2023-01-04 DEIA Commission PacketOV ED V
AGENDA
Edmonds Diversity Commission
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
6:OOPM-8:OOPM
HYBRID MEETING
The Diversity Commission members will be meeting in person and/or remotely for this meeting. The public may
join at the physical location or join through zoom.
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Brackett Meeting Room, Edmonds City Hall — 3' Floor
121 5' Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020
REMOTE MEETING/ZOOM INFORMATION:
https:Hedmondswa-gov.zoom.us/i/98071999699?pwd=YS9GTVdWM2VPTUt*ROVXVm56NGlaUT09
Meeting ID: 980 7199 9699
Passcode: 963195
6:00 P.M. — Call to Order and Land Acknowledgement: "We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the
Sdohobsh (Snohomish) peoplg 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 December 7, 2022, Summary (5 minutes)
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)
Icebreaker introductions (10 minutes)
Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Chen (5 minutes)
New Business:
a. Retreat format, date, topics, etc. (30 minutes)
b. City of Mukilteo DEI Partnership Opportunity (5minutes)
Old Business:
a. Name Change Proposal Update (15 minutes)
b. ADA Task Force Recommendation Update (5 minutes)
9. Committees — format and assignments:
a. Events
b. Partnerships & Outreach
C. Policy
10. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes)
Adjourn — 8:OOPM
Next meeting: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 6:OOPM
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
December 7, 2022
Meeting conducted via Zoom and in -person at the Brackett Meeting Room
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Dean Olson, Chair
Nikki Okimoto Glaros, Vice -Chair
Ardeth Weed
Alison Alfonzo Pence
Elaine Helm
Sekou Kon6 -
Jeannett Quintalla
Gracelynn Shibayama
Robert White (via Zoom)
Will Chen, ex-officio
GUESTS PRESENT
Jessie Owen
Lu Loree, Racial Justice team from
Edmonds United Methodist Church
STAFF PRESENT
Todd Tatum, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Molly Jay, Diversity Commission
Coordinator (via Zoom)
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
Elaine moved to approve, Nikki seconded; the agenda was approved by consensus.
Approval of November 2, 2022, Summary (5 minutes) Ardeth moved to approve, Alison
seconded; the summary was approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)
No public comments.
5. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Chen (5 minutes)
Will gave update on REDI position: Council denied the proposal that the position become
full-time and it remains a contract position. Will reported that there are three candidates,
and the interview process has begun. Todd is working to get on Council's early 2023
calendar to give the 2022 annual report and report on upcoming priorities for 2023. He'll
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
December, 7 2022
Page 1
also explain the Commission's proposed name change and will ask for vote at that time; the
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Commission would change to the Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Commission. No updates from Molly or Megan.
6. Interviews:
a. Terry Anderson (via Zoom)
b. Usha Bhansali (in person)
c. Dipti Chrastka (via Zoom)
d. Pam Iverson (via Zoom)
Following the interviews, commissioners discussed the candidates. Dean asked that each
commissioner provide feedback on each candidate, then moved to invite candidates Dipti
and Pam to the Commission; Ardeth seconded. Elaine mentioned that we should look at the
specific wording of the interview questions going forward to be sure they're understandable
for all. Several commissioners expressed interest in inviting Terry and Usha to re -apply for
future openings.
7. Grant Review & Recommendation (15 minutes)
Alison, Ardeth and Elaine met in earlier in the week to review the two applications that
were received. One is a Community Outreach & Education event hosted by Chinese
Services Center and the other is the 5th Annual Edmonds International Women's Day event
hosted by Alicia Crank.
Ardeth moved that we offer the grants to both candidates who applied; Nikki seconded.
Dean asked that all grant awardees be announced on the Commission's homepage and
social media; Molly to execute.
8. 2023 Chair & Vice Chair Appointments (10 minutes)
Dean talked briefly about his time chairing the commission and recommended that Elaine
Helm and Jeanett Quintanilla serve as chair and vice -chair respectively beginning in
January 2023. Ardeth moved that Elaine be nominated for chair and Jeanett be nominated
for vice -chair; Dean seconded. Motion passed by consensus with Robert abstaining.
9. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes)
Megan thanked outgoing chairs Dean Olsen, Nikki Okimoto Glaros and Sekou Kon6 for
their service and dedication to the Commission. Dean thanked the Commission and staff for
all their efforts and work over the years. Nikki gave an update on Lunar New Year and
welcomed Jessie Owen to the commission. Alison expressed interest in getting the regional
collaborative DEI group reformed in 2023. In his last meeting on the commission, Sekou
thanked commissioners for all their time and work. Ardeth gave an update on her housing
authority discriminatory work and her efforts to broadcast the toolkit.
Adjourn — 7:58PM
Next meeting: Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 6:OOPM
DRAFT Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
December 7, 2022
Page 2