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2023-02-01 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS DIVERSITY COMMISSION February 1, 2023 Meeting conducted via Zoom and in -person at the Brackett Meeting Room COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Elaine Helm, Chair (via Zoom) Jeanett Quintanilla, Vice -Chair Ardeth Weed (via Zoom) Alison Alfonzo Pence Jessie Owen Anil DeCosta Pam Iverson Dipti Chrastka Councilmember Dave Teitzel, ex-officio COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Robert White - unexcused GUESTS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Todd Tatum, Director Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator STAFF ABSENT 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 Anil read land acknowledgment. Robert's absence is unexcused. 2. Approval of Agenda Jessie moved to approve agenda, Alison second; approved by consensus. 3. Approval of January 4, 2023, Summary (5 minutes) Jessie moved to approve summary, Alison second; approved by consensus. 4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker) 5. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Teitzel (5 minutes) Todd shared the Mayor's State of the City is tomorrow night at the Waterfront Center. There are interviews being scheduled for the REDI position. The position will audit City practice. It is a contract position. February 14th is Elaine and Jessie will present the draft annual report and name change proposal to Council Committee. Meeting Summary Diversity Commission February 1, 2023 Page 1 Councilmember Teitzel introduced himself to the group. He explained his appointment process to the Diversity Commission. Jeanett welcomed him to the Commission. CM Teitzel is happy to share communication with Council on behalf of the Commission. 6. New Business: a. Commission Appointments (10 minutes) Elaine shared that this is to cover the recent Council topic of Boards & Commission Appointments. CM Teitzel shared that Council is working on equitable Boards & Commission appointment process. There is a desire to get a better set of rules in place to fill open positions, advertise in multiple languages, ultimately advertisements should have a wider reach. Todd shared that staff is moving forward to update the front page of the website, so that there is multilingual application processes and advertisements. CM Teitzel & Todd are both interested in Diversity Commissions input. They're especially interested how to best reach diverse communities. Alison suggests in person communication for seeking interest of diverse communities. She also explains that the City needs to hire more people of color and people who speak multiple languages. Elaine shared that the DC has a clear appointment process in the Code. She suggests announcing openings of Boards & Commissions to current board members and commissioners to share with their networks. Alison asked if there is staff person dedicated to this, Todd shared there is not. 7. Old Business: a. Retreat Planning Discussion (30 minutes) Jessie shared that a small group met to develop an agenda. The retreat has been scheduled for February 25th from loam to 2pm at the Waterfront Center. Pam made a motion to allocate $100 for the Waterfront Center room rental, Anil seconded, approved by consensus. Jessie went through the draft agenda, Attachment 1. She asked if we want a facilitator. Pam is unable to attend but will try to join via Zoom. Elaine recommends that we have a facilitator to run the agenda. Megan will reach out to Michelle Johnson, who facilitated last year, Elaine moved that we hire a facilitator for the retreat for up to $400, Ardeth seconded, approved by consensus. Elaine offers to work with the facilitator to prep them for the retreat. Jeanett suggests limiting goals for the year to an amount that feels feasible. We will send out a Doodle Poll to vote on a restaurant for lunch. Jessie motions to allocate $250 for lunch, Anil seconded, approved by consensus. b. Name Change Proposal Update & Annual Report to Council (30 minutes) Todd shares that they plan to present to Committee on 2/14. He suggests asking the Committee how the Diversity Commission can support Council. Elaine explains that they will present the draft annual report and develop the final report and the name change proposal based on the take away from the meeting on February 14th. Elaine suggests meeting with Todd to develop a game plan. Todd has time on 2/10 or 2/13 to meet with Jessie and Elaine. They will meet 2/13 at 1pm. Elaine will review and update Molly's PowerPoint. Meeting Summary Diversity Commission February 1, 2023 Page 2 c. Mukilteo DEI Retreat Review (5 minutes) Alison gives a review of Mukilteo's DEI Retreat that she and Jeanett attended last month. Mukilteo's commission is very diverse, all but one are people of color. Mukilteo's Councilmember Harris was in attendance. They are looking to Edmonds for guidance and to partner for future work. Alison suggests setting up regular meetings with them. She shared with them that she has been interested in opening a regional office for civil rights. Jeanett adds that they are excited to build a partnership. She said they were very well prepared. d. February Film (5 minutes) Ardeth volunteers to open it and lead the discussion following the film. Molly will send her script, per Megan. 8. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes) Jessie visited 76t1i Ave with Susan Paine to discuss accessibility issues. She suggests the City have the grounds crews be trained on how to identify accessibility issues and area to improve. She attended the Martin Luther King event at the ECA, it was great! She also met with Councilmembers Olson & Paine to discuss dog park accessibility. David Kaufer has expressed interest in funding the walkway product for the dog park. She delivered a sample product that could be used to have a walkway built to access the dog park, those are currently in the Council office. Alison suggests that the commission advocate for this improvement. Alison shares that the Waterfront Center is moving forward with providing assistance for hearing impaired. Jeanett shares that Edmonds hosted a Lunar New Year Event. Jessie has two events to share, February 5th, Black in Edmonds, hosted by Alicia Crank; there is also a multi -cultural job fair at Edmonds College tomorrow. Dipti shares she is happy to be here as this is her first meeting. Anil is meeting with Councilmember Chen on Friday. Ardeth shares she went to the MLK event, it was impressive. Lunar New Year event was great but the location could be improved. Todd shares that Nikki mentioned moving the event to ECA next year. Elaine shares that the MLK event was great. The Lunar New Year Event was good, she cut out early to attend the Diversity Commission film, a great discussion followed the film. Alison shares she spoke to Tabatha Shoemake for an update on the Safe Place program, she explained this has run up against some issues from local businesses, more to come. Adjourn — 7:29PM Next meeting: RETREAT - Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10:00AM Meeting Summary Diversity Commission February 1, 2023 Page 3