2017-01-04 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
January 4, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Mario Brown — Chair
Ed Dorame — Vice Chair
Diana White
Tung Bui
Maria Montalvo
Donnie Griffin
Pat Valle
Adam Khan
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
ex officio
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:00 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
GUESTS:
Karla Ibsen
Ardeth Weed
Anabel Hovig
Amelia Wood
Vanessa Stedman
Emanuel Flores
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of November 2 and December 19, 2016: Summary
minutes of both meetings approved as submitted by consensus.
4. Public Comment:
5. Election of Chair and Vice -Chair: Mario is outgoing chair. Encouraged all commissioners
participate as an officer. Ed is willing to be chair but would like to have a vice chair that
would take on the public speaking component. Ed is nominated for chair. Unanimous vote for
Ed as chair. Maria is nominated for vice chair. Unanimous vote for Maria as vice chair.
6. Open Commissioner Avointment Process:
Discussion on how to move forward in filling Commissioner vacancy. Commission vacancy
will be advertised. Citizens who have expressed a past interest should be given an opportunity
to reapply. Pick top three and interview as done before. Advise them the night of interviews
or not? Discussion followed about the process. It completes the process to interview and
choose the applicant the same night. This is the completion of the first year of commission
and commissioner requirements are more defined. Add additional requirements to list of
criteria. Patrick will create the vacancy posting to better define the requirements of serving on
the commission so there are no misconceptions about the requirements of the commission.
Send out broader e-mail messages to community and potential applicants.
Resumes/applications will be distributed to all commissioners and pick top three applicants
for interviews.
7. World Cafe Report: Patrick: stated it was a great event, right size, we couldn't really have
more participants, that forum may be good for youth event. Pat: thought first round was a
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Diversity Commission
January 4, 2017
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little awkward but after that people opened up, learned a lot. Ed: liked that commissioners
went into what was opposite of their own diversity, eye opening, interesting, thanks to Misha
for logistic help. Lessons learned to continue the conversation and resist the temptation to fix
the problem. Tung: learned a lot from the group, very effortless, would like to see more of
these types of events. Donnie: enlightened there were so many people that came and
participated, could schedule on semi-annual basis, make it known when these events are
scheduled. Regarding questions: good to have both set of questions, direct questions were
helpful and table captains generally used both sets. Next time could there be more direct
questions. Diana: felt that direct questions were leading and the commission was not trained
well enough to handle the direct ones. Maria: was concerned about having a bias in the
questions should not be leading the conversation on. Goal is to get people talking about the
issues not assuming that they already believe the way commissioners do.
Public Feedback: Questions could be tested on smaller group before bringing to an event
like this, excited that it happened, eager to see what was going on, what is next, how to get
involved. Important to reach people who don't agree. Having this commission is a very
liberal democrat thing, people interested in listening to other cultures. Would like to see that
diversity doesn't just seem to belong to liberal side. Other side needs to be in attendance.
Such as the people who don't embrace diversity. Ongoing educational process. Edmonds
Pantsuit Nation wants to be involved in next event. The word diversity has a lot of
connotations attached to it. "See something say something" motivation to do something
should be right now — if you see something happening speak up. How do we get other people
that are not actively seeking diversity to participate. Acknowledge that being uncomfortable
is ok and if you are not uncomfortable maybe you are not doing it right. The cafe forum is a
very comfortable setting. Not long enough for each session. Felt rushed. Got outside personal
bubble. Connections that don't normally happen in Edmonds. Appreciated listening to other
stories. What are issues in Edmonds? Commission is committed to have more events like the
World Cafe.
8. Sanctuary City Discussion: Adrienne discussed resolution declaring Edmonds a safe place
to reside. This resolution will be declaring Edmonds a "safe" city not a "sanctuary" city.
Passed out document. Wants to get on CC agenda in January. Would like something about the
Diversity Commission included in the document. Patrick, Adrienne, and Andrew (Council
Assistant) will work on terminology. Statement that it is supported by Diversity Commission.
Commission agrees by consensus to support the resolution.
9. 1" Quarter Event — Youth Forum: Diana discussed the prior activity on this event. Needs
to know the budget for this event and age of participants that commission is trying to attract.
Could utilize World Cafe format for this event. Should we attract the broader Edmonds
School District rather than just within the City limits. Could we use the commissioners help
rather than pay for a facilitator. Budget for World Cafe was $500. Partner with School
District? There are too many questions at this time. Sub -committee to meet and come back in
February with a plan for the forum. Pat, Ed, Diana, Amelia Wood from community to form
sub -group.
10. 2017 Diversity Commission Work Plan : Postpone and work off-line to get draft 2017 work
plan developed.
11. Commissioner's Corner.
Events: MLK prayer breakfast on January 15, Alliance of Leaders Leveraging Involvement to
Eradicate Discrimination will hold the first in series of meetings on January 28, in Everett,
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Washington Kids In Transitions giving out school supplies at United Methodist church on
Feb 4, Edmonds Center for the Arts community forum Wednesday, February 8 conversation
and community dialogue focusing on enabling hearing impaired community to attend and
enjoy events. Citizen brought in to City a solicitation for money and a petition to sign
regarding anti -immigration.
Adjourn: 8:04 PM — Next regular meeting: February 1, 2017, 6 PM
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January 4, 2017
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