2023-12-06 DEIA Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION &
ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION
December 6, 2023
Meeting conducted via Zoom and in -person at the Brackett Meeting Room
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT GUESTS PRESENT
Elaine Helm, Chair Dean Olson
Jeanett Quintanilla, Vice -Chair Chris Morgan, Youth Commission via Zoom
Ardeth Weed Roger Pence
Pam Iverson via Zoom Alan via Zoom
Rebecca Perrault via Zoom
Dipti Chrastka
Alison Alfonzo Pence
Jessie Owen
Councilmember Chris Eck, ex-officio
STAFF PRESENT
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
STAFF ABSENT
Todd Tatum, Director
Molly Jay, DEIA 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
Alison read land acknowledgment.
2. Approval of Agenda
Elaine moved to strike 6.b and adjust 6.c to begin at 6:30pm. She also adds an item to new
business to discuss the Commission grant process, Dipti seconded. Alison moved to
approve the agenda as amended; Ardeth seconded; approved by consensus.
3. Approval of November 1, 2023 Summary: Ardeth moved to approve the summary;
Alison seconded; approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker):
Dean Olson explains his history with the Commission. He thanks the Commission for their
work this year. He would like Pamela SeaMonster to do the Land Acknowledgement for
Martin Luther King Day event.
Charlie, Youth Commission. They don't have any events currently planned. The Youth
Commission will have a holiday post to include all holidays of the season.
Meeting Summary
DEIA Commission
December 6, 2023
Page 1
5. Update from the City: Megan, Molly & Councilmember Eck:
Councilmember Eck introduced herself. She's hoping to continue with the Commission in
2024. Budget has been under review for several weeks. Last night they went through the
budget line by line to review possible cuts. They voted to continue vetting the Landmark
Project into 2024.
Megan mentioned that we're at the end of the Holiday Market season with the last two
markets being held the next two weeks, but the trolley will be running the next three
Saturdays. Jessie asks about accessibility on the trolley and asks for contact info to contact
the trolley company.
6. Interviews: Umrah and Kim's interviews were held by the Commission. Mohammad
pulled out of the interview.
a. Umrah Saleh Thomas:
b. Mohammad Fararh
c. Kim Gunning:
Jeanett announced that she will be leaving the Commission as her term ends at the end of
the year.
After the Commissioners had a brief discussion, Ardeth moved to appoint both Umrah &
Kim to the DEIA Commission, Alison seconded; approved by consensus. The applicants
will move to Council confirmation at an upcoming Council meeting.
There was follow-up discussion regarding the interview questions and possible editing for
future interviews. Increasing the social media presence would be good step to engage the
community to the Commission.
7. Chair & Vice -Chair Appointments:
Jessie moves to make our vice -chair position a rotating position for 2024 to be discussed in
the new year; Pam seconded and approved by consensus.
Pam moves to appoint Elaine and Jessie as co-chairs for 2024; Ardeth seconded; approved
by consensus.
8. Grant Discussion: bumped to January.
9. Old Business:
a. Approval of outstanding budget items: Jessie moved to increase the Sherwood
Elementary Grant by $300 additional funds.
A discussion on how to spend the remaining budget was held. Some suggestions are
to spend the funding on marketing materials, purchase books for the school district,
senior center and community.
Jessie moves the Communication committee is given the autonomy to spend the
balance of the Commission budget; Jeanett seconded; approved by consensus.
10. Committee Reports:
a. Engagement: No report tonight. Hanukkah starts tomorrow. Rebecca will draft a
statement and send it over to Megan to post.
b. Communication: No additional report.
Meeting Summary
DEIA Commission
December 6, 2023
Page 2
c. Education: Did not meet. Sally Guzman from Edmonds School District will visit in
January. Elaine shares that there are two films that are not available on DVD. Elaine
and Molly are discussing replacement films.
11. Acknowledgement and Thank you to retiring Commissioners: Alison and Ardeth were
presented with thank you gifts and big thank you for their time and efforts with the
Commission.
12. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes) Jeanett would like to see the Latinx community
represented on the Commission. Alison shares that she enjoyed her time on the
Commission but is frustrated with the lack of movement and acknowledgment for all the
work she put into position papers and recommendations to the Mayor and Council.
Councilmember Eck is disheartened to hear the lack of follow through by previous
Councils, she will make it a priority to move the work of the Commission forward.
Adjourn — 8:18PM
Next meeting: January 3, 2024, at 6:OOPM
Meeting Summary
DEIA Commission
December 6, 2023
Page 3