CHAPTER 7
RENTON EQUITY COMMISSION
SECTION:
2-7-2: Creation Of Renton Equity Commission
2-7-3: Duties And Powers Of Commission
2-7-4: Appointment, Term, And Membership
2-7-7: Appointment Of Subcommittees
2-7-1 DECLARATION OF POLICY:
The City Council herewith finds that all forms of prejudice and the general practice of discrimination against any individual, group, or organization by reason of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, gender identity and expression, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or marital status have a detrimental effect on the public welfare and well-being. To eliminate such prejudice and discrimination an instrumentality should be established through which the employees and officials of the City may obtain advice and assistance using the Renton Equity Lens to identify and address inequities in order to eliminate racial, economic, and social barriers identified in City programs, services and policies.
The City Council further finds that it would be in the interests of all citizens of the City of Renton to include in its Mission and Business Plan the importance of building an inclusive, informed, and hate-free city with equitable outcomes for all in support of social, economic, and racial justice.
Whenever a word is used herein, the definition given to that word shall be that of RCW 49.60.040 (Definitions) which is incorporated herein as if fully set forth. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-2 CREATION OF RENTON EQUITY COMMISSION:
There is hereby created the Renton Equity Commission in furtherance of the goals identified in the Declaration of Policy. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-3 DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSION:
Duties and powers of the Renton Equity Commission are intended to advance equity and inclusion in support of the City’s goal to build an inclusive, informed, and hate-free city with equitable outcomes for all in support of social, economic, and racial justice. The Renton Equity Commission shall have the power and duty to:
A. At request of City staff or officials, review City practices, policies, or procedures under their authority to provide recommendations to the requestor.
B. Renton Equity Commission recommendations will be based on analysis of how or whether the practice, policy, or procedure may tend to create or support inequity, including what community or communities may be impacted, and how those impacts may emerge.
C. Renton Equity Commission recommendations will, to the extent possible, provide specific actions to resolve the identified inequities.
D. The Renton Equity Commission will provide an annual report to the Council on goals, outcomes, and recommendations for future goals to be included in the report described in Section 2-7-10 (City Council Review). The Commission will provide an annual report to the Council on goals, outcomes, and recommendations for future goals, to be included in the report described in Section 2-7-10 (City Council Review).
E. Within the first six (6) months of formation, the Renton Equity Commission shall develop a Mission, Vision, and By-Laws including elections of officers as needed to further manage its operations according to the terms of this Chapter. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-4 APPOINTMENT, TERM, AND MEMBERSHIP:
The Renton Equity Commission will consist of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor, and confirmed by City Council as follows:
A. At the time of initial appointment, three (3) members shall be appointed for one (1) year; three (3) members shall be appointed for two (2) years; three (3) members shall be appointed for three (3) years. At the expiration of the initial term, three (3) members shall be appointed each year for three (3)-year terms.
B. Terms shall be from January 1 of the appointment year, through December 31 of the term expiration year.
C. Membership should reflect the diversity of the City including but not limited to ethnicity, race, age, gender, faith, gender identity and expression, and profession. Due to the size of the Renton Equity Commission, it is understood that it is possible that not every group may be represented.
D. Members shall, from the time of their appointment and confirmation through their term, be a resident of, or business owner in, the City of Renton and able to attend meetings as necessary. If they no longer reside or have a business in Renton, they forfeit their membership in the Renton Equity Commission as of the date of their move.
E. Applicants for appointment shall have a demonstrated commitment to equity.
F. At least one member shall be a “youth” member between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-five (25) at the time the member is confirmed in their appointment.
G. No sitting City Council member shall be a member of the Renton Equity Commission; if a Renton Equity Commission member is elected or appointed to City Council, they shall forfeit their membership on the Renton Equity Commission effective at the date of their swearing-in as a City Council member. Nothing in this section is intended to discourage former City Council members from applying for appointment so long as they meet other appointment requirements.
H. No current City employee or consultant shall be a member of the Renton Equity Commission; if a Renton Equity Commission member becomes employed or contracted by the City, they shall forfeit their membership on the Renton Equity Commission effective on their first day of employment or contract with the City. Nothing in the section is intended to discourage former City employees or consultants from applying for appointment so long as they meet other appointment requirements.
I. A majority of the members appointed and confirmed shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Renton Equity Commission. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-5 COMPENSATION:
In alignment with other City boards/commissions/committees, there will be no compensation for serving on the Renton Equity Commission. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-6 APPOINTMENT PROCESS:
The Mayor shall develop and post a procedure by which interested Renton residents or business owners may apply for membership on the Renton Equity Commission. The procedure shall include, at a minimum:
A. Public notice calling for applicants; and
B. Provision for interview protocols for all applicants. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-7 APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES:
A majority of the members of the Renton Equity Commission may name such subcommittee or subcommittees, as in its judgment, will aid in effectuating the purpose of this Chapter and may empower any such subcommittee to review policies, practices, and procedures and advise the full Renton Equity Commission regarding its findings on equity issues for the Renton Equity Commission to take action within the purview of this Chapter. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-9 PROCEDURE AND MEETINGS:
The provisions of this Chapter shall be construed for the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in this Chapter. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to amend, repeal, or modify any of the provisions of any civil rights law or any other law of the federal or state government, or any other provisions of this Code relating to discrimination because of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or marital status as defined in this Chapter.
A. Renton Equity Commission members will receive training on how to use the Renton Equity Lens, and for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act within ninety (90) days of their appointment on confirmation, and every two (2) years thereafter.
B. A City staff person will be assigned as part of their regular duties to provide administrative support to the Renton Equity Commission.
1. Administrative support will include but not be limited to retaining records as required under RCW 42.56 (Public Records Act), ensuring compliance with RCW 42.30 (Open Public Meetings Act), and providing coordination as needed with other City staff to provide policies, procedures, practices to the Renton Equity Commission and to facilitate presentations on materials to the Renton Equity Commission.
2. The staff person will ensure that City Subject Matter Experts are available to brief Commission members on items pertinent to the practice, policy, or procedure under review.
3. The staff person will also prepare recommendations of the Renton Equity Commission for presentation to City staff and/or elected officials.
C. Members may, from time to time, participate in “town hall” or similar meetings open to the public, in order to help analyze and provide recommendations on policy, procedures, and practices. Any such meetings will be reviewed for compliance with applicable public transparency and records retention requirements.
D. The Renton Equity Commission may request information as needed from other community groups including, but not limited to, the Mayor’s Inclusion Task force, Latino Forum, Vietnamese/Chinese Forum, African American Pastoral Group, Renton Police Advisory Committee, etc.
E. Members who have more than three (3) unexcused absences may be removed by action of the Mayor. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)
2-7-10 CITY COUNCIL REVIEW:
The Renton Equity Commission shall submit unto the City Council, by January 31st of each year, a summary of all actions taken by the Renton Equity Commission, including analysis of policies, programs, services, and procedures and recommendations therefrom, during the preceding year so that the City Council may fully review the manner in which the Renton Equity Commission has implemented and enforced the provisions of this Chapter. (Ord. 6033, 11-1-21)