The City Council unanimously approved the commission's request to transition from a standing commission to an ad hoc task force structure. The change gives the group more operational flexibility while maintaining its core mission of advancing equity and inclusion in Edina.

Under the new model, the task force will meet more frequently than the previous commission and will conduct community surveys and provide hands-on support to city staff. Thomas Brooks, the city's Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager, will continue serving as the staff liaison. "This task force shift with the commission members leading the way is a very exciting move because it's allowing us to be as needed hands-on and supporting the development of the equity strategic action plan, and we do need to see that work get done in the first half of 2025," Brooks said.

The task force has three primary priorities: supporting development of the city's Equity Strategic Action Plan, advising on significant human rights and inclusion issues in 2025, and creating enhanced community engagement opportunities. The equity plan is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Brooks emphasized that while the commission was capable of this work, the task force structure enables greater collaboration with city staff and more frequent engagement with the community. The shift from a standing commission to a task force removes the group from city code, allowing it to operate with fewer bureaucratic constraints and respond more quickly to emerging community needs.