HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquityDiversity 2017-02-02 MinutesEQUITY AND DIVERSITY COMMISION MEETING MINUTES
February 2, 2017
Present: Kathy Hougardy, Dat Tran, Joan Hernandez
Absent: Aaron Dragonov, Dr. Nancy Coogan (both arrived as the meeting was adjourned)
Staff: Rachel Bianchi
Guests: None
Meeting was called to order at 5:25 p.m. There was no quorum.
OLD BUSINESS
Kathy Hougardy volunteered to serve as interim chair until the committee finishes recruiting for
the open seats. At that time, the group agreed that there would be new election at that point.
NEW BUSINESS
a. New appointments. The group discussed the need for additional members of the
commission. Positions 2, 4, 6 and 10 are all currently open. Members agreed to do
some recruiting over the next month. Joan Hernandez, who's term runs out in July of
this year has agreed to stay on through the end of the year as the group continues to
recruit, but will step down in December. Staff was asked to send a description of the
Commission and the expectations for Commissioners' service so that this can be used to
recruit new members.
b. Municipal Code Update. The group was updated that the changes in the Boards and
Commissions Code will go back to the Community Development and Neighborhoods
Committee before going to the Council of the Whole. This will happen in coming weeks.
c. Sponsorship ideas and policy. The group agreed to table the book fair it has sponsored
for the past two years due to impacts to staff time. Staff presented a draft policy for
sponsorship that was briefly discussed.
d. Equity policy brainstorming. After reviewing a variety of other jurisdictions' equity
policies and activities, the group determined that the policy should seek to meet the
following goals:
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• Our city workforce reflects our community
• Community outreach and engagement is relevant, intentional and inclusive
• All residents and visitors receive equitable delivery of City services
• City government is committed to equity in decision making
• Equity serves as a core value for all long -term plans moving forward
• Regular trainings and workshops build capacity around equity within City government and
the broader community
• Support opportunities for residents, visitors, and City employees to reach their full potential
Staff will work with the City's Equity Team and other interested employees to begin drafting the
policy. Staff will bring a draft to the April Commission meeting for review of progress. The plan is to
have a draft that Council can react to in the summer, with refinements resulting in a final draft in the
fall of this year.
e. Miscellaneous. Commissioners requested that staff ensure they know about all cultural
events at the Tukwila School District. Dr. Coogan also mentioned she keeps a cultural
calendar that we should look at.
Further discussion resulted in the group wanting to express a statement of support for
Tukwila's immigrant and refugee communities. The group agreed to buy an ad in the
Tukwila Reporter. (Staff note: we missed the February edition but will work on the March
edition.)
Kathy Hougardy asked that the group discuss at the March meeting what constitutes a
quorum given the four vacancies currently on the Commission.
Dr. Coogan recommended that everyone read Michael Eric Dyson's Tears we cannot stop: A
sermon to white America. The group agreed to purchase two copies and have them to loan
out to Commission members and other individuals.
Dr. Coogan announced the February 8 forum for refugees and an upcoming cultural
celebration not yet scheduled.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
No reports.
Meeting adjourned at 6:23.
NEXT MEETING — March 2, 2017
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