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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC 2022-07-21 transcript[00:00:00] [MUSIC] Okay. Commissioner Ali? Yes, present. Commissioner Dillard? Here. Commissioner Johnson? Here. Commissioner Harris? Here. Commissioner Rivera? Here. Commissioner Traore? Here. Thank you. [00:00:30] Does anyone want to read the Land Acknowledgment? I can. We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk. Because history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the ancient connections of [00:01:00] many other indigenous peoples here. The history of broken treaties and forced removal that dispossessed indigenous peoples of their homelands was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we cannot erase. We implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work toward equity, restoration, and reparations. Thank you. [00:01:30] The way this is written, it says the nominations and vote for chair and vice-chair. The reason why I wanted this to be on the agenda is because the last meeting wasn't publicly recorded, and so I wanted to get everything on public record and that's why it is one of our agenda items. [00:02:00] I know that though Mohamed in his resignation speech he had mentioned [NOISE] that he wanted me have the position. I didn't want to outwardly accept that position without making sure that we discussed it as a commission and took a vote on it. Would you accept the nomination as chair? Yes. I'd like to make a motion to [00:02:30] elect vice-chair Ali into the chair position. [NOISE] Can someone second that? I second. We can have further discussion now if other people want to talk or if other people I think are interested in the position. [NOISE] No further discussion? Okay, do you want me to do roll-call? Yes. [00:03:00] Commissioner Ali? Yes. Commissioner Daniel? I just got here, so I'm going to recuse myself on this vote. Commissioner Dillard? Yes. Commissioner Gathua? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Harris? Yes. Commissioner Rivera? Yes. Commissioner Traore? Yes. [00:03:30] Motion passes 7, 0. Then the next thing [NOISE] that we have to talk about is the vice-chair role. Is there anyone that wants to come forward and say that they would be willing to do the duties of vice-chair? If nobody else wants to, I want to nominate either Chastity [00:04:00] or Kevo. I don't know what you guys feel about that. I'll say that Commissioner Chastity, and I have had discussions about what would be best if we would be fit for the position. I don't think that we came to any conclusion, and a lot of the things we are waiting on was just hearing what the commission thought was needed in a leadership position, and what [00:04:30] qualities were needed in the vice-chair and what they were expecting out of that. Before I accept the nomination, I'd like to hear from the other commissioners if you have any thoughts on what this commission needs in a vice-chair. I'll go there real quick. What's needed is something that I don't have a lot of I wouldn't say it out, I will step up into that role but what's needed this time. You have to have the appropriate time to be able to assume that role, and [00:05:00] that's why I couldn't try nominate myself because I like that. [LAUGHTER] You need time and somebody to dedicate their time to be in that role. That's the only thing I would say. Okay. [NOISE] Commissioner Ali, since you'll be working very closely with the vice-chair, I'd like to hear what you think [00:05:30] we need in a vice-chair. I think what Eric said is really important, time and not to say that one of their time is more important than the others. But I want to be respectful to the fact that Kevo is taking medical boards in a couple of months, and a lot of you probably don't know that but that is really time-consuming and I don't [00:06:00] think that it would be fair to ask that you take on this role as you're starting the ACLU stuff and prepping for boards. I think Chastity is great because Chastity has worked in the community and works for the neighborhood centers, and a lot of her expertise is in the outreach and the [00:06:30] social media and stuff with NCJC. That's why I think that it would be a really good fit for Chastity. [NOISE] I don't really have much to say, as Kevo has already mentioned we talked about this and I agree with him. I am willing to do whatever is best to move this commission forward so whatever we all think is best I will dedicate [00:07:00] time towards. But I equally think that Kevo could do an amazing job as well. [LAUGHTER] Whatever we want, I just want to move this forward. I'm going to make a motion to nominate Chastity as the vice-chair. Seconded. Any further discussion? [NOISE] I just fully support that. You're going to pass boards and it's going to be awesome. [LAUGHTER] Cross your fingers [00:07:30] for me everyone. [LAUGHTER] Then in six months we'll re-access. [LAUGHTER] Commissioner Ali? Yes. Commissioner Daniel? Yes. Commissioner Dillard? Do I vote on this? Yeah. Yes. Commissioner Gathua? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Harris? Yes. Commissioner Rivera? Yes. Commissioner Traore? Yes. Motion passes 8, 0. Perfect. [00:08:00] Next is the approval of the meeting minutes from June 16th. I'm going to make a motion to approve. I second. Does anyone have any edits or revisions that they want to make? Commissioner Ali? Yes. Commissioner Daniel? Yes. Commissioner Dillard? Yes. Commissioner Gathua? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. Commissioner [00:08:30] Harris? Yes. Commissioner Rivera? Yes. Commissioner Traore? Yes. That's it, it's 8, 0. Next up is public comment of items not on the agenda. The commissioner shall not engage in discussion with public concerning said items. We're going to start with folks on Zoom. If there's anyone on Zoom that wants to make a public comment about something that is not on our agenda, [00:09:00] now would be a good time to raise your hand. If there's anyone here that would like to make a public comment about something that is not on the agenda, now would be a good time to speak. The microphone is right over there. [FOREIGN] [00:09:30] Good afternoon. My name is Nanesca Compos [inaudible 00:09:34] I live in Iowa City and I work for [inaudible 00:09:36] You guys are actually on the agenda. You're the next item [OVERLAPPING] on the agenda. Sorry. No worries. I just wanted to make sure you knew that. [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] That's okay. Unless there is something else that you wanted to talk about [LAUGHTER] but we're looking forward to hearing from you Nasda. Well, my name is Angie Jordan, not on the agenda, just giving out some gratitude [00:10:00] to everybody who's come to the diversity markets. Whether you've come in person or if you've promoted them, or you just send a positive vibes. Just want to say that it means a lot to have the commissioners there in whatever capacity they can be for that new tradition in the south district, so just saying thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Next up is the American Rescue Plan Act Funds, the Johnson County Direct Assistance [00:10:30] Program, and the Excluded Worker Funds, so now would be a good time. Do we want to let the public comment first before you make your presentation or are we fine with letting the public comment after? I think they are part of the public comment. Okay. Go ahead. [FOREIGN] As [00:11:00] you may know, we are a coalition or excluded workers that started last April, a while back now. [FOREIGN] Looking for justice and dignity for all the workers that move this economy forward. [FOREIGN] [00:11:30] We filed here for the 3.5 million dollars, from the ARPA. Two million from the county and 1.5 from the city. [FOREIGN]. So that people that were affected in the pandemic could get $1,400 checks. [FOREIGN] I'm here in front of you this afternoon to ask for your support [00:12:00] in relation to the county and the city. [FOREIGN] You know because of the lottery, there's 319 people left out. [FOREIGN] Last week, we went in front of the county and the city because of the 319 people that were left out. [00:12:30] [FOREIGN]. They had a negative impact during the pandemic. My son was locked down. I did qualify. [FOREIGN]. We know the city has money that they can implement into it and include these people. [FOREIGN] [00:13:00] A lot of the folks that were left out or folks that live in the mobile home parks around the city borders. [FOREIGN] The trailer lines are there outside of the city. This is a discrimination. [FOREIGN]. [00:13:30] You may know that the trailer parks recently have been a blessing to the big corporations have had bought them out. [FOREIGN]. This and helping them at all. Instead of helping them, they're increasing their rent. [FOREIGN]. To leave these people out of the check is not logical. [FOREIGN] [00:14:00] We would like to ask you to talk with them and support the 319 people that were left out. [FOREIGN] Tomorrow they're going to be mailing [00:14:30] out the 1,900 checks to all the people. [FOREIGN] A lot of workers and McDonald's recently lost their work. The 19th was their last day. They were kicked out because of their legal