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Mukilteo DEI commissioners highlight outreach successes, budget and plans for Lunar New Year and mental-health work
Summary
Mukilteo’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission presented its 2025 annual report April 6, recounting events such as a successful Book Read and Lunar New Year planning, noting a $5,000 annual DEI allocation (about $2,300 used in 2025), and outlining outreach and mental-health priorities for the year.
The Mukilteo Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission on April 6 presented its 2025 annual report to the City Council, highlighting expanded community outreach, partnerships and a modest operating budget.
Vice Chair Elona Van Duzer, presenting on behalf of Chair Gauri Sanghvi, told the council the commission’s theme for 2025 is community outreach and engagement. She reviewed last year’s events, including a Book Read attended by more than 50 people and early planning for a Lunar New Year celebration. "We are starting the year excited about continuing our mission statement," Van Duzer said, and credited council liaisons and city staff for supporting the commission’s work.
The presentation listed partnerships with local authors and school representatives, cooperation with vendors and the Korean Community Service Center for Lunar New Year planning, liaison work with the Washington State Department of Transportation on the Highway 99 improvement project, volunteer cleanups and participation in community events such as the Lighthouse Festival.
Van Duzer said the council approved a $5,000 per-year DEI budget in the biennial budget and that the commission had used about $2,300 so far in 2025. She noted the commission could not engage in certain advocacy around the EMS levy as a body, explaining the outreach had exceeded the commission’s legal 'guardrails,' and that individual commissioners had undertaken some outreach in personal capacities.
Council members praised the work. "This is absolutely the best synopsis of a commission year I've ever experienced," Councilmember Duran said. Council President Moon said Mukilteo's Lunar New Year event drew a large crowd and received positive comparisons to neighboring cities.
Looking ahead, Van Duzer said the commission will continue community outreach, pursue mental-health awareness programming and focus advisory efforts—within legal boundaries—on decision points such as waterfront development. She said the commission will schedule street cleanups and consider senior outreach and another book-read or film discussion if time permits.
The presentation drew no formal council action; the report was received and council members thanked commissioners for their work. Van Duzer said commissioners are available to answer follow-up questions.
The commission identified continuing challenges around building trust with underrepresented residents and emphasized partnering with other local organizations to expand engagement.
