HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Cultural Communities Board - 11/27/2018Kent Cultural Communities Board Meeting November 27, 2018
Minutes Kent, Washington
Date: November 27, 2018
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Centennial Center
Attending: Cesar Rangel, Marvin Eckfeldt, Mizan Rahman, Yusuf Bashir, Sara
Franklin-Phillips, Rand Al Hammadi, Vaivao Semisi-Tupou, Norma Maldonado, Ted
Schwarz, Davies Chirwa
Absent: Ta Kwe Say, Herbert Carey
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
Censar Rangel 6:33 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Ta Kwe Say, Herbert Caret were absent.
3. Changes to the agenda
None
4. Parks Department
Brian Levenhagen and the representative from Jay Ray gave a presentation on the
work the Parks Department is doing in the community. Brian explained that the Jay
Ray representative and Parks staff had been meeting with groups throughout the
city. They had focus groups with people who are considered “super users” and
regular users. The reason for the meetings had to do with their development of a
communications plan.
The Jay Ray representative then asked board members a few questions. First
question was, “What comes to mind when you think of parks?” Most board
members said sports activities and Kent commons, adult sports, community space
for families, cooking and spending time with friends.
The next question was, “What are the barriers for people using parks, facilities and
programs.
Ted – Access to transportation
Norma – Safety at various parks especially in the evening.
Kent Cultural Communities Board Meeting November 27, 2018
Minutes Kent, Washington
Yusuf – Affordability
Oleg – Messages to community has to be different based on each specific group.
Taffy – Community Fear open public spaces.
5. Welcome new board members
Chair Rangel welcomed the new board members and talked about his reason for
joining the board.
He asked why each board member wants to be part of the board.
Tanya – Has been active at her university and wants to continue to work with the
community.
Lelei – She is Samoan and wanted to join the board to make the government
accountable for taxes she and others pay.
Taffy – Founded UTOPIA in Kent. Provides spaces for LGTBQI individuals
Ayat – She is currently a student studying psychology and international studies.
She volunteers for the Iraqi community center.
Oleg – Long time Kent resident. He was a member of Kent’s first diversity
commission. He represents former soviet, Ukrainian communities.
6. Ideas for 2019
Ted wants the group to discuss sponsoring candidate forums in October 2019. The
group also agreed to participate in the Kent International Festival. The board also
wants to have Marty Fisher return and have a conversation about hiring diverse
candidates.
5. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Uriel Varela Jr.
Community Engagement Coordinator