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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6934 ORDINANCE NO. 6934 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AMENDING TITLE 2 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE FORMALIZING THE CREATION OF THE CITY OF AUBURN OFFICE OF EQUITY WHEREAS, the government of the City of Auburn holds the responsibility of continually striving to ensure that all members of the community are equitably afforded opportunities to participate in our democracy and that all are heard, valued and respected; and WHEREAS, Title 2 of the Auburn City Code includes a separate chapter of code establishing each city department, the roles and responsibilities within the department, and the roles and responsibilities of each department director; and WHEREAS, on July 15, 2019 the Auburn City Council enacted Resolution 5427 which engaged the services of Racing to Equity, the City's first Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DEI) consultant which included a scope of service related to DEI training, research, analysis, development of an Employee Resource Group, facilitating affinity caucusing, and development of policies and tools around diversity and inclusiveness; and WHEREAS, in August of 2020 the City of Auburn created and hired its first Equity Program Manager who worked out of the City's Human Resources and Risk Management Department; and WHEREAS, the Equity Program Manager was responsible for the creation and delivery of a broad range of internal and external equity goals, strategies and outcomes Ordinance No. 6934 March 18, 2024 Page 3 across all city departments and the broader Auburn community; and WHEREAS, in January of 2022, in order to add strength to citywide equity initiatives and outcomes, the Mayor moved the position out of Human Resources and Risk Management and as a direct report to the Mayor; and WHEREAS, in September of 2022 the Mayor created the Office of Equity in order to ensure that the office had a standalone budget and to highlight that equity work is on equal footing as other departments, and to ensure that the Chief Equity Officer has a voice and influence that is equal to other directors; and WHEREAS, in 2023 the City of Auburn formed the REDI Coalition that is comprised of Auburn elected officials, directors and non-director employees; and WHEREAS, the Coalition believes that a well-defined, permanent Office of Equity is an essential tool for reaching the city's internal and external equity goals and therefore supports the creation of Chapter 2.28 of the Auburn City Code to formally create the Office of Equity; and WHEREAS, the Auburn City Council desires to formalize the creation of the City of Auburn Office of Equity; NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, DO HEREBY ORDAIN as follows: Section 1: Creation of the Office of Equity. Chapter 2.28 of the Auburn City Code, as legally described in Exhibit A hereto, is adopted for the purpose of creating the Office of Equity and defining its responsibilities and authorities. Ordinance No. 6934 March 18, 2024 Page 3 Section 2. Implementation of Ordinance. The Mayor and her designee(s) are authorized to take such further actions and implement those administrative procedures necessary to implement and/or carry out the directives of this Ordinance. Section 3. Severability. If any one or more section, subsection, or sentence of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance and the same shall remain in full force and effect. Section 4. Corrections by City Clerk. Upon approval of the city attorney, the city clerk is authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of clerical errors in the body of this ordinance or exhibit(s) thereto; ordinance, section, or subsection numbering; or references to other local, state, or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations. Ordinance No. 6934 March 18, 2024 Page 3 Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5) days following its passage and publication, as provided by law. INTRODUCED: APR 0 1 2024 PASSED: APR 0 1 2024 APPROVED: APR 0 1 2024 414.636. J • NANCY BAS. S, MAYOR ATTEST: A"PROVED imp ©RNI Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk Harry "acting City Attorney Published: PAYM y b 111 1 \l- a+1 11- r\ Ordinance No. 6934 March 18, 2024 Page 3 Ordinance 6934 — Exhibit A Chapter 2.28 OFFICE OF EQUITY Sections: 2.28.010 Created 2.28.020 Powers and purpose 2.28.030 Director-Appointment- Duties 2.28.010 Created For the purpose of providing leadership,support and strategy focused on equity within the community and the workplace,there is created and established a department of the city to be known as the office of equity. 2.28.020 Powers and purpose The office of equity provides both internal and external services and is responsible for the following: A. Developing and adapting a racial equity framework and city-wide workplan that clearly articulates vision, purpose and definitions to guide departments in incorporating racial equity principles into their operations,programs,services,and policies. B. Supporting departmental racial equity efforts,including but not limited to: development and implementation of city-wide racial equity plans,establishment of performance measures,data collection, and data reporting to track progress toward achieving racial equity,and supporting the implementation of the City's Title VI planning efforts,language access program,community engagement plans and department level racial equity plans. C. Development and implementation of city-wide training plans. D. Assembling andfacilitating equity resource groups. E. Advise the Mayor,department heads and other senior leadership on racial equity considerations,impacts of their policy,programmatic,and operations decisions,and needed compliance efforts. F. Convene and coordinate department heads and other senior leadership as appropriate to elevate and advance citywide racial equity goals and initiatives. Ordinance 6934 — Exhibit A G. Assisting,in collaboration with Administration,Finance,and Human Resourcesas applicable,in developing,setting and/or supporting existing goals for individual departments regarding supplier diversity,workforce diversity,diversity of boards and commissions and any other goals as determined by the city council and mayor that impact the adopted racial equity framework. H. Assisting departments in developing guidelines for outreach,communication and community engagement to improve the scope and effectiveness of City efforts to ensure that all external communities receive information and have the opportunity to shape city policies and services. I. Approval of department equity plans,policy development includes an equity lens J. Publicly report on city-wide progress on identified equity performance measures. K. Increase community engagement efforts particularly in relation to the City's cultural communities and strengthening support to the City's advisory boards and commissions. 2.28.030 Director - Appointment - Duties The mayor shall appoint a director of the office of equity who is the best-trained and qualified person available therefor,and that person shall be the head of the office of equity.The director shall supervise and oversee the following: A. Oversee the administrative functions of the office of equity. B. Supervise office of equity staff and programs. C. Preparation and implementation of the budget for the department. D. Oversee the development and accountability measures of overarching citywide workplans and strategic plans that are focused on equity and inclusion. E. Formulate,recommend,and widely communicate comprehensive goals,policies,and strategies on matters related to community and workplace equity. F. Assist in the development of citywide training plans, G. Facilitate and support the work of internal employee equity teams. H. Provide technical support,expert guidance,and accountability to other departments in their efforts to develop and implement department level equity plans. I. Serve as a representative of the city on regional issues and regional boards. J. Develop and execute community engagement strategies and campaigns that are intended to provide better access to government services and that foster meaningful long-term relationships within the community. Ordinance 6934 — Exhibit A K. Oversee the preparation and implementation of grants and contracts.