2023-04-05 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION &
ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION
ri 15, 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
Alison Alfonzo Pence
Jessie Owen
Pam Iverson
Dipti Chrastka
Councilmember Dave Teitzel, ex-officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Anil DeCosta - unexcused
GUESTS PRESENT
Christina McDonald
Marie Strong
Sam Yi, Youth Commission
Charlie Morgan, Youth Commission
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
Alison read land acknowledgment. Anil's absence is unexcused.
2. Approval of Agenda
Jessie moved to flip Item 5 & 6, with that change Jessie moved to approve the agenda,
Dipti seconded; approved by consensus.
3. Approval of March 1, 2023 Summary
Ardeth moved to approve the summary, Alison seconded; approved by consensus. Dipti
asked that we correct the attendance as Dipti was present by Zoom.
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker) None.
5. Youth Commission Update (Sam Yi & Charlie Morgan) Sam and Charlie introduced
themselves. They're hosting a Marina Cleanup on Earth Day. They're also hosting an event
on May 201h at Pine Ridge Park. They both thanked us for having time for them on our
agenda. Jessie thanked them for finding time to come and share with us.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 5, 2023
Page 1
6. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Teitzel
Todd shared that the ribbon cutting for Civic Park is June 23rd. Parks asked if the DEIA
Commission would like to have a booth at the opening. We will be hosting our first
Edmonds Community Fair at Edmonds Woodway High School on August 6th, we'd like the
Commission to have a booth at that event. He mentioned equitable engagement for the
Economic Development Element. Todd shares a film recommendation for the next film
series, Leave No Trace. He shares that the Boards & Commission appointment process is
still being sorted out at the Council level.
Dave met with Dean Olson on 100th Ave and he showed him the narrow sidewalks on the
stretch between 2201h & SR104. There's a bike lane project happening there this year but
Dean's thoughts are that the sidewalk could get widened in conjunction with the project.
Dave asked Dave Turley about carryforward of last year's budget, Turley explained that
you must use all funds in the budgeted year. He also chatted to Council President about
assigning a DEIA Commissioner to a Councilmember. Council President's concern is that
they should be equitable across all Boards & Commissions. He's supportive but needs to
work through logistics, more to come. There is some open space acquisition that is being
looked at in the southeast area in Edmonds. Elaine asked about the item that was presented
to Council this week about assigning each Councilmember to one of the 7 zones in the City.
Dave likes the idea but asked the Commission to share their thoughts now. Elaine thought
the Commission might be interested because last year the Commission passed a
recommendation to shift our Council to district -based voting. Dave explains that this is an
informal step to that notion.
7. New Business:
a. Commission Vacancy and Board & Commission Appointment Process
Elaine announces that Robert White has resigned from the Commission. His term
expires December 31, 2024. Todd outlines a proposed solicitation process that is
being worked through. For current solicitations, staff is advertising in Chinese,
Korean and Spanish. The process is still being refined. One thing it will do, it would
extend the advertising time for the vacancy. One thing that is highlighted in the
proposed ordinance change is that the advertising would need to be in the top 3
languages spoken in Edmonds, based off the latest census information.
Dipti suggests having information at in -person events, to have human to human
contact, for example at the Edmonds Community Fair. Jessie mentions that if the
Council moves to having District Zones, this could give the Council opportunities to
share Board & Commission openings with their Districts. Ardeth shares that having
documents translated for events would be helpful. Jessie mentioned that Alicia
Crank is hosting a Volunteer Seminar this weekend, could we ask her to highlight
the Board & Commissions on her agenda.
8. Old Business:
a. Review of Council Annual Report & Name Change Ordinance
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 5, 2023
Page 2
Elaine comments that the presentation went well and thanked Todd for his work on
the Name Change Ordinance.
9. Committee Reports
Elaine explains that the committees are struggling to get schedules aligned. This is
not a requirement, but it does lead to the success of the Commission's work.
a. Engagement: Todd would like to attend the next meeting. He mentions the Civic
Park Ribbon Cutting event and the Edmonds Community Fair. Councilmember
Teitzel offers the suggestion of an occasional booth at the Edmonds Saturday
Market. Elaine offers to share contact info with Mountlake Terrace to partner with.
b. Communication: Elaine updates that they were unable to meet due to technical
issues. Molly has sent out an email to gather information regarding pics of the
Commissioners and short bios. Write your bios in 3rd person.
c. Education: Molly explains that they had technical issues but she was able to chat
with Ardeth via phone.
Molly does highlight that each committee really does need to appoint a lead so that
there is a point person to report on what work is being done.
Ardeth informs the group that the last movie was outstanding, and it was well
attended with good discussion following.
10. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes)
Jessie is working on project with Mayor Nelson, Shannon Burley and Susan McLaughlin
illustrating the discrepancies and inconsistency of accessibility at Edmonds events. From
markets to public spaces to events, she's working to make every event space compliable for
Accessibility. We have the ability to go above and beyond the ADA, "I think we can do
better and this is an opportunity to be welcoming of people of all abilities." Cord covers,
temporary curb cuts are items we can add to our arsenal.
Alison shares that she and Elaine worked with Tabatha Shoemake on Safe Place Program.
The stickers have been ordered and she will start approaching businesses about the
program. If Tabatha needs help with this effort, she will reach out.
Pam shares that she went to the League of Women's Voter a couple weeks ago and they are
going to be doing a project to register voters. The Lynnwood DEI Commission is doing
setting up to help them at the Lynnwood Goodwill. Pam's wondering if we could join
forces with them to help.
Elaine an email about an event in Seattle on May 41h showing a film called Deconstructing
Karen, it's free to attend, she can send the info. She also suggests it for the next film series.
Jeanett shares that she finished her leadership certificate in Diversity and Equity.
Dipti brought up the lack of sidewalks in Edmonds.
Ardeth is still working on racial language in HOA covenants.
Adjourn — 7:33PM
Next meeting: May 3, 2023, at 6:OOPM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 5, 2023
Page 3