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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.18.2020 - Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Commission Meeting - Packet PASCO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMISSION REMOTE MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 6:00-7:30 P.M. Governor Inslee's Proclamation No. 20-28, made in response to the COVID-19 emergency, prohibits members of the public from attending City meetings in-person but requires agencies to provide options for the public to participate in remotely. To best comply, the City asks all members of the public that would like to comment regarding items on the agenda to fill out a form via the City’s website (www.pasco-wa.gov/publiccomment) to obtain access information to comment. Requests to comment in meetings must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of each meeting. To listen to the meeting via phone, call (631) 992-3221 and use access code 422-560-458. To view the meeting live, register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1636910439733113104 1. Call To Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes from October Meeting, Exhibit A 4. Commissioner Reports (limit 2-minute per commissioner, not required if nothing to report) 5. Staff Reports 6. New Business a. None 7. Old Business a. 2019-2020 Work Plan Review and Discussion, Exhibit C – Lynn Carlson, Facilitator 8. Good of the Order (limit 2-minute per commissioner, not required if nothing to report) 9. Adjourn NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 FROM 6:00-7:30 P.M. Page 1 of 4 MEETING MINUTES PASCO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 REMOTE MEETING Members Present: Naima Chambers-Smith, Elouise Sparks, Kyle Saltz, Jeffrey Robinson, Maria Torres Members Absent: Delia Tobon, Joel Nunn-Sparks Staff: Angela Pashon, Dave Zabell Facilitator: Lynn Carlson Guests/Observers: N/A 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Robinson at 6:02 p.m. upon obtaining quorum. 2. Roll Call Completed. 3. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Chambers-Smith moved to approve the September 16, 2020 meeting minutes, Commissioner Saltz seconded. All present approved. 4. Commissioner Reports Commissioner Sparks discussed the PNNL Employee Resource Group (ERG) and was selected as co-chair to lead the Black Connections Community. Commissioner Torres was grateful to be working at the site and looking forward to today’s meeting. Commissioner Chambers-Smith received a question from community member regarding city plans to address voter intimidation or to have police to secure ballot locations. Additionally, she had two questions for staff 1) Can IDEC help the city embody the Hispanic Heritage proclamation to address equity and 2) Has it been recommend to city council to extend IDEC commissioner members? Commissioner Saltz made acknowledgement of next the COVID-19 phase and how local businesses were looking forward to it. Additionally, acknowledged there should be zero tolerance for voter intimidation and advised individuals to collect information if they witness it and send to the police department. Chairperson Robinson stated he also received concerns from community members and leaders regarding disenfranchisement and intimidation and that there is a legitimate fear Page 2 of 4 around the issue. Acknowledged that 29% of Franklin county has voted; advocated for voter participation. 5. Staff Reports a. Housekeeping Staff Liaison Pashon inquired about event funding the Commission anticipated for 2021-2022 activities. The commission does not have its own budget to manage as the City Manager’s Office budget is where funding would be allocated. With current restrictions and additional workplan review the commission requested to postpone budget. Commissioners Torres, Saltz, and Robinson stated they leveraged non-profits and community organizations previously. b. City Manager Comments City Manager Zabell presented an overview of the approved 2020-2021 City Council goals (attached). Goals help convey to the community where City Council’s priorities are. City Council added several goals around quality of life, community building, and equity. There are capital improvements in all parts of community and a focus on collaboration with IDEC and community leaders to include engagement efforts. Several plans are scheduled including a parks/facilities comprehensive plan update to upgrade park amenities tailored to neighborhood use. Additionally, a police strategic master plan will be completed through a highly transparent public engagement process. A community transportation master plan will focus on mobility to accommodate system and community needs. The economic development plan will focus on business opportunity and jobs generated as well as the development of the Broadmoor and Downtown areas. The City will also be leveraging its infrastructure database to address policies, inequities, and neighborhood amenities. In addition, the City Council looks to expand engagement, knowledge, and arts and culture activities to help build unity in the community. The City will look to support cultural events and City Manager Zabell stated a goal to improve Juneteenth support and provide assistance to other cultural events in the community to help them be successful, bring others into town, and strengthen community. 