>>> OKAY.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THE MAY 27th, 2022 REGULARLY
SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE
NEIGHBORHOODS, EDUCATION, CIVIL
RIGHTS, AND CULTURE COMMITTEE
WILL COME TO ORDER.
IT IS 9:32 A.M.
I AM CHAIR MORALES. WILL YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> VICE CHAIR SAWANT?
>> PRESENT.
>> THREE PRESENT.
>> WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GET
STARTED.
THERE IS NO OBJECTION, TODAY'S
AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. HEARING
NO OBJECTION, TODAY'S AGENDA IS
ADOPTED. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND
OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
I DO NOT SEE ANYONE SIGNED UP.
CAN BE CONFIRMED THAT?
>> THERE ARE NO PUBLIC COMMENT
REGISTRANTS.
>> OKEY-DOKEY.
I WILL NOW CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT
AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE DAYS
AGENDA.
WE'VE GOT SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS
TODAY AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO
BEGIN WITH AGENDA ITEM 1.
CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE READ
AGENDA ITEM ONE INTO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 1,APPOINTMENT
02188, APPOINTMENT OF HAMDI
MOHAMED AS DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS
FOR BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> WELCOME BACK, INTERIM
DIRECTOR HAMDI MOHAMED.
AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT WILL
BE A PRETTY QUICK CONVERSATION.
GOOD MORNING, ADIAM EMERY.
I WILL HAND IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR
HOSTING MAYOR HARRELL'S NOMINEE
FOR THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE AFFAIRS HERE IT IS MY
PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE HAMDI
MOHAMED TO YOU TODAY.
AS CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER, THE
OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE GREATER
ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.
SINCE HAMDI MOHAMED TOOK HELM,
SHE HAS SERVED AS A TRUSTED
PARTNER WITH A DEEP
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHALLENGES
IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
EXPERIENCE. NOT ONLY DOES SHE
BRING HER PERSONAL LIVED
EXPERIENCE, SHE HAS BUILT
STRONG CONNECTIONS TO DOZENS OF
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
POPULATIONS THROUGH HER CAREER
AND THROUGH HER VOLUNTEERISM.
THIS CONNECTION WITH COMMUNITY
LEADERS INSPIRE HER IDEAS AND
DRIVE HER TO PUSH HER OFFICE'S
MISSION FORWARD. THE
NEIGHBORHOODS AND OFFICES CIVIL
RIGHTS AND CULTURES COMMITTEE
HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR
FROM HAMDI MOHAMED ABOUT 2022,
THE IMPRESSIVE WORK PLAN AND
YOU EACH HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT HAMDI AT HER
CONFIRMATION HEARING TWO WEEKS
AGO, WHICH I UNFORTUNATELY
MISSED. YOU HAVE MET WITH HER.
YOU HAVE HEARD HER IDEAS. YOU
DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR
IT.
SHE IS AMAZING. I BELIEVE WE
COULD NOT BE MORE FORTUNATE
THAT SHE HAS ACCEPTED MAYOR
HARRELL'S OFFER TO SERVE. WITH
THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IT
OVER TO INTERIM DIRECTOR HAMDI
MOHAMED FOR OPENING REMARKS
AND I HOPE AFTER HEARING FROM
HER TODAY, NONE OF US WILL USE
THE WORD INTERIM TITLE MUCH
LONGER.
SO, I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF EQUITY
OFFICER ADIAM EMERY FOR THAT
INTRODUCTION AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO
THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO WORK SO
CLOSELY WITH YOU.
GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE
COUNCILMEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.
COUNCILMEMBER AND CHAIR MORALES,
VICE CHAIR SAWANT,
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS AND
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON AND LEWIS,
I KNOW THEY ARE NOT WITH US,
BUT I STILL GIVE THEM REGARDS.
IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR AND
PRIVILEGE TO COME IN FRONT OF
YOU AGAIN AS THE INTERIM
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS
AND TO SEEK YOUR APPOINTMENT.
