Planning 2014-06-26 Minutes - Public Hearing - 2015 Comprehensive Plan: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Element / Roles and Responsibilities / Community Image and Identity Elements

Browse Search

PC Public Hearing Minutes June 26, 2014 Planning Commission Public Hearing - Case Number L13 -0055, Roles and Responsibilities Rebecca Fox gave an overview of this element that deals primarily with the social environment rather than the physical environment. It addresses the roles the City has and the responsibilities it takes for the community, including making sure that basic needs of the community are met. The element also describes providing safety and community, communicating through its programs and actions, reaching out to diverse communities to increase engagement by all residents, and realizing the City's role in the region through partnerships. Public Testimony: Alma Villegas, Community Program Director, Global to Local, suggested language for each of the three elements. The following is a small excerpt of the letter she read. "In the spring of 2014 Global to Local and Forterra in partnership with the City participated in a pilot program called Community Connector's to reach out to typically under represented populations residing in Tukwila. Based on the input received from the community " Ms. Villegas' letter provided recommended revised language and some additional language, for the Community Image and Identity; Parks, Recreation and Open Space; and Roles and Responsibilities Elements. Monica Davalos, a citizen testified (Alma Villegas interpreted the following for Ms. Davalos) she said she has lived in Tukwila for almost nine years and has felt that it is very difficult to get information having to do with the City. She said she had had no way of connecting with the City, but now as a Community Connector she has more information on topics of interest, such as the City of Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan. She and Osman Egal are both Community Connectors. Through the Community Connector program, she and Osman have been able to speak with their respective communities about City activities and how to be involved. They have formed a link with the City of Tukwila that didn't exist before. Ms. Davalos is a resident of Tukwila and supports the Community Connector Program because she feels it is very important to keep giving information to the community and continuing to have a connection with Tukwila..." Commissioner Mann asked Ms. Davalos how she feels connected, what changed, and how she heard about the Community Connector; Ms. Davalos responded (translated by Ms. Villagas) "the way this has changed for me, before we would receive information by mail and we didn't know what to do with it and how to communicate with the City. Through the Community Connector program she received information that she has been able to share face to face with her community in order to create an interest with them about City topics. She learned tools for sharing information from Global to Local. Ms. Davalos answered additional questions for the Commission. Commissioner Strander asked for a brief overview on Global to Local. Ms. Davalos said Global to Local is a health initiative and explained how the organization was formed. Osman Egal, a citizen said he has lived in Tukwila for 15 years and he loves where he lives. He said they come from a different background and a different culture, and that he would like to have different food and meat available to purchase and a halal restaurant in the community. Commissioner Nguyen asked Mr. Egal for clarification. Page 2 of 5