20180710 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
July 10, 2018
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Dave Earling, Mayor
Michael Nelson, Council President
Kristiana Johnson, Councilmember (by phone)
Thomas Mesaros, Councilmember
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Councilmember
Diane Buckshnis, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDERIFLAG SALUTE
STAFF PRESENT
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Carrie Hite, Parks, Rec. & Cult. Serv. Dir.
Patrick Doherty, Econ. Dev & Comm. Serv. Dir.
Scott James, Finance Director
Dave Turley, Assistant Finance Director
Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Program Mgr.
Rob English, City Engineer
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
Scott Passey, City Clerk
Jerrie Bevington, Camera Operator
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Earling in the Council
Chambers, 250 5t' Avenue North, Edmonds. The meeting was opened with the flag salute.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Scott Passey called the roll. All elected officials were present. Councilmember Johnson
participated by phone.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER FRALEY-
MONILLAS, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA, MOVING ITEM 4.5 TO ITEM 7.8. MOTION
CARRIED (5-1-1), COUNCILMEMBER TIBBOTT VOTING NO AND COUNCILMEMBER
MESAROS ABSTAINING.
4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER BUCKSHNIS MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TEITZEL, TO
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The
agenda items approved are as follows:
1. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 3, 2018
2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 3, 2018
3. APPROVAL OF CLAIM, PAYROLL AND BENEFIT CHECKS, DIRECT DEPOSIT AND
WIRE PAYMENTS
4. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FROM JOANNE M.
CUMMINGS (AMOUNT UNDETERMINED)
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
July 10, 2018
Page 1
5. PRESENTATION
DIVERSITY COMMISSION REPORT
Community Services/Development Services Director Patrick Doherty introduced Vice Chair Donnie
Griffin who introduced Commissioners Ed Dorame and Sarah Mixon. He reviewed:
• Background
o Diversity Commission was created by City Council in April 2015. After appointment of the
initial Commissioners in October 2015, the Commission began work in November 2015.
o The first report to Council was provided in October 2016.
o Commissioners meet the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Edmonds
Senior Center. Once the Senior Center is closed for demolition and preparation for new
construction, an alternative location will be chosen (preferably in another part of town, such as
in/near the Highway 99 Corridor).
• Commission Members
o Ed Dorame
o Donnie Griffin, Vice -chair
o Anabel Hovig
o Sarah Mixson
o Maria Montalvo
o Dean Olson
o Brian Potter
o Pat Valley
o Diana White, Chair
o Councilmember Fraley-Monillas, Council Liaison
• Mission statement
o Promote and embrace diversity through action, education, and guidance; foster an
understanding that includes, accepts, respects and appreciates each individual member of our
community by:
■ Providing information, education, and communication that facilitates understanding of
diversity and to celebrate and respect individual differences;
■ Recommending to the Mayor and City Council opportunities to promote diversity
programs, and providing guidance to ensure an accessible, safe, welcoming and inclusive
government and community; and
■ Supporting, challenging, and guiding government and the community to eliminate and
prevent all forms of discrimination.
• Subcommittees
o The Commissioners meet in non -quorum subcommittees to work on issues in three key areas:
• Events
■ Partnerships/Communications/Grants
• Policy Issues
o Discussions and/or recommendations on these issues are brought forth by subcommittee
members to the full Commission at each monthly meeting
Accomplishments
o Events
World Cafe — community discussions about diversity, bias, inclusion and equity. two
World Cafes have been held December 2016 and November 2017
"Your Voice Matters" Youth Forum — World Cafe format gathering for middle and high
school youth. Two Youth Forums have been held: March 2017 and March 2018
Fourth of July contingent 2016, 2017 and 2018
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
July 10, 2018
Page 2
■ Diversity Film Series
- October 2017 to April 2018 (minus December)
- 75 to 100 attendees
- Preparation for 2018-2019 series underway
o Partnerships/Communications/Grants
■ Partnerships
- Outreach to organizations in and beyond Edmonds
- Growing list of partners and resources on Diversity Commission webpage
- Increasing engagement of public and groups in/near Edmonds at Commission meetings
- Proposed by Communities of Color Coalition to partner with Edmonds Diversity
Commission on "Grand Alliance" for up to full year
- Engagement with Edmonds United Methodist Church, Edmonds School District, Rick
Steves Europe, ECA Accessibility and Diversity Board Committee
■ Communications
- Continuing use of Facebook page and press releases to communicate and engage
community
- Commission offers official response on FB page when hate inspired incidents occur in
the community (often in support of or coincident with Mayor/Council statements)
- Commissioner Montalvo often includes Diversity messages in her frequent Edmonds
Beacon columns.
