2016-05-04 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
May 4, 2016
The Diversity Commission meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Ed Dorame at 220 Railroad
Avenue, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Vice Chair
George Basioli
Diana White
Gayle Ketzel
Patricia Valle
Tung Bui
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
ex officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Mario Brown — Chair
Maria Montalvo
Adam Khan
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Michele Rastovich, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:04 p.m. George reminded Commissioners that a voice roll call
is most helpful to him.
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as submitted by consensus
3. Approval of Summary Minutes of April 20, 2016: By consensus, summary minutes were
approved with amendment and corrections.
4. Public Comment: None
5. Report from City: Patrick distributed Protocol and Talking Points to be used as a guide for
Commissioners during speaking engagements, key informant interviews and talking with the
press. This final version incorporates suggestions by made by Commission over the last two
weeks. It was suggested that this document be placed with the work plan and mission
statement in a folder to have handy when speaking publicly. The City held a mandatory
diversity and sexual harassment training session for all employees. The focus encouraged
recognition of all the types of diversity in the workplace, and was aimed at the employee
rather than the employer. Ed asked about this type of training for Commissioners and Boards.
Patrick will find out if Commission could participate in trainings. The City survey will be
translated into Spanish and will be sent to 2200 randomly chosen households. A letter to
citizens advising them that the survey is coming will be sent in the next couple of weeks,
followed by a reminder post card encouraging participation. The City is also involved in an
ongoing waterfront access study and Highway 99 planning. Demographic data from the
Census will be brought to next meeting.
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 4, 2016
Page 1
6. Community Outreach: Parade Plan:
Tung reviewed plans for Commission participation in the 4th of July Parade, including
inviting the April 20 Forum participants, reaching out to the community and using press
releases and social media to invite participation, encouraging folks to walk in their cultural
attire, and purchasing plastic leis for all to wear to show our unity. Tung also presented a
sample banner and discussed costs. It was suggested that the City logo be made smaller to
look less institutional than other City sponsored events, and words like `accepting' and
`respecting' be added to `celebrating diversity.' Patrick and Diana will work on finding a
more inclusive graphic and, by consensus, were authorized to design the final banner. The
Commission's intent is to keep costs as low as possible, and by consensus, it was agreed to
spend no more than $400 on this event. Patrick will create a press release and invitation to
our current mailing list for distribution closer to the event. Commissioners were encouraged
to participate and to invite others.
Pat expressed reservations about parade, and suggested it might be more helpful to survey
crowds regarding what they find accepting or not accepting in Edmonds at parade rather than
just marching in the parade. Discussion included that it is a good start with a feel -good event;
a card like the Lynnwood Diversity Commission uses could be distributed; a Marysville
example of using young people to interview visitors and note zip codes; most of the parade
watchers are not local, and navigating around the parade watchers is not practical.
Commissioners, in general, like the idea of an in -person survey, but suggested that other local
events, like the Summer Market or Music in the Park might be more appropriate venues.
Patrick noted that the City survey will include one diversity question and will forward the
survey questions to the Commission. Patrick, Pat, and Adrienne will meet to propose a plan
for Commissioners to consider at the June meeting. The Lynnwood Diversity Commission
postcard will also be discussed further at the June meeting.
7. Community Outreach — Update on invitation to Refugee and Immigrant Forum:
Michele had nothing to report and will update at next meeting.
8. Work Plan Recommendation:
Michele reviewed the Work Plan April Update and presented a proposed Work Plan by
Quarter, based on the April 20 discussion. Most work will need to be done outside of regular
meetings by sub committees. Proposed projects include: presentation from Refugee and
Immigrant Forum, Key Informant Interviews, a community forum, perhaps using the World
Caf6 Model, a Youth Forum, and some kinds training or intentional meaningful dialogue with
City and community leaders. High priority items from the April 20 meeting were: don't over
stack agendas; learning more about best practices of community inclusion; learning more
about City demographics, and insuring that the Community Update is always included in the
regular meeting agendas. There was some discussion about the work plan goal of learning
more about public policies that either encourage or discourage inclusiveness and this will
need more discussion. Commissioners were asked to review the draft plan, especially
consider the proposed projects of a Youth Forum, a World Caf6 event, and an intentional
training or discussion with leaders. The plan will be discussed further at the May meeting. It
was also suggested that the Commission report to Council at about the six-month point.
9. Adjourn: 7:36 PM — Next regular meeting: June 1, 2016, 6 PM
Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 4, 2016
Page 2