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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRC 2022-08-04 transcript[00:00:00] [MUSIC] Uh, we'll go into reading of the land acknowledgment. I'll go ahead and read that. It says 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 Muskogee in stock. Because history is complex and time goes far beyond memory, we also acknowledged the ancient [00:00:30] connections of many other indigenous peoples here. The history of Broken Treaties and forced removal that dispossessed indigenous peoples of their homelands was and isn't active colonization, genocide and we cannot erase. We- we implore the Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we work together toward equity restoration and res- reparations. Now, we'll move to the approval of the meeting. Minutes from July 21st. [00:01:00] Motion to approve. Seconded. Yes. Commissioner Dillard? Yes. Commissioner Gathua? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Harris? Yes. Commissioner Rivera? Yes. Motion passes 60. Uh, we will now move to public comment of items [00:01:30] not on the agenda. First, we'll start with ah, people on Zoom. You could just raise your hand Felicia. Felicia. Hi, can you hear me? Yes. Hi. Thank you. Uh, Felicia Pieper I live in Iowa City. Uh, I want to briefly comment on the current events regarding the discussion of resignation chair Ali, I think you all on the commission do really good, difficult work and I don't really want to belabor the issue [00:02:00] or implied at this pickup-I think I'll present the Item 8. Yeah. Yeah. So that is on the agenda. Oh, okay. Sorry. Thank you. Anyone else from Zoom who would like to jump in? I think there's another person somewhere. Noah. Hello. [00:02:30] Hi. Can you all hear me? Yes. Yes. Okay. Ah, so the leadership thing with them outlets on the agenda later, right? Yes. Okay. So I actually something else to talk about today. Uh, just briefly. Uh, so, um, I'm sitting McDowell technically still new employee of ICF, the fire department, Iowa City, filed a lawsuit today describing a deeply [00:03:00] racist, homophobic, transphobic fire department. I'm just like no fill or wherever just encourage you all to read that uh, complaint was filed today and the city uh, completely did not take that seriously. She filed complaints and they told her that I could start investigation. They didn't even have hired investigator until 44 days after her complaint. They said that I would take awhile and they [00:03:30] didn't do any steps to investigate that for well over a month. Uh, they have done nothing supportive, and she has essentially been forced out of work, you see is not- is not safe for her to return to work because the city chose to keep the racist, keep the sexist, keep the homophobic on the forest, allow them in one. Rachel Kilbourne, like when- when uh, McDougall gave the complaint. So what do you want us to do? Fire these people [00:04:00] as if that's somehow ridiculous. Fire hateful, unsafe people from the fire department. I guess I just wanted to make sure let you all know how shitty the fire department is. Sue, just like the police department. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else on Zoom? Okay. We'll move to the public in the room. Was there someone else on Zoom? [00:04:30] We'll move to the public ah, comments in the room. Okay. If not, then we'll move on to our first agenda item, which is- Just go to the podium. Yes. And state your name. Hi. My name's Ned. Um, I'm just- point of order, I was wondering if we could increase accessibility for these meetings past and present by assigning someone. Possibly paying them to [00:05:00] create a transcript of the actual meetings and not just the agenda and not just the minutes, but the actual who said what and who responded in what way? Um, I know that you can see the YouTube videos, but they're very, very difficult to sit through. Even if you can actually hear and read. Um, I asked somebody on Facebook group and they were able to do it quite easily with [00:05:30] an app. I'm not techie like that, but just for example, I couldn't understand what Noah was saying and I'm sure that no one could understand it from a recording. So that's just a request. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else from the public that would like to comment? Okay. We will move on to Item 6. It says follow up on joint work session with the City Council. Um, first we open to public comment. [00:06:00] Anyone want to comment on the work session on Zoom? Okay. Um, in the public? Okay. Commissioners, ah, do we want to talk about this item right now? Is ah, is V here on the- on the Zoom? Yes. What about Larry? [00:06:30] Yes. Yeah. Can you all hear me? Yes. We can hear you, Larry. Hello. This is V. Hi V. Hello. Then any in person. Now we see any in the audience. Is there anyone on from Think Piece? Okay. [00:07:00] This is Commissioner Rivera. Um, I- I guess my initial question is um, for ah, those who drafted the proposal to be our facilitators. If there are any updates to to present yet or- or if we're waiting on a little bit more time? Yeah. Uh, thank you commissioners. UH, we- we have met earlier today ah, with currents and West and [00:07:30] our local team. Uh, and there were some people in transit, so we didn't really connect, but wanted to say that felt like we had a lot of positive feedback. Uh, we've taken notes and have already started ah, another draft that includes some of the items that council had indicated in terms of just creating some clarity around what types of facilitation and who is doing what, where. Um, [00:08:00] and being a little bit more explicit about the community involvement um, and the coordinator position. Turning that into more of a full-time thing. And also just wanted to say ah, that we would- we will reach out to Stephanie and talk a little bit more about that position given that we just recommended that it'd be created in her department, but obviously need ah, some time to talk with her about that. And really, I think overall [00:08:30] just felt like it was a positive meeting. We have notes that we're working on. Um, we've started a draft and um, feel like we can come back with something that is what the count like, a little bit clear distinctions with the council. Uh, and then based on some of the feedback that we've had from you all kinds in West has kind of gone through as well. And ah, we've modified it a little bit to see like how do we make a little bit more local [00:09:00] components, particularly around the fact-finding. So appreciate the work that they've done in doing that and also um, just reducing their footprint a little bit so that we can have more local representation. Uh, those have been really great conversations and always appreciate Larry and his team helping us think through that. Uh, but yeah, we don't have necessarily something to provide you. That was only 2430 hours ago. Ah, but [00:09:30] we are- we're already working on it, I guess is what I would say. And I'm happy to have others jump in. This is Larry, I'll appreciate everything you've shared there and the commissioners. The only thing I would add is that it was very important to cones in the West to be responsive to all of you all gave them the city council. And so as we indicated, we are in a place now where the budget want [00:10:00] to move forward as we have revised it. Current and West overall portion of that budget would be less um, cover a variety of reasons. We've just been able to make some modifications that make that so. And we also want to be clear that we see themselves in a specific way, so to