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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquityDiversity 2014-04-03 Minutes EQUITY AND DIVERSITY MEETING MINUTES April 3, 2014 Present: Joan Hernandez, Aaron Draganov, Mary Hulvey Absent: Kathleen Gantz, Charlie Penor, Nate Robinson Guest: Faye Chess, Exec. Director of H uman Resources and General Counsel, Tukwila School District Staff: Joyce Trantina Meeting was called to order at 5: 15 p.m. OLD BUSINESS The Minutes from the February 6, 2014 meeting were reviewed and minor edits were suggested. Because there was no quorum, approval will be postponed until the May meeti ng. Joyce provided an overview of the recent Community Conversations that were held on March 6 and March 8. This was the City’s first use of the Communication Connectors program (liaisons), and thanks to the support and help of Global to Local and Fort erra, the event was well advertised, well attended, and participants embraced the City’s efforts to be inclusive. The pilot project for the Community Connectors was to collect information and feedback related to housing, neighborhoods and food access, so this data could be incorporated into the housing element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan update. NEW BUSINESS The Commission received an application from Mr. Thung Ung, who owns and operates a teriyaki restaurant in the Urban Center. Because there was no quorum, his application will be reviewed at the May meeting. Joan reported that she contacted the City of Sea Ta c regarding Kyana Cavaiani’s desire to work with groups like the Commission. She lives in SeaTac and had applied for membership with Tukwila’ s Equity and Diversity Commission. SeaTac now has vacancies on their Communities group, and Joyce will share this info. with Ms. Cavaiani to see if she would be interested in a role with SeaTac. Barba r a McMichaels of SoCo Culture would like to make a presentation to the Commission. Joyce will follow up with her and invite her to an upcoming meeting Aaron reminded the group about the success of their first book drive. He shared that summer school starts the beginning of July – the Commission might w ant to consider sponsoring a similar book drive during the month of June or July. Joyce will add this item to the May agenda. Various City departments will be working on a clean - up event, tentatively scheduled for the first weekend in June. This even t would encourage residents to clear away overgrowth, get rid of debris, junk vehicles, etc. Joyce reminded the group that April 24 is career day at Foster. If anyone would like to be a speaker/presenter – sharing career information with students, more information is available on the City’s website, or contact Nate. The b reakfast program at Tukwila Elementary School has been very successful. Aaron s hared that the students are eager to get to school because of the breakfast – attendance has improved, kid s are more attentive, etc. Mary shared the plaque from the basketball team we sponsored. It was suggested that we find an appropriate location (TCC?) to display the plaque. It might inspire other community groups to act as sponsors for some of the kid s. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. NE XT MEETING – MAY 1, 2014