Loading...
2023-08-02 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION August 2, 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 Jessie Owen Anil DeCosta via Zoom Dipti Chrastka via Zoom Rebecca Perrault COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Councilmember Dave Teitzel, ex-officio GUESTS PRESENT Alan via Zoom STAFF PRESENT Todd Tatum, Director Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator STAFF ABSENT Molly Jay, Diversity Commission Coordinator 6:01 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 Rebecca read land acknowledgment. All are present. Councilmember Teitzel is absent due to a Council meeting conflict tonight. Molly is absent due a family emergency. 2. Approval of Agenda Ardeth moves to approve the agenda; Jessie seconds; approved by consensus. 3. Approval of July 5, 2023 Summary: Ardeth moves to approve; Alison seconds; approved by consensus. 4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker) 5. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly & Councilmember Teitzel: Todd shared details about the Community Fair. The Mayor has been authorized to sign the consultant contract for the Comprehensive Plan. 6. New Business: a. Potential Landmark Property Acquisition: Todd shares a PowerPoint presentation (see attached) to give an overview of property acquisition on Hwy 99, referred to as the Landmark Property. He asks what roll the Commission feels they Meeting Summary Diversity Commission August 2, 2023 Page 1 could have in this project. Rebecca shares input regarding the outreach to the community. It is critical to seek input from the smaller demographics, go to them. She suggests the Commission's roll is to amplify the smaller voices, once their input is gathered. Jeanett suggests the Chamber of Commerce engaging with BIPOC business owners and have meetings outside of the bowl. Rebecca adds that there is significant diversity in Edmonds but it's outside of the downtown core. Jessie suggests the steering committee prioritize diverse business owners in the Hwy 99 core. Todd adds that there is some research out there that supports developments like this to support entrepreneurship. Dipti mentions that there is a restaurant scene in another community that encourages BIPOC and women owned businesses; food brings people together. Jessie asks if efforts are being done to secure grant funding. Todd explains that it's too early to look for specific grants but not too early to start seeking grant categories and where to seek the grants. Elaine adds that this is good opportunity to add diverse representation at the highest -level decision making in this early stage of the process. Ardeth suggests to adding youth to the conversation. Rebecca suggests tracking the diversity of the input so that data could be shared in the future. She suggests developing 5-7 key demographics to collect, she has list of questions she could provide. b. DEIA Commission stickers & other material purchases for community events: Jessie describes the goals for outreach and how the materials help engage people with the booths. We need to determine what's left in the budget for this year. Rebecca suggests developing a goal on what message we're trying to convey; all are welcome, and DEIA. Elaine suggests postponing a decision to a allocate a budget for promotional materials to the next meeting so we can determine how much is being spent on the film series. 7. Old Business: a. Voting Options Discussion: Elaine explains the Rank Choice Voting and District Based Council recommendations the commission submitted to Council last year. We currently have two Councilmembers that live in the Hwy 99 area but historically the Councilmembers have generally lived in downtown or Seaview area. She would like to discuss the policy recommendations and whether they should be presented to Council again. There is a process where you can force the issue of district -based Council; rank choice voting does not require this. Jessie supports the rank choice voting as there is a lot of research behind it and can see the value; she's not convinced the District Based Council has the same value as there is not as much research supporting the idea. Elaine explains there is a group that has visited the Market sharing information about rank choice voting. It could be helpful to invite them to a future meeting to share their information to the group. She'll track down the name of the group and get in touch with them. 8. Committee Reports: a. Engagement: Jessie explains the plans for the Community Fair. Porchfest is another potential event to have a presence at it. Alison experienced some frustrations regarding accessibility at Porchfest last year, she will continue the conversation with them. Jessie mentions that she met with several City officials and Meeting Summary Diversity Commission August 2, 2023 Page 2 developed a one pager for accessibility at events. The goal is that it would go out with Special Event applications. Other suggestions for engagement would be a presence at Halloween. Alison adds that they discussed Indigenous People Day and Spanish Heritage month. Elaine shares that the Film Series has been aligned for the film topic to support of celebratory or honoring months, days, etc. Elaine suggests partnering with the City on press releases to get information out to the media on behalf of the Commission. b. Communication: The newsletter is ready and will go out soon. c. Education: i. Grant Review & Award Recommendation: Ardeth Anil & Jeanett reviewed the grants. There were six grant applications received. After the review committee read through the applications it was clear that three applications clearly met the goals of the grant program and three did not. 1. The Latina Bar group — meets the goals and immediately all agreed to award $500. 