speak of this process No, we can't hear you. It's cutting out, Larry. [00:10:30] I'm very sorry about that. How about now, any better now? That it's better. So, okay. I'll just speak up a little bit. I was just saying that we understand that the primary lane we're going to be occupying is on the fact-finding for line. And so we've [inaudible 00:10:45]. It sounds like you're going into a tunnel a little bit. Sorry. Sorry. Let me- um, let me reconnect. I'll be right back. Thank you. [00:11:00] Yes. Go ahead. Yeah- yeah, we'll wait Larry reconnect. [00:11:30] He's back. Larry, can you hear us? I can hear you. Can you all hear me? Yes. Yes. I really apologize, I don't know why there was, um, an issue there. Um, but just to summarize, you know, we- we feel strongly that- that we want to play a supporting role here and so I think we've re-calibrated things but anteriorly and- and, you know, process was to make sure that the driving forces are local, that we're supporting chiefly the fact [00:12:00] finding peace and available to support throughout, but focused on that fact finding piece. I- I'll leave it there for now, thanks. [NOISE] Thank you. Annie. And I guess we'd want to say that if you have [NOISE] other specific things that you've been thinking about since that meeting, that you would want us to be thinking about or be sure to integrate or clarify, we're definitely open to that. So we [00:12:30] have the list, we took notes of what- what everyone said, we've begun changing things, but we're open to hearing what you have to say and we realized that there's a short timeline and we'd be aiming for the next meeting. Thank you for that clarification. Um, I do want to add for me. Um, so a few months ago we did make a list of community partners, organizations that we reached out to, to see if they're interested in working with the Commission and based off what Council have said on Tuesday and also [00:13:00] other conversations with them, I think it'd be helpful if we thought about lists out of- out of that docket. I think it was about 40 organizations or so that we could look into reaching out to and seeing if there's a space for them within the proposal or immediately to reach out to afterwards to work directly with local partners. Um, I can go dig that spot up again, I can't remember the exact meeting, but I think there were like two or three agendas therein. Yeah, we definitely welcome [00:13:30] that, in fact, this is part of our conversation. It's always been a part of our conversation but more recently when Council asked about more community involvement, um, there's always- it's a more end in our perspective, and so we're just- there's always been a place in the budget for community partners. But yeah, we would love to have, you know, some explicit organizations and groups that you all were thinking of. Obviously, we have our own connections and I'm sure there's some overlap there, but, uh, just wanted to let you know that that is- uh, it's a [00:14:00] budget item as well. So oftentimes those things kind of get lost and we just want to be at the forefront. So we'll call that out a little bit more as well just to make sure that everybody is kind of clear on that point, but would very much so welcome that list. Thank you. I- I think I have that list. So I will try to get that to you V after this meeting. All right. Thank you. Does anyone else have any other comments on this agenda item? [00:14:30] I just wanted to add that on that list when, uh, as commissioners, we reached out to the various com- organizations in the community. Uh, we did report the- in the following meetings, uh, many of them that were willing, actually, most of them that we approached they give, uh, positive answer to work with the TFC. [00:15:00] So yeah, and we still have that, that QC even the- it's minuted yeah. Thank you. High yield. Okay. If no one else has any other comment, we'll move on to item number 7. Whilst here see commissioners can support one another. We can open this up to public comments. Anyone on Zoom, uh, that would like to go first? Anyone in the, [00:15:30] um, audience here that would like to comment on this agenda item? Okay. Then we'll move to commissioners. Um, so I requested to include this on, um the agenda today just because I think that it's worth having open- the open honest conversation, um, with one another about how best we can support one another. Um, I would like to start by saying that my care for this community is immense and that my care [00:16:00] for each of you, is genuine. This has been a really tough several days, um, I don't think any of us will walk out of here feeling that our current situation is fully resolved. Um, and I think I want us to be okay with that. My hope for any conversation is that we speak with compassion and listen with our guards down and we work together to find the best path forward for each of us individually [00:16:30] and as a group and that we model what we hope to bring to our community. As I've been processing the events of the past week, has been- as I've been having conversations with commissioners, councilors, and community members the thought that's kept coming to mind is what does, in this mess of a situation we find ourselves in restorative justice look like. I'll admit that it's still not natural for me to think along the principles of restorative justice. [00:17:00] Um, what's more natural for me is to ask the old questions. What rules were violated, who's really at fault, how can we make sure that this person gets what they deserve. These questions by the societal standards we've all lived in, I think are reasonable questions. The problem is that these questions don't really repair things and they have a bad track record for actually preventing future harms from occurring. As [00:17:30] a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it's essential to proceed as best as we can in adhering to restorative justice principles, which are; focus on the harm and the consequent needs of those harmed, first of all, but also on those of the community and of those causing harm. Address the obligations that result from those harms, including the obligations of the offending persons as well as those of the community and society. [00:18:00] Use inclusive and collaborative processes. Involve those with legitimate stake in this situation, including those victimized, those offending community members and society, and seek to repair the harm and put right the wrongs to the extent possible. Underlying these prin- principles, we must begin with the baseline of respect for everyone involved. I want to acknowledge the complexity of our situation, [00:18:30] I don't think that we can honestly say there's a specific singular person who has caused harm or a singular person who has been the victim of it and that's to be expected. Harm causes harm, and in this community there are underlying systemic causes that contribute to the divisions that exist and those causes are what our commission, if successful, can try to discover and address. I think the least helpful question is, who started all of this. [00:19:00] Bringing it back to restorative justice are questions ought to be who has been harmed, what are their needs, whose obligation is it to address these needs, who has at stake in this situation, what are the underlying causes of the harm that's been done, what's the appropriate process to involve stakeholders in an effort to put things right and address these causes. I think we'll all know that we've done the process right when we can [00:19:30] say that the victims come out of this situation satisfied, that offenders