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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN 2017-11-21 Item 2E - Resolution - Equity PolicyCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Finance Committee FROM: Mia Navarro, Community Engagement Manager CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: 11-13-2017 SUBJECT: Equity Policy Resolution ISSUE The City of Tukwila has a strong commitment to equity in City government, and they desire that all residents, visitors and employees have the opportunity to reach their full potential. To that end, the Mayor's Office has initiated the development of a DRAFT City Equity Policy to guide the work of City employees. BACKGROUND Early in 2016, the Equity and Social Justice Commission researched the equity policies and equity work of other jurisdictions, and came up with a list of components for a draft equity policy for the City of Tukwila. Community Engagement Manger, Mia Navarro, convened an ad hoc Equity Policy Committee made up of City employees to do more research, and turn those components into a draft equity policy. Representatives from almost every department attended at least one meeting during the several month-long process. In August, staff presented the draft policy to Council and got feedback. Staff then presented the policy to staff in all City departments during regularly scheduled staff meetings, as well as specially scheduled meetings. As a result, some minor edits have been made to the policy. The Equity and Social Justice Commission has approved these edits. Staff is now seeking passage of a resolution approving the City Equity Policy. Once the resolution is passed, the implementation and evaluation team will convene to begin planning for implementation. FINANCIAL IMPACT There is no financial impact at this time. The financial impact will be determined during the implementation planning phase. RECOMMENDATION The Council is being asked to approve the resolution and consider this item at the November 27, 2017 Committee of the Whole meeting and subsequent December 4, 2017 Regular Meeting. ATTACHMENTS Equity Policy Resolution Equity Policy 11-02-2017 93 94 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A CITY EQUITY POLICY. WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the great value of diversity of culture, background, race, language, ability, gender, and other factors; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that societal, environmental, and legal factors, both historic and present day, have resulted in inequitable access to opportunities and services for some individuals and groups of people; and WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to ensuring fair and equitable access to City services, employment and other core functions; and WHEREAS, an equity policy provides guidance to the community, staff and elected officials as to how we work together towards economic, civic and social justice; and WHEREAS, the City Council agreed to these priorities at the City Council Meeting on December 4, 2017; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The Tukwila City Council has identified the need for an equity policy to continue the City of Tukwila's commitment to being an inclusive community that provides equal access to all City services. The City of Tukwila Equity Policy, attached hereto as Attachment A, is hereby adopted. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2017. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Dennis Robertson, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney Attachment A: City of Tukwila Equity Policy W:\Word Processing\Resolutions\Equity Policy adopted 11-13-17 MN:bjs Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Page 1 of 1 95 96 CITY OF TUKWILA EQUITY POLICY 2017 I. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW The Mayor, Council, and staff of the City of Tukwila have a strong commitment to equity in city government, and they desire that all residents, visitors and employees have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Societal, environmental and legal factors, both historic and present-day, have resulted in inequitable access to opportunities and services for some individuals and groups of people. These include but are not limited to: • Age • Physical and/or Cognitive Disability • Economic Status • Gender • Gender Identity • National Origin/Language • Race and/or Ethnicity • Religion • Sexual Orientation The City of Tukwila values its rich diversity. The majority of people who live in Tukwila are people of color, and 40% were born in a country other than the United States. More than 80 languages are spoken in our schools, and 50% of Tukwila households speak a language other than English at home. We benefit from friends and neighbors with different perspectives and cultures, the variety of businesses owned by immigrants and refugees, and the community forged when we share foods from around the world. While we celebrate Tukwila, we recognize that many in our community do not have equitable access to services, government, education, employment and other opportunities toward a better future. More than 20% of our population does not have health insurance, and Tukwila's median household income is 40% of King County's. 23% of Tukwila households live below the poverty line, and more than 10% of students in the Tukwila School District currently experience homelessness. We recognize the role that government can play in breaking down barriers to equitable access to opportunities. The City's Strategic Plan, adopted in 2012, provides us the guideposts for our work on behalf of our residents, businesses and guests, and emphasizes partnerships and collaboration. One of the goals --A Solid Foundation for All Tukwila Residents -- clearly calls for equitable access to opportunity for Tukwila residents and serves as the foundation of this equity policy. Page 1 of 3 97 Though we fully acknowledge we have more work to do, the City has made many strides toward equity. We are proud of our successes and, in some cases, our leadership around identifying and implementing policies and programs to promote equity. We also realize that we as a city government have a much longer journey to take in our efforts to be truly equitable in the delivery of all City services. II. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to City elected officials, staff, boards and commissions, partners, residents, businesses and guests on how the City of Tukwila will actively promote equitable access to opportunities and services. III. DEFINITION OF EQUITY Equity: Eliminating systemic barriers and providing fair access to programs, services and opportunities to achieve social, civic and economic justice within the City of Tukwila. IV. POLICY GOALS In order to achieve equitable access to opportunities and services in the City of Tukwila, the City adopts the following goals. 1. Our City workforce reflects our community. The City will identify strategies around recruitment and hiring, and personnel policies that provide equitable opportunities for existing employees, and support City's long-term goal that its workforce reflect the evolving make-up of the community. 2. Community outreach and engagement is relevant, intentional, inclusive, consistent and ongoing. The City often has important information to share with the community, and often seeks dialogue with the community. The City will create a community outreach and engagement toolkit to enable inclusive public engagement that all departments will use when seeking community participation. 3. All residents and visitors receive equitable delivery of City services. The City will identify strategies that facilitate equitable access to current and future City services and facilities, regardless of race/ethnicity, language, ability, gender, age, family status, geography, and mode of transportation. 4. City government is committed to equity in the decision-making process. The City will identify strategies to facilitate equitable access to decision-making, where the decisions themselves -- and the process and context in which they are made -- are transparent. Page 2 of 3 98 5. Equity serves as a core value for all long-term plans moving forward. The City will develop and implement an equity toolkit for City staff, consultants, contractors, and partners that will provide guidance for the equitable physical development of the city, and other activities. This goal applies to plans such as but not limited to the Comprehensive Plan, transportation, infrastructure, strategic plans, etc. 6. The City will build capacity around equity within City government and the broader community. The City will resource this policy through activities such as but not limited to regular trainings and workshops, both internal and public, and establishing an Equity Policy Implementation Committee. V. IMPLEMENTATION The City will be accountable for assessing a baseline, developing an implementation plan, and reporting measurable progress in meeting each of these goals. 1. Equity Policy Implementation and Evaluation Committee The City will establish a committee that will be responsible for setting baselines, developing the implementation plan, and reporting measurable progress in meeting the goals of this policy. The implementation plan should specify staff leads responsible for key elements of the work, and include how the work will be distributed throughout the agency. 2. Equity and Social Justice Commission The Equity and Social Justice Commission will monitor the work of the Implementation and Evaluation Committee, and provide information to the committee, as well as the Council as to the progress of the policy's implementation. 3. Timeline The timeline for developing the implementation plan is one year from the adoption of this policy. Page 3 of 3 99