status. [FOREIGN] The [00:15:00] majority of them were denied the check. [FOREIGN] Note that. Thank you. [FOREIGN] Good afternoon. My name is Brittany Garcia. [FOREIGN] I'm from Iowa City. I live in the trailers in Scott Boulevard. [FOREIGN] [00:15:30] I'm here for the same reason. I didn't get the check. [FOREIGN] I'm here also asking if you guys could reconsider and support us so we can become included in the pool. [FOREIGN] [00:16:00] If you have the power to do that, we would ask with all of our heart that you would help those who are excluded. [FOREIGN] I, my mom and my family, two kids and I was counting [00:16:30] on this money to help. My husband also didn't win the lottery so I would ask you from all my heart, if you could help support us. [FOREIGN] My husband and myself, we both work. We pay taxes and you know, because we live in the trailers [00:17:00] soon in any moment, our rent is about to be going up. [FOREIGN] [FOREIGN] We want to ask from Oliver Heard if you could help include us in those 900 or 1,900 people, we would be very [00:17:30] grateful for your support and we ask from our heart, and thanks to God. Thank you. I just might say a couple words if you don't mind. I'm Emily from the Catholic Worker, and I really appreciate your time and learning must come today. There was a resident in Cordova who sent us a letter and I just want to read a little bit about it. "When I read about the program my wife and I immediately applied on April 27th, two days after the application to open. A few weeks later when the deadline was [00:18:00] extended, we thought that was great. We thought that would mean our application would be accepted and we would be approved among others. When it came out that we didn't get approved, we thought that odds of us both being denied on a random lottery was very low with the published numbers less than one percent. We didn't know how about the extra money is given from the Iowa City for Iowa City residents only. We even sent two emails to the program for clarification, they went unanswered. In a way we feel deceived. It was not a random drawing as said so on the website and [00:18:30] still does. There was more to it than that. Extending the deadline and the applicant poor, just created fewer slots for the people of Johnson County as a whole who don't live in Iowa City, all for the sake of Iowa City residents who would have been funded no matter what. I feel lied to you and deceived and I hope you will consider going back into the program and providing accounting in a way that all people who applied regardless of what side the river they live on can get access to this support. [00:19:00] My wife and I will be fine but for the sake of those who may not, you please reconsider." I think we've learned a lot during this program and uncovered a lot just on blanketed on these structural barriers, and marginalized population's face, and so that's been good. Going in we didn't know what to expect and so contracts were made and agreements were made. When we are excited knowing that, oh my gosh, [00:19:30] maybe everyone can get this check. I think it makes sense, a lot of sense for a variety of reasons for Iowa City to stand up, and be a leader, and work as a team with the county because of a few things. One, first the money is already allocated and so I know other cities have contributed less for Iowa City got so much more money than other cities. It's there, it's allocated, [00:20:00] and they can move the pieces around. They can fund my Iowa City residents and then the county can fund others if that's a question. The other reason is that people are identified. We already know who they are, they've already jumped through all the hoops to apply for so it'd be easy. The best way we can help people is to give them money directly in their pockets because they know what they need it for best not us. Then finally I just wanted to touch on Angelica's point, she mentioned McDonald's [00:20:30] is owned by a Brian family. I heard that he was sick and they sold the company. Many workers were laid off, their last day was Monday. It was a lot more than just losing a job, they lost their family. They've been there; these workers, 15/20 plus years. It's a big blow right now on the community, and then on top of that being excluded from a check because they live and incorporated Johnson that has really hit them hard. We would appreciate any support [00:21:00] you can give us and we hope that Iowa City can work with the county, and step up, and do what's right. Thank you. Thank you. [BACKGROUND]. Is there anyone on Zoom [NOISE] that wants to make a comment or respond? Well, I'm so thankful [00:21:30] for those who joined us tonight and shared about their experience and why this is so important to them. This commission has been on board and it was part of the Excluded Workers Fund coalition early on, and I think it's important for us to be keenly aware of what's going on now. Let's get everyone on the same page. There's more information [00:22:00] in the late handouts and in the agenda packet, but in summary a large amount of money was returned to Iowa City that it had already committed to providing to the Direct Assistance Program that Johnson County it was coordinating. The way that the money got disbursed was that Johnson County by lottery selected enough participants that would use up all of the funds that they had allotted and then Iowa City came in [00:22:30] and with some of its money funded the rest of Iowa City residents, but unfortunately that meant that 319 other individuals who were eligible for the funds could not get those funds despite the fact that, that money was available. What seems to be possible based on what I've heard is that the city can throw a vote at their next city council meeting, vote on whether they would like to [00:23:00] reauthorize the money that was returned back to them that they had committed and somehow provide it back to Johnson County so that Johnson County can provide direct payment to the rest of its eligible applicants. I was trying to think of the best way that this commission can help advocate for that. In the agenda I drafted the recommendation and the [00:23:30] title is Agenda Item 7. But one question that I have for Stefanie is, would a recommendation that the TRC makes today make it onto the agenda packet for city council on August 2nd? No. But that doesn't mean that city council can't be informed of. Sure. Other ways I think that this commission can really advocate is for as many of us as possible be present [00:24:00] and advocate during public comment at the city council meeting on August 2nd in a very easy way for us to also reach out to city council as we have their emails. All of us just want to reach out to each city council member with whatever else we want to say and make that recommendation than we can. I'll just shut up, but does [NOISE] anyone have any other [LAUGHTER] thoughts? Yeah. [BACKGROUND] [00:24:30] Yes please. For people on Zoom, we're just going to take a pause for some translation. [FOREIGN] It's [00:25:00] still a little summary. Thank you. It's okay. We meet before and after, but I really appreciate the time and we can just move ahead. Mohamed. What I can say is I still stand by last our year chances of being at this point of view to me right now myself as I will be at the August [00:25:30] 2nd meeting. And I'm speaking in public comment. Hey, Mo. We're having a little bit of difficulty. Is there a different an Internet connection that you have available? Can you hear me better now? Yeah. Yeah. I will be on that August 2nd meeting, I will speak in public comment. In addition I'll do what I can over this next week or I have that time to reach out to any individuals I can to then find out more [00:26:00] ahead of time. Additionally, I have reached out to David Goodnuff as well to meet with him next to me. That's just all I have. With that, I yield the floor. Let's see. I'm finding the best way to say what I want to say. This is an issue that I took on and this issue that become personal to me. It should have been a [00:26:30] happy moment that they were going to issue those checks to the people who need it. Just the thing that sticks out is I know people who got the checks, I know people who are not getting the checks. What do you tell those people? Because, here to name a school to workers, well, these guys are going to further excluded. [00:27:00] We can look at gas prices right now, we can look at just the price of living right now, people need help. We're not out of the COVID thing, we just came back from the high transmission rate again, so we're not out of that bubble. The call for the city to reauthorize that money, I don't think that should be a problem. I think that should be easy thing, we're going to pay [00:27:30] 1,900 people. We can't leave those 300 people just left out, 319 people. That's ironic, that is 319 people we should think about. That's the area code that we live in. It's ironic that it's 319 people. Actually said, I thought about it for me to even think about that 319 people. It seems a little weird to me. Another [00:28:00] thing and lastly, what I say is, I've been in this for the long haul. Last summer when we went to go out and go check