understand and take accountability for the harm they've caused, that the outcome has helped repair the harm is done, by addressing the reasons for the offenses, and the victims and offenders gain a sense of closure and both are reintegrated into the community. But I hope, um, to leave with here tonight is to hear what our needs are, and for us to set up some way to involve those [00:20:00] in the community who have been harmed in our process, so that we can move forward. I'm confident that we can't know what the right answer to all of this is before we do that, reach out to the community and hear their needs, but I do think with these principles as our North Star, we are doing the best for our community and for one another. Thanks. Before I go, does anyone else have anything? Go ahead. [00:20:30] I'll [inaudible 00:20:30] not yet. All right in terms of ways that TRC commissioners can support one another. I think one thing we can really prioritize is more honesty with one another. But more honesty not just in how we're feeling in certain moments, or if we disagree with something someone said or a decision they made, but also honesty in how we feel this position puts us as a commission. Not just today, [00:21:00] not just next week, not next month, but at the end of it all. The biggest concern for me right now, if we're not honest with each other on where we feel this puts us, is that it may invalidate all of the work regardless of how successful it is. There is nothing more a detractor loves than to point at key mistakes [00:21:30] or key issues and key points of societal strife. And for me, if we're not honest with each other on how this is affected everybody involved, I think we're doomed. So I know in the next agenda item we'll be addressing it further, but yeah, this is flipped my entire [00:22:00] last week. There's not been more than 30 minutes for the last seven days that this topic has not been on my mind. And what doesn't help in terms of feeling supported is that I can't even access the full audio to really learn for myself what happened. All I can rely on is what I hear from person and after person-after person-after person. And I say it that way because we're now to the point where my younger sisters [00:22:30] we've only- wants to talk to me about the commission since it started, and it was in the month that we began, even have their own friends texting them and asking them about what's going on. So for ways to support one another, I- I really don't know. Uh, there's- there's a lot- a lot that we need to figure out in terms of these actual tapes, if there's some way [00:23:00] that we can hear these things. Because if not, we're left in a position where we're trying to answer for or make decisions on things that we don't have any complete take on. It's like it's hard to defend or say something against a recorded podcast when I can't even say, Oh, I know that that's real or I know that that's not real. I only have one section to go off of. [00:23:30] So I just hope that if anyone on this commission, either here, or on Zoom, or that couldn't make it has a problem with someone else on the commission or someone else on the community, I think we can best support each other by first remembering, it's likely best to just go to that person first and let them know, and try to work it out. And if they're not willing, how to get to a third party that can maybe mediate it. But the whole [00:24:00] infighting and going to other routes, I'm not blaming anyone specifically right now, I'm just saying for me, the- the route I'm saying we take going forward is that we're first honest with that individual person before we potentially jeopardize more of the mission, and with that I hope. Cliff you wanted to say something? I also- all right. Where [00:24:30] is the TRC commissioners can support one another? You to put your microphone a little closer. First, I would say a better level of professionalism. I am not used to I'll say nicknames and fun stuff all the time when we're dealing with serious matters and business. I feel like that is a first wrong step and wrong direction that we're going and when we are taking [00:25:00] this too lightly. Now, not that we're saying- I'm saying that we're and taking everything completely lightly and a lot of- a lot of hard work isn't done, what I'm saying is, this is how we end up in these situations, is if we're playing too much and I don't appreciate that play because I feel like it's dangerous to the cause. Also, ways TRC commissioners can support one another is be here. Right now we have a lot going on and [00:25:30] I don't like the dirt from the bottom of the water to get all messed up by a situation only to now avoid it. I find that to be unprofessional as well. And I think that is exactly how we constantly keep having roadblocks put in front of us. It's not a one-person show, it's not an anybody's show, it as a commission that we all volunteered for. If it's too hard, too difficult, or anything else along those lines, then I guess maybe we need to ask [00:26:00] for even more help or another way of going about things. But if we volunteer for a position, it is important to be here for that position. It is important to take that position seriously, and is important to not attack each other. Period. We might all disagree, we might all have different opinions in every way, shape, and form, but at the end of the day, our goal is to build bridges, not burn them. And we need to make sure that we are working together towards [00:26:30] the common goal. I do not want to look silly in front of the rest of the world because we can't- I mean, it goes back to just be professional. That's all. We have too much riding on this, too many other people have stepped before us and made sacrifices for us to be in this position to take it kind of lightly. It's upsetting me because I don't- I'm not a complainer, [00:27:00] but I've dealt with my own personal issues with being honest commission outside of this commission. And I don't appreciate the hard work effort, my family, my business, or anything else along those lines being taken so lightly that it doesn't seem to matter very much. It's just like, oh, well- well- well now. I- I don't accept that at all. And I feel like going back to the beginning, if we just have a better level of professionalism for each [00:27:30] other, we can do a lot better. And we have a responsibility right now to do a lot better and not to give every rock to anybody to throw at us any longer. We have too much going for us. And I have respect for all of you on here. I told you when I first got on his commission. I- I stepped on because I thought, "Wow, look at them, you know. They're really putting it out there and you know they say they need help, so [00:28:00] volunteer up." Didn't ask for money, go back review, didn't ask for anything other than what do you need me to do, that's it. Now, if people are overwhelmed, I've still said every time, what do you need me to do? Do you need a location to talk? Do you need anything? I've heard nothing- hardly anything. But then I get- I feel like thrown under the bus in certain situations. I don't like what was in the paper at [00:28:30] all. Uh, I- I feel like the wording of it in the paper was, uh, kind of like it just didn't- it wasn't genuine, it wasn't real. And I don't appreciate that at all. I would like us to make better choices for the future on our leadership, which I know is coming up next. And I would like us to work towards the goals that we're here for and that's it. [00:29:00] I feel like that will help us get rid of any extra animosities or anything like