The Equity and Social Justice Commission (“Commission”) is hereby established to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council for the City of Tukwila. The objectives of the Commission shall be:
1. 
To promote understanding that accepts, celebrates, and appreciates diversity within the community.
2. 
To serve as a resource for the community by providing information and educational forums that will facilitate a better understanding and awareness of social justice and human rights.
3. 
To provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding opportunities to increase equity and social justice awareness and promote social justice programs.
(Ord. 2530 § 4, 2017)
A. 
Qualifications.
Members must meet at least one of the following requirements:
1. 
Be a resident of the City of Tukwila;
2. 
Own or work at a business, non-profit, or faith-based organization operating within the city limits of the City of Tukwila; or
3. 
Work in the education field in the City of Tukwila.
B. 
Number of Members.
The Commission shall be comprised of nine members. To the extent possible, membership shall be representative of the diversity of the community and should include:
1. 
Two City employees (Positions 4 and 7). If the City is unable to fill one of its two employee positions, a community member may fill one City employee position.
2. 
Four community members that meet the resident, business, non-profit, or faith-based criteria as stated in TMC Section 2.29.020.A (Positions 1, 3, 6, and 9).
3. 
Three members representing the education field in Tukwila (Positions 2, 5 and 8). If needed, a community member may fill one education field position.
C. 
Appointment Process.
Community members that meet the requirements stated in TMC Section 2.29.020.A shall submit a completed Boards and Commissions Application to the Mayor’s Office. The Mayor’s Office will forward the application to the Commission Staff Liaison for review. The Mayor recommends appointments of applicants to the City Council and all appointments are confirmed by the City Council.
D. 
Term of Appointment.
The term of appointment for the members of the Equity and Social Justice Commission shall be two years provided, however, that in order for the fewest terms to expire in any one year all current terms of existing appointed Commission members shall expire on March 31 of the year set forth below for each respective position number:
Term for Positions 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 shall expire March 31, 2024
Term for Positions 4, 5, 6 and 9 shall expire March 31, 2025
After the expiration of the current terms for the existing Commission positions listed above, each term thereafter shall be for a period of two years.
E. 
Student Representation.
In addition to the appointed positions, the Commission shall seek to recruit one student representative to participate on the Commission. The student representative shall be a high school student who resides in the City of Tukwila. The term of this position will be a minimum of one year and may not exceed four years or when the student graduates from high school, whichever comes first.
F. 
Resignations.
If a Commission member is unable to complete their term of service, a letter of resignation shall be sent to the Mayor indicating the effective date of the resignation.
G. 
Vacancies.
Any appointment to a position vacated other than by the expiration of the term of the appointment shall be to fill only the unexpired portion of said term.
H. 
Revocation of Appointment.
A Commission member may be removed from the position if absent without being excused for three consecutive meetings or six meetings in a calendar year.
(Ord. 2530 § 5, 2017; Ord. 2711 § 1, 2023; Ord. No. 2779, 12/15/2025)
Members of the Commission shall meet and organize by electing from the members of the Commission a Chair and a Vice-Chair to serve for one year. The Vice-chair shall promote to the Chair the following year and a new Vice-Chair shall be elected by the members. It shall be the duty of the Chair to preside at all meetings. The Vice-chair shall perform this duty in the absence of the Chair. If neither the Chair nor the Vice-Chair is present, a member chosen by agreement of the attending members shall act as Chair.
(Ord. 2530 § 6, 2017)
A. 
Conduct.
The Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting per quarter. Commission meetings shall be conducted in public session and noticed in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
B. 
By-Laws.
The Commission shall adopt bylaws to provide guidelines for the conduct of business.
C. 
Quorum.
A majority of the seated members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
D. 
Staff Assistance.
The City shall provide assigned staff to support the Commission. The primary role of staff is to represent the City and facilitate communication between the Commission, City Administration, the City Council and other City departments. Staff responsibilities include:
1. 
Ensuring that meeting notifications and recordkeeping are consistent with applicable state laws;
2. 
Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, such as the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Public Records Act (PRA);
3. 
Providing professional guidance, issue analysis and recommendations;
4. 
Assisting with research, report preparation and correspondence; and
5. 
Compiling agendas, maintaining minutes, forwarding recommendations and/or implementing actions.
(Ord. 2530 § 7, 2017)
A. 
Reporting Requirements.
The Commission shall keep the City of Tukwila apprised of its activities and recommendations by submitting an annual written report by January 31 each year summarizing the activities for the previous year.
B. 
Biennial Review.
The City Council shall review the ongoing relevance of all Boards and Commissions in conjunction with review of requested funding allocations during the biennial budget process.
(Ord. 2530 § 8, 2017)
A. 
Establishment.
The Tukwila Sister Cities and Civic Awareness Committee is hereby established as a sub-committee of the Equity and Social Justice Commission. It shall be made up of members of the Equity and Social Justice Commission chosen by the Commission Chair and shall operate under the procedures set forth for the Equity and Social Justice Commission.
B. 
Purpose.
The purpose of the Sister Cities and Civic Awareness Committee shall be to advise the Mayor and City Council on how to best promote understanding and goodwill between the Tukwila community and the peoples of other nations through collaboration, communication and programs, and by connecting youth and residents with civic organizations for education and awareness.
C. 
Responsibilities.
The Committee shall be responsible for the planning, development and coordination of programs that enhance goodwill and understanding between the residents of the Tukwila community and peoples of other nations and promote civic awareness.
(Ord. 2530 § 9, 2017)