6. Vice-Chair Selection Chairperson Robinson opened the floor for nominations. Commissioner Sparks nominated Commissioner Chambers-Smith. Commissioner Torres nominated Commissioner Saltz. Chairperson Robinson called three times for any other nominations. Nomination window closed and two-minute floor speeches heard. Page 3 of 4 Commissioners call to vote by last name. Commissioner Naima Chambers-Smith selected as Vice Chair 3-2. • Commissioner Saltz – Torres and Saltz • Commissioner Chambers-Smith – Sparks, Chambers-Smith, Robinson 7. 2019-2020 Work Plan Review and Discussion The commission resumed the work plan review with Goal No. 1, item C2. Commissioner Chambers-Smith suggested the City identify existing events, provide support, collaboration, and sponsorship; suggested a diversity calendar to celebrate diverse holidays. Commissioner Sparks supported the promotion on city flyers, website, social media and various medium to get awareness and participation. Staff Liaison Pashon suggested identifying specific communication plan and process and to have the City’s Communications Program Manager come to a future meeting. Chairperson Robinson acknowledged a cultural calendar aligned also with census processing nuanced to groups that call Pasco home; tailor to the community; identify cultural competency training resources; very specific trainings around specific issues. Commissioner Chambers-Smith motioned to amend specific to education. Commissioner Torres Mendoza motioned to educate, advocate cultural information to the public using strategic marketing; Commissioner Saltz seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Chambers-Smith motioned to add a third item. “Identify and partner with existing organizations and events and openness to other/new holidays and events reflecting the community”; Commissioner Torres Mendoza seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Torres Mendoza provided background on survey instruments/suggestions that IDEC facilitate as a forum to the community, especially translated, to gather data from the community. All commissioners agreed to postpone work plan discussion until next meeting due to being over scheduled time. 8. Public Comment No public comment was registered. 9. Good of the Order Commissioner Torres Mendoza posed idea for commissioners to provide their comments on the workplan prior to next meeting. City staff offered to combine ideas submitted. Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Chambers-Smith inquired if there should be recommendation to council to extend commissioner appointments. City Manager Zabell stated there w as an existing agenda item for reappointments. 10. Adjourn There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 FROM 6:00-7:30 P.M. Chair Signature Staff Liaison Signature INCLUSION, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMISSION WORK PLAN GOAL #1: Foster an environment that includes, accepts, respects and appreciates all members of our community by promoting the city’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. OBJECTIVES A. Work in conjunction with the Pasco School Board to create an Inclusivity Commission (IC) youth subcommittee for middle and high school students. 1. Provides opportunity and forum for youth advisement on what their needs and ideas to improve inclusion, diversity and equity in city government and the Pasco community. B. Create a portal on the City’s website and Facebook page. 1. Promote commission work products or events and share resources that can facilitate the mission. C. Support and promote diverse cultural and heritage events in Pasco. Have a presence at festivals and events which take place in Pasco. 1. Promotes community engagement and inclusivity. 2. IDEC will facilitate providing survey instruments and suggestion forum to the community, especially when translated to other languages, to help gather data from the community. Add Engage all media to feature effort and increase participation. 3. Creates a forum to impart information on city programs and services 4. Impart information on city programs and services by engaging all media to feature efforts and increase participation. 5. Identify and partner with existing organizations and events and openness to other/new holidays and events reflecting the community D. Hold IC meetings in the community on a quarterly basis 1. Provides forum outside of city hall to impart the mission and work plan, and for residents to share experiences and offer suggestions on inclusion, diversity and equity in Pasco city government. 