that, stop taking things so personally, even though it is personal to a degree, we all have been suffering and have dealt with hurt, pain, and so on and so forth, but we have a job to do and we got to take it serious. When we don't, well, we play stupid games, we win stupid prizes, that's how I see it. So with that, you. [00:29:30] I'll take the floor. This is Commissioner Wangui. And what can we do to support each other? And some of it will be piggybacking on what my fellow commissioners have said. One, I appreciate all of you my fellow [00:30:00] commissioners. I've been working with you for more than a year. Somebody said respect. We continue respecting each other. I wasn't able to attend the session that was- uh, that has brought [00:30:30] us to this point. But, uh, I got to learn what has developed. And the main thing- one of the main things that has come out of that is some lack of respect. Then the other word that I heard from you [00:31:00] Commissioner Rivera is being genuine and authentic as we do this work. So that is also something else we continue going with, and the- having conflict among ourself at the commission- the commission members [00:31:30] is not a surprise. And- er, but remember, these because I'm one of the three commissioners who went through the course by, think Bs. And thank you very much the City of Iowa City for paying for that course. We went through the history because all of us here have never been in a TRC. So [00:32:00] we went through the history of TRC. Not just in the US but around the world. One of them being from my own country of Kenya after the political violence of 2007. As we went through all that, it reminded me in Iowa City right now in 2022, what we are all struggling with, the TRC just happens to be [00:32:30] the human face, the lead of what we're struggling with in Iowa City, which began a long time ago. Ratio oppression, through colonization and slavery. So that reminded me other have struggled with this. And conflict even among the leading face were there. And even when, uh, [00:33:00] some a few weeks back, when Eduardo Gonzalez and David La- Ragland, when they came and- and they visited Iowa City and they were sharing their experiences of working and leading TRCs and facilitating one of the questions I asked them, uh, how do the commissioners themselves or the members of [00:33:30] the task forces, that, how do they resolve the conflicts? Because, um, maybe I missed during my course or even as I continue reading on TRCs and task forces on struggling with racial injustice and oppression. I'm still struggling with that answer. How do they resolve conflict within themselves? [00:34:00] Because- and then here we are- before I could have the answer, here we are, with a major concern with ourselves and thinking and discussing, how do we move forward with that? So again, what I've said in very many words, conflicts are there, have been there as people [00:34:30] struggle with ratio oppression. So and as we continue with this work, it's still going to be there, but I'd say one, respect fellow commissioners. And we've had a lot of that most of the time. And we can agree to continue respecting each other and [00:35:00] to be alert and aware. Keep on checking ourselves. As they opened my mouth, is it there? Or as they move about my community, am I doing that? Because if I do not do that, rifo- ripple effects will happen in our community. Commissioner Traore, you shared about your- about your sister we having those ripple [00:35:30] effect? I'm having my son too and a lot of other people asking, what- what's happening to you guys, what are you doing? And then being authentic and being able when we have conflicts to be more like one of us has said, start with ourselves and try unresolved before we open something that we [00:36:00] struggled to close. The other thing I would add, this is not piggybacking on any of the other remarks is, try not because within these current concern, we have triangulation. We have some within us just having [00:36:30] some people not knowing some things that are going on and it's deliberate. So as we move forward not to have that because it just comes to- come back- comes back to us negatively. Uh, those are some of the- [00:37:00] then the other thing is our lead, our chair, and vice chair continuing to move as on the same page as much as that is possible. And as the TRC, just because [00:37:30] the sum total of us the stronger than just one of us at a time. So for a- for a few months, we have been missing that. And I'm not seeing anything that is not visible to anyone who has been present in our meetings because they are public or even going through the videos, but I also remember that it's also challenging because somebody has [00:38:00] suggested that there be a transcript. So when we are not on the same page and when, and sometimes- and we also see some of us when we missed something, which may have been deliberately done. So yeah, that's the other suggestion I want for us as we move- to move to be- to try [00:38:30] as much as possible to be on one page, I will yield. Uh, this is Commissioner Dillard. Um, the first thing that I was thinking about listening to all my fellow commissioners is that, one, we- we owe ourselves a moment to collectively breathe and realize that anything worth doing is going to be hard. And also, remember that what we're doing is hard work. It's historical work. [00:39:00] It's something that's never do- been done in this area. Um, so ways we can support ourselves is just remembering, reminding ourselves this and how important it is that we- what we're trying to do for the community is, um, I say this as a person who joined this commission, who I really wanted to give people that I work with every single day an opportunity to speak about their truths because it is important, which is why I remain on this commission. Um, I've heard respect. [00:39:30] Respect is very important. Professionalism, very important. And I think trust, we need to be able to trust each other. It's okay if we disagree in certain ways as long as we are respectable, as long as we are, uh, giving each other an opportunity to have their own words and be able to- be able to talk. And building upon that trust, we all walk out of this room into our own lives every other week. And then we come together for this [00:40:00] work, uh, which is very important. It's historical. So I think if we can all collectively remember that and to just breathe, I'm saying that for myself, that's how we can care for each other. Would anyone else like to speak? Only other thing I would like to add is I agree with the transcripts. I think that's- that it's a great idea. I also want to add [00:40:30] also, as we work with the Iowa City communities, something else I was reminded of as I went through those courses, is that conflict as we fight ratio opp- oppression with- even among the communities in Iowa City, it has been there with the- with all those TRCs that are [00:41:00] going on elsewhere in and out of the US. So, uh, just to remind myself that when they happen, even with the communities and the various groups in our city, not to get surprised that they happen, but also to- but also remember that even when it's happening it's painful because you're fighting conflict within- among yourselves and among the communities [00:41:30] even those who are fighting oppression or who are oppressed. And at the same time we're also trying to- yes, just to remember and reminding myself that as I move on and as I work the conflicts are going to be there. It's not that I'm going to cause them, but they are going to be there