Poulsbo For All Steering Committee Minutes 4/21/2022 (Zoom)
Land Acknowledgements
Shall we add Port Gamble S’klallam land acknowledgement to the Suquamish wording? It was recommended to draw from both local tribes. Pam calls for volunteer to help develop a hybrid acknowledgement that honors both.
Board Structure Recommendations
Lauren has begun fleshing out descriptions of PfA’s goals and SC roles, and for structuring meetings & agendas. Lauren will circulate a draft. Those comfortable live-editing the Google doc will do that, and she will distribute an attachment version for those who prefer email.
Side discussion: how shall we make decisions? Claudia proposed consensus by the whole SC, but with a time limit so that silence = consent. Those present agreed.
Flyers -
We would like to compose (monthly?) one-page flyers to distribute in Poulsbo community in order to foster interest and participation in PfA. At the March SC meeting, Mark proposed to work on this. Claudia will forge ahead in his absence, basing the flyer on Carollynn’s upcoming newsletter. Claudia solicited a commitment from each of those present to take (at least) 20 copies and distribute them once it’s developed. All agreed.
Side discussion: blog posts. The last topic was diversity. Claudia’s next post will be either on healthcare or climate.
PfA Email Newsletter
Carollynn is starting the newsletter for May, and is soliciting ideas. Topics include:
What’s going on at city hall,
PfA’s recent distribution of Cesar Chavez flyer at farmer’s market,
COVID relief money–what is happening with (large) remaining funds,
Stonechild Chiefstick memorial and the City.
LWV climate roundtable and relevant issues -
add links to website and newsletter.
City Council meeting report - Pam: not much to report from last night’s city council meeting. The council discussed two new real estate developments—Noel Terrace (31 Homes) and Blue Heron (85 Homes). The city is providing infrastructure for these developments. There was no mention of pricing, or whether there will be low-income components. Pam says the houses go for up to $900K.
Stonechild Chiefstick Permanent Memorial
What happened to the informal memorial to Stonechild Chiefstick that has been in Waterfront Park since he was killed there by police in July 2019? Pam: it appears that the city removed the flowers, boughs, pictures, statements, etc. immediately after the settling of the lawsuit and without consultation with his family. Pam has emailed the council and mayor to inquire why they did so, and when they will meet with the family to discuss a permanent memorial: no response thus far. Lauren is working with Stoney’s partner Trishandra Pickup regarding the creation of a new memorial. A GoFundMe exists. Native carvers are prepared to create something beautiful for the memorial, as a place of healing and reconciliation.
DEI
Britt Livdahl is currently attending the conference of GARE (Government Alliance for Racial Equity), and it is hoped that she will return eager to apply what she’s learned. How can we support her as she returns to a more or less indifferent council? Claudia suggested all SC members send an e-mail to Livdahl asking how we can support her efforts to foster racial equity. Agreed.
Climate Action
At the League of Women Voters' Kitsap Climate Roundtable in April, Bainbridge Island mayor Joe Deets conveyed a lot of useful information; BI is doing much to battle climate change, including hiring a climate officer. Mayor Becky made good points, but didn’t offer any concrete examples of what Poulsbo is doing.
Pam: the Mayor’s stated philosophy was “live small.” She means act locally, plant a tree, conserve fuel, etc., but is really thinking small. Ideas for thinking less small:
putting a solar roof on city hall, require all new city vehicles to be eco-friendly - e.g., 8 new police cars purchased in the coming year - are they electric?;
permeable parking lots;
preserve green space;
discontinue all pesticide use by Public Works.
What’s really needed is an overall climate policy for the city. Poulsbo has no climate resilience plan. It can easily adapt and borrow from the existing policies and plans of other municipalities such as BI and Seattle.
Should PfA ask for a city council resolution? Last night’s CC meeting discussed adding charging stations for cars downtown. But since charging stations downtown (charging requires time) would clog that concentrated area, how about at Poulsbo Village instead, closing Front Street to traffic except for essential vehicles/deliveries, and having a shuttle from Poulsbo Village on weekends? Creativity and imagination are key.
New Positions
Pam proposes that the city create two new (half-time each) positions: an Equity officer and a Climate officer. PfA should propose these positions - would provide someone to work with in city government and give credibility to important issues. Claudia favors the equity officer, if we had to choose. The council pays lip service to equity, but does not actually base decisions or policy on it. An equity officer would have a more immediate effect. Maria countered that it’s common for equity officers (especially part-time ones) not to be given any actual authority—frustrating for the person in the role. She suggests a full-time position pitched as an organizational change agent, or a sustainability officer—with a global infrastructure role. This must be a city government position-–consultants won’t do. In addition, how this person gets hired is crucial. Hire should be done by a diverse committee of community members. Carollynn suggested circulating a petition if/when this position becomes a possibility—door-knocking, listening, and involving as wide a public as possible. Pam: the first step is having PfA meet with Britt Livdahl. This would allow Britt to bring forward GARE principles and resources, backed by community activism. The group discussed having Livdahl attend our next meeting or a special meeting according to her/our schedules.
Healthcare
In the context of “what we’re missing,” Pam and Carollynn wished to bring up equitable and quality healthcare for discussion, but noted that it might be too early for PfA to even approach this. A group called the Alliance for Equitable Healthcare has been meeting.
Closing
Reminder of Action Items - Suggest newsletter items to Carollynn.
Everyone: read the PfA newsletter at the end of April, and the blog on PfA’s website at the beginning of May. Everyone: send your email to Britt Livdahl NOW.
Pam: propose/arrange PfA meeting with Livdahl.
Everyone: read, reflect on, and comment on/edit Lauren’s doc on PfA’s structure and functions.
There is a vacancy on the Civil Service Committee, reports Pam. Does someone in PfA want to sit on that committee, which reviews police officer positions for adherence to regulations?
Contact those who missed this meeting to inquire why, fill them in, etc: Pam will call Brenda, Claudia will contact Brian, Maria will contact Dana, and Carollynn will contact Mark.
Next meeting: Thursday May 26 at 4:00 pm.