on people in the mobile homes, me and my son, we did a lot of work, doing it and then check on people and I did not see or hear from one city official who want to check on his people. I went to some of the most devastated trailer parks that we have in this area, and I just [00:28:30] can't believe that people are not paying attention to what's going on, and leaving 319 people out, that's like kicking people when they are already down. With that, I will. I'm sorry. I really like this recommendation or this draft recommendation. The only suggestion, and I think [00:29:00] I said this to David the other day, was that I don't think it should just go to the City of Iowa City. I think that we should send this to all councils in Johnson County. You said Carville was that person who you read it from? It was Carville. They put in 30,000, the city of North Liberty put in zero dollars. [00:29:30] That's the only change I would make, is that not to have it say just specifically Iowa City, but to change the wording so that it's something that we can send to other councils because they think that that's really important too. That's a good idea, but some, and I'm not going to say which council has indicated, go talk to the city, they've already indicated that. [00:30:00] They tried to say it's the city, go talk to the city. We don't want to hear about it, that's already been said immediately at the joint institutes meeting. Did you have something that you are going to say? Yeah, Hi. The first thing that I was going to say was, if we can't get this recommendation on the agenda packet, one thing that maybe we can vote on is to approve this recommendation and then one of us read it at the August second meeting after we discussed the text a little bit more. [00:30:30] I get the sentiment of needing to reach out to other cities. We are not representative of the other cities, and so I think the best that we can is use our Cloud and our positions as commissioners to have conversations with folks in those cities. But I think that this recommendation as written to Iowa City should stand and then we can create other recommendations replacing [00:31:00] Iowa City Council to whatever council and just have separate recommendations. Perfect. I probably messed up the way I said it, but that was what I meant to say. The way you worded it was perfect. Any other discussion about this? I just would want to thank all the commissioners who have put more work and who have [00:31:30] been our lead on really following up and walking the walk with excluded workers. Thank you, on behalf of all of us. I'll also just add my voice, that as the coordinator for Nisaa African Family Services, we are one of the signatories on behalf of Nisaa to walk with the excluded workers [00:32:00] and some of those are part of the population that we serve. I agree. Thank you, also Kevo for drafting the recommendation for us and Commissioner Traore for committing to be there on other second such that even [00:32:30] if we don't get the recommendation on the agenda, we shall be part of the public comments. Thank you. I would just add one more thing. I mentioned in my previous comments that is a personal thing. The reason that is like that, is because most of the scooter workers, I know personally. Because I worked with them so closely. AMD private had a CME lesson, [LAUGHTER] because that's how closely that I worked with them. I'm just saying it's just [00:33:00] something has to be done because I've been to many things with the scooter workers and it's something that we all have an issue that we're passionate about, and that's been the thing that I've been passionate about this because I have personally people who are excluded are in my family, so just a personal thing. I'll make a motion in a second, [00:33:30] but one thing that I can do is, I can create email drops for all the commissioners and try to source all the different relevant emails that we can have an email campaign too for the other cities with different text that is more targeted towards them. But I'd like to make a motion for us to approve this recommendation as written and for me or someone in my stead to read it at the August 2nd meeting of City Council. Second. Is [00:34:00] that a second? Second. Thank you. Any further discussion? Would anyone like to make any other edits to the text? Okay. Commissioner Ali. Sorry. Is this something we'd consider publishing in a local newspaper as an editorial? Is that something we could do? As long [00:34:30] as it passes by a majority. Yes has a vote. But we could probably do a news release too, I guess. I'll let the Chair and Vice-chair figure that out, but sorry to hold up the vote. You can do the voting and we can follow up on that. Yeah. I was just saying we'll follow up on it after. Okay. Commissioner Ali? Yes. [00:35:00] Commissioner Daniel? Yes. Commissioner Dillard? Yes. Commissioner Gathua? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Harris? Yes. Commissioner Rivera? Yes. Commissioner Traore? Yes. Motion passes 8, 0. The next agenda item is a follow-up on the proclamation. [00:35:30] We're going to skip that one because they are not in attendance. Then after that would be the proposal submitted by Think Peace Kearns in West, native partners and the healing partners' team. If everyone is okay with having the presentation go first and then we can do public comment and then commissioner comments. Is that [00:36:00] okay to do it in that format? Yes. Okay. Then before they start presenting, I just want everyone to think about this or plant the seed in everyone's head before they begin their presentation. I really don't want to be in a situation where we get denied again [LAUGHTER] by Council. I really think that it might be in our best interests [00:36:30] not to maybe boat completely to approve this, but I think it might be worthwhile for us to set up a presentation on the August 2nd Council meeting, and then be able to have a discussion with that and that Council can say what their concerns are and what their issue is, and then that way they can rework it and bring it back to the table. I just really don't want to go [00:37:00] to Council with something that we've approved already and then have them deny it because we missed out on a chance to communicate and maybe get on the same page about everyone's scope and have that open conversation. I spoke with Eduardo briefly and he told me that he thought that that was actually a really good idea. I think that it's something that we should think about, and maybe we'll come back to that after the presentation [00:37:30] is done. If you guys are ready to start. You're welcome to start, we have an open [LAUGHTER] microphone. Yeah, I was going to say it. Yeah. [NOISE] [00:38:00] Well, thank you for having us. So I am V Fixmer-Oraiz and the CEO and founder of Astig Planning. We'll just do introductions real quick. You know us, but just to make sure everybody is familiar. I'm Angie Jordan. I'm the CEO and founder of Banjo Knits Empowerment. [LAUGHTER] Annie Tucker and I am the director and [00:38:30] one of the founders of Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa, which is a 501C3 local. Then we also are joined on Zoom by some fellow colleagues. Hi folks, Larry Schooler from Kearns and West. Good to see you all again. David Ragland I don't know if he's there or not. But David Ragland is joining us [00:39:00] with thank piece. I'm sure he will pop in as soon as he can. [LAUGHTER] You have our proposal in front of you. We were just going to go through it. We did not create a presentation in any formal capacity we have been before you before and certainly in different iterations and so we really wanted to keep this very simple. Just wanted to say thank you to everybody. We have met with Commissioners, we've talked with city council [00:39:30] members, ever since the last sort of proposal in that pause, we really have taken that time to dig in and see what would be a good pathway forward. That is what this proposal represents to the best of our abilities and really just wanted to start off by saying that really this is four proposals in one proposal. There are four of us, four entities, and that's why you see that number four here. But we also want to make clear [00:40:00] that we have been working and engaging with the TRC and with each other for the past several months, if not longer and so we feel that what we're bringing before you is very interdependent upon all of each other. Not to say that you could really take any one of the groups and just move forward with that but we really want to recognize everybody's expertise and skills. We really have a community-led framework for moving at the speed of trust [00:40:30] that is really important to us as community members, we have to build those lasting authentic relationships. It has to be here and continuing to grow as we go through this whole process. We really talked a lot with folks and came up with the phased approach that seems the most doable in a lot of ways. We have a local partners component obviously to it but we really haven't [00:41:00] broken down into a couple of different phases. Each phase we have the first one being three months, and the second one being four months. We