Title
Approval of a Resolution Relating to the Appointment of Committees to Prepare Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet Statements For and Against Initiative Proposition 1, Which Will Appear on the General Election Ballot on November 4, 2025, Concerning an Ordinance to Establish a Workers’ Bill Of Rights for Labor Standards Concerning Work Scheduling, a Minimum Wage in the City, a Safe Workplace Environment, and Other Labor Regulations
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
None
City Manager Recommendation:
None
Report
Issue:
Whether the Council should approve the Resolution appointing no more than three persons each to serve on committees to prepare the Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet statements for and against Proposition 1, which will appear on the General Election ballot on November 4, 2025, concerning an initiative ordinance to establish a workers’ bill of rights for labor standards concerning work scheduling, a minimum wage in the City of Olympia, a safe workplace environment, and other labor regulations.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8046
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
RCW 29A.32.280 requires that for each ballot measure from a unit of local government that is included in a local voters' pamphlet, the legislative authority of that jurisdiction (the Olympia City Council in this instance) shall, not later than the resolution deadline, formally appoint a committee to prepare arguments advocating voters' approval of the measure and shall formally appoint a committee to prepare arguments advocating voters' rejection of the measure. The Council shall appoint persons known to favor the measure to serve on the committee advocating approval and shall, whenever possible, appoint persons known to oppose the measure to serve on the committee advocating rejection. Each committee shall have not more than three members; however, a committee may seek the advice of any person or persons. If the legislative authority of a unit of local government fails to make such appointments by the prescribed deadline (August 5, 2025), the County Auditor shall make the appointments whenever possible.
Climate Analysis:
There are no climate impacts from appointing FOR and AGAINST committee members as provided by law.
Equity Analysis:
Council will consider those persons who are known to support the initiative ordinance to establish a workers’ bill of rights for labor standards concerning work scheduling, a minimum wage in the City of Olympia, a safe workplace environment, and other labor regulations, to serve on the FOR Committee. Likewise, Council will consider those persons who are business owners or employers in the City of Olympia and who understand any impacts upon local businesses posed by the initiative’s proposed ordinance to serve on the AGAINST Committee.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There has been significant community interest in the content of a Workers’ Bill of Rights initiative ordinance. The City Council has identified persons known to favor and oppose the initiative ballot measure.
Options:
1. Approve the proposed Resolution to submit to the County Auditor.
2. Do not submit any names to the County Auditor of persons advocating for or against initiative Proposition 1 at the General Election on November 4, 2025.
Financial Impact:
None
Attachments:
Resolution