HomeMy WebLinkAbout2051RESOLUTION NO. 2051
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the
City of Kent, Washington: (i) reaffirming its
commitment to be a safe, welcoming, and equitable
community for all, (ii) denouncing hatred,
intolerance, and discrimination; and (iii)
encouraging community members to report
discrimination and hate -based crimes.
RECITALS
A. The Kent community is majority Black, Indigenous and People of
Color, and is the seventh most diverse community in the nation with more
than 130 languages spoken in our local schools. The City welcomes and
provides services to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, country of
origin, socioeconomic status, age, sexual orientation, gender identification,
disability, religion, veteran status, and any other protected status.
B. In alignment with the City's mission to build a "safe, thriving,
sustainable, and inclusive community," the City desires to promote
inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, support all fellow community members,
and reject hate and bias in all forms. The perspectives of a diverse and
culturally rich community can inspire creativity and drive innovation and
business while sowing peace and understanding of each other.
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C. On October 8, 2020, the Mayor issued a directive outlining specific
actions for all City departments and employees to take to advance race and
equity issues in Kent. Since issuance of that directive, the City has made
significant strides towards these goals.
D. The City Council celebrates the diversity in both the Kent community
and its workforce, and through additional funds budgeted during the 2023-
2024 biennium, continues to encourage those efforts by, among other
things: the City's Race and Equity Manager working closely with the City's
diverse community to develop the City Council's Equity Strategic Plan;
funding the City's Police Department Data Collection System and Business
Intelligence Coordinator; investing federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
grant funds in human services targeting our diverse communities; funding,
through ARPA, small business loans to women and minority -owned
businesses; sponsoring and developing an equity and inclusion speaker
series open to both staff and community members; funding translation of
important City documents into the top five languages spoken by Kent
community members; and funding an expansion of a technical assistance
network comprised of culturally competent business navigators and
translator services that are currently located in South King County.
E. The City Council and the Mayor are committed to continuing the City's
equity and inclusion work and reaching out to and connecting with its
community members to ensure that its programs and services are
accessible and open to all individuals.
F. As public officials, it is the City Council's duty to use its authority to
foster a community free of fear, intimidation, and violence. Moreover, while
free speech is protected under the First Amendment, the City Council can
speak out against hate speech as contrary to its community's values.
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NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
RESOLUTION
SECTION 1. - Collective Statement Denouncing Hate, Bigotry, and
Bias. The City Council of the City of Kent does here proclaim that hate,
bigotry, and bias are not welcome in the City of Kent. The Council rejects all
bias, harassment, discrimination, violence, and hate crimes based on race,
ethnicity, place of origin or ancestry, physical ability, socio-economic status,
gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or religion. The City Council is
committed to promoting an inclusive community and urges those in our
community to work together. Being a culturally rich City, the City Council
does not tolerate, and hereby condemns, groups and individuals who
promote hate, bigotry, violence, and intolerance.
SECTION 2. - Report Discrimination and Hate Crimes. The City
Council encourages community members who observe or experience
incidents of discrimination or harassment to report the incidents to the
Washington State Human Rights Commission. The City Council further
encourages the public to report hate -based crimes to the Kent Police
Department by calling 911 for emergencies or 253-852-2121 for non -
emergencies.
SECTION 3. - Severability. If any one or more section, subsection,
or sentence of this resolution is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this
resolution 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
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resolution, including the correction of clerical errors; resolution, section, or
subsection numbering; or references to other local, state, or federal laws,
codes, rules, or regulations.
SECTIONS. - Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect and be
in force immediately upon its passage.
November 15, 2022
DANA RALPH, MA R Date Approved
ATTEST:
1 November 15, 2022
KIMBERLEY KOMOTO, CITY CLERK Date Adopted
A VED AS TO FORM:
A 14Y WHITE, CITY ATTORNEY
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