CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to City public works and the priority hire program; modifying the methodology for determining which zip codes are Economically Distressed Areas; authorizing the creation of a regional Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee; and amending Sections 20.37.010 and 20.37.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, in January 2015, following the positive results of a pilot program on the Elliott Bay Seawall project, and after making legislative findings, the Seattle City Council, with concurrence from the Mayor, enacted Chapter 20.37 of the Seattle Municipal Code, titled Priority Hire; and
WHEREAS, Priority Hire requires the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to establish the percentage of labor hours on City public works projects of $5 million or more to be performed by workers living in Economically Distressed Areas of Seattle and King County, and to establish aspirational goals for hiring of women and people of color; and
WHEREAS, analysis has shown that Priority Hire has improved access to training programs and well-paying construction jobs for local workers in economically distressed neighborhoods and has increased the diversity of the workforce on City construction projects that are covered by Chapter 20.37; and
WHEREAS, the Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee was established to provide an advisory role regarding the Priority Hire program’s effectiveness and implementation, which may include making recommendations that reflect the region’s evolving urban development and economic equity needs; and
WHEREAS, Priority Hire aims to reach people who live in Economically Distressed Areas that have high poverty, high unemployment and low educational attainment, and the Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee recognizes that these areas need to be updated to account for the region’s changing demographics and gentrification; and
WHEREAS, the Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee may benefit from a regional approach that increases alignment with similar programs, addresses regional needs, supports a regional workforce, and streamlines the process for collecting input on topics of interest; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 20.37.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125368, is amended as follows:
20.37.010 Definitions
When used in this Chapter 20.37, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given below unless the context in which they are included clearly indicates otherwise:
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“Economically Distressed Area" means a geographic area defined by zip code and found by the Director to have a high concentration, compared to other zip codes, of individuals: 1) living ((at or)) below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, 2) unemployed, and or 3) without a college degree((, compared to other zip codes)). King County zip codes, with a high ((density per acre)) concentration of at least two out of the three criteria, will be identified as Economically Distressed Areas. There shall be two classes of such zip codes: tier one zip codes located partially or entirely within the City of Seattle and tier two zip codes located within King County and outside of the City of Seattle.
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Section 2. Section 20.37.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125368, is amended as follows:
20.37.040 Priority Hire
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J. The Director shall establish a Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee that includes representatives of the following groups: 1) Labor Unions, 2) community organizations, 3) Contractors, including at least one WMBE firm, and 4) Apprentice and Pre-apprentice Training Programs. The Committee shall provide an advisory role to the City regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the Priority Hire policy. Each of the four named groups above shall make nominations from among themselves for Committee representatives to the Mayor. The Mayor shall appoint no less than two and no more than four persons from each group to the Committee. The Department will convene the Committee on a regular basis, at least once every quarter, and will provide the Committee with information about program performance. The Director shall assign at least one staff member from the Department to support the work of the Committee. The Committee shall submit an annual report in writing to the Mayor and City Council, and may submit recommendations, findings, or other reports to the Director, Mayor, or City Council, for consideration as appropriate. The Committee shall establish rules for its procedures.
K. As an alternative to the Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee, the Director may establish a regional priority hire committee in partnership with other regional public agencies, provided that the regional committee continues to have representatives from each of the groups named in subsection 20.37.040.J. If the Director establishes a regional committee, the Mayor shall appoint the City’s share of representatives to the regional committee. Once a regional committee’s positions are filled, the Director may, at the Director’s discretion, dissolve the Priority Hire Implementation and Advisory Committee.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Sections 1.04.020 and 1.04.070.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2024, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2024.
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President ____________ of the City Council
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Approved / |
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returned unsigned / |
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vetoed this _____ day of _________________, 2024. |
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2024.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)
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