Title
Olympia Sanctuary City Resolutions Briefing
Recommended Action
Receive a briefing on the City’s Sanctuary City resolutions.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the City’s Sanctuary City resolutions.
Staff Contact:
Margo Morales, Community Engagement Program Specialist, Organizational Development and Performance, 360.753.8150
Presenter(s):
Manny Bosser, Human Resources Director
Shelby Parker, Interim Police Chief, Olympia Police Department
Background and Analysis:
In 1985 the City Council passed its first Sanctuary City resolution, declaring the desire for Olympia to be known as a City of Peace where those who are politically persecuted can find safe haven and sanctuary. Since that first resolution the City Council has passed three additional resolutions declaring the City of Olympia a sanctuary regardless of immigration status, a sanctuary for reproductive rights and a sanctuary for the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
The Social Justice and Equity Commission requested a briefing from City staff to better understand how these Sanctuary City resolutions translate to City policy and the City’s work. The Human Resources Director will be presenting the City’s Sanctuary City Policy (Policy 38). This policy was developed over the course of several months with input from stakeholders, subject matter experts, and staff work groups to develop a draft policy. The draft policy was then reviewed by various staff work groups and the City’s legal team before it was approved and published in the fall of 2025. This Sanctuary City Policy is inclusive of guidance and expectations for staff regarding all the current Sanctuary City resolutions. The Human Resources Director will also discuss implementation and resources for staff related to this policy.
The Olympia Police Department’s Interim Police Chief will be briefing the commission on police department policies, procedures, and programs related to the Sanctuary City resolutions. The Interim Chief will also discuss the collaborative process for developing these policies and procedures.
The purpose of this briefing is for the Commission to be better informed about how these resolutions are supported by City policy and procedures. This deeper understanding will support the Commission’s ability to connect community members to resources and help navigate city systems.
Climate Analysis:
This briefing is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
The Commission’s purpose is to “eliminate racism and fulfill human rights for a just and equitable Olympia for all people.” The Commission works to fulfill this purpose in a variety of ways including connecting community members to resources and assisting in navigating city or state systems. A better understanding of the how the City has operationalized the Sanctuary City resolutions strengthens the Commissions ability to fulfill its purpose.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
There is a strong community interest in recent events around many of the topics specifically addressed in the Sanctuary City resolutions. The Social Justice and Equity Commission having a deeper understanding of how the different resolutions are operationalized increases the Commission’s ability to support the community in understanding and navigating City systems.
Options:
1) Receive the briefing
2) Receive the briefing at another date and time
3) Do not receive the briefing
Financial Impact:
There are no financial impacts directly created by this briefing.
Attachments:
Resolution M-1192 Declaring the desire for Olympia to be known as a City of Peace
Resolution M-1857 Declaring the City of Olympia a Sanctuary City
Resolution M-2348 Declaring the City of Olympia to be a Sanctuary City for reproductive health care and abortion services
Resolution M-2591 Declaring the City of Olympia to be a Sanctuary City for LGBTQIA2S+ People
Policy 38 - Sanctuary City Policy
Safe Olympia Program Website
Immigration Violations Policy
Enforcement Action by Unknown or Masked Individuals Procedure