want to recognize from the outset as it says, that there's a lot of potential for overlap between these phases. We say three months, we say four months, that's what we would like to stick to, and things come up, things change, but that's kind of how life is. That's why we have this two-phase approach. We really thought that it was important to do [00:41:30] the two phases because after one of the phases, we can evaluate and say, did we accomplish what we needed to accomplish? Are we on the right path? Do we need to pivot? Is there something we're missing before we head into the next phase? We felt like that was a good approach because it seems more manageable. Instead of saying, we're going to do all of the things that we know what all of those things are, we're just acknowledging that we don't know what we don't know and that while we have expertise and experience in the room, [00:42:00] every city is different, every process is different. That's what you'll see in this proposal. Another important component to this, and if I missed anything, please speak up. I just add an echo that phased approach piece. Having had conversations with TRC members city also other non-profit entities in Iowa city, also with the residents [00:42:30] as well that came to us, which was really exciting so being grateful for that pause, even though there was a lot of discomfort, it allowed what we're presenting in front of you today to be more informed by folks outside of our circles and like we we said, being able to tether it into its interdependent for entity that Kearns and West started. They were the first proposal. There's still part of it, so that there's space and roles for all of us to play. [00:43:00] We didn't lose anything. We've gained so much and trying to package it so that it can also be malleable, I think is a challenge, but it's also really exciting because it can become a template for later down the road, whether it's for Iowa City work or in the state or in the nation. I just wanted to underline those pieces. Annie. One thing I'd like to make clear is when we said that at the end of phase 1, what we'll do is we'll re-evaluate. [00:43:30] We'll see if we've accomplished what we want. The we that we're using is you guys and the people on the team and even the community and anyone else involved. I just wanted to make that we clear. That that we is you guys too. You're looking at, are we accomplishing what we want? Are we ready for the next phase? What do we want to tweak? What do we want differently? I just wanted to make that clear. [00:44:00] One of the other larger components of this is a recommendation to create a commission coordinator position. This would basically be a point person that would really be a facilitator, be somebody who is doing some of the coordinating aspects, local activities, events, working with city staff, working with city commissioners, making sure that things are running smoothly, that there's communication as things start to [00:44:30] take hold, there's going to be a lot of things to keep track of. There's going to be a lot of events or people or meeting notes or those kinds of things. That person we would recommend be a part-time employee of the city and actually be housed in the Department of Equity and human rights working closely with the equity director who's behind me. [LAUGHTER] We feel that [00:45:00] that is a position that would be a really strong aspect of moving forward so that because there's lots of Commissioners, there's going to be different aspects, fact-finding, truth-telling, reconciliation aspects of it that I think anybody who's ever done project work understands that you need to have a point person. You need to have somebody that's helping run the show, regardless of how many things are going on. Then housing that in the city we feel is important because you are [00:45:30] a commission of the city. It would make sense that whoever's closely working with you isn't actually a private consultant, but actually is city staff and potentially just at a part-time position. That is our recommendation. Did I leave anything out from that part? I would also just add too, just thinking in the future I know we're not there yet, but having that be housed in the city, what that does for future TRCs that want to be city based and the commission that this is where you [00:46:00] should start. You guys are obviously paving the way for so many things but this tool can be helpful in if another city wants to do something like this, start with some of these pieces in place. It's also just another thing to highlight that marriage between the city and the commission from the get-go for the future. The scope that we have set out before you as we talked about, was in two phases, but we really [00:46:30] are tying it to the three charges. Given in the resolution, which is true telling, fact-finding and healing and reconciliation, the Think Peace will leave the truth-telling part of things Kearns and West will lead, the fact-finding aspect of things and that aren't healing reconciliation partners will help lead that aspect of the charge. You can also see that as we are talking about teams, we are including you all city [00:47:00] staff, local partners, community members as Annie had talked about. So whenever we're saying, we, we really mean we throughout all of this. You see that phase one, we do have that broken out into three months. We think that starting out with heavy amounts of education, much like some of the conversation that was had when Eduardo and David Ragland were here a couple of weeks ago, but having more formalized education trainings happening. Then also some of the data collection [00:47:30] starting to get that underway with Kearns and West and then for the healing and reconciliation team, we had talked with local native partners to start forming Iowa healing circles and so that's what those would be, would be the time to create those and that's never been done before so it'd be something new. That's all happening at the same time, those three months that's happening. Then we [00:48:00] do that pause, evaluate. Did we get to where we wanted to get to before we head on to the next thing? In there, we do have a presentation to city council. That city council is in the loop formally, we think that would be important and you see the progress evaluation. How about that? I would add in there too that you'll see it in the healing and reconciliation. There's also the strategic planning and the strategic doing. So for those who are familiar with strategic doing or not yet, if this thing goes and it happens that get excited strategic [00:48:30] doing so fun but it also moves us forward in a way that again, pulls on these entities that aren't here yet for them to see a role in action and doing and they're like, Oh, that's what we do. Okay, come do it with us. That part, as you can see, I'm vibrating. I'm excited about that but I know there have been folks who've talked about that. Where's our strategic plan? And that's wrapped up in those first three months as well. Yeah I think that was important. Phase 2 will then kickoff. [00:49:00] Obviously it would be a continuation of fact- finding. I know Kearns and West, that is a very in-depth process and they haven't outlined in their budget. I don't know. Larry, if you wanted to say some things about the fact-finding and David, if you wanted to say anything about the truth-telling. Well, thanks Dee. Hi everybody. I think certainly we're excited to be associated with the fact-finding elements [00:49:30] of this work. I think the background material you have is fairly straightforward. I think what we've come to understand about the best way for our team to function is for us to be able to lend expertise where we have it. That relates to the dispassionate but important compilation of the facts and the data that are important to you all as you [00:50:00] do your work. Just to be clear, fact-finding and truth-telling are distinct activities in the way that we have laid this out. Truth-telling [NOISE] would be under the leadership or the facilitation guidance of Think Peace because as I'm sure he could tell you himself, Dave was a nationally renowned expert in that space, having helped orchestrate Ferguson Missouri's work and has done this work elsewhere. You all know Eduardo Gonzalez [00:50:30] is a global expertise as well in that space. What we're intending to do is determine exactly what it is that you will want to have found and then help with the finding and then help with the analysis of those findings. I just want to underscore help with, not do, meaning we don't see it as our role to tell you this is what all this means, but to offer some analysis, some summary where it's helpful. Then to [00:51:00] facilitate dialogue around how you'd like to incorporate those facts that have been found in near eventual recommendations to tie with city. Dee, I'm happy to go on, but I think that probably covers it. Thank you. Good evening you all. This is a pleasure to be here. I'm so glad to see you again and see all that is happening. I just want to [00:51:30] add on to what Larry was saying. They're two distinct processes and also connected. Our work in truth-telling is supporting the