2022-05-04 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION MEETING I
May 4, 2022
Meeting conducted via Zoom
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Dean Olson, Chair
Nikki Okimoto Glaros, Vice -Chair
Ardeth Weed
Sekou Kone
Elaine Helm
Robert White
Councilmember Will Chen, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Gracelynn Shibayama - excused
Alberto Orejel Malfavon - excused
Caitlin Chung, Student Rep
GUESTS PRESENT
Mindy Woods
Kelsey Foster
Brook Roberts
STAFF PRESENT
Megan Luttrell, Program
Economic Development &
Services
Molly Jay, Diversity
Coordinator
Coordinator
Community
Commission
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 Acknowledament
1. Roll Call: Dean called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Alison read the land
acknowledgement.
Absences: Commission staff were notified that Alberto and Gracelynn would not
be in attendance due to work conflicts and were excused.
2. Approval of Agenda: Ardeth moved to approve, Alison seconded; the agenda
was approved by consensus.
3. Approval of April 22, 2022 Summary: No corrections. Alison moved to
approve; the summary was approved by consensus.
4. Public comment. None tonight.
Robert was unable to stay for entirety of meeting; at this point, Dean verbally
shuffled the agenda from this point forward so these notes do not line -by-line
match the meeting agenda.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 15, 2022
Page ]
5. Update from the City (Will Chen)
Will Chen couldn't stay for entire meeting, he gave quick update: He requested
efficient response from Diversity Commission around housing ordinance.
6. Media Training — Kelsey Foster (20 minutes):
Public Information Officer Kelsey Foster informed the commission on best
practices around when and if to speak with media and when it's best to direct
questions to her as a public spokeswoman. She advised on specific language
to use, how best to address any specific questions from the public, and at what
point to direct all questions to her.
7. New Business
A. Housing (20 mins)
Mindy Woods introduced herself and explained 211 and funding the unhoused
in Edmonds. She explained the goal of Partnership on Ending Homelessness
to get the unhoused into a safe spot, and how to treat homelessness.
Alison read her proposed letter in opposition of the proposed Ordinance,
Unlawful Occupation of Public Property. Elaine and Ardeth explained why they
oppose the proposed ordinance and asked to be a part of any communication
we send to council regarding this matter.
Commission unanimously agreed to send letter to Mayor and Council opposing
proposed city fines on the homeless.
B. Molly's Language doc (15 mins)
Molly introduced a PDF with the Commission's mission statement, committee
objectives, and useful resources around treating every member of the Edmonds
community with dignity.
Dean suggested that we change the current name of the commission from the
Diversity Commission to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, to be
voted on at a later date once everyone has read through the document.
Molly will work with the Partnership, Events and Policy committees in their
monthly meeting to agree on each committee's objectives outlined in the
document.
Ardeth and Robert have already read the PDF, Molly will send document to
remainder of Commission to read and provide feedback at June's meeting.
8. Committee Reports:
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 6, 2022
Page 2
a. Policy — Dean (20 minutes)
After several rounds of edits, Robert's recommendation for City Council to receive
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training doc will go to Council.
b. Partnerships & Outreach — Alison (15minutes)
Alison was not yet able to meet with the Edmonds School District around possible
partnership opportunities. After meeting with leadership with the League of Women
Voters last month, Alison will resume that relationship within next few weeks. on
hold. The DEI Collaborative Regional council, started in 2021, is still on hold as
most members have gone back to work and finding a mutual meeting time has
been difficult. Elaine gave update on her work getting together a distribution list to
broadcast Diversity Commission news to appropriate recipients.
c. Events — (10 minutes)
Ardeth shared an update on her presentation to the Chamber regarding the Equity
Toolkit, which was well received and Ardeth is currently incorporating feedback.
Nikki gave update on Juneteenth and will continue to work with Donnie on outreach
and planning. Molly will send 2023 film series movie suggestions to the Event
group so they can begin selecting the films for next year's free series.
9. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes)
Alison shared her thoughts on Roe v Wade, Nikki thanked Ardeth for her toolkit
work, and Dean/Molly/Alison agreed to work quickly together on the statement
regarding the proposed Ordinance - Unlawful Occupation of Public Property to
send to Council.
Adjourn — 7:49PM
Next meeting: Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:OOPM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 6, 2022
Page 3