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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-04 DEIA Commission Minutes Meeting Summary DEIA Commission September 4, 2024 Page 1 CITY OF EDMONDS EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION September 4, 2024 Meeting conducted via Zoom and in-person at the Brackett Meeting Room COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Elaine Helm, Co-Chair Jessie Owen, Co-Chair Dipti Chrastka Umrah Thomas Rowan Soiset Pam Iverson Patty Narváez-Wheeler Councilmember Chris Eck, ex-officio – via Zoom Sofia Marie Castillo, Student Representative COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Rebecca Perrault unexcused GUESTS PRESENT Mayor Rosen Barry Crance Brian Potter David Schaefer Lori Kunze STAFF PRESENT Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator STAFF ABSENT Todd Tatum, Director 6:01 P.M. – Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water." - City Council Land Acknowledgment 1. Roll Call and Absences: Sofia Marie read the land acknowledgment. Rebecca’s absence is unexcused. 2. Approval of Agenda: Umrah moves to approve the agenda; Pam seconds; approval by consensus. 3. Approval of August 7, 2024, Summary: Megan recommends updating the date on Item 3. to June. With that amendment, Pam moves to approve the summary; Rowan seconds; approval by consensus, with the exception of Dipti & Elaine abstaining due to absences at the August meeting. 4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker): None. 5. Update from the City: Megan, Councilmember Eck: Working through Megan mentions that staff is working on budget. The Holiday Market planning is in full swing. Councilmember Eck shares that Council has been on a two-week break. There is a Comp Plan meeting next week. Feedback from Commission has helped accessibility at community events. Meeting Summary DEIA Commission September 4, 2024 Page 2 6. New Business: a. Mayor Rosen Discussion: Community Support – what & how: Mayor Rosen has asked Barry, Brian & David to come participate in the conversation with the Commission. The discussion will not yield a conclusion tonight, there is a hope to convene members of the Commission with the folks he’s pulled together to develop framework to recommend to Council. FIRST QUESTION: Is this the job of government? To recognize the observation months, holidays, etc. Brian highlights that Edmonds, as a community, has moved away from providing minimal government services. He could argue that none of this is the responsibility of government. Over the course of 3 Mayor terms, the City has elevated the community’s experience within Edmonds. Rowan points out that looking at DEI work to not include potholes and streetlights is misunderstanding the point. Evaluating where the sidewalks, streetlights, and services lack, is an impactful piece of the work. Jessie adds data has been gathered and should be referenced to build the framework. Patty explains diversity is definitely a topic that the government must integrate into the work. She shares the priority document that is under development by the Commissions and shares the DEIA definitions to center the conversation for everyone in the room. There are legal implications with these definitions. The City is required to do these things. Patty asks what happened to the REDI position? Other organizations have positions that support this work. Elaine asks, how do we identify what the work should be? Evaluate the role of the government to support the needs of the community. How do celebrations and recognitions elevate the Parks & Facilities we have, and are they being used equitable. Dipti adds that flags and procs are fine but is it just lip service? Brian explains the City facilitated a group of Pride events. The City now has laid out the framework and now it’s time for the LGBTQ+ community to take it on. The communities need to show up for their cause much like pride & Lunar New Year folks. Patty, counters that communities cannot always show up for themselves. If there are barriers – language, accessibility, etc., it’s not always an option to show up for their community. Umrah adds that education is key. This is lifelong work. There is no end. Patty – a goal is to integrate DEI work as best practice, fold it into all work. Build the muscle so that an equity lens is always being integrated into decisions. What are the criteria? Not all the recognitions are DEIA related. Barry adds his perspective that he feels the role of the Commission is advocacy but in contrast can get you in trouble with those who are against what you’re advocating for. The largest question, as he sees it, what is the governments’ role. The City should maintain a non-partisan role on all decisions. Don’t engage things that create divisiveness. For example, when the Mayor and Council passed a resolution against the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, the City made a statement that went against his beliefs and did not maintain non-partisanship. In his opinion, the City did not stay in their lane. Rowan summarizes what he heard, there seems to be a priority that the requests come from our community. David asks the Mayor, if he got what he wanted, what would it look like. Mayor Rosen explains, answers to the questions. A Meeting Summary DEIA Commission September 4, 2024 Page 3 clear framework on how to determine support. He would like to know who in this room wants to continue the conversation. He would than ask the participants who else should be a part of the conversation. He would look at this group as a first point of contact. Currently: • Proclamations - the Mayor decides. If he is asked to participate, Mayor decides. • Resolution - Council decides. • Events - staff. The list the Mayor provided is solely to represent what is out in the world. To demonstrate where to draw the line. Those that would like to continue the