2023-06-07 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION &
ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION
June 7, 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
Pam Iverson
Jessie Owen
Councilmember Dave Teitzel, ex-officio (via
Zoom)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Dipti Chrastka — excused
Anil DeCosta — unexcused
GUESTS PRESENT
Rebecca Perrault
Charles Morgan, Youth Commission
Venus, Maize and Barley
STAFF PRESENT
Todd Tatum, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Molly Jay, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
6:05 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. Dipti is excused due to illness. Anil's absence is
unexcused.
2. Approval of Agenda
Jessie moved to approve the agenda; Alison seconded; approved by consensus.
3. Approval of May 3, 2023 Summary: Elaine noted that Anil's attendance was omitted
from the notes, with adding him to the attendance list, Ardeth moves to approve; Jessie
seconded; approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)
Venus, owner of Maize and Barley, explained she would like the commission to do more to
represent the community members. Philadelphia is not an appropriate movie to show as a
celebratory film for Pride. She explains some more celebratory choices are: The
Adventures Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Fried Green Tomatoes; Bird Cage, to name a
few.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
June 7, 2023
Page 1
5. Youth Commission Update (Sam Yi & Charlie Morgan):
Charlie shared that he they presented at Council last night to share the work they have done
this year. They will also be at the Civic Center Park ribbon cutting. They are having their
final meeting until September on June 141h. Sam is graduating but Charlie will be back in
September.
6. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Teitzel:
Todd shared Juneteenth events. June 19th there is an event at Cedar Park school in
Lynnwood. Donnie Griffin is hosting Juneteenth at the Beach on June 171h at the Waterfront
Center, from 10am-2pm. They're seeking volunteers to help with the event.
The City is working to coordinate an event for Pride. The Stonewall Riots anniversary is on
June 28th, the City has met with Pride of Edmonds and PFLAG to coordinate an event to
acknowledge the reason for Pride month. The idea is to do an event to provide education on
the Stonewall Riots. The event is scheduled for June 30th on the steps of the museum in the
evening. Elaine is going to connect with some folks to help find a speaker for the event.
The Mayor will also have an opportunity to speak. There is also an opportunity for some
booths for organizations to share information. We are working on logistics but would like
to hang flags or banners on the Friday prior to the event. Todd will present this idea
tomorrow morning at the Ed! Board meeting to solicit for business involvement. Elaine
shared that ArtSpot has been celebrating Pride. Pam mentioned that the Methodist Church
has a list of the businesses that accepted the flyer about the vigil and the ones that denied it.
CM Teitzel shared the Youth Commission presentation was outstanding. He shared the Port
and City have been working to get a repair for the ADA parking spots at the Fishing Pier
and two weeks ago PW was able to fix the buckling!
7. Interview:
a. Rebecca Perrault: Todd led the interview; he shared some background about the
group and proceeded with the questions.
After a brief discussion the Commission supports appointing Rebecca. Pam
moves to recommend her appointment to Council; Jessie seconded the motion;
approved by consensus.
8. Old Business:
a. Voting Options Discussion: Pam moved that we bump this item to next month;
seconded by Alison; approved by consensus.
9. Committee Reports:
a. Engagement
i. Grant Program: Megan encourages the Commission to push out the grant
opportunity to their networks.
Jessie reiterated the Juneteenth events. She pointed out that we need to make
sure LGBTQ+ resources on our website are up to date, this could fall under
the Communication committee.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
June 7, 2023
Page 2
4th of July parade; Jessie would like everyone to show up with all their people,
balloons, and make a big presence!
She also suggests the Commission have a booth at Community Fair on August
6th
b. Communication: Molly has "who we are" newsletter and "who we are" webpage
mock-ups and will send to Elain and Pam soon.
c. Education:
i. Film Series: Molly has received submissions for films and has shortlisted
them. She will send to Elaine by Monday for feedback.
ii. 4tn of July Parade: Jessie spoke above about this.
iii. Civic Park Grand Opening, June 2311: Jessie has agreed to take the lead
on this. The park is ready to open, the Commission has agreed to have a
booth. It's suggested to add a Pride component to the booth at the event.
She's asking the Commission to show up to the event. Todd shares the
details of the day. Elaine has a tent she can provide.
Megan will work on creating a table banner for use at events.
10. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes)
Pam shares that she will be assisting her son and his family to relocate to the Netherlands
from Boise for the safety of her trans grandchild.
Jeanett shares that Diane Buckshnis reached out to LEVL indicating the DEIA Commission
was looking for volunteering opportunities for Juneteenth; she feels that she should talk to
the Commission first. Jessie disagrees, the Councilmembers should have the autonomy to
seek opportunities for the Commission; she was making a connection not committing the
Commission.
Alison, this Saturday, David Kaufer booked the Edmonds Theater to show a film regarding
autism. The Civic Roundtable had an event at the Waterfront Center (WFC) for candidates
running for local positions. She was contacted because some people were upset the event
didn't work for people who were hearing impaired. The WFC has closed captioning but
there is only one person who can work the device. She feels the WFC needs to make sure
people who need hearing devices should be offered them for all public events. She's
working to improve the functioning of this.
Adjourn — 8:09 PM
Next meeting: July 5, 2023, at 6:OOPM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
June 7, 2023
Page 3