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HomeMy WebLinkAboutESJ 2017-09-07 MinutesTUKWILA EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMISSION I. Call to Order 5:20 pm September 7, 2017 5:15 P.M. MINUTES II. Roll Call • Joan Hernandez Guests: • Nora Gierloff • Marie Parrish • Roy Busch • Niesha Brooks • Aaron Dragonov • Jonathan Joseph Staff: • Rachel Bianchi • Mia Navarro III. Approval of Agenda Jonathan Joseph made a motion to approve the agenda, with Item V removed. Nora seconded the motions. The Agenda was approved as amended. IV. Approval of Minutes, August 3, 2017 Joan Hernandez made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Jonathan Joseph seconded the motion. The motion passed. V. Possible Guest Presentation: Foster High School Student Project — Flags on TIB and Documentary This item was removed from the agenda. VI. Unfinished Business a. Bylaws Update Jonathan Joseph indicated that the stated objective of the Commission could be stronger. Rachel indicated that any changes to the objective would need to be made in the Tukwila Municipal Code. The group agreed that the current stated objective of the Commission is more reflective of the work of the Commission to date, and not as reflective of the goals of the Commission moving forward. The group also agreed that they could consider revising the objective a goal for 2018, and that it will be important to include Kathy in that conversation. Mia will provide a clean copy of the Bylaws at the next meeting for a vote. b. Membership Update Four new members were approved by Council on September 5, 2017: Community member Karl Henry and Jonathan Joseph, and staff members Roy Busch and Nora Geirloff. In addition, Tukwila School District Superintendent, Nancy Coogan, resigned as Superintendent. Aaron Dragonov offered to ask Interim Superintendent Judith Berry who should serve in her place. Staff confirmed that the student representatives are non-voting members, per the Tukwila Municipal Code. Some members indicated it would be good to reexamine this as the group looks at revising the Commission's objective. Jonathan Joseph suggested a strategic planning session for the group. c. Equity Policy Update The Council approved the draft on August 28, 2017. Mia will present the draft to all departments, and present employee feedback to the Commission. The Commission will then move the policy back to Council for final approval. Once approved, the implementation and evaluation committee will be formed. Jonathan Joseph expressed concern that the second paragraph of the policy only talks about ethnic, and is not reflective of all diversity. VII. New Business a. Possible Grant — Diversity in Construction Trades Event, September 21 Mia presented a grant application to support a Diversity in Construction Trades Event on September 21. The event planning committee is seeking support in the amount of $750 for interpretation, translation, and/or food/refreshments. Joan Hernandez made a motion to approve a grant in the amount of $750, to be spent on any of those activities. Nora Geirloff seconded the motion. The motion passed. The group discussed the possibility of using any leftover funds to purchase diverse books for Tukwila school libraries. We will discuss this further at the October meeting. b. Brochure Update Mia requested feedback from the group on what they would like to see in a new brochure. c. World Dance Party September 23, 5 pm, Tukwila Village Marie Parrish shared with the group that the World Dance Party will be postponed to April because the building is not ready yet. d. Storytelling Event — Confluence Tukwila: Arrivals, September 20, 6:30-8 pm, Tukwila Library Jonathan Joseph shared that this will be an ongoing, quarterly event. The first one is focused on immigrant and refugee voices. Similar to the Moth Story Hour on NPR, and rooted in Native American and other indigenous cultures. e. Taste of Tukwila Update Mia reported that Parks and Rec staff confirmed that they have hosted such events in the past, but that individual schools have begun doing their own, and they have done them better than we could. Thorndyke's will be on September 28th from 4:30-6:30 pm. VIII. Reports of Commissioners and Staff/Announcements • DCD has finalized a contract with Language Line to provide on -demand interpretation service by phone at the front desk. Roy asked if it would be available to staff out in the field, and helping people apply for jobs with the City. Something to consider. • TIBAC will meet on September 12th from 7-8:30 at Valley View Sewer District. • Jonathan Joseph shared a screening of the film "Resilience" about the affects of childhood trauma will take place on September 12th at 5:30 in Seattle, hosted by Sound Discipline. IX. Agenda for Next Meeting • Nora will report on the Language Line contract. • Budget and expenditures • Brochure • Bylaws • DACA — How it affects our community • Goals and Objectives for the Commission • Homelessness X. Adjournment Nora made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Joan Hernandez seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.