2019-05-01 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
May 1, 2019
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Pat Valle, Chair
Anabel Hovig, Vice -Chair
Ed Dorame
Maria Montalvo (left at 7 p.m.)
Dean Olson
Donnie Griffin
Mindy Woods
Tomas Brodniak, Student Representative
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas,
officio (left at 7:20 p.m)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Brian Potter (excused)
Sarah Mixson (excused)
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Giovanne Schachere, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
ex Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
1. Roll Call: Pat Valle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pat excused Sarah Mixson and
Brian Potter for work purposes.
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by consensus after moving policy sub -group
discussion to 5a.
3. Approval of Meeting Summary of April 10, 2019: Summary minutes approved as submitted
by consensus.
4. Interview Student Representative: Patrick and Mindy introduced Tomas Brodniak a student
from EWHS and he talked a little bit about himself and why he wanted to be a part of the
Commission as a student representative. Tomas was approved by consensus to join the
Diversity Commission as a student representative.
5. Public Comment:
a. Ardeth Weed thought last film was excellent and would love to see it distributed widely to
educators and schools. She has spent some time tutoring a Pakistani family in citizenship
education. She recommended going to watch the citizenship ceremony if possible as it is
inspiring.
b. Fatima Lojewski discussed Edmonds Heights K-12 Student Resource Officer (SRO)
assignment and concerns that an armed police officer was going to be at the school. There
was very little notice given by the School District to parents who have students at the
school. These are younger kids as it is a homeschooling support facility. Question what are
the impacts? Would like to have had more notice about meetings from the ESD? Questions
about what are the resources provided by SRO. Why is it necessary? Could there be better
training. Commissioners attending the Youth Forum stated the students attending the SRO
table that they felt more secure by having them there. Concern that SRO has access to
personal student data.
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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c. Reita Johnson also spoke on SRO concerns. Parent educator at Edmonds Heights and
Scriber High School is also on the Old Woodway High School. Questions the need for an
SRO at the school. No data that supports the value of an officer but there is data that
supports the detrimental issues of having an officer on school sites. It was asked if these
concerns have been conveyed to school board and it has been. Short notice of meetings is
a problem. School Board has not issued a response as of yet. Asking the Commission to
convey concerns to City and School Board. Donnie thought the School District equity team
would be available to discuss this issue. Didn't think the DC would have much influence.
AFM stated ESD asked the City to help pay for half of the SRO at Edmonds Woodway
HS. She was not aware of placement at Edmonds Heights/Scriber HS and she assumed it
would be coming before the Council. It was suggested that parents go to the superintendent
and request an appointment to address concerns.
d. Courtney Wooten: spoke in support of concerns about Edmonds Heights and SRO's. Her
kids are students at the school. Would like to be officially on the agenda and bring this
issue forward to the Commission and help with the engagement with the ESD. To
encourage community engagement and discuss and evaluate SRO's in the schools.
Ed Dorame will connect with his contact at ESD to find out who they should contact for
these concerns.
5 a. Update on Policy Sub -group
Captioning recommendations: Maria handed out a summary of options (see attachment 1).
A law passed by City of Seattle was referenced that requires public places with televisions
to have the closed captions activated during business hours. Maria went over the 3 options
proposed by the policy sub -group. Option 1 would be an educational campaign. Option 2
is to ask City to pass an ordinance requiring businesses to turn captions on upon request.
This is a duplicate to federal law but would allow the City to enforce the requirement.
Option 3 would require that captions are kept on at all times. DEMA, Ed! and Chamber
have been briefed and there has been minimal response from businesses. The requirement
is already a federal law but for local enforcement it has to have an ordinance backing it.
Interest was expressed in education first then potentially ask for an ordinance later. Pursue
option 1 as an educational campaign for 3+ months. Dean gave a perspective from a
hearing -impaired viewpoint. Educational campaign in form of letter to businesses and
make presentation to Council committee eventually requesting consideration for ordinance
to provide enforcement. Policy sub -group could draft letter and Patrick will present to
Mayor first with proposal Commission agreed by consensus. Report back next month on
progress and budget needed for mailing information to businesses.
6. Update from the City:
a. Patrick: Discussed meeting location for the remainder of 2019. Went over budget proposed
for remainder of year. (see attachment 2). The budget has sufficient funds to pay for a
monitor to hold the meetings in the Brackett Room for the remainder 2019. Commission
approved by consensus holding the remaining 7 meetings of 2019 in the Brackett Room,
City Hall, requiring monitoring at approximately $50 per meeting. There is still the option
of holding meetings in alternate locations this year and in 2020. July 3 is the meeting date
for July and since it is the night before the 4t1' of July parade, the Commission's consensus
was to cancel the July meeting.
b. Adrienne: Had to leave meeting at 7:19
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Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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c. Giovanne: updated on how he is reaching out to other commissions including Youth
Commission. Researching events. Open to suggestions and asked Commissioners to
contact him with ideas.
