HomeMy WebLinkAboutESJ 2025-11-06 Agenda PacketTukwila Equity and Social Justice Commission
City of Tukwila — City Hall
6200 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98188
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Equity and Social Justice Commission meeting will
be held on November 6, 2025, at 5:30PM.
Join the meeting video on your computer or mobile app: Click here to 1efi, themeet..g
Participate in the meeting by phone: 253-292-9750, Phone Conference ID: 125 348 618#
For in -person, please join us at 5:3OPM
Tukwila City Hall, 6200 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188
For assistance during the meeting, please call Jo Anderson, Equity and
Social Justice Staff Liaison, at 206-658-7849
EE"TDIIG AGENDA
Thursday, I overl lbr 6, 225 5:,,','
I Call to Order
II Introduction (2 minutes)
III Approval of Agenda (2 minutes)
IV Approval of Minutes, October 2, 2025 (2 minutes)
V Written Public Comments
VI Business Items
• An Overview of Tukwila's Legislative Process (Memo Attached) — Laurel Humphrey, Legislative
Analyst
COMMISSION ACTION ITEM: Commissioners will receive a presentation and ask questions.
• Review Group Norms (Draft Attached)
COMMISSION ACTION ITEM: Commissioners will work together to finalize and agree upon group
norms.
• 2025 Work Plan Updates and Remaining Expenditures
Tukwila Equity and Social Justice Commission
City of Tukwila — City Hall
6200 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98188
COMMISSION ACTION ITEM: Commissioners will decide on how to spend the remaining balance in
the ESJ Commission fund.
Relationship building in the community:
• Councilmember Engagement — Kathy Hougardy and CM Hedrick
• Veteran's Day —Jo Anderson and Joe Duffie
Awareness, Forums, Trainings:
• Racial Restrictive Covenants — Aaron Draganov and Kristen Schwabe -Fry
• Know Your Rights — Red Card Distribution
Equity Policy and Accountability
• Equitable Board & Commission Recruitment and Selection — Current Appointment Process
• Inclusive Emergency Communications Plan —To be reviewed at September meeting
ESJ Commission Budget
Proposed
Expenditures
Balance
Purpose
Operating Supplies
1,000.00
$600
$450
Youth Stipend thru December
Other Misc Expenses
3,800.00
Up to
$300
$296
Showalter GSA Pride Event Support
Up to
$300
$300
Know Your Rights Red Cards Printing
Total Allocation
4,800.00
$1,046
$3,754
VII Miscellaneous
VIII Adjournment
City of Tukwila
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
01,
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Equity & Social Justice Commission
FROM Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst
DAIL: October 24, 2025
SUBJECT: Overview of City of Tukwila Legislative Process
City Council Overview
The City Council forms the legislative branch of City government. As the policy -making
branch, they are responsible for passing legislation, adopting the biennial City budget,
approving long-range planning documents and capital improvement programs, and other
responsibilities as set forth by State law. Councilmembers also represent the City in regional
intergovernmental affairs as well as through communications with state and federal
legislators.
City Council Rules of Procedure
The City Council sets its own R.les...c.i'Pro.cecE::are., which are adopted by resolution and
typically updated annually or as needs arise. The Rules document covers Powers and Duties,
Meetings, Legislative Process, Meeting Conduct, Public Participation, Vacancies, Onboarding,
Travel &Training, and other legal requirements.
Legislative Actions
Ordinances are legislative items used to regulate matters of local concern, such as land use,
local law enforcement, and health and safety issues. Ordinances must comply with the terms
ofthe U.S. and Washington State constitutions and the general laws ofthe City and
State. Many ordinances are classified as "codifiable," meaning the ordinance will be
incorporated into the Tukwila :Municipal Code, which makes the laws of the City easily
accessible by subject matter.
• Example: An Ordinance amending the City of Tukwila Comprehensive Plan in
compliance with the requirements ofthe Growth Management Act.
Resolutions are legislative items that are advisory or policy -oriented in nature. Resolutions
may be used to offer support for ballot measures, set hearing dates for a street vacation or
update fee schedules. Resolutions are not a part ofthe Tukwila Municipal Code.
• Example: AResolution updating permit types and fees in alignment with recent
changes to the Tukwila Municipal Code
1llgtionsare generally short statements to direct that a specific course of action be taken on
behalf of the City.
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
• Example: Motion to authorize the Mayor, or his designee, to negotiate a purchase
and sale agreement for the City's acquisition ofthe Nelsen Side Channel property for
a public trail and salmon habitat restoration on terms and conditions subject to
approval by the City Council.
