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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS 2025-11-03 Item 3A - Presentation - Inclusive City Policies and PracticesCity of Tukwila Thomas McLeod, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO; Tukwila City Council FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst CC: Thomas McLeod DATE: October 16,2025 SUBJECT: Inclusive City Policies and Practices ISSUE The City Council requested to revisit its current policy statement regarding acommitment to inclusivity. Resolution 1970 is attached for City Council review and discussion. BACKGROUND Commitment boonInclusive City For over two decades the Tukwila City Council has periodically expressed unanimous policy statements supporting and/or committing to principles of equity and inclusivity. * Resolution 1559 (2004) resolved to join the National League of Cities in building an inclusive community, committing toward attaining the American Dream "for ail." * Resolution 1614 (2006) reaffirmed that commitment, urging residential and business communities toembrace diversity. * Resolution 1900 (2016) resolved a commitment to "equality and inclusiveness for all residents and visitors to our city." * Resolution 1921 (2017) adopted a City Equity Policy, stating a commitment to being an inclusive community that "provides equal access toall City services." * In 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution 1970 (attached) to reaffirm a commitment to inclusivity and include stronger language condemning hate and intimidation crimes in response 10increasingly discriminatory national rhetoric. How does the City ofTukwila help core for its inn7i tcon7nnunitv7 The current U.S. political landscape has raised many concerns, questions and fears, prompting this question from staff, Council and community members. Some recent examples include: * The City of Tukwila funds and staffs an Equity and Social Justice Commission (ESJC) tasked with promoting an understanding and celebration of community diversity and facilitating community awareness of sociaijustice and human rights. The ESJC discussed Resolution l9TOonFebruary 5'2025. * Starting in 2023, the City provided a multi -department response to a significant influx of asylum seekers at Riverton Park United Methodist Church. Through a variety of funding sources, including the [ity`sgeneral funds, the City provided sheltering, site management, INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 housing placement services, rent assistance, and other basic needs to respond to the needs ofasylum seekers atthe church. * Earlier this year the Mayor and Police Chief both made public statements about the city's values of being welcoming and inclusive, encouraging all community members to continue accessing city services, and explaining local responsibilities tothe public and in relation toimmigration enforcement. * Chief Drever met with the Tukwila School Board and the ESJC to provide information and answer questions; attended World Refugee Day and advised the planning team on a safety plan. * Chief Drever and Deputy Chief Lund presented at the July 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole to address Council and community questions regarding PD's role with regard to immigration enforcement, including an overview of Ordinance 2587, which prohibits immigration inquiries and enforcement offederal immigration law. * The Community Services & Engagement (CS&E) team (in partnership with ESJQ disseminated a Know Your Rights information campaign, including "red cards" developed by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and available in multiple languages. * Emergency Management staff and CS&E are developing an Inclusive Emergency Communications Plan that outlines communication protocol and strategies for reaching all community members, including Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations and individuals with Access and Functional Needs (AFN). * The Municipal Court issued a Policy on immigration Enforcement in the Tukwila Justice Center, which istranslated into multiple languages. * Parks & Recreation staff developed an ICE Encounter Toolkit to provide general information and guidance for staff. * The City provides a variety of services, either directly or by third parties, through the City's Human Services division. The City does not ask for immigration status when providing these services. N/hotmore conthe City ofTukwilodnot this time? |nJuk/2025andinresponse toaninciden1that took place atthe DepartrnentofHorneiand Security building inTukwila, the City Council requested information onits ability 1oregulate other law enforcement agencies, particularly with regard to identification. For additional information, please referto the Attorney -Client Privileged and confidential response provided by the City Attorney via email onJuly 2l'2025. A public commenter referenced the "MELT" Act in New York State, prompting curiosity from the City Council inSeptember. This isthe "Mandating End ofLawless Tactics" Act introduced inJuly in the New York State Assembly, which would ban the use of face coverings and plainclothes by ICE and other federal enforcement agents during civilian immigration actions conducted in the state. This legislation has only been proposed and not passed, suitisnot ineffect and the legality ofitisunclear, asthe legal ability ofastate orlocal government toregulate federal agencies and their employees may be prohibited by