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Home My WebLink About07/08/2021 REAC MEETING MINUTESREAC Notes July 8, 2021 Racial Equity Advisory Committee Thursday, July 8th, 2021, 6:00 pm MINUTES PURPOSE ● To advise the City Council, by applying a race equity analysis to all aspects of governance; and ● To maintain engagementwith and accountabilityto other work being done throughout the Bremerton Community in service of Race Equity Bremerton REAC VISION Bremerton Race Equity Advisory Committee envisions a City that: ● Strives to continually dismantle its own institutional racism, within policies, programs, budgets, initiatives, legislation, systems, and infrastructure. ● Amplifies and joins racially, culturally, and socially integrated community endeavors toward equity, well-being, and liberation for all; and ● Aspires to model for the nation a City in which people of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds can interact, form friendships, and participate fully in the community’s political, economic, educational, cultural, and civic endeavors. 1. Present: Darryl R., Erin B., Airen L., Michael G., Leslie D. Sarah VG., Faye F., Glenna M., Cely Q 2. Not Present: Lori W., 4. New Business: ● Lori Wheat has resigned from her role, applications to be appointed for District 4 are due tomorrow, July 9th at noon News Flash • Bremerton, WA • CivicEngage ● We will keep one seat open on REAC for a City Council representative to join the Committee ● In-person or online meetings: preference to ask the community what is most accessible, note that in-person is still not safe for everyone , commute needs may be a conflict for in-person, all other city council meetings are being held virtually - the room that we meet in is not ready yet, hybrid is the worst option as it’s challenging to balance voices, happy to wait until mid-fall to revisit this question, very challenging to have authentic engagement with some people online and some in-person - proposal to meet in-person once a quarter, ● BIPOC Business Forum update by Faye Flemister - resources forum page was #2 downloaded document on their website, 364 visits to event webpage, 107 people registered, 50 attended event, Recording of event posted had 24 views on YouTube, 1,428 impression, 87 engagements (YouTube) ● Hope to continue to partner with Kitsap Economic Development Association (KEDA) to co-sponsor future offerings - looking at September 9th for next BIPOC Business Forum, proposal to host the event in-person with motivational speaker, helping BIPOC businesses becoming certified to access city, state and federal contracts for minority-owned businesses ● Engaged many other organizations, KEDA staffed the event - exciting to see institutions make this commitment to BIPOC business in Kitsap/Bremerton ● Do we know the number of BIPOC businesses in Bremerton? Do we know the numbers of BIPOC-owned businesses closed due to COVID? Data not available at this time. Why isn’t there a system already in the city to proactively engage with Black, Indigenious and People of Color-owned businesses? Bremerton Chamber of Commerce now has an option to ID as a BIPOC business when you sign up for membership. Note not all businesses are Chamber members - is there a local business license where this data could be captured? 5. Public Comment: ● no public comments 1st opportunity ● Tiffany Hye: invited by Christina Roark, Housing Kitsap not reaching out to communities of color -allows the opportunity to be a home owner, families of color being treated poorly, board members are also city council members, who is the right body to reach out to this group to speak to their unfair practices. Suggestion to connect with Brenda Fantroy-Johnson serves on Bainbridge Island REAC and also currently on B.I. City Council. ● Anna Mockler: the more REAC can come up with things that are specific and concrete the more City Council will listen, example of City of Bremerton offering list of BIPOC-owned businesses ● Teresa Jones: Request to let people know about Save the Date for upcoming BIPOC Business Forum Sept 9th, gathering the community’s priorities on a global scale - how to ensure that the priorities of this group align with those of the community members ● Possible suggestion of office hours, go to these spaces once a month etc. ● Can we start a social media page to receive feedback? A: might be considered a a public entity with requirements of public records requests, there are ways to make it work with a public-facing. Facebook page working with City communications and IT. There is precendent for govt committees to use social media pages ● Can we ask residents to join sub-committees? A: yes, we can invite people to join sub-committees ● Possible project of a survey to collect info from residents about what priorities are, suggestions of what works toward racial equity and space to hear grievances of negative racist experiences in Bremerton 6. Minutes from May: ● Tabled to the August meeting, May minutes need to be located 7. Council Update: ● Lori’s vacant seat - see new Business ● Hired new Bremerton City Attorney ● 6 year transportation aprovement plan - road projects, lodging tax, Marine Drive improvements ● No conversation yet on hiring new Chief of Police - opportunity for Change the Power for meaningful conversation ● Possible topic: how the WSDOT internships for BIPOC youth ● A process for updating the City Council on REAC’s work is needed - example report back the BIPOC Business Forum - necessary to insert this analysis as part of the governing structure, County Commissioners and Mayor were present for example ● Note that police body camera conversation could be informed by this committee 8. Sub Committee Report Outs ● EducateCommunicate: research done on existing groupsnon-profits and BIPOC-owned, request for members to review the list and add any missing info/groups ● Kitsap Human Rights will be joining our Sept meeting due to outreach efforts ● Another e-mail blast to join our next meeting, inviting existing groups to come speak at future meetings ● Request to do outreach earlier for the next BIPOC business forum (a month in advance, for example) ● Are there any barriers to members of this group going to present at other organizations? ● Is there a printing budget for promotion of events/regular meetings? ● Change the Power: training for city staff (anti-bias etc.) , forum for learning and galvanizing community power, creating something without asking for permission - those who don’t attend will be asked why they’re not showing up ● "CHANGE THE POWER" working team's TOP PRIORITIES: (1) The work of the Race Equity Advisory Committee must engage all branches of the City government and have cohesive collaboration through meaningful relational work across all branches. (Bring community support and resources to bear, as needed.) (2) Educate City power structure (Council, Mayor, Department Heads, Human Resources, staff, etc.) about the harms of systemic racism and need for REAC. (Lean on the community for participation in and advice on our efforts.) (3) Assess current policies/procedures as well as 2021 Mayor's Initiatives, Council Goals & Priorities, etc. Advise from a race equity analysis; build toward having more influence and input for 2022 documents. (Engage community participation, maybe Olympic College students or local high school students learning civics, history, social justice, etc.) Possible action item: partnering with Human Rights conference in December to provide content 9. Closing Remarks: ● Bremerton REAC representation at events - example Bainbridge Island had a banner and flyers - example Pride is coming up ● Inviting B.I. REAC to join forces ● Do we want name tags? ● General promotion flyer: Race Equity Advisory Committee – 8.5 x 5.5 Flyer by erin.naomi.burrows ● BKAT - Airen Lydick working with Jon and Ben now, Constance left her former role ● Library will print out flyers and promote an event on behalf of video ● Kitsap Credit Union or Library may be able to print a banner, note library offering 100 free prints per day both color and B+W ● Glenna willing to work with library to promote events/meetings ● What is the process for proposing a budget to fund - in October we should submit a budget to City Counsel ● Feedback on the general promotion postcard - change language on the bottom to be relevant to the general public ● Kitsap Pride is offering free tables for BIPOC organizations and businesses Housekeeping Next Month: ● Recognition of Tribal Lands: Michael Goodnow ● Notetaker: Cely Quisano ● Timekeeper: Glenna Matteson ● Facilitator: Leslie Daugs ● Discuss budget proposal and those who have a one year term what the process will look like if they would like to stay on the committee ● Meeting adjourned at 7:52pm Next Meeting via Zoom 2nd Thursday of the Month - Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm