Item Number:   8a_attach_3 
Meeting Date:   February 11, 2020 
1                                           RESOLUTION 3770 EXHIBIT C 
2                                        PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
3                                 EQUITY STANDING COMMITTEE CHARTER 
4 
5                                             Proposed February 11, 2020 
6 
7     I.   INTRODUCTION 
8 
9         A.  The Equity Committee, herein referred to as "the committee," is a standing committee
10    created by the Port of Seattle Commission. The committee will provide information, advice, and
11    recommendations about the port's equity, workforce development, and career connected
12    learning programs and policies, and diversity in contracting goals. 
13 
14        B.  The Port of Seattle is committed to joining regional and national efforts to achieve equity
15    and justice for all and recognizes our essential role in building a socially just institution by
16    dismantling the structural barriers that have prevented the full participation of our most
17    marginalized communities, particularly communities of color. To achieve equitable outcomes for
18    all we will lead with a racial equity lens, instituting policies and practices that address the
19    systemic inequity of economic opportunities, working conditions, impacts on local communities,
20    and participation in port affairs. 
21 
22        C.  This charter defines the mission, composition, scope, authority, responsibility, and
23    meeting structure of this committee. 
24 
25    I.   COMPOSITION 
26 
27    The committee will consist of two Port of Seattle commissioners appointed by the commission
28    president, after consultation with the commission, at the beginning of each calendar year in
29    which the committee is active. 
30 
31    II.  SCOPE OF WORK 
32 
33    The work of the Equity Standing Committee shall include the following areas and associated
34    activities: 
35 
36        A.  Equity: 
37 
38            1.  Review and provide recommendations to the Commission on the development and
39                implementation of the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Policy Directive and the
40                South King County Fund. 
41 
42            2.  Review and monitor internal and external equity programs, policies, systems and
43                practices including but not limited to workforce development policy, community

Equity Standing Committee Charter                                                       Page 1 of 4

44                partnerships with an emphasis on environmental, racial, and economic justice, and 
45                effective  channels  of  communication  with  port  leaders  in  all  port  impacted
46                communities. 
47 
48        D.  Workforce  Development:  Review  and  provide  policy  recommendations  to  the
49    commission to develop port workforce development programs that support equitable access to 
50    port related jobs and opportunities. 
51 
52        E.  Career Connected Learning: Review and provide recommendations to the commission to
53    guide the port's career connected learning strategies. The strategies are intended to ensure that
54    those participating in workforce development programs have access to real-world learning
55    experiences in port-related industries and that connect students to meaningful and well-paying 
56    jobs at the Port of Seattle. 
57 
58        F.  Diversity in Contracting: Monitor the implementation of the Diversity in Contracting
59    policy. Review and recommend to the commission policies that provide economic development
60    opportunities to women- and minority-owned business enterprises based on equity principles. 
61 
62        G.  Communicate the port's approved legislative agenda to the public as it relates to the
63    scope of work for the committee. 
64 
65        H.  Review and recommend to the Port of Seattle Commission updates to the Century Agenda
66    and policies to support the work of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. 
67 
68    II.  AUTHORITY 
69 
70        A.  In pursuit of its mission and scope, the committee is not legally authorized to act on behalf
71    of the Port of Seattle Commission, but is authorized to conduct the following activities: 
72 
73        B. Gather information, consider matters within the committee's scope of work, and provide
74    information, advice, and recommendations to the Port of Seattle Commission. 
75 
76        C.  Communicate the priorities of the Port of Seattle Commission. 
77 
78        D.  Engage in outreach efforts with community leaders and stakeholders and activities to
79    gather information to provide to the Port of Seattle Commission. 
80 
81        E.  If the committee determines that to meet its responsibilities it needs the independent
82    services of an outside advisor or consultant with equity, workforce development, or career
83    connected learning expertise, it may propose the retention of such advisor or consultant to the
84    commission for approval. 
85 

Equity Standing Committee Charter                                                       Page 2 of 4

86    III. DURATION 
87 
88    The Equity Committee is a standing committee with broad purview over matters related to equity
89    and will continue indefinitely until the commission repeals its charter. 
90 
91    IV. RESPONSIBILITIES 
92 
93        A.  The role of the committee chair(s) shall be to: 
94 
95            1.  Preside at meetings and serve as committee sponsor(s); 
96 
97            2.  Ensure that the committee addresses the purposes described in this charter; and 
98 
99            3.  Set committee meeting agendas. 
100 
101        B.  The Commission Policy Manager is the committee liaison, and commission specialists will
102    support the work of the committee as assigned. The role of the committee liaison shall be to: 
103 
104            1.  Regularly update the commission on the work of the committee in memos, individual
105                briefings, and public session;
106 
107            2.  Support the work of the committee; 
108 
109            3.  Help develop, manage, and distribute meeting materials; 
110 
111            4.  Provide logistical support including procuring meeting rooms, scheduling, creating 
112                meeting records, and providing technical assistance; and 
113 
114            5.  Coordinate with the primary executive staff contact to keep the Executive Director
115                informed about committee progress. 
116 
117        C.  The Port of Seattle Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion or delegate will
118    support the committee as the primary executive staff contact. The role of the executive staff
119    contact shall be to: 
120 
121            1.  Inform the Executive Director about committee progress; 
122 
123            2.  Support the committee with timely and responsive information; 
124 
125            3.  Coordinate with other executive staff in support of the committee's work; and 
126 
127            4.  Serve as a resource for committee deliberation. 
128 

Equity Standing Committee Charter                                                       Page 3 of 4

129    V.  MEETINGS 
130 
131        A.  The committee will meet at least quarterly and will report to the commission in public
132    session to provide transparency as to progress made in executing its charter. 
133 
134        B.  A quorum of the committee is required to conduct official committee business. A quorum
135    is defined as the presence of both commissioners assigned to the committee. 
136 
137        C.  Meetings of the Equity Committee shall be open to the public when required by applicable
138    law or the bylaws of the Port of Seattle Commission. 
139 
140        D.  Agendas will be prepared and made available to committee members in advance of
141    meetings. 
142 
143        E.  Agendas for updates to the commission to be presented in public session will be published 
144    as part of regular or special commission meeting notices. 
145 
146        F.  Minutes will be prepared and retained for all meetings of the committee. 
147 
148        G.  Records of committee meetings, including any meeting minutes, shall be provided to the
149    commission clerk for appropriate retention in accordance with applicable law and best practices. 











Equity Standing Committee Charter                                                       Page 4 of 4