2023-05-03 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION &
ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION
May 3, 2023
Meeting conducted via Zoom and in -person at the Brackett Meeting Room
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Elaine Helm, Chair
Jeanett Quintanilla, Vice -Chair
Ardeth Weed
Alison Alfonzo Pence
Pam Iverson
Anil DeCosta
Councilmember Dave Teitzel, ex-officio (via
Zoom)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Dipti Chrastka - unexcused
Jessie Owen - excused
GUESTS PRESENT
Charlie Morgan, Youth Commission (via
Zoom)
Sam Yi, Youth Commission (via Zoom)
Deborah Arthur (via Zoom)
Roger Pence (via Zoom)
STAFF PRESENT
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Molly Jay, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
STAFF ABSENT
Todd Tatum, Director
6:10 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. Jessie is excused due to an ill child. Dipti's absence is
unexcused.
2. Approval of Agenda
Ardeth moved to approve the agenda, Alison seconded; approved by consensus.
3. Approval of April 5, 2023 Summary
Megan shared that the date is wrong on the minutes and needs to be updated from March 15t
to April 51h. With the date change, Anil moved to approve the summary; Alison seconded;
approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker) None.
5. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Teitzel
Councilmember Teitzel explains Council President Tibbott has an equity concern with
assigning a Commissioner to a Councilmember. Councilmember Teitzel suggests
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 3, 2023
Page 1
informally setting up assignments on our end. Commission consensus is supportive of the
idea. He mentions there are two ADA parking spaces at the Fishing Pier parking lot, the
pavement is buckling causing an accessibility issue. He has been in contact with the Mayor
on it. Elaine shares that she spoke to Jessie about it, she encourages the City to fix this as
there is a risk of injury. Elaine asks Councilmember Teitzel on the timing of reopening the
library. The City approved funding last night and it will likely be reopened early summer.
Megan shares that the City is working to come up with ways to honor Pride month and
Juneteenth. We've met with the Edmonds Theater and discussed the idea of showing films
to honor each. She asks if there's interest here in helping with any events. Jeanett suggests
the film Philadelphia for Pride month. Lori Kunze, Pride of Edmonds has also been in
discussions with Edmonds Theater for a Pride event; Pam will reach out to her and connect.
Jeanett would volunteer for the Pride film. Elaine will reach out to Alicia Crank about
bridging the gap of Juneteenth to July 4th. The Education committee will take the lead on
this.
Pam motioned to approve the $35 cost of the 4th July Parade registration; Alison
seconded; approved by consensus.
6. Youth Commission Update (Sam Yi & Charlie Morgan): Sam gave an update on the
beach cleanup event, there wasn't a lot of trash to cleanup, that was good but made the
cleanup minimal. May 19th Pine Ridge Park event. Elaine asks them what they'd like to see
for Pride and Juneteenth; they'll be back next month with ideas. Elaine also invites the
Youth commission to join in the 4th of July Parade.
7. Old Business:
a. Tabatha Shoemake — Safe Place Program: The Police Department must do
training to launch the program. There has not been bandwidth for the training but
she's hoping to roll this out for Pride Month. She's working on getting the decals
designed and ordered; the packets are ready to go. Tabatha will go out to the
business and provide training to participating businesses staff. The Commission can
help by getting the word out through fliers; talking with businesses; engaging the
community. Businesses will need to register for the program. When a business signs
up, they are committing that all their employees will be trained in the program.
b. District Based Voting: Council is having ongoing conversations about
neighborhood Council liaisons within 7 zones of the City that were determined
during the housing study. Councilmember Teitzel highlights that one issue is that
the City is relatively small and they're trying to determine if the zones would be
distributed equally. Elaine suggests the Commission revisit this topic to determine if
it makes sense to make a recommendation again. Megan will send out the District
Based Voting and the Rank Choice recommendations and discuss at the next
meeting.
Meeting summary
Diversity Commission
May 3, 2023
Page 2
8. New Business:
a. Edmonds United Methodist Church Incident: There was flyer placed on cars a
few weeks ago during a service that were anti-LGBTQ+ community as well as anti-
Semitic and racist. There was vigil at the church last night to show support against
the flyer. There were over 200 people in attendance as well as it being live
streamed. The Mayor spoke, Dave Somers from the County spoke, there was also
other elected officials in attendance. Elaine and Pam were present representing the
Commission at a table at the event. Councilmember Tetizel suggests notifying the
Mayor of a statement that you would like to release but don't need approval. Megan
will research the cost of name tags and bring the cost back to the June meeting for
approval to purchase.
b. Edmonds School District Budget Cut Discussion: There were several equity
issues that came up during the school budget discussion. Positions and resources for
the most vulnerable kids (disabled, kids of color, neurodivergent) were cut, this
seems to be an opportunity for the Commission to educate and inform the people
making the decisions of the inequities this presents. There was discussion on how
action can be taken in a timely manner. Elaine will get perspective from the Youth
Commission.
9. Committee Reports
a. Engagement: Alison reported they plan to have a booth at the opening of Civic
Park and at the Edmonds Community Fair. Todd is going to look into the logistics
of Commission presence. Councilmember Teitzel asked if we have considered
having a booth at the Edmonds Summer Market.
b. Communication: Molly is waiting on a few more assets before sending out the first
newsletter and making "meet the Commissioners" webpage.
c. Education: Met on Monday. Starting to think about films. Jeanett asks for
suggestions for the next film series. They're suggesting a World Cafe for September
on Hispanic Heritage Month. Send film suggestions to Molly. They need to be
previewed prior to finalizing. Elaine mentioned she's going to see Deconstructing
Karen at the Gates Foundation tomorrow, it could be a good choice for the next film
series.
10. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes)
Pam mentions the red dress program at the Edmonds Lutheran Church. They will
have speakers at 9am on Friday, May 5th. The Methodist Church is also going to be
hanging red dresses to honor this project.
Alison shares that on June Yd the Asian Service Center is having their inaugural
coming out party at the Waterfront Center at 1 Oam to noon.
Megan shared that we will be getting the media release out for the 2nd half of the
year grant call, it will be translated in multiple languages.
Jeanett shares that there will be several Cinco De Mayo celebrations in the area.
She'll be sending in her bio asap.
Anil will be sending in his bio asap.
Meeting summary
Diversity Commission
May 3, 2023
Page 3
Adjourn — 7:55PM
Next meeting: June 7, 2023, at 6:OOPM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 3, 2023
Page 4