community and co-developing a hearing structure and process that's also connected to and supporting the healing of folk that are continuously [00:52:00] experiencing trauma so that they're not re-traumatized. This is, I think, a really important role and also that the truth-telling isn't just the public-facing testimony structure, but also community healing events and private conversations that can be recorded given people's current level of traumatization and [00:52:30] so on and so forth. But we're so happy to be here in conversation with you all and be supporting this extremely important work that you all are initiating and have moving forward. You can see in that Phase 2, we do dig more into the truth-telling hearings, private interviews, and things like that. That's [00:53:00] a bit more robust on that. As I'm sure the fact-finding will be as well. Then of course we will still be hosting then at that point, the healing circles. Then again, you'll see the recommendations which we would all be working together on for moving forward and presenting that to City Council. We propose two phases. This may be two of five. This may be two of two. I mean, there's really no way to know, but I think that [00:53:30] what this does is at least gives a bit of a pathway to taking those first steps that feels maybe more manageable. You can see as you dig into the proposal more, a little bit more of the details for each of the entities. What Think Peace will be doing in Kearns and West, that public educational training upfront, facilitated conversations, and things like that. Certainly we have [00:54:00] everybody here. If you have questions about what do each of these processes in these phases involve, certainly can answer that to the best of our abilities. But this is a little bit different than what you've been proposed to with before. Then when you look at the budget, we did try and the electronic version has separate tabs for each of the entities. It's very [00:54:30] transparent. We want it to be as transparent as possible as to how much who is getting what. Those things are public knowledge. But then you can see the table that is printed out, the separate entities, we tried to make it as legible as possible in terms of how much each phase was and then a total and then how much each percentage was going to each organization. Just so you can see what the breakdown was. That it's not just one lump sum, there's no pertinent there, [00:55:00] and that we can answer any questions forthright. That is what we have and I will pass it onto my colleagues. I would also add, and I know we started saying this but linking it to it, Amel had said this and what Annie said in the past as well. This is a draft. If you guys are like, what's that? That needs to go. We will be like, okay, we'll try one of this and then you can talk about it and then maybe it needs to go and then it goes. I like being in draft mode because it takes the pressure off of perfection and that white supremacy culture and all those things. I'm [00:55:30] always in a draft mode, but I also think it's important to normalize that. We can make these changes. Again, that we as all of us. I think it's so important what Amel said and it sounds like Eduardo supported, bringing that to the City Council and bringing them into the we as well. I just want to, again, underline, this is a draft. I just want to add when this proposal was brought last time, there weren't specific [00:56:00] numbers. I'm just reiterating what has been said. The specific numbers for any given organization or any given task are there. We really do hope that you will look that over and say, what about this? This is where you get to have those questions and begin to have the input and change and shape what you want. Thank you all. [LAUGHTER] This has just been such a journey, but I'm very [00:56:30] thankful for the journey because every time we as a commission receive a proposal, I think it's just better and better. It's really encouraging and clarifying to see it broken down this way. I think it really does play into the strengths of the folks that we've rallied together and who have stepped up to the plate really. Thank you. I just wanted to follow up on the TRC commission coordinator position. [00:57:00] Philosophically, I feel like the commission should be the bridge between our facilitators, the community, and the city. And I also don't know how long it would take to hire someone for that position if they've put out an RFP and then this just delays everything further. I just want to see if you had any more specifying how you envision that going? Yeah. That one, it's two-pronged. One is it creates that connection. [00:57:30] Two, it also allows for me to put myself in there. Due to my spouse being a city employee with the fire department, the city's unable to contract the banjo on it's empowerment. A way for me to stay as part of the team and also run lead and point in a way that is governed and dictated by you all and the entities, this is the position we'd carve out. We would be making, [00:58:00] I don't know the right words for it, that ask the suggestion that the city consider if possible bypassing some of the bureaucratic stuff to get this ball going. The other piece in there too, that's important to know, that's not captured here is personally, I'm willing, if there is a bureaucratic process, I'm willing to be in that position as a volunteer so that there's not lag time being that point. I think it's important that it is me because it allows me to stay on the team. It also [00:58:30] allows me to stay on the larger team and continuing to run point in some ways I've already been doing. It allows me to do that work. If it goes through the city, it also allows me to be paid. The Banjo and it's empowerment, I would not be paid. That would be part of it. I don't know if you guys have anything else to add or Larry or David, if there's anything you all wanted to add to that piece. The only thing I'll say in addition to that is that the numbers that you're seeing for [00:59:00] the healing partners don't include Angie. I didn't want you to think that there is double counting for her time, but the hours are in there so that you can see what we would estimate the hours of that person. Just to clarify that even further. I know that we're not voting on approving this as a recommendation or approving this proposal just to see council, but I wonder if it would be good for us to have [00:59:30] this position. First of all, thank you for clarifying that. That's really helpful. I think it'd be helpful for us to have this as a separate proposal that's not included in this facilitator proposal. That way you can make a suggestion of how many hours and what your quote would be and things like that. Those are my thoughts right now. I'm a little [01:00:00] worried that if we separate this position with the broader proposal, that the underlying theme or mantra of every part is integral, might get lost. Because it sounds like this position it's the keystone here, like it's going to bring everything together. Kanji would be this person. [01:00:30] Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. Thank you. It's all together now. We weren't sure how to put it in the proposal I'll be honest. It's a lot of explaining. We wanted to put it out there and then have a discussion. I would just add to that in conversations with the city attorney and the city in general, this was the path forward allocating grant money and then being utilized for [01:01:00] Banjo nets or being hired by one of the other entities. All of those would still be conflict and this being actually employed was the only route that would allow me to stay on board and be paid. Would it be clear if it just stated we already have the person. It's not like we're going to have to hire someone or requests for proposals or something like that. I don't know [01:01:30] if that was part of the concern with how long it could take. Yeah. That's something I feel like Stefanie might know that answer if that's a possibility, if we go to them with this proposal, with having Angie as the coordinator, would there need to be a hiring process even if it would be through your office? This [01:02:00] is my opinion. I'm not saying it's fact. I think if it's a city position, I think it would have to be advertised to everyone. I think if Angie was hired for one of the other firms that are involved then that's a different story because then she's not a city employee. If that makes sense. The money would be paid to, it would be part of the proposal for one of the firms to be [01:02:30] the agency that hires the person. But I'm pretty sure with the union and stuff, I think you have to advertise positions. I don't think you can just set aside a position for a specific person. Okay. Yeah. That was my concern a little bit too that you can't just hire a person. We're going to ask or just say, well, you didn't advertise this. You didn't let other people have a chance to do this. That was my concern too. I think that's and I want to let you go, Larry, because I saw you unmuted yourself a couple of times. But I think this is one [01:03:00] of those things that would be good to have a broad discussion about with council