7. Old Business
a. Recap of Retreat: general agreement that there were good discussions and topics. One topic
that was discussed but not resolved was is the definition of inclusive and inclusivity. Could
Giovanne conduct research on the meaning inclusive/inclusivity? Donnie discussed
Commission reputation and perception of value to City. He would like to include the voices
that do not agree with the mission of the Commission in the next round of applicants to the
Commission. City did engage a diversity consultant and he would be interested in knowing
what results are. Patrick will follow up with HR on how consultant could work with
Commission.
b. Storytelling Project Update: Patrick updated (see attachment 3). Need to either decide on
name tonight or empower committee to name the event. Advertising was explained. Ask
C3 to help with sponsoring and help with capstone event. City Facebook page could be the
medium to publish items. Consensus was reached for spending up to $1,000 in project
expenses. Suggestions for naming the project: "I am Edmonds this is my story" or "I too,
am Edmonds". Commission agreed by consensus to leave items 3 and 11 for committee to
flesh out.
8. Subgroup Reports:
a. Partnerships:
Grant recommendation: Edmonds Center for the Arts presenting Jeremy Dutcher in the fall
was approved by consensus for $500.
Anabel discussed decals that have been produced by the City of Lynnwood Diversity
Commission. She will be attending Ed! meeting to see if there is interest in partnership on
decals for business owners to display in windows. Also exploring partnership interest with
Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline. To discuss further at June meeting.
b. Events:
Youth Forum recap: Approved expenses for $118.32 by consensus. Recap of event has
been moved to June meeting.
2019/2020 Film Series: Mindy, Donnie volunteered to meet as an ad hoc subcommittee to
work on the next season, including topics, movie selection, etc. Brian and/or Sarah may
be interested in joining the subcommittee, too. .
4' of July Parade: $125 for budget is approved by consensus for parade entry and purchase
of leis.
9. New Business:
a. Arts and Youth Commission Partnerships discussion moved to June meeting.
10. Commissioner's Corner: Donnie discussed proclamation stand against racism. Also
discussed Diana White's proposal to add acknowledgement of honoring Native American tribal
land to begin each meeting. Lift Every Voice Legacy is proposing event "One Book -One
Community" event on June 9, he will provide more information as it is available. Mindy: She
attended C3 conference and Step Up conference and stated it would be helpful for the
Commissioners to have name tags. Cindi will research purchasing of name tags. June 3 forum
on housing; "HOUSING -Where Will We All Live?" which is part of the Sno-Isle Libraries
Foundation funding of a series of forums called Issues That Matter. Teresa Wippel will
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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moderate. Ed: Provided information on choral event: James Whitbourn's "Annelies," based on
Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, May 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood along
with locations in Bellevue and Seattle.
Adiourn: Pat adjourned the meeting at 8:15 PM —Next meeting: June 5, 2019, 6 p.m. Brackett
Room, City Hall.
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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ATTACHMENT 1
Edmonds Diversity Commission
Policy Sub -Group
Policy Issue: Recommendation regarding Captioning on Televisions in Public Places
Overview:
In March, 2019, the Diversity Commission, and Policy Sub -Group in particular, received
a request to investigate and create a recommendation regarding accessibility for the
hearing -impaired in Edmonds specifically related to closed captioning on televisions in
public places, i.e., restaurants, bars, etc. The issue has been addressed during Diversity
Commission meetings in the past and speakers have presented public comment (please note
past meeting minutes).
Background:
It is already a Federal Law (Americans with Disabilities Act) that all televisions in public
places be closed captioning -enabled and that businesses or facilities "turn on" captions
when asked by hearing -impaired patrons. There have been reports of Edmonds' businesses
refusing to turn on captions when asked, likely unaware that they are breaking a federal
law. Edmonds businesses and even city staff are not always aware of this legal requirement.
Materials have been provided to City Staff regarding the applicable federal laws.
It has been presented that requiring hearing -impaired citizens should not be required to
request the captioning be turned on. The City of Seattle has recently enacted a city statute
requiring that publicly visible televisions leave captions "turned on" at all times. Please
note that this is relevant only to televisions in privately -owned places that are patronized
by citizens. The City offices and facilities are under separate policy.
hi reviewing the options and resources regarding this issue, two of the three potential
options for action identified below require City Council action, so it was the
recommendation of the City that the Diversity Commission outline the recommended
approach for the City of Edmonds regarding captioning and present the option to the City
Council for action.
