Addressing disparities, promoting fairness and providing equal access to resources are a focus for Millbrae city officials in its social equity plan that will be led by a new committee.
Councilmember Gina Papan said it’s about empowering the historically marginalized.
“We are trying to get to the people that we haven’t gotten to before,” Papan said. “You left it open for the public to determine because that’s what we are really interested here in making the most significant difference.”
The city’s consultant, Environmental Justice Solutions, a local firm specializing in environmental justice, was hired in June to develop a social equity plan for the city. Since then, the consultants have started the framework for a two-year project that aims to identify areas of disparities and implement a strategy to create more resources and opportunities for the underserved community. It’s a plan the City Council unanimously approved 5-0 during its Tuesday, Sept. 26, meeting.
The consultant’s three main themes are social well-being, fairness and city action. Social well-being tackles topics such as housing, environment and climate; transportation; disability; food security and nutrition; and physical and mental health, according to the staff report.
The consultants identified vulnerable areas of the city. East Millbrae, which is east of Magnolia Avenue, faces the most significant environmental and socioeconomic burdens, according to the presentation.
Mayor Ann Schneider urged the importance of the city’s environmental impacts, including the disturbing airport noise and limited financial resources for the city.
She noted the area closest to the airport could face health risks due to the excessive airplane noise, which she said can disrupt sleep and affect a person’s ability to learn or focus.
The north-central Millbrae area, west of El Camino Real from Helen Drive to Lomita Avenue, has the highest percentage of seniors. Central Millbrae, from Millbrae Avenue to Helen Drive and Magnolia Avenue to El Paseo, has the lowest median household income, according to the presentation.
The consultants have contacted more than 40 community organizations in the city to perform outreach in the identified at-risk communities.
Fairness is the concept that addresses language and immigration status; race and ethnicity; gender and sexuality; and age, according to the report.
Vice Mayor Maurice Goodman said it will be a transformative opportunity for the city.
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“To empower, to engage and to uplift true equity and representation and diversity of what makes us the community that we love so much,” Goodman said.
The final theme is under city action, meaning how the community can use its voice to participate in local government. The topic will address city hiring and pay; city services; and infrastructure.
“Our city is financially disenfranchised,” Schneider said. “And we are historically under-resourced, Schneider said.
The City Council has a social equity subcommittee comprised of councilmembers Anders Fung and Goodman, who will periodically meet with the consultants on its progress.
The plan calls for a community committee of at least two members from each of the five city districts, reflecting the city’s diversity. The city aims to have around 11 to 15 members on the committee. The committee will meet twice a month for approximately two hours for in-person or virtual Zoom meetings. The committee will provide knowledge and expertise to shape the plan and improve outreach efforts, according to the presentation.
The city received 10 applications from community members for the committee. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 15. There will be a $50 per meeting stipend.
Fung said the plan needs to be a community-driven effort.
“Let these 15 people tell us what it means to be equitable to them, what it means for Millbrae to be more equitable and to be more inclusive, and how they need to be served,” Fung said.
The project timeline will run until 2025 and includes two community workshops for input before drafting a final strategic plan.
Councilmember Angelina Cahalan said the plan is thoughtful, strategic and holistic.
“But not only that it has a heart and soul to it,” Cahalan said. “I am very excited about having this lens and standards to bring to our policy and decision-making.”
Visit the city’s website to apply for the community committee.
(2) comments
It seems the do gooders are always looking for reasons or excuses as to why some people might not do well in society. (marginalized) I have a different take, life is fair, it's the life one was given by Almighty God. If they don't like their lives, then pick oneself up, don't blame others and figure out to do better. Along they way, don't have children out of wedlock, but do learn English, do graduate from high school, do attend college and or a trade school and learn how to be successful. Don't copy your delinquent friends or family members, but rather copy people who are successful. Life is fair, it's up to each individual to make the most of themselves. And please, please don't believe Gina Papan that you are marginalized, you are blessed beyond comprehension for the simple fact you live in the Unites States of America.
Well written, Not So Common. I’d recommend everyone begin claiming to be one of these historically marginalized groups so they can take advantage of this wealth distribution plan being pushed in the name of “social equity.” The "social equity" recognized by just about everyone as using discrimination to address discrimination. It wouldn't be so bad if these supposed "do gooders" used their own money and not other people's money. But what are the chances of that?
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