2017-06-07 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
June 7, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Chair
Maria Montalvo — Vice Chair
Tung Bui
Diana White
Donnie Griffin
Dean Olson
Pat Valle
Mario Brown — left at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, ex
officio
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:05 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
None
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of May 3 and May 31: Summary minutes approved as
submitted by consensus.
4. Public Comment: Sarah said she is looking forward to serving on the Diversity Commission
after being recommended by the Commission for approval on May 31. (Her appointment is
on the City Council agenda for confirmation on June 13, 2017.)
Mario Brown is resigning as of tonight from the Commission due to purchasing a house out
of the Edmonds city limits.
5. Update from the City: Attendance code changes — Patrick addressed the vacancy created by
Mario's resignation and the appointment process. City code concerning Diversity
Commission appointments will be changed effective 6/20/17 to allow appointment of the 2nd
ranked applicant interviewed last week. The Commission can have a special meeting on June
21 to appoint the applicant. Meeting location will be confirmed and Commission advised.
Will e-mail commissioners to determine if there is a quorum. Adrienne did not have any
update. Diana discussed Shoreline Management Program (SMP) process being discussed at
City Council (CC) and the inclusion of the Tulalip Tribes to the SMP process regarding the
marsh. CC added specific requirement of a baseline study of the marsh to base any future
developments' site -specific project proposals. Fish habitat, indigenous to the area, etc. is the
reason for this baseline study.
6. 2017 Work Plan:
Policy Group Update — Ed, Donnie, & Pat: interviewed Al Compaan, Police Chief. Attached
to agenda packet are policies the PD has put into place to address discrimination, harassment,
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rules of conduct, immigration violations, and nepotism along with Chief Compaan's
expectations. These policies were incorporated earlier this year into their policy manual.
Chief Compaan would like to come and speak to commission monthly, quarterly, etc.
whenever the Commission would like to schedule. Would like to be helpful and communicate
with Commission and public. Discrimination, harassment, etc. training is every 5 years.
Immigration addressed in policy along with civil rights, etc. What are the proactive steps that
the Commission could recommend? Additional harassment training? Purpose of these
interviews is creating relationships with City and community leadership. The Chief welcomes
feedback from Commission on suggests for improvement. The immigrant community can be
afraid to contact authorities to report crimes, etc. Social worker to be shared between
Lynnwood and Edmonds is approximately two weeks away from being hired. School district
is trying to reinstitute the police officer on site at the high schools - could costs be shared
with City and school district? For some ethnic groups having a police officer on site at the
school can feel threatening. Requires specialized training to know how to react and deal with
students of different ethnic backgrounds. Woman officer and/or officer of color could be
accepted in a positive way. Information gathering position at this time referred to Diversity
Initiative done by City Bellevue to make some recommendations back to the City moving
forward.
Donnie reported on interview of Carrie Hite, Parks, Rec, & Cultural Services Director. Ms.
Hite is very culturally competent. She feels that staff is not getting as much training and
support as needed. An example of a diverse community to serve for parks and rec is the
Ballinger area. Parks cited the example of choosing equipment based on community
needs/wants. Wants to do what is right for community and population. Will come to Diversity
Commission to speak. Value in Commission is drawing diverse people together. These are
goals to work towards and determine a way to budget for these things that are important to
the community. Have plan, goals, etc. increase chances of budgeting more.
Audience comment: Ardeth Weed — pleased they are making these steps, gathering
information, ask for sharing of more ideas, training.
Next interviews are with Adrienne, Shane, Patrick, and a EdYBID representative.
Partnership Group Update — With Misha out of state there is nothing to report at this time.
Events Group Update/4`h of July parade planning — Patrick discussed the grants program to
encourage outside groups to create and produce events. He has drafted criteria for
consideration and explained proposed process. Twice a year but this year would probably
only be once because of the late start date. Could make it quarterly but lower the dollar
amount. Could tentatively approve and have Patrick, Ed, & Maria finalize the criteria and
issue a call for applications. Some concerns about too much for Commission and staff if this
is more work. Review team could be a subgroup. Agreed by consensus to proceed with
program. Issues to work through amount of money to use for 2017 propose up to $1,000.
Applications will be due on July 24. Leave options open to have additional application
round(s) if not enough applications are received for 2017.
Film series: Patrick has approached Edmonds Theater on Sat/Sun 12 — 2 p.m., would charge
approximately $100 per event, ECA is willing to help with advertising by sending info to
their patron base. The films would be one per month and approximately six per year. Would
like to have some movie series events outside the downtown area of Edmonds. Bring cost of
movie series information to next month's meeting.
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Fourth of July parade: The application for entry in parade has been made and paid for.
Identify groups to participate in parade planning. Reach out to partnership groups that have
already been identified. Meeting place for parade marchers to be posted by other groups.
Suggest hand out fliers for information. 500-600 fliers. Agree by consensus a budget up to
$200 for parade costs including purchasing leis and $25 fee for parade.
7. Indigenous Day resolution:
Diana is reaching out to students to help with endeavor to present to City Council proposal to
recognize Indigenous Day replacing Columbus Day. Students have been active in recognizing
diversity issues so it is felt they should be included in this opportunity for education. Will
proceed but it is end of school year so it could be better to start at beginning of school year in
September.
8. New Business, Commissioner's Corner: Pat works in Shoreline School District and their
Board approved an ethnic policy and procedures just this past week for entire district. Donnie
mentioned the seminar/workshop the Ubuntu Expose an NAACP and Edmonds CC
sponsored event August 19 at Wilcox Park in Lynnwood.
9.
Adiourn: 8:01 PM — Next regular meeting: July 12, 2017, 6 PM (this will be a special
meeting)
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