and the important thing is how to navigate even those [00:42:00] conflicts within the various groups. I yield. If there's nothing else, we can move on to item number 7, waste- I mean, item number 8. TRC leadership and, um, we'll start with public comment on Zoom. So if you would like to raise your hand, we'll go ahead and call on you. Looks like Felicia. Hi. Thank you. [00:42:30] Felicia Pieper, Iowa City. I am- I wanted to comment on, um, the discussion of the resignation of Chair Ali. I think you all are doing really good and difficult work and I don't want to belabor the issue, um, but I did feel compelled to comment and contextualize what we're seeing play out. This ongoing pattern of division tends to get characterized as an inter-generational divide among black community members. A more accurate character- characterization would be a battle between, um, prioritizing punishment and control [00:43:00] over truth and healing. The struggle between punishment and healing seems to be suspended at this level of politics and civic engagement, but it's really at the root of, um, harm that gets replicated at every level of our community. I truly wholeheartedly and maybe naively sometimes believe in the power of healing through truth and reconciliation, and I know that you all do too and that's why you're here. Um, if I've learned anything from my own involvement in transformative justice and restorative justice processes and activism spaces, [00:43:30] is the issues that seem like a burden and a distraction, the issues that keep coming up over and over that we don't seem to have a good solution for, are the issues most important to tackle. It's not the TRC's responsibility to mediate and resolve this conflict that we're seeing play out, but I do want to invite commissioners and the public to reflect on and keep thinking about the current situation, which is the most recent iteration in a- of a pattern of black activism in our community. I'm keenly aware that black people are more- are consistently overburdened with solving societal [00:44:00] issues that we didn't cause in the first place. I guess I just like to open an invitation to shift the narrative of what we're seeing play out over and over and over again and stand up and be brave enough to take on the issue. Whatever the outcome is with Chair Ali's war on the commission, this is a core issue that's not going away and it's going to just get passed along to the next cohort. I'd also just like to, um, say that I appreciate Commissioner Rivera's comments and specifically their honesty and bravery to say that the principles [00:44:30] of restorative justice don't come naturally, but that they're trying. I think that we're seeing a division in how we're talking about this issue come down to either people who are committed to fumbling through a transformative justice process and people that are willing to just fall on respectability politics. I also don't think it's appropriate to talk about this without Chair Ali present, and that she needs space to process this right now. The sense of urgency is a tentative white supremacy and healing takes time. Thank you. [00:45:00] Thank you. Excuse me. Can I just do a point of order? Um, is that okay? All right. So just-. I'm- I'm sorry. I- what are you asking? I'm asking- well, a point of order is my understanding of, like this is not related to the discussion but the process of the- the meeting. So that's a point of order. Can I do that? You are asking if this- what- the- was this discuss is related to the meeting? No. I am- [LAUGHTER] sorry, [00:45:30] I apologize. I'm just- I'm making a request in order to facilitate the whole agenda of the meeting that in actuality we have a synopsis of what is being discussed before we open the discussion because anyone who hasn't been to every single TRC meeting has no idea what's going on. And there's just really no way for anyone to try and do [00:46:00] background research. Like this discussion means nothing to somebody who has not been given the details. I'm wondering if somebody could please summarize what is being discussed before we discuss it. Okay. So that's the point of order. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you for that. Um, is it okay if I do that? Yes, please. I'm going to give as much background as I can based off of what I can actually confirm and know. Um, essentially there have been many disagreements over the history of the TRC [00:46:30] on things such as leadership. Um, as supervisor Porter is here today, we had a situation last year where we had a vote where we removed supervisor Porter's chair, but prior to that removal, she resigned. And that was the process in which I became chair and then commissioner Ali became vice chair. Since then we have still had some times where we have butted heads with groups in the community on how we run, [00:47:00] etc. But what we're discussing now is the question of leadership coming up again, but also in the sense of how leadership should be acting in the public, because of a podcast or two episodes of a podcast that came out in June. They're behind a paywall on Patreon, just like Rock Hard Caucus. So a member the community delivered said podcast episode to the home of, uh, Supervisor Porter, not sure who [00:47:30] did it, uh, but from there, more people found out as well about the same podcast. And in it the current chair of the TRC, Amel Ali is known to have said in a snippet, at least that I've heard, things disparaging members of the communities such as Supervisor Porter, but also other members of the community such as Mr. Townsend. And apparently there are more people named, [00:48:00] possibly, uh, members of the commission itself, but again, I cannot confirm all details. So I'm not going to say that everything happened other than what I know of the references to the two individuals sitting here. And the other issue with learning more is apparently these episodes are deleted. So it's very hard to recover the audio. And we're all in the dark and trying to learn more. That's my take on it. [00:48:30] Um, and to continue on that, um, it has been suggested that, um, our chair, um, be- be removed from her position and that is what we are- have been talking about in this, um- during this meeting. So, um, to continue, is there anyone else on, um, the Zoom that would like to comment in the public? Please raise your hand. [00:49:00] Okay. We can move to everyone here in this room. Oh, Noah, go ahead. Okay. Um, you can hear me, right? Yes. Okay, I just wanted to make sure. Uh, sorry. Um, don't really have a whole lot to say. Just that, uh, I wanted to encourage you all to [00:49:30] try your hardest to stick with, um, restorative justice and as Commissioner Rivera pointed out that this- that can be difficult and I just want to encourage you to stick with that. And I just want to like to, uh, second, uh, Felicia's point that to not make any final determinations on anything regarding Amel [00:50:00] without her present and to give her that space to process things. That- that's all. Thank you. Thank you, Noah. Anyone else on Zoom that would like to make a pub- public comment? Okay, now we can move to everyone in this room. Is there anyone here that would like to make a public comment? [00:50:30] Hello, my name is T'Shailyn Harrington Orville resident, I guess. [LAUGHTER] I want to first start by saying that I believe in the TRC, in the work that can be done and at its core, it's mission of healing and tackling issues. [00:51:00] At its core, I- I believe in this work and it's- and its power to make change. But with strife, that's nearly impossible, if not at