Chapter 2.36
EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sections:

2.36.010    Members – Appointment.

2.36.020    Membership – Terms.

2.36.030    Membership – Qualifications, residency.

2.36.040    Authority, powers, and duties.

2.36.050    Rules and meetings.

2.36.010 Members – Appointment.

The Equity Advisory Committee (“EAC” or “Committee” hereafter) shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the City Council. (Ord. 2152 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2020)

2.36.020 Membership – Terms.

Committee members shall serve four-year terms, with the exception of positions one through three, which will serve a two-year term upon establishment of the Committee, and four-year terms thereafter. Positions and their expiration dates shall be assigned as follows: Positions one, two, and three terms expire on December 31st of even years, beginning December 31, 2022. Positions four through seven terms expire on December 31st of even years, beginning December 31, 2024. Upon expiration of said term, the position shall be advertised seeking applicants to participate on the Committee. A Committee member whose term is expiring may reapply to serve an additional term subject to recommendation by the Mayor and confirmation by the City Council. No limitations are created regarding the number of terms a Committee member may serve. (Ord. 2152 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2020)

2.36.030 Membership – Qualifications, residency.

Members shall be appointed upon the basis of demonstrated interest in, and knowledge and support of, equity and diversity. Members of the public who have resided in Ferndale School District for at least one year are eligible to serve on the Committee.

The City Council shall select from its members an EAC liaison whose duties will be to attend Committee meetings and provide information to and from the Council. Additionally, the City Administrator or another senior staff member, as assigned by the Mayor, shall serve as a staff liaison to the EAC. (Ord. 2152 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2020)

2.36.040 Authority, powers, and duties.

The EAC shall serve in an advisory capacity to the City of Ferndale and the City Council. All recommendations of the EAC shall be presented to the full Council. The EAC will employ a continuous improvement approach to identify and recommend strategies and processes to:

A.    Support the continued exploration of issues of equity and diversity through trainings and educational opportunities for all city staff, elected officials, and relevant community partners to promote equity and diversity;

B.    Attract and retain an increasingly diverse and well-qualified staff;

C.    Embrace a diverse population;

D.    Research ways to increase equity in regard to housing, land use, hiring, policing, mental health, transportation, accessibility, systemic poverty, aging populations, racial and nonracial cultural divisions, and more to implement policy-based solutions throughout day-to-day and long-range planning. (Ord. 2152 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2020)

2.36.050 Rules and meetings.

The Committee may establish rules for transaction of its business, including but not limited to appointing officers and setting meeting times. The meetings and other sessions of the Committee shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 42.30 RCW. At meetings of the Committee, a majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of the majority of the members present at an official public meeting of the Committee may constitute a decision or recommendation of the Committee. (Ord. 2152 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2020)