2021-10-13 Youth Commission MinutesPage 1.1.1
Youth Commission Meeting Minutes, 10/13/2021
Commission Members Present:
Chair Owen Lee
Brooke Rinehimer
Brook Roberts
Sydney Pearson
Aaron Nateephaisan
Audrey Lim
Chelsea Beck
Sam Yi
Julie Andres
Mariana Yenter
Commission Members Absent:
Finn Paynich
Sydney Pearson
Staff Present:
Casey Colley, Youth Commission Coordinator
Jay Sandstrom, Recreation Coordinator
Council Member Laura Johnson
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Owen called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
Aaron read the land acknowledgment statement.
Owen did roll call.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Owen motioned to approve agenda.
Brooke seconded. Motion passed.
III. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of 9/22/2021 meeting minutes. Owen motioned to approve the minutes. Brooke
seconded. Motion passed.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public present.
V. NEW & CURRENT MEMBER INTRODUTIONS
Please introduce yourself —Name, grade, pronouns, school and favorite food.
• Owen use he/him/they pronouns, senior at Edmonds Woodway High school, favorite
food is really good grapes.
• Casey use she/her pronouns, not in high school, favorite food right now is bacon.
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• Council Member Laura, uses she/her pronouns, occasionally takes college classes,
favorite food is sushi. Youth liaison from city council.
• Mara sophomore at EWH she/her pronouns, favorite food is pizza.
• Sam uses he/him pronouns, junior at King's high school, likes Korean food in general.
• Aaron uses he/him pronouns, senior at Shorewood high school, favorite food is poke or
any Thai food.
• Jay recreation coordinator for City of Edmonds, went to western, favorite food is Thai
food, uses he/him pronouns.
• Brooke is a senior at Mountlake Terrace high school, uses she/her pronouns, favorite
foods is mac and cheese.
• Julie uses she/her pronouns, junior at Edmonds Woodway High school, favorite food is
poke bowls.
• Chelsea uses she/her pronouns publically, favorite food is cantaloupe, junior at
Edmonds Woodway High school.
• Audrey uses she/her pronouns, is a senior at King's high school, favorite food is poke.
VI. ICEBREAKERS
Breakout rooms. In breakout room take 5 minutes and figure out something all of you
have in common. Then something that is unique for each of you.
One room —we all like marvel movies.
Second room —our favorite spot in Edmonds is the waterfront.
VII. ONBOARDING FOR NEW MEMBERS
Reviewed Youth Commission Ordinances 4115, 4130, 4214
Reviewed City Rules and Regulations Boards and Commission
Discussed Roberts rules of order —try our best to run meetings adhering to these but still
learning.
Discussed Leadership Roles and will self -elect, elect others and vote at 10/27 meeting.
Owen —I used to be secretary and took notes during meeting and they were brief, Brook
Roberts watched the recordings for the minutes and they were more thorough.
Casey —when Owen was secretary we were in person so there was not recording. It will take a
lot longer to be in the meeting —then watch the meeting again so it would be best to just take
them during the meeting since we don't know when we will be back in person which again
won't have any recordings.
Owen —can be tricky to participate and note take unless you are great at multitasking.
Casey —please CC Jay on all communications from this point forward. I will be heading out on
leave till February or March anytime.
Owen —what we normally have been doing in the Youth Commission. Making statement on
current events in Edmonds that are relevant to the youth and we have a strong opinion on. We
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present to City Council on relevant issues such as our last one on pronoun inclusion, we post on
social media trying to post regularly to the Instagram. We have held forums —a lot in the first
year but we haven't done it virtually since COVID. We hope to talk more at other meetings this
year and have more participation in city bodies as well as volunteering more in the community.
VIII. PROS PLAN UPDATE
Brooke —I was on vacation during the last meeting so I missed it. Set goals for the next 6 years.
Jay —PROS plan is trying to achieve a good feel for who is in the community of Edmonds and
what our community needs are, what can we do to meet those wants and needs and who's
underserved. What are we doing well, what do we want to continue, large analysis that involves
focus groups, consultant firm, done every 6 years, getting community input and how they want
out green spaces.
Laura —did we define what PROS is?
Jay —Parks recreation open spaces
Laura —there is lack of understanding of the importance of the PROS plan. There's so much
outreach to try to get the community involved so there can be input about priorities and where
we can better serve.
Jay —such as highway 99 corridor and how to better serve that part of the city and get more
green spaces and recreation there.
IX. COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES
Owen —committee are a new thing we established last year to break out and work on what
interests them. Also done to encourage members to work on these outside of our meeting time.
There are four committees are diversity and equity, youth and government, environment and
mental health. If you feel there needs to be another committee created let us know. Each
committee member can share what is being talked about.
Brooke —thought about a recycling event, for earth day we helped host a beach cleanup.
Owen —mental health has one member who isn't here today —they are working on spreading
mental health resources, worked on making a resource page on the youth commission, working
with the school district to see what resources there are and how they can support student
mental health and creating IG graphics.