while the city attorney is there and everything. Go ahead, polar bear. [LAUGHTER] Thanks, chair. Just affirm strong support for having Angie in a vital part of our teams orchestration of this work. I want to express a willingness to explore [01:03:30] any and all options to make that happen. Especially make sure that we're fully compliant with all relevant regulations as it relates to posting a positions and contracts and such. But I'd be hard-pressed to imagine a way for any of us to do this work without Angie. I just wanted to make sure that was underscored. I just had a question. If we propose this as like an Ad Hoc temporary position doesn't change anything. [01:04:00] Stefanie, do you know? Not if they were employed by the City. Okay. How long could we get an RFP out? It wouldn't be an RFP, it would just be a job posting. It would be a position posting. Could it be a 24-hour position posting? I don't know. [LAUGHTER] I have not seen that. One question that I have for Larry. Back in the day [01:04:30] as part of maybe first proposal or second proposal, depending on what you want to count, there was someone on your team that was city based and who is going to be your Iowa City arm. I want to know where that position stands and if if there would be a possibility to rework this such that Angie and this position was hired under Crimson West? I absolutely think that's a possibility, [01:05:00] commissioner. In answer to the question of where it is, the local partners have taken leadership of the effort that we're putting forth. They are the ones who have very thoughtfully looked for a way to ensure Angie's participation. In asking where it is, that's been absorbed into the way in which the local partners have very thoughtfully framed this for us. Angie's [01:05:30] rolling this would theoretically be the role we imagine in that proposal. I would say, certainly our firm is open to exploring a way for that to come under our banner if that would be consistent with regulation and policy and everybody's comfort. Just to clarify too, from the city attorney's conversations. The conflict is anyone who is employing [01:06:00] me, the funding that would be allocated for that from the TRC budget is city, and so that couldn't be a position created specifically for me. Again, we can have Eric, the attorney in here, but we've beat that [LAUGHTER] a few times with different forces and mallets, I can't be hired on. When we were first exploring that, my preference would have been to [01:06:30] be hired on by one of the local entities just because we have that rapport and relationship and even that was not possible. It's frustrating, but maybe having more clarity, but as I understand it, you couldn't hire me on through any entity knowing that the city funding is going to be paying for me. Like my concern is we face so many roadblocks when it comes to this situation, so I just wanted to be sure [01:07:00] in whatever way that you are hired or you're being utilized, that is just the right way because I don't want city officials or other people to use that as another roadblock for us because we just want to facilitate that. We face many roadblocks when it comes to this topic, and so we need to just be sure and I definitely welcome you in any capacity energy. [01:07:30] I just wanted to be sure because I'm sick of the roadblocks from city officials when it comes to this. Larry, I have a question, I had written some of these questions down. First of all, can you change the way that your graph looks so that it doesn't look like one word every line? [LAUGHTER] Yes. Different and waste so much paper. Apology. I'm just kidding, but [LAUGHTER] [01:08:00] oh my gosh. On one year, it said, client coaching/conflict management and recommendation. I know the recommendation part you guys have spoken about like where we're taking a step back and assessing, is the client poaching us, [01:08:30] and what would that coaching at the end of phase one look like? Sure, it's a great question. I think in general, we budget time like that, so that, for example, a commissioner who wants to know how to do something and we're not having a formal meeting about it, can pick up the phone and call us and talk about that. It's hard to predict given all of those strategic doing that we're intending to do at the beginning [01:09:00] of this process to know exactly where that need would lie, we just wanted to make sure that we were alerting the time on our side to enable us not just to be that scheduled meetings of either the facilitation team, the city or the commission, but also be available to commissioners and staff and others who are involved in this work to be able to offer advice where we think it would be helpful, whether that be based on the [01:09:30] way in which things are communicated to the community or sources of data to collect during fact-finding or liaison roles that we might be able to play between the commission and sources of information in the community. It will vary and it's hard for me to predict, but it's there for us to be able to just have interactions that are less programmed and scheduled, and that what the commission would be. I know that, that definitely makes sense. What's up? We are wondering if it's possible [01:10:00] for the spreadsheet to be put up on the screen so everyone can have access to it during this conversation. The tabs aren't printed. Oh, yeah, that would just be - Just the narrative for everyone. Then Larry, I just had a couple of more questions for you. I'm assuming that you're the senior facilitator? Yes, ma'am. Then who is the Senior Associate and Project Coordinator? To be perfectly [01:10:30] candid, we're still working to identify that person. You'll recall that when we first began this conversation, we had enlisted my colleague, Sara Omar, and my colleague Kyle Vint to be our partners. I'm delighted to say Sara has taken a position with NYU Abu Dhabi and is leaving Kearns and West on Friday to take on that role, and Kyle has assumed other project responsibilities in the interim. I certainly have a few key team members [01:11:00] whom I've spoken with about this, but I think we wanted to make sure we understood the scope of the work that we're going to be doing before we made any specific assignment, but I would say there is a senior associate in our firm who is very excited to potentially join this team and assist with this work. Perfect. Then a follow up question to that. Would [01:11:30] the people who would fill those positions, would they be amongst that packet from the first proposal that you gave us, they had all of your bios and stuff like that? Oh, actually the person that I have in mind is someone who has joined our firm in the last couple of months but brings a wealth of experience that's relevant to the TRC's work, so the answer is, it wouldn't be in the original packet, but I'd be more than happy to furnish that information to both you and the Council whenever appropriate. [01:12:00] They deserve a page. Yes, they do. [LAUGHTER] Maybe even two pages. Then this is maybe like a silly last question, [LAUGHTER] but in 1B, what is burned tracking? That is a lovely bit of consultant speak, and it essentially just refers to something that actually has proven to be very important in this work. [01:12:30] It's just making sure that we're tracking the percentage of the allotted budget and time as we go. For example, if we've said such and such part of the project will take 40 hours and it's trending towards taking 50, 60, or more, we want to alert the client, which is you all, so that we can make sure to calibrate accordingly, either back off of doing some of that work or agree we're going to continue and maybe reduce work in [01:13:00] another area and just calibrate, but not get to the last minute and be in a tight spot. Then just my very last thing I'm going to say is, I hope that we'll be able to talk about this to counsel on August 2nd, I just want to give you some prep because I think they're probably going to have the most questions about this scope of work that curtains in West does. Absolutely. Just because [01:13:30] people don't know what you guys do the way we do or have taken that time, so I just want to make sure that you know, that a lot of, I hate the word pressure, but they're probably going to hold your feet to the fire about some things during the conversation, so I just want you to be prepared for that. No, I appreciate that, and I just want to tell the commissioners as it relates to the allocation of how we may do this work, we're very [01:14:00] open to conversations that may evolve that. The most important thing to us is that this move forward is one of the commissioners said, and so if our role changes as a result of that, we're willing to go down that path, and so we look forward to that conversation for sure. Okay. We just wanted to pull up the full proposed budget so everybody could see. Because I think that team totals is what is in the packet. [01:14:30] But then I just wanted to make sure everybody was able to see that we do have all of the numbers lined up. I do want to just point out a few differences. Think Peace, if you click on that tab, is actually a monthly allocation of time. If you look at row 3 project