2021-06-02 Diversity Commission PacketAGENDA
of ED4 Edmonds Diversity Commission
Zoom Virtual Meeting (access info below) OP
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
6:OOPM-8:OOPM
Isgo
https://zoom.us/j/95073349360?pwd=ZmZYcmpNVnJJT3 ZXRnRoZlp6dlNIUT09
Meeting ID: 950 7334 9360 1 Passcode: 189565 1 One tap mobile: 12532158782
6:00 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
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of May 5, 2021 Summary (5 minutes)
4. Public Comment via Zoom (3 minutes per speaker)
5. Update from the City: Patrick Doherty (10 minutes)
6. Youth Commission Update — Owen Lee (5 minutes)
7. Old Business:
a. Summary of Retreat Priorities and Sub -Group Assignments (5 minutes)
Subgroup Reports:
a. Policy - Dean (20 minutes)
b. Partnerships & Outreach —Alison (10 minutes)
c. Events — Sarah (20 minutes)
d. Language Accessibility — Mindy (5 minutes)
9. New Business:
a. Discussion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding priorities (15 minutes)
10. Commissioner's Corner (15 minutes)
Adj ourn — 8:OOPM
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 6:OOPM, Zoom
Guiding Principles
To ensure we meet our responsibilities as a Commission, we agree to:
• start and end our meetings on time
• demonstrate our respect for our fellow Commissioners, the City of Edmonds, and the citizens we represent by: being present, being prepared,
actively listening, participating in meetings, completing our individual assignments, and holding ourselves accountable
• "step up and step back"
• establish goals and action plans that are results oriented
• establish subcommittees as needed
• engage in courageous, honest, and open dialogue when faced with difficult issues or questions
• utilize the "Ouch Rule" (assume positive intent; resist the temptation to be offended)
• embrace the education opportunities presented through the Commission meetings
• strive to make decisions by consensus. In a case where consensus cannot be reached after a reasonable attempt has been made, the Chairperson
may call for a majority vote.
CITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
May 5, 2021
Meeting conducted via Zoom
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ardeth Weed, Chair
Dean Olson, Vice -Chair
Nikki Okimoto Glaros
Mindy Woods
Alberto Orejel Malfav6n
Sarah Mixson
Alison Alfonzo Pence
Sekou Kone
Caitlin Chung, Student Rep
Councilmember Luke Distelhorst, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Donnie Griffin - excused
GUESTS PRESENT
Shirley Buono
Roger Pence
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator Economic
Development & Community Services
STAFF ABSENT
Arwen Marohn, Commission Coordinator
6:00 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: Ardeth called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Alison read the land
acknowledgement. Donnie Griffin's absence was noted as "excused."
2. Approval of Agenda: Agenda approved by consensus.
3. Approval of April 7, 2021 Summary: Approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment: None.
5. Update from the City: Patrick Doherty
a) The Chair and Vice Chair made a statement in response to the swastikas that were painted
on trees in the Southwest County Park last week. The online comments posted in response
to the statement were distressing. The work that the Commission is doing is needed. There
was a push to get a statement out immediately but, as in most cases, we need to check in
with Police and other departments first to make sure a statement is not premature or
mischaracterizes facts. However, in this particular case, the County shared that they did not
want a statement released on Friday, April 30' as it is Hilter's death date. It's not
uncommon for these types of hate crimes to happen between April 20' (Hilter's birthday)
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Diversity Commission
May 5, 2021
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and April 301. The County consulted two Rabbis for their input, and they requested to not
make a statement on the date of Hitler's death as this can add weight to the crime.
b) The Mayor would like to hold a town hall meeting to address Hate in our community.
c) The police department also has plans to work with the community regarding hate.
d) The Mayor is proposing to put cameras in parks that have secluded areas.
e) The Chamber is considering a virtual 4t1i of July parade. The Commissioners agreed they
would be interested in creating a short video to add to the virtual parade. This would be a
good opportunity to publicize the I Am Edmonds reboot.
f) The City is working on a Resolution that would recommend Hate Crime offenders would
receive the highest punishment possible. This would not be a Legislative change but rather
a recommendation. Ardeth suggests that the Policy Committee draft a statement of support
and bring it back next month to the Commission for review.
g) Luke shared that the Council approved Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO)
to be the City's official Housing Authority.
6. Old Business:
a) Final review of Council Report Presentation:
Dean shared the presentation with the group. Mindy suggested running through it a few
more times to get familiar with the content and what is going to be said. Dean will work
with Patrick and Arwen to consolidate the slides. The goal is to keep the presentation at 10
minutes and then open it up to questions and comments. Patrick will schedule the item with
the Council President.
7. Subgroup Reports:
a) Policy — Dean led the update. They discussed and are researching the notion of district -
based Council format. They're also looking into the ranked -based voting for the primary
elections. Alison added that this shift would have to go to the Legislature and approved by
the Governor. Next month they will focus on ADA issues.
b) Partnerships & Outreach — Alison led the update. They met on April 15t1i. They assigned
each group member to research Civil Rights efforts within other Cities. Their next meeting,
they'll be inviting South County collaborative groups to join them. They are continuing to
identify BIPOC leaders in the community. Mindy and Arwen met with Lynnwood,
Shoreline and Mountlake Terrace and will be meeting monthly. Shoreline has issued a
statement to be anti -racist community. Sarah added that she reviewed the minutes from
Tacoma's Human Rights Commission, at their last meeting they had a long discussion
about how to respond to incidents. They also have a Civil Rights office on staff.
c) Events — We have one film left in the current series. Alberto will be unable to host and we
need a new volunteer for hosting the May 16t1i film. Sekou volunteered. There was a
discussion on whether to continue the film series in the fall if it's still not feasible to have
the films in the theater. Sarah shared that they're discussing ideas for Indigenous People's
day.
d) Language Accessibility — Mindy shared that she and Caitlin have met briefly. They've
identified folks to reach out to. Sekou will be joining the group.
8. New Business:
a) Grant award recommendations: Alison reported that we received one grant application
for the Diversity Commission and Edmonds Arts Commission small grant opportunity from
the Edmonds Center for the Arts. The event will be an online performance and
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Diversity Commission
May 5, 2021
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collaboration between Korean -American violinist and vocalist Joe Kye and visual artist
Molly Mendoza. It was decided that the Arts Commission will be absorbing this grant in
order to keep the Diversity Commissions funds for other applicants that might not have an
arts related event. Patrick shared that we would like to advertise for grant applications for
one more push. Mindy shared that Bill Phipps added in the chat that he thought the
Waterfront Center recently had an indigenous people presentation.
9. Commissioner's Corner: Dean shared that the Legislature just passed a bill that will require all
TV stations to have closed captioning available. Sarah was pleased that Walkable Main Street
will happen again this summer and was pleased that there will be a focus to create additional
accessible parking. Alberto thanked Sekou for taking on the volunteer duties for the May film.
Alison shared that the $258,000 that the Rotary requested from the Legislature, for the Civic
Field playground was approved by House & Senate and it's now on Governor Inslee's desk.
Nikki, nothing to share. Mindy, Legislature ended last Sunday, significant housing bills passed.
Call 211 for rental assistance. Caitlin, nothing. Sekou, asked if there was any update on the
Police Chief recruitment? Patrick shared the recruitment is ongoing and it closes this month.
Ardeth shared that she hasn't forgotten about Vivian Olson's public comment last month
regarding adding a book on diversity to the free libraries in the community, she would like the
Partnership Committee to research this idea further. Sekou, needs to know when his group is
meeting.
Adjourn — 7:34 PM
Next meeting: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 6:00 PM, Zoom
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 5, 2021
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