2019-03-06 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
March 6, 2019
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Pat Valle, Chair
Anabel Hovig, Vice -Chair
Ed Dorame
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Donnie Griffin
Mindy Woods
Maria Montalvo
Dean Olson
Sarah Mixson ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF PRESENT
Brian Potter Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, ex
officio
1. Roll Call: Pat Valle called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. Recognition of Misha Carter for her service by the Commission.
3. Approval of Agenda: The agenda approved by consensus
4. Approval of Meeting Summary of February 6, 2019: Summary minutes approved as
submitted by consensus after making one change by Brian Potter.
5. Public Comment:
a. Libby Hustler read the attached statement: (Item 1).
b. Ardeth Weed, stated the Commission was formed after a racially motivated incident
occurred on the Edmonds waterfront several years ago. She expressed concern about the
recent issues over the Facebook (FB) post.
c. Tom Hawn spoke in support of Libby Hustler's comments. He also was curious why the
Commission was formed and what is their purpose.
d. Carolyn Strong read the attached statement: (Item 2).
e. Billye Brooks-Sebastiani is not a resident of Edmonds but has shopped in Edmonds.
Appalled by comments on FB. Negative reference to business was out of line by
Commission. Question about if there was a vote by the Commission to support the FB post.
f. Devin Myers interested about pro -captioning within City businesses for hearing impaired
and is supportive of a proposal.
g. Holly Monek-Anderson is an Edmonds citizen and supports all speech even when it is
unpopular free speech. She thought the FB statement was innocuous. She expressed her
opinion on the importance of the Commission. But just because we can say something
doesn't mean we should.
h. Apple Catha spoke representing the Edmonds Downtown Business Alliance (Ed!) and
invited the Commission to the Ed! annual member meeting on 4/17/19. This invitation is
an opportunity to share information with the Ed! members. She is willing to facilitate
information on behalf of the Commission. The meeting will be held at Calypso, 109 Main
St. Suite 1 in Edmonds from 6:30 — 8:30 p.m.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
March 6, 2019
Page 1
i. J. Geronimo Whitaker, a resident of Edmonds had heard about Diversity Commission but
had not come until tonight and encouraged the cultivation of diversity. He stressed the need
to be involved in community. Encountered racism locally. Supports venue for safety and
free speech.
6. Update from the City:
a. Patrick:
Mayor's state of the City address is tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Edmonds
Theater.
The Commission support position interviews were held and Giovanne Schachere was hired
for the position. He will be attending the retreat in April.
Senior Center will be closing soon and alternate meeting space has been identified at the
Frances Anderson Center (FAC) for the duration of the construction. Probably June
meeting will be held at the FAC.
Film Series movie on March 16 "Just Charlie" at the Edmonds Theater.
b. Adrienne:
There is a full list of people running for office this year.
Edmonds homeless assessment is out and can be found on front page of City Council
website. Will be starting community engagement again and trying to make the process
more inclusive throughout the City. Meetings will be publicized.
7. New Business:
a. Youth Forum — 4/12/19:
This year will be the 3rd Annual Youth Forum with the Edmonds School District (ESD).
Committee members met with Kimberlee Armstrong. Found out the high schools are not
available that day and Plaza Room has been reserved as back up but the school staff is
looking for an alternative day. The group is considering some new things at the forum —
video presentations, video welcoming from Mayor, video on how world caf6 works,
topics will be: campus safety (School Resource Officer -SRO, guns); emotional/mental
health (teen suicide, depression); LGBTQ; DACA/immigration; the "ism's" racism,
classism, sexism; and possible 6' topic is homelessness. Some changes could be
regarding taking comments and reporting at end of session. Consensus is to hold event at
a school on a half day rather than at Plaza Room. Concerns about adding another table
which can affect the time frame of the event. Students could choose 5 out of 6 topics so
would not affect time. Can discuss logistics at the retreat.
b. Prioritize use of Surplus Funds:
Regarding money remaining in budget at end of year. Come up with two or three ways
that this money would be used if there are any funds remaining. Create policy to
determine how the funds could be spent. Regular budget updates should be given at the
meetings. Potentially would rather spend time at retreat discussing other things than this
since there is time before the end of the year.
c. New logo — provide examples of existing logo:
Passed out existing logo and its variations. Could have a new logo developed by putting a
proposal out to bid and artists would bid on creating a new logo. After discussion there
was consensus to put on back burner and if there are surplus funds potentially fund it.
d. Grand Alliance Project Progress:
Patrick reminded the project that was proposed was a story -telling project. The gathering
of submittals could be showcased sometime in the fall as an alternative to the world caf6
event. Partnership committee to meet asap with Giovanne and advise C3 of the plans and
proposal. Meet with Patrick to determine how to proceed.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
March 6, 2019
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e. Commission Retreat — April 10, 2019:
Retreat will be held at Senior Center 4 p.m. — 8 p.m. Suggested retreat topics;
Dean: Turn on the captions project, partnership topics and Grand Alliance project.
Brian: Dedicate significant amount of time to Grand Alliance project, icebreaker activity,
partnership projects, defining inclusivity.
Adrienne: Discuss why Council created Commission and what were goals and hopes,
Maria: training on how commissions work etc. attorney could provide, what a
commission needs to know about public disclosure.
Pat: use of surplus funds, youth forum, research on other diversity commissions.
Donnie: discuss messaging and Commission dialogue referenced the 3 Practices sessions
hosted by Teresa Wippel and potential for Commission to host something similar.
Approved by consensus to provide box lunches up to $15 per person for dinner during retreat.
No meeting on 4/3.
8. Commissioner's Corner:
Maria thanked audience for attending and expressing their concerns. Adrienne offered to the
audience that she was willing to meet with anyone to discuss concerns her e-mail is on City
website. Ed said one of the biggest challenges was to get citizens to attend the meetings and he
wanted to express that audience comments were not on deaf ears, Brian read a statement
(attachment 3). Sarah mentioned board meeting at ECA Tuesday 5:30 — 7 regarding equity and
inclusivity and Commission is invited to attend. Sarah read a statement (attachment 4). Anabel
thanked the audience for coming and reiterated that their comments are important. Dean passed
out partnership goals that will be the goal to work on.
Adiourn: Pat adjourned the meeting at 7:31 PM — Next meeting: April 10, 2019, 4 PM at
Edmonds Senior Center. This will be a special meeting for the commission retreat.
Approved Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
March 6, 2019
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