Title
Approval of the General Government Committee Recommendation to Establish a New Social Justice and Equity Commission
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The General Government Committee met on October 27, 2021, to hear the Founding Members Work Group recommendation to establish a new Social Justice and Equity Commission. The Committee unanimously recommends establishing a Social Justice and Equity Commission as presented by the Founding Members Work Group
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the General Government Committee's recommendation to establish a new Social Justice and Equity Commission.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the General Government Committee's recommendation to establish a new Social Justice & Equity Commission
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Olivia Salazar de Breaux, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
Megan Matthews, Founding Members Work Group Member
Anthony Markland, Founding Members Work Group Member
Joslyn Nelson, Founding Members Work Group Member
Rusty Shekha, Founding Members Work Group Member
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
In June 2020, the City Council (Council) forwarded to the General Government Committee (Committee) a referral to develop a Human Rights Commission to support the City in dismantling institutional racism and all forms of oppression while helping build a more equitable, just and thriving community.
On November 2, Council approved a process to establish a Social Justice & Equity Advisory Commission (Commission), including that the process be led by a Founding Member Work Group (Work Group) made up of community members representing marginalized populations, with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
The Work Group hosted a series of conversations and an online survey to intentionally elevate the voices of marginalized community members. These sessions included hearing from Black, Ind...
Click here for full text