2019-08-07 Diversity Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
DIVERSITY COMMISSION
August 7, 2019
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Anabel Hovig, Vice -Chair
Ed Dorame
Mindy Woods
Donnie Griffin
Brian Potter
Sarah Mixson
Tomas Brodniak, Student Representative
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, ex
officio
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Maria Montalvo (?)
Dean Olson (unexcused)
Pat Valle, Chair, (unexcused)
GUEST:
Aselefech Evans, Housing Development
Consortium
STAFF PRESENT
Patrick Doherty, ED/CS Director
Giovanne Schachere, Diversity Commission
Coordinator
Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: "We are meeting on the
traditional homelands to the Coast Salish Tribes. We pay our respects to indigenous peoples
past and present.
1. Roll Call: Anabel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Anabel recognized Maria
Montalvo's absence for vacation, but will follow up next month to determine whether the
absence is excused. Pat Valle's and Dean Olson's absence were not excused as they did not Et
with any of the criteria for an excused absence.
2. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by consensus.
Approval of Meeting Summary of June 5, 2019: Summary minutes approved as submitted
by consensus.
4. Public Comment: Aselefech Evans, Housing Development Consortium (HDC) of Seattle and
King County came to the meeting to advise the Commission on what services the consortium
provides. It is a membership organization providing affordable housing support to meet needs
of people with limited incomes including housing development programs. To encourage equity
etc. There was discussion about how this could benefit Edmonds including building
relationships. Cities that are members include Seattle and Redmond. Adrienne encouraged her
to contact Shane Hope regarding the Council's creation of the new Housing Commission in
Edmonds. The Commission should be appointed and begin activity by September. Adrienne
explained the process of selecting the commissioners and how it is by districts.
Heather Lingbloom here to find out more about the Commission.
5. Update from the City:
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Diversity Commission
August 7, 2019
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Patrick: reviewed budget summary. Explained how the funds have been expended.
After some discussion there will be a line added to make it clearer how much money
is available after the programmed projects are completed. An alternate meeting space
will be needed when elevator is being repaired. Can book Public Works for alternate
meeting space.
2. Adrienne: Nothing to report. .
3. Giovanne: Nothing to report.
6. Old Business
a. "I Am Edmonds" Project update/progress: Patrick updated and currently the project is to
go through the 16`' of August. Haven't had the amount of stories we had hoped to receive.
Would like to extend into September. Capstone event is tentatively planned for November
2. Tomas asked if a submittal could be an interview style and answer is yes. Need to get
the information out in multiple ways. Posters are not as effective as need be. Facebook
posting and boosts for advertising seems to be more effective. Extend to September 20 and
encourage more submissions. Agreed by consensus to move the submittal deadline to
September 20.
Question asked about City Diversity Consultant and Patrick updated there should be
progress after the new Human Resources Director starts on 8/26.
b. Unexpended Funds Policy discussion: Anabel reminded Commission to send any ideas for
projects if there is money left over at the end of the year. Send to Giovanne, Patrick, and/or
Cindi. Have policy established by October or November so the money can be spent in
December. Adrienne has been approached by a representative from the Tulalip Tribes
regarding a group tribal canoe celebration. She asked if some money could be allocated for
a celebration and she will provide contact info. Could be an event in 2020. Could there be
some event linked to Indigenous Day in Edmonds on Columbus Day? Partnership
Committee will take up this issue. Arts Commission could be a potential partner as they
have expressed an interest in partnering for an event.
c. Youth Commission Partnership Update: Pat was not able to meet with Commission
representatives. Giovanne advised they would like to meet with Commission at some point
but would prefer not to meet at one of their meetings. Pat will be trying to set up a meeting
so they could join a Diversity Commission monthly meeting.
7. Subgroup Reports:
a. Policy:
Progress on captioning recommendations. Patrick updated on draft letter provided by
Maria. Mayor has approved the letter. Will be identifying businesses to receive letter.
Partnerships: Donnie updated regarding work with Ed! and Edmonds Arts Commission
(EAC) regarding the decal/plaque idea. Decals are preferred by the committee for
businesses to display indicating a safe location. The examples of decals produced by
Lynnwood were offered as an example as well as the "Love Edmonds" decals produced by
the Edmonds Downtown Alliance (Ed!) Ed!'s decals could be modified to include the
desired wording by the Diversity Commission. Dean had submitted some ideas that were
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Diversity Commission
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reviewed and after discussion regarding size of decal, creating a handout or information
packet to accompany a decal, and potentially have decals located in City Hall for businesses
to pick up on their own. It was suggested to meet with Ed!, DEMA, and Chamber of
Commerce representatives and if they do not want to partner the Commission will pursue
on own. It was agreed by consensus to not pursue the plaque idea.
Events:
2019/2020 Film Series update: Patrick updated progress on film series selection progress.
Giovanne updated on the screening rights. Donnie commended Patrick and Giovanne on
their progress. Discussion on promotion: recommended to use theater for promotion before
films, increased Facebook presence, posters & fliers, etc. Agreed by consensus to accept
film series recommendations.
4th of July Parade recap & discussion: Mindy mentioned the entire parade had such
diversity and reception from crowds was very positive. Would like to get word out for more
participation next year.
New Business:
Government Alliance for Racial Equity (GARS) participation/discussion.
Giovanne discussed joining this group as a partnership. He has reached out for membership
information. Could be discussed as part of Partnership Group. Membership fee of $1,000
for an associate membership level. Benefits of collaboration with region as a number of
local jurisdictions are members. Will get more info out to Commission on this.
8. Commissioner's Corner (comments by individual commissioners):
Donnie: Would like to acknowledge Carrie Hite as Parks and Recreation and her contributions
to the Edmonds community with her support of diversity.
Brian read a prepared statement expressing his concern, as a member of the LGBTQ
community, about a mayoral candidate raising the issue of marriage equality for LGBTQ
people in a question to another candidate. Brian thought this question was unrelated to
anything in the mayoral race and that the tactic was inappropriate, making a political wedge of
a basic human rights issue for that community. He concluded by stating that as a member of
that community and a Diversity Commissioner, he hopes that local political candidates will
avoid using constituents as "weapons" against one another in political discussions and debates.
Adjourn: Anabel adjourned the meeting at 8:04 PM — Next meeting: September 4, 2019, 6
p.m. Brackett Room, City Hall.
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August 7, 2019
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