HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-09 TranscriptionPage 1
Council Present: Bergus, Mims, Salih, Teague, Taylor, Thomas, Weiner
Staff Present: Fruin, Dilkes, Fruehling, Havel, Hightshoe, Ford
Others Present: Longenecker (UISG)
Update on Black Lives Matter Movement:
Teague/ Um, I'm gonna go ahead and call this meeting to order, City Council work session, uh,
for June 9a', 2020. It is after 2:00 P.M. and .... um, I want to make sure that all of our
Councilors are here, um .... I just don't see .... um, Councilor Weiner. So once we have her
we'll be able to get started. I'll go ahead and get started as we're tryin' to figure out, um,
Councilor Weiner gettin' on. I believe she maybe on and just notable to speak just yet.
So today, this meetin' we have two items on our agenda, um, which, um, to say the least,
um, is some huge, uh, items. Um, the first item is update on Black Lives Matter
movement, uh, and the second is discussion of next steps in response to systemic racism.
Um.....I wanted to kind of just talk about what is happening throughout our nation and
specifically what's happenin' within our community. Uh, we all know the story about
George Floyd and, um ... and .... hearts go out to, uh, that loss, but .... the Black Lives
Matter movement is somethin' that has, uh, taken our country over and I think it is really,
um, the message that needs to be understood very clearly, uh, within our community, and
that is, um, there's been systemic racism, uh, happenin' through our country and the
message that is bein' demanded is that this must end. There's no more tolerance and
there must be a movement now towards true resolution, allowin' everyone free
opportunity to be an American citizen, um, ensurin' that black lives are absolutely, um....
uh, treated equitable, um, and .... we can't wait any longer, and so we know that, uh,
there's been an outcry throughout our community, um, on various levels. There has been,
uh, several rallies held and protests held, uh, by various organizers within our community
that want to ensure that the term Black Lives Matter remains. Um, we do have today as a
guest, urn .... uh, to present to us, um, from the Iowa Freedom Riders. We want to hear
from them. We appreciate the opportunity for them to speak directly to City Council, as
well as to the Iowa City area. I did wanna talk just briefly about, um .... what this really
means when we're talkin' about, uh, our .... our community efforts or our city efforts.
This is a major issue. Racism that's prevailing throughout our country is a major issue.
The conversations will be uncomfortable. They absolutely will be uncomfortable. Not
only by (garbled) but also by me and .... and people of color, but the ... the reality is they
must be had, and they must be also authentic and raw. Um, and .... so I want .... I want us
to prepare for some uncomfortable, uh, conversations, and even welcome uncomfortable
conversations, and I think now is a time to listen, and also as we, um, go through our
meeting, we're not planning in this one session .... to solve all the issues. I think this
session will be to look at some of the solutions, some of the requests, and build upon that.
We plan to set the stage for next steps of what we can do, what we need to bring to the
table, so that we can make systemic change within our community. Iowa City, if. ... if we
claim to be progressive, which we do as a community, then we're going to have to ensure
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that that progl.... progressiveness includes every member of our community, specifically
right now the black community, and so, um, I'm going to ask that, um, the item .... the
Iowa Freedom Rider, um, person that is here to talk to us today, please feel free. I
welcome you now.
Hamad/ Hello, everyone!
Teague/ Hello!
Hamad/ I would first like to thank you all for, urn .... you know, meeting with us today and
convening with us, um, in terms of, you know, discussing our demands and discussing
what the movement, uh, needs in terms of, you know, moving forward in this fight for
social justice and equality, uh, for the black community. Um, in terms of. ... just an
update, you know, from us, just for everyone so that we're all on the same page. Uh, you
know, like the protesters that have been leading, and like the organizers that have been
leading like (mumbled) the peaceful, non-violent marches in Iowa City, you know, have
gathered together and rallied themselves behind the name ... this name of, um, the Iowa
Freedom Riders, um, this org.... coalition's organization that has, you know, that we have
created together. And the (mumbled) you know, affirms, you know, the enthusiasm of
protesters (mumbled) of our rallies and protests last week, and you know, the (mumbled)
behind our protests is behind the Black Lives Matter movement. We've met with, um,
the Mayor, Bruce Teague, before to discuss our demands, um, and share our thoughts
with him, um, as, you know, this .... (mumbled) you know as the week went by, as well.
Um, and you know, today we are .... our goal is, you know, to meet with City Council
Members, and you know, present our demands and request that, you know, these
demands be met, and that a commitment be .... a commitment be made, you know, to these
demands as well, you know, as a condition of our willingness to follow leadership's
directions. Um, and we also, you know (mumbled) most importantly want to recognize
that this is a growing list and, uh... urn .... we, um, the more we meet with other
community members and community, um, members of our community, you know, who
are also fighting for similar causes, you know, we are coalescing together to make an, you
know, to (mumbled) update our list of demands. Um, the .... um, I don't know if you
want .... I believe the list of demands has been shared, um, widely as well. So I don't
know if you want me to go through that now or just speak on some ideas I have of some
initial like quick change that the City Council can make, in terms of supporting the
movement right now.
Teague/ Um, because we want this to be a collaborative effort, um, but we also want to hear
directly from you so that we're not creatin' our own .... um.....language or interpretations
of, uh, of what the list of demands are, and so we do welcome you to, uh, either highlight
or go through. Uh, we will be discussin' this and I understand that you have another
commitment, um, if I understood correctly.
Hamad/ Uh huh.
Teague/ (mumbled) relatively soon, so we wanna respect that as well.
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Hamad/ Uh huh.
Teague/ But I think so that we are, um, gettin' a great understanding, we would, um, we welcome
you, whatever you find most helpful. Um, of course we're sensitive to, um, really
understandin' that we're not gonna get this right, um, totally while we read through this.
Maybe there's gonna be, uh, we may have to come back and understand clearly what is
being, um, stated, what is bein' said, and I also want to just make a point that these
things, these lists of demands, as I've read through them personally. These are things that
are long overdue within our community. There are things that, um, when we look at the
black community and what has been missing, one has been the voice, um, at the table and
so we welcome this opportunity to .... to hear and to, um, so...it....it really is how you
want. Just know that we will continue the conversation, even after you leave.
Hamad/ Uh huh.
Teague/ But I .... anything that you would like to highlight, we welcome.
Hamad/ All right. Um, so in terms of, urn .... like .... quick, I don't wanna say quick, but like I
can't think (mumbled) like emergency actions that, you know, the City Council can take
right now. Uh, for example, um, City parks, such as Wetherby Park, you know, should be
named after Black Lives .... after Black Lives Matter, for example. Um, another, um...
demand that we have is that the Jazz Fest be made, you know, a festival that is a
celebration of black culture. You know, the Jazz Festival's a festival that is, you know, a
yearly thing in Iowa City and brings people from all over the state as well, and that
should be, you know, jazz has roots in black culture and that needs to be, you know, the
basis of that as well, and so that's also something that we, you know, the City could also
work on. Um, and then, you know, one other, um, demand that we request the Council to
also start working on immediately is a, um, reparation or a restitution process, you know
(mumbled) a commitment to creating.....a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that can
work, um, on these ideas for our community, and that ... that commission be, you know,
led by people of color. Um, so that's in terms of just, you know, immediate commitments
and immediate demands, um, that are ... you know, emergency, but in terms of our like
greater list of demands. Um, I'll just, you know, I have them (mumbled) so I'll just, you
know, go through them just so that everyone has, you know, a basic idea. Um, but stop
me any time if, you know .... you know, someone wants a clarification or a question or
anything.
Teague/ We have those for posting, if we can post that, as well as .... as, uh, for the community to
see.
Hamad/ Uh huh.
Teague/ But you can go right ahead (both talking)
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Hamad/ Okay. Drop all charges against protesters, including citations, tickets, etc. A strong
statement from the Iowa City Police Department in favor of protests including the de -
prioritization of law and order and property damage. Instead, appris... prioritization of
police accountability for racism, while also addressing issues of systemic racism and
inequality. The full publication of the Iowa City Police Department's budget and the
(mumbled) on budget funding as well. Every Iowa City department should have at least
30% of its staff dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Every institution and business does
not only have but also is required to implement an equity toolkit. A clear and sensible
plan for affordable housing. If this is not met, those involved must have consequences.
Johnson County Sheriff and the Iowa City Police Department may not enforce evictions.
The Iowa City .... the Iowa City .... the government of Iowa City must provide funds for
programs within the Parks and Recreation Department including programs such as the
special populations involvement, SPI.....also known as SPI. The curfew must be lifted in
Coralville. A plan to restructure the Iowa City Police Department towards community
policing must be made. Similar.... similarly to what's happening in Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Camden, New Jersey; and Los Angeles, California. Uh, the funds that would
be, you know .... from the funds that would be, you know, sent.... redirected will be...
would be redirected from the Police Department to social service programs, such as
mental health programs, um .... social service programs, social service (mumbled),
eviction and prevention programs, um, you know, all the above. Um, moving on from
that, reforming the Iowa City Community Police Review Board so that it has a .... so that
it has real power, including but not limited to the ability to subpoena officers. The
reformed CPRB must also have the ability to enact and enforce measurable consequences
when the Board recommendations are not followed or implemented. I ... the Iowa City
Police Department must divest from (mumbled) military grade equipment and withdraw
any contracts from the federal government. Um ... that ends my list of demands, um, that
we have, you know, that we have come together as community organizers to make, um,
but also another, um, idea that just popped in my head .... a thought just popped in my
head that I forgot to reiterate earlier. Another, uh, way that we could .... the City Council
and the City can show its support to the Black Lives Matter movement also, you know, to
provide space, uh, City and business spaces, you know, um, for us to have murals, for
people to come out and paint and show, um, you know, let Iowa City show its pride for
the Black Lives Matter movement and so that's also another, um, you know, demand in
terms of immediate emergency, um, actions that the Council can take. Um, but that ends
my...presentation, I guess, in terms of like what our demands are and what our
organization (garbled)
Teague/ Thank you so much, and I .... I.. A do want to take a moment to, um, share my personal
thoughts on .... the actions of, uh, Iowa Freedom Riders, and .... and their intent and their
purpose. Their intent is to ensure that.... through this community, that Black Lives Matter
really is, um, met with urgency and to clearly look at the systemic racism and inequitable
things that have been happenin' throughout our community. Now .... their energy, their,
um, perseverance, we've seen it, um, personally. I appreciate it. I think that, urn .... to
ensure that that energy, um, and that commitment, um, by our community is there. I....
