2017-04-05 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
April 5, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Chair
Maria Montalvo — Vice Chair
Tung Bui
Donnie Griffin
Diana White
Dean Olson
Pat Valle
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
ex officio
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Mario Brown
Adam Khan
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Diversity Commission Coord.
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda amended and approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of March 1: Summary minutes approved as submitted by
consensus.
4. Public Comment: Vanessa Stedman discussed book readings and a screening of the film
"Black Lives in Suburbia" that she and a friend would like to bring to community. It is a 55-
minute documentary and she would hope to have discussion afterwards. Ed and Diana
recognized Amelia and her work with the Youth Forum and thanked her for her volunteer
work on behalf of the Diversity Commission.
5. Update from the City: Patrick Doherty discussed new tourism brochure and the redesign to
incorporate diversity in the project. The new brochure was received today. The brochure was
redesigned based on Commission input to increase the diversity of imagery in our tourism
materials for Edmonds which includes the redesign of the VisitEdmonds.com website.
Discussed racially biased comments made by Fire District 1 commissioners and the response
the Mayor had made at a subsequent City Council meeting. The basics of the statement by the
Mayor are that this kind of comments are not representative of the City of Edmonds. The
Mayor's statement was also posted on the City Facebook page. Business cards could be
obtained for approximately $42 per 500 cards and be generic so all commissioners could be
used. Adrienne discussed situation of payout on sexual harassment claim against the Police
Department that was settled. Maria wanted to know if the social worker to be hired by the PD
has occurred. This position is to be liaison between homeless population and mentally ill
people on streets. Patrick stated Lynnwood has been using someone from the YWCA, but is
now in the process of hiring a full-time person, a portion of which the City of Edmonds will
pay for. Lynnwood will take on the position and supervise. Social worker could potentially
help the PD deal with diversity issues. There is a concern about proper training of PD in
dealing with homeless population. Is it the Diversity Commission's role to tell the City/PD on
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Diversity Commission
April 5, 2017
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how to deal with the public? What are the issues? What can we improve and what have we
done well? City does have a web page for the Diversity Commission to utilize for events, etc.
Please let us know any subject or event that members may hear of that could and should be
posted on web page.
6. Youth Forum Report, March 17, 2017: Diana gave update on forum and stressed how
every avenue was tried to get participation from kids from Edmonds-Woodway and
Meadowdale HS's. There was good feedback from kids that did attend. Questions were more
youth oriented than the World Caf6 held in December. Sixteen participants attended, and we
would have liked more. Event was better than the students expected. Enthusiasm was good
from participants. Right after school may encourage better attendance. Misha has prepared
certificates of participation for each student and will be sending them to students. Donnie
discussed his group, stating they were very engaging, welcoming and comfortable
environment, one student actually came out to his group and it was very emotional. Patrick
was appalled at the report of language and what kids have been hearing and being subjected
to at school. Adrienne was at the bullying table and discovered that most bullying occurs
through social media and there seems to be no filter in what kids will say to other kids. Diana
and Ed discussed gun violence but stated that few had experienced any but their feelings
about gun violence seem to reflect their parents' view. There is gun violence training in the
schools. Students feel like some incidents are swept under the rug but maybe it is reflective of
privacy laws. Tung thought it was well done; he was not in a specific group but observed all
groups. Maria said students believe they are better able to talk about these issues than older
generations had been in the past but the world they live in is getting more judgmental and that
makes them sad. Lessons learned: offer students community service credits, have event at a
school might increase participation, prizes were good and well received. Some kids had to
take Uber to get to the event.
7. Indigenous Day Discussion: Diana had brought this item up at the time of the 2016
Columbus Day holiday. There are several municipalities in the Puget Sound area replacing
the name with Indigenous Peoples Day. There are local jurisdictions who have adopted the
new name including Seattle. City of Denver was the first city in the country to adopt
Indigenous Peoples Day. Review examples of resolutions from other cities in the state and
country and contact Edmonds Historical Society, Tulalip Tribes, etc. for local support. There
will be a need for some history in order to have a supportive ordinance to bring forward to the
council for approval. Partnership sub -group will take lead with Diana.
