Title
A MOTION creating the legislative branch equity and social justice team and adopting its mission statement.
Body
WHEREAS, the council unanimously adopted Ordinance 16948, which is also referred to as the Equity and Social Justice Ordinance, in 2010, defining equity for the county and identifying determinants of equity and priorities for government in advancing equity, and
WHEREAS, the Equity and Social Justice Ordinance emphasizes: the consideration of equity and social justice impacts in all county decision-making; improving fairness and opportunity in county government organizational practices; cross-agency collaboration on equity and social justice efforts; and development of annual agency work plans through the coordination of an interbranch equity and social justice team, and
WHEREAS, the council annually adopts an equity and social justice work plan for the legislative branch by motion, and
WHEREAS, the initial council work plan for equity and social justice expressed commitment to increasing awareness of equity and social justice impacts of county actions internally and with the public; promoting equity and fairness in the workplace; and increasing opportunities for the community to engage with the council, and
WHEREAS, in 2012, in support of that work plan, a legislative branch equity and social justice team was convened, consisting of representatives from all legislative branch agencies, and
WHEREAS, the legislative branch equity and social justice team has continued to convene regularly since 2012. However, the council desires to formalize the establishment of the legislative branch equity and social justice team to ensure that equity and social justice remains a high priority for the legislative branch;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The legislative branch equity and social justice team is hereby created.
B. The team shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following people:
1. One representative from each legislative branch independent agency and the flood control district;
2. One district office staff appointed by each county councilmember;
3. One representative from central administration;
4. The community outreach coordinator;
5. The director of legislative analysis;
6. The council chief of staff; and
7. At least two representatives from central policy staff who volunteer to serve on the team.
C. The mission of the team shall be to build awareness, increase understanding and develop strategies to further equity and social justice in the legislative workplace, policies and engagement with communities of color and poor and disadvantaged groups residing in urban, suburban and rural King County.
D. The team shall elect a chair each year, who will serve a one-year term, and the chair shall be responsible for facilitating team meetings, guiding the implementation of the work plan, setting the agenda for each monthly meeting and any other special meeting of the team and ensuring that the team is meeting the goals as laid out in the work plan.
E. The community outreach coordinator shall serve as the primary staff to the team chair and assist the team chair in carrying out all of the chair's responsibilities as outlined in this motion and any new responsibilities that may be identified by the team.
F. The team's scope of work shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Drafting a biennial legislative branch equity and social justice work plan for possible adoption by council motion. The work plan shall include, but not be limited to, identifying proclamation proposals for consideration and possible council adoption, and identifying and coordinating learning and discussion sessions. A draft of the work plan shall be completed for council adoption by January 1 of every odd year;
2. Facilitating the activities of the work plan;
3. Designating a liaison to the interbranch equity and social justice team and representing the legislative branch at the interbranch equity and social justice team's meetings;
4. Collaborating with the interbranch equity and social justice team and the office of equity and social justice on broader equity and social justice activities that impact the county;
5. Preparing an annual summary to the council that evaluates the progress of the work plan; and
6. Convening at least monthly to perform the duties as required in this section F.
G. The team shall establish a safe environment to ensure that all team members fully participate in all team activities without repercussion or concern of impacting their primary legislative branch responsibilities.