2023-02-25 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
RETREAT
February 25, 2023
Meeting conducted via Zoom and in -person at the Waterfront Center, Room B
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Elaine Helm, Chair
Jeannett Quintalla, Vice -Chair
Ardeth Weed
Alison Alfonzo Pence
Jessie Owen
Anil DeCosta
Pam Iverson (Zoom)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Robert White
Dipti Chrastka
Councilmember Dave Teitzel, ex-officio
GUESTS PRESENT
STAFF PRESENT
Todd Tatum, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
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 is an unexcused absence and Dipti is an excused
absence due to a work conflict.
2. Approval of Agenda
Jessie moved to approve agenda, Ardeth second; approved by consensus.
3. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker) None.
DIVERSITY COMMISSION RETREAT AGENDA
Welcome — Elaine & Michelle
Mission statement/vision
Guiding Principles & Meeting protocol
Ice Breaker Exercise
Review of 2022
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
February 25, 2023
Page 1
Staff roles — Todd, Megan, Molly
Todd explains that he is the key staff person for Policy initiatives. Megan adds that
her role is the business side of things such as, bills, agenda setting and contracts.
Molly supports the commission with social media, communications, developing the
film series with the commissioners. Keep in mind that her role is only ten hours per
week.
Learning and feedback
The Commission reviewed the Draft 2022 Annual report. There was discussion of
the accomplishments and projects that are outstanding. Policy Committee proposed
several recommendations last year and none have been acted on. Elaine suggests
fine tuning recommendation process. Communication with City staff and Council
prior to making the recommendations could be helpful. Todd points out that there is
an education piece that hasn't happened in the past has been missed and could aid in
the success of the recommendations. Ardeth suggests partnering with community
organizations as stakeholders to get additional support. Michelle summarizes that
Policy work is needing more advocacy work. Anil & Jessie both point out that there
is a need for relationship building. Todd adds engagement is key to success.
State of the City — The group reviewed and discussed the Equitable Engagement
Framework presentation that was provided by Director Susan McLaughlin last year
and discussed.
Demographics data review
Current key initiatives and projects
Historical and ongoing efforts related to DEIA
Parking Lot
Lunch Break
Strategic planning — Elaine & Michelle
The group went through SMART exercises to identify high-level goals and
initiatives for 2023.
Themes: be intentional, influential, relationship -focused and add value to Edmonds.
Responses to incidents — time did not allow for this item, it will be discussed at a
future Commission meeting.
Subcommittees - Elaine & Michelle
Brainstorm committee ideas — the group broke off into smaller groups to discuss
and brought ideas back to the full group. The committees below were established
from this discussion.
Assign members:
Engagement (whole commission) Elaine lead; Alison will support
o Assign CC to Commissioners
o Policy will be replaced by this.
Communications: Molly, Pam, Jessie
Education: Anil, Jeanett, Ardeth
o Internal education
o Educating others
o Film Series
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
February 25, 2023
Page 2
Wrap-up/closing
The group ended by sharing one word about how they felt about our year ahead.
Adjourn — 2:04PM
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:OOPM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
February 25, 2023
Page 3