the group reflects what the City wants them to be and <br /> what goals the City has for that Commission. She thought it was important for the <br /> City to take time to be intentional because the City wants to make sure that anyone <br /> who remains feels validated in their time and anyone who wants to serve on the <br /> Commission knows fully what the job is. She thought it was helpful for people to <br /> have a better sense of what they are getting into but not undermining the importance <br /> of this group and how the City wants them to interact. Hopefully, people will see <br /> this as the affirmation that the City wants them to be strong and understand what <br /> the Commission is here for. <br /> Councilmember Groff agreed with everything Councilmember Strahan stated. He <br /> indicated this is a volunteer position and the City wants the Commissioners to feel <br /> wanted and needed and invested in what they are doing. That seems to be what the <br /> group is struggling with at the meeting last week. One of the things he would like <br /> to hear more from is the people who have left over that time so the Council knows <br /> what could be productive and useful time for the Commission. He also thought it <br /> was a good idea to contact Culture Brokers to see if they have space and time for <br /> the City for an analysis and to provide more information for the City. He was in <br /> favor of a pause at this time in order to evaluate this further. <br /> Councilmember Strahan indicated she would like to know if the Council was going <br /> to set a timeframe for this. She asked how long the Council would like to pause and <br /> where they would hope to be regrouping from. <br /> Councilmember Etten indicated his motion would be around removing the post for <br /> advertising positions and not conducting interviews in February. He explained the <br />