2024-04-03 DEIA Commission Packet°F ED^'o�� AGENDA
Edmonds Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
& Accessibility Commission
Ins 1g9� Wednesday, April 3, 2024 1 6:OOPM-8:OOPM
HYBRID MEETING
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Commission members will be meeting in person and/or remotely for this
meeting. The public may join at the physical location or join through zoom.
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Brackett Meeting Room, Edmonds City Hall — 3' Floor 1 121 5' Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020
REMOTE MEETING/ZOOM INFORMATION:
httos://edmondswa-eov.zoom.us/i/98071999699?owd=Y59GTVdWM2VPTUtiROVXVm56NGIaUT09
Meeting ID: 980 7199 9699
Passcode: 963195
6:00 P.M. — Call to Order and Land Acknowledizement: "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
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of March 6, 2024, Summary (5 minutes)
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker)
5. Youth Commission Update (5 minutes)
6. Update from the City: Todd, Councilmember Eck, Megan (5 minutes)
7. Old Business:
a. Retreat debrief; takeaways, next steps (45 minutes)
b. Commission structure:
i. Committees:
1. Executive
2. City Engagement & Policy
3. Community Engagement & Visibility
ii. Ad -Hoc Committees:
1. Film Series
2. Grant Program
iii. Committee Assignments:
1. Calendar
2. Book distribution plan
3. Onboarding for new commissioners
c. Annual Report Update (5 minutes)
d. April 20t' Film — The Farewell — Host
8. Commissioner's Corner (5 minutes)
Adjourn — 8:OOPM
Next meeting: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 6:OOPM
Guiding Principles
To ensure we meet our responsibilities as a Commission, we agree to:
• start and end our meetings on time
• demonstrate our respect for our fellow Commissioners, the City of Edmonds, and the citizens we represent by: being present, being prepared, actively
listening, participating in meetings, completing our individual assignments, and holding ourselves accountable
• "step up and step back"
• establish goals and action plans that are results oriented
• establish subcommittees as needed
• engage in courageous, honest, and open dialogue when faced with difficult issues or questions
• utilize the "Ouch Rule" (assume positive intent; resist the temptation to be offended)
• embrace the education opportunities presented through the Commission meetings
• strive to make decisions by consensus. In a case where consensus cannot be reached after a reasonable attempt has been made, the Chairperson may call
for a majority vote.
CITY OF EDMONDS
EDMONDS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION &
ACCESSIBILITY COMMISSION
March 6, 2024
Meeting conducted via Zoom and in -person at the Brackett Meeting Room
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Elaine Helm, Co -Chair via Zoom
Jessie Owen, Co -Chair
Pam Iverson
Rebecca Perrault
Kim Gunning via Zoom
Umrah Thomas
Rowan Soiset
Patty Narvaez-Wheeler
Councilmember Chris Eck, ex-officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Dipti Chrastka
GUESTS PRESENT
Ardeth Weed
STAFF PRESENT
Todd Tatum, Director
Megan Luttrell, Program Coordinator
Molly Jay, DEIA Commission Coordinator
6:00 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: Dipti's absence is excused, due to a family emergency.
2. Approval of Agenda: Pam moved to approve the summary; Rowan seconded; approved by
consensus.
3. Approval of February 7, 2024 Summary: Jessie requested to add the following to the 9.a.
Engagement: Seaview Park still doesn't have accessible parking, she's working with the
City on this. The Student Rep interview questions have been updated and request that we
update the Holiday Market guidelines. With these additions Rebecca moved to approve the
summary; Pam seconded; approved by consensus.
4. Public Comment (3 minutes per speaker): Ardeth Weed shares that she loves walking
around and seeing the diversity in town. She replaced the old film posters around town
except for Hwy 99. Kim offered to distribute around Hwy 99 area.
5. Youth Commission Update: Not in attendance.
6. Update from the City: Todd, Megan, Molly, Councilmember Eck: Todd introduced
himself and his role to the new commissioners. He explains events his department manages
and his role in partnering with the Commission. Lunar New Year, along with the market,
was a great success. Pride is the next event. There are several Pride events being planned
for June: storytelling events "telling your story" at the library, a free screening of To Wong
Draft Meeting Summary
DEIA Commission
March 6, 2024
Page 1
Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, a
cornerstone event at Civic Field on June 22nd. There will be an ask for some sponsorships
from the community in the next month or so to support the event.
