Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
10d
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
March 28, 2023
DATE : March 10, 2023
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Bookda Gheisar; Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Tyler Emsky, Vy Nguyen; Strategic Advisor, Commission Office
SUBJECT: Resolution No.3812-Introduction of the Equity Policy Directive
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Introduction of Resolution No. 3812: a resolution of the Port of Seattle Commission
establishing an Equity Policy Directive to guide the integration of equity, diversity, inclusion, and
belonging into the Port’s practices and policies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Equity Policy Directive was drafted in close coordination between the Commission Office and
the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) with consultation of members of the Executive
Leadership Team, Port staff, and community-based external stakeholders.
The Directive seeks to codify work launched by OEDI as a result of prior Port Commission action:
Motion 2020-19 and Order 2018-06. Through proposed changes in policy and protocol and
program evaluation for this body of work, the Directive takes Port values of equity, inclusion, and
belonging into concrete action steps and a clear mandate for all Port employees to advance our
Century Agenda equity goals and vision while shifting the Port to becoming an inclusive employer
where every employee is valued.
JUSTIFICATION
As the first port to establish an Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the Port of Seattle has
accomplished much in the four short years since the creation of OEDI. This Directive was called
for in Order 2018-06, and its development was further bolstered by Motion 2020-19. This
Directive would ensure that the equity infrastructure and practices developed specifically for the
Port of Seattle continue to be a Portwide priority, with the appropriate staffing and resources,
regardless of who holds positions of leadership at the Port in the future.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10d Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: March 28, 2023
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
DETAILS
The Directive makes the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (with the Director of OEDI
serving on the Executive Leadership Team) and the inter-departmental Change Team permanent
parts of the organization.
Operational elements proposed in the Directive include annual equity goal setting and reporting
requirements, utilization of Port-developed equity tools such as the Equitable Budgeting Tool to
the greatest extent possible in planning and operationalization of Port work, and clarification of
OEDI’s role in supporting employee growth, advancement, and knowledge of equity practices
and/or issues across the Port.
External-facing parts of the Directive include: a commitment to expand our portfolio of
community-based programs such as the Duwamish Valley Community Equity Program, engage
community advisors as needed, and to work to reduce barriers to participation by community
leaders in Port outreach.
Finally, this Directive launches two initiatives for the Port: 1) development of an environmental
justice framework and/or principles to guide future Port operations and projects; and 2) an
internal workgroup to examine and define “equity-related resources” for future budget planning
and proposals.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
To the extent the Equity Policy Directive has financial implications, these will be identified and
evaluated annually as part of the regular budget planning process.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Draft Resolution No. 3812
(2) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
October 13, 2020 – The Commission approved Motion 2020-19
May 8, 2018 – The Commission approved Order 2018-06
