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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
5.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 04/06/2026
Agenda Item:
Discussion on Engagement of the Public Safety Advisory Committee and Greater Mankato Diversity Council
Recommendation/Action(s):
Review recommendations from staff and provide direction on next steps
Summary:
In February 2026, the Council expressed interest in a discussion about the work of the Public Safety Advisory Committee and the Greater Mankato Diversity Council and how they can be more engaged in work related to concerns expressed to the City Council regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement activities in our community.
In 2012, the City Council eliminated its Civil Service Committee. The reason stated in the report to the City Council was that the State of Minnesota had stopped issuing the Civil Service exam and that more updated hiring procedures were needed. At the same time, the Council created the Public Safety Advisory Committee. Later, on December 10, 2018, the City Council completed a code modification to Chapter 2. In the new language, the Council was to create boards and/or committees by resolutions. As such, on January 28, 2019, the City Council adopted a resolution that memorialized the creation of the Public Safety Advisory Committee, a copy of that resolution is attached.
The Committee is permitted to have seven, or up to nine members: five members representing the five designated wards and up to four members at-large from the business community or organization, non-profit social service provider, community-based organization, higher education administration, faculty or student, or medical/health care provider. In addition, one City Council Member is assigned to the Committee as a liaison. Member terms are for three years and expire on June 30. No member may serve more than 3 complete, successive terms.
The purpose of the Committee is to provide ideas, feedback, and recommendations on a wide range of topics related to police and fire services. This includes input on staffing and recruitment efforts, outreach initiatives, employee and community member awards, technology and equipment considerations, policy and procedure review, hiring processes, and general feedback to the Department to help support a safe and livable community. City Code also provides that a 3-member panel of the Committee shall hear appeals of licensing violations, with strike matrices, like liquor and tobacco.
In recent history, the Committee has primarily been used to assist in hiring and to provide feedback on matters being considered. Those items include:
The Greater Mankato Diversity Council (GMDC) was founded in 2004 by Ed Waltman, then Superintendent of Mankato Area Public Schools, to address the growing diversity in Southern Minnesota. Waltman brought together leaders from education, business, government, and community organizations to proactively build understanding and unity. The organization is an independent, non-profit governed by their own Board of Directors. The selection of their Board and the staff that support GMDC are governed by their organizing documents. While the City does not make appointments to this Board, currently, and in the past, City Council Members have been invited to serve. Currently, Council Member McLaughlin serves on their Board.
According to their website, they are financially supported by public and corporate sponsors. The City currently allocates $16,500 to the organization each year to further their work in the community. They launched the Prejudice Reduction Workshops for schools and a Perspectives Business Curriculum to address workplace diversity.
GMDC also serves in the community as a recognized Human Rights Organization by the State of Minnesota. As the Mankato Area Human Rights Commission, they work to promote equality, protect human rights, and support justice in the community. Their primary focus is to assist and connect people with resources to create a fair and welcoming environment for all. Their website includes resources for community members, and they provide connections and information to community members in the region seeking support.
In the past, the GMDC has weighed in on a number of public policy issues including the City’s Land Acknowledgment, renaming of Mni W?sté Park, and issues related to School Resource Officers in our schools in both 2020 and 2023.
Below is a list of recommendations for consideration to further enhance the work of the City with both the Commission and GMDC, which can include the following:
Staff is seeking discussion on the recommendations and direction on any next steps.
In 2012, the City Council eliminated its Civil Service Committee. The reason stated in the report to the City Council was that the State of Minnesota had stopped issuing the Civil Service exam and that more updated hiring procedures were needed. At the same time, the Council created the Public Safety Advisory Committee. Later, on December 10, 2018, the City Council completed a code modification to Chapter 2. In the new language, the Council was to create boards and/or committees by resolutions. As such, on January 28, 2019, the City Council adopted a resolution that memorialized the creation of the Public Safety Advisory Committee, a copy of that resolution is attached.
The Committee is permitted to have seven, or up to nine members: five members representing the five designated wards and up to four members at-large from the business community or organization, non-profit social service provider, community-based organization, higher education administration, faculty or student, or medical/health care provider. In addition, one City Council Member is assigned to the Committee as a liaison. Member terms are for three years and expire on June 30. No member may serve more than 3 complete, successive terms.
The purpose of the Committee is to provide ideas, feedback, and recommendations on a wide range of topics related to police and fire services. This includes input on staffing and recruitment efforts, outreach initiatives, employee and community member awards, technology and equipment considerations, policy and procedure review, hiring processes, and general feedback to the Department to help support a safe and livable community. City Code also provides that a 3-member panel of the Committee shall hear appeals of licensing violations, with strike matrices, like liquor and tobacco.
In recent history, the Committee has primarily been used to assist in hiring and to provide feedback on matters being considered. Those items include:
- Body Worn Camera Policy
- Cannabis Use in Public Spaces
- The Future of School Resource Officers at Middle Schools
The Greater Mankato Diversity Council (GMDC) was founded in 2004 by Ed Waltman, then Superintendent of Mankato Area Public Schools, to address the growing diversity in Southern Minnesota. Waltman brought together leaders from education, business, government, and community organizations to proactively build understanding and unity. The organization is an independent, non-profit governed by their own Board of Directors. The selection of their Board and the staff that support GMDC are governed by their organizing documents. While the City does not make appointments to this Board, currently, and in the past, City Council Members have been invited to serve. Currently, Council Member McLaughlin serves on their Board.
According to their website, they are financially supported by public and corporate sponsors. The City currently allocates $16,500 to the organization each year to further their work in the community. They launched the Prejudice Reduction Workshops for schools and a Perspectives Business Curriculum to address workplace diversity.
GMDC also serves in the community as a recognized Human Rights Organization by the State of Minnesota. As the Mankato Area Human Rights Commission, they work to promote equality, protect human rights, and support justice in the community. Their primary focus is to assist and connect people with resources to create a fair and welcoming environment for all. Their website includes resources for community members, and they provide connections and information to community members in the region seeking support.
In the past, the GMDC has weighed in on a number of public policy issues including the City’s Land Acknowledgment, renaming of Mni W?sté Park, and issues related to School Resource Officers in our schools in both 2020 and 2023.
Below is a list of recommendations for consideration to further enhance the work of the City with both the Commission and GMDC, which can include the following:
- Hold joint meetings between the City Council and the Public Safety Advisory Committee and the City Council and GMDC. During these meetings, the bodies can discuss priorities, strengthen the connection between both groups, and establish mutual goals.
- Develop a more formal standard of work around community engagement related to policy development. Ensuring that the City’s committees and community members that are affected by policies are involved in the creation of them.
- Collaborate with all the city’s committees to conduct training by the Diversity Council, including cultural awareness and competency to build skills as it relates to reviewing policies, programs, and services.
- Regular updates to the City Council from the Council Liaison during Council and Board Reports.
Staff is seeking discussion on the recommendations and direction on any next steps.