City Council Meetings
• Regular Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. The
City Council takes formal action in the form ofmotions, resolutions and ordinances at
Regular Meetings.
• Committee of the Whole meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of
each month. The City Council considers current issues and discusses policy matters in
detail.
• Work sessions are held at 5:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. The City
Council discusses emerging issues for potential future action.
Council Committees
Councilmembers serve on subcommittees to review policy matters in depth and make
recommendations to the full Council prior to final action. Committees are made up ofthree
Councilmembers each. The current committees are:
• Planning &Community Development Committee
Land use, housing, buildings, tourism, code enforcement
• Community Services &Safety Committee
Public safety, human services, parks, art
• Transportation &Infrastructure Services
Transportation, streets, water, sewer, surface water, solid waste,
telecommunications
• Finance &Governance Committee
Finance, personnel, technology, government performance
Each Committee is chaired by one Councilmember, and all Councilmembers except the
Council President serves on two committees each.
Council President
In January of each year, the City Council elects one of its members to serve as Council
President. This is decided generally in the order of seniority to ensure fairness and keep
things simple. The Council President has specific duties, including:
• Appointing Chair and memberships of standing committees.
• Approving proposed agendas for COW, Regular, Special and Work Session meetings
• Presides over COWmeetings and work sessions.
• Acts as lead on correspondence sent to the full Council.
• Signs resolutions
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 3
• Writes Council Corner article in the Hazelnut
• Serves as Mayor pro tem in the absence ofthe Mayor
Legislative Process — Ordinance Example
1. Staffdevelops a legislative proposal to respond to a community need, at the
direction of the City Council, to comply with state law, to align with best practices, or
other reason.
2. Staffdrafts the ordinance and routes it through other staff for feedback as well as the
City Attorney and City Clerk, who check for legality and form.
3. Staff schedules the ordinance to appear on a City Council Committee agenda and
writes an informational memo summarizing the proposal.
4. Staffpresents the ordinance to a City Council Committee, which will ask questions,
may request changes or more information, and makes a recommendation to the full
Council.
5. Staffpresents the ordinance to the full Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting.
All Councilmembers can ask questions, may request changes or more information,
and may make comments indicating their agreement or disagreement with the
proposal. If a majority (four) ofthe City Council supports the ordinance, they will
move it forward to a Regular or Special Meeting for final action.
6. The ordinance is placed on a Regular or Special Meeting agenda. Generally, staff
does not need to repeat the presentation as it has already been vetted through
committee and full Council. Council takes a final vote on the ordinance, which can
only pass with four or more yes votes.
7. The Mayor signs the ordinance, the City Clerk publishes the ordinance, and the
ordinance takes effect, usually five days after passage.
8. For ordinances that amend the Municipal Code, the code is updated.
Public outreach can vary depending on the item and can include articles, open houses,
Commission review, Councilmembers talking with constituents, and more. All agendas are
emailed to subscribers who have opted in, and public comment is accepted at all Committee
ofthe Whole, Regular, Special, and Work Session meetings. Amulti-step process through the
City Council is also Below is an example of a recent "Council Agenda Synopsis," which
describes the legislative history of the ordinance.
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 4
COUNCIL AG_ENDA SYNOPSIS
IJiiL
Meeiern Dane
f'repared (;),
Al lyor.! review
Connell mien.
10/13/25
IG
10/20/25
IG
ITEM INFORMATION
ITE.111.1VO.
4.C.
STAFF SPONSOR: ISAAC G LOOK, DCD
ORIGINAL AGENDA .: 10/13/25
\GEED A ITEM T ri F Amendments to Tukwila Municipal Code relating to the Tukwila International
Boulevard district and co -living housing.
rEGoRy
01.7C1,0.1,7;91'1
ell(ADaie 10/13/25
ElOiWfr
ztiig ()ate
ERe..3 olution
Meg 1)eiee
Ordielanen
illeg DX,. 10/20/25
El 13zd lvard
.1.3a,tc
fl Pirb& icarinx
Daie
Ei Oder
ilk Date
P ONSO R COMAil JAenwin S nes Esj oc.1) ED J P&P, Ej I'5 EJ Pr
Si )NSOR'S
Al2,1,11tY
The Council is being asked to consider and approve amendments to Tukwila Municipal Code
Title 18, relating to various standards for the Regional Commercial and Neighborhood
Commercial Center zoning districts, the table of allowed uses, the minimum parking
requirements, the multi -family and mixed -use design standards, the adoption of a
development incentive program, and standards for co -living housing.
