On February 20, the Pasco City Council approved a resolution reinforcing the City’s commitment to being an “Inclusive City” and creating a citizen Inclusivity Commission.
The Resolution declares the City as “…committed to embracing diversity and promoting equality among our workforce, residents, businesses and visitors…” The Resolution further provides for a seven member ad-hoc commission to assist the Council in its efforts to promote inclusivity in Pasco. The Commission is charged to “conduct activities… identify means… and make such recommendations to the City Council for action, education and guidance to foster an environment that includes, accepts, respects, and appreciates all members of our community.” The full text of the Resolution can be found here.
The members of the Inclusivity Commission will be appointed by Mayor Matt Watkins with confirmation by the City Council. The Commission is to have an ad-hoc term of 24 months which can be extended by vote of the Council. Commission members must be residents who have lived within the Pasco City limits for at least one year, or who currently own a licensed business operating within the City. Residents interested in serving on the Commission, which is scheduled to meet monthly at a time/day to be determined, will be invited to submit an application. Details of the outreach effort to recruit members of the Commission will be discussed at the March 12 City Council Workshop.
Councilmembers Pete Serrano, Blanche Barajas and Ruben Alvarado were appointed to a committee of the City Council to draft the Resolution ultimately adopted by the Council.
“I think this gives validity to every voice in Pasco,” said Councilmember Blanche Barajas at the February 20 meeting. “It empowers people to now step forward and feel they’re part of a community.” The full City Council discussion on the Resolution can be viewed via Pasco City Television's Video On Demand site.
The City of Pasco strives to continue improving the quality of community life in Pasco.