2017-08-02 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
August 2, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Co -Chair
Maria Montalvo — Co -Chair
Donnie Griffin
Dean Olson
Sarah Mixson
Anabel Hovig
Pat Valle
Diana White arrived at 7:32 p.m.
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
officio — arrived at 6:44 p.m.
Councilmember Dave Teitzel, alternate
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Tung Bui
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Diversity Commission
ex Coordinator
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of July 12, 2017: Summary minutes approved as submitted
by consensus.
4. Public Comment: None
5. Update from the City: Patrick discussed the budget and there were no additions to expenses
from the last distribution of the budget in July. Discussed proposed expenses for the
remainder of the year for the film series, world cafe, etc. Discussed any potential requests for
an increase in amount for programming dollarsfor 2018? Need to provide itemized list what
would be the uses for the money. The Commission has been very conservative with activities
at this point. One project would be to meet goals of Commission outreach to communities
outside of the Bowl. Request increase through budget process. Proposed need for increase:
increase the grant program, signage, translation, outreach outside of the Bowl (newspaper,
ads), flags to identify neighborhoods, and current programing as exists to continue next year.
Consensus to propose $5,500 for budget proposal increase.
6. Diversity Commission Grant Program Undate/Recommendations/Discussion:
Sarah, Ed, and Patrick met to discuss proposals. Five applications were received and two
were recommended for $500 grants each. Sarah presented information (see summary
attached). Grant requests that are turned down will be sent letters explaining why they were
not chosen. Consensus was reached to fund the two recommended recipients: Black Girl in
Suburbia film screening and Discussion and Stories of Self and Solidarity: a Multicultural
Event.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
August 2, 2017
Page 1
7. 2017 Work Plan Discussion:
Events Subcommittee: Update: Patrick discussed meeting with Anabel and Sarah regarding
movie series. Four selected films are affordable. Need two more. The series would start in
October and run through November, January, February, March, April. Theater agrees to $100
fee but hopes to make $250, so Commission will put out a basket accepting donations and
split the amount with the theater. Need to inquire if movies have captions? Patrick will send
out a summary of the 4 movies. If the Commission has any ideas for two more movies please
let Patrick know as soon as possible. There will be a discussion/comment period after each
movie is over. Need a Commissioner to attend and determine who may be available to attend.
Will provide more info on those details. World Cafe later in the year but not determined date
yet.
Policy Subcommittee: Update: Pat discussed interview with Patrick Doherty. Fine line that
he has to walk between Commission, Council, Mayor, and staff. Conscious of role that he
fills and being the push -back regarding Commission and City. He provides assistance to
Commission in response to incidents in community.
When our community accepts diversity then we have met our goal. This goal includes
education, reaching out, informing Council, Mayor and staff. Information can be provided to
directors at Mayor's meeting on Monday a.m. Every interviewee gets asked same 5 questions
and includes how does economic development play in to diversity in the City. Demographics
of Edmonds is changing and has changed over last 5 years. Coordination is necessary
between departments regarding Commission response to incidents so there are no surprises
for different departments. Mayor Earling, Adrienne, Mary Ann Hardie, Al Compaan, Carrie
Hite, and Patrick have been interviewed. Committee will meet and come up with
recommendations as how to proceed. Will provide the recommendations for September
meeting. Goal to find out what is working and not working and see if Commission can make
recommendations to aid City in improving diversity issues. How City leaders handle issues
within departments and staff?
Partnerships Subcommittee Update: Have not met. Identify as many groups as possible
that have goals of the Diversity Commission and individually create relations with the groups
by the commissioners. Create clearinghouse on City website of the organizations. Also
include events related to diversity, inclusion, etc. please let us know and send to staff for
placement on website.
(moved Commissioner's Corner to wait for Diana White's arrival to discuss Indigenous
Peoples Day)
8. Commissioner's Corner:. Donnie took a ride -along with the EPD, he rode with a woman
officer of color, Corporal Rachel Ramseur who has been with department for 21 years.
Corporal Ramseur had interesting questions about Commission. Met with Assistant Chief of
Police, Jim Lawless, blunt conversations, does not mince words, very progressive ideas from
Key West, Florida. Another ride with white male officer, interesting differences between
Oklahoma and Edmonds. Like the idea of the Commission and highlighting the diversity
community, economic diversity, age -related issues - some specific concerns are kids who
have nothing to do in summer. Ask Chief to come on regular basis to Commission possibly 2-
3 times a year. Very valuable experience for a commissioner and PD welcomes this to
happen. Adrienne discussed her same experience with a ride -along. Anabel discussed how to
educate and continue the education to stay on top of knowledge to work with community.
Patrick discussed opioid project working with County. Medication drop box in lobby at
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
August 2, 2017
Page 2
Edmonds PD. There will be more drop boxes added to different locations sponsored by
Snohomish County Health District. Ed discussed systematic changes being done federally to
undermine progress happening in the LGBTQ communities.
9. Indigenous Day Resolution Update: Diana discussed: she has met with Mayor Earling.
Some push -back to the idea of replacing Columbus Day, so a couple other possibilities are to
acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day on a different day or make Indigenous Peoples Day an
additional acknowledgement on the second Monday in October, along with Columbus Day.
Ethan and Cole Sargent will be researching details for this project to assist Diana. Ethan is a
senior and Cole is a freshman at Meadowdale High School. Diana updated the Commission
on the project to date. The desire is not to alter history but to add to it. Goal is to educate
people. See talking points. Three options: propose to replace, co -exist, or establish another
day. Columbus Day is not an official City holiday. Goal is to acknowledge struggle by
indigenous peoples and how they were treated. Strong focus on reshaping the day rather than
replacement of the day for educational purpose. Make a positive message. Consensus for
proposal to have Indigenous Peoples Day coincide with Columbus Day. Packet will be
drafted for putting forth to City Council for approval by Commission by 9/6/17.
Adiourn: 8:01 PM — Next regular meeting: September 6, 2017, 6 PM
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
August 2, 2017
Page 3