Kaiser council faces public concerns over Community Diversity Engagement Committee delays

The Keizer City Council meeting on February 3, 2025, featured significant public commentary regarding the Community Diversity Engagement Committee (CDEC) and its future. The meeting began with a public comment period, allowing residents to express concerns on various topics not on the agenda. Written comments were acknowledged from several residents, including praise for city staff's handling of PERS retirement issues and concerns about council operations and procedural changes.

During the public comment segment, Carrie Brown, a member of the CDEC, addressed the council about proposals to pause the committee's meetings. She emphasized the committee's mission to promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the community. Brown argued against the proposed pause, stating that the CDEC has established clear goals and a mission statement, and that ongoing discussions about direction could occur without halting meetings. She expressed concern that the proposal might be perceived as an attempt to dismantle the committee, highlighting the importance of transparency and inclusion in discussions affecting the CDEC.

Councilor Duran also spoke on the matter, suggesting a postponement of the CDEC until the council better understands the implications of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designations for federal funding. Duran expressed a desire to ensure that the city does not jeopardize its ability to secure federal funds for infrastructure improvements. However, this comment led to a brief disagreement among council members regarding the appropriateness of discussing the CDEC during public comment.

The meeting underscored the ongoing dialogue within the community about diversity and inclusion initiatives, as well as the council's approach to governance and public engagement. The council's next steps regarding the CDEC and its proposals remain to be seen, as discussions continue to evolve.