Iowa Freedom Riders have put in our forefront where we cannot deny that there's a
change that needs to happen, and it needs to happen now. I've talked to Iowa Freedom
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Riders and I have personally told them, and I have spoke out in public about any type
spray paint or any, um, like goin' to the, um, I-80, that I am not about that. I am not for
that. That is me personally, and would like for those, uh, efforts to end. Um, but I also
wanna, uh, just mention somethin' that .... and my phone is dead. I wanted to read an
excerpt from Dr. King that talked about, and I'll have to paraphrase because my phone
isn't working. Um, when you see riots or .... and he talked about riots. Riots is the voice
of the unheard, because that's where they resort .... resort to when they feel that they're
unheard. Right now Councilors, and all of Iowa City, we have the opportunity to stop
bein' the....stop, uh, perpetrating the unheard and actually listen and, uh, invite all of our
community to the table to ensure that all of our community is dedicated to the efforts of
ending susystem.... system, uh, systemic racism and inequalities. It will hurt, it .... people
feelins' will get hurt. But we need to listen to the voices of those within our community
that will share their own personal story of racism that they have had, with various people
or various municipalities within our community. It is hard! It will be uncomfortable!
But we as a community must be dedicated to this change, and .... I get it. I get it, you
know, the .... the spray painting. I get it (noise in background) we don't, I don't want it!
But we also must look.... get beyond those distractions and really focus in on the
message, and that is Black Lives Matter and that we must do extreme things in order to
ensure that all voices are at the table and we do what we know right now, and it's gonna
change! Uh, we're not gonna get it right as a community the first time, the ... the Iowa
Freedom Riders aren't gonna have all of the things in the list, as they stated it's gonna
continue to grow. Um, they're not gonna have all the items right the first time, of things
that need to be discussed, but as a community we must be dedicated. We must be
dedicated to the discussion. One powerful thing that I think, um, out of all of things that
have been presented, is this, um, coalition, um, to be .... uh, to be led within our
community on .... on these items. Now we're gonna talk as a .... as a Council, but I think
in order for true, urn .... for.....for true change to totally happen, we can check some
things off this checklist. Um, that's.... that's absolutely, um, reachable, urn .... but also I
think in order for it to .... penetrate throughout our entire community, it needs to be a
coalition, a commission, type effort and so with that, I .... I wanted to just say thanks to
the Iowa Freedom Riders for bein' a part of today. Of course I wanna offer any more
opportunity or space for you to speak, um, if you should choose to do so now, um, before
Council have our discussions.
Hamad/ Um, I would just like to just reiterate one thing. Um, I think, you know, you referred to
our ...the protests that have happened ba ... you know, this past week as (mumbled) past
couple days as riots, and I (both talking) like to reiterate that we are a peaceful movement
that, uh, we are non-violent, that there have been no riots in the streets. Um, whether law
enforcement has treated us as rioteers and treated our movement as a riot, that is on them.
Um, we have continued to be a peaceful movement and will continue to be ... to be a
peaceful movement until our demands are met, um, and now just, you know, like to make
that clear for everyone.
Teague/ I appreciate you pointin' that out, and, um, I think what my, um, point was, what my
point was there to, um, kind of paraphrase what Dr. King said, um, so .... anything that
(mumbled) don't like or whatever the case may be, whether that's spray paint or goin' to
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the (mumbled) I-80, um, those are .... those are, uh, ways, at least from my interpretation
of relatin' it to the riots that Dr. King talked about. Those are ways for people whose
voices have not been heard, uh, for them to be heard. So, um, I was not compare them to
riots, but I appreciate you, um, makin' that clarification, because in no way was I makin'
that comparison, um, and hopefully I didn't, um, my intent was not to do any criticism,
uh, by statin', uh.... uh, this as bein' a riot, uh, by any means. So thank you for jumpin' in
therefor that clarification. All right, um, anything else? Uh, if there's nothin' else then
I'm gonna open it up for Council discussion and .... um .... and just, urn .... uh, get our
thoughts, because, um, certainly I know that there are, urn .... lots of things that we need to
discuss and .... yeah! I'll just open it up to our Councilors. And .... and maybe, um, before
I even do that, as I'm thinkin' about, um, some of the things that have been mentioned,
uh, from the Iowa Freedom Riders, um .... we, you know, they have the 12 demands,
which we'll add a few things to. I ... I get Wetherby Park, festivals (mumbled)culture, uh,
a commission, and um, a mur...mural space for, urn .... for some, um .... creative art. Um,
we also know that there's the `8 can't wait', um, which I have stated that we need to truly
look through and, um, and .... and.....and see what we can adopt, if not all. Um, some
things limit .... have more red tape, urn .... but we can find, um, even some ways through
the red tape as well, um, and then the Obama Foundation, uh, commitment to action,
there's some things there, some (mumbled) there, so .... urn ..... what I, um, do believe ... is
that .... that commission is going to be the most important moving forward. Um, whatever
Council, you know, discussed today I think is going to be on a grandiose level, because
we can't, um, right now get into, um, all of those small things. Well, um, the .... the, how
this would all play out, although we have that sense of urgency. We have the, uh, ability
to create within our city efforts to look at all of those, um .... bringin', uh, already policies
that are in place, lookin' at our affordable housing, what's there, what are the programs,
what are the partnerships, uh, what are the social justice collaborations we can have, um,
and what I .... what I, you know, what strikes me right now as I'm thinkin' about this is,
um, as .... as a commission type effort. Um, and I think .... that could be, for my personal
opinion, kind of our next, uh, an important consideration that we would want to make.
So with that I'll open it up.
Taylor/ This is Pauline. Um, I .... I agree with you, Mayor. I think, uh, that's a good, uh, good
place to start because some of those items on the list we have been doing over the last
few years with all respect to former Council Member Kingsley Botchway. Uh, we'll all
remember that his thing was the toolkit and he stressed that for a number of (mumbled)
finally did get put into place, and over the last couple years, several of the departments
have been looking at their actions and they, uh, members, their staff, uh, as far as how it
relates to, urn, diversity and equity. Uh, so I think we've gotta .... we've got a good start
on that. Obviously we need to, uh, place stronger emphasis on that, and uh, put a little
more teeth into it, but we have had some efforts to look at some of these things, but I
think your idea about, uh, the commission, uh, would be ... would be good.
Bergus/ Mayor, if I could jump in. Um, I just wanna state some things really unequivocally. I
think we've all had many, many, many conversations in the last week in response, uh,
particularly to the Iowa Freedom Riders and... and their direct action and their passion,
and so I just wanna make sure that we are very, very clear in what I believe is a
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community commitment, being led by City Council, to the goals of their movement, and
as you say, Mayor, to start at the end, and the end is to confront systemic racism with
anti -racist policy from the City of Iowa City. And I believe we are committed to that, so I
just wanna be as unequivocal as possible in stating that, and I know we've been getting
really just hundreds of emails and messages and phone calls relating to specific ideas, and
as you said, Mayor, we can't get into the minutiae right now, but I also wanna
acknowledge a couple of things, again, very explicitly. That is the young black leaders of
the Iowa Freedom Riders, um, there're people in our community who do not agree with
their tactics, but we have to acknowledge that we wouldn't be here today having this
conversation with this level of urgency if they hadn't undertaken what they've done in
our community to date. And I thank them for their passion and their willingness to push
us, because clearly we needed to be pushed in this moment, and the other thing I wanna
say without hesitation is that we can have the best policies in the world and as someone
who's new to this role I've been trying to learn as much as I can about the history of what
Iowa City has been doing, and we can say, `Oh we're very, very progressive and we have
wonderful policies in place,' but if the lived experience of our community.... if for our
black residents, if that's still one of oppression, then we have much, much more work to
do. And so we'll highlight what we have in place and be able to show the community the
policies that we have, but we will also be very, very clear going forward in our
commitment and our statements because Black Lives Matter and need to be elevated right
now.
Salih/ I just wanna say that I'm (garbled) but .... yes, black life matter. I understand everything
the Mayor said and everyone here said. Uh, given the fact that we received some email, a
lot of email, asking us to do the change, but in the couple two days we started seeing like
maybe ..... I personally received few email (mumbled) the number of the emails I receive
that askin' us .... to respond to the Black Life movement. Uh, you know, and um....
speaking about, I guess those emails came when the (unable to understand) went and
paint the stadium..... and the hospital. Those (mumbled) when they paint the, you know,
the, I guess the businesses and when they came and thrown down, I'm not with those
ac .... you know, like behavior or action — no! I'm again them as well, but if I'm receiving
emails from people advocating for stadium and I never receive any email from them,
advocating for Black Live Matter. That's concern me! Concern me that they put
(garbled, then goes silent) you know on the (mumbled) and Black Life on the bottom. If
you are sending me email and saying, hey, I like this movement, and later on you send me
email, and say yeah, don't make them paint the stadium, I don't like that. I can't
understand that. But .... I'm not going to sink to the people who never come out to
advocate for Black Life Matter and just came to tell me that the stadium has been paint.
(garbled) No! Because Black Life Matter! That's okay, you know, they broke windows
on the City. Okay, they wanna get our attention. Okay, we gonna ..... the window is
fixable, but all those life that gone, we cannot bring `em back. I thinks we need to think
seriously about this. We do!
Teague/ Uh huh.
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Mims/ I just warm thank, I guess particularly, Laura, for your comments. Mayor, I lost you for
a bit, I was having trouble with my audio, but .... Laura, I ... I've commented many times as
you and I have talked, um, you're a communicator, I'm an engineer, and (laughs) I
applaud ... I applaud, uh, your wording and I know your heart is absolutely there with your
wording, and I would say while my communication isn't always, um, that good, my heart
is there too and I believe, you know, we .... without going and spending a lot of time,
cause we've got a lot to talk about, we've all seen, um, you know, the systemic racism
that exists across the (garbled) that has been here for .... for centuries, um, and we
certainly have not made .... we've made progress, but certainly not the progress that we
should have made in all this time, and um, what has brought us here obviously is .... is not
just, if you will, that systemic racism but it's one really, really big piece of it that, and that
is the police brutality that we see, um, across the nation as well. And .... as you've said,
Laura, with one of the things we've done, um, and a lot of things that we're .... that we
have improved on over the years, um, and ... but that doesn't mean that we can ... we can sit
on our laurels. We have a long way to go, and we need to get the input of the community,
um, we .... I would say because of. ... because of the heart of the community and because
of, um, some of the people here, a lot of the people here, we don't have the same level of
problems in certain regards as they do in other communities. Don't get me wrong! I'm
not saying we don't have systemic racism. I'm not saying that, but .... we're ....we're in a
lot better place than a lot of places in this .... commun.... in this country. Um, but that,
again, means we .... we still need to keep moving forward. Um .... I.....I think as we do
that, I guess I do have one question, um .... and that is for you, Mayor. Are you
suggesting.... I'm just trying to understand. I'm not .... not deciding or judging or
anything. I'm just trying to understand from what you said are you suggesting that we set
up a commission to work through these demands? Um .... and the things like the `8 can't
wait' and stuff or did I misunderstand that?