MY DRIVE TO SERVE AS THE
DIRECTOR IS TRULY ROOTED IN MY
PERSONAL STORY AND MY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
MY STORY INCLUDES THE MANY
STRUGGLES THAT ARE IMMIGRANT AND
REFUGEE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS
REGION AND NATION ARE
EXPERIENCING EVEN TODAY.
I OFTEN SHARE THE HISTORY OF
THE FAMILY FLEEING WAR AND
LIVING ON HOUSED FOR MANY YEARS
. BECAUSE OF MY LIVED AND
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, I HAVE
A DEEP NEED. I HAVE GAINED A
DEEP NEED AND WANT TO ADVOCATE
AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES AND
TO ENSURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO
SERVICES, PROGRAMS, AND
PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
LIKE MANY FAMILIES, MY FAMILY
CAME TO SEATTLE TO BUILD A
BETTER LIFE AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO
OUR NEW HOME.
ALSO LIKE MANY YOUNG REFUGEE
AND MIGRANT CHILDREN, I WATCHED
MY RELATIVES WORK MULTIPLE JOBS
AND STILL STRUGGLE.
I GREW UP WATCHING MY MOTHER
LOSE HER JOB AT SEATAC AIRPORT,
HER JOB AT THE DAYCARE
PROVIDER, AND HER HOME
RESPONSIBILITIES.
I WATCHED MY SERVICE SIBLINGS
WORK IN THE FOOD SERVICE
INDUSTRY.
A WERE PROUD UNION MEMBERS.
WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD, I
STARTED WORKING AT OUR LOCAL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TUTORING AND
AT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES IN
WESTWOOD VILLAGE IN WEST
SEATTLE TO HELP MY FAMILY MAKE
ENDS MEET.
MY FAMILY SOMEHOW REALLY
MANAGED TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE
THROUGHOUT THIS REGION AND TODAY
, MY GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT WE
ARE MEETING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF
SEATTLE'S MOST VULNERABLE
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
COMMUNITIES AND TO HELP PROVIDE
SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT
TRULY ALLOW ME TO BE HERE TODAY.
MY GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT
NEWCOMERS HAVE EQUITABLE
OPPORTUNITIES TO THRIVE BY
HELPING STREAMLINE OUR SERVICES
THE CITY OF SEATTLE'S
INFRASTRUCTURE.
I BELIEVE THAT OUR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT IS UNIQUELY
POSITIONED TO DELIVER EQUITABLE
SERVICES, PROGRAMS, POLICIES
THROUGH COLLABORATION BETWEEN
OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS, OUR
COUNTIES, TO ENSURE THAT OUR
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE
POPULATIONS CAN SURVIVE AND
THRIVE.
I WANT MY STORY NOT TO BE AN
EXCEPTION, BUT TO BE THE RULE
AND THE NORM FOR FAMILIES IN
SEATTLE.
I WANT THE NORM TO BE THAT YOU
CAN ARRIVE IN SEATTLE, A
WELCOMING REGION, AND ACCESS
THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS YOU
NEED TO SUCCEED.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK YOUR
APPOINTMENT TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I THINK I HAVE SAID IT MANY
TIMES ALREADY, BUT I COULDN'T
BE HAPPIER TO HAVE YOU IN FRONT
OF US FOR THIS VOTE.
AS YOU HAVE SAID AND HAS
EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TALKING
ABOUT, YOU KNOW, YOUR DEEP
COMMITMENT, YOUR DEEP
INVOLVEMENT WITH OUR REFUGEE AND
COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAS BEEN WELL
NOTED, WELL-DOCUMENTED WITH
YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL
LIFE REALLY DEMONSTRATING THE
WORK THAT YOU DO AND YOUR
COMMITMENT TO SERVING OUR
NEIGHBORS. I HAVE SEEN JUST IN
YOUR SHORT TIME IN THIS
POSITION ALREADY, YOU KNOW,
ACCOMPANYING US OR INVITING US
TO ACCOMPANY YOU TO THE
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT TO HEAR
FROM IMMIGRANT OWNED BUSINESS
OWNERS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES
THEY ARE FACING AND THE NEEDS
THE CITY STILL NEEDS THEM TO
MEET IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
CONTINUING TO WORKING WITH YOU
AND I AM VERY THANKFUL YOU ARE
HERE.
