HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Cultural Communities Board - 05/23/2017Approval Pending
KENT CULTURAL COMMUNITIES BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
May 23, 2017, 6:30 pm
Kent Senior Activity Center
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Attending: Beabe Akpojovwo, Yusuf Bashir, Marvin Eckfeldt, Rand Al Hammadi,
Mizanur Rahman, Ted Schwarz, Pastor Herbert Carey, Norma Maldonado, Cesar
Rangel, Shamso Issak, Dr. Sonia Morales and Vaivao Semisi-Tupou.
Absent: Josephine Karanja, Satwinder Kaur, Ta Kwe Say, Hussein Al Kinani, Marwa
Almusawi, Yuriy Zaremba, Davies Chirwa and Sharndeep Kaur.
Elected Officials, Staff & Guests: Mayor Suzette Cooke, Dinah Wilson and Patrick
Briggs.
Vice-Chair Rangel called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Roll call – attendees listed above.
Changes to April Minutes
Ted Schwarz noted that Satwinder Kaur is “Chair” not Vice-Chair. Additionally, the
next date of the CCB should be Tuesday, June 27 at 6:00 pm at Centro Rendu.
Moved by Schwarz, seconded by Tupou to approve the April minutes with the
changes listed above. All ayes.
Announcements and Event Follow-up (announcements that occurred prior to the
release of minutes are not included)
Islamic Center of Kent Festival will be held on July 8 at Marymoor Park in Redmond.
This event attracts people from five surrounding states and accommodates a very
large crowd with activities for all. The event runs from 11:00 am to 7:00 or 8:00
pm.
Ted Schwarz attended the Khalsa Day Parade last Sunday at the ShoWare Center.
He estimated the attendance around 5,000 people enjoying activities throughout
the day, along with a colorful parade. There was also food and cultural information.
Dinah Wilson attended the Arabic School graduation on Saturday, May 20th, at the
Kent Phoenix Academy. Dinah, and some of the CCB members, will attend the
Refugee Housing Summit tomorrow at the Renton Community Center from 9:00 am
to 3:00 pm.
Approval Pending
Norma Maldonado was pleased to announce that 75 children graduated from the
early childhood education program at Children’s Home Society, receiving their
certificates on Tuesday, May 20.
The Food Policy Council of Living Well Kent is considering hosting a “healthy”
farmer’s market in downtown Kent organized and run by youth, starting in July.
Mayor Cooke informed the CCB that interviews were conducted for the Youth
Initiative Program Coordinator and a top candidate was selected. Once formal
acceptance is received, the City will make a formal announcement.
A CCB member discussed concerns with the city’s summer parks programs. The
programs do not run from the close of school to the start up in the fall. It is
difficult for his children to participate for two reasons: 1) the programs run past the
start of school; and, 2) the fees are too high, especially when more than one child
per family participates in separate sports. There is a discount when two family
members register for the same sport. Scholarships offered are snapped up quickly.
Additionally, there is a scant number of places for children to play sports outside of
organized programs. Mayor Cooke responded that these are valid concerns that
the CCB should bring to the attention of the Parks Director, Julie Parascandola. CCB
will invite Julie to a future meeting.
Assignments - City Council Meeting presenters
The first speaker before the Kent City Council was Pastor Herbert Carey on May 2.
Pastor Carey recapped his presentation to Council addressing concerns from the
African American community and the need for programs for youth that would
include mentoring and provide hope. He was well received by the City Council.
June 6 – Norma Maldonado
June 20 – Yusuf Bashir
July 5 – Marvin Eckfeldt
July 18 – Mizanur Rahman
August 15 – Josephine Karanja
September 5 - Vaivao Semisi-Tupou
September 19 - Hussein Al Kinani
Norma Maldonado will address the Council on June 6. Norma will provide
information on the Hispanic community in Kent and issues that concern them.
Norma plans on preparing a brief PowerPoint that she will provide the City Clerk
prior to the meeting.
Sound Credit Union Discrimination
Discussion about the discrimination that took place at Kent’s Sound Credit Union
that made the news recently, wherein, a female customer was not allowed back
into the branch as she was wearing a hoodie and then went to her vehicle and
came back wearing a hajib. It is the policy of the CU that all headwear must be
removed. However, there were male customers in the branch wearing hats.
Approval Pending
According to information on the internet, the woman accused of discrimination is no
longer employed at the CU and CU officials stated it would provide additional
training and educational opportunities for employees.
One member stated that a Jewish organization in Tacoma and the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will review the incident and then meet with
Sound Credit Union administration.
The Board decided they would draft a letter to Sound Credit Union Board that they
were aware of the incident and offer to provide training on cultural issues. A
motion was made by CCB member Eckfeldt and seconded by Rahman authorizing
Chair Kaur and Vice-Chair Rangel to draft a letter on behalf of CCB noting same.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Civic Education – Local Opportunities for Voter Education
Ted Schwarz led the discussion on “voters’ parties” where people are educated on
the voting process, offer assistance in registering to vote, how to read voters’
pamphlets, how to fill out ballots, and where to return ballots. People are not
instructed how to vote; rather these voter education parties are a mechanism to
increase voting and civic engagement, especially in populations that have low voter
participation.
Members liked the idea of organizing voting parties, but one member expressed
frustration with the decrease in buses running on the East Hill on Sunday. Many
residents rely upon public transportation and the decrease in bus service has
become a hardship for some. If voter education gatherings fall on a weekend,
transportation becomes an issue.
Marvin Eckfeldt mentioned that candidate forums will be hosted by various
organizations, i.e. the Chamber of Commerce typically hosts a forum. He
suggested that the CCB could host a forum.
Following discussion of the Board, it was decided CCB would host a Mayoral
Candidates’ Forum in place of their June meeting. Vice-Chair Rangel was tasked
with putting together a plan of action. A sub-committee to work on the forum will
include Ted Schwarz, Mizanur Rahman and Shamso Isaak. Once a location is
secured, invitations will be sent to the four candidates. Patrick will work on finding
a location that would work well for a forum. Board members can invite members
from their communities to attend - the date will be Tuesday, June 27 beginning at
7:00 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.