Teague/ I...I think, um, we have to think of urgency. So .... um, because black lives do matter and
we can't spend one more day .... tryin' to, you know, put in some of these, uh, systemic
things on the back burner. Now, some of those .... so we can certainly go through any of
these and if there's somethin' that we can, um, say, hey, we can institute that now, we can
.....we can.....we can say that, um, but ... I believe that we can't get full understanding,
um, of what some of these really mean, without havin' Black Lives at the table, at this
commission to, one, share their stories, to also, um, interpret what the policy has meant
within their experiences and what changes need to be made, because, um, I .... and it goes
beyond pol.... I mean, we're talkin' policies on one level, but there's systemic things that
also needs to happen within our community, where many individuals may not understand
just, um, how, um, how .... some black people live in our community think about, um,
their neighbor who don't come over and knock on the door to bring them cookies, but
they'll call the police when they're (garbled) music. So .... I think a commission, um, or
some type of a .... um, a community -led effort would be most valuable, because no matter
what Council.... yes, we can .... we can pull up the policies, um, specific to .... the, uh,
equity toolkit. We can, um, you know, work with CPRB, um, we can .... uh, we can do a
lot of these things, but I do believe that that, um, commission led by people of color, um,
definitely is somethin' that we have to consider within our community, um, and ... and that
commission, as I see it, is not just City .... is not about the City. It's about the whole
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community, um, as I see it. We have our items as cities that we bring to the table, um,
that we have looked at, you know, the demands, and we have, um, identified areas from
our knowledge that needs change. We can also submit the things to this commission and
collaboratively work on them. So that is my thought, um, at least with this process. Um,
I don't, you know, I.....I have to admit, I don't know all the answers and I don't know if
anyone here knows all the answers, but movement, um, towards .... um, getting solutions
is, um, is .... it has to be the dedication, which I do hear that, uh, from the Council...
Councilors because I've talked to each of you, urn.... and..... and maybe, you know, if
there's somethin' here right now we can kind of identify, um, or if we .... um, you know,
choose to....do a commission, um, then I think we can certainly involve, um, the Iowa
Freedom Riders. There's the other, urn .... um, social justice groups throughout our
community, but we definitely want to en .... ensure that we have black voices at the table
to talk about what are the next steps and, um, if it's the commission, then it's the
commission. Um, I .... I think it's .... I think it's somethin' that we, uh, it's gonna be a
long-term commitment. Um, it's .... when we compare our, um, plan for .... climate action
and the changes that need to be made there. Um, there's a lot of work on climate action.
When you're talkin' about changin' systemic racism, there's a lot of work that needs to be
ongoing for a long time, some, um .... opportunities, uh, that will need to happen. We just
had, uh, Mayor Pro Tem and, um.....uh, a few other leaders, which I want to name,
urn .... uh, Supervisor Royceann Porter, uh, Councilor RaQuishia Harrington from North
Liberty, and Pastor, uh, Smith from New Creations Church. We just had this, uh
(mumbled) um, in parks, where it says `Speak Up and Speak Out,' and community
members came and we even had, um, many black voices came and shared their
experience, and I think, um, they -it needs to be heard, it needs to be shared. It's their
lived experience and .... no matter if we say, um ..... if there's one experience with racism
lies within a community, then we need to figure out and zone in on that one and figure
out how we can end it throughout all of our community. So, uh, we certainly have some
challenges. Um, it ... it's .... um, we see it, uh, whether you wanna acknowledge it or not,
um, and how many black people within our community, um, have the same type of
financial abilities as others. Um, when we look at the .... how many people own homes.
We know that, um .... people that are oppressed or have challenges financially, urn .... it...
it's not the same as, um, other people within our community. So we have a lot of work to
do, um .... and ...... I think right now, what .... what might be ..... most advisable is for us to
....look at what is before us, what type of. ... im.... immediate things we can, uh, do or do
we, uh, really take on the request of the Iowa Freedom Riders, um, and, you know, focus
in on that commission, um, that we need to .... you know, move fast on, because I think,
um, it is most important that we really dig into.... systemic racism, um, and this list is a
small list, the things that we need to deal with.
Weiner/ Mr. Mayor, I'd like to, um, if you, um, if you don't mind I'd just like to put it .... some of
this in perspective a little bit. Um, the .... at the national level, uh, senators and members
of Congress are about to introduce the beginning of next week an act called the Justice
and Policing Act. The .... the truth of the matter is though that given the leadership of the
Senate, it is difficult to believe that .... that any of that will make it through, if they could
not manage to .... to pass a ban on lynchings. At the state level, the state .... the state
Legislature has pushed through legislation that is really moving backwards in .... in my
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personal opinion. And therefore that puts the burden on the shoulders of us in this
municipality and in all others around Iowa to do the heavy lifting, until such time as we
get elected officials in place at the state and national levels, who will be able to do that.
Um, you .... you talked about a commission, in addition to the demands of the Freedom
Riders, we have also as has been referenced, we've received hundreds of emails. Many
of them have, um, a list of five different.... suggestions and demands that I think we
could .... we can also fold into that. They make reference to Campaign Zero, which....
reduces issues from police by 72% if everything is .... um, if everything is adopted and...
and so I think we need to look at a broader spectrum of things. I think we also in addition
to absolutely having black and color.... leadership of color for such a commission. We
also need to make sure that we include the University community, uh, and University
students who are .... who are an important part, uh, of our community and .... I .... would
suggest that we do look at things that we can do almost immediately. Some of them will
be very real. Some of them may be symbolic, but symbolism matters. I mean on my list,
on my personal list was, um, something that the representative of the Freedom Riders
mentioned, which is art space. Um, art is very important to this community and .... and
providing space where they can .... um, draw, paint murals, or what.... express themselves
in that way, for example, is one. It may seem relatively small and symbolic, but it's
really important when you look at, for example, what Mayor Bowser has done in, uh, in
Washington, D.C. Um, we could consider, um, providing a space on a street to do
something similar like that. I don't know what we're going to decide to do, but there's a
wide variety of things that we can look at, from specifics of how our police department
polices and what law enforcement looks like, to the arts.
Salih/ I think the, you know, I really agree with you, Janice. This is .... this is great. I just wanna
mention that, and this is doable, uh, because, uh, and this is kind of the immedil...
immediate, uh, demand that we can look into with some others. I know there is many of
them is like long time. It's not gonna be overnight, but some of them is doable now, and I
just warm mention (mumbled) for Iowa City Downtown District, Nancy Bird. She reach
out to me and she said business are import for providing (mumbled) So if the City can do
that as well, this is .... they can (garbled) movement and like really (mumbled) so they can
come and just draw like what (mumbled) about Black Live Matter on those mural right
now before.... while this momentum is, you know, on the top. That what I warm say.
Teague/ And.... and...... and, um, I'll add on to that. When we're talking about things that we can
do now, in addition to collaboratin', um, efforts with murals throughout our, um, on City
properties or business spaces, um, maybe talkin' about the arts, as far as, um .... um,
musical festivals or festival events. Um, I think that that is a conversation that we can
have right away. Um .... and, um, again, we'll need to have black voices at the table to
say, um, what the .... what these festival, culturals would look like for them. Um,
we .... we, I think in the past .... (sighs) We know that there's.... there's efforts that's been
made, um, by, uh, Summer of the Arts, who host Soul Fest, and some more great events,
such, um, such that was mentioned as Jazz Fest. Um, and ..... maybe there's a missing
element that we're .... that we're not havin' because we (laughs) we have these things, um,
but if you look in the audience, it's predominantly not black. Um .... even at Soul Fest.
And so I ... I think that those are things that, yes, we can, um, we can do and maybe it...
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you know, when we're talkin' about Wetherby Park and renamin' that Black Lives Matter
or .... or a term that is, urn ... uh, collectively, uh, agreed upon. Um, you know, maybe that
becomes the stage area, where people within our community are, and ... and I understand
that Wetherby Park is ... is.....is a community park, it is, and .... and one thing I've .... I
wanna say is that Black Lives Matter movement, uh, does not isolate .... any white people
or any allies from bein' a part of this movement. It is welcomed. Uh, we want you all to
come, uh, and tell your stories as well. Um, but also what's most important is we want,
um, us all to identify where we have... urn ... uh, failed by .... um.... whether it's, um,
unknown to us or .... there's a lot of education that needs to happen, where even those
people with good intentions have said the wrong thing or done the wrong thing and....but
we have to listen to black voices within our community to understand, um .... how .... how
they're perceivin' things and .... and honestly how, um, sometimes racism or acts of, um,
injustice is just ingrained. It .... it really is and .... and until we have those conversations,
um, and they're difficult ones as well, because you have to hear some stories that,
urn .... may hurt your feelins' and so .... I would agree. The murals, the, you know, the
festival, uh, the Wetherby Park, those are all things we can act upon, but those are all
fuzzy things as well. I have to admit, you know, they're not the hard decisions that we
need to make and we need to make them now. So, um, but yeah! We can .... we can start
there, um, and I don't know if there's any other thing, um, that we can talk about. I do
know when I look at the `8 Can't Wait,' um, it talks about require use of force, uh, you
know, on a continuum. Um .... and .... and ..... and, um.....and then one thing like ban
choke holds and strangle holds, um, and this is relating to police. Um, require de-
escalation, duty to intervene, um, ban shooting at moving vehicles, um, and I'm .... I'm
skippin' around, um, you know, the list, uh, a little bit, um, but .... and maybe I won't. I'm
gonna tell 'em .... I'm gonna .... I'm gonna name the eight titles. Um, require use of force
continuum, requires exhaust all alternatives before shooting, require comprehensive
reporting, ban choke holds and strangle holds, require de-escalation, duty to intervene,
ban shooting at moving vehicles, require warning before shooting. So the `8 Can't Wait,'
this is definitely now talkin' about some of those, uh, direct things, particular to, uh,
police force. Um .... and these are the things that we can, um, they're not the fuzzy things.
These are things that we have to discuss and figure out where we wanna be here. Um, a
lot of the policies that, you know, have been presented from the demands, I agree.