2. Integrate a different cultural component (food, performance, presentation) to each meeting. 3. Establish a questionnaire consistent with other city survey instruments. 4. Solicit feedback about city government and Pasco. 5. Rotate among council districts Commented [AP1]: Naima edit Commented [AP2]: Maria edit – removed from Goal No. 2 – A5 and recommended to be added here Commented [AP3]: Naima edit Commented [AP4]: Maria edit Commented [AP5]: Per 10/21 Commission Meeting GOAL #2: Help the City of Pasco be more inclusive OBJECTIVES A. Improve engagement with the City. 1. Improve accessibility at City Council Meetings. 2. Research reasons for lack of participation and seek suggestions for improvement. 3. Assure that residency status is not a deterrent to engagement. i. Address the Latino workers and minorities who have been impacted by COVID and are deterred from taking sick days due to lack of regulation enforcements by the employers. Collaborate with organization to initiate action to investigate companies who primarily hire workers who have no legal status and are discouraged to be engaged due to the larger problems at hand, financial burden, childcare, and fear of reprisal due to their resident status. 4. Provide translators when significant issues emerge including technology tools to assist residents transition into the current virtual communication, such as quick step-by-step videos to get involved during virtual meetings to overcome the underrepresentation in technology knowledge that many minority families are facing during the pandemic. 5. Engage all media to feature effort and increase participation. Commented [AP6]: Maria note - I noticed there are no subtitles to the City of Pasco Meetings on the YouTube posts. Is that something we can purpose attention to if it’s not already being addressed? Commented [AP7]: Maria note - If you read Goal #1 C.1 I believe the actionable items have the same goal but worded a bit differently. Commented [AP8]: Maria notes •Supports resolution 3820: WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pasco desires to protect and encourage our diverse culture, as well as to protect the constitutional rights of its citizens, including the right to be free of discriminatory practices and the fair application of law and to demonstrate that Pasco is a welcoming and inclusive City, where laws apply equally to all who live here, and where individuals, families and businesses are welcome; •From an education perspective thousands of Latinos students wake up and go to sleep without seeing their parents and without getting the parental support to do virtual or distance learning, they are slowly being left behind and forgotten. Commented [AP9]: Maria Supports RESOLUTION 3820: WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pasco is honored to serve the entire community, and seeks to provide equal protection to our residents and access to all of the City' s services to those that live here Commented [AP10]: Maria - This applies to Goal #1 and I recommend we add it to C.2. B. Increase city government accessibility 1. Improve educational campaigns. 2. Assign commission liaisons to observe and monitor City boards, commissions and advisory committees for recommendations to enhance inclusivity, diversity and equity. C. Increase diversity in city campaigns and marketing tools to reflect the current community demographics as well as the desired growth. 1. Provides an opportunity to use non-verbal tools to promote inclusivity and combat exclusivity. GOAL #3: Promote unity, equality, understanding, diversity, and inclusivity in city government. OBJECTIVES A. Introduce evaluation/assessment tools. 1. Increase accountability of commissions, departments, and activities. i. Assign commission liaisons to observe and monitor City boards, commissions and advisory committees for recommendations to enhance inclusivity, diversity, and equity. 2. Incorporate into management “performance dashboard” for consistency with budget and council goals. B. Introduce annual inclusion audit and score card. 1. Rate inclusivity, diversity and equity of City-sponsored activities, employment, and contracting. 2. Report to Administration and City Council with results and recommendations. C. Help the City of Pasco develop a strategic equity plan. 1. Increase recruitment and retention of a diverse city workforce. 2. Provide DEI and anti-racism training to all city volunteers and staff to develop a culturally competent city government. 3. Open the trainings to community and local business owners looking to educate themselves on DEI. Commented [AP11]: Maria - I also believe this aligns with Goal #3 A.1. but is specific to a liaison, see Goal 3 for edits to incorporate this. Commented [AP12]: Naima edit Commented [AP13]: Maria edit – moved from Goal No. 2-B with some edits Commented [AP14]: Naima edit