Committee Report CR-4

The Civic Unity Committee held a public meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2006, beginning at eleven o’clock and two minutes a.m. in the Sullivan Chamber for the purpose of continuing the discussion of the City’s affirmative action and diversity training for employees.

Present at the hearing were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury.  Also present were Michael Gardner, Director of Personnel, Duane Brown, Director of Affirmative Action, Robert Stevens, Director of Veterans’ Services and member of the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, Leroy Cragwell, 13 Hubbard Avenue, member of the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee.

Councillor Simmons convened the hearing and explained the purpose.  She began with a discussion of a follow-up for the 1998 report entitled “Cambridge forum on Race and Class ‘The Trouble I’ve Seen:  Cambridge begins the difficult discussion on race and class.’”  (

).  She noted that the report included specific recommendations regarding affirmative action.  Some have been implemented, for example, diversity training.  There are other recommendations with which more can be done.

).  Councillor Simmons said that she would like to invite someone who participated in the Boston plan.  She would like to also involve Charles Ogletree and also Lani Guinier.  Councillor Simmons said that her ideal schedule would be to have the community conversations over the summer and early fall and the culminate in a citywide meeting which updates the recommendations from the 1998 forum.

Councillor Simmons then moved to the topic of affirmative action.  Mr. Brown distributed the additional information on affirmative action requested at the last meeting:  a description of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) job categories (

); the City of Cambridge Affirmative Action Program Years (on file with this report in the City Clerk’s Office); the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy (

The discussion focused on how Cambridge positions fit into the EEO categories.  In addition to the report on People of Color by EEO Category in Cambridge (

) of the City of Cambridge Affirmative Action Program, an analysis of EEO Categories.  Councillor Simmons requested that Mr. Brown further annotate the material to provide information specific to Cambridge as to which positions fit into which classifications.  Mr. Brown agreed.

Councillor Simmons asked how many people of color there are in the 01 category (administrators and officials).  Mr. Gardner stated that there are twelve people.  Mr. Brown stated that this represents 14% of the total employees in the 01 categories.  He said that based on the City’s goals, which in turn are based on the federal goals as being representative of the City’s population in this category, is 19.6%.  Councillor Simmons asked if the population of persons of color dropped, would the goal be decreased.  Mr. Brown explained that it would be a matter for City discussion.  The federal data is now updated periodically through samples by American Fact Finders.  The 2000 census information was not available until last year, but there will continue to be periodic updates.

Councillor Simmons asked how the City determines which jobs belong in which categories.  Mr. Brown stated that it is by the federal classification list.

Councillor Simmons asked Mr. Brown to take the EEO categories and put in the City of Cambridge positions within them with a breakdown by departments within three weeks.

Councillor Simmons asked about the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee.  Mr. Brown said that the committee meets monthly.  Members are appointed by the City Manager.  The committee includes residents, employees and members of the business community.  The City Manager is currently looking for one resident member.  The vacancy has been advertised in several newspapers.

Councillor Simmons stated that at the next meeting of the committee on April 19, 2006, the discussion would focus on the issue of planning for citywide conversations on race and class.  In addition the committee would receive the requested information on how city positions fit into the EEO classifications.

Councillor Simmons thanked all those present for their participating.  The meeting was adjourned at twelve o’clock and four minutes p.m..