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Last week, Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson shared his intention to create an Equity and Justice Task Force to help identify and correct systemic and implicit bias and barriers to inclusion and equity within city operations.

The desired outcome would be a set of recommended policies and procedures for the Police Department and City Hall that would address bias and inequities perpetrated on African-American residents, people of color and other minorities within our community.

Today, Mayor Nelson released more details about what the Task Force will look like and encouraged participation.

“I am asking for community involvement,” he said. “I am asking people with experience, knowledge and understanding to walk with me and advise me as we move in the right direction together.”

Nelson has been reaching out to community leaders and now has a Task Force framework.

It will be an 11-member body, comprised of three at-large members and a combination of civic and business community members as well as representatives from regional equity and inclusion organizations.

Specifically, Nelson said he is seeking applicants for the three at-large positions with the following types of experience or characteristics:

· Experience within and/or representation of communities of color;

· Representing the geographic diversity of Edmonds;

· With a desire to help create meaningful change in our community;

· Experience in city government or public institutions; and

· Residents of Edmonds,

Those interested may apply by sending a letter to the mayor’s executive assistant Carolyn LaFave at [email protected]

Nelson will also invite one Edmonds Diversity Commission commissioner, one City Councilmember, and one Disability Board member.

Nelson said it is not an open-ended task force. It will have a scope of work and a timeframe associated with that work, as determined by the force. City or contracted staff will support this Task Force.