2016-04-06 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
April 6, 2016
The Diversity Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mario Brown at 220 Railroad
Avenue, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Gayle Ketzel
Ed Dorame — Vice Chair
Patricia Valle
Tung Bui
George Basioli
Adam Khan
Mario Brown - Chair
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Diana White
Maria Montalvo
Roll Call: Call to order at 6 p.m.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Tom Mesaros, Councilmember
Dave Teitzel, Councilmember
Kristiana Johnson, Council President
Mike Nelson, Councilmember
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Michele Rastovich, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
2. Welcome by Chair: Mario introduced the Commission and staff, gave brief history of the
Diversity Commission; asked guests to introduce themselves briefly first, and then speak
about their organization during presentation portion of agenda.
3. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as submitted.
4. Diversity Forum Presentations:
Dean Olson, Washington State Communication Access Project: working on providing reader
boards and captioning in public venues, and closed captioning in theaters; captions on screens
assists both hearing impaired and non-English speakers.
David Bayless, GLOBE, representing programs for LGBTQ youth: provides resources for
support and encouragement in a safe environment; recommends broadening gay -friendly
businesses and community buildings; just inviting presentations helps to increase community
awareness of Edmonds' work to be more inclusive.
Steve Bernheim, Community member: Discussed objectionable/inappropriate a -mails
regarding immigrants that have been circulating locally and is surprised by lack of
compassion.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 6, 2016
Page 1
Dr. Janice Greene, President NAACP: oldest civil rights advocacy group in existence
advocates for civil rights for all; civil rights are not just an African American issue; seeing
increase in issue impacting communities of color in the last three to four years, including
bullying, unemployment, and rentals/housing market discrimination; working on graduation
rates and poverty rates, because "that's where the hurt is".
Dr. Anthony de Sam Lazaro, Community member, Engineering Professor: lst generation
immigrant, willing to discuss his experiences with the Commission; recommends more
opportunities for people to talk to each other, hear each other's stories; and determine
needs in the community.
Erin Monroe, CEO, Workforce Snohomish County: provides employment, education, and
ancillary services; assist unemployed and under employed in preparing to enter the
workforce; partners with nonprofits, government agencies, and private sector; part of their
work includes increasing the willingness of local employers to employ people with barriers;
would like to work with Commission to increase community participation in a "solution
committees".
Jim House, Hearing, Speech, & Deafness Center: one in five Americans have some degree of
hearing loss; organization provides wide range of help to hearing impaired.
Kristiana Johnson, Edmonds City Council President: announced April 15 event — the
Governor's Race and Equity Summit, Cascadia College in Bothell; also noted that City
Council Chambers has been upgraded to provide better service for hearing impaired.
Michele Domingo, Edmonds Community College, Equity & Inclusion Director; student
engagement and inclusion is the focus; looks forward to exploring partnership with Diversity
Commission
Daniel VanArsdale, Families of Color United in Service (FOCUS): non-profit organization
creates opportunities for families of color to engage, especially with the Edmonds School
District.
Ferrill Fleming, Edmonds Senior Center: can provide assistance in identifying partners;
provides an environment to welcome diversity for the community.
Nora Karena, YWCA: key area of service is empowerment of women; equity and inclusion
are the foundation of all services; would like to see more diverse representation on boards.
Sandra Williams, Chamber of Commerce: very committed to building partnerships and
interested in learning from the Commission regarding increasing inclusive Chamber events.
5. Comments: Kristiana Johnson, City Council President, encouraged the Commission to
consider recruiting a student representative. Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Edmonds City
Council, noted the dramatic changes in population along the Highway 99 corridor in the last
ten years. Michele will contact presenters to add a contact for the Diversity Commission to
their mailing lists.
6. Approval of March 6, 2016 Diversity Commission Meeting Summary: Meeting Summary
was approved as submitted.
7. Report from City: Agenda for work session on April 20 was briefly discussed. Tung will
take the lead in developing the plan for participation in the 4th of July parade. A calendar
based on the work plan will be developed.
8. Adjourn: Meeting was adjourned at 8PM.
Work session meeting April 20, 6:00-8:OOPM
Next regular meeting May 4, 6:00-7:30PM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
April 6, 2016
Page 2