That .... that is commission work. That is long conversations. Uh, some of this that is a
part of the 18 Can't Wait' I think we can go through these and kinda, you know, give
some.... give some, um .... direction to our staff as to where, uh, we want to either hold
another separate meeting just related to the `8 Can't Wait,' um, or we can ... you know,
kinda go through this list and say `We know we don't want this, we know we don't want
this,' uh, `Let's work on changin' these (garbled) because they can't wait. Um .... and
then .... the other thing that I have, uh, that I'll mention is the Obama Foundation
Commitment to, uh, `Commit to Action,' and there's eight things there, and I'll just read
those as well. Um ... failing to require officers to de-escalate situations, where possible,
through communication, maintaining distance, slowing things down, and otherwise
eliminating the need to use force; prohibiting officers from using maneuvers that cut off
oxygen or blood flow, including choke holds or carotid restraints, which often result in
unnecessary death or serious injury; failing to require officers to intervene and stop
excessive or unnecessary force used by other officers and report these incidents
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immediately to a supervisor; failing to restrict officers from shooting at moving vehicles,
which is regarded as a particularly dangerous and ineffective tactic; failing to limit the
types of force and/or weapons that can be used to respond to specific types of resistance
and specific characteristics such as age, size, or disability; failing to require officers to
exhaust all other reasonable means before resorting to deadly force; failing to require
officers to give a verbal warning, when possible, before using serious force such as
shooting, tasing, or pepper spraying any .... anyone; failing to require officers to report
each time they use force or threaten to use force (e.g., pointing gun at a person). So I ... I
think that, you know, we talked about some of the things that we feel that we can, um, do
right away. Uh, from .... from my vantage point, I think .... one thing that we can do as,
um, set up a .... set up a commission immediately. Um, we'll task a commission work to
look at all of these in short-term, and we'll put things by categories, um, and maybe we
need sub -commissions and ensurin' that we have, um, at the table, um, voices that can,
um, look at these, because these are people's stories that is comin' out, um, as far as, um,
how they may have felt, um.....no! These are people's stories comin' out in ways that
they have felt either discriminated against or, urn .... how it's bein', um, the acts .... these
acts bein' in place are causing (garbled) equities amongst a group of people, which are
black people, um, so I .... I wanna kinda help zone Council in as to .... where do we feel
that we can .... are people on board with a commission and .... and, um, what are people
feeling.... next, next steps, because I think that's most important. Um, and we're kinda
doin' both, um, of our agenda items at the same time. So ... what do people (garbled,
several responding)
Mims/ What I'd like to suggest is, because I .... I think we need, as everybody said, there .... there
is a significant amount of urgency here and justifiably so. Um, I would like to suggest
that we take the `8 Can't Wait,' and we take the Obama Foundation `Commit to Action,'
and I know.... hopefully things slow down in this next week, so that it's possible for staff
to give us .... kind of their response to these, from the standpoint ... I am assuming that
there is a number of these that are ... that are already being done, that are already in our
police policies and procedures, um, and if they're not in their policies and procedures, uh,
maybe they're in their training, but let's find out exactly where they are because I'll tell
you as a lay person reading through these, my initial response would be why wouldn't we
approve all of these? Um, but I also have .... uh, enough experience to say .... I.....I've
done that before and I didn't hear the other side, or didn't get all the information before I
said that. So before making that commitment, as an individual Council Member or us as
a full Council, I think it's important that we do have, um, input and information in
response from the Police Department, um, as to what they're already doing. If there are
any of these that they don't agree with, why don't they agree with those? Um, and
with ... with a possibility that we could act on these next week at our regular meeting. I
think that .... gets us moving on something really quickly. I think there are some other
things that we could talk about, but I think those two items in particular, um, are urgent
and I don't .... and I, we're not going to get a commission set up as quickly .... if we do this
fairly, we're not gonna get a commission set up within the next two weeks. I mean it's
gonna take time. So I think we really, as a Council .... and we have to own all of these
decisions. Um, even in using a commission, we have to do the final approval. We own
these, and so while I certainly understand and appreciate and totally agree with you in
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terms of having, um, black voices at the table and involved in all of this, if there are
things that we feel.....are things they're already kind of asking for and we can make
quick action on those, I think we should do it.
Bergus/ I agree and ... and, Mr. Mayor, I would .... I would encourage us to, um, be bold in this
moment. We know the community is really asking for action, and while we may not be
enacting a new ordinance in this moment, because this is a work session, we can
absolutely direct staff, based on our values and what we are hearing. I think we have
heard enough, not (both talking)
Salih/ ...are you cutting me off or you didn't hear me speaking?
Bergus/ I'm sorry, Mazahir! I did not hear you speaking!
Teague/ I didn't hear (garbled) speaking either. Sorry about that! Yeah!
Salih/ ON I ... I was saying I really disagree completely with Susan Mims' idea. I'm going to tell
you why. First, I know that at least foundation .... Obama Foundation's (unable to
understand) I know that as she said, maybe the department is doing that. That's true!
Maybe most of them, we .... we, the police will say, `Hey, we doing it.' The staff will
come back and say, `Hey, we doing it.' If we doing it, and you still there is no change,
and if still the people suffering from Iowa City policemen, police, and also they are like
being treated badly, even though we have those. We need to look at them. I really don't
want any staff to (garbled) on this. This is have to be outside commission.... where we....
we appointed people of color, and maybe people that white who are, uh, you know,
social .... uh, you know, social justice advocate, but givin' it to the staff? Excuse me, this
is been there and is not even, you know, done any good. That's why I really suggest that
we are not going to say give it to the staff and let them tell us what happened, what in
place, what is not, no! Let another commission review. Why even though we have those
in place, but is not improving the community. You know (several talking)
Mims/ If I could address, since Maz (several talking) called me out and disagreed with me, I...
I'd like to respond (several talking) ....what's important is that (several talking)
Teague/ One .... one second, one second, please.
Salih/ I haven't finish!
Teague/ Yes, we're gonna allow (both talking)
Salih/ ....for you until you finish, you know, Susan. If I disagree with you, that's fine! You
know, we don't gonna agree all the time. But (both talking)
Mims/ I thought you'd finished. I apologize.
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Salih/ As a person of color, you know, I will say that we .... we did not really.... want, we want the
commission ..... as, this is commission have to be (garbled) like urgency, because we are
not gonna wait again, and as I told you, you know, white people in this community, there
is a lot of white people in this community supporting black people, and advocating for
them, but no one can advocate for me like the way that I advocate for myself. So,
you .... white people cannot feel us, cannot hear us. Maybe they will support us, but uh, I
mean like they cannot feel exactly. Maybe they feel us, maybe they hear us, but they
cannot feel exactly the way that I feel. That's why I will request this committee, or
commission, to be from black.... people of color, and from you know, maybe white
people who are a social justice advocate. You can talk now!
Mims/ Thank you, and I apologize. I....our connections, I think, are cutting in and out and I
thought you had stopped, Maz, so I did not mean to interrupt you. Um, what I was going
to comment on is .... I'm not in disagreement with the commission. My, and I ... but I do
believe, and I'm not saying that we are asking staff to make any decisions. That is not at
all. This absolutely needs to be owned by the Council in terms of making the final
decision. My point is to find out what current policies are. If we don't know what
current policies are, we don't know what new policies to put into place. I also understand
that just because a policy is in place, does not mean that it's being followed and that
people's experiences are not good. I ... I totally get that those are two, in my mind, two
totally different things. What I was trying to get at is as quickly as possible, reviewing
the `8 Can't Wait,' and the Obama Foundation `Commitment to Action,' so that we
understand if there are any disagreements from staff why we shouldn't approve any of
these, let's hear that, take that into consideration. It certainly does not mean that we ... it's
just more information. We then make the decision that we feel is in the best interest of
our community. The ... adding on to that, from .... from your comment, Maz, about people
still having bad experiences just because you have policies in place. I totally understand
that, and one comment I would wanna make and I don't know how many members of the
public are listening, but probably about five to seven years ago, and I don't remember the
exact time frame. The .... the City police .... Iowa City Police Department had grant
money and it was at my behest that I pushed City Manager Tom Markus against his better
judgment at the time — he changed it afterwards — that we use that money for body cams.
Right? We have body cams on all of our police officers because as a City Council
Member, I pushed that. And that is for the protection of our community members,
number one; our officers — if you care about `em at all — is number two. And one of the
things I would say is we need to make sure that our community members understand that,
one, we have the CPRB. They can file complaints, and that there is video of all of those
interactions so that if our police office are behaving.... officers are behaving, whether it's
simply unprofessionally or racist or excessive force, that should always be documented
on body cam, and .... our record of complaints doesn't show a lot of that, but it may very,
very well be because complaints aren't being made. So we need to make it clear to the
community, if they have an interaction that they don't think is right with our police
department, please file a complaint so it can be appropriately reviewed. But I ... I think
we've got two different pieces here.
Teague/ Um, could I respond to that?
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Mims/ Sure!
Teague/ So, I do (several talking) Do you wanna respond, Mayor Pro Tem?
Salih/ Go ahead, Mayor. After you!
Teague/ All right, yep! Um, so I agree.....that we need a commission, um, for.... the.... the
policies and, um ... you know, kind of the `8 Can't Wait' and the Iowa Freedom Riders,
their demands. I believe we need a commission that is definitely outside of the City, um,
because it....because I believe there's so many elements that aren't just City... related.
It's.... it's.... it's school related, it's ... it's bigger than just us, but .... when we .... but, and I
would agree with, um, Susan as far as like our staff going through .... now remember this
commission, um, have whatever they want to review. They have `8 Can't Wait.' They
have their items. They're gonna need policies given to .... them that are comin' from the
City, absolutely. Simultaneously, we give them the policies, we can go through and make
sure if there's something missing from there, um, that, you know, if we think that we can
include it immediately, then we include it. I .... I think at the end of the day ...we can
create the policies but it's going to be how will this actually be, um, portrayed, enacted
throughout our community. Um, I .... so the commission, honestly I believe, is the first
step, and .... and, uh, black people... because these are their stories. These are their stories
and their experiences. If you wanna look at some raw information, um, we... there's
been lots of, uh, community events and protests where people are tellin' their personal
stories, um, and it's not just about the police. It's.... it's bigger than that. It's ... it is ... it is
about our nation. It's been happenin' throughout our nation and George Floyd had .... was
the one that just took it over the top, where we can't ignore this anymore, and so .... I'm
gonna bring it to a ... to a close on my end, but I think the commission, uh, is the ones that
really look at what is here and they'll be able to say, `Yeah, this is good. It's there in your
policy, but let me tell you my story... about how this is in your policy and how this,
urn .... and how this act and my experience went against your policy,' and then I think
that's where the conv.... the real conversations have to be had to ensure that people, one,
understand that... this.... this was, you violated your own policy and this is what we're not
gonna continue to allow to happen. Um, I also .... after the, you know, the commission,
urn ..... um, and that needs to be developed. They need to talk about if they want, um,
small groups, large groups, um, whatever the case may be. Maybe they want some
elected officials, um, some policy makers that understand, um, either the red tape, um,
and.. just so that ... I think it's important to know the red tape. Not to say that we're gonna
just allow the red tape to be there. Um .... but I do believe that the commission would be
step one ... well, a lot of things have to simultaneously, but the commission would be
definitely, um, somethin' that I would suggest. We don't control that, but I believe that
we can be committed to that, um, and then on our end we can start to, uh, develop our
policies, look at what's here, um, what's missin' from our policies, and we can submit
this to this commission, while we're continuin' to have our conversations on doin'
things .... um, that we know will, urn ... uh, change the...the thoughts and the minds, um, or
bring awareness to, um, the policies that we have and even the staff, uh, within the City
or .... or anything that's happenin' within our city, uh, or under our jur... jurisdiction.
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So .... I would be in favor of the commission. I think, um, you know, the things that are
here about the .... the murals, the .... we .... I think we can turn a .... a lot of this over to the
commission, because it's gonna be them that come up with what type murals they want.
We can, um, but we can do some work by, um, reachin' out to Nancy Bird or...or tasking
the ... the commission in makin..... connectin' the dots, um .... yeah, and I don't know if
many .... any of that, uh, totally makes sense or if I was able to articulate it properly, but
....I (garbled) I think I hear what people are sayin', and it really is, um, there is .... there is
a need for the commission. There is also a need for the City, which because of time
restraints, we don't .... we can't look at all the policies, but preparation of the existin'
policies (noises on mic) via discussion on the current policies, what can be changed
(noises continue) and, uh, some of the `8 Can't Wait' and some of the Obama, um,
actionable things that can take place, um ..... so I'll leave it at that.