ALEX, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE A
VOTE?
I DO NOT SEE ANY, SO THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER
ADIAM EMERY FOR BEING HERE.
I RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF
APPOINTMENT 02188. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR
SAWANT.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> ABSOLUTELY, YES.
>> VICE-CHAIR SAWANT?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR MORALES?
>> YES.
>> THREE IN FAVOR.
>> THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THIS
BE SENT TO THE GYM SEVEN CITY
COUNCIL MEETING, SO WE WILL SEE
YOU THERE, DIRECTOR AND LOOKING
FORWARD TO IT.
CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU.
SEE YOU LATER.
>>> OKAY, WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
READ ITEM TWO INTO THE RECORD?
>>APPOINTMENT 02192,
REAPPOINTMENT OF STEVEN PRAY AS
MEMBER, SEATTLE LGBTQ
COMMISSION, FOR A TERM TO
OCTOBER 31, 2023.
FOR BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, AND
POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> THIS IS A REAPPOINTMENT.
STEVEN PRAY IS NOT HERE, BUT WE
DO HAVE JANET STAFFORD TO
SPEAK TO THE APPOINTMENT, SO
JANET, I WILL HAND IT OFF TO
YOU.
>> YES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
INTRODUCTION.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS JANET
STAFFORD AND I AM ONE OF THE
COMMISSION LIAISONS WITH IN THE
SEATTLE OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.
ONE OF THE FOUR COMMISSIONS
HOUSED UNDER OUR OFFICE IS THE
SEATTLE LGBTQ COMMISSION AND
SOME OF THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE
SUPPORTED DURING COVID HAS
INCLUDED VIDEO SERIES
SURROUNDING PRIDE SPIRITS AND
WORKING TO PROPOSE BUDGET
INCREASES TO FUND PROGRAMMING
WITHIN THE CITY.
CURRENTLY THEY ARE WORKING IN
COLLABORATION TO HOLD THE
ANNUAL FLAG RAISING FOR PRIDE
AT CITY HALL ON JUNE 1st AND
SO, WITH THAT, I DO WANT TO
SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT
STEVEN PRAY . STEVEN PRAY
GREW UP IN THE KENT, WASHINGTON
AREA AND ATTENDED CENTRAL
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY FOR HIS
UNDERGRAD. HE THEN MOVED TO
SEATTLE IN 2015 TO START A LAW
DEGREE AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY.
HE HAS BEEN IN THE CITY EVER
SINCE.
AFTER LAW SCHOOL, HE BEGAN
WORKING AS A UNION REP WITH HIS
PRIMARY ASSIGNMENT BEING THE
CITY OF SEATTLE AND FOR THE
LAST YEAR, HE HAS BEEN SERVING
AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE
SEATTLE LGBTQ COMMISSION.
HE IS CURRENTLY SITTING AS A
CHAIR ON THE OPERATIONS
COMMITTEE AND IS LOOKING
FORWARD TO HIS CONTINUED WORK
ON THE COMMISSION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JANET.
AS MR. PREE IS IN HERE, WE WON'T
ASK HIM QUESTIONS BUT I'M GLAD
TO KNOW HE IS WILLING TO
CONTINUE SERVING. AS I HAVE
SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, THESE
COMMISSIONS ARE IMPORTANT AND
THEY OFFER GUIDANCE AS
POLICYMAKERS AND REALLY HOLD US
ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL, SO I
APPRECIATE HIS WILLINGNESS TO
CONTINUE TO SERVE.
COUNCILMEMBERS, IF ANYONE HAS
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, I WILL
MAKE THAT OFFER.
OKAY.
IN THAT CASE, I MOVE THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS APPROVAL
OF APPOINTMENT 02192, IS THERE
A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> VICE-CHAIR SAWANT?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR MORALES?
>> YES.
>> THREE IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU.
THE MOTION CARRIES IN THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THE
COUNTY APPROVE IT WILL BE MOVED
TO THE JUNE 7th CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE, JANET.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> WILL YOU PLEASE READ ITEMS 3
THROUGH 8 INTO THE RECORD?
>> YES, CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO
LET YOU KNOW THAT WE GOT WORD
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT AGENDA ITEM
6, APPOINTMENT 2177 FOR JULIAN
CHONG , THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO
REDRAW THEMSELVES, SO I WILL
PULL THAT OUT AND READ THEM
INDIVIDUALLY.
I WILL READ THREE THROUGH FIVE
AND THEN SEVEN THROUGH EIGHT.
[ LAUGHTER ] SO, AGENDA ITEM 3
THROUGH FIVE AND 7 THROUGH 8,
2174, 2175, 2176, 2178, 2179,
APPOINTMENTS OF PAULINE ADONIS ,
TATIWYAT BUCK , CAROLINE CARTER
, KAYLA HAILE , AND NYLA MOXLEY
FOR SEATTLE YOUTH COMMISSION,
FOR A TERM TO AUGUST 31st,
2023.
>> I WILL TOSS THIS OVER TO
SPEAK ABOUT THE APPOINTMENTS
AND THEN WE WILL DISCUSS THE
OTHER PERSON.
I THINK WE'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE WE
HAVE WITHDRAWN, SO WE WILL
DISCUSS THAT AFTERWARDS.
I WILL HAND IT OFF TO YOU.
YOU ARE STILL MUTED.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> OKAY.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HOLD ON A SECOND.
I AM HAVING AN ISSUE.
OKAY.
I THINK I CAN HEAR YOU NOW.
>> OKAY.
WE DON'T SEE -- YEAH, WE DON'T
SEE YOU, BUT WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> PERFECT.
YEAH, I AM HAVING A BAD A
TECHNICAL ISSUE TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OPENING
THIS UP FOR THE SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION.
I AM THE LIAISON AND THE
LEADING COORDINATOR IN THE
NORTH END OF THE CITY.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR ORDER YOU
WOULD LIKE ME TO?
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT
EACH OF THE APPOINTEES TODAY.
>> SO I HAVE PAULINE ADONIS ,
TATIWYAT BUCK .
>> OKAY, PAULINE ADONIS, FOR
SURE.
>> AND CAROLINE.
LET'S START THERE.
>> PAULINE ADONIS IS AN 11th
GRADER FROM FRANKLIN HIGH
SCHOOL AND I ASKED THEM TO
PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THEMSELVES I COULD SHARE WITH
THE COUNCIL TODAY.
I WILL SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THEM, BUT THEY ARE FIRST-TIME
APPOINTEES TO THE SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION.
I WILL DO A COUPLE OF QUOTES
PER APPOINTEE.
FIRST, PAULINE SAID SHE APPLIED
TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION BECAUSE
YOU WANTED TO GET MORE INVOLVED
IN THE COMMUNITY. SHE HEARD OF
THE ABILITY TO FORM
RELATIONSHIPS WITH NOT ONLY
CITY OFFICIALS BUT FOR PEERS
INTERESTED IN SERVING THE
COMMUNITY AS WELL.
SHE BELIEVES SHE HAS A NEED TO
VOICE HER OPINION, ESPECIALLY
WHEN IT COMES TO NEEDS FOR
THOSE OF COLOR.
THERE ARE MANY ISSUES SHE WANTS
TO TACKLE AND SHE WOULD LIKE TO
BRING HER SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
TO ADVISE THE CITY COUNCIL TO
MAKE DECISIONS WITHIN THE YOUTH
INTO CONSIDERATION.
I ASKED ABOUT WHAT ISSUES DO
THEY THINK ARE VERY IMPORTANT
TO THEM AND HERE PAULINE SAID
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BRINGS
HER TO THESE MISSIONS ARE THE
LACK OF FUNDING IN SCHOOLS AND
THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE A BETTER
QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND
EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR
. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
HER.