He reviewed the Comprehensive Plan update process. The Economic Development
Element is a specific focus for his team. Two of the goals for the next twenty year update,
that could be of interest to this group are economic prosperity (incoming jobs) and
economic security (food, rent insecurity). The update should support all ranges of
socioeconomic sphere and better quality of life for all Edmonds residents. Policy pieces are
important in achieving these goals. Todd requests to add to an upcoming DEIA
Commission agenda a discussion around the following ideas: 1. Where is policy working to
improve economic security? 2. What does Edmonds do in these areas currently?
Rowan briefly explains the Community Champions Program and wants to make sure it's
considered in the Comprehensive Plan.
Councilmember Eck introduced herself and offered her help in liaising with the Mayor's
office. She asks for advice on housing affordability in Edmonds. Kim said there's
opportunity for the Commission to help on housing disparity and our best avenues to have
those conversations. How do we encourage those conversations and find the right way to
present ideas? Councilmember Eck wants to see new faces and hear new voices and invited
us to come speak at public comment time during the Council meetings. Other ways to get in
front of the Council are submit electronic comments, Zoom into the meetings or send
emails to Council.
7. New Business:
a. Collaboration with other local DEI groups: Elaine has had a chance to talk with
Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace. They met once and have ongoing email threads
sharing news around events, what others are doing for various events such as
Juneteenth. Will the city be doing anything for Juneteenth? Elaine is compiling info
from these regional committees and sharing it out through our newsletter and social
media so more people are aware of local events, not just those in Edmonds.
Councilmember Olson asked Elaine how we want to brand or co -brand these co -
hosted things. Perhaps we have each of the cities have their name or logo. Todd to
ask Donnie about any planning around Juneteenth.
b. Grant Program Review: Megan gave overview on our grant program, award
amounts and timing of awards along with descriptions of the last five grant award
winners. Jessie explains the grant program guidelines and outlined them for the new
commissioners. The Commission has $5,000 budget each year and historically
receives donations as well. Each year, $2,000 of their budget has been allocated to
the grant program. Umrah asked what the process is for awardee selection, how we
let awardees know. Megan explains how the grant applications are received,
reviewed, awarded and documentation required from recipients prior to grant funds
are disbursed. Jessie suggests that marketing needs to be stronger. Rebecca asks if
we translated any of the marketing. We do. Megan suggests that the commissioners
Draft Meeting Summary
DEIA Commission
March 6, 2024
Page 2
engaging their networks could help market the grants. Elaine mentioned that
because these are city funds, we are not providing the funds up front. These are
reimbursable grants. It's suggested that this could be a barrier for some plus it
highlights an equity issue.
Things to think about as we review the current grant program practices:
Review the grant amounts: should they be increased?
Can we pay up front instead of reimbursing?
How can we reduce barriers for people who want to apply.
Megan will follow up with the Finance Department and report back.
c. Retreat — March 30th Waterfront Center: Megan explains that if we hold the
retreat at the Waterfront Center, we will have to pay for part of the rental. We can
explore other venues like the Plaza Room, we will confirm there is Zoom access.
First choice is Plaza Room, need backup plan for other location(s). Rowan
mentioned reaching out to Asian Services Center. Last year, with food, facilitator,
and room reservation, it was around $700. Rebecca motions to make $1,000
available for retreat expenses; Pam seconded, all approved.
d. Annual Report Update: Elaine shares that the annual report will be presented to
Council in the next couple of months. Encouraged commissioners to provide ideas
for the report. Todd will try to secure a date in May.
e. Mayor Meeting Review: Elaine and Jessie met with Mayor Rosen. They shared
their frustrations around the Council's lack of involvement with the Commission as
well as lack of acknowledgment and implementation of recommendations. Mayor
asks for suggestions on things we'd like recognized. They also discussed the Blue
Ribbon Panel finance committee with only white men and one woman be
diversified. They're tasked with taking him a list of things for proclamations and
recent policy recommendations. Follow up on land acknowledgement update.
8. Old Business:
a. Film Series Update: Molly introduced herself and her role to new Commissioners
and gave an update that there are two films left in the current series. Umrah will
host the March movie. Molly adds that she will be reaching out to new
Commissioners to solicit headshots and bios for the website.
9. Commissioner's Corner (10 minutes): Time did not allow for this item.
Adjourn — 8:02PM
Next meeting: March 6, 2024, at 6:00
Draft Meeting Summary
DEIA Commission
March 6, 2024
Page 3