Salih/ Okay. Uh, what I was trying to (garbled) because as Susan Mims said they can file a
complaint or go there. I have been one of the member. The committee does not have a
teeth. The committee cannot do anything. They don't have power. They don't have
anything. And from this I will encourage all the African American who want to, all the
people of color who have complained to the Police Review Board is stop sending any
complaint because you are wasting your time. They will look at it and even if the police
is wrong, they will just put it there. Nothing happen. That's why this committee does not
have any power, even though in our press release we said, you know, we gonna ask the
Police Review Board to look up new policy for the police, like to review the policy
(mumbled) of the police. If we going to let that happening by the current Police Review
Board, without give them (unable to understand) power, no! That's not going .... I don't
like that. That's why I'm encouraging another commission, from outside. We just had a
commission for Better Together! And we appointed a Council Member to go there, just
to see (unable to understand) COVID-19. I guess Black Lives Matter, itis important, all
those community member just like long time ago. So I'm in favor of commission from
outside. The other thing that I wanna mention, I know that we are in the process of
looking for another police chief. Do we ... I think we need to fix the job description to
reflect the need to oversee new model of policing! (unable to understand) we don't have
one right now, we can have new description added to (mumbled) Thank you.
Weiner/ I have one question, which is ... um, I'm trying to conceptualize how .... how this
commission gets formed and where .... and where .... where it draws its members from and
then how ...how it gets it....it takes whatever items are and so forth, and then I think, for
example, one thing that's on my list for ...that I think, um, City staff can help us with is to
understand exactly what state law restrictions on the corn ... Police Community Review
Board are, so that we can understand what leeway we have, um, in order to be able to
increase its powers. I've also, um, heard that it is not .... does not particularly have much
more weight or teeth, and one of the things that I think we're gonna have to look at going
forward is anything.... anything that gets implemented, aside from, um, things like art or,
um, or park names, there will have to be accountability. And that .... and so what we can
do and cannot do with .... with the Review Board may end up being key to that, so I would
like to personally understand what I was trying to conclude earlier and did not, was not
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able to find what the strictures are under State of Iowa law. What we're allowed to do
and what we're not.
Bergus/ Mr. Mayor, could I just... interject, and I apologize, maybe this is part of the
uncomfortable conversation. Um, I .... I feel like we're missing the moment right now. I
think we need to focus on specific... things that aren't in the weeds, that aren't the `well
we're not sure of the extent of our authority,' or `we're not sure how it can be
implemented,' but I do think there are things that are on the Iowa Freedom Riders' list,
and also things that we know based on our values that we can try and articulate to get
staff some guidance. I agree with the commission, that needs to be potentially much
broader than anything we have in place right now. I think the .... the, what I heard the
Iowa Freedom Riders say a truth and reconciliation commission and the ... to .... to Your
Honor's point, the ... the stories that need to be heard and told. Yes. I think today we can
also make progress on specific items like if we all agree that choke holds are an
inappropriate way to restrain someone by a law enforcement officer, let's say that to staff.
If we don't know exactly how our policy being worded, you know, if. ... if it's allowed or
not allowed. My understanding is we don't do it. Great! Then they can confirm that, but
I think it's important that the community understand we're committed to that type of
thing. And .... and the Freedom Riders have their specific list and I think we can just....
there's some things that we can .... knock off right now, and I'm here for that if others are
willing to do that.
Teague/ I'm .... I'm all about it. Uh, one ... one comment I was just gonna make as far as the
commission, um, I think, um, Councilor Weiner talked about, um ... I guess I wanna... I
wanted to be clear that we won't play that leadership role in that .... the development of
that commission. That will be coming from the community. That .... that is community.
That is not ... that is not us. Uh, we'll.....our commitment is to .... uh, be partners in
whatever fashion, urn .... to that commission, and so, um, I just wanted to make that point,
but...with what, um ... Councilor Bergus said, then I .... I think .... are we ready to go
through the list and see what ... maybe that will be the ... the way that we do this or maybe
people can, um, just identify, uh, whatever things that they're.... that they've read, that
they want to say `I think we can do this right now.' Maybe that's the way we do it. I'll
start off. I think number one, although we don't have .... at this point we don't have
jurisdiction over, um, if I understand correctly, urn .... you know, the charges that have
been, uh.... uh, charges against protect ... uh, protest (laughs) Um, we don't have ... I'm
blankin' on the ... on the word now, uh, protesters', uh, charges that have been done, but I
think that we can .... I believe that we can certainly commit to, uh, advocating for, um,
droppin' of the .... the traffic tickets or citations that have been done. I personally feel we
can do that. Um .... and .... and that's just me, and I don't wanna get into the weeds about
the reasons of why or not. Um, I think, you know, the protesters, their message
regardless of what's happened, is that Black Lives Matter, um, and no matter how they
(mumbled) no matter how they express that, um, at this point I think our community, um,
wants to ensure that the message of Black Lives Matter doesn't get distorted, and I
believe that the citations that are .... that are still lingering and the tickets that are lingering
in itself is a distraction. Um, personally I'm not .... I wasn't for the spray painting and I
wasn't for going to I-80, but I feel that those were .... those destract .... detracted people
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from focusin' on Black Lives Matter. I believe that the citations and the tickets ... right or
wrong, but it's a distraction and so to bring it back to what really matters, and that's
Black Lives Matter, I say .... not lookin' at all the .... the things around it, I suggest that we,
uh, support, um, and make statements, uh, from this Council to, uh, the County, um, to
drop the charges against the pro.... protesters. That's me personally.
Bergus/ So maybe we can .... we can ask for, um, a .... can we receive (mumbled) what those
citations are and ask for the County Attorney to, like.... because I think there's citations
and, um, and tickets that are related to protesting. That's what we're talking about,
correct?
Teague/ Correct, and I think .... I think I understand what you're gettin' at, um, like what is
included in those, to my knowledge, I .... um, cannot get into the weeds about (garbled)
things, um .... on those, and of course this is public, and public wants to know, well why
would you say that. Um, I .... I think, to my knowledge, um, or my belief, is that any of
those citations or tickets or charges, um, whether they're, um, and.... particular to the
ones that I'm aware of, uh, whether they're seen as, um .... a .... a threat ..... I, to my
knowledge, are no longer a threat or of.....of concern, um, from my vantage point. Um,
the citations that were given, I .... it's so hard because when we think of law enforcement
we think of, you know, law and order. This is what you can do and this is what you can't
do. But in order for us to get beyond .... um, the distractors as a community, I think we
have to, um, somehow not act as we normally do. If we .... if we continue to do right now
at this moment what we normally do, then we are going to fail. We're gonna fail at
gettin' us to where we need to. So .... um, and that's the challenge. If we, you know, we
...we, if we operate, um .... as normal, then we're gonna miss some opportunities and
.....and right now, if we wanna capta... capitalize on Black Lives Matter .... we .... and I
understand. That's a greater community out there that, um, you know, is gettin' citations
and gettin' whatever the case may be. What ... but right now with these protesters, this is
what they're asking. Um .... I think that there's even workable things with these
protesters. Uh, they're coming now and having conversations and .... and trying to .... and
learning ways to really put their, um, their anger and frustration and their stories into
ways of resolution, systemically forever, and ... and that's where I .... I think if we focus in
on, you know, havin' those charges lingerin', um, and citations, I think .... um, it's a.... it
distracts from moving forward with all of this other stuff, and .... and, but that's where I
am.
Weiner/ In terms of things that I personally (garbled) commit to right now, I agree with what
Councilor Berges said about choke holds. If we need to find out what the policy is
and ... and completely reaffirm it. There is no reason in my .... in my view to use .... to use
choke hold. I would like to find out if our...if we, if our department currently has a duty
to intervene. If not, I think we ought to .... we ought to have a duty to intervene. Is there
a duty to report? If not, I think we have to have a duty to report. I think we need to
commit to this .... to discussing these items being an agenda item basically on every, at
every single one of our meetings going forward, uh, and I would also like to find out
exactly what we can do with respect to a, uh, the Community Review Board, to
strengthen its powers. Uh, I would ... at some point also, um, we're talking about the
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Police Department and policing, but we're also talking about it without them, and I would
like to see, um, hear from them as well. They are also members of this community. Um,
it may not be very popular to say right now, but their mission statement actually
(mumbled) includes working in partnership, um, with the community and enhancing
trust. So I'd like to hear from some of them going forward, as well as how they ...how
they see that that can be done, as well as from all the other community members who feel
that their voices have not been heard up until now.
Salih/ I just wanna say that I agree with Bruce of, uh, you know, the Mayor, of dropping the
charges. Do you hear me? (garbled)
Teague/ Yes! (garbled)
Salih/ Okay, uh, dropping the charge, but let us talk a little bit about that. You know, when police
officer every day (garbled sounds in background) after the work is finished and it's time
to stopping those people to search their car and also just give them a ticket or tow the car,
because those people they cover their license plate. 100% (mumbled) people (unable to
understand) license plate, but let us think about the big picture. Why they were doing
that because they don't wanna be (mumbled) they don't want nobody to identify them or
the police. I'm not defending them by any means, but during this time, this critical time,
black people are grieving and our police office go after the protester and stop all those
people and tow the car? (unable to understand) about the police in Iowa City's already
bad, and instead of like making (unable to understand) and if you stop those people and
you search the car, nothing dangerous there, you should of give them tic ....you know,
warning. Instead you give them ticket! Give them warning, uh, you know, and after that
say if I see this car again (unable to understand) okay we will ticket you, but just given
the fact everything and they know those people are protester and they know in a normal
time they never gonna do that. We should of give those people ticket. Since we did not, I
will support the Mayor on like dropping all the charge, but not only that. The City is
responsible for paying their towing expenses because I hear that all their car had been
(mumbled) and I guess the towing company charge them money! So ... we should refund
them that if they paid out of their pocket! That's what I really want to see. Thank you.
Taylor/ This is Pauline (both talking)
Teague/ Please go!
Taylor/ Can I talk? (mumbled) haven't had a chance to talk. Some of us have not had a chance
to talk. Uh, I would like just a few minutes to say a few things. First of all, on dropping
the charges, I'm reluctant to say that because what are the charges? I'd like to see a list
of what they've been charged with. If they were truly things where they were breaking a
law, a rule. Rules are made for a reason. Uh, I'm not .... I'm hesitant to drop them. If,
uh, if it's just because they were out in the streets and they're trying to make a point,
that's one thing but if they were truly, uh, breaking some rules, I .... I would like to see
before I (mumbled) like say, uh, let's drop all the charges. What were the charges,
because you know, there were other citizens out there who might be doin' the same things
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and .... and we're not gonna drop their charges. Um, so I .... I would like to see that
and .... and in relation to that, as far as, uh, this commission, and then also what we're
talkin' about today, uh, staff .... and I'm not talking all Citywide staff, but Police
Department staff particularly the ... the union leaders, they need to be in this discussion.