REVIEWED BY
Arltietii rd. ntiirlIC111re Sc S LI Community Svcs/Safety 1:1 Finance & Governance El Manning & Community Dev.
El LTAC El Arts Comm. D Parks Comm. El Planning Comm.
DATE: 9/8/25 COMMITTEE GLAIR: HEDRICK
RE COMMENDATI ONS:
SPONSOR/ AMEN.
COMIVIITIEL
Department of Community Development
Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED
SO
AMOUNT BUDGETED
SO
APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
SO
Fund Source: N/A
Comments:
MTG. DATE
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
10/13/25
Forward to next Regular meeting consent agenda
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
10/13/25
Informational Memorandum dated 10/13/25
Draft Ordinance - Title 18 Amendments
10/20/25
Minutes from the 9/8 PCD Committee
Final Ordinance and exhibits A-E
ESJ Commission Group Norms (DRAFT)
We share the following values and will look to these norms to guide how
we show up and communicate with each other.
1. Each Commissioner represents a lived experience and community
perspective. In this space all voices are equally valued and should be
included.
2. Stay focused on the Commission's purpose and the topic at hand.
3. Create a welcoming and judgement free space. Presume positive intent
and check assumptions.
4. Be curious, ask questions, listen, and seek to understand.
5. Speak freely and respectfully, while being respectful of different
opinions.
6. Practice directness and transparency regarding a point of view and
disclose when there may be a conflict of interest.
7. Practice cultural awareness; we're representing the whole community
and it's a diverse community.
8. Practice self-awareness — take risks and speak up and/or give space for
everyone to speak.
9. Accept discomfort, this is where the change happens.
10. Accept non -closure, some things are too big for us to resolve.
Additional Notes
What do you value in communication?
• Perspectives — at the table we're commissioners representing our own
and our communities perspective.
• Transparency— ask questions/check assumptions. Address in the
moment.
• All voices are valued, inclusive
• Behavior is communication (non verbals, tone, body language).
• Be curious, ask questions, seek to understand.
• Direct conversations, just say what it is. Respectful.
• Taking risks
• Being okay with a non -closure. It may be something too big for us.
• Clarity — we can ask as opposed to making assumptions. Okay to ask if
it's not
What is necessary for you to engage in a shared space?
• A welcoming environment
• Speak your voice freely; speak up if you feel
• Judgement free
• Being willing to listen, learn and consider different perspectives
• Engage — intentions, knowing that you come with the right intentions
and that it will be received well
• Comfort with discomfort; that's where change happens
• Patience —things take time
• Understanding the Commissions relation to Council
• Getting information in advance
• Addressing lack of inclusion in development and decisions; City Hall
not a welcoming space
ATTENDEES:
Maryan Abdow
Jo Anderson
Hamdi Diriye
Aaron Draganov
Joe Duffle
Kathy Hougardy
Tukwila Equity and Social Justice Commission
City of Tukwila — City Hall
6200 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98188
DMEE"TiNG MINUTES
'nuts d y, Octber 2, 2uh25 -- PlIM
Kristen Schwabe -Fry
Fane Katoa
Trish Kinlow
Lina Stinson -Ali
Call to Order
II Introduction (2 minutes)
III Approval of Agenda (2 minutes)
IV Approval of Minutes, September 4, 2025 (2 minutes)
V Business Items
• Establish Group Norms
Commissioners worked on a draft for review at the next meeting.
• 2025 Work Plan Updates and Remaining Expenditures
Commissioners discussed opportunities to spend the remaining balance in the 2025
budget and are to provide Jo with ideas to vet with the City Attorney by October 10.
ESJ Commission Budget
Proposed
Expenditures
Balance
Purpose
Operating Supplies
1,000.00
$600
$450
Youth Stipend thru December
Other Misc Expenses
3,800.00
Up to
$300
$296
Showalter GSA Pride Event Support
Tukwila Equity and Social Justice Commission
City of Tukwila — City Hall
6200 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98188
Up to
$300
$300
Know Your Rights Red Cards Printing
Total Allocation
4,800.00
$1,046
$3,754
VI Miscellaneous
• Jo shared that the City Attorney advised that the ESJ Commission align with other City
Commissions and update the ordinance to remove the Councilmember Position 1 pursuant
to state law - RCW35A.12.030. Commissioners discussed and asked questions. Jo to follow
up with Laurel to provide responses.