conversation but need more details before committing: Rowan Dipti Umrah Elaine Jessie Sofia *Barry *Not a DEIA Commissioner 7. Committee Updates: a. Calendar Review: Jessie will get an email out to prioritize b. Community Engagement & Visibility: i. DEIA Commission Priority Review – Patty: (Attachment A) Next steps: Updates added by next meeting Adopt it within the next few months Push it out to the community, staff, stakeholders of the Equitable Engagement Framework c. Executive: i. Next meeting, October 2nd start of Rosh Hashanah: Move the meeting to October 9th. Rowan ask the Asian Services Center if we hold the meeting there, if not, Megan will seek other options. ii. Film Series Evolution: Barriers: resource, film limitations due to streaming service challenges. Access to these films is so much easier than it used to be. Jessie & Elaine have brainstormed alternatives to the film series and have come up with the following: 1. Needs to be low maintenance. 2. Need Commissioners buy off and participation. Meeting Summary DEIA Commission September 4, 2024 Page 4 3. Possible option, choose a theme: read a book; watch a movie; listen to a podcast around a topic. 4. Provide a place to have a discussion on the topics. 5. Partner opportunities. 6. Build something that is meaningful and sustainable. 7. Storytelling. 8. Provide a statement to community with priorities & statement to update the community of film series. d. City Engagement & Policy: Nothing. 8. Old Business: a. Book Distribution Plan: Spreadsheet is developed, and schools are being reached out to. b. Grant Program Updates and/or Recs: Umrah, Dipti & Pam – developed a framework/matrix for grant reviews. Application process has been developed by the group. c. Land Acknowledgement Update – Next Steps: BUMP TO NEXT MEETING Elaine makes a motion to extend meeting until 8:20, Jessie seconds, approval by consensus. 9. Commissioner’s Corner: Recipient has been found for the Proclamation for Spanish Heritage Month. Cutie Foundation is interested in connecting regarding the Holiday Market. Adjourn – 8:31PM Next meeting: October 9, 2024, at 6:00PM – SPECIAL MEETING Our Mission: Encourage and adopt DEIA through education and guidance. Identify actionable steps the city government can implement to enhance equitable access and tackle the harmful effects of historical and current policies and conditions. Our Why: Multiracial democracy Health and Wealth for all Edmonds Compliance w/ Antidiscrimination Laws Increased Productivity Equitable Government Services & Outcomes City Code/Ordinance Voices We Center: According to 2022 City data , the following communities have historically been and are underrepresented, marginalized, and disproportionately impacted in Edmonds. DEIA Commission Strategic Priorities ATTACHMENT A THE OUTCOMES WE SEEK Most Impacted Community Groups What they’ve asked the City for Females older adults (age 65+) Households with incomes less than $50,000 People who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) Coast Salish Peoples Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish) People who are LGBTQIA+ People who have disabilities People who speak languages other than English (Spanish, Korean, Chinese Cantonese/Mandorin, Vietnamese, Russian/Slavic) Families with children younger than 18 years of age People who are not US Citizens Neighborhoods: Households with incomes less than $50,000 People who rent their homes People without reliable computer and/or internet access People who rely on public transit HWY 99 Corridor Lake Ballinger area Area around Swedish Hospital. Census Tracts... 1. Increase City presence in community led events and Initiatives like attending meetings or sponsoring community events. 2. Establish City staffing and processes that reflect Edmonds’ Diversity and stated DEIA values like a DEI position, disaggregating representation data and making equity goals transparent 3. Build Mutually Beneficial Relationships including compensating community based organizations, faith bases orgs and leaders for their time and expertise 4. Provide equitable/multiple pathways to opportunity (i.e. engage people in the language and technology they use) 5. Invest in areas beyond Downtown and communities that have been historically left out 6. Create an inclusive atmosphere citywide by make accommodations for those with or caring for those with disabilities) 7. Operate with transparency (i.e. Integrate feedback in tangible ways to show community members their voices matter) 8. Increase engagement and relationship with Indigenous communities and share decision making power with them DIVERSITY: Elected officials, staff, and commissions represent and are trusted by those most affected. EQUITY: Ensure various pathways are provided and barriers clear to the same opportunities based on the distinct needs and realities of most impacted communities. INCLUSION: The voices of those most affected are invited, amplified and respected; and decision-making power is shared with them. ACCESABILITY: Barriers in environment, content, and processes are removed to ensure that individuals of all abilities can easily access services, information, and engagement opportunities. OUR THREE PRIORITY ACTION AREAS TRUSTED ADVISOR We make thoughtful DEIA recommendation to elected officials rooted in our lived and professional experience and the expressed priorities and needs of the communities we center. (2024-2025 Example actions and outcomes?) ACCOUNTABILITY PROVIDER We support, guide and and challenge City policy, practice and decision making to center DEIA principles and remove barriers to representation, participation, inclusion, equity and accessibility. (2024-2025 Example actions and outcomes?) COMMUNITY & RESOURCES PARTNER We connect and nurture relationships within the community and with City government to promote DEIA and address community needs. (2024-2025 Example actions and outcomes?)