Loading...
2025-02-04 CC Agenda - Public Communications related to Item D9 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)2025-02-04 CC AGENDA PACKET PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO ITEM D9 - DEI �1 Outlook Public comment for Feb. 4th council meeting From Meisha Collins <meishadcollins@yahoo.com> Date Sun 2/2/2025 11:19 AM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS<ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> Dear Council Members, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to reduce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) meetings from a monthly to a quarterly schedule. If the city truly considers DEI one of its top five strategic goals, then reducing the frequency of these meetings sends a contradictory message about its commitment to meaningful progress. DEI efforts require consistent attention, dialogue, and action. Moving to quarterly meetings risks diminishing the urgency of addressing inequities and limits opportunities for collaboration, accountability, and measurable change. Reducing these meetings would undermine the very principles the city claims to prioritize. I urge you to reject this proposal and maintain a monthly meeting schedule to ensure that DEI remains a central and active part of city decision -making. Our community deserves nothing less. Thank you for your time Best regards, Meisha Collins, El Segundo Resident Outlook Re: City of El Segundo - DEI Committee From Kellie Sims <kelliebsims@gmail.com> Date Sat 2/1/2025 12:24 PM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> I'd like to follow-up on my note below. It is being submitted as a public comment for the upcoming City Council meeting as I will not be able to attend in person. Thank you. On Fri, Jan 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM Kellie Sims <kelliebsims gmail.com> wrote: Dear El Segundo Elected Officials, I am disappointed to hear about Councilman Giroux's push to scale back the City of El Segundo's DEI initiatives. While the initiatives may not affect Mr. Giroux's family, they certainly impact my family. Beyond falling in line with Trump's federal distaste for DEI initiatives, it would be great to hear Mr. Giroux's true concerns with DEI initiatives, including citing examples of his concerns. Also, why now and why this committee? As a mother, a Black woman, a professional and a taxpaying homeowner I reject the push for quarterly meetings and support a stronger commitment to local DEI initiatives. Best, Kellie Sims Outlook Reduction in DEI Committee Meetings From Kimberly Cole <kc.carpedatum@gmail.com> Date Sat 2/1 /2025 10:07 AM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> Dear Council Members, I am confused by your 5-0 vote in the January 21st meeting to reduce the DEI meeting schedule to quarterly meetings, with the suggestion that the work could be continued by subcommittees, and citing the burden of the DEI effort on staff time. Firstly, I'm confused because this suppression of DEI efforts, and the attempt in the same meeting to add crypto currency as an investment to the pension funds seem like a pathetic attempt at kowtowing to a president that the majority of El Segundo voters did NOT vote for. Aren't you supposed to represent the citizens of El Segundo? Not advance your own political agendas? Diversity, equity and inclusion is the first goal you outlined in the 2022 Strategic Plan. Let me get this straight... Let's say my goal for 2025 is to lose ten pounds. My doctor suggests that I weigh myself daily, but I think that requires too much "staff time", and 111 just weigh myself quarterly. Do you honestly believe I will achieve my goal? Why was DEI alone in the committees that needed to be reduced to quarterly meetings? Why was DEI the only committee that was a burden to the staff? The council's eagerness to adopt Councilmember Giroux's proposal and the lack of rigor they brought in discussing whether this change would impact the committee's ability to reach its goal --El Segundo's top goal in the 2022 Strategic Plan --shakes the confidence I had in the council. I strongly protest the committee's vote on this matter and urge you to reconsider. Sincerely, Kimberly Cole 949.275.0952 (cell) 1 Outlook DEI From Mike Van Kleeck <mtvankleeck@gmail.com> Date Sat 2/1/2025 5:01 AM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> Cc A Jenn cell <jenvankleeck@gmail.com> We Van Kleecks, disagree with the proposal to reduce official meetings to quarterly and desire our elected leaders to strengthen DEI initiatives, especially in light of the avalanche of lies being spread about DEI Nationally. I was assured, during the last election, that our local elections and politics transcend partisanship; please live up to that assurance so we can continue to be proud of this city. You represent and serve all El Segundo residents, regardless of how we voted. The Van Kleeck Family I Outlook oppose reducing DEI meetings From Angie Greenspan <angelagreenspan@gmail.com> Date Fri 1 /31 /2025 10:15 PM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> Dear El Segundo City Council and Mayor Pimentel, I strongly oppose the push to reduce DEI to quarterly meetings. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are essential to a thriving community, and scaling back these efforts undermines our city's values. I urge you to reject this change and maintain a strong commitment to DEI, ensuring all residents feel heard, valued, and represented. Please continue prioritizing these programs with the attention and resources they deserve. Sincerely, Angie Greenspan, El Segundo resident, homeowner, parent, and involved community member Angie Greenspan Realtor(: DRE#: 02055367 To Live and Buy in LA m: 818.749.9204 ,i • Outlook DO and The Cultural Arts Coordinator and Cultural Arts Development Fund From Nancy Johns <nancysjohns@yahoo.com> Date Fri 1/31/2025 8:18 PM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> Cc nancy <nancysjohns@yahoo.com> As a South Bay native and a 33 year resident of El Segundo, I think that DEI should continue to be at the top of the planning list for El Segundo and the elected officials. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion should be front and center on the Council agenda with actionable changes and the ability to enact prudent improvements. We talk and emphasize being a city with a business - friendly environment - offering a great location - freeway close and proximity to LAX but if we do not walk the walk on DEI, our reputation regarding DEI will not reflect the ethics of our companies in town. We should set the bar high and make El Segundo a welcoming town to all our citizens and business employees by reflecting the power of diversity. Better to align and lead the way - making Diversity Equity and Inclusion a top priority. Arts in El Segundo With the loss of The Zimmerman Automotive Driving Museum and ESMof Arts, now is the time to double down on the arts as an attraction to El Segundo. The revitalization of Inglewood - So Fi, YouTube, Cosm and Intuit Dome all add value to El Segundo for a great adjacent place to stay while attending events. This gives us a great opportunity to double down on our Arts investments and ensure ES a considered destination while also benefiting the city residents. We have major worldwide events headed to LA - 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 the Olympics which can all be a boost to our economy if we have the draw to bring participants here. I personally love our Art Walks and the artwork that dots the city at corporate buildings. The murals that have sprung up in Smoky Hallow are a visual treat and I would hope we could encourage more of this. Without an Arts coordinator and the funding necessary, we will be missing out on opportunities to boost the city as a desirable So Cal location while also shortchanging our residents of cultural opportunities. Thank you Nancy Johns 843 Dune St ElSegundo CA 90245 310-714-5631 Outlook City of El Segundo - DEI Committee From Kellie Sims <kelliebsims@gmail.com> Date Fri 1/31/2025 5:19 PM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> Dear El Segundo Elected Officials, I am disappointed to hear about Councilman Giroux's push to scale back the City of El Segundo's DEI initiatives. While the initiatives may not affect Mr. Giroux's family, they certainly impact my family. Beyond falling in line with Trump's federal distaste for DEI initiatives, it would be great to hear Mr. Giroux's true concerns with DEI initiatives, including citing examples of his concerns. Also, why now and why this committee? As a mother, a Black woman, a professional and a taxpaying homeowner I reject the push for quarterly meetings and support a stronger commitment to local DEI initiatives. Best, Kellie Sims Outlook DEI Proposals From Lindsay Pinkham <lindsaypinkham@gmail.com> Date Fri 1 /31 /2025 5:04 PM To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org> I have been a resident of El Segundo for 39 years and raised my family here. I own a sole proprietorship business here. I was very happy when we started a DEI committee a few years ago. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are among our city's stated top five goals. All that being said, why would the city reduce the number of meetings to quarterly ones? In these fraught times, there is more need than ever for someone in our municipal government to stand for these principles. I strongly urge you to not dilute, weaken, or scale back in any way El Segundo's DEI Committee. Lindsay Pinkham 660 West Palm Avenue El Segundo, CA 90245