■ Grants
- Initiated Grants Program in 2017
- $500 grants (maximum). Following community projects have been granted funds:
➢ Screening of Black Girl in Suburbia movie, December 2017
➢ "Stories for Self and Solidarity" spoken word event, November 2017
➢ `Brer Rabbit and Friends: African -American Folktales for All," February 2018
➢ Lil Buck and Jon Boogz with NW Tap Connection performance in partnership with
ECA, January 2018
➢ Edmonds Pride Picnic, June 2018
➢ Afterschool Multicultural Art Program for College Place Middle School, Fall 2018
o Policy Issues
■ Subcommittee of Commissioners has met and interviewed Department heads, Mayor and
two members of Council
■ Purpose is to provide `support, challenges and guidance' in areas relating to diversity,
inclusion and equity within City government and in the broader community
+ Finishing touches on recommendations from the Commission are being prepared in a
memorandum to Mayor and Council regarding awareness and suggested improvements
and/or enhancements
■ Indigenous Peoples Day designation (on Columbus Day) was an example of a policy -level
issue identified by Commission in 2017, with recommended action offered to City Council
+ Upcoming
o Presentation of policy recommendations this Summer
o Seek Student Commission Representative, Fall 2018
o "Grand Project" with Communities of Color Coalition - with a focus related to diversity,
inclusion and equity in conjunction the Edmonds business community
o World Cafe in Fall 2018
o Second Diversity Film Series starting Fall 2018
o Increased/enhanced partnership opportunities, particularly along the Hwy 99 Corridor/and
outside the Bowl
o Increased/enhanced public communication in partnership with other community and business
entities
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
July 10, 2018
Page 3
VC Griffin relayed a conversation with David Oritz, Chair Communities of Color Coalition, when the
Diversity Commission was dealing with intense issues and there was frustration that the Commission was
not moving fast enough or spending enough time on issues. Mr. Oritz encouraged him to chill out; the
Communities Color Coalition sits in on 2-3 other diversity commissions in Snohomish County and
Edmonds is far in advance of the others with regard to the number of things the Commission does, the
support they receive and the response they get.
Councilmember Tibbott commented in a meeting with a representative from Congresswoman Pramila
Jayapal's office, the person remarked about the Diversity Commission's film series. He asked where the
Communities of Color Coalition was based and the areas they cover. VC Griffin advised it was based in
Everett and is active in Snohomish County. Councilmember Tibbott supported that partnership and the
broader perspective and influence it provides beyond Edmonds. He congratulated the Diversity
Commission for fostering that partnership.
Councilmember Tibbott referred to a presentation he sent to the Diversity Commission Chair regarding the
Washington Voting Right Act and suggested the Diversity Commission have a broader discussion regarding
that. VC Griffin suggested a Washington Voting Rights Act representative make a presentation to the
Diversity Commission and the public invited to attend.
Councilmember Buckshnis asked why only two of the seven Councilmembers were interviewed, noting
other Councilmembers were very integral to starting the Diversity Commission but were not asked their
opinions. VC Griffin answered the Commission interviewed the liaisons, Councilmember Teitzel and
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas as well as all the Department heads. The original plan was to interview
all Councilmembers, however, because Commissioners are volunteers, there wasn't enough time.
Councilmember Buckshnis commended the Diversity Commission for their outreach and education.
Councilmember Teitzel commented he has attended a number Diversity Commission meetings and is
impressed with their passion and commitment to their mission.
Councilmember Mesaros commented one of reasons the Diversity Commission is so successful is they are
very proactive; presenting information, giving the public an opportunity to learn and interact and creating
a forum for diversity. He commented it is much easier to steer a moving car than a car sitting still; the
members have gotten the Diversity Commission moving.
VC Griffin recognized Diversity Commission Chair Diana White in the audience.
In response to Councilmember Tibbott's suggestion, Councilmember Fraley-Monillas agreed the Council
can prioritize what they want a commission to do. She recalled attending a Ramadan event with Diversity
Commissioner Sarah Mixson a few weeks ago. After the event, a number of women and students inquired
why they were not allowed to take off the two highest days of Ramadan, days that are similar to Christmas
and/or Christmas Eve to a Christian. Students' parents indicated their children are not allowed the days off
from school; as the days would be considered an unauthorized absence from school, some parent allow
their children to call in sick to participate in religious events. She suggested the Diversity Commission take
up diversity of religion.
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
July 10, 2018
Page 4
6. ADJOURN TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS
With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned to committee meetings at 7:28 p.m. (Parks &
Public Works Committee in Council Chambers, Finance Committee in the Jury Meeting Room. The Public
Safety, Personnel & Planning Committee did not meet.)
(UL no r
F:7�;JILL "*�
AVID O. EARLING, MAYOR
SCOTT PASSEY, CITYCL6K
Edmonds City Council Approved Minutes
July 10, 2018
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