manager, their unit is monthly. You're saying 25 percent of the monthly week hours. [LAUGHTER] That's what that is saying. They're saying about 25 [01:15:00] percent of their workload that month will be focused on the TRC. Everybody did it differently. We didn't want to change how people were doing it. Sorry. No, that's okay. I just wanted to show, so on Think Peace, you'll see they have their travel expenses in there and then we have it broken out what it would be monthly. The phase 1 is three months, phase 2 is four months, and then the total. Tried to keep it again very simple. Kearns & West, [01:15:30] they're very detail oriented, which is fantastic. Then I also wanted to point out assumptions. This is something that definitely commissioners should look at column G just to get a sense of how Kearns & West is thinking about doing this and what it means, what it includes. Then as you scroll down, you'll see they've also accounted for travel time and then a final number. That was phase 1, and then we had phase 2 and then we added them together. [01:16:00] Our native partners that we've been working with, we allocated $125 an hour for them. That was based on really, if you're looking at professional services, that's actually a going rate as you can see with some of the other professional rates that are presented in this combined proposals. We wanted to honor their time and expertise. There are three of them. That's why we put those three together and it's very simple. We have the same amount [01:16:30] of hours as they do. We also wanted to make sure that they had time in there for final recommendations. You can see it's broken out phase 1 and phase 2 and then total. Ours is allocated per person. You'll see how we did. We also did some allocation as to how much we thought per month we would be working and then we subtotal that. We have phase 1 monthly total that includes actually [01:17:00] these not monthly expenses. That's a very technical term, by the way, [LAUGHTER] not monthly expenses which really were just City Council presentations, some evaluation, the final recommendations, obviously that's not going to be monthly, and then the strategic doing session/strategic planning. Those were those totals, you'll see phase 1, phase 2, and then a total total. But we also wanted to show that the phase 2 also includes some presentation and [01:17:30] a lot of time focused on recommendations. Just full transparency there. That's where those numbers came from. Then you'll see the team totals is what's printed out in your packet. If I did the math right, these should still link. Yes. Quick question. If I'm reading this correctly on your healing partners tab on line 2, that's what you're saying your pay rate is? Correct. Okay. Which is [01:18:00] why you see a TRC coordinator was indeed ordinal and not zeroed out. But we kept her hours. I was wondering, because I know that we do drafts, so when can be a final version of this so we can look at it and see it because that's what I was saying? I didn't go to my region appointment so I [LAUGHTER] can't be all out there. [01:18:30] I was wondering if we can get a final version of it because like I was saying, I do not want City Officials to have any reason to try to pick out something in this and try to turn it down or reject it because we deserve this. I don't want them to have any reasons, so please just make sure you work on it. Perfect it. Get all the things checked out, check with City Attorneys and things needed to check with. [01:19:00] I had made a suggestion that we do a meeting with City Council before they even submit a final one so that City Council can ask their questions and do all of that. I know that you're really worried, I am too, that's why I'm making sure that that's happening before a final is submitted so that they can get questions out of the way and concerns out of the way. Because rejection has been a common thing. Yeah. I don't want to go through it. Also, if Council rejects this [01:19:30] proposal, it's not one person's fault. Yeah. No, I know that. That's a lot of pressure [LAUGHTER]. No, I'm not saying one person. I'm saying the whole proposal. All of us. This explains a lot. I like it. I was just reading the overview of it. I liked it so I just hope that it works. I really appreciate the avenues for transparency. [01:20:00] Like the presentations to counsel, really opening it to the community, talking about how it's a draft for all of us. I think it's just finding that sweet spot that leaves council with nothing but to approve it. Right. That's why I'm saying my concerns because our confidence level about something that they didn't approve it has dropped dramatically. I would also just again, to reiterate, we hope that you all as a TRC, [01:20:30] maybe even before you engage with council, just take a good hard look at this and figure out what it is you like and why? Like what you're saying. But even before City Council sees it, because this should be about you all. We've done our best to draft it. It won't be final until you guys get it there. Then again, getting it like you're saying before Council votes on it. But I just want to reiterate, there's no final draft here tonight for you. Yeah. I'm just saying I want to look over it [OVERLAPPING] [01:21:00] so we could look at where we want in there. But so far, it's what we need. I just want to say first off, thank you all as everyone's saying for the transparency, I think that was my biggest question concern last time and you all went above and beyond listing everything in detail. I really appreciate that and I want to also commend you Angie, for just starting off. Well this is not about perfection and I think that really opens us up to really making this a community effort and really igniting that unity [01:21:30] that we've been talking about. I'm looking forward to if we move the discussion to just go talk to City Council so they can tell us what they do and do not like just like we're going to do it so we can work on this together. I think this is a good first step and want to thank everyone up there too, Larry and David Ragland as well. Thank you all for making this happen. It's giving a little bit more hope. I want also to add my thanks to everyone, David, Larry, [01:22:00] Angie, and our local groups for all the work you have put in between the last time we were to go to the Council and now, and moving us forward in giving us a timeline that is very clear. Also dividing the work into the three sections that's taking shape. Such that the way [01:22:30] it's looking is if this whole team were to be replaced, I know it's not going to happen right now, if it happened, somebody would be able day something to pick up from that is very clear such that the work is having a life of its own. It is independent on us who are sitting here and what we've done. That's something very great to have something that somebody can come and continue. [01:23:00] Thank you for clarifying that. Then because we're working with constructive feedback we got from the Council and the community, I admire how you have used it. Because one of the two biggies that came back was where the locals or why and the locals [01:23:30] are the lead. You've reworked that, thank you very much. The other thing has also been all that money that was something that came back. Then the third reorganization that has stood out for me is instead of just going to the city council with the recommendation, making them part of the discussion [01:24:00] and the community such that Iowa city belongs to all of us and Johnson County. We're all sitting down such that there is not the community sitting out there and saying you people, the othering, it's our circle. It's our village. Thank you for reworking that. Going there such that we're reducing [01:24:30] the constructive feedback when we go on other state and sit all of us with the council. Even if they are elected leaders of our city at the same time, they are part of us and they are also discussing this with us. With that, I will stop and thank you very much for personally getting a lot of clarity and very clear work as we [01:25:00] move forward. Thank you. I just realized that we didn't do public comment. I don't know if there's anything in the chat there. Stefanie, in case. Also, just for clarity, we are going to have a work session with the city council, correct? It's not 100 percent go thing. I have to talk to Mayor Teague and make sure that it's a go. [01:25:30] If there's anyone from the public that wants to speak, anyone in here? Is there anything else anyone wants to say regarding this proposal? I think the next steps for us are to reach out to folks [01:26:00] at Kearns and West reach out to the folks our local entities and get clarifying questions answered and things like that. Just get to know this and read this and make sure you write your questions down. I think it's really important to also reach out to council members and your close friends and let them know the amazing work that you've been doing, how resilient you've been throughout the last year-and-a-half, two years. But with that, I'm going to thank you guys. [01:26:30] Is Dave Ragland still there because I need your help with the last agenda item. Sure. I'm