2017-12-06 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
December 6, 2017
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ed Dorame — Co -Chair
Diana White
Donnie Griffin
Dean Olson
Sarah Mixson
Anabel Hovig
Tung Bui arrived at 6:15 p.m.
Pat Valle arrived at 6:25 p.m.
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Maria Montalvo — Co -Chair
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, ex
officio
GUESTS
David Ortiz, Coalition of Color
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF PRESENT
Dave Teitzel, Alternate Council Liaison
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda approved by consensus as amended.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of November 1, 2017: Summary minutes approved as
submitted by consensus.
4. Public Comment: Vanessa Stedman updated on "Black Girl in Suburbia" movie screening,
held on December 1 and funded by Diversity Commission grant. It was a very good
experience and she will provide full report for Commission. David Ortiz, current chair of
Communities of Color Coalition. (Comments attached). He applauded the rapid response
from the City, Commission and PD to the noose incident. Discussion of noose incident: Dave
Teitzel discussed e-mail that had alerted the City of the incident. The investigation is
ongoing. Karen Dove, Executive Director at ANEW, has asked to have legal process proceed
without additional action from the Commission or City. Patrick discussed bringing incident
before City directors and PD on Monday morning after reported at staff meeting and what
transpired with the incident after reporting of the incident. Ideas to bring awareness: post
placards with numbers on who to contact and report incidents and signs available for
neighbors of projects to post in their yards with inclusive welcoming messages. Concern
expressed about lack of information coming out of investigation. The Commission asked for
a thank -you to company for their response to the incident. The response by the City sends a
good message to other construction trades. Some concern that there was not as quick of a
response from the Mayor. Could we improve on this response time? Patrick clarified the
response time of media releases from Mayor, staff, Police Chief and Diversity Commission.
Important to get as much information as possible and to have facts before issuing a public
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
December 6, 2017
Page 1
response. Cannot put out bad information to public and maintain Commission's credibility.
The process can be slow but it would be good to know progress. Minimal details could be
helpful to the public to know that there is ongoing work being done. Patrick will ask Chief
Compaan if he can provide an update on the investigation. Could information on zero
tolerance be provided when permits are issued? No enforcement to back up this information
but could be providing a zero tolerance message. Good faith response is necessary as a result
of a law being broken. Proactive response to community concerns. Acknowledgement to
Karen Dove from Commission to be directed to victims. Patrick to draft response from
Commission to contractor and to Karen Dove on behalf of entire Commission, with Ed's and
Maria's review/approval — consensus to do so. Vanessa Stedman stated comments on
MyEdmondsNews were very dismissive of the incident she asked if Commission provide
education to community?
5. Update from the City: Patrick updated on budget approval last night, the programmatic
budget was increased from $3,000 to $5,500 and Misha's contract was approved. Patrick
provided update on expenditures for 2017. Have approximately $800 additional money to
spend on book project. Meeting location concerns about moving to the Public Works
Building every other month. It was decided to keep meetings at Senior Center until June 2018
then move to Public Works from July — December, 2018 which will accommodate the
potential construction at the current Senior Center location.
Dave Teitzel recognized Tung for his service to the commission as this is his last meeting.
6. 2017 Work Plan Discussion:
Events Group Update: Update on Diversity Film Series: very successful with donations of
$262 for both movies, attendance was 90 at first movie, 80 at second, next one is on January
20. Will reach out to Somali community because movie is about Somali citizens. Q&A after
movie for about 15 minutes. Survey to find out how attendees find out about event. Grant
Program updates: "Black Girls in Suburbia" — Vanessa gave update there were approximately
240 attendees, very successful, school staff, students, had panel discussion, appreciative
audience, relatable subject matter. Appreciative of support from Commission and Edmonds
School District.
2018 Grant Requests for consideration: Patrick briefly discussed five applications. Not
recommended for funding: Christmas House buying toys, not meeting purpose of grant
program; St. Thomas More/Our Lady of Guadalupe asking for public money paying for
supporting religious program (mass); Storytellers did not meet deadline and was put together
with not enough details but could be encouraged to apply in second half of year.
Recommended to fully fund: Brer Rabbit Story Telling event and ECA event. Due to Donnie
on Board of ECA and Sarah working for ECA they recused themselves from voting on
proposal. The two proposals were agreed for funding by consensus with Donnie and Sarah
recusing themselves.
Partnership Group: Diana had nothing to report.
Policy Group: Update tabled to January meeting.
Potential donation of books to Edmonds School District. Anabel discussed (see handouts
regarding book purchase). If we can purchase through Amazon Prime can stay within balance
of budget. Book content was discussed and also schools on list. Consensus to authorize
Anabel and Diana to proceed with completion and invoices by end of year.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
December 6, 2017
Page 2
7. Nominate 2018 Chair and Vice Chair: Ed nominated Diana White for Chair and Donnie for
Vice Chair, there was consensus to appoint both.
Review request and consider for reappointment: Commissioners Anabel Hovig and Pat
Valle requested reappointment, and there was consensus for reappointment of both Anabel
and Pat.
8. Interview Diversity Commission Applicants and consider for appointment:
Brian Potter was interviewed and consensus was reached to appoint Brian, pending
confirmation by City Council. A second applicant, Richard Suico was unavailable for
interview.