AND I ASKED WHAT IS A CURRENT
PRESSING CHALLENGE THAT BRINGS
THEM TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF
SOCIETY, AND SHE SAID THE MOST
AND CHALLENGE WE FACE IS
RACISM.
WITHOUT A DOUBT, RACISM AFFECTS
, "MANY STUDENTS IN OUR SOCIETY
. RACISM IS AN ISSUE THAT IS
WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF OUR
COUNTRY AND I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO
COMBAT THE ISSUE."
PAULINE IS NOT ON THE CALL, SO
I DON'T BELIEVE SHE WILL BE ABLE
TO HAVE QUESTIONS.
AND THEN YOU SAID -- WHAT WAS
THE OTHER ONE, COUNCILMEMBER?
>> I'M SORRY IF I AM
MISPRONOUNCING YOUR NAME.
TATIWYAT BUCK?
>> OH, YEAH.
YEAH.
>> WHO IS ON THE CALL, SO.
>> SO, TATIWYAT , I WILL SPEAK
ABOUT HER.
SHE IS A NINTH GRADE FRESHMAN
IN THE CAPITOL HILL
NEIGHBORHOOD.
A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT HER,
SHE IS VERY PASSIONATE TO
CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE
COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR USE.
HISTORICALLY THE COMMUNITIES
HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED FROM
CIVIC LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
I THINK THE SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION WILL BE A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO
COLLABORATE WITH OTHER YOUTH
WERE INTERESTED IN ORGANIZED
LEADERSHIP.
WHEN I ASKED ABOUT ISSUES
AFFECTING YOU AND SHE SAID
THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES AND
TOPICS SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT,
BUT THE BIGGEST ONE IS THE
INCREASING NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONALS.
SHE HAS BEEN WANTING TO BE A
DOCTOR SINCE SECOND GRADE. SHE
IS ALSO A SCHOLAR ATHLETE.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF
SOLVING THOSE PROBLEMS.
ONE OTHER PRESSING ISSUES WANT
TO TALK ABOUT, SHE SAYS THERE
ARE MANY PRESSING CHALLENGES
HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD.
CLIMATE CHANGE, WAR, FOOD
INSECURITY.
TO OUR PROBLEMS IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, LIKE HOMELESSNESS AND
DRUG ADDICTION.
THERE ARE MANY HERE IN THE U.S.
BUT SHE IS EXCITED TO BRING HER
PASSION OF ATHLETICS, BUT ALSO
INTO THE SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION.
>> TERRIFIC.
>> AND THEN --
>> WELL, LET'S TAKE A PAUSE
RIGHT THERE AND ALLOW TATIWYAT
A CHANCE TO SPEAK, IF YOU DON'T
MIND.
CAN YOU JUST TALK FOR A MINUTE
ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN
AND THE ROLE YOU THINK YOU CAN
PLAY ON THE SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION?
>> YEAH.
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
YEAH, I AM TATIWYAT . I USE
SHE/HER PRONOUNS. I AM A
FRESHMAN.
ON THE SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION, I WILL BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE A NEW PERSPECTIVE AS
AN INDIGENOUS PERSON.
LIKE, WE ARE REALLY
UNDERREPRESENTED IN MANY ROLES,
ESPECIALLY IN POLITICAL
LEADERSHIP ROLES.
GROWING UP, I NEVER HAD THAT
ROLE MODEL WHO WAS THAT LEADER
WHO I COULD IDENTIFY WITH.
BEING HERE ON THIS COMMISSION,
I WILL BE ABLE TO BE LIKE THE
ROLE MODEL I DIDN'T HAVE WHILE
ALSO LEARNING AND GAINING NEW
SKILLS AND SHARE MY
PERSPECTIVE.
>> TERRIFIC.
THANK YOU FOR APPLYING AND
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS
MORNING.
PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> WHO DO HAVE NEXT?
>> NEXT I HAVE CAROLINE CARTER,
WHO IS ALSO HERE WITH US.
>> PERFECT.
>> OKAY, THIS IS GETTING A
LITTLE CONFUSING.
