Minutes 01-19-2024 - Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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Charline Kirongozi said the community thought that stewardship should be included and should cover fiscal stewardship. She said that the community also thought some of the guiding principles should be combined where there is overlap. Commissioner Richards said she felt some of the guiding principles lacked specificity, such as "Social Justice," but she didn't want to exclude anything. Chair Bedford said she would add a little more detail to "Social Justice," and suggested that a couple of commissioners work on the description together. Vice-Chair Greene said that for "Stewardship and Advocacy," the sentence that followed did not seem related. Commissioner Hamilton said making data-supported decisions is part of stewardship, but she was not sure how advocacy fit with the description. Commissioner Richards said she thought of fiscal stewardship when she read the principle, but it is not stated in the description. Commissioner Hamilton said that "advocacy" should be part of Social Justice. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if the respondents thought that "Dedication and Respect" should be combined with "Social Justice." Charline Kirongozi said the comment was that"Social Justice" could fall under"Inclusivity and Engagement," and that the idea of social justice and respect was a given. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said that it is not a given to her or to others in the community. Chair Bedford said that in the interest of time it might be best to move on and come back to the guiding principles. Commissioner Hamilton said there may be time after the break to have more in-depth discussions. Commissioner Fowler asked why the respondents thought some of the principles should be combined. Charline Kirongozi said that the respondents felt there was some overlap. Vice-Chair Greene said she would like to change the Climate Action and Sustainability principle to, "We recognize that our environment is in crisis, and we are deliberate and proactive in protecting, preserving, and sustaining our natural resources." Commissioner Fowler suggested the word "critical." Vice-Chair Greene said the environment is in crisis. Chair Bedford also liked the description "in crisis." Commissioner Fowler said she would change the word in the guiding principle from "fundamental" to "critical." Vice-Chair Greene said that we are in an environmental crisis, and it is important to say it. Commissioner McKee asked how"in crisis" is defined. Vice-Chair Greene said that scientists say that if we do not reduce CO2 emissions at a rate that is sustainable, it will be detrimental to the planet. Commissioner Hamilton said she felt the phrase"to our being"was vague. She suggested the word "existence." She said she liked the word "critical," because "crisis" felt like an event like a hurricane. She said that the word "crisis" can actually increase resistance to efforts. Commissioner McKee said that was his thought as well. Vice-Chair Greene said she felt that as leaders in the county, they should set the tone for what is happening. Commissioner Fowler said the words that are chosen are important. She said some words can create pushback in the community. She said that climate action is a specific strategic priority. Charline Kirongozi said having climate change as a strategic priority shows that resources will be invested in action items to address it. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she liked the word "critical."