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OSMP presents department equity action plan to trustees; staff to finalize after city feedback
Summary
Staff presented an internal OSMP Equity Action Plan developed with broad staff participation; the plan sets three‑year priorities, logic models and metrics to align OSMP work with the citywide equity framework. Trustees asked for baselines, procurement definitions and links to budget priorities.
OSMP staff briefed trustees on a department Equity Action Plan intended as an operational internal roadmap to guide equity‑focused work over the next three years and to align with the citywide Equity and Belonging framework.
Plan development and purpose: Deputy Director Lauren Kilcoyne said the plan was developed over several years with about 145 staff contributing to drafting and prioritization. Staff emphasized the plan is primarily an internal, operational document (not an external public plan) to help prioritize actions during annual work planning and capital budgeting. The department intends to use logic models (inputs → outputs → short/medium/long outcomes) and measurable indicators to track progress and to share lessons learned with other city departments.
Key themes and actions: the plan organizes activities under four themes: (1) externally facing service delivery and climate‑smart asset management; (2) accessible, authentic community engagement including tribal and indigenous partnerships; (3) hiring, retention and procurement designed to lower barriers for underserved or small local vendors; and (4) trainings, tools and internal practices to support staff capability and measurement. Staff said the plan is not a policy that autonomously changes fees or procurement rules; rather it is a framework for prioritization and for identifying incremental cost estimates that can be included in budget requests.
Trustee questions and staff responses: trustees asked for baseline numbers and specific targets. Kilcoyne said many measures exist (for example, pre‑ and post‑surveys for education programs and vendor spend reports) and that staff will share baseline data with trustees; some pilot projects will generate new metrics. Trustees also asked how OSMP definitions of “underserved” vendors align with city procurement categories; staff said they are coordinating with the City Manager’s Office and a new citywide definition and revised categories are expected as the city updates its guidance. Trustees urged transparent reporting of costs and outcomes and suggested using pilot findings to shape budget requests and council recommendations.
Why this matters: staff framed the plan as a way to make long‑standing OSMP equity efforts more intentional, measurable and replicable across the city. Trustees praised staff for piloting and documenting actions and for training staff across the department. Staff said they will present the final draft to the City Manager’s Office for comment, incorporate feedback and return the plan to the board before final adoption.
Ending: staff asked trustees for any final suggestions and said they will share the full baseline data report and updated procurement definitions once city guidance is finalized.