2. Sherwood Elementary — they only requested $300 and they meet the goals of grant. The Education Committee recommends awarding their ask. 3. Housing (Mackey) — the project is interesting and meets the goals. The group recommends granting the remaining $200 to support this project. Ardeth moves to award the grants as recommended by the review committee, Pam seconded, motion passes by present Commissioners. Dipti & Anil had to leave early. ii. Film Series: Jeanett shared that there is a Peru based film for the first film to honor Spanish Heritage month. 9. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes) Pam invites the group to an event at the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation on August 12th for a discussion on distribution of hate mail. Jessie has a win to share! The ADA button was not functioning afterhours for the DEIA meetings, and it works now. Adjourn — 8:06 PM Next meeting: September 6, 2023, at 6:OOPM Meeting Summary Diversity Commission August 2, 2023 Page 3 Landmark 99 Property Overview DEIA Commission August 2, 2023 Overview 1) Overview 2) Property Details 2) Option Agreement 3) Next Steps Contextual Overview Woodway I Richmond Beach Picnic Point -North 'Meadowdale Lynnwood :Beach Park nm 'verlo'ok Park : ERRiNVILLE.I• . Alderwoc 5=" Lynnwood(SD v E a T.' E Wf)q�y�all �' Mountlake Terrace 51 ............ ..... O Shoreline Contextual Overview arH ST Sva . ' _ I I 22Y.TH ST TI I ST �W E' 230TH ST SW i I FF 231 ST ST SW Sound Transit light rail service at Mountlake Terrace freeway station H 0 L Y L N Ballinger Park (in Mountlake Terrace) -- - _ Culturally -relevant businesses R , I, ...... ; and non-profit service - , , F providers throughout corridor Community garden _ . -E _- City Hall Neighborhood Office ; r I 41 f = Full -service grocery & lively rl shopping plaza.��— �� IN Swift BRT stations J Mathay-Ballinger Park S �- " TH MABHAY.B"i�Lul�.C�ER Bus transit hub at Aurora �` _ P'fRK'- Transit Center in Shoreline ,f 3� Businesses generate tax revenue for public servicesbum i,IITH ST SW - - -- ti�� OC EDMo�O �fTc. l R90 Property Information Address: 24111 Highway 99 Size: 10.06 acres Tax Lots: 11 Zoned: GC —General Commercial Purchase Price: $37M Highlights One Owner, willing to sell No significant critical areas Utilities in streets north and south Public and Non -Motorized Transportation Burlington Coat Factory lease (January, 2029) Community driven development of EDM� °c. 1 R90 Ir Ti 4v re 0 0 GILO 0 c OJ D . 0-0 C) '?14. Fiji l'Sii :T1111 NIS, Property Information OF ED_4 0 Work Plan qn?q 2024 2025 to April 30, 2025 120 days for due diligence contingency June 30 60 days to Closing to June 30, 2025 o `2 rtfl � T1 vJr COMIr �✓ 0 o - ° o0[n r: Overview of near -term efforts Organization • Project leadership • Steering Team • Advisory Committee utreach and Communication Due Diligence Developing Financing Options Master Planning Next Steps Questions/Discussion Organization: Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW) Contact Person(s): President, Tyler Quillin, President(a)Ibaw.org VP of Development, Leslie Veloz, Development(a_lbaw.org Amount Requested/Purpose: $500/Rentals, Permits, Advertising, Water, Printing Proposed Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023 Proposed Time: 10 am - 5 pm Proposed Event Name: Hispanic Heritage Month Expo Proposed Location: Outdoor Location: Edmonds City Park 16 Indoor Location: North CreeK High School/ any local high school or center Event Description: Join us for a captivating Hispanic Heritage Month exposition, a vibrant celebration of the rich and diverse cultures of Hispanic communities. Immerse yourself in a lively atmosphere filled with delectable food, rhythmic music, awe-inspiring art exhibitions, diverse vendors, and enlightening educational stations. Savor the flavors of traditional Hispanic cuisines, from savory empanadas to aromatic paella, as local vendors will be selling their food. Let the rhythms of Latin music transport you to a world of vibrant beats and contagious energy. Be captivated by live performances from talented musicians, showcasing a blend of genres like salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. Prepare to be enthralled by an array of stunning art exhibitions that showcase the creativity and beauty of Hispanic culture. Talented artists will display their works, reflecting diverse artistic expressions, from colorful paintings to intricate sculptures. Immerse yourself in the stories and inspirations behind each piece, and appreciate the rich cultural heritage they embody. Browse through a variety of vendors offering unique treasures and crafts, giving you the opportunity to take home a piece of Hispanic culture. From handmade jewelry and crafts to vibrant textiles and traditional instruments, discover one -of -a -kind treasures that celebrate the vibrant spirit of Hispanic traditions. Expand your knowledge and understanding of Hispanic heritage at our educational stations. Engage in interactive activities, workshops, and presentations that explore the history, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic communities. Discover the influential figures, important events, and cultural milestones that have shaped Hispanic culture and continue to inspire generations. Whether you come to savor the flavors, dance to the rhythms, admire the art, shop for treasures, or learn about Hispanic heritage, our Hispanic Heritage Month exposition promises an immersive and unforgettable experience. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of Hispanic cultures that have influenced and enriched our society. Vendor Stations: • Art: o We will contact local artists to sell or showcase their artwork • Food: o We plan to reach out to all local latin restaurants and food trucks to sell food • Educational o We will set up 3 stations to educate the local Edmonds community including: ■ 1. Know Your Rights Station ■ 2. Latin History and Culture ■ 3. Local resource tables? o We will also invite Hispanic owned bookstores to sell books or curate a list for reading • Dance: o We will have local hispanic instructors teach Bachata, Salsa, and Merengue. There will be half an hour of instruction, followed by one hour of open dance. ■ Session 1: Salsa • 11:30 am - 12:OOpm: Salsa Instruction • 12pm - 1 pm: Open Dance ■ Session 2: Bachata • 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Bachata Instruction • 2pm - 3 pm: Open Dance ■ Session 3: Merengue • 3:30 pm - 4 pm: Merengue Instruction • 4pm-5pm: Open Dance EDMONDS DEIA COMMISSION GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM Name of Project: Sherwood Elementary DEI Committee: Native Storyteller Project Date(s) of Project: September 2023-November 2023 1. Description of Project, including goals, expected attendance or reach (use additional sheets if necessary): Sherwood Elementary, as part of its Parent -Staff Organization (PSO), has an established Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee launched in 2020 and was a previous recipient of this grant, in service to a successful project that hosted a speaker focused on literature and equity, as well as a book purchase that added many titles with protagonists who were previously underrepresented in the school library. The DEI committee hosted an exciting and learning -filled first annual Celebration of Cultures in Spring 2023, in which 6th graders promoted the event to invite families from many different cultural backgrounds to host tables representing their food, traditions, books, and pictures. There were more than 20 families hosting tables and over 100 attendees. In addition, our district's Native Education Specialist connected us to Tlingit dancers, who opened the evening with powerful dance and drumming. The feedback from this event was very positive, and led the DEI committee along with the larger PSO to consider the project we are proposing to you. We would like to host a Native storyteller at Sherwood during an assembly in Fall or early Winter 2023, as well as provide teachers with curricular materials leading into that assembly. Our principal, Robyn Saltzman, is a regular collaborator with DEI and supports this project. Through this interactive experience, we seek to increase our students' awareness of and appreciation for the peoples who inhabited the lands that our community now is on. The school has about 450 students, with 29.6% of students identifying as students of color. 2. Target audience (relevant to Edmonds): Sherwood is located in the southwest part of Edmonds, and this project would focus on families and educators within our community. 3. Project budget, including other sources of cash and/or in -kind funding, as well as requested grant funding (fill in below or use other sheets if necessary): Revenue: We would like to request $300 to use towards the fee/honorarium of the storyteller. Through the budget that the PSO provides to DEI (given fundraising that happens throughout the year), we would match that $300, so a total of $600 would be used for the project. Expenses: Once we've confirmed the storyteller, we will pay their fee or honorarium, which we anticipate to be $300. We will collaborate with our district's Native Education Specialist, Karen Elliott, to identify the curricular materials that we will use the remaining funds for. 4. Describe what would constitute a successful project: A successful project will bring a storyteller to our school community who can share their wisdom with the students and staff, with a set of lessons and materials provided to educators leading into the assembly, so that students and staff have context for the experience. While current practices of Native land acknowledgment happening across the district are a great start, they do not fully recognize that Native communities still live and thrive in the Northwest, and so this experience can bring new insights for students about the importance of Native culture both in the past and in the present. S. Contact name(s) and information: Aurora Parrish, DEI Committee Chait, aurora.p.parrish@gmail.com Signature of applicant Date A"o-ral Parrrkk 7/15/23 Include letter(s) of support if applicable. Anything else you would like to share regarding this application: Submit a hard -copy or PDF of the application form and any supporting materials to Megan Luttrell, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA 98020 or by email to megan.luttrell(a�edmondswa.gov. Questions regarding the process may also be sent to that email address. I � If 0 ii, a 477 r wRar &T^ Ali ■ i. EDMONDS DEIA COMMISSION GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM Name of Project: Date(s) of Project: 1. Description of Project, including goals, expected attendance or reach (use additional sheets if necessary): 2. Target audience (relevant to Edmonds): 3. Project budget, including other sources of cash and/or in -kind funding, as well as requested grant funding (fill in below or use other sheets if necessary): Revenue: Expenses: 4. Describe what would constitute a successful project: S. Contact name(s) and information: Signature of plicant Date Include letter(s) of support if applicable. Anything else you would like to share regarding this application: Submit a hard -copy or PDF of the application form and any supporting materials to Megan Luttrell, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA 98020 or by email to megan.luttrell(a�edmondswa.gov. Questions regarding the process may also be sent to that email address.