8. 2017 Work Plan
a. Events sub -group: Tung discussed several events including a picnic but some concern
about weather and should an outdoor event be pushed out further than 2nd quarter. 3rd
quarter is 4th of July parade - maybe add to the parade and have a fashion show wearing
their traditional attire from their native land prior to fireworks in evening. Has not
received feedback on this idea from Chamber, so could include traditional attire in
parade rather than at fireworks. A series of story telling in 3rd quarter regarding
background and history of different families and their culture. Had not thought of event
for 4th quarter but could be World Caf6. Patrick discussed a small grant program to help
co-sponsor events. If approved would identify budget and develop process to accept grant
applications in a short time frame. $300-$500 maximum. This would be a way to use
budget to help public put on events. Grant program would be supported by staff. Movie
series could start in fall potentially at ECA but that venue is probably too big. Patrick is
willing to approach Edmonds Theater for their participation. At end of movie have Q&A
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Diversity Commission
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or open chat. Patrick sent out sample of diversity movie examples in different categories.
ECA has Diversity and Inclusion committee that could be potential partner in movie
series. City Park may not be available any day but through the week for "Meet Your
Neighbor". Request for a calendar of events that maps out four major events per year and
where do you plug in other events such as speakers, story -telling, movie series, etc.
Question was asked regarding small grant process: could it be implemented in between
these larger events? Tung, Patrick, Ed will meet to discuss procedures and developing
calendars.
b. Outreach sub -group: Should be called Partnership group, Maria discussed meeting held
on March 27, 2017. This sub -group will support the Commission to become a
clearinghouse for diversity and inclusion -related resources in the Edmonds area.
Proposed approach:
Level 1 - Establish relationship to share contacts, events, resources - City and Diversity
Commission will promote and list on City website and through other means (this includes
a fully functioning outreach and media plan)
Level 2 - Establish collaborative goals to co -host functions or co -promote mechanisms
for outreach and education within the community
Level 3 - Create partnerships to engage in civic action and guide policy by leveraging
knowledge of groups in key areas who know more about diversity and inclusion in their
areas of focus and can provide the Diversity Commission with insight and guidance for
us to meet our City -assigned duty to advise the Mayor and Council.
Key Work Items:
1. Misha, Patrick, and Cindi will further build out and update list of groups who we will
want to partner with in a variety of areas, including some we do not know yet but
want to identify (i.e., housing discrimination)
2. Misha, Patrick, and Cindi will update calendars on website of upcoming events by us
and our partners, and establish a social media calendar to promote, as well as some
press releases
3. Sub -Group members will take on 10-15 partners once list is finalized to establish a
direct link between the Commission and other like -focused groups to improve our
ability to respond to situations and impact policy
4. Patrick will send an email and create a press release to solicit engagement from
current and potential partners to continue to build out list and better be able to collect
event and other information (this will be an ongoing sub -group activity and all info is
welcome)
Commission agrees to notes by consensus.
c. Policy sub -group:
Pat discussed meeting, and goals: 1. Educate ourselves on city of Edmonds policies and
procedures as they relate to diversity, inclusiveness, and equity. 2. Assess data from
interviews and other collection methods. 3. Identify gaps in policies and procedures that
could possibly be improved upon as it relates to diversity, inclusiveness, and equity.
Identify solutions and make recommendations. 4. Establish a network between Diversity
Commission and City Departments so that issues can be communicated quickly and if
needed acted upon. 5. Bring recommendations to the Diversity Commission for approval
before presenting to the Mayor, City Council and key stakeholders.
The first interview has been set up with Mayor Earling this Friday. The questions for the
interview were discussed The interviews are to determine the culture regarding a diverse
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Diversity Commission
April 5, 2017
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workforce policies within the City of Edmonds. Should school district be included?
Diana stated there are policies being developed in the school system. School district
could be included in 2018. Commission agrees by consensus to support notes.
9. Retreat Discussion: After discussion it was decided by consensus to have a retreat on
Friday, April 21, from 3-6 p.m. with a place to be determined by staff. Ed, Maria, Misha, and
Patrick will meet to plan agenda.
10. New Business, Commissioner's Corner: Ed discussed federal decision regarding removal of
counting LGBTQ sector in the 2020 census. It was decided by consensus to write letter to
federal congressional delegation by commission. Letter will be drafted by Diversity
Commission. (Patrick & Ed will draft). Diana mentioned the commissioner invite to the ECA
on Friday night.
Adiourn: 8:04 PM— Next regular meeting: May 3, 2017, 6 PM
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Diversity Commission
April 5, 2017
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