It's unfortunate that, uh, this was put together pretty fast and we ... we don't have ... we
don't know what their rule books say. You know, they're .... we can't, we don't need to
reinvent the wheel so to speak, but we need to make it clear that if those are ... if those
guidelines are already in place, they need to be followed, and we will expect that, uh, we
will hold them accountable to follow those rules. So I think those `8 Can't Wait' and the
Obama rules, uh, are important, uh, for whoever to look at — the commission or us as a
group — and I think Susan had mentioned earlier something about in two weeks maybe
looking at those things, uh, maybe by that time we could have a list of the rules that are
already in place and perhaps have someone from the police union, uh, to talk to us, uh,
and say what they're already doing, um, and then in relation to the police also, as far as
the job description for the chief, uh.... Chief Matherly was excellent, uh, as far as a new
model for police. He, uh, he was getting a real foot hold on community policing. He
stressed that. He stressed that the officers get out there, get out of their cars, talk to... talk
to people and be out there in the community and be known, you know, as a friend and not
a foe, and I think that's important and whoever our next, uh, chief happens to be, I think
we need to, uh, be certain that that's important, uh, in their beliefs also. Um ... so that's
all .... that's all I ... oh, and then as far as the murals, I mean right now as we speak the
South District is making a beautiful mural on a business that cooperated and let them do
that. So we're doing that all over town. The beautiful Goosetown mural that was painted
on ... on the side of a building. So that .... that's not something that would be difficult to
do. Just to find the folks, and we've got artists, we've got creative people in this
community. Utilize them and ... and come together and do that. That's something we
can ... we can encourage, do right now. We don't need to sit down as a Council and say
`You will make murals!' You know, anybody can do that. Just, you know, work together
with a business and get a group together. The South District's been working on it for two
years and it's coming together very nicely. And the community is helping to paint it. Uh,
so that's possible. That's something we don't need to talk for hours about, uh, and I don't
know about you but I was starting to get really frustrated by the whole discussion not
going anywhere, but anyway. That's all I have to say. Thank you!
Salih/ I just wanna say that the police unions always covers the police! They defend them, and I
don't think we have to make them ... to tell us what can we do to make this practice good.
Uh, I'm not with you, Pauline, on that, and also (unable to understand) is because they
covering the license plate and those people were coming from .... they were protester and
they were coming from there, just, uh, I thinks if they search their car, to find out if there
is anything dangerous there, and they found out there is nothing dangerous there, and
they give them ticket and tow the car, that what we talkin' about. We are not here to talk
about dangerous people, uh, who are .... who wanna defend the dangerous people, of
course not. You know, but .... that's what I think.
Teague/ Yep, and thank you for that clarification as to why, uh, the ones that we were suggesting,
and that it's just that ... the ones that were pulled over for coverin' their license plate and
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the vehicle was, uh, taken for that purpose. Um, but yeah .... I wanted to make sure that
that clarification was given.
Weiner/ ...may not be specific but I'd just like to tag on to what, um, Councilor Taylor said about
the .... the process of hiring a new police chief. Uh, there .... there will be forums, there
will be discussions, and everyone should make their desires and their demands known,
and we want you to participate in that.
Salih/ Janice, I was in the hiring committee of the po.... of Jody Mather.... the.... the previous
police chief, you know, and .... I'm gonna tell you, I said yes for him and I said if not him,
nobody. Okay? But also after he came on board, I understand things has been reduced,
but a lot of bad things had happened during that time as well. Maybe you guys don't
interact with people of color a lot and can tell you experience about what they have been
facing during even, uh, the previous police chief himself. When I say we need to look at
the description of the police chief, we really need to, and also the hiring committee.
Look at the hiring committee! Most of the people on the hiring committee is white
people. And .... few of them are black, but most .... we need to look into that too! Because
they can bring their, you know, their fear and their concern. They can advocate for that,
if they been part of the hiring process. But also ... we needed to look at the job description.
(mumbled)
Teague/ So a few things that I have so far, um .... as far as, uh, maybe some things that we can do
now, um, is the .... um .... require comprehensive reporting, urn .... ban choke holds and
strong .... and strangle holds, duty to intervene, um .... and I'll read what that means.
Require officers to intervene and stop excess.... excessive force used by other officers and
report these incidents immediately to a supervisor. Um, so those are three things that I...
I don't know what Councilors are thinking, that we can, uh, definitely, um, for our next
meeting, cause we have to take votes (clears throat) If it's not there, um, maybe ... we can
certainly have those three things .... um, I .... they've been identified as things that we ... I
don't know, I maybe need to get some (mumbled) noddin' of heads if everybody is agree
with those three things, um, from the `8 Can't Wait.' Um, and it kind of does go into the
Freedom Riders' demands as well, um, if people are .... I'm seein' some noddin' of heads,
um, so we can certainly, uh, have staff, uh, prepare, um ... and I can work with staff as well
to prepare that for vote at our next Council meeting. Um, we will go ahead and look at
other items, of all of these items, to see if there's somethin' that we can't, um, present
next week, knowing that this still will, um, go to this commission that is .... that will be
developed outside of Council. Um, it'll be self -developed within the community, and no
matter what we do now, it is still, um, I think, uh, from what I'm hearin' from Councilors
in my discussions, whatever we do now we're still gonna funnel, um, through this
commission, just to ensure, um, that ... one, the policies and procedures are definitely, uh,
somethin' that the wordin' is right, um, but their stories are gonna be important, um, to
also hear and to listen to, uh, and to be shared, to make sure that we are understandin'
fully how we don't wanna repeat this within our, um, within our .... within our city. Um,
so those are the three things that I .... I .... I charge the staff now because of the consensus
of where we are, um, and then .... the, um, it...it sound like the mural and the, um, maybe
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the festival, um, and um, I didn't really get it .... I think I got half.... almost up to four
people with Wetherby Park. Um, I don't know, um, if I can, uh, maybe get a sense of...
do we have support for kinda the, at least the .... we wanna.... we wanna start the
conversations with connecting of the dots for the murals and for the festivals, and that's
just us givin' names to kind of this commission, because we don't wanna... we don't....
we're not interested in creatin' that. We believe that, um, that needs to be created by this
commission and by the community, outside of Council. So are we as a .... because
Wetherby Park is under our jurisdiction, are we comfortable, um, kinda, uh, saying ... let's
put Wetherby Park, they asked to rename it, um, on their agenda.
Mims/ I'd like to know some history of how that place got its name. I'm not saying I'm against
any kind of changes, but I think making changes without any understanding of the history
could be problematic. Urn ... and while I've got the floor I'll just add .... I.....I'm.... I guess
concerned and confused about this commission. Um, the City has never had, um, a self-
appointed commission. So I don't understand how that's gonna work and who's gonna
get on it and how many people it's going to be. If it's going to be 50 or 100 people, if
you have 50 or 100 people raise their hands and say I wanna be a part of this. We've
talked about it being broader than just Iowa City, because we have community -wide
school district issues, etc. So ... are we talking about having people from North Liberty
and Coralville as part of the commission who are giving us advice on what we should
have for Iowa City policies. I ... I'm .... I'm sorry, I'm seeing some issues here that are ... I
understand we need to do some things differently, but I'm seeing some issues that I don't
understand and could be problematic.
Teague/ Um, could I respond to that? I ... I think it's the, uh, it's exactly similar to Better
Together, but Better Together is comin' together with different municipalities and
different organizations throughout the community and then their intent, that ... that's
outside of City, a part of their intent or desire is for them to make recommendations to
each of those .... each of those municipalities to consider final adoption or final ... so I think
it's ... it's the same as Better Together in theory, where it's just a commission that
people ..... and it's also no different than, um, either the Friends of the Deer or...or Climate
Strikers. Um, they're gonna present to us whatever their desires are. At the end of the
day, Council makes the decision and so ... um, so I think to put it in perspective, that is my
thought process, is ... um, they certainly can't .... they don't make the de ... they don't make
the final decision. Um, that's a reality. Um, but that commission can develop, um, can
go into detail, um, just like Better Together is ... has developed, um, and I ... out of a... out
of a critical need of COVID-19 bein' expanded and I think that this commission itself, uh,
just like we weren't involved with settin' up the commission. We weren't the ...the three
different entities to come together to set up the commission. I think that, um, certainly
we can .... um.....offer to have a seat at the table. Maybe we'll be, um ... I think it's really
early (both talking) Go right ahead!
Bergus/ Mayor, um, thank you. Um, I .... I think none of us know what this commission is and it
doesn't exist yet, but what we have in front of us is some very specific requests relating
to City policy that we do know we either have control over or we can influence through
our direction or our own requests. So I would ask that we maybe try to focus on that for
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now, with the understanding that there needs to be a broader community -led effort
relating to some of these deeper and longer term issues that are gonna take a lot of work,
but I don't want us to lose sight of it .... of our immediate ability to continue with ... with
some of these, you know, specific things, and ... and I think, um, I'm just gonna start
throwin' `em out there. Um, the publication of the Iowa City Police Department budget
is there. We need to elevate that, make that more, um, accessible. Um, we need to
dedicate, uh, resources to communicating that information, in a succinct and accessible
way, um, to the community. So we know the information is there, but we're committing
now that we're gonna... make that more available. Um, if anybody disagrees please jump
in, but there are some things here that I'm just taking for granted and I'm going to keep
going. Um....I think every department in the City utilizing the social justice and racial
equity toolkit and having some accountability for that — that's something we believe in.
That's something that we're doing. We need a report from staff on what departments
have done it and where, you know, what's left, and to make sure, again, that we're
elevating that information and sharing it directly so that people can help hold us
accountable for the equity toolkit. We don't have the power to, um, force businesses to
do that, but I was in a meeting this morning with the Downtown District and... and, uh,
Mayor Pro Tem, uh, said the same thing, that the Downtown District is favorable, as well
as the Iowa City Area Business Partnership, to promoting, um, for example the Better
Bridges Institute, um, which has been offered before, which is a diversity, inclusion,and
equity program and pushing that and other equity toolkits for the business community,
and I think we all stand behind that. Uh, a clear and sensible plan for affordable housing.
