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
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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)
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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.
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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.