the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution. INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 Although the MELT Act proposed in New York State would not apply in Washington State, the City of Seattle is currently trying to lead a simi [arch a rge locally. On Octo be r8, 2025, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed two Executive Orders tocoordinate legal and intergovernmental actions, increase transparency around immigration enforcement, maintain local control, and protect the First Amendment. Staff will watch the implementation of these orders closely to better understand legal ramifications and any potential actions toconsider inTukwila. ATTACHMENTS ReSUlutiOnl970 City of Tukwila Washington Resolution No. I 1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, RESTATING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO BEING DIVERSE, TOLERANT AND INCLUSIVE, AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 1900. WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila is a beautifully diverse community of neighborhoods, residents, businesses and visitors; and WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila considers this diversity to be one of its greatest assets and prioritizes the value of inclusiveness; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 1614 in 2006 reaffirming its commitment to being an inclusive community as a fundamental value; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 1900 in 2016 reaffirming its commitment to being a diverse, tolerant and inclusive community; and WHEREAS, we, as elected representatives of the people, have a responsibility to not stay silent in the face of violence and discrimination against any person; and WHEREAS, the people of Tukwila recognize that people of all cultures, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds all do better when we work together; and WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila promotes civility and strives for a culture where tolerance and solidarity overcome fear and division; and WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila does not tolerate bias, harassment, or discrimination based on race, religion, ancestry, national origin, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, housing status or status with regard to public assistance; and WHEREAS, we advance the principles of non -violence, tolerance, religious freedom, trust and safety, and recognize that these principles are valued by all communities in our City; and W:\Legislative Development\Recommitment to being diverse -tolerant -inclusive final 10-8-19 LH:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton 4 Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, all of Tukwila's residents deserve to live in a safe environment free of hate, discrimination and fear; and WHEREAS, we believe in the public sector for the public good, and advancing equity and inclusion is critical to the success of our communities and our nation; and WHEREAS, because hate crimes and incidences of intimidation are on the rise locally, regionally, and nationally, the City Council desires to reiterate their position that all elected officials, whether local, state, or federal, should be leaders in opposing hate speech and especially careful to never use such language in spoken, written, or social media; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Tukwila has historically been, and remains to this day, a welcoming community to people from all over the world, and therefore the City Council reaffirms its commitment to equality and inclusiveness for all residents and visitors to our City. We reject the politics and language of division, bigotry, violence, hate and discrimination. We will fight for the rights, freedoms and interests of all the members of our community no matter what the color of our skin, our gender, the way we worship, where we were born, our sexual orientation, our abilities, or any other identity. Furthermore, we resolve to: 1. Prioritize and promote a welcoming environment for all in our community and recognize the rights of individuals to live their lives with dignity and free of discrimination. 2. Commit to pursuing a policy agenda that affirms civil and human rights and ensures that those targeted on the basis of culture, religion or immigration status can turn to government without fear of recrimination. 3. Engage with individuals and community groups to promote education and dialogue among all community members. 4. Denounce the use of language expressing hate with the intent to strike fear in the hearts of people because of their racial, cultural, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin differences. Section 2. Resolution No. 1900 is hereby repealed in its entirety. W:\Legislative Development\Recommitment to being diverse -tolerant -inclusive final 10-8-19 LH:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 2 of 3 5 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this 2 I day of 0 c,+010.(A/- , 2019. ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Rachel B. Turpin, CityAttorney Filed with the City Clerk: I °- / Passed by the City Council: (0-2 VII Resolution Number: le)1/61 Dennis Robertson, Tukwila City Council Verna Seal, Tukwila City Council nn, Tukwila City Council ukwila City Council omas Mc City ouncil Zak Ida Tukwila Cit ouncil W:\Legislative Development\Recommitment to being diverse -tolerant -inclusive final 10-8-19 LH:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton 6 Page 3 of 3