2022-08-03 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
August 3, 2022
Meeting conducted via Zoom
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Dean Olson, Chair
Nikki Okimoto Glaros, Vice -Chair
Ardeth Weed
Alison Pence
Gracelynn Shibayama
Elaine Helm
Robert White
Councilmember Will Chen, ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Sekou Kone, excused
GUESTS PRESENT
Jeanett Quintanilla
Daphne Xia
Chris Collier
STAFF PRESENT
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Economic Development & Community
Services
Molly Jay, Diversity 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 and Absences
2. Approval of Agenda
Dean had one amendment to agenda item 4.5 Commission Update. Ardeth moved
to approve agenda; Alison seconded.
3. Approval of July 6, 2022, Summary (5 minutes)
Elaine had amendment to Commissioner's Corner, she was inquiring as to overall
recruitment of commissioners, not just for Dean's position. Molly to amend July's
meeting notes. Ardeth moved that we approve July's minutes with that change;
Nikki seconded, Alison abstained, minutes were approved by consensus with
Alison abstaining.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
August 3, 2022
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4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)
Jeanett Quintanilla introduced herself and was interested in learning more about
what the commission does.
4.5. Dean announced that Alberto has resigned from the commission and that we
have a vacant seat.
5. Presentation from Chris Collier from Housing Authority of Snohomish
County (20 minutes)
Chris is the program manager for the Alliance of Housing Affordability. He gave
data from county assessor's office on Edmonds real estate prices, property taxes,
and rental prices. As far as diversity and equity are concerned, single mothers and
fathers, households with disabilities, immigrant households and retirees are greatly
impacted by current housing costs. He answered several questions around the
difficulty and nuances of establishing more affordable housing in the area. His
possible solution: local and national, land use reform to create a foundation to
equalize housing and remedy affordable housing imbalance, creating opportunity
for people to afford rent and to purchase homes.
6. Update from the City: Megan, Molly & Councilmember Chen (5 minutes)
Councilmember Chen gave update on the last three uptown markets of the year,
Octoberfest, and an upcoming outdoor movie. He touched on the sad passing of
councilmember Kristiana Johnson and her memorial fund through the city, along
with the process for filling the now vacant seat on Council. Will asked the
Commission if we'd heard anything about forming a sister city with a Chinese city
but no one had.
Megan updated us that the uptown market was poorly attended and encouraged us
all to attend the market next week. She shared that the new Director will start this
month.
7. Old Business:
a. Film Series Update (10 minutes)
Gracelynn and Molly shared the six secured movies to be shown during the 2023
free film series. The next step will be producing a poster to be distributed.
b. Diversity Commission Grant Recommendation (10 minutes)
Alison gave update on two selected grant winners, Sugar Skulls and Did You Know
series, each for $500. Alison and Ardeth also explained their reasoning for the
grantee selections. Alison would like a note in the letter that goes out to the
applicant for La Cima explaining their application was fantastic but their dates
didn't align with 2022 grant cycle, but they could apply to 2023. Dean and
Gracelynn would like to have the submissions emailed to them. Gracelynn moved
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
August 3, 2022
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to fund the two programs; Elaine seconded. Nikki abstained. The
recommendations of Sugar Skulls and Did You Know series were approved by
consensus with Nikki abstaining. Dean asked for a more transparent process going
forward.
8. New Business:
a. Swedish Edmonds Remote Interpreting Lawsuit (10 minutes)
Elaine explained a current class action lawsuit regarding deaf patients and
Swedish Edmonds' lack of accommodations for them. She wanted to put it on our
radar as an ADA issue and lack of accommodations from one of the region's
biggest healthcare providers. Dean added that he'll reach out to some members of
the deaf community for more thoughts and comments from the community being
impacted. Elaine recommended working with local businesses about ADA
requirements around interpreters.
9. Committee Reports:
a. Policy —no updates
b. Partnerships & Outreach —Alison (10 minutes)
Alison met with Tabitha Shoemake and Police Chief Bennett has approved
SafePlace. A press release will be going out, Alison will provide ETA on that soon.
Elaine is going to begin putting together some content for a Diversity Commission
newsletter. Molly gave update on DEI consortium.
b. Events —(10 minutes)
We talked about where we can all meet comfortably in person for upcoming hybrid
meetings. It's unclear where we'll physically be next month, more to come soon on
physical meeting spaces.
10. Commissioner's Corner (15 minutes) No shares this evening.
Adjourn — 7:49PM Next meeting: Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 6:00PM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
August 3, 2022
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