2018-02-07 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
February 7, 2018
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Diana White, Chair
Donnie Griffin, Vice -Chair
Ed Dorame
Maria Montalvo
Dean Olson
Sarah Mixson
Anabel Hovig
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, ex
officio
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:01 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Pat Valle
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda amended by adding to #6 the incident at Harvey's Lounge
within the City and then approved by consensus as amended.
Approval of Meeting Summary of January 3, 2018: Summary minutes approved as
submitted by consensus.
4. Public Comment: David Ortiz, Chair, Communities of Color Coalition, read a prepared
statement regarding the Harvey's Lounge incident (see attached). The Coalition sponsors the
Annual Conference on Race every April and this year it will be at Edmonds Community
College on April 28. The Diversity Commission is welcome to have a table at the conference
but must let the Coalition know by end of February. He also shared a packet of information
from ACLU regarding legal financial obligation system in the state. Brenda Carrithers spoke
representing Work Opportunities an organization based in Lynnwood for over 55 years. They
collaborate with employers and community to find work for people with disabilities. Ardith
Weed spoke about an excellent book, "Strangers in Their Own Land", regarding economic
diversity. Louis Harris, Vice President of NAACP Snohomish County spoke about the racial
incidents happening recently in Edmonds.
5. Introduce New Commissioner: Brian Potter introduced himself and gave a brief
background. He is interested in bring more awareness to the community of economic
diversity. Brian is a research meteorologist with USFS. Brian has replaced Tung Bui on the
Diversity Commission.
6. Update from the City: Patrick spoke for Shane who is ill today. There is a proposal to have
signs and/or placards at construction projects being permitted by Development Services with
the signs to be handed out with permits, language for the signs has been translated into
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
February 7, 2018
Page 1
Spanish & Russian, City attorneys are reviewing, and there is no plan at this time for
enforcement. Cannot be required but private businesses could be encouraged to also include
the signs at their projects. This project is a result of concerns raised by Commission and
Councilmember Dave Teitzel has worked with Development Services to help implement.
Questions about what Diversity Commission can require or present to place in a packet of
information for the public. Private contractors and City contracts with firms for City projects
are two different issues and cannot be treated the same. Regarding the Policy Subgroup,
recommended changes to policies can be forwarded to City Council and individual
Commissioners can bring their ideas to individual City Council members. The noose incident
was not resolved in that there were no charges filed and the investigation was suspended
indefinitely. Newest incident has been investigated much quicker and it is hoped there can be
a more satisfactory resolution. There will be a Policy Subgroup meeting on 2/15 to
brainstorm ideas and discuss at retreat. Film on 1/20 "A Stray" approximately 85 attendees
plus over $100 donated. Next one is on 2/17; Donnie is the host for that film. Need to start
reviewing films for the next series in fall 2018. Reminded the Commission about
communication by e-mail and should not "reply all" when responding to e-mails. Book
donation will be occurring on Friday, February 9 at Westgate Elementary.
Harvey's Lounge Incident: Patrick referred Commissioners to Seattle Times article. There
was nothing new to add from the EPD, and this incident is still under investigation. There
was not an incident response released from the Commission by Wednesday because the
details were stil sketchy, the police was involved very quickly and it happened 3 days before
a meeting. The Chair and Vice -Chair were aware and preferred to wait until there was a
formal response from the City (i.e. police, mayor, etc.) and also await the Commission
meeting which was just 3 days away, then issue a more customized statement from
Commission than the standard, preapproved "incident response" statement. Consequently
there was discussion about the appropriate statement to release from the Commission. Can
put out response on Thursday, February 8 — Patrick will draft and send to Chair and Co-chair.
General consensus was to try to get a statement out within 24 hours but up to 48 hours within
an incident being reported.
7. Strategic Planning Retreat — next regular meeting 3/7/18: Ed will be unable to attend
because of a preplanned vacation. Subcommittee will meet ahead of retreat to discuss agenda.
Chair, Vice -Chair, and Brian can meet to create an agenda. Topics should include: policy
recommendations, economic diversity in addition to racial, religious diversity, affordable
housing, why do we care about diversity, location diversity such as Hwy 99 etc., what
constitutes success, communities to engage, rules & policies and procedures of Commissions,
ice -breaker get to know each other questionnaire.
8. 2018 Sub -Groups: (Grants Ed, Sarah & Anabel) (Film Series Sarah, Anabel, Brian & Dean)
Policy: Interviewed Dave Teitzel, meeting on 2/15 to condense all interviews and to create
recommendations.
Events (Ed, Sarah, Brian): Youth Forum, Film Series, World Cafe. Youth event could be
done at school facility and work with school representative. Mid to late April for event. Diana
will coordinate with school district.
Partnerships (Dean, Diana & Maria): (combine with Communications include Grant group)
Communications: Update will put press release out in April for grant cycle to make decision
by May meeting.
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Diversity Commission
February 7, 2018
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9. New Business, Commissioner's Corner: Anabel is going to try to attend Lynnwood
Diversity Commission next Wednesday 2/14; she is producing "To Kill A Mockingbird" at
the Driftwood Theater in February for 3 weeks. Brian invited the Commission to attend his
church. Maria wrote column two weeks ago about gender issue sexual harassment and is
prevalent but not always given the same attention. Sarah was in Olympia today for Arts &
Heritage day representing ECA discussed film series with representatives. Donnie attended
ECA grant performance. Diana went to film series movie in January and is very proud of
what the Commission is doing. Patrick stated that film series movies would be kept in office
for viewing, except for "A Stray" which has to be returned. Ed asked to have sub -group
members be sent out to CCommission and is very proud of CCommission since he was
original member and he is pleased with progress that has been made. Send out
CCommissioner packet info including business cards.
Adjourn: 7:56 PM — Next regular meeting: March 7, 2018, 4 PM at Edmonds Senior
Center.
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Diversity Commission
February 7, 2018
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