still here. Hi, Dave. Our last agenda item is the declaration of principles. I want to make this as quick as possible. But it was something that Eduardo had spoken about while you guys were here. I'm not sure if I said this to you, but currently we have a mission statement. [01:27:00] It says, "Who are we?" Our commission represents a collection of citizen activists from diverse backgrounds calling on the Iowa city community to account for their history of racialized depression. We are individuals who are committed to structural change, truth-telling, healing trauma, and repair. We share in common a vision for an equitable and sustainable community free of violence and systemic racism. We believe the time has come [01:27:30] to foster change. Our mission. The Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is committed to implementing and sustaining grassroots community centered truth-telling processes to address past and present instances of both direct and indirect actions of violence, discrimination, and racism in Iowa City. We will collect testimony from a variety of institutions, including but not limited to schools, housing providers, government officials, health care, banking [01:28:00] institutions, and law enforcement. I was hoping that you would be able to do a quick synopsis of what Eduardo had talked about in regards to a declaration of principles. If this was like something you thought that was similar. I think that's helpful, I do. The declaration [01:28:30] of our principles or intent essentially shares as an outward statement to the community, what is the focus of your process of the truth-telling that's going to happen in your community. It serves as a way to encapsulate and share the focus. Some of the values that are important [01:29:00] as you all are doing this process, it sounds to me like that statement is headed in that direction and I love to spend some more time looking at it. I can share some other examples of what other communities have done as well. Yeah, I would love that. You can email those examples directly to Stefanie and then Stefanie can get them sent out to all of us. I want you guys to think about that, be on the lookout [01:29:30] for that email and also see Google yourself what declarations of principles are like. I feel really great about today's meeting. We can talk about the tasks for outreach later. I pretty much said it at the end of the talk about the facilitator proposal. Is there any announcements that commission's members or staff want to make? [01:30:00] I was just going to make a quick one that when the Excel sheet was shared to a PDF that lost the other pages, so I apologize for that and I will get that corrected and archived with the packet so that anyone who wants to see the full Excel document will be able to do so if they just click on the link to the packet. Don't let it happen again Stefanie. [LAUGHTER] [inaudible 01:30:28] I see Mohamed's [01:30:30] hand up here. Mohamed, go ahead. Just wanted to clarify one piece about the new story from last week about my resignation. There's a line in there about how I said that racial injustice wasn't main focus of mine. I just wanted to clarify that statement. I don't believe it was indirect quotes. But if that is what I'd said, that's not what I had actually meant. It was more of that it isn't my only focus [01:31:00] and that I have many things that I have on my mind and many things that I'm doing. I just want to make sure that that is misconstrued and on the record. Additionally, I just wanted to say that Commissioner Cliff Johnson is bringing back a state boxing tournament it to Iowa. We're holding that in October. I think it'd be something really great to get some support out there for us. Just saying it early now, as it's further out and football season and [01:31:30] things get in the way, but just want to get the word out about that now to keep that going and hopefully grow it even more over time. With that, I yield the floor. I appreciate that. [LAUGHTER] I am coordinating a four-part series for the University of Iowa Department of Psychiatry since our second Daniel mental health equity Grand Round series. It'll be live on Zoom on Tuesdays in August. I can make sure that [01:32:00] the commissioners have the link in the schedule for that. You're more than welcome to join as community members. If you're not able to make it during the times then most of the recordings will be available online afterwards. Look out for another communication from me about that. I just want to say that in two weeks, there are going to be a couple of events. One is our national night out events that a lot of organizations are collaborating on for the southeast side of Iowa City. [01:32:30] It's going to be humungous. If you don't know about what national night out is, it is to encourage a local emergency services to engage with the public and as what we're tasked for our commission, I think it's very fitting that we just go out and support and get people to engage with each other. That is going to be on August 2nd over, whether it be parked from 6-8. Then my organization is doing something similar, but [01:33:00] it's a back-to-school bash when we're giving out backpacks to at least 200 kids over on the other side of town on August 4th from 4:30 to 6:30, at the pheasant rich neighborhood center. Then on a side note and personal note, I am going to be in a new musical coming up. I want to invite everyone out because there's not a lot of representation from people of color that go in and enjoy the arts. It's Little Shop of Horrors. It's going to be in September. I'll get the dates at another meeting. [01:33:30] I yield. I have one announcement. Last Saturday was the national rollout of 988. If you don't know what that is, 988 is the new crisis hotline number. If you remember the suicide hotline is a really long 800 number. Now it's 988. You are immediately [01:34:00] directed to a crisis counselor who is able to talk to you about some of the things that you're dealing with, as well as like assess and make a care plan. Along with being able to call, you can also text 988, which is really incredible. I know that Johnson County and the city and the non-profit that I worked for, we are trying [01:34:30] to get training facilitated for our 911 operators to help divert those calls and train them. Which calls are 988 appropriate rather than having a police response right away. I'm really proud of it. There's been a lot of misconstrued news about it going out. Less than two percent of calls require law enforcement. The only time that we are ever [01:35:00] trained to call law enforcement is when someone is actively doing something. Most of our calls, I don't remember the exact quote, so if I don't get it right, please feel free to correct me. I want to sail around the 80 percentile. The crisis has been averted within 20 minutes of talking to a crisis counselor. It's available for anyone. I would encourage you to just tell everyone you know [01:35:30] about it. Because this is something that's really cool. The non-profit I worked for is one of two locations in the entire state that is doing the phone lines. I feel really proud to be a part of this progress. I yield to the floor. You said is 988? Yes. It's okay. That's something that's extremely resource we need. Yeah. If there's no other commissioner announcement. I just wanted to say that Nisaa [01:36:00] African family services that I coordinate in the Eastern Iowa continues outreaching in Eastern Iowa so that people continue knowing that there is an African cultural specific organization for survivors of sexual violences. For the beginning of fall, we will be at the U of [01:36:30] I outreaching so that people can know that if you're working with people who identify as African and they need a referral or they need an organization to work with, Nisaa is there. This is in August. We are outreaching as soon as they call U of I starts their 22/23 academic year and Kirkwood in [01:37:00] lean in Cedar Rapids has been very good to offer as an office for the next six months. Every Thursday from 1 to 7 PM will be sitting there and working with clients who may not have transport or any of our partners who will be sitting there. Every Thursday 1 to 07:00 PM for the fall semester. This Saturday, [01:37:30] the Johnson County Human Trafficking coalition is having an outreach event at the Ped mall. Nisaa is going to have a table for outreach and talking about our services and what we do. This is very close to my heart, my being an African and an immigrant in Iowa City, and knowing that we have [01:38:00] a high population of Africans in our city and Johnson County and Eastern Iowa yet very unseen. It's a passion of mine to do what I am able to do and what I qualified to do to make these populations seen. Thank you. I feel like I need to [LAUGHTER] make [01:38:30] an announcement. It's going to be very warm this weekend. Please make sure you don't leave your kids outside, don't leave them in the cars, unintended. Same with your pets. Also please take care of yourselves and each other and make sure you're not getting lost in your activities and suffering heat stroke. Please be safe, everyone. Drink water. Motion to adjourn. Second.