CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to services for people experiencing homelessness; authorizing the Mayor to execute an interlocal agreement with King County for the establishment of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
body
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle (“City”) and King County currently fund programs to provide services to homeless individuals and families, but homelessness and housing insecurity remain a chronic and serious problem; and
WHEREAS, the City and King County signed a memorandum of understanding on May 3, 2018, proposing a partnership to more effectively and consistently coordinate their provision of those services, and have received a consultant’s report providing guidance on how such a joint effort could be structured; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are authorized to enter into interlocal cooperation agreements in accordance with chapter 39.34 RCW (“Interlocal Cooperation Act”) to jointly provide services; and
WHEREAS, the City and King County have determined that a cooperative undertaking to coordinate services within an equitable operational framework, centering on people with lived experience of homelessness, will enable and facilitate joint planning, program funding, and establishing standards for and accountability of programs, thereby improving the delivery of services and enhancing outcomes for those receiving such services; and
WHEREAS, the City and King County have committed to assessing the needs and specific recommendations for homelessness solutions through a Regional Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City and King County desire to enter into an interlocal agreement for the purpose of facilitating the formation, administration, and operation of an independent governmental agency to be known as the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (the “Authority”) as provided herein; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Mayor is authorized to execute an Interlocal Agreement for the Establishment of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, substantially in the form of Attachment A to this ordinance (“Interlocal Agreement”), with King County.
Section 2. It is the intent of the City Council that in carrying out the terms of the Interlocal Agreement that the following expectations/intent will be met:
A) Amendments to the Authority’s goals, policies, and plans, or the Authority’s annual budget shall be based upon the affirmative vote of at least eight (8) Governing Committee members;
B) The Authority’s funds and provision of services shall be consistent with evidence-based practices and the Authority’s guiding principles outlined in Article IV, Section 3 of the Interlocal Agreement found in Attachment A;
C) The Authority’s Five-Year Plan and subsequent plans shall be aligned with evidence-based practices and the Authority’s guiding principles outlined in Article IV, Section 3 of the Interlocal Agreement found in Attachment A;
D) Sub-regional plans will form the basis of the development of subsequent Five-Year Plans or successor planning documents, which may be informed by the Regional Action Plan and will align with evidence-based practices and the guiding principles outlined Article IV, Section 3 of the Interlocal Agreement found in Attachment A;
E) Appointing entities for the Implementation Board will strive to appoint members who reflect the racial and ethnic make-up of King County residents. However, overall a majority of such members must credibly represent the perspectives of, and be accountable to, Marginalized Demographic Populations (as defined in the Interlocal Agreement) that are statistically disproportionately represented among people experiencing homelessness in King County;
F) The Authority shall provide an annual performance report to the Seattle City Council and the King County Council; and
G) The Office of the Ombuds shall provide an annual report to the Governing Committee at least once per year, which shall include discussion of any feedback related to the Implementation Board.
Compliance with these expectations will inform the City’s decision regarding the allocation of annual funds to the Authority, provided that nothing in this ordinance or the Interlocal Agreement is intended to impair, limit or affect the City’s budgeting authority or budget process or any legislative discretion related thereto.
Section 3. All funding to the Authority shall be subject to and conditioned upon the City’s annual budget process and authority.
Section 4. The Human Services Department and Seattle Department of Human Resources shall provide for Council approval prior to its execution a plan for transitioning staff positions to the Authority that shall include, at minimum, the following:
A) List and description of positions to be abrogated or otherwise effected and the associated financial impact for the City;
B) List and description of positions created at the Authority and overall staffing plan for the Authority and the anticipated financial impact;
C) Explanation of the effects of transitioning for employees, such as pension plan eligibility, salary, and other benefits;
D) Description of any incentive packages, re-employment supports, and hiring preferences offered to employees to incentivize accepting a position at the Authority, transferring to a different work unit, or retiring;
Section 5. City officials and their agents and representatives are authorized and directed to undertake all action necessary or desirable from time to time to administer, carry out the terms of, and complete the transactions contemplated by, the Interlocal Agreement and this ordinance, including entering into contracts or agreements with the Authority after formation. Section 6. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance taken prior to its effective date is ratified and confirmed.
Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2019.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
____________________________________
Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A - Interlocal Agreement for the Establishment of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority