HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquityDiversity 2017-01-05 MinutesEQUITY AND DIVERSITY COMMISION MEETING MINUTES
January 5, 2017
Present: Kathy Hougardy, Aaron Draganov, Dat Tran, Nate Robinson, Dr. Nancy Coogan
Absent: Joan Hernandez
Staff: Rachel Bianchi, Mia Navarro
Guests: None
Meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. With the Chair absent at the beginning of the
meeting, Kathy Hougardy led the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Kathy Hougardy made a motion to approve the minutes as presented from October and
November. Aaron Draganov seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
The December meeting was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts for members and staff.
NEW BUSINESS
a. New staff introduction. Rachel Bianchi introduced the new Community Engagement
Manager, Mia Navarro. Mia will take over day to day staffing of the Commission. Rachel
will stay heavily involved in the process of developing an equity policy for the City,
getting it to Council for a vote, and implementation.
b. New Appointments /Re - appointments Update. Mia presented the current roster. Thong
Ung decided not to be reappointed. Commission Chair, Nate Robinson, announced his
resignation from the Commission. Current Commission members agreed to help reach
out to potential candidates, and brainstormed some possible candidates and candidate
pools. Current vacancies:
• School District Representative
• City Representative
• Business Representative
• City or Community Representative
• High School Student
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c. Municipal Code Update. As discussed at previous meetings, the City intends to amend
the Municipal Code to standardize the operations of all Boards and Commissions. These
Code changes are scheduled to go before Council at the 1/23/2017 Committee of the
Whole meeting.
The group noted possible concerns that may come from former Sister Cities Commission
members. The group agreed to reach out to them to inform them of the changes, and
invite their participation on the Equity and Social Justice Commission, and or the new
Sister Cities and Civic Awareness Subcommittee.
d. 2017 Budget. The Equity and Diversity Commission has a budget of $3200 for 2017.
These funds can be used for things like grants to community organizations, activities
such as the summer school book drive the Commission has done in the past, and
associated materials. The Sister Cities and Civic Engagement Subcommittee has a budget
of $6475 for 2017.
e. Sponsorship Update. The Commission already agreed to sponsor a youth basketball
team through Parks and Recreation at $250. The group talked about some other
sponsorship opportunities, including another summer school book drive, a film series,
etc. Staff agreed to present sponsorship options, and a draft sponsorship policy at the
next meeting.
Dat Tran presented a sponsorship request from Asian Counseling and Referral Services'
(ACRS) Lunar New Year celebration for low- income seniors on January 24. Kathy
Hougardy raised a policy concern that the Commission should confirm that at least some
of the people participating in an event or service funded by the Commission are Tukwila
residents. Dat agreed to confirm. The group agreed on $100 for this first time. Aaron
Draganov made a motion to approve a $100 sponsorship of ACRS Lunar New Year
celebration pending confirmation that the event will serve Tukwila residents. Dat Tran
seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
f. 2017 Work Plan. Rachel presented a draft work plan for 2017. The work plan would
include developing an equity policy for the City, and developing by -laws for the
Commission per the anticipated changes to the Municipal Code. Rachel proposed that a
subcommittee of the internal Equity Team draft the policy for the Commission to react
to. The Council President wants the Councilmember on the Commission, Kathy
Hougardy, to present the concept at a Council meeting, and get consensus from the
Council that the Commission can move forward with developing a policy. Kathy agreed
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and requested a fact sheet that she can use during the Miscellaneous portion of the
January 23rd Committee of the Whole meeting. The group thought it would be a good
idea to look for a City representative to the Commission on the Equity Team.
g. Equity and Diversity Resources from other Jurisdictions. Mia presented a compilation
of the policies and other Equity and Diversity resources and activities of nearby
jurisdictions. Staff asked the Commission to review the document for discussion at the
next Commission meeting. Mia will send an electronic copy via email.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
No reports.
Meeting adjourned at 6:23.
NEXT MEETING — February 2, 2017
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