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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/10/2023 06. Equity Issues 1 a, ga BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 6. For Meeting of: October 10, 2023 ITEM TITLE: Equity Issues SUBMITTED BY: Sara Watkins, City Attorney SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ITEM BUDGETED: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type ❑ Memo Examples_Equity Mission Statements 9/14/2023 Corer Memo ❑ Slide Next Steps 9/14/2023 Backup Material 2 911 („.. `'ll , 41 f111/I, c; -14 1,''t Ny R"ED_ '4 Office of the City Attorney City of Yakima MEMORANDUM September 14, 2023 TO: Honorable Mayor Janice Deccio and Councilmembers FROM: Sara Watkins, City Attorney SUBJECT: Examples of Equity Mission Statements At the Council retreat earlier this year, Council was provided a presentation on Equity—the background of equity efforts in Yakima such as the asset inventory and report from the WSU Metro Center; steps the City took after that report was finalized; and next steps for Council. After the presentation the Council asked that staff research other jurisdictions' mission statements. This memo compiles a number of cities' equity mission statements. For your reference, I include the slide from the previous presentation that outlines Council's possible next steps with regards to equity issues as Exhibit 1 to this memo. 1. Examples of Equity Mission Statements: Washington State Redmond, WA The City of Redmond is committed to creating a Redmond in which all residents can fully and effectively access city services, influence city policy and direction, and feel a sense of belonging and safety. Pullman, WA (Draft) Mission: The City of Pullman will use its resources and collaborate with community partners to understand and eliminate rational inequities and provide everyone an opportunity to participate in the civic, economic, and cultural life of the city to deliver a greater sense of belonging, quality of life and a sustainable local economy. 200 South Third Street,2nd Fl. I Yakima,WA 98901 P:509.575.6030 I F:509.575.6160 3 Honorable Mayor Janice Deccio and Councilmembers September 14, 2023 Page 2 Vision: The City of Pullman is committed to establishing and supporting the highest standards of practice to provide equitable services, advance cross-cultural learning and strengthen a shared sense of belonging. Pierce County, WA To promote and foster a workplace culture in Pierce County that embraces, demonstrates, and celebrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion—reflecting the community in which we serve and live. 2. Examples of Equity Mission Statements: Other States Eugene, OR (in part) We value all people, encouraging respect and appreciation for diversity, equity, justice, accessibility, and well-being. We recognize and appreciate our differences and embrace our common humanity as a source of our strength. We listen to, serve, and include all who live, work, and play here; seeking ways to foster unity and stronger connections across Eugene. We respond and take actions so that every person has an opportunity to thrive in Eugene. Hillsboro, OR The Hillsboro City Council adopted the following guiding principle with regards to equity: We exemplify and instill diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential parts of internal and external policy-making and the delivery of City services. Palo Alto, CA The City of Palo Alto is committed to creating a respectful, fair, and professional workplace and city. We will identify prejudices, eliminate inequities, welcome many perspectives, and use a collaborative approach to create an environment that works for everyone. The City's commitment to achieve equity in Palo Alto is the shared responsibility of our residents, organizations, governments, and other institutions. Naperville, IL (combined with the city's overall mission statement) To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity. 4 Honorable Mayor Janice Deccio and Councilmembers September 14, 2023 Page 3 Norman, OK To ensure systems and resources are aligned to create a more inclusive community and organizational workforce by building and sustaining an ecosystem of education, engagement, and access across all communities in Norman. 3. Sacramento uses a set of guiding definitions to help ensure everyone is starting with the same understanding of the terms. Several key definitions help guide this work: Diversity Each person has layers of diversity that make his/her/their perspective unique. The City of Sacramento defines diversity as the variety of human differences and similarities among people, such as: age, belief system, class/caste, culture, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, generation, geography, job role and function, language, marital status, mental health, nationality, native or indigenous origins, parental status, personality type, race, religion, sexual orientation, thinking style, work experience, and work style. (Adopted from the Global Diversity Equity Inclusion Benchmark model) Inclusion This is an active state of being valued, respected, and supported. Inclusion focuses on the needs of every individual and ensures the right conditions are in place for each person to achieve their full potential. Inclusion should be reflected in an organization's culture, practices, and relationships, which are in place to support a diverse workforce. The City of Sacramento's definition of inclusion draws from the Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmark model, which defines the word as a dynamic state of operating in which diversity is leveraged to create a fair, healthy, and high-performing organization and/or community. An inclusive environment ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities for all. It also enables individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued for who they are and for their contributions toward organizational and societal goals. (Adopted from the Global Diversity Equity Inclusion Benchmark model) Equity The City of Sacramento's definition of racial equity is adapted from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity's definition. Regardless of one's identity, equity is when all people have just treatment, access to opportunities necessary to satisfy their essential needs, advance their well-being, and achieve their full potential while identifying and eliminating barriers that have 5 Honorable Mayor Janice Deccio and Councilmembers September 14, 2023 Page 4 prevented the full participation of some groups. (Adapted from the Government Alliance on Race & Equity definition of racial equality) 4. There also are opportunities to create graphics such as this one from Thomasville, GA v'Si O A progressive and unified community providing an statement inviting place to live, work, play and prosper. I In partnership with our community, Team Thomasville will deliver excellent and dependable public •Ission services while building trusting relationships through openness, statement inclusion and innovation. INF team thomasville core values TRUSTWORTHY & EQUAL& ACCOUNTABLE& MODERN & DEPENDABLE INCLUSIVE TRANSPARENT INNOVATIVE We are dedicated to We will empower a We will maintain business We will execute provide reliable services diverse and practices that build creative plans and to our citizens and progressive culture community trust with innovative strategies community. to strengthen openness,integrity and to bring sustainable community accountability. growth to our entire partnerships. community. The City Council is tasked with determining the policy goals associated with equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and City staff looks forward to working with Council to do so. To that end, City staff has some possible items to be discussed at a future study session devoted to equity: IDEAS, • Developing an Equity Vision Statement specific to the City of THOUGHTS, Yakima • Bringing to the City speakers and trainers addressing diversity, POSSIBILITIES equity, inclusion and accessibility for Council, Staff and Committee members • Evaluating other cities' structures to address diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in it's everyday practices per 55�BZ`ZTZES! Council vision VO • Land acknowledgement adoption, and the City recognition of important heritage months, dates, and events The Council's equity vision should be shared and explained to staff and committees so that it is used consistently throughout City decision-making, action, and administration of the day-to- day activities of the City. • Ai.