2016-07-06 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
July 6, 2016
The Diversity Commission meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Mario Brown at 220 Railroad
Avenue, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
George Basioli
Diana White
Gayle Ketzel
Patricia Valle
Tung Bui
Mario Brown — Chair (arrived at 6:38)
Adam Khan
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
Ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:07 p.m.
Ed Dorame — Vice Chair
Maria Montalvo
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Incoming Diversity Commission
Coordinator
Michele Rastovich, Outgoing Diversity
Commission Coordinator
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager
Edmonds Arts Commission representatives
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as submitted by consensus.
Approval of Meeting Summary of June 1, 2016: By consensus, as amended, summary
minutes are approved.
4. Public Comment: No comment
5. Report from City:
• Introduction of Misha Carter. Misha is the new Diversity Commission Coordinator
and she is going to take Michele's place for the remainder of the year. She gave a
little info about herself. She is local in Edmonds. Commission thanked Michele for
her guidance during this initial startup of the Commission.
• Patrick explained the video he had placed on FB by John Cena.
• Patrick passed out copy of FB post that was on the Edmonds Downtown Alliance Ed!
Facebook site regarding putting out chairs on sidewalk for 4th of July parade. George
brought up similar situation at Starbucks where chairs and tables can block the
sidewalk. Adrienne asked that Shane Hope, Development Services Director, be
contacted for sidewalk blockage.
6. Edmonds Arts Commission: Frances Chapin represented the Edmonds Arts Commission
(EAC) and discussed the role of the arts related to diversity in Edmonds. She gave a brief
overview of the EAC and what they do. EAC started in 1975. The community and City has
historically been supportive of arts in the community. Strong arts organizations including the
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
July 6, 2016
Page 1
Arts Festival and Arts Festival Foundation have funded many of the art installations on the
waterfront and throughout City. Write on the Sound (WOTS), the annual writer's conference,
is a major component of filling a need that draws attendees from all over the state and
country. The EAC is a hands-on commission, staffed by Frances and an assistant. Concerts at
City Park and Hazel Miller Plaza on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sundays are some of the yearly
events created by the EAC. Visual arts are included — rotating exhibits, supporting regional
artists to provide opportunities for exhibits. Cultural planning is the other major portion of
this division of the Parks & Recreation Department. The Community Cultural Plan is
reviewed and updated every 7 years. This is a true community plan by asking what does the
community want to have related to art, heritage, and involves a broad group of community
volunteers including members of the Korean and Native American communities, and others.
Common goals are making sure that the community desires are not overlooked regarding
diversity and cultural arts. "On the Fence" project is an example of another EAC project and
includes unique artwork on three fences in the City. Another example is the International
District project (artwork and lighting) on Highway 99 by Ranch 99. Cascadia Art Museum,
created and supported through private efforts is a welcome, new asset to the Edmonds
community. The Sister City Commission has provided a resource for communication and
culture from Hekinan, the City's Japanese Sister City. Cultural events and sharing of different
cuisines provides a great example of diverse cultures. The Edmonds Center for the Arts
(ECA) has provided many culturally diverse events since they started 10 years ago. There
will be a birthday event at the ECA on July 30, 2016. The EAC looks forward to future
collaborations with the Diversity Commission. Diana mentioned a project on Native
American endeavors with school district, historical museum and the Tulalip tribe.
7. Community Outreach: Parade debrief by Patrick who displayed banner that was in 4th of
July parade, there were approximately 50 participants, Edmonds Woodway high school
group, Methodist church, Latino group. Adrienne drove car filled with kids with special
needs. Very positively received, applause, cheers, diversity in the crowd, many ethnic groups
marching, good visibility, thank you to Tung, great participation, come back next year with
new ideas.
8. Community Outreach: Commission information cards — have not worked on them, got
some printing info, next step meeting with Patrick, Mario, and Gayle.
9. Community Outreach: Work Plan Update
• Refugee and Immigrant Forum Update — Van Dinh Kuno has not been able to
determine 3-4 dates, Michele will continue to work on this event. Separate
community meeting, Tung's example of South Dakota story, can talk about
sponsored families and how they have progressed. Demonstrate success stories.
• Workgroups — groups make strong partnerships, Misha and Patrick will coordinate a
meeting for this project. Refer to spreadsheet. Please provide feedback on
spreadsheet to Patrick and Misha. Staff will coordinate meetings for commission to
come to. Including schools that are not in Edmonds boundaries — overlap to other
schools in other cities needs to include.
• Comment on presentation: Diversity commission job to get people to go to events
and educate. Message needs to be educational, clear and concise. Relationship -
building is very important with other government organizations. Happy to see this
kind of conversation finally happening at the Commission meeting. Adam asked to
be assigned to Community Forum sub -committee.
• Adrienne discussed coal and oil train resolution that was passed by City Council.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
July 6, 2016
Page 2
10. Report to City Council: Important to get information to City Council. Not on agenda. Will
probably be in August, need to meet with commission volunteers for presentation. Meet to
discuss structure of presentation with commission. Patrick will call meeting to discuss.
11. Community Updates:
12. Adjourn: 7:50 PM — Next regular meeting: August 3, 2016, 6 PM
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
July 6, 2016
Page 3
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
July 6, 2016
Page 4