all. When I served on the commission, I was so eager to get my hands dirty and put in that work to- to tackle issues, to talk to different groups of people and just uncover [00:51:30] things and work with different communities to- to make change. Right? But time and time again distractions got in the away. Interpersonal conflict made hurdles nearly impossible to avoid. Um, and for me, what it comes down to is, at its essence, [00:52:00] respect. Everyone here and in- and in your discussions about how you can both accu- can all support one another, it w- baseline was respect, respect one another. Um, with just plain respect, mutual respect anything can be done like work can be productive. But when- [00:52:30] when you- it's harder to hear someone say something, even though it might be true, even though their argument might be right, it is harder to hear someone when their tone is nasty. Or the comments that they make are rude and offensive, you know. It's really hard to hear someone when that- when that takes place. During my time on the commission [00:53:00] it wa- it was a tough time, [LAUGHTER] a rocky start. I was chair for a few minutes, seven at most, right? Before a vote took place to take me off of leadership. What precedent did that set? I didn't do anything in those seven minutes that I was chair nor in the months that I was vice chair, right? So for the actions [00:53:30] of your current chair to be so vile, to be so nasty and disrespectful, go- go- going back to that respect piece. Where does that vote come in at? Because the precedent has already been set, leadership needs to be addressed, but now it's- it's different when an apology comes forward. I never got an apology. I never got reached out from anybody. [00:54:00] The three people that are only council with the commission now that were when I was, I never around apology, I don't need one necessarily. But I just want that to be like thought off of the history of leadership and how it's been addressed on this commission. And understanding that work only gets done when mutual respect exists [00:54:30] and that when it comes time for you all to make your decision and it- and it doesn't have to be immediate, you know like quick action sometimes is necessary [LAUGHTER] but- but other times it it's- it's something to weigh. But when you weigh it, think of the repercussions of the words that were said and the disrespect for other individuals who've put it in great [00:55:00] work. And how Clifton, you- you've said it, like you got thrown under- under the bus with all of this. [LAUGHTER] You like it comes back to you and you- you are blind-sided by it all. So that's- that's all I wanted to share. I- I really from the start been gung ho about this work. And I think that you all can do it. But [00:55:30] having egotistical like mindsets of power struggle it really create hurdles for you all. And putting pride aside, knowing that a title doesn't matter if you're doing the work together it- it's fine. [LAUGHTER] You know, it's seven of you guys or eight, I don't know how to count right now but [LAUGHTER] but, er, it's enough of, to know you like to call each other out to- to be [00:56:00] honest like Traore said, be honest with one another about how you're feeling and understanding why some behaviors are not acceptable. And- and yeah, I don't want to ramble, so thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Billy Townson, 713 widened Avenue. There's a couple of things I wanted to address. [00:56:30] I was quiet at the last meeting, but after listening to several of you, I just wanted to make a few comments. I've been on commissions for- for quite a few years and we've done a lot of good work here in the community. Um, but with this issue, I think it's unfair for all of us to- all parties involved to talk about podcasts that no one has heard. You've heard snippets, but there're two podcasts that [00:57:00] every one on the comm- on the TRC commission should hear, and everyone on city council should hear. You cannot judge or make decision on hearsay. You need to hear them in their completeness. And I think only Amel can give permission to put those podcasts backup. So I recommend that you request that so you can make decisions based on what you hear and what's been said. Also, [00:57:30] er, it was mentioned at the council me- meeting by several people that it was unfair to take a vote to re- to remove, uh, Chair Ali. As T'Shailyn said, when you first started, it seems and is- if I'm recalling correctly, uh, Royceann Porter was chair. And then all of a sudden in a meeting she was voted out. Uh, the vice chair was voted out. And, er, there were I [00:58:00] think Traore you were then at the same meeting. So you've already set a precedent for removing chairs when you don't agree with what they're doing or the way they're doing it, okay? Um, Amel also mentioned Black Voices Project in her podcasts and also yesterday at the meeting. And she said yesterday that Black Voice is a 75 percent white. Well, this community is probably at least [00:58:30] 75 percent white. But Black Voices Project is not an elite group, it's an open committee. You're all welcome to attend the meetings. We take on any issue that's brought to us. And we try to bring in all the people that can help us solve it. And trust me, we do a lot of hard work in this community and we've- we've been doing it for years. What I would like to see happen, and I was really impressed with the way you've handled the first [00:59:00] part of this meeting, talking about how you can become a better commission. These are things that you need to do; you need to respect each other, you need to respect the people that you work with, you need to respect the people that have gone before you. Otherwise, you're not going to get anything done. And when you come in here, you should have nothing on your mind but the work of this commission. Thank you. [00:59:30] Good evening. I'm Marvel Townsend, ah no- notorious you probably hear my name in the podcast. But when I first heard that podcast, I'm a person, I'm big on communication. I personally don't [01:00:00] feel that there's no problem that cannot be solved if the people involved are willing to come together and communicate with honest- open, honest communication. So when I first heard the podcast and I'm listening to this young lady rake me over the calls and, you know, making say- and- and some of the statements were- were false. Like she's tired of hearing me talk about the whole stuff [01:00:30] about how hung out with Emmett Till and things like that, I- I- I- I- I don't know Emmett Till. The only thing I know about Emmett Till is here's a cocky young Northern Black that went South and they hung him, they brutalized him. That's all I know about Emmett Till. But how did I get in her podcast with that type of description, you know, [01:01:00] but my first thought was, maybe I need to contact this young lady and sit down and see if we can communicate and work this out. But in order to do that, when I started thinking, what is it that I've done to her that I need to take to her, because I'm ready- if I've done something to her, I'm ready to apologize. So that was my first thought, but then I became [01:01:30] puzzle because I realized I don't know this lady, I had no contact with her, she's had no contact with me. So the only reason that I'm in her podcast in that manner is vicious. There's no cause for it. Now, I will admit I've been here since 1962, I've been in Iowa City a long time and I've pissed a lot of people off and most of them were white [01:02:00] because when I first came here, we weren't