2018-05-02 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
May 2, 2018
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Diana White, Chair
Ed Dorame
Pat Valle
Dean Olson
Anabel Hovig
Maria Montalvo
Councilmember
officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Donnie Griffin, Vice -Chair
Sarah Mixson (excused)
Brian Potter
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, ex ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Cindi Cruz, ED/CS Program Coordinator
Misha Carter, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
1. Roll Call: Call to order at 6:03 p.m. Sarah's absence is excused. Brian's absence is pending
being excused. (NOTE: Brian confirmed to staff after the meeting that his absence was due to
work and could be eligible to be excused.)
2. Approval of Agenda: Added discussion on downtown employee concerns as item 5.1. Change
minutes to April 4, 2018. The agenda approved by consensus.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of April 4, 2018: Summary minutes approved as submitted
by consensus.
4. Public Comment: Huy Hoang from Sea Mar, Community Health Centers described how his
organization can help people through enrollment procedures for food stamps, health care, etc.
and offers his resources.
5. Communities of Color Coalition presentation by David Ortiz "Communication in Crisis"
presented information (see attachment), on a crisis response model. This model can be used
and shared freely as long as there is no profit from it. Message to be sent to community when
response is necessary to a crisis situation for use by media and/or social media, active not
passive, once a message is sent you cannot bring it back or undo the message. Goal of crisis
communication model is to watch for tempo (speed) and tone (how does it sound). E-mails can
be easily misinterpreted. Take time to understand and not react. A mode of communication
such as e-mail is not always the best response for communication. Interpretation is difficult and
he understands the Commission has struggled with this problem. Reasonable response is what
is expected and issuing a good response is necessary. The more you do it the better you are at
it. Blueprint of what to do is helpful for valuable responses. The Commission thanked David
for his expertise.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 2, 2018
Page 1
Gave update on 4/28 7" Annual Conference on Race: David also provided an update of
event. The Edmonds Diversity Commission had the largest commission presence. Commission
could consider hosting a workshop at the 2019 event. Suggested topics could be: How do
community groups work with commission, how to become a commissioner, how to validate
race, gender, ethnicity in work and integration. Diana thought the School District might want
to be involved. Stats — largest ever attendance at 275 compared to 140 in prior years. Book-
ends with Leadership Snohomish County's Step-up event which also broke a record for
attendance. Very pleased with event. Engagement and work with indigenous groups such as
Tulalips. David would like to attend June meeting to discuss proposal for Diversity
Commission project/event.
5.1 Downtown Employee Issues: Patrick updated Commission on concerns brought to his
attention from downtown business owner. This business owner would like to lead a workshop
for business community on her own regarding messaging on building inclusivity, etc. She will
get back to Patrick and will also involve Ed!. Would like help with City/Chamber/Ed! getting
out information. Unfortunately this does not appear to be an isolated incident of this happening
with businesses in local downtown businesses. Maria discussed a couple of incidents in
downtown Edmonds. Student at forum expressed some concerns at HS incidents. Need
training, awareness, help for downtown businesses. A EdYBID Boardmember is interested in
pursuing some work with Commission for a grant to produce inclusivity window clings. David
Ortiz could help with project to bring businesses together. City of Everett staff person could
help.
6. Youth Forum update 4/27/18, 11-1 p.m. at Edmonds Woodway HS: Diana updated event
and stated that it went off as had hoped. ESD staff people helped immensely with the event.
Over 40 kids attended. Both Meadowdale and Edmonds-Woodway HS students attended.
Better training for facilitators could be done. Kids were enthusiastic. Could develop kits for
promotion in advance. Huge improvement over last year's event. Could provide more identity
for Commissioners such as badges, name tags, etc.
7. Update from the City: Patrick talked about 4' of July Parade and registration and application
is open. Shane Hope will be coming to talk about draft Housing Strategy in June. Translation
project is waiting on department heads to respond. Limited money to do pilot project and it will
be important to get results. EPD and Parks, develop permitting are priority areas for the pilot
translation project. The Commission messages could be part of pilot translation project also.
Adrienne updated on Housing Strategy: mid -level housing for a variety of reasons is the focus.
Grants and resources for low-income to buy their own homes. Create vibrant neighborhoods
around individual areas. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are allowed but Detached ADU
smaller homes in back yards are currently not allowed but could be as part of the project. There
is no one solution for the problem. Includes rental and owned units.
8. 2018 Sub -Groups:
Policy: Review draft recommendations: (Ed, Donnie, Pat, & Anabel) Ed gave update on draft
recommendations. Discussion: Could left -over money be used for implementation and creating
visibility? Three items are expensive and need a budget attached to these items. Involvement
with City Wellness Committee could lead to training and more support for diverse groups of
employees. Patrick will offer some comments back to sub -group regarding this section. Group
will work with Patrick and bring back to next meeting. Memo from Diversity Commission to
Mayor and Council making recommendations. Will be reviewed next month for potential
approval and ultimately to go to Mayor and/or Council with recommendations.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 2, 2018
Page 2
All subgroups should bring reports and budget proposals to June meeting.
Events (Ed, Sarah, Brian): Film Series for this year is over but work to begin on choosing
movies for 2018/2019. World Cafe will be in fall.
Partnerships/Communications/Grants (Dean, Diana & Maria): Review grant proposals
Maria restated purpose and recommendation is for approval of both grants. Approved by
consensus.
9. New Business, Commissioner's Corner:. Washington Education Association is reviewing
two business items: policies and procedures of WEA to look for barriers to POC of participating
in leadership roles. Educators of color conference included tough conversation with 800-900
people from all over state. Diversity Commission brochures were well received at last weekend
event.
Adjourn: 8:01 PM — Next regular meeting: June 6, 2018, 6 PM at Edmonds Senior Center.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 2, 2018
Page 3