Commission Action:
Under all options, the Diversity Commission should identify a knowledgeable
representative to present to the City Council regarding the background, legal guidelines,
options available, and Commission recommendations for action. Presentation to be
scheduled by City staff supporting Commission.
The Policy Sub -Group investigated the issue, met with City representatives, and proposes
the following options for Commission action:
Option 1: City to engage in an educational campaign with local businesses. Send letters to
all businesses regarding federal laws and requirements for captioning. Citizens would
continue to request that captioning be turned on and only the federal law would apply.
Option 2: City Council to pass a City ordinance requiring businesses and anyone providing
a television in a public place to turn captions on upon request. This is duplicative to the
federal law but would provide a mechanism for City enforcement of the law.
Option 3: City Council to pass a City ordinance requiring businesses and anyone providing
a television in a public place to keep captions on at all times. This is more stringent than
the federal law and would provide a mechanism for City enforcement of the law.
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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ATTACHMENT 2
Diversity Commission
Budget Pending Actual/expenditures
Supplies
Youth Forum Supplies
$30.60
Retreat box lunches
$185.27
4th of July Supplies
$100.00
Youth Forum Pizza
$87.72
SubTotal $403.59 $0.00
Professional Services
Storytelling Project $1,000.00
Monitor for meetings
7x$53.36 $373.52
Sub -Total $1,373.52 $0.00
Advertising
Film Series FB 2/8 $163.39
Sub-otal $0.00 $163.39
Rentals
Edmonds Theater $600.00
Total
$600.00
$0.00
Miscellaneous
Film Series "Bully"
$75.00
Grant "A Tribute to MLK"
$500.00
Film Series "Old Goats"
$12.12
Film Series "Paper Tigers"
$212.00
Film Series Mailing Just
Charlie
$23.91
Film Series "Just Charlie"
$325.00
Grant "Multimedia Journey to Selma"
$500.00
Fall Movies for Film Series
$500.00
2nd Half Grant
$500.00
4th of July Parade Entry
$25.00
Sub -Totals
$1,025.00
$1,648.03
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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Total Expenditures $3,402.11 $1,811.42 $5,213.53
Budget for 2019
Budget increase for
donations
$5,500.00
$1,000.00
Pending Surplus Balance $1,286.47
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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ATTACHMENT 3
EDMONDS STORY -TELLING PROJECT
SUBCOMMITTEE NOTES
1. Plan to run from June 14t' to August 16th
2. Announce as soon as possible so as to include students before Summer
3. Finalize name. Ideas: "I am Edmonds. This is my story." "My Edmonds Experience."
Whatever name is chosen, it should be a clear call to participants to share their individual,
personal story of the joys, challenges, idiosyncrasies, truths, successes, failures, etc., of their
Edmonds experience. We need to be careful not to appear to invite rants, raves, nonpersonal
stories, etc.
4. Open to Edmonds residents, employees, visitors, students, et al
5. Stories may be anonymous, but need to include at least a first name + initial (Sally J, Rob M,
e.g.), if not a full name
6. We will encourage ALL media: written prose or poetry, spoken word (audio or video), photo
essay, video essay, art of various forms (audio or video), etc.
7. We will include other languages in the PR (likely Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian) and will
accept stories in other languages
8. We will aggressively market with an initial press release and:
a. Facebook posts
b. My Edmonds News ad
c. Edmonds Beacon ad
d. Chamber of Commerce via a special news item
e. Flyers for all Edmonds businesses - Bowl
f. Flyers on Highway 99
g. Flyers in City/Civic buildings, such as City Hall, Senior Center, Museum, Library, etc.
h. Flyers at Edmonds houses of worship
i. Flyers at major apartment complexes?
9. Also reach out directly to organizations, such as:
a. Chamber
b. Arts Commission
c. Youth Commission
d. Senior Center
e. CAFE (Creative Age Festival of Edmonds) folks
f. Civic organizations
g. Library
h. School District
i. Edmonds Community College
j. Individuals
10. We will need to tap our contacts to "plant" initial stories to get the ball rolling. All of us need to
share the opportunity with our writer/artist friends to ask for their stories
11. Develop parameters. Length of stories. Policies on language.
12. Establish specific Facebook page for submission and viewing of stories. Will allow Admin
review/vetting of stories. Will require participants to "join" the page. Also allow for non-
Facebook submissions, via mail, email, etc., but with rules, parameters we will establish. IT will
assist.
13. Capstone event: Saturday 11/2/19
14. Budget: $500 for advertising and related expenses. $500 for capstone event. Total $1000. May
need to revisit budget later.
APPROVED Meeting Summary
Diversity Commission
May 1, 2019
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