Title
Approval of Social Justice & Equity Commission Applicants for Consideration by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee
Recommended Action
Move to approve recommended applicants for consideration by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to fill three Social Justice & Equity Commission vacancies in 2025.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve applicants to recommend to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee for consideration to fill three Social Justice and Equity Commission vacancies in 2025.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia is in the process of recruiting community members to fill vacancies on City Advisory committees, commissions and board, including for three vacancies on the Social Justice and Equity Commission (Commission). The City received ten applications from community members expressing interest in serving on the Commission.
The City Council’s Community Livability and Public Safety Committee requests that current Commission members review the applications and recommend consideration of two applicants per vacancy, for a total of six recommendations.
Attachment A includes the ten applicant submittals with names redacted. Attachment B is a form Commissioners can use to rank the applications from 1-10, with one being the highest recommended applicant. Staff will combine the commissioners’ rankings and share the results at the meeting to support discussion of whom to recommend.
The purpose of this agenda item is for Commissioners to confirm which six applicants to recommend to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee for further consideration and appointment to the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s three vacant positions in 2025.
Climate Analysis:
This 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 enabling those from historically marginalized communities to have a voice in City government.
For purposes of selecting recommended candidates for appointment to the Commission applicant names have been redacted from applications to try and ensure an equitable process. Removing applicant names helps reduce unconscious bias and can help reviewers focus solely on the applicants' qualifications.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The City’s Comprehensive Plan includes community members feeling connected to City government through authentic and inclusive outreach and engagement. There’s communitywide interest in ensuring a diversity of voices is represented on the City Advisory Commissions, Committees and Boards to continue to provide guidance to City Council on the experiences, needs and priorities of community members.
Options:
1. Approve six applicants for consideration by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to fill three vacancies on the Social Justice and Equity Commission.
2. Do not approve six applicants for consideration by the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to fill three vacancies on the Social Justice & Equity Commission.
3. Determine or request that staff provide an alternate process for reviewing and recommending potential candidates to fill three vacancies on the Social Justice and Equity Commission.
Financial Impact:
No known financial impacts.
Attachments:
Applications Packet
Ranking Sheet