Hearing Affirming Black Lives Matter and Establishing a Safe Community
Published on July 01, 2020
Media Contact:
Kellie Stickney
Communications Program Manager
kstickney@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 979-6562
KIRKLAND, Wash. – The City Council will hold a public hearing on a “Safe, Inclusive and Welcoming” framework and related community issues during their July 7, City Council meeting.
The framework resolution, which was requested by the City Council, is intended to build on all of the City's previous safe, inclusive and welcoming initiatives. The draft Resolution(PDF, 574KB) articulates the initial strategies to become a safe, inclusive and welcoming community with a focus on transparency, accountability, community engagement centered around Black people, and funding.
The Kirkland City Council encourages community members to take advantage of options for remote participation including Zoom, voicemail at: 425-587-3090, and email at: councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov. Voicemail and email comments must be provided by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7. Instructions to participate via Zoom will be provided on the City Council web page prior to the meeting.
Shortly after the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, City leaders and staff called upon the relationships that had been built following the Menchie’s incident that occurred in Kirkland in 2018 to get guidance on how the City could be part of the solution to injustice and structural racism. The City received important feedback that it was critical to first listen and learn, especially from members of the Black community, prior to action.
The framework resolution(PDF, 574KB) that will be discussed by the Council is structured to keep City actions limited and focused so that goals and outcomes may be developed in partnership with Black community members from the Eastside.
The City Council and staff have received outreach from notable Black members from the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition who have formed a new group called the “Right to Breathe Committee,” as well as Black community members, Black youth, other communities of color, religious leaders, neighborhood leaders and interested stakeholders, all of whom desire to be part of creating overdue societal change. Staff may also identify additional non-profits, community-based organizations and expert advisors who can contribute. The framework resolution provides funding and authorization for City staff to develop a comprehensive community engagement plan that may include town halls, further public hearings, social media campaigns, small group discussions, training, mailings, surveys and more.
The dialogue with the Black community, non-profits, community-based organizations, experts and other community members will be used to inform the Council’s budget deliberations in the fall of 2020 as the Council considers specific policies and programs to be funded as part of the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget. The community engagement will also highlight potential legislative actions that could be taken by the Council or the state legislature.
The draft resolution is presented as a starting point for very important, complex and difficult community discussions about police, structural racism, and actions the City can take to be a leader for change on these issues.