Social Justice & Equity Commission

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Social Justice & Equity Commission Contact: Tobi Hill-Meyer (360) 753-8285 Monday, April 22, 2024 6:00 PM Room 207, City Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Chan called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. 1.A ROLL CALL Present: 10 - Co-Chair Parfait Bassalé, Co-Chair Genevieve Chan, Commissioner Karin Arnold, Commissioner Rachelle Martin, Commissioner Kevin Mattison, Commissioner Fauziya Mohamedali, Commissioner Marianne Ozmun-Wells, Commissioner Amna Qazi, Commissioner Robin Rosen-Evans and Commissioner Larry Watkinson Excused: 1 - Commissioner Mark Hodgson 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.A 24-0347 Approval of March 25, 2024 Social Justice and Equity Commission Meeting Minutes The minutes were approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Stephanie Scott and Leslie Cushman spoke. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Social Justice and Equity Program Manager Tobi Hill-Meyer welcomed new Commissioners Karin Arnold and Dr. Amna Qazi. The Social Justice and Equity Commission retreat is scheduled for June 1, 2024. 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.A 24-0351 Discussion of the Equity Framework Update Feedback Ms. Hill-Meyer presented on the Equity Framework and showed the changes made in response to the Commissioners' feedback. Commissioners were encouraged to provide City of Olympia Page 1 Social Justice & Equity Commission Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 additional feedback by May 6. The discussion was completed. 6.B 24-0356 Approval of Community Oversight of Law Enforcement Recommendations Commissioners discussed the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement draft recommendation and agreed to the staff recommended amendment that the Olympia Police Department (OPD) continues to provide anti-bias and implicit bias training and seek opportunities to become part of and build trust with the communities they serve by meeting with residents, taking part in immersive experiences and learning about their cultures and needs. Commissioners expanded the amendment with the addition of implementation considerations that OPD should seek out immersive experiences as training and learning opportunities, define the recusal process for the Auditor and define the recusal process for a Boardmember. Co-Chair Bassalé moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosen-Evans, to approve the Community Oversight of Law Enforcement draft recommendations to present to the Community Livability & Public Safety Committee as amended. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Co-Chair Bassalé, Co-Chair Chan, Commissioner Arnold, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Mattison, Commissioner Mohamedali, Commissioner Ozmun-Wells, Commissioner Qazi, Commissioner Rosen-Evans and Commissioner Watkinson Excused: 1 - Commissioner Hodgson 6.C 24-0352 Discussion of the Social Justice and Equity Commission’s comments to City Council Regarding the 2023 Police Auditor Annual Report Commissioners reviewed and edited a draft letter to City Council in preparation for a presentation on the Police Auditor Annual Report. Commissioner Qazi moved, seconded by Commissioner Ozmun-Wells, to approve the Social Justice and Equity Committee Chairs to present to the City Council on the 2023 Police Auditor Annual Report on behalf of the Commission. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 10 - Co-Chair Bassalé, Co-Chair Chan, Commissioner Arnold, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Mattison, Commissioner Mohamedali, Commissioner Ozmun-Wells, Commissioner Qazi, Commissioner Rosen-Evans and Commissioner Watkinson Excused: 1 - Commissioner Hodgson 7. REPORTS Ms.-Hill Meyer reported City staff is working on the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Staff are anticipated to attend future Social Justice and Equity Commission meetings to City of Olympia Page 2 Social Justice & Equity Commission Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024 receive feedback. 8. OTHER TOPICS May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and there is a celebration on May 11 at South Puget Sound Community College's Lacey Campus. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. City of Olympia Page 3