I hope that we can ... keep our affordable housing conversation front and center, as I
believe we have been doing in the recent past, and make sure that our affordable housing
policy continues to promote equity and to focus on those individuals in the black
community who need improved opportunities for home ownership as the Mayor has
identified, and we have talked specifically about that issue in the South District... South
District home ownership program and again, to make that information more accessible
and make sure the community can hold us accountable. Relating to evictions, my
understanding is the Iowa City Police Department does not enforce evictions, that that
would come from a court order, from a judge, who, uh, directs the Johnson County
Sheriff's Department to execute an eviction. So I just warm make sure that we clarify
that the Iowa City Police Department is not executing evictions, and if they are, let's have
a conversation about what that means and what that looks like, what we can do. Um, the
special population involvement program, uh, with the Parks and Recreation Commission,
I think we're all in favor of that. It's something that's been in our budget. Let's make
sure that we're looking at that and continue to fund it, and make sure that it's funded
adequately and for members of the community that have recommendations for
specifically how that program should be expanded, let's do it! As to reforms for the
com.... Community Police Review Board, I personally would like to see that entity have
the power to compel officers to testify. I don't know if we can do that, but I think that is
reasonable and appropriate, and a part of, uh, an investigative due process,
urn.... procedure that ... that makes a lot of sense. It may be that that's not possible and
that would require legislative changes, but I would hope that we would all agree that
having an officer, um, provide sworn testimony as to their side of a complaint, as to the
facts that were undertaken, um, I think that is important and I .... I definitely .... I am
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asking for that. The question of divesting from military grade equipment and contracts,
um, I think we .... a few of us have, um, received a message from one of our County
Supervisors about a piece of equipment that we call the `MRAP.' I don't know what that
acronym stands for, but it's sort of a multi-purpose armored vehicle and, um, I think we
should look at .... do we actually need to use that equipment, does it have any reasonable
use or is it more harm than good, and, um, my personal opinion is that our community
does not need that piece of equipment and that we should find a way to dispose of it. So
that's my position on those particular items and I hope that people weigh in if they
disagree!
Weiner/ I....I agree with Councilor Bergus. The ... the specifics with respect to the MRAP, which
is a form of military like tactical vehicle is that it was secured by Johnson County
Emergency Management. Um, it has been used perhaps a handful of times. It only really
creates, uh, bad will and takes up space, and I would be in favor of asking Emergency
Management to look at a way to dispose of it. And I otherwise support the series of. ... of
statements of actions that Councilor Bergus proposed.
Thomas/ Yeah, I would support all those, uh, items that Laura has, uh, discussed.
Weiner/ By the way, Councilor Mims lost her internet.
Mims/ I'm back! Finally!
Teague/ And is, um .... Mayor Pro Tem on still? And my phone is dead if someone can, um...
Mims/ She lives out in my neighborhood. So my electricity flickered, so if hers did too she may
have lost her internet.
Teague/ Okay. So, yep! She'll probably have to jump back on. Yep! So .... all right. So would
.... would .... (both talking)
Mims/ Can I just ask a super quick question? I .... connect, I lost my connection at number six,
affordable housing. Laura, could you just super quickly tell me the rest of them that you
had listed? Thank you.
Bergus/ Yes! Um .... all right, so as to evictions, my understanding is that the Iowa City Police
Department does not currently execute evictions, that evictions are executed by the
Johnson County Sheriff's Department, based on orders from the Magistrate Court. Um,
and so if our officers do execute evictions, um, I would like to know that and then we
should talk about that and .... and see what it looks like and make sure we understand
what's happening there. Um, I don't think we have authority to undermine a court order.
Um, but that's.... that's what I said about evictions. Um .... the funds for the special
populations improvements program with the Iowa City Parks and Rec Department, we
support that program. We should fund that program. If people have specific requests for
expanding that program or what it should look like, please bring those forward. Oh, and
I'm song, I skipped over the curfew should be lifted in Coralville. Um, according to
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reporting I saw earlier, it has been. So, perhaps we can take credit for that. I'm just
kidding! Um, but I .... but I think that's wonderful if that's the case, um .... for the
community to have made that step. Um .... uh, reforming the, uh, Community Police
Review Board. I am advocating for some process that would allow the board to compel
officers to testify under oath, um, relating to complaints. I don't know if that's possible
but I.....it's something that I think is important for due process and transparency. And,
um, I'm advocating for disposal of the MRAP.
Weiner/ So the answer is yes on Councilor, uh, Mayor Pro Tem Salih lost her internet. I expect
she'll try and get back on again.
Teague/ And .... and I am supportive as, um, been identified as well. What I'm ... what I'm
wrapping my head around right now is what is somethin' immediate or, um .... and what is
somethin' for next meeting, and I think a lot .... there are some things for next meeting
we'll just ... which would just be to bring things back to the table for us to start further
conversations on. Um, anything that is like immediate outside of, um, you know, maybe
a support letter from Council for the MRAP, um. .... um ..... I'm tryin' to think if there's
anything else that is like immediate, um....
Mims/ Mayor, I would just ... like to say I agree with Councilor Bergus' list. Um, I ... I do not think
from my experience on the Council and ... and.....and information we've had from legal
counsel previously, I don't think that, um, under state law that we can compel officers,
that the CPRB can compel officers to testify. Um .... and.....so, I .... I don't think that's
possible, but we can certainly ask that question. Um, the other things I'm fine, uh, a lot,
like you said, a lot of it we're already doing or we already, you know, we're doing the
affordable housing. We can make that more transparent. We're doing the ... we can get the
budget published, etc. We're already I think supporting SPI, but we can do that and
maybe see what else people want or need. Obviously there's some legal issues
potentially on the evictions, but it doesn't sound like we're doing those. So I'm good
with those. hi terms, Mayor, of your comment for the next meeting, I .... I still .... I still
am interested in having a more full discussion on the `8 Can't Wait' and President
Obama.... the Obama Foundation `Commitment to Action' items with, if possible, some
input from staff. I, um. ... I believe it's important before we make those decisions, final
decisions, to have their input. I am not suggesting they make the decisions. We will
make those decisions, but I think we need to make them with, um, as much information at
hand as possible. So I think those are, again, potential immediate wins in terms of, uh,
the Iowa Freedom Riders and people, all the people behind the Black Lives movement
who, uh, would see those and I think we have a regular meeting next week. I don't know
if staff can possibly get us information by then, but I'm interested in looking at those in
more detail.
Teague/ So I have had, um, countless conversations with staff and many of you have as well.
Um, staff will be prepared to address, uh, those next week. Um, and so I .... I'm
comfortable there. Um ... so it .... uh, to kinda.... zone things in here, it sounds like, um...
we have some tasks for staff, uh.... um, to bring to us, uh, some of the ... some of the things
like the full publication of the Iowa City Police Department budget. Uh, some things
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maybe, um, and we'll work with them to figure out what can come now, what has to, um,
be later, um, but we'll .... we'll get those updates. Uh, for the most part I think most
things can be provided. As far as number eleven, the CPRB, I believe that we really need
to know what the limitations are of the law and so that'll probably be the presentation on
that item, uh, next week. Um, and then we can go from there. Other than that, um, sound
like we .... there was a consensus for number twelve to, um, from this group for a letter to
be presented, urn ..... urn, for any of that military grade equipment or the MPATH, I ... I
might be (laughs) messin' up the acronyms now (laughs) Um, I do wanna go back to
number one, because I don't think that there was ... I mean everything else on this list ... I
think we .... we've kinda got consensus on or some next steps on. Number one, what is
the consensus here? Um, I .... I, one, urn .... Councilor, urn .... uh, Pauline Taylor talked
about, um, she wanted to see what the .... what the ones are and then after clarification
from Mayor Pro Tem, she stated that the charges, uh, that are bein' requested to be
dropped and those bein' requested, uh, for the City to respond, the towing are just related
to, urn ... vehicles that were towed because their license plate was covered, and no other
charge was cited. Are we .... is .... are we comfortable with .... with that limitation?
Mims/ I guess I'm questioning, and again, this is just lack of information. Um, and so I may not
be able to support this right now because I don't have enough information. Did police
tow vehicles simply because people had their license plates covered?
Teague/ Um, so ... yes. Yep.
Frain/ Mayor, if I ... uh (both talking)
Teague/ Yeah, go ... go right ahead.
Frain/ Good evening, uh, or good afternoon (noises in background) Geoff Frain, City Manager. I
think what would be best, um, is that if, uh.... uh, the staff, we could provide you a full
list of all of the traffic stops that we made during this period of time and then you can see
those specific, um, violations that were written and you'd be fully informed at that time.
Mims/ That sounds good to me, cause I'm not comfortable until I know what it is we're ask...
specifically what we are asking to be dropped. (several talking, garbled)
Taylor/ Thank you, Geoff, that's.....that kinda clarifies mine too, because just a blanket say drop
all charges and not really knowing what all they were, uh, I .... I don't think is a good
(garbled)
Teague/ So there's two, uh, agreeable to that .... and two agreeable to .... um, the stated charges
but, um, so .... what is the sense of Council, cause I'm hearing silence.
Thomas/ I .... I'd like to see the list of the charges.
Weiner/ I would as well.
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Teague/ Okay, so it sound like next Tuesday we'll have the list of the charges and we'll go
through that list .... as Council. All right! Um, anything else for today? We .... we kind
of. ... um, integrated a little bit of both of our agenda items. Uh, what are people thoughts
at this time? (several responding, garbled)
Taylor/ Oh I was just going to say quickly, back to (garbled) uh, and you mentioned the meeting
next week, if you could maybe have a draft (garbled) to the Emergency Management
folks, unless you just want to send out the letter, but if you'd want to bring a draft of the
letter, uh, encouraging them to, uh, dispose of that vehicle. That would be good. That's
all!
Teague/ I think, um, we can certainly bring it next week, if...if that's what the Council want, but
I'm also comfortable that the language would just be very straightforward, unless there's
more, um .... you know, detail that people are wantin'. Otherwise I think it'd be very
straightforward. Do we wanna just send the letter? What are people thinking or do we
(both talking)
Salih/ Mayor .... I really don't know what you talking about because I drop from the phone for
like five minutes.
Teague/ Yes, so this is, um (both talking) Yep, so a letter to the Coun... uh.... um.....what's the
acronym again so that I get it correctly?
Bergus/ The MRAR I don't know what it stands for, but it's the armored multi-purpose vehicle
that the County has that we have used.
Weiner/ It apparently stands for mine resistant ambush protected, which tells you probably every
thing you need to know about it.
Teague/ Yeah, so what we're .... we're writin' a letter, um, to, um, for the removal of it, um, from
our community.
Salih/ Okay! Good!
Teague/ Yep! And I (both talking) well there was just consensus to just write the letter, without,
uh, it bein' brought to Council for review.
Bergus/ I have a couple of other specific policy things that, again, and my general sense is they
wouldn't be too controversial, if I could just throw those out there quickly, Mayor.
Teague/ Okay.
Bergus/ Um, one would be as far as the hiring of officers and of course tbat....the hiring of
individualized officers is in the discretion of the Police Department, but I ... I think it
would be easy for us to direct that we would not, um .... approve of the hiring of officers
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who have been, uh, who've left other departments due to misconduct. That seems like
something that we could maybe get behind.
Teague/ Yes.
Salih/ Can you say that again, Laura, please?
Bergus/ Yeah, um, that ... that our Police Department would not hire police officers who .... have
left other departments due to their misconduct.
Salih/ That's great!
Weiner/ That's actually one of the things they would like to do at the state level, as well as
create.... they're talking both at the state and national level about creating registries for
those, so that someone can't just slip from one department, um, to another, that ... that
seems like it would be, uh, a very sensible undertaking.
