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A MOTION requesting the executive establish an equitable development initiative and prepare an implementation plan.

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                     WHEREAS, King County is committed to creating a racially and socially just county for all residents, and

                     WHEREAS, historic structural racism and disenfranchisement have suppressed access for marginalized populations, including communities of color, to economic, health and environmental opportunities to reach their full potential and thrive, and

                     WHEREAS, laws and policies at every level of government, such as alien land laws passed in Washington state between 1886 and 1923 and racially restrictive covenants, were racially discriminatory and prevented Black, indigenous and people of color ("BIPOC") populations from attaining homeownership and achieving generational wealth, and

                     WHEREAS, there are persistent inequities by race, ethnicity and place for many communities that hinder access to early childhood development, quality education, parks and open space, community spaces, culturally relevant businesses, affordable housing, healthcare and human services, and

                     WHEREAS, the double-digit increase in housing prices in King County year-over-year and the loss of 112,000 units of housing affordable to those making 80 percent area median income or less since 2012 has led to increasing unaffordability and ultimately displacement of low-income families and communities of color, and

                     WHEREAS, equitable development refers to public and private investments, programs and policies in geographic areas that take into account past history and current conditions to meet the needs of marginalized populations and to reduce disparities so that quality of life outcomes are equitably distributed for both existing residents and new residents to create strong communities, and

                     WHEREAS, inequities in community investment perpetuate disparate outcomes and displacement for historically marginalized populations including BIPOC, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ and persons with disabilities, and

                     WHEREAS, the council seeks to directly address negative impacts caused by historical structural racism, disenfranchisement and inequities in community investment, and

                     WHEREAS, the council unanimously adopted Ordinance 16948, which is also referred to as the Equity and Social Justice Ordinance, in 2010, reaffirming a shared vision in which all King County residents have equitable opportunity to thrive, defining equity for the county and identifying determinants of equity and priorities for government in advancing equity, and

                     WHEREAS, the 2016-2022 King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan establishes a blueprint for action and change aimed at expanding access to opportunities in eight areas, including: child and youth development; economic development and jobs; environment and climate; health and human services; housing; information and technology; the justice system; and transportation and mobility, and

                     WHEREAS, dedicated place-based funding to advance these eight opportunity areas, along with community partnerships, is critical to advance and implement racial and social equity in King County, and

                     WHEREAS, an equitable development initiative provides investment, programs and policies that take into account past policy decisions, historic inequities and current conditions that will improve access to opportunities to the most affected communities and allocate resources to communities at risk from displacement, and

                     WHEREAS, an equitable development initiative includes investment and resource allocation to identified communities to advance economic mobility and opportunity, prevent residential, economic and cultural displacement, build upon local cultural assets, promote transportation mobility and connectivity, create healthy and safe communities, and enable equitable access for all communities;

                     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:

                     A.1.  The council requests that the executive establish an equitable development initiative.

                       2. Planning and creation of the initiative shall be completed in partnership with a planning workgroup comprised of community membership emphasizing Black, indigenous and people of color leadership and broad geographic representation, who are appointed by the executive in consultation with the council using an open application process.  Consideration should be given to individuals with lived experience or expertise relevant to the initiative.  Appointees shall be compensated for their participation.

                       3.  The initiative shall be countywide in scope.  The planning workgroup is requested to make recommendations to the executive and council regarding how to prioritize the initiative's work in unincorporated area communities, particularly historically marginalized communities, consistent with King County's responsibility as the unincorporated local government.

                       4.  The initiative should be guided by a framework with the following principles:

                         a.  advances economic mobility and opportunity for residents;

                         b.  prevents residential, commercial and cultural displacement;

                         c.  builds upon and protects local cultural assets that anchor communities;

                         d.  supports organizational capacity building;

                         e.  promotes transportation mobility and connectivity; and

                         f.  enables equitable access for all communities.

                     B.  Any new focus or framework principles adopted by this motion shall not apply to the Best Starts Capital Grants Program. The workgroup and executive are requested to recommend how the initiative, if adopted and implemented, would inform and collaborate with the Best Starts Capital Grant Program, consistent with the previously adopted grant criteria in the Best Starts for Kids implementation plan.

                     C.  The council requests that the executive transmit phase 1 of an equitable development initiative implementation plan created with the planning workgroup identified in section A. of this motion.  Phase 1 of the plan should include, but is not limited to, the following:

                        1.  A framework that is consistent with equitable community-driven development principles identified in section A. of this motion;

                       2.  Recommendations and next steps for county and community structure, capacity and related resources necessary to support an equitable development initiative, informed by similar programs.

                     D.  The council further requests that the executive transmit phase 2 of the equitable development initiative implementation plan created in partnership with the planning workgroup identified in section A. of this motion. Phase 2 of the plan should:

                       1.  Include objectives and strategies for reducing economic and racial disparities, by preventing residential, economic and cultural displacement and creating and preserving community stability;

                       2.  Incorporate data of current and predicted future displacement risk and related metrics that should be used to determine programs and policies;

                       3.  Include metrics for monitoring and evaluating equitable outcomes;

                       4.  Describe potential partnerships with community-based organizations, regional partners and other jurisdictions to establish the initiative program funding and policies countywide;

                       5.  Identify potential funding options for the initiative;

                       6.  Propose strategies to coordinate across county agencies and programs to advance initiative objectives;

                       7.  Identify a process for community outreach and collaboration with community-based organizations and other jurisdictions, with a particular focus on communities experiencing or at risk of displacement;

                       8.  Describe how the process will use the "community directs action" level of engagement as outlined in the office of equity and social justice's community engagement guide;

                       9.  Propose next steps, including a timeline, that would be needed to implement the initiative, including legislation; and

                       10.  Include a recommendation the duties and responsibilities of a permanent advisory board to implement the initiative. The permanent advisory board should be comprised of four representatives selected by the executive and one representative selected by each councilmember, and appointments should emphasize Black, indigenous and people of color and those most impacted by displacement pressures.  The board shall be compensated for their participation.

                     E.  The executive should electronically file phase 1 of the plan, no later than August 31, 2022, with the clerk of the council, who shall retain an electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff and the lead staff for the mobility and environment committee, or its successor.

                     F.  The executive should electronically file phase 2 of the plan, as well as any necessary legislation to establish the equitable development initiative, no later than June 30, 2023, with the clerk of the council, who shall retain an electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff and the lead staff for the

mobility and environment committee, or its successor.  The plan should be accompanied by a proposed motion that should accept the plan.