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Home My WebLink About06/13/2007 - Minutes .� i ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DIVE��ITY June 13, 2007 Minutes CITYOFRENTON Committee: Antonio P. Cube, Sr. �U� 1 3 2007 Sandel Demastus RECEIVED Vern Nichols C�TY CLERK'S OFFICE Kelly Roberts Lari White Absent: Charles Thomas Guest: Renton Fire Chief David Daniels Staff: Gloria Gamba . . � Bonnie Rerecich CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. DISCUSSION: The Commissioners decided to deviate from the agenda and begin the meeting with Lari White introducing the guest speaker, Renton Fire Chief David Daniels. Prior to the meeting, questions were sent to Chief Daniels. His responses follow: What does it mean to say we have a "diverse" community in Renton? Chief Daniels indicated the word"diversity" is more of a slogan and he prefers the word "inclusive"which is intended to be broad in orientation and include all people regardless of skin color, age, sexual preference, cultures, literacy,religious beliefs, poverty,wealth, disabilities, etc. How may we best include our diverse community in the City of Renton government? Chief Daniels agrees that Renton is becoming more and more diverse. The government must realize that all citizens pay taxes, and contribute to the well being of the community. We must listen to the needs of others. He noted there are approximately 63 languages spoken in the Renton School district and would like to see more children in the Renton School District translate school-related information to their parents. Oftentimes,parents speak their native language and may not be able to read or write English. What resources could we use to identify obstacles within our community? It is important to include everyone in the community to have access to fire and police services as well as all amenities that Renton has to offer. He mentioned communication can be a hindrance, however, when it comes to fire, health and safety issues, visual is not dependent upon verbal conversation. "Use your eyes to see and then ears to hear". Communication issues, are critical to the Police Department. Interpreters are available from Valley Communications. The Emergency Management Program will focus on vulnerable populations, the homeless, working poor, seniors, nursing home residents, etc. Chief Daniels expressed the importance of having an updated emergency preparedness kit that would last for a H:\Bonnie2007\2007 Advisun Commission on Diversity\JUN 07 Minutes Final.doc �' � � •, minimum of 72 hours. The contents of the kit would depend upon individual needs. Then try but the kit to make sure it contains needed items to make yourselves, families and neighborhoods safe, and secure. "Provide a forum that will encourage input concerning diversity from citizens for reviewing and establishing the City's vision." How can we best accomplish this? Do you have any suggestions how we can begin this process? Chief Daniels suggested moving a few Commission on Diversity meetings to churches, etc., to be able to become more familiar with the cultures of other groups. He would like to see people become mare involved with Black History Month, Cinco De Mayo, perhaps an Asian holiday, etc., and put forth the time, effort, and resources spent on other traditions such as the Fourth of July and Renton River Days. "Provide outreach to the community in an effort to place the value of diversity before the citizens in a positive manner." How could we place ourselves before the community so that citizens understand there is a resource for them where issues of diversity are concerned. The City's website will continue to inform the public about , diversity issues and will continue to translate documents, flyers, meeting notices, newsletters, in other languages, and use these materials to educate the public about City government. In preparing and educating Renton citizens on emergency issues,what challenges and opportunity have you been able to identify relating to a diverse community? Do you have any plans to help address these issues or opportunities? Chief Daniels mentioned he was appointed to the first Diversity Commission in Kent and eventually became Chair. They completed a Strategic Plan, contacted minority-owned businesses to share differences, and to learn of the various issues hampering diversity. Renton has hired an Emergency Management Director to address the issues and explained his commitment in working together with all citizens to ensure community risk reduction. The City does have an Emergency Response Plan. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Antonio made a motion to approve the May 9, 2007, , minutes as submitted. Second by Lari. All were in favor, motion carried. COMMENTS: The Commissioners and staff were extremely pleased with Chief Daniels' presentation. As he suggested,the Commission will consider rotating meeting sites to various places in 2008. Bonnie mentioned a few more applications from citizens interested in serving on the Commission on Diversity have been submitted. The Heritage Park dedication will be held on June 16, 2007, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Invitations were distributed. Included in the June packets was a letter on Senior Citizen Discounts offering reduced utility rates, cable discounts, and $40 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables available at the Renton Farmer's Market. Upon reading the letter, it was noted that seniors must be sixty H:\Bonnie2007\2007 Advisory Commission on DiversityUUN 07 Minutes Final.doc ,� � years of age or older�to be eligible, while Native Americans on�y need to be 55 years of age. Gloria was asked to research this and find out why. TERM LIMITATIONS: Two options were presented. Option#1 is that three terms will expire on December 31, 2007; three terms would expire December 31, 2007; and three terms for the new appointees would expire December 31, 2009. Option#2 would be to have one new position expire on December 31, 2007 (serving only a few months), and the other two would expire December 31, 2008. That would leave four positions needing reappointment on December 31, 2008, but then four positions would need reappointment on December 31, 2007 and five positions would need reappointment on December 31, 2008. After discussion, Vern made a motion to recommend Option#1. Second by Kelly. Bonnie will send the Commissioners' recommendation to the Mayor and Council for approval. Kelly Roberts has submitted his resignation from the Commission effective June 14, 2007. Kelly made a motion to select Raymond Lam(who was recently interviewed)to fill the vacancy. Second by Lari. All were in favor, motion carried. Bonnie will phone Mr. Lam to determine if he is still interested in serving. This term will expire on December 31, 2007, since Mr. Lam will fill Kelly's position. REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS: Maintaining website information is on-going. Bonnie discovered a new search engine that will automatically convert the web information to other languages. If implemented. she recommends the use of a disclaimer since not all languages translate verbatim. There were no investigations or reports required. There weren't any requests from the Human Services Division. Lari recommended the Commission invite additional speakers later in the year. The recruitment procedure is complete. The surveys were distributed to City Administrators and will be distributed at the July meeting and reviewed for action by the Commissioners. Charles, Vern, and Bonnie will meet to review the responses and will report back to the Commission. Bonnie showed a draft of a poster to be used at Community Services booth during Renton River Days. A sign-in sheet was passed around and will be finalized at the July meeting. Bonnie explained attendance requirements as indicated in the December 2006 bylaws. It states, "any member missing three or more consecutive meetings of the Commission shall be sent a letter, from the Commission, requesting their declaration in writing that they wish to continue as a member of the Advisory Commission on Diversity. If any member is absent from 50% or more of the meetings held in a given, year,the Commission shall write a letter to the Mayor and the City Council requesting that the member be relieved of H:\Bonnie2007\2007 Advisory Commission on Diversity\JUN 07 Minutes Final.doc � ��, � � office and such vacancy shall be filled as in the case of an original appointment". An attendance sheet for 2007 was included in the June packets. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Since the Commission is in the process of expanding, it is necessary to find a larger room. Since this is a public meeting, Gloria will notify the City Clerk's office to publish the change in the newspaper. Beginning in July, the meetings will be held at Renton City Hall, Fifth Floor, Room #511, 1055 South Grady Way, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ' ADJOURNMENT: Vern made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Lari. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Minutes were taken by Gloria Gamba. �� Sandel Demastus H:\Bonnie2007\2007 Advisory Commission on DiversityVl�N 07 Minutes Final.doc