SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
Title
A Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Erie Approving a General Services Agreement with Kebaya Coaching and Consulting, Inc. to Develop and Implement a DEI-Centered Curriculum
Body
DEPARTMENT: Administration
PRESENTER: Alberto De Los Rios, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: $ 66,525
Balance Available: $ 0
Budget Line Item Number: 100-20-120-561000-000000
New Appropriation Required: Yes
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution authorizing said agreement, and authorize the appropriate Town Officer to execute said contract, and authorize staff to expend funds.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
As part of diversity, equity, and inclusion work at the Town of Erie, staff determined it would be helpful to hire a qualified consultant to help build out the program and promote the highest quality outcomes. In November 2021, staff requested informal proposals for services from 4 consultants. A team of four staff evaluated the proposals on expertise, scope of services, adaptability to Erie’s needs, local and regional knowledge, and budget options. After careful review, the evaluation team concluded Carolyn Love, PhD, and her proposal from Kebaya Consulting is the most suitable for the Town due to her extensive knowledge and experience doing racial equity work; the proposed scope of work encompassing BoT, DEIAB, full-time, and part-time staff; flexibility and adaptability in training settings offered; leadership coaching; and accolades from neighboring government entities and municipalities.
Dr. Love proposes an approach that builds upon previous and existing efforts to advance DEI in the Town and establish a long-term foundation to uphold and support DEI work for staff. The outcome aims to provide valuable skillsets by investing in training for the Town’s workforce to ensure and sustain the best public service for all Town constituents and help create a culture that celebrates and practices DEI both for staff and the public. Dr. Love’s proposal is attached to this agenda memo and outlines anticipated goals and outcomes for the work along with a description of the value for the Town. Exhibit A of the attached contract further explains the scope of services proposed and its anticipated timeline. The estimated cost for this project is $66,525.
It is hard to overstate the importance of DEI work in the Town of Erie. Spaces that foster DEI work have a wider array of experiences and backgrounds among employees along with valuing their perspectives. A Catalyst study found that companies and institutions that exhibit diversity in gender and ethnicity are 15% and 35% more likely to perform better than less diverse businesses or institutions, respectively. In times of innovation, establishing a DEI-centered culture and policies have shown to increase creativity, innovation, and openness by 59.1%, and better awareness of constituent and customer interests and demands by 37.9%.
A 2013 study by the Center for American Progress indicates that lack of awareness and lack of understanding around DEI in the workplace not only takes a heavy toll on employees experiencing microaggressions, it also costs American companies $64 billion each year due to losing and replacing workers who quit their jobs due to bias, unfairness, and discrimination.
Fiscal Impact:
The funds necessary to cover the cost of this contract with Kebaya Consulting were not included in the 2022 budget. If the Board approves this proposal, staff will include an appropriation of $66,525 in the 1st supplemental budget request to cover the contracted services.
Board Priority(s) Addressed:
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Effective Governance
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 22-19
2. Agreement
3. Kebaya Consulting Proposal of Services