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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/2025 - MinutesMay 13, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MINUTES EQUITY COMMISSION 5:30 PM - Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Council Chambers, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Cassandra Baddeley Daniel Helmer Manami Imaoka Gabriel Jones Hemant Tanwar Commissioners attending virtually: Jayne Ahrens Ali Cohen Camila Lagow Yanjie Lu Staff attending: Kristi Rowland, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Hannah Miller, ESD Administrative Assistant Patrice Kent, Senior Assistant City Attorney (virtual) ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Commissioner Imaoka nominated Commissioner Baddeley for Chair. Commissioner Baddeley declined the nomination. Commissioner Baddeley nominated Commissioner Imaoka for Chair. Commissioner Imaoka declined the nomination. Commissioner Ahrens nominated Commissioner Cohen for Chair. Commissioner Cohen accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations and no objections. Commissioner Cohen is appointed as Chair. Page 1 of 4 May 13, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Jones nominated Commissioner Imaoka for Vice Chair. Commissioner Imaoka accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations and no objections. Commissioner Imaoka is appointed as Vice Chair. STAFF COMMENTS Hannah Miller shared that Mayor Pavone has invited all board, commission, and committee groups to participate in the Renton River Days parade. We will discuss interest in participation at the June meeting. DCAO Kristi Rowland shared that she would be presenting an update on the Equity Commission at Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners are welcome to join if able, and materials will be provided after. AUDIENCE COMMENT Those wishing to address the Equity Commission will be called upon. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of October 8, 2024, meeting minutes Hannah Miller, ESD Administrative Assistant MOVED BY JONES, SECONDED BY BADDELEY TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 8, 2024, MEETING MINUTES. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Approval of 2025 Equity Commission meeting calendar MOVED BY JONES, SECONDED BY BADDELEY TO APPROVE THE 2025 MEETING CALENDAR. CARRIED 2025 Work Plan Kristi Rowland, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Commissioners suggested additional topics of interest including an update on the FD cares program, mental health outreach update from RPD, community surveys and how we overlap with other agencies, new website/social media update, engagement at events like Renton River Days, community emergency response, and emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities. MOVED BY JONES, SECONDED BY TANWAR TO APPROVE THE WORK PLAN WITH COMMISSIONER ADDITIONS. CARRIED Page 2 of 4 May 13, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Jones shared that he is excited for the Commission to resume meetings, and also wished everyone a happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Commissioner Baddeley shared that there have been recent meetings between teachers and youth about representation in their classrooms and schools. Commissioner Tanwar shared that he is working with a community service program for youth which is running a community garden with rental plots at a church in the Highlands. The garden is run by students and food is donated to area shelters, and he would like to see expansion of this idea in the city. Commissioner Imaoka shared that she was happy to be approached to assist in the planning of the AANHPI Heritage Month reception. She also shared that she works at a school in nearby Skyway and often talks with coworkers about how Renton listens and helps. Commissioner Helmer shared that he appreciates the opportunity to join and learn about the Commission. He has lived in Renton for 28 years and thinks Renton is a great community. He believes change comes from the top and appreciates the opportunity to join and help create change. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY JONES, SECONDED BY TANWAR TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m. Hearing assistance devices for use in the Council Chambers are available upon request. For more information please email: HLMiller@rentonwa.gov MEMBERS Ali Cohen, Chair Cassandra Baddeley Camila Lagow Manami Imaoka, Vice Chair Daniel Helmer Yanjie Lu Page 3 of 4 May 13, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Jayne Ahrens Youth Member - Gabriel Jones Hemant Tanwar Page 4 of 4