Bergus/ And another request I would have if...if staff could just provide this information, um, is
the .... the level of qualifications for the officers who we hire. Um .... I, my general sense
is that we maybe tend to have officers who have more qualifications than just the
academy, but um, I would like us to evaluate the thresholds for officer qualifications to
make sure that our officers are well equipped to handle, um .... you know, their .... their
role in the community.
Teague/ So a request of those qualifications, and we can, um, review that and .... and go from
there.
Bergus/ Thank you.
Teague/ Great!
Salih/ And also I really would like to ask something here. (unable to understand) and bring it to
us as a Council. I would like to see our, uh, City department is di ... diversified and we
have more people of color being hiring there. We need our city to look like the
community. We need the people when they walk in to relate to the City that they paying
taxes (unable to understand) I just want to see, do we have ... a specific goal for hiring,
you know, uh, people of color to the various department of the City? Do we have that
goal already said? I .... I saw something before, but do we have a specific person take that
we would like to reach to or to work, you know, to work that goals, uh, if...if the, you
know ,if the City Manager or whoever can bring us that's would be great too because, uh,
you know, the .... the.....the people of color tend to be isolated, uh, because, you know,
whenever they go they don't relate to the place. So I ... I would love to see. I know that
we start hiring, you know, people of color but I would.....I would like to make it a goal of
certain percentage that we are working toward it, in two year, in one year, three years, as
new Council (mumbled)
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Teague/ I think, um, we do have, correct me if I'm wrong, um, some data that we can bring
related to staff demographics and, um, we can discuss any goals, um ... related to, um,
ensurin' that, uh, staff looks like the community, uh, for next .... for next meeting. All
right, well ... um, thanks to everybody for bein' a part of the meeting today. Um, I .... I .... I
just wanna kinda close us out in saying that .... um, Iowa City is a place that I love. Iowa
City is a place, um .... where I believe especially right now with all of the people that have
been reachin' out, uh, saying that Black Lives Matter, um, and the awareness that they
have now, maybe not the full awareness, of what it would really mean .... um, to ensure
that, uh, black people feel , um, safe and a part of .... um, the growth o£....on so many
levels within our community, and within our nation. Um, it .... it, the .... in order for us to
get to where we really need to get, we have to have those uncomfortable conversations,
which I can tell you even bein' a black man today this conversation is hard. It really is. I
am personally grieving after, um, seeing George Floyd and, um, realizing where, you
know, all seem to be good, uh, you know, on .... on various levels within my life or within
the community, um, even, uh, black friends that I, you know, am very ...you know
(mumbled) with, um, realizin' that moment that some of those false securities that ... I've
been livin' with, um, even though we're in the fight and the struggle to work towards
making, um, within the City. We have our policies of equity toolkits. We have ... I think
we've had a passion for affordable housing, urn .... within our city, and we've had a lens
for ensurin' that minorities and people of color are .... are givin' opportunities, but I think
right now it has made it clear to us that the stories of, uh, people within our community
and the cry, we need to do better. We need to en ... ensure that, um, it is a focal point and
that we are very intentional in changing, um, the stories within our community, and
I .... I .... I hear that from our Councilors. I hear, um, the cry from the one-on-one
conversations that I hear from our staff. And I'm gonna take a leap and I'm gonna tell
everybody that I hear this from our police. Our police, um .... right now are, um, you
know, they are in a .... they're in a position right now where the .... the community is
makin' their voices heard about their stories, about how they've been treated, and I want
the Police Department to know that we are gonna work through all of these
conversations. We're gonna hear them. It's gonna be a challenge to hear, um, but ... in
order for us to get to the next step, the stories have to be told. They have to be heard.
And .... and I believe that once they are heard and once they are told, we can make those
examinations within yourself, within policies, as to how can those stories end and how
can they end now, and so thank you to our Police Department for, um, allowin' City
Council to, um, have discussions that .... you're not included right now at the table. I
know that's a challenge. I know that it's hard, but what I can tell you is .... black lives do
matter, and the message of black lives mattering is that.... the.... the conversations, again,
that have to be had and once we put these things in place, um, there is gonna be time for
you to be at the table. You will need to be at the table, and um, I think we are going to
get there. Uh, this won't be a mar .... this will not be a jaunt at all. It's going to be
something that we're gong to have to go, uh, continuously in discussion, um, and I have
to tell you that I'm not optimistic that, um, that it's going to be over in a month, as far as
the conversations. It absolutely will not! It will continue. As we learn within ourselves
like how can we readjust to make sure that we're being fair and equitable to all, and
really truly understanding those stories that we heard that will grab our heart and make us
cry, you know, today we may have one understanding and then in a year from now have a
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deeper understanding because, uh, Black Lives Matter.....one of the purposes ... one of the
messages is `you don't know how I feel even if I tell you.' You can't imagine, begin to
imagine how I feel, even after the story has been painted, written out, drawn, depicted.
You can never imagine, and so our community is dedicated to that, and I want to thank
our Police Department, um, for, um, and I've talked to, uh, some of the, uh, some of our
law enforcements and right now they are definitely listening. Uh, just like our
community is listening, and comin' out as advocates, and so Iowa City, we will get
through this! We will get through this as a community, with everybody at the table, and
thank you to all of the, um, to all of Council that is a part of this today, and I wanna,
again, close with a special thank you to the Iowa Freedom Riders.... because your voice
and all of the protesters within our community, your voice and your consistency to ensure
that the message of Black Lives Matter is at the forefront. We really do appreciate that!
We really do! And so we will continue to work as a .... a Council, um, with the things that
we can do, with great urgency and a greater understanding, and we realize we will not get
it right the first time and we'll have to reevaluate, but what we want is those
conversations to continue, so we have full clarification, full understanding, and we have
to get (garbled) from, um, our black members within our community. So thank you to
everybody for bein' here today and .... (both talking)
Salih/ May I say something, Mayor, please?
Teague/ Yes, please!
Salih/ I just would really, really would like to thank our Council Member. You know, you been
there, you come out (mumbled) you did a lot of good things (mumbled) you know, you
come out, you talked about it, you support. I receive from some Council Member, you
know, letter, uh, difficult messages, ask me how I'm doing and everything — thank you!
I .... I really wanna highlight that. I wanna thank you and also I wanna encourage you. I
feel like you get this, but we need really to work hard on implementing the, you know,
listen to black people, go do your homework. If you listen to more people of color, and
just start asking them what's going on with you, and if they (mumbled) just the Mayor
and I, we been hearing like (unable to understand) stories, and very sad stories, during
our speak.... speak out events, you know, that's make me cry all the time when I just, you
know, uh, start hearing that. I'm concerning about my own children who going to be the
future of this community. This is really concern me and I ... I'm really, really advocating
hard and you can see that in my voice, I'm mad! I'm ... I'm really, I don't like what
happening to our black community, you know? This is is ... we are grieving. This is hard
on us. People, you know, people, they advocating about Black Live Matter for year. We
are in 2020 and we still saying Black Life Matter! This is ridiculous. Please, go out and
talk to your black community and people of color community. Ask `em what they feel
about the police practice and .... how can we come together and change this. I'm really
optimistic, I'm hopeful of you guys do this the same thing and let us make the change
that the people need. Let us make this city work for everyone, regardless of their color,
and looking forward to come one day and to thank Iowa City Police Department, but not
now. Thank you.
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Longenecker/ Mayor, can I add something quick from a student perspective? Um ... first I just
wanted to say, um, thank you for having, um, this work session today. Urn .... and, uh, for
responding to the, uh, demands and complaints and concerns of the community,
especially because many of these complaints are coming from students. Urn .... as you all
have experienced, um, constituents pushing on your this week, that is what USG has
been, um, experiencing this past week. Uh.... Thursday was a ... a tough day. Um, as one
of the people who was involved in writing the statement, um, that USG submitted to, um,
the University of Iowa, calling to cut ties to ICPD. It was a very tough day, um, lots of
tough conversations, and um .... we had thousands of students reaching out to us, calling
for us to take action and, um, that is what we did, and urn ... going forward, urn .... I would
ask Council to just.... continue to .... really focus on particularly students of color and
black students, um, because they are the ones who are really leading the protests and the
movement in Iowa City. Urn .... and that is what USG is committed to, um, helping their
voices and uplift their voices. Um ... for going forward with the, uh, commission that has
been talked about, um, I know there was confusion about that, um, as to it being, you
know, self-appointed. If Council is looking for, you know, the Iowa Freedom Riders to
work with USG to kind of lead and put that coalition together, that is something I will
absolutely take back to, um, to the Undergraduate Student Government and, um, we will
get to work on that right away. Um, and something that I wanted to mention earlier, but
just couldn't find a way to cut in was, um, when talking about things to bring to the
meeting next week about, um, information from staff, one thing that as someone who
helped to write that statement, and trying to find information about.... statistics on the
Iowa City Police Department, it is not very transparent as to things like.... demographics
of arrest records and traffic stops and that kind of information to tell what kind of dis...
racial disparities there are, um, within our own community. And so ... I don't know what
the rules are about releasing that information to the public, about bringing that to Council
meetings, but that would be something that would be helpful in reviewing even more
specifically where the problems in the Iowa City Police Department are, um, from a .... a
quantitative perspective and implementing goals for the future to ... to erase those racial
disparities. So that is one thing that I would .... I would encourage to bring, um, to the
meeting next Tuesday, but yeah, I just really wanted to say that, um, this is something that
the Undergraduate Student Government is going to absolutely be committed to, um, on
behalf of all of our students, and especially our students of color and our black students
and, urn .... so that is, uh, we are, you know, looking forward to working with Council,
but, um, I just wanted to .... to say that from a .... a student perspective.
Teague/ Thank you, Ryan.
Mims/ Mayor, if I could respond real quickly to Ryan on one thing. Ryan, two police chiefs ago,
um, Iowa City PD started collecting data on traffic stops, um, and the racial disparity on
those. So we have a number of years of data and we have had a report, I believe at least
annually, from urn .... I'm dropping the name at the moment, but a professor at St.
Ambrose and his graduate students who have been doing that. He's come and given, uh,
presentation to Council and his whole report, um, is in our Council packet. I can't tell
you right off the top of my head what the dates of those were, but um, certainly staff can
get that for you, and there's, um, I think it's also important in ... to look at the data but also
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to look at their analysis of the data is very important, as well. Not just .... not just the raw
numbers, but looking at their analysis of why you might see certain... certain numbers and
certain trends, but we .... we have for, I would say at least five years, been collecting that
traffic. It .... yeah, been collecting that data, um, and then they have it compared to some
baseline numbers. So that is very much available.
Teague/ All right, well thanks again to everybody. If anyone has any more further comments,
please share them now. Hearing none, we will be adjourned until our next, uh, Council
work session, which will be next Tuesday, and I'm blankin' on the date because I don't
even know what today is (laughs) but I bet you it's Tuesday (laughs) um, so we will see
you next time at our work session and formal meeting next...Tuesday (garbled)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council special
work session of June 9, 2020.