welcome, but now we have a black community and- and- and I'm seeing things that make me feel good. I look at this commission, this makes me feel good because it means that I will see this going to the place where it's willing to put a commission together, a minorities and let them have a say-so in how they're going to be treated and what their expectations [01:02:30] are. I thought that was great. You guys ha- have a lot of power, but I want to get back to the fact, I still don't understand why this young lady chose to attack me. And I guess the bigger question is, when Iowa City appoint individuals to commissions and committees, I think they do so with the expectation [01:03:00] that those individuals are going to be objective, fair, professional, and be very respectful of law and each other. So I guess my concern would be if we allowed- if we continue to allow an individual who has openly attacked citizens for no reason at all to continue [01:03:30] on this committee, what message are you sending? Because I think the trust that the city and the citizens are putting in you as a commission is that you are going to be strong, help you- if necessary, you supposed to stand up to the city to protect me. I think you have that power, [01:04:00] but for God's sake, don't flush it down the drain. I know you got certain feelings about this and I know it's difficult to- you know, actually we say, throw one of you peers under the bus, but this is not about throwing one of your peers under a bus. This is about one of your peers making an individual choice that was out of line, it was disrespectful, it has nothing to do with any goal [01:04:30] that the city or any commission would expect. You have the power to set a pace, and I'm hoping that you would want this commission to be known not only for integrity, but also to be known as a commission. And if individuals are going to be- are going to be a part of this commission, then they should be willing to [01:05:00] be respectful to work for the citizens of Iowa City. And also, basically to make sure that they don't- that their personal feelings especially if they're going to do something that is very, very disrespectful and very, very vicious that that type of attitude or behavior that they should understand that it's not accepted. So if you don't react [01:05:30] to that, then maybe you're saying the message you're sending is that if you don't react to it, then maybe you sending a message that you accept it. You have an opportunity, you know, I hope you will take advantage of it and as always as a citizen, if is any thing that I can do, I'm still here. Thank you. Thank you. Hi. I'm Angel. [01:06:00] I just wanted to add on that you guys make it seem as though this happened like two years ago. This just happened in June, June 5th and June 16th. So I just wanted to make sure that- that we noted that. Um, the issue that I want to address though is your commissioner, um, Daphne Daniels the incident that happened Tuesday, as I stated earlier in today's meeting, when Clifton and Mohamed [01:06:30] came out to approach Raisan- Actually- I'm sorry, that actually was part of the discussion in i- i- item- Does it already? Yeah, it was agenda item number 6 so unfortunately, I can't allow you to talk about this right now. Okay, okay. Well, me- okay. All right. Roy Sam Porter, Iowa City. [01:07:00] First of all, uh, Commissioner Rivera, I do want to thank you for starting out the way that you did. It's been heavy on my heart, how the way things are. It hurts. It hurt like hell. To you, Daphne Daniel, I want to apologize because when I was talking to Traore and Clifton, you came in and you said what you said. [01:07:30] I'm still hurt. A ticket out on you, and I say fu you and I'm gonna apologize to you. I'm sorry. But you all, I don't know that hurt. July 20th, I left here and went to Denver, Colorado for six days. I came home on July 25th. I checked my mailbox and then my mailbox was a letter. When I read the letter, I just couldn't believe the letter. I was like why? [01:08:00] I went on the podcast which was called- I didn't want to because it was called Hard Rock caucus. So I thought it was some porn stuff. Like who does this. But I went on there and in order for me to hear anything that was happening, I had to pay for the subscription and they only said a dollar for the month. I paid the dollar, they charged me a $1.06 I paid it. Er, Traore, you talked about the- [01:08:30] the podcast. Honestly, maybe God had it this way because things happen for a reason. But if you heard June 9th and June 16th podcast, one was so explicit that says login with Amel Ali, July 16th. The other one say June 9th, The temocherous, TRC IFR, [01:09:00] and the Black Voices Project. The first video I listened to, um, was the guy Justin, who owns the website from core bill literally came on and I have it on my phone if you need to hear it, I'll play it. He said it was so explicit till he had to do, a lot of, bleeping. And he said, I'd never bleep, [01:09:30] bleep, bleep, bleep in my life. And he explained and he said there was name calling, name dropping, and it was hot. So when it first started off, the first thing that came out of a male's mouth was, oh my god, I'm not into name sh- body shaming. But have you seen Roy Sam Porter? Do you see what she look like? And she [01:10:00] has a daughter, Stacy, who is a licensed esthetician. She should be doing, um, service on her mother. And she laughed there. And this is where I really don't even want the podcast to come out. Because after this, ask your chair of the TRC, Truth and Reconciliation, truth telling and reconciliation. A chair [01:10:30] to sit on a podcast and talk about sugar daddies, how she get on sugardaddies.com. I'm not going to go there, and- and to talk about the sexual explicit stuff. I'm not going there. But I- what I heard, I literally said it- they was to hear this, she wouldn't be able to get a job in the city. And that's why I kept saying, if you all can get the podcast, you would not believe what spewed out of her mouth [01:11:00] and it is not about her just literally talking about me, but as the chair, if your private conversation in your home and you with your girlfriends and you all want to talk about different stuff, that's okay. But to go on a live podcast and say this type of stuff, and then you want to twist it and turn it and make it turn on me like I did something wrong, I wasn't expecting this when I got back from Denver, Colorado. I just came back on the 25th, which- which [01:11:30] is my anniversary, 30 years married to my husband. I came back that day and that's what I read. The second podcast was when she talked about the Black Voices Project. This is in June, a couple of, weeks later, she was made the chair, what in July. I don't know. Right after that, she had- went on these two podcasts. If the podcasts wasn't bad, why was they taken down? [01:12:00] She apologized. She'd never want to say it, I didn't say that. No, I didn't. What she said was what she- she apologize for. She said it was ill, inconsiderate, it was harmful and hurtful and it was. It was very hurtful. And why? Because I have had no dealings with the mail. I have not seen her. The last time I've seen her was we brought Deidre DeJear that's running for governor, to the old brick. And she stood in the back [01:12:30] and she never came in. So I haven't had any dealings. I haven't seen her. I don't see her. And for her to do this- in the podcast, she said, they're talking about the black voices. It went out to state, I'm going to run against her in 2024. That's fine. Do what you- that's fine. We need