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Mountlake Terrace seeks public comment on DEI plan "Together We Thrive"; staff outline action items and timeline
Summary
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission and staff presented 'Together We Thrive,' a DEI strategic plan that compiles community outreach, demographic analysis and internal assessments. The plan proposes actions across internal operations, community access and anti-racism work and opens a public comment period through Oct. 3; the commission
City staff and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission presented Together We Thrive, a recommended strategic plan to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Mountlake Terrace, and opened a public comment period that runs through Oct. 3. Deputy city manager Carolyn Hope and commission members outlined demographic trends, outreach results and a detailed action plan covering internal operations, community access and anti-racism efforts.
The plan matters because it provides a single, council-directed framework to guide city operations and community outreach as the city's population grows and diversifies.
The commission and consulting teams compiled census and community-engagement data showing demographic change since 1990: an aging population (those 65 and older increased more than 50 percent since 2010), growth in foreign-born residents (+61 percent since 1990), and increases in Hispanic and Asian populations. The plan notes that roughly 24 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home and about 6 percent report limited English proficiency.
The consultants and commissioners summarized internal findings from staff interviews and training: staff want more DEI training and consistent application of policies; some respondents reported experiencing discrimination or microaggressions; and staff requested clearer leadership and accountability. Community conversations and targeted listening sessions yielded themes that Mountlake Terrace is generally seen as safe and welcoming but that barriers exist'accessibility for people with disabilities, limited participation from some demographic groups, language access and the need for affordable housing.
The action plan groups recommended actions into internal operations (personnel policy updates, succession planning, supplier diversity), community access (translated materials, childcare at public meetings, expanded outreach, gender-neutral restrooms and bilingual customer-service staff), and community programs (co-created cultural events, expanded recreation programming, supports for unhoused residents). The plan also includes anti-racism recommendations such as bias awareness, trauma-informed practices and safe spaces for targeted groups.
Hope said there is currently no request for additional funding; some work can be carried out with existing resources while other items may require budget proposals in future cycles. The commission will collect public comments through Oct. 3, revise the plan to reflect major themes from those comments, and aims to bring a recommendation to council by the Nov. 6 meeting.
Commission chair and vice-chair joined staff to emphasize outreach to underrepresented groups and to note the plan is intended to be actionable and measurable. Commissioner Benita Francisco summarized the plan's working definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion used to frame the action items.
Ending: The plan is posted on the city website and in translation for Spanish speakers; the commission invited residents and community groups to submit comments through Oct. 3. Staff said they will return a final plan with recommended timelines and any resource requests to council for consideration in the next budget cycle.
