Race Equity Advisory Committee

Regular Meetings
First Thursday of the month 6-7:30 pm.

Information on Role of Councilmember Liaisons.

Recognition
In order to dismantle systemic and structural racism within our government and community, local leaders must commit to a long term action plan that recognizes the differences between individual, institutional, and structural racism, as well as the history and current reality of inequities for all marginalized groups. Failure to make and follow through with the commitment will jeopardize the development and success of racial equity on Bainbridge Island.

Establishment and Purpose
A. This chapter establishes a standing race equity advisory committee, hereinafter called the “committee,” to provide informed recommendations to the city council on programmatic, community, and legislative options to address and rectify systemic and structural racism and bias within government and law enforcement.

B. Working for racial equity benefits everyone. Deeply radicalized systems are costly and depress outcomes and life chances for all groups. The goal of the committee is not to just eliminate the gap between white people and people of color, but to increase the success for all groups. While strategies to achieve racial equity may target the needs of a particular group, racial equity develops goals and outcomes that will result in improvements for all groups. Systems that are failing communities of color are actually failing all of us.

Membership and Qualifications
A. The committee shall consist of a maximum of nine members who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by a vote of the city council.

B. The committee shall consist of Bainbridge Island residents with experience in or a commitment to ensuring and promoting the committee’s purpose as set forth above.

C. Members shall serve for three-year terms, except that the existing members of the Race Equity Task Force shall assume office and become the initial members of the committee as set forth in Ordinance No. 2020-23, and the positions on the committee shall be staggered as follows: (1) the terms of Positions 1, 2, and 3 shall expire on June 30, 2023; (2) the terms of Positions 4, 5, and 6 shall expire on June 30, 2022; and (3) the terms of existing Position 7, as well as new Positions 8 and 9, shall expire on June 30, 2024. Following the initial terms for the nine positions, the terms shall commence on July 1 and end on June 30 three years later, based on the staggering as above described.

D. Upon expiration of their term, a member may be reappointed to the committee for a new term; provided that no member may serve more than three consecutive terms unless the city council determines either that their special expertise is required or there are no other qualified applicants. Upon expiration of their term, members shall continue to hold office until their successor has been deemed qualified and been appointed.

E. Members shall not be employees or officers of the city. Members shall not be appointed to another city advisory group, except for specialized advisory groups of limited duration.

F.  Members shall serve without compensation.

G.  Members shall sign a conflict of interest statement in accordance with the city’s code of conduct and ethics program upon appointment and any reappointment.

Vacancies – Removal
In the event of a vacancy, the mayor, subject to confirmation of the city council, shall make an appointment to fill the unexpired portion of the term of the vacated position in accordance with the city’s appointment cycle. The removal and resignation of members shall be governed by Chapter 2.01 BIMC.

Duties and Responsibilities
A. The Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. As directed by the city council, serve as a technical and planning advisory committee to the city council on issues related to racism and race-related bias.

2.  As directed by the city council, assist the city in implementing racial equity-related goals and policies as expeditiously as committee and city resources allow.

3. As directed by the city council, provide advice or recommendations to the city council, as appropriate, on methods of completing a baseline city government and police department equity assessment of policies, staffing, contracting, and decision-making.

4. As directed by the city council, assist with or manage the completion of a baseline city government and police department equity assessment of policies and procedures.

5. Recommend to the city council a racial equity action plan and implementation strategy.

6. Provide advice or recommendations to the city council, as appropriate, on how to measure progress toward implementing the city’s racial equity action plan.

7. As directed by the city council, assist the city with participation in regional racial equity efforts.

8. Provide education and outreach to the public regarding racial equity and the work of the committee and the city relating to racial equity.

B. Annually provide a report to the city council on committee work completed within the last year and obtain the city council’s approval of a work plan for work to be performed by the committee in the following year.

Meetings, Officers, Records, and Quorum
A.  All meetings of the committee shall be open to the public and held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW. The committee shall establish a regular meeting schedule and announce the specific day and time each month that the committee will conduct its regular meeting(s). The committee may schedule special meetings as necessary to conduct the business of the committee.

B. A majority of the members then serving on the committee shall constitute a quorum.

C. The committee shall annually in July elect from among its members either a chair or one or more co-chairs. The committee shall also annually in July elect from among its members a secretary. Once elected, the chair or co-chairs and the secretary shall each serve a one-year term. Demotion of a chairperson or the secretary shall be governed by Chapter 2.01 BIMC.

D. For meetings consisting of a majority of the then serving members of the committee, the committee shall provide public notice of the meeting and shall keep a record of its meeting minutes. Minutes of each meeting, including a record of attendance, shall be prepared by the secretary and approved and signed at a subsequent meeting. The minutes do not need to reflect the actual discussion, but only the formal actions taken by the committee. The approved meeting minutes shall be posted on the city’s website.

E. The city shall provide city email accounts to committee members and related training on the use of email accounts, including personal computer privacy expectations, while serving on the committee.