Title
Review of Women’s Commission Proposal
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Consider the referral from Mayor Pro Tem Jones regarding creation of an Olympia Women’s Commission.
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider the referral regarding creation of an Olympia Women’s Commission .
Report
Issue:
Whether the City of Olympia should develop, staff and fund a Women’s Commission.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8244
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8740
Debbie Sullivan, Administrative Services Director, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, Assistant City Manager
Debbie Sullivan, Administrative Services Director
Background and Analysis:
On July 17, 2018, Mayor Pro Tem Jones requested a Referral to the General Government Committee for consideration of an Olympia Women’s’ Commission.
The City Council approved the referral.
The referral noted both internal administrative work and community-focused work that could be addressed by a potential Commission to provide greater workforce equity and inclusion in Olympia.
Administration of the City workplace is the responsibility of the City Manager and key staff to ensure equity, representation and fair treatment within the work place.
Currently there are a number of internal initiatives taking place within the city organization to achieve these goals. City staff will share current efforts to support and increase women in leadership roles, greater recruitment and promotion in job areas where women are underrepresented and overall initiatives to address equity and diversity wining the City organization.
Olympia strives to be a leader in this area. Staff welcomes General Government Committee feedback about these efforts.
The referral also suggest a number of possible roles for the City in addressing workplace and gender inequities within the community. This could include doing work to recognize accomplishments and role models or addressing inequities and concerns in private businesses, nonprofits or other governmental agencies. Some of these efforts might overlap or compliment the work of the statewide Women’s Commission, the YWCA or other organizations with similar goals.
If the General Government Committee wishes to proceed further in this area, City staff could arrange a presentation of the State Women’s Commission, the YWCA and/or research Women’s Commissions from other cities to see what roles and authority they serve along with results they have accomplished.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Numerous groups and individuals in Olympia work to support women, their strengthen roles and rights in the workplace and in the community.
Options:
1. Consider the proposal
2. Do not consider the proposal
3. Request more information to consider the proposal
Financial Impact:
Currently staff applies considerable resources to training, policies, and practices to ensure equity and inclusiveness for all individuals in the City work force.
Attachments:
Referral
State Women’s Commission Information
YWCA information