Ellensburg study session focuses on DEI commission role, outreach and funding risks

City of Ellensburg council members and the city’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission met in a 50-minute joint study session to review the commission’s origins, scope and outreach work and to discuss community questions about membership balance and possible federal funding risks.

The session opened with commissioners describing the listening tours that led to the commission’s creation. Commissioner Lindsay, chair of the commission, said the group met 17 neighborhood and interest-based groups and “talked to over a 100 people” as part of a summer listening tour that produced a report with about 30 recommendations and a primary recommendation to form a standing DEI commission.

That recommendation was approved by the City Council and an ordinance creating the commission was passed in January 2021, commissioners said. Amber Hofer, one of two vice chairs, summarized the commission’s present role: “Our main goal for today really is to have some authentic, vulnerable, and real conversations, around how to establish trust in our community, help make sure everybody feels like they belong, and continue supporting one another.”

Why it matters: Council members said they have recently received public comments both opposing and supporting the commission. Several elected officials asked for clarity about the commission’s scope and authority, and whether the commission’s activities could put…