Chapter 2.56
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING BOARD Revised 9/23
Sections:
2.56.010 Establishment of board. Revised 9/23
2.56.020 Purpose. Revised 9/23
2.56.030 Responsibilities. Revised 9/23
2.56.040 Composition of the board. Revised 9/23
2.56.050 Terms of appointment. Revised 9/23
2.56.060 Repealed.
2.56.070 Repealed.
2.56.080 Repealed.
2.56.010 Establishment of board. Revised 9/23
There is hereby established a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging board, which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council of the city of Kent, subject to the general provisions applicable to boards and commissions as provided for under Chapter 2.50 KCC, except as those provisions are modified by the following provisions specific to the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging board.
(Ord. No. 4184, § 2, 12-8-15; Ord. No. 4406, § 7, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 4470, § 1, 7-18-23)
2.56.020 Purpose. Revised 9/23
The board will provide recommendations to the mayor and city council on the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, plans, programs, and budget proposals that seek to eliminate racial inequity in the community.
(Ord. No. 4184, § 2, 12-8-15; Ord. No. 4406, § 7, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 4470, § 1, 7-18-23)
2.56.030 Responsibilities. Revised 9/23
The board shall have the following responsibilities:
A. To advise on equity and inclusion issues and serve as a resource relating to the social and civic participation of Kent’s multicultural communities.
B. To advise on policies, plans, and procedures related to effective inclusion and belonging of all residents from Kent’s multicultural communities.
C. To provide the mayor and city council an annual plan implementation report and progress rating for the city’s race and equity strategic plan.
D. To serve as a liaison among community members, residents, businesses, and city government on issues that affect the city and its quality of life, including identifying needs, suggesting resources, and connecting cultural and ethnic communities to existing city resources.
E. To co-design future updates to the city’s race and equity strategic plan.
(Ord. No. 4184, § 2, 12-8-15; Ord. No. 4406, § 7, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 4470, § 1, 7-18-23)
2.56.040 Composition of the board. Revised 9/23
The board will consist of up to 18 members, two of whom will be youth representatives, to the extent reasonably practicable. Membership shall be Kent residents who are representative of the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Kent community.
(Ord. No. 4184, § 2, 12-8-15; Ord. No. 4406, § 7, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 4470, § 1, 7-18-23)
2.56.050 Terms of appointment. Revised 9/23
All members appointed to the board shall serve two-year terms. Members may only serve up to three consecutive two-year terms, for a total consecutive period of service of six years. A member who is ineligible to serve for having served six consecutive years may again serve:
A. After two years have elapsed from the expiration of their last term; or
B. After no other qualified applicant applied for the available position and the mayor requests the member continue serving on the appointive commission.
The board chair shall be appointed annually by the board’s members.
(Ord. No. 4184, § 2, 12-8-15; Ord. No. 4406, § 7, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 4470, § 1, 7-18-23)