2022-07-06 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION RETREAT I
July 6, 2022
Meeting conducted via Zoom
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Dean Olson, Chair
Nikki Okimoto Glaros, Vice -Chair
Ardeth Weed
Gracelynn Shibayama
Robert White (from Waterfront Center)
Elaine Helm
Sekou Kone
Councilmember Will Chen, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Alberto Orejel Malfavon, unexcused
Alison Pence, unexcused
GUESTS PRESENT
None
STAFF PRESENT
Molly Jay, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
STAFF ABSENCE
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Economic Development & Community
Services (excused)
6:02 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 and Absences: Dean called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Nikki
read the land acknowledgement.
2. Approval of Agenda: Ardeth moved to approve, Gracelynn seconded; the
agenda was approved by consensus.
3. Approval of June 1, 2022 Summary: Ardeth moved to approve, Elaine
seconded; the summary was approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment: None.
5. Update from the City (Will Chen)
Will Chen gave updates on the Highway 99 revitalization project and the
Juneteenth event.
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Diversity Commission
July 6, 2022
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6. Old Business:
A. Fourth of July Parade: Nikki reported that the Commission was well -
received at the parade and all went well. Gracelynn talked about need to
update banner; it's outdated, and the font is small. When we change the
Commission name, we could update the banner at the same time. Ardeth
suggested a weighted banner so it doesn't blow in the wind so much.
B. Juneteenth event: The Commission helped organize the event and it was
a success. Ardeth shared the event was well attended. Robert shared that
we missed the mark on not having an official Juneteenth event sponsored
by our Commission and expressed that we need to step up as a commission
on supporting these diversity events. Nikki suggested getting more city
support in general around proclamations and events —this is a missing piece
that Patrick provided in the past.
C. Annual report: Dean shared his screen and walked the commissioners
through the latest version of the 2022 Annual Report presentation for City
Council. The commissioners gave some feedback: don't use "hate portal" in
the deck and add in ADA recs; Nikki recommended having a lead from each
committee give their updates to Council. Robert asked if we could have
more than five minutes for each committee to present regardless of usual 5-
minute tradition and asked how we can request and get approved to have
more time to present our Annual Report to Council. Dean responded that
the process is difficult to change and recommended he present the Annual
Report solely to Council. Will mentioned importance of having more
diversity show up to present on our behalf. Molly will send out updated deck
after the meeting for final feedback.
D. Discussion on presenting the DEI toolkit & Language Document:
Gracelynn talked about the language document and the importance of each
Commissioner of reading and offering feedback on it. Ardeth and Gracelynn
plan to present the toolkit and language doc together to groups,
organizations and businesses around the city. Ardeth shared feedback from
Chamber of Commerce that the toolkit was "overwhelming"; Elaine
recommended pulling pieces out of the toolkit and new language doc and
using them on social media and in our prospective newsletter to pull people
into the longform versions.
7. Committee Reports:
A. Policy — Dean (1 minute)
No meeting in June; no updates.
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Diversity Commission
July 6, 2022
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B. Partnerships & Outreach — Alison (1 minute)
Elaine had no substantial updates.
C. Events — (4 minutes)
Molly gave quick update on the 2023 film series selection process and
progress. Dean added two new movies to be reviewed by Events Committee for
possible inclusion in the series.
8. Commissioner's Corner (42 minutes)
Robert wanted to know if unofficial meeting notes can be shared with
commissioners before they're approved? Robert didn't see any Fourth of July
emails until day of. Losing Patrick was a great blow to the city, but did all our power
lie in Patrick? Expressed concern that we're not getting much done. If we have no
power and if we're just here to write documents, we need to understand that and
why we exist. What is the process for getting our approved recommendations in
front of Council and can we speed it up? Dean referenced lack of city staff and
inability to move quickly.
Sekou asked if we could march in relevant parades with various personal flags and
is there a way for us to show up in a more organized, branded way? Would have
liked to have seem more money put into our parade presence. Sekou asked if City
Council has responded to any recommendations we've made so far?
Will would like to speed up process of publishing approved meeting notes and
offered insight on expediting the recommendation process as well. Molly explained
the timeline of recording and approving and posting approved minutes from the
previous month's meeting.
Gracelynn echoed Sekou. Let's have more community, more fun, more
representation of who we really are at events like Fourth of July parade.
Nikki would like to get Susan McLaughlin on the agenda for next month or Sept.
around the Reimagining Neighborhoods meetings.
Elaine asked if our recommendations can be posted anywhere outside of just
going to and disappearing within City Council. Dean responded that once recs are
sent to Council, we can publish them on social, newsletters, wherever. Gracelynn
said it would be good to send an email to Commissioners about the process of
presenting recs to City Council. Elaine inquired about recruitment for incoming
commissioner positions, when does it begin and when do we begin opening those
positions? Dean will email.
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July 6, 2022
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Adjourn — 7:53 PM
Next meeting: Wednesday, August 4, 2022 at 6:OOPM
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Diversity Commission
July 6, 2022
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