Adiourn: 8:21 PM — Next regular meeting: January 3, 2018, 6 PM at Edmonds Senior
Center.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
December 6, 2017
Page 3
December 6, 2017
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Edmonds Diversity Commission, my name is
David Ortiz and I am the current chair of the Communities of Color
Coalition (C3). The Communities of Color Coalition is a non -partisan group
of residents who meet on behalf of the peoples of Snohomish County to
discuss, problem -solve, and advocate for social justice, cultural and
religious respect and human rights, especially for people of color and other
under -represented groups. C3 applauds the rapid response from both the
City of Edmonds and the Edmonds Diversity Commission regarding the
October 26 "noose" incident. Moreover, C3 acknowledges the efforts of the
Edmonds Police Department in opening an investigation of the noose
incident and inviting the FBI to assist in the investigation.
As a symbol of death, power, and control, the "noose" historically has been
used as a terror weapon against both black communities and indigenous /
tribal communities. In 2017 there is no excuse or rationale for such a
diabolical symbol to be displayed in the work place, other than to intimidate
and invoke fear. Communities of color have been revered for their
resilience and grit. The post -colonial and post slave trauma still impacts
these communities today and will probably linger for many years to come. It
is our hope that we all recognize this historical trauma and offer our
genuine heart -felt support for healing.
The Communities of Color Coalition is willing to assist in this healing
process by offering our services to facilitate community forums and
discussions and advocate for workplace practices and guidelines that
promote respect, inclusion, and the right to work.
Respectfully,
David Ortiz, Chair
Communities of Color Coalition
Edmonds Diversity Commission Book donation Proposal
Proposed by Anabel Hovig
I would like to propose that the Edmonds Diversity Commission use the remaining money to
purchase and donate selected books on diversity to the nine elementary schools within the
Edmonds City district. The goal is to donate 4-6 hardcover picture books which targets grades
K-3.
School libraries mainly depend on school book fairs to raise money for new books. They are
limited to Scholastic and other specific sellers. As a result, there is seldom enough books on
diversity. The series of books chosen reflect a range of diversity such as: race, special needs,
immigrant experience and ethnically diverse neighborhood experience and more.
If approved, books will be donated in January/February 2018. Each book will have a "donated
by" label inside with the Commission logo and year. In addition, I would like to offer to visit
some schools and read a few books aloud if possible. I invite other Commissioners to join if they
are interested.
The schools which are slated to receive the donations are:
1. Edmonds Elementary
2. Westgate Elementary
3. Sherwood Elementary
4. Seaview Elementary
5. Picnic Point Elementary
6. Serene Lake Elementary
7. Chase Lake Elementary
8. Madrona School K-8
9. Maplewood Co-op K-8
It is my hope our diverse students see themselves represented in these books and others have
an opportunity to learn more about our differences. Even if it is a small contribution it is my
hope that it will help build some students up as well as continue to nurture a culture of
acceptance in our schools.
We're All
Wonders
Picture book $18.99+ Tax $11.39+tax
K-2 and shipping
Empathy and
kindness
about
differences
You Hold
Monique
Picture book
$19.95+tax
$14.61+tax $15.40
me up
Gray,
K-2
and shipping
Danielle
Indigenous
Daniel
culture. About
(illustrator)
kindness,
respect and
importance of
community
A Different
Bao Phi
Picture book
$15.95+tax
$12.21+tax $12.86
Pond
Thi Bui
K-2
and shipping
(Illustrator)
Vietnamese
immigrant
story about
adapting to a
new culture
and "how
generational
history
impacts
Present".
Got
Connie-
Picture book
$16.99+tax
$14.45+tax
Rhythm
Morrison,
K-1
and shipping
Frank
"A young girl
Morrison
discovers a
(Illustrator)
world of
exuberant
rhythm" in her
diverse
neighborhood
Why Am I
Paige Britt,
Picture book
$17.99+tax
$12.19+tax
Me
Selina Alko
K-1
and shipping
and Sean
Two children
Qualls
who are
(Illustrators)
different from
each other ask
the same big
questions.
Title
Author
Description
BN in store
BN (online) Amazon
PROPOSAL OF PICTURE BOOKS TO DONATE TO EDMONDS SCHOOLS
Price
Price
Prime
Jasmine Debbie
Picture book
$15.99+tax
$13.62+tax
$14.28
Toquchi Florence,
K-3
and shipping
Mochi Elizabeth
Celebrates
Queen Vukovic
Japanese
(Illustrator)
culture.
Jasmine is an
exuberant
eight -year old
girl who is
overshadowed
by her older
sibling who
gets to do
things first.
She comes up
with a plan to
help the men
pound mochi
rice and be
the first to be
a part of this
important
tradition for
New Years.
Total per column before tax
$105.86
$89.18
Total cost with tax (shipping
if applies) per
$81.08
Column
Total Cost for 9 schools
$952.74
$802.62
$729.72
Before tax
Before T&S
*Extra or back up books:
"Malaika's Costume" by: Nadia
L. Hohn, Illustrated by: Irene Luxbacher
"Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter" by: Kenard Pak