Audrey —is you are a debate kid this may be your cup of tea. We discuss and plan youth policies
and figure out what the benefits are. We are trying to start forums.
Aaron —Create emails that inform people about municipal government.
Brook —intro to municipal government guide were putting together, going to council members
for feedback on it. Going to figure out what form it would be published as whether and IG
graphic or booklet.
Owen —diversity and equity committee trying to figure out what exactly to tackle. Want to talk
about disability and accessibility in Edmonds. Hoping to work with diversity commission and get
action behind initiative to create changes.
Sam —I am most interested in the mental health committee as my application was more focued
on that topic.
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Chelsea —I like all of them but I am very interested in diversity and equity, I also really like the
environment and mental health one. I don't know what I would choose.
Julie —I would want to be in the environmental committee since that's where my interest is
Mara —I would be most interested in diversity and equity or the youth and government.
X. GOAL SETTING FOR THE YEAR
Everyone share what you would like to work on for the year.
Owen —more engagement outside of just the youth commission, see everyone at other
meetings, city council, diversity commission, other commissions and boards to participate more
in what's happening in the city.
Sam —raise accessibility for mental health resources for youth, maybe a website with links, also
getting more involved with community volunteer work, also interested in environment
volunteer work.
Brooke —I would like to see the commission continue working with the Edmonds school district
with the mental health resources. Especially suicide prevention, it's becoming increasingly
important.
Aaron —I hope we have more guest speakers, I feel I gained more knowledge on topics I didn't
know about before especially when it comes to Edmonds.
Brook —we need more outreach to BSU, LGBT school groups, resume forums even if we can't
have them in person. It's worth trying since we didn't last year. Skimming through the budget to
see where we can provide input to city council.
Laura —November 1st is the first public hearing and presentation on the proposed budget,
second public hearing is on November 9th for the budget.
Chelsea —more community involvement, not just us but invite and help us be more interesting
and fun for community to become more involved. Also agree with what Sam was saying about
mental health and I would like more awareness. A community garden would be really cool to
make happen to bring the community together.
Mara —I like what Chelsea said about bringing in the community and find a way where the public
can join in on the conversation even if they don't come to the meetings.
Julie —I would like more input from youth in the community outside of the commission. Maybe
reach out to more schools and get involvement.
Audrey —I would like to create a more collaborative space within our commission and work with
other city's commissions, another goal would be to create a safe space for youth to advocate for
equality and equity to empower the youth's voice.
Casey —Brook Roberts discussed a mentorship for applicants that were not appointed. The two
that were not appointed would like to be involved.
Laura —wanting to get more involved with mental health advocacy and Joanna Rockwood has
been very involved with the suicide prevention and works for the school district. She would help
with resources and help the commission.
XI. GROUP NORMS
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Great way to set expectations for the group. We can set them as a social contract together to all
abide by.
Owen motioned to take 5 minutes off group goals and do group norms. Chelsea seconded.
Motion passed.
Owen —Really important to be at all the meetings.
Brooke —if you know that you're going to be gone, let the commission know in advance. I think
it should be a norm.
Jay —thought on attendance, on the mill creek youth board, they'd have to let the staff contact
know within 48 hours they wouldn't be able to attend.
Brook Roberts —read the guiding principles from the diversity commission's agenda:
"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. "
Chelsea —What if we are sick that day?
Audrey —if you are sick you can still inform commissioners
Owen —this is a great discussion but I think we need more time and organization. I am going to
move this onto the agenda for our next meeting as this is good to discuss going into our year.
Owen motion to put on the next meeting's agenda. Motion seconded, motion passed.
XII. FINAL COMMENTS
Casey—narcan training being held and wanted to pass on the information in case any of you are
interested in attending it. Let me know and I will forward you the flyer. It's being held via zoom
and in person 10/19. 1 am excited to see what you all get accomplished in the coming year.
Laura—Narcan can save a life and the training is very beneficial I would encourage you to take it.
Last meeting it was brought up to reach out to the council members that appointed you. It can
be a little scary to reach out and the council members would love to hear from you. Would you
like to reach out yourself or would you like me to send an email to them to reach out to you to
get the dialogue started.
Chelsea —I think it would be great to have them reach out. I'm nervous and not sure what to ask
or discuss.
Brook —Motion to extend for 5 minutes. Owen seconded, motion passed.
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Brook —I would like to say I am very excited to have new members on board and am excited to
work with all of you over the next year. Feel free to reach out to any of us with questions you
have about anything.
Owen —we now have 3 people form my 3d period global politics class. Very exciting and we
should tell our teacher that. I am very excited to have you all with us.
Chelsea —is anyone else from Edmonds Woodway High School?
Owen —we have one more Edmonds Woodway student, Sydney Pearson. Very excited to meet
you all and to have new members. Excited to see where this year goes and hopefully we get to
meet in person at some point. By everyone!
Chair Owen Lee adjourned the meeting at 7:34 pm.