CAROLINE CARTER . WE ARE AWARE
BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, I HAVE
NOT HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING
THEM IN PERSON OR A CHANCE TO
SPEND WITH THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE
NOW BEEN APPOINTED. I AM
READING OFF OF THEIR
APPLICATION AND THE QUESTIONS I
ASKED, BUT I HOPE THE
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING WILL
BEGIN ONCE THE APPOINTMENT IS
MADE.
CAROLINE IS A NINTH GRADER FROM
THE BRIGHTON NEIGHBORHOOD.
SHE, IN HER GETTING TO KNOW HER
A LITTLE BIT, SHE WROTE WHY
SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR THE YOUTH
COMMISSION?
SHE SAID IN THE FALL OF 2020
WHEN SHE WAS IN THE EIGHTH
GRADE, SHE HELPED LEAD A CLUB
CALLED GREEN SIX STUDENT
INTEREST GROUP.
IT SPARKED INTEREST IN CLIMATE
CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEY WERE DISCUSSING HOW THEY
CAN MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT IN
SEATTLE AND WERE LOOKING FOR
WAYS TO GET INTO LOCAL
POLITICS.
MEAN WISHED THERE WAS SOME KIND
OF WAY THE YOUTH OF SEATTLE
COULD COME TOGETHER AND SHARE
THEIR IDEAS AND CONCERNS FOR
THE CITY.
WHEN I ASKED HER ABOUT WHAT ARE
SOME TOPICS OR ISSUES SHE IS
VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT, CAROLINE
SAID SHE IS INTERESTED IN
AWARENESS ABOUT HOW THE YOUTH
VOICE MATTERS IN SEATTLE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A
PLATFORM FOR YOUTH TO SHARE
THEIR IDEAS AROUND POLICIES AND
GOVERNMENT.
SHE SAID SHE IS INTERESTED IN
EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE
STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-
QUALITY EDUCATION WHILE HAVING
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO DO
THEIR BEST IN SCHOOL.
SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT ISSUES
AROUND HOMELESSNESS,
PARTICULARLY FINDING GOOD
HOMES, SAFE, GOOD HOMES AND
HAVING GOOD ACCESS TO
EDUCATION, AND INABILITY TO
MOVE FORWARD.
AND LASTLY, SHE REALLY THINKS
ABOUT CREATING A DIVERSE
PERSPECTIVE AND BRINGING
DIVERSE CULTURES INTO THE SPACE
BECAUSE SHE FINDS IT TO BE
INCREDIBLY VALUABLE TO CREATE A
THRIVING CITY.
EVERYONE NEEDS A SENSE OF
BELONGING.
THIS CAN BE DONE THROUGH ART,
FESTIVALS, AND THROUGHOUT
SEATTLE AND SHE HOPES TO BE
ABLE TO DO THAT.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE MOST
PRESSING ISSUE OR CHALLENGE IN
THE CITY OR THE WORLD, SHE SAID
CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE BIGGEST
ISSUE WE FACE AND SHE WOULD
LIKE TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT
IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE
COMMISSION.
CAROLINE, DID YOU WANT TO ADD
ANYTHING ELSE TO THE COMMITTEE?
>> YEAH.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME
TODAY.
IT IS REALLY AN HONOR AND I
GUESS JUST TO REITERATE, THANK
YOU FOR THE INTRODUCTION.
I REALLY DO CARE ABOUT YOUTH
INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS AND I
THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AS THE
NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS WHO
WILL BE EVENTUALLY TAKING
POLITICAL POSITIONS AS LEADERS
IN THE COMMUNITY, IT'S REALLY
IMPORTANT WE START LEARNING
ABOUT ADVOCACY NOW AND I THINK
THERE ARE MANY WAYS WE CAN GET
YOUTH REPRESENTED.
EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T LEGALLY
VOTE, I AM STILL REALLY
IMPACTED BY DECISIONS THAT ARE
HAPPENING IN THE GOVERNMENT AND
THIS WILL BE A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SHARE MY
IDEAS ABOUT POLITICS AND ALSO
TO GET OTHER YOUTH INVOLVED, SO
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE,
CAROLINE. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY
RIGHT.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE YOUTH
VOICES ARE REFLECTED IN THE
WORK THAT WE DO AND THE BEST
WAY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT
HAPPENS IS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO
BE INVOLVED AND HAVE A WAY TO
CONNECT WITH THEIR LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND
BEING INTERESTED AND SERVING IN
THIS ROLE.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON, WE HAVE
THESE TWO YOUNG PEOPLE HERE.
I WILL ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF
THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
I DON'T SEE ANY, SO NEXT WE HAVE
KAYLA HAILE AND NYLA MOXLEY .
>> YEAH, KAYLA IS AN 11th
GRADER.
THIS IS WHAT SHE WROTE ABOUT
WHY SHE APPLIED TO THE YOUTH
COMMISSION.
SHE SAID I APPLIED BECAUSE OF
MY PERSONAL GOALS AND LOVE FOR
THE COMMUNITY.
I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE.
I AM DETERMINED BECAUSE MY MOM
IMMIGRATED TO AMERICA.
SHE IS ALWAYS WANTING THE BEST
FOR ME IN LIFE.
THIS MOTIVATES ME TO BE A HARD
WORKER, EMPATHETIC, AND FUN.
I AM LOOKING TO EXPAND MY
HORIZON AND I FEEL THE YOUTH
COMMISSION WILL BE A GOOD FIT.
SHE WANTS TO VOICE THOSE THAT
ARE NEGLECTED.
ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO
HER, NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY WE
SEE OURSELVES BUT IN OUR LIVES.
THERE IS A HUGE MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS WITH OUR TEENAGERS.
BECAUSE OF ISOLATION DUE TO
COVID, PEOPLE HAVE LOST
FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND EVEN
THEMSELVES.
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND
SUICIDE RATES HAVE BEEN UP
AMONG OUR YOUTH. THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT CONVERSATION TO HAVE
THROUGH THE YOUTH COMMISSION TO
FIND WAYS TO REACH OUT TO
PEOPLE AND FIND A SENSE OF
BELONGING AGAIN POST PANDEMIC.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HERSELF, SHE
LOVES BEING ABLE TO BRING JOY
TO THE PEOPLE SHE IS AROUND.
SHE IS A VERY HARD WORKER AND
KEEPS A PRETTY BUSY SCHEDULE.
SHE IS CURRENTLY TAKING AP
CLASSES WHILE MAINTAINING A 4.0
GPA. SHE HAS A LOT OF
EXTRACURRICULARS LIKE SOCIAL
JUSTICE CLUB.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE MOST
PRESSING ISSUE AFFECTING THE
CITY IN THE YOUTH, SHE SAYS IT
IS MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL
HEALTH, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF
THE PANDEMIC.
SHE WANTS TO SEE WHAT THE YOUTH
COMMISSION CAN WORK WITH CITY
LEADERS AROUND GUN VIOLENCE.
SHE SEES THAT IN HER
NEIGHBORHOOD AND ACROSS THE
CITY AND OF COURSE, SHE
MENTIONED RECENTLY THE RECENT
UNFORTUNATE SHOOTING THAT
HAPPENED INVOLVING THE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TEXAS.
AND THAT IS KAYLA.
NYLA IS OUR LAST ONE AND NYLA
IS AN 11th GRADER.
SHE LIVES IN THE NORTHGATE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
SHE WROTE WHY SHE APPLIED TO
THE YOUTH COMMISSION, SHE SAID
I'M INTERESTED IN ACTIVISM
SINCE A YOUNG AGE.
I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO FIND
AN OUTLET WHERE MY VOICE WAS
HEARD OR WHERE I COULD CREATE
REAL CHANGE.
HER GRANDMOTHER APPLIED
SUGGESTED SHE APPLY TO THE
YOUTH COMMISSION.
SHE HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED HER
PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES OR
TOPICS SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT,
SHE SAYS SHE IS VERY PASSIONATE
ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.
ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM,
ESPECIALLY ACCESS TO HEALTHY
FOOD.
SHE KNOWS ABOUT THE HEALTHY
FOOD FIND ACCESS PROGRAM AND SHE
SAYS SHE IS VERY EXCITED TO
PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TO A
PRESSING ISSUE, SHE SAYS SHE
COULD THINK OF TWO INCLUDING
THE POLICE BRUTALITY,
HOMELESSNESS, SEVERE
GENTRIFICATION, LACK OF
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CLEAN
WATER, AND SCHOOLS THAT ARE
PREDOMINANTLY WHITE OR UPPER-
CLASS.
SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT ROE V.
WADE BEING OVERTURNED TO WHAT
THIS MEANS TO LOW INCOME WOMEN
AND WOMEN OF COLOR.
SHE HOPES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
DIALOGUE AROUND THESE ISSUES.
>> TERRIFIC.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WALKING
US THROUGH THESE APPLICATIONS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE MORE
TIME, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE AND YOU
ARE WILLING TO PUT YOURSELVES
FORWARD AND PARTICIPATE.
I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN
PARTICIPATING FOR A WHILE
ALREADY, SO I'M GLAD WE WERE
FINALLY ABLE TO CONFIRM YOUR
APPOINTMENTS, WHICH WE WILL BE
ABLE TO DO SHORTLY.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS, I WOULD LIKE TO
ASK FOR A SECOND FOR APPROVING
APPOINTMENTS 02174, 75, 76, 78,
AND 79.
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
AND CAN I JUST CONFIRM I MEANT
77 WITHDRAWN?
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL
OF THESE APPOINTMENTS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> VICE-CHAIR SAWANT?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR MORALES?
>> YES.
>> THREE IN FAVOR.
>> TERRIFIC.
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
COUNCIL APPROVED THESE
APPOINTMENTS WILL BE SENT TO
THE JUNE 7th CITY COUNCIL
MEETING. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE
THERE, SO THESE WILL BE PLACED
ON OUR AGENDA.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.
I KNOW YOU ARE PROBABLY TAKING
TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHOOL DAY TO
BE HERE, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH YOU.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBERS.
>> I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM WITH
THE CLERK, WE HAD TWO
APPOINTMENTS ON THE AGENDA THAT
HAVE WITHDRAWN, APPOINTMENT
2177 AND 2193. DO WE NEED TO
READ THESE INTO THE RECORD?
BE TAKING ON THOSE? WE SHOULD
>> YOU MAY WANT TO MENTION THAT
THOSE TWO HAVE WITHDRAWN AND
WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
>> OKAY, SO WE ARE GOING TO
READ THEM INTO THE RECORD AND I
WILL NOTE THAT THESE TWO
APPOINTEES HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM
THE CONSIDERATION FOR SEATTLE
YOUTH COMMISSION, 2193 AND 2177.
WHY DON'T YOU READ THEM INTO
THE RECORD AND I WILL SAY IT
AGAIN.
>> SOUNDS GREAT.
AGENDA ITEM SIX, APPOINTMENT
2177, APPOINTMENT OF JULIAN
CHONG , AS MEMBER OF SEATTLE
YOUTH COMMISSION, FOR TERM TO
AUGUST 31st, 2023.
AND APPOINTMENT 2193,
APPOINTMENT OF PHI TRAN AS
MEMBER, SEATTLE YOUTH
COMMISSION, FOR A TERM TO
AUGUST 31st, 2023.
>> THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO
WITHDRAW, SO WE ARE SIMPLY
READING THEM INTO THE RECORD,
BUT THERE IS NO ACTION
NECESSARY.
THAT MEANS WE HAVE REACHED THE
END OF OUR AGENDA.
COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONFIRMING
THESE APPOINTMENTS ON JUNE 7th.
THIS CONCLUDES THE MAY 27th,
2022 MEETING OF THE
NEIGHBORHOODS, EDUCATION, CIVIL
RIGHTS, AND CULTURE COMMITTEE .
THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS
JUNE 10th.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.