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Free language assistance services are available for this meeting. Contact Maria Magallon at mariamag@clackamas.us (48-hour notice needed).
Minutes
Staff: Tonia Holowetzki
Members Present: Chair,
Members unable to attend:
Guest: County Administrator, Gary Schmidt
Public: Keisha Brewster
- Welcome, Land Acknowledgement
The LEDIC meeting was organized as a hybrid event with Tonia stepping in as facilitator due to Maria's absence. The group discussed various county initiatives, including voter registration, equity work, and community engagement strategies, with particular focus on supporting underserved communities and improving county services.
- Introductions, Check-in
The meeting began with introductions and updates from participants, including Sirius's new role as interim executive director at Calda Safety and Melissa's achievement of surpassing the Give Guide goal for people with disabilities.
- Community Engagement and Strategic Planning
Gary, the County Administrator, provided insights into the county's equity work, noting challenges due to federal constraints and political shifts. He emphasized the importance of community engagement and suggested ways for LEDIC members to provide input and feedback to the Board of County Commissioners. Tonia and Gary discussed a strategic engagement plan focused on underserved communities, which will be presented to the board in the spring. The group acknowledged the need for patience and persistence in building trust with communities that have historically been distrustful of government.
- Advancing County Initiatives
The meeting focused on several key topics, including voter registration efforts and the Coalition of Communities of Color report. Tonia discussed the challenges individuals face when accessing county services due to safety concerns, emphasizing the need for generational change. The group also addressed the status of employee resource groups within the county, with Gary noting the dissolution of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council but highlighting the formation of new groups like Queers and Allies and the Black Employee Network and Employees of Color. The conversation touched on hiring practices, retention, and the potential for mentorship programs to support diversity within the county workforce. Gary expressed interest in revisiting the Coalition report to identify actionable operational changes and encouraged input from the group.
- Community Calendar and Engagement
The meeting focused on discussing community engagement and calendar management in Clackamas County. Tonia and others discussed challenges with the county's master calendar and the potential for community-based calendars to serve residents better. They also explored ways to support libraries as community hubs and discussed a strategic plan update with Gary, who shared details about an upcoming board meeting to review priorities. The group touched on youth engagement initiatives and the need to attract diverse voices, particularly from underserved communities.
- Advisory Board's Community Impact Role
The group discussed the role and purpose of their advisory board, focusing on how they provide community input to Clackamas County departments and officials. They explored the distinction between being a reactive advisory body that responds to requests and a proactive group that initiates discussions on important community issues. The board members agreed that while they don't have legal authority to set policies, they can suggest improvements and advocate for specific community needs, as demonstrated by their past work on suicide prevention initiatives.
- Action Items & Next Steps
- LEDIC members: Review the Coalition of Communities of Color report and provide input/advice to Gary (County Administrator) and Maria/Tonia on what Clackamas County government and the board should do in response to the report
- Gary (County Administrator): Follow up with library staff regarding the possibility of eliminating library fines at county libraries and report back to Tonia
- Tonia: Send the link to the county's strategic plan to LEDIC members
- Tonia: Send the bylaws document via email to LEDIC members
- Tonia: Share contact information for Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders with Maria
- Maria: Work with Commissioner Schrader to arrange her participation in LEDIC meetings via Zoom
- LEDIC members: Review and provide feedback on proposed bylaw updates
- Tonia: Send Multnomah County's internship program flyer to Maria for reference
- LEDIC members: Consider inviting library directors for a meeting/movie watch to discuss library support
- LEDIC members: Review notes from the previous retreat regarding the Coalition report
- Announcements: Ongoing Agenda Items
The group discussed the suicide prevention task force, noting its reduced membership since COVID and uncertainty about voting rights for some members. They reviewed bylaws and discussed potential name changes, with Tonia suggesting they clarify their mission before selecting a new name. The conversation ended with plans to review a strategic plan and bylaws,
Next meeting, February 24, 2026