FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2023
Contact: Brynn Hauz, Director of Council Operations
Brynn.Hauz@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651-266-8575
Notice of Open Appointments to Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission
SAINT PAUL (MN) - Today, the Saint Paul City Council announces the launch of the application process for the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission (the Commission).
The 11-member Commission will serve as an advisory body to the Mayor and the City Council on matters related to damage caused by public and private systemic racism in the City of Saint Paul which resulted in racial disparities in generational wealth, homeownership, health care, education, employment and pay, and fairness within the criminal justice system among the American descendants of slavery.
The Saint Paul City Council has undertaken several key initiatives to address the injustices faced by Saint Paul’s descendants of slavery and move toward reparation, including the establishment and work of a limited-term Legislative Advisory Committee that released its final report and recommendations in 2022. These efforts culminated in the City Council establishing the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission on January 4, 2023, via Ordinance 22-52, which takes effect today.
The Council intends to appoint Commissioners who represent diverse perspectives initially for terms of up to three years. This initial round of appointments will be for three 1-year terms, four 2-year terms, and four 3-year terms, with all subsequent appointments being for 3-year terms. The Commission will meet at least monthly in a public setting, with Commissioners being expected to attend all meetings.
The Council begins accepting online applications at 9:00 am CST on February 14, 2023, through 11:59 pm CDT on March 24, 2023. The Council anticipates announcing the appointments in May 2023 with the Commission beginning its work in June 2023. The Commission will elect its chair at the first meeting.
To learn more about the work of the Commission, including how to apply, please visit https://www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council/city-council-reparations-efforts/saint-paul-recovery-act-community.
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