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CITY OF RENTON
MINUTES
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY
October S, 2008
Commissioners: Serena Aquino
Antonio Cube
Sandel Demastus
Jennifer Knickerbocker
Raymond Lamb
Vern Nichols
Charles Thomas
Lari White
Guest: Rachel Myers, Intern, Renton Emergency Preparedness Division
Guest Speaker: Tina Harris, City of Renton Domestic Violence Advocate
Staff: Gloria Gamba
�wr Jerry Rerecich
CALL TO ORDER: Sandel Demastus, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Antonio Cube made a motion to approve the October 8, 2008,
agenda as written. Second by Charles Thomas. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Antonio Cube made a motion to approve the August 13, 2008,
minutes as written. Second by Vern Nichols. Motion carried.
GUEST SPEAKER: Tina Harris, Domestic Violence Advocate for the City of Renton,
explained that domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to maintain control over his/her
partner. It is one partner beating, terrorizing and threatening the other. Acts of domestic
violence consist of physical,sexual,psychological and/or emotional abuse. In her position as
Advocate, she has access to all Renton Police domestic violence reports. She reaches out to the
victims,refers them to local agencies, i.e., YWCA, DAWN, REWA, Consejo, and other
culturally sensitive providers. She also works with the Children's Domestic Violence Program
helping children to understand and grow beyond the violence. There are professional services
available at no charge to the victims that include client advocacy,support groups, emergency
shelter, legal advocacy, and community education and outreach. Various brochures and
domestic violence statistics were distributed.
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Tina introduced a survivor of an abuser who shared her personal story with the Commission.
She explained how she has progressed in creating a healthy,peaceful life for her and her
daughter and has become a better person after fleeing the batterer.
Advisory Commission on Diversity Mi� �
October 8,2008
Page 2 of 2
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AGENDA ITEMS: Due to time constraints, the reading of Ordinance No. 5155 was deferred to
the November meeting along with the update on the Committee reports. Jennifer I�nickerbocker
has not heard back from the Renton Magazine to determine their interest in publishing an article
on the Diversity Commission.
Those who attended the September Federal Way Diversity meeting felt it was very informative
and agreed our Commission should become more active, attend events, and increase outreach to
the community. The Federal Way Diversity Commission 2007-2008 Business Plan was
distributed.
Sandel Demastus recommended that Renton host a gathering for all South King County cities
having Diversity Commissions. Jerry Rerecich said this is an option, however, only four of the
nine cities have commissions: Kent, Tukwila, Federal Way, and Renton. This will be a
November agenda item. If the Commission decides to host the gathering, Commissioners will
need to help in planning, making arrangements, etc.. 'This topic will be on the November
agenda.
INTERVIEWS: Ten applicants have applied for the vacancy on the Commission. Serena
Aquino, the Commission's youth member will be turning 21 in November. Gloria Gamba was
asked to contact the Mayor's office to see if Serena Aquino could accept the vacant position and
the Commission would then fill the vacant position with a"youth member". Vern I�iichols made �
a motion that staff contact the Mayor's office for clarification,send a set of diversity-related
questions to all ten applicants, giving them ten days to reply, and the responses will be reviewed
in November. Second by Lari White. Motion carried.
OTHER: Antonio Cube received a warning citation from the Renton Police Department
indicating he was in violation of improperly displaying his handicap placard while parked at
Sam's Club, and is questioning if it must hang from the rear view mirror. Vern Nichols offered
to research the RCW and report back at the November meeting.
The November 12,2008,Advisory Commission on Diversity will now be held at Renton
City Hall, Sth Floor, Conference Room#519.
ADJOURNMENT: Charles Thomas made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Second by Lari White. Meeting adjourned.
Minutes were taken by Gloria Gamba.
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Sandel Demastus, Chair ,,