2017-11-01 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
November 1, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Co -Chair
Maria Montalvo — Co -Chair
Donnie Griffin
Dean Olson
Sarah Mixson
Anabel Hovig
Pat Valle
Councilmember Adrienne
officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Tung Bui
Diana White
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF PRESENT
Dave Teitzel, Alternate Council Liaison
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Fraley-Monillas, ex Misha Carter, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:03 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of October 4, 2017: Summary minutes approved as
submitted by consensus.
4. Public Comment: no comment
5. Update from the City: Patrick: there are commissioner terms ending this year and staff will
need an official letter requesting additional term or resignation. Will advertise as soon as
possible. Pat, Anabel, and Tung's terms are expiring. There will be interviews and potential
appointments at the December meeting. This meeting at the Public Works location gives an
opportunity for residents located in the eastern portions of Edmonds to attend Diversity
Commission without having to go to downtown Edmonds. Meetings could be held here on a
regular schedule and could alternate every other month or quarterly. Consensus is to meet
here every other month starting in 2018. January at Senior Center and February here and
follow forward with every other month at Public Works. Adrienne discussed budget which
should be finalized in December. Mayor has approved the $5,500 proposal by the Diversity
Commission and forwarded it to Council.
6. Edmonds Center for the Arts Diversity Committee presentation: Lindsay Geyer, ECA
Board secretary, Larry Ehl, Vice President of the Public Facilities District, and Gillian Jones,
Director of Programming at the ECA. They discussed what the ECA does including thirty
presented performances per year and more with approximately 390 events in the past year.
Education and outreach program, school and matinee performances, low-income ticket
programs, summer camps, dementia series, participation in 4"' of July parade. As
representatives of the Inclusion and Accessibility Committee they are reaching out to find
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
November 1, 2017
Page 1
ways to partnership to increase inclusiveness and diversity events. Formal invitation will
come for Commission and staff to attend reception on January 11, 2018 and performance.
Choreographers and dancers incorporating movement and dance with the presentation of Lil
Buck & Jon Boogz "Love Heals All Wounds". The ECA staff would like to use partnership
list for invitations. The staff and committee members would like to work together with the
Commission on inclusion and partnership opportunities. Ed stated that this is an opportune
time to come to the commission on working together to share resources and collaboration
regarding training as a first step. Meet at least once a year probably at beginning of year and
identify a point person to liaison with ECA. Pat is interested in serving as a liaison at
committee on P Wednesday, at 7:30 a.m. at the ECA. They will contact her.
7. 2017 Work Plan Discussion:
Events Group Update: Update on World Caf6: great event, 33 attendees, only 3 repeat
attendees, not as intense of discussions as last year, more how to work together and not as
confrontational, very encouraging and good conversations and participations. Biggest
expense for event is advertisement. Make it a yearly event. Potentially have alternate location
for this event.
Film Series: Patrick updated saying first movie was very good with at least 91 attendees.
Good attendance and enthusiastic audience. Next event is on November 18, "Swim Team",
Ed is host and Pat and Sarah will also be there. All movies are at noon. Excellent
participation in movie discussion held at end of showing.
Grants: discussed Stories of Self & Solidarity will be held on November 19 from 10-1 for
multi -culture story -telling, sharing cultural experiences. Vanessa Stedman discussed "Black
Girl in Suburbia" event on Friday, December 1. Press release has been issued for first round
of 2018 grant round due on November 17.
Partnership Group: Maria updated, information is on website listing partners and
encouraged commission to review and recommend additions.
Policy Group: Donnie updated interview with Phil Williams, Public Works Director,
learning what the department does for the City of Edmonds. Subjects discussed were:
diversity and equity, inclusion, training of staff, large population of men, some inappropriate
behavior, ADA report presented to Council to bring City infrastructure into compliance
estimate is $151M. Partner with Commission to get word out to get job postings to
partnership groups to increase diversity in hiring practices. Interested in training opportunities
to current staff to enhance diversity awareness within the city culture. Subcommittee of the
policy group to work on training issues. Three more interviews of City staff and Council:
Scott James, Dave Teitzel, and Shane Hope then move to community leaders. Recommended
reading list available from Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church — Maria will provide.
Patrick gave an update on 2017 budget expenses (see attached). Some discussion on proposed
budget for 2018. Commission training, translation, video or book training opportunity. He
mentioned that with the ending balance of over $640 the Commission could potentially use
the funds to purchase and , distribute videos and/or books to library and/or schools. Anabel
and Misha will research and report back in December.
Think about what sub -group you want to be part of in 2018 and which ones will continue. To
be discussed in December.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
November 1, 2017
Page 2
Donnie discussed letter in Beacon regarding using race in Police Department reports and
Beacon reports. Donnie wrote email to Chief regarding race in police reports and did not hear
back but had coffee to explain concerns with Chief. In Police report there is a media synopsis
and the reports should not include race of involved subjects. Chief thinks of Commission as
his citizen advisory group. Chief has put procedure in place not to include race as part of
media synopsis.
Start discussion on 2018 Work Plan: December meeting.
8. New Business, Commissioner's Corner: Misha met with Mayor of Lynnwood and
discussed diversity commission summit — and if we can organize a summit they would offer
Lynnwood Convention Center for free. Include local diversity commissions for participation.
Commissioner from Lynnwood John Waters just started up again. Attended on behalf of
Lynnwood.
Adjourn: 8:01 PM — Next regular meeting: December 6, 2017, 6 PM
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
November 1, 2017
Page 3