people to run. I will help you run. But she said, she saw [01:13:00] him as in stupid, I can beat her in a debate. And, you know, she just went on and went on and that's when she started talking about oval and Emmett Till. It just went on and on and on. It- it was not cost for, I don't know why. So for people to continue to say, it goes back to the TRC, when I left the TRC to enough I have come to you [01:13:30] many times dealing with the budget when you wanted to pay yourself, I was like, Commissioners don't get paid. When you talked about paying an outside firm, I was like, no, we need local people. I came before the Board, and we're not seeing any Tucker V, and Angie and Bob, they came to us, they talk to the black voices. We was happy that we had local people involved. You have not seen none of us at your meeting trying to stop you from what you've been doing. We have not been here. [01:14:00] When I asked- when I read in front of the City Council on Tuesday, I asked you all- I asked the City Council to remove Amel Ali and let Chastity Dillard make her the chair because she's the vice chair now. Make her the chair so that you all could continue to do the work that you're doing. Not one time trying to stop TRC, not one time trying to come before you all, like to T'Shaylin [01:14:30] was the vice chair when you all voted me down, but instead, I resigned. But I was the chair. And you made the decision right away that I had called a young man on the phone and talked to him and all you all know this, like I told you Eric, I told you Traore today, I never even know why I was being voted down or what I had done to be voted down. No one ever like to shame and say, no one ever told me what I did. They just said, [01:15:00] we're voting you down. And I said, no, you're not going to vote me down. I'm going to step down. Therefore, it would make to shade the Harrington the vice chair, now the chair, they voted her out. And when she said she got kicked in the face, she really did because she hadn't done anything. She hadn't done anything to anybody, and she didn't deserve that treatment. You guys had already said you wanted me down. I stepped down. She should have been the chair. So all this ongoing fight [01:15:30] and back and forth and all this with me and Amel Ali, it's not happening. Amel have to be held accountable for what she's done. And even in, uh, the meetings, they said, you know, I'm disrespectful and- and- and- and what I he- I hear from people all the time is, I'm the chair of Johnson County. I have fought hard as hell to be in the place that I'm. I have worked hard [01:16:00] for this position. Ain't nobody gave me nothing. So when you talk about truth and reconciliation in 2011, the Iowa City Police went after me. I got my own truths to tell. Ah, it hasn't been easy for me. That's why I fight so hard in this community for other people. I stand up and I fight. I have been known as an angry black woman, they call me that many times. And so me trying to tell the TRC last year- two years ago when I was [01:16:30] serving, I'm no longer the angry black woman. I have a seat at the table. We now can go sit down. If you need to talk to somebody, I can take you to that person and we can have a conversation. I've said that all from the beginning. And to call us cons. A con is a nigger, no matter how you put it, is a word that like- I was like who even use that word [01:17:00] anymore? So I'm going to go sit down, but I want you all to know this wasn't- this isn't easy for me. I have to walk into stores, people see me, I know, a lot of, people, people ask me, people see the paper. What is going on? I stopped answering my phone. I'm I hurt? Yes, I'm hurt. But I can move forward. I'm willing to move forward. Today, Clifton Johnson, Mohamed Traore, [01:17:30] and Eric Harris, we invited you all to the black voices. We are ready to sit down and work with you all. The white people are looking at us and they think that we're going to continue to fight, but the fight ends today. It ends today because we're going to work together. But I'm just asking you in order for us to move forward to do the right thing. Thank you. Would there be anyone- [01:18:00] anyone else in the public that would like to comment? I just wanna to give a moment to what just happened. Um, I don't respect you and give you some space. [01:18:30] I'm not white, but I'm not a black person either. And I don't know why I'm here. I don't know why I'm listening to this, okay? You just said you came back from Denver. I just moved back from Denver three years ago. It's really, really confusing to me, coming from actual Black Lives Matters meetings to like come to this space of so much pain and so much trauma and have it be on public record, and have white people in the room and have- [01:19:00] all respect to you, Annie and David, I love you. I've known you basically my whole life. You're very, very nice white people, but I don't understand why white people are getting paid to do mediation work in terms of racial justice issues when they've never experienced racism. And I wanna to talk about, um, what Kevin Rivera said about, um, restorative justice. Number 1 [01:19:30] for restorative justice from my understanding, I know none of you know me or know what I've done, but my number- my- my number 1 understanding is it has to be done in a safe space. This space does not feel safe to me and I'm not just being like, hoohoo acupuncture-like, you know, airy fairy-like, literally it doesn't feel safe in here and I don't think anyone feels safe. And, Commissioner Harris, last two weeks ago you said you don't want anything [01:20:00] else to stall the process. And I respect that and I- I mean I have no idea how frustrating everything must be because I can't understand it because I can't read any of the minutes. But honestly, I think that a pause should be taken. If I can't trust a commissioner not to use that word, that that word [01:20:30] is even a vocabulary word in somebody. I- I- how can I, as a person of color in Iowa City who has experienced the light version of racism that light people like me experience, how can I come anywhere in Iowa City and get justice and- and trust that the people who are going to facilitate the discussion understand my perspective, much less the perspective of somebody who's- [01:21:00] who's experienced so much worse. Sorry, I'm not being very articulate but I'm just- I don't understand. That's what I came here to say. I don't understand any of this, and I respect all of you, but I don't understand this process. I don't understand how it could be safe. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else want to, uh, give co- public comment? [inaudible 01:21:25] [01:21:30] So I don't know if I'm allowed to answer that, so- all right. Um, if there are no more public comment, we're gonna go and move into our discussion, okay? Commissioners, there- is there anyone that would like to speak first? I would like to just say- I'm so sorry. Um, I would like to, uh, address the elephant in the room. Um, [01:22:00] obviously, Commissioner Ali is not here and she did asked me to speak to fellow commissioners and ask her- ask- she asked for space. Um, I understand that we just heard a lot of urgency in our communi- community. She asked for space to process what's going on for her. Um, whether- regardless of what side you're on, um, it is a lot for her as well. And she has asked that we don't [01:22:30] make any decisions without her here. So I'd just like to put that out there. I'll go first. [NOISE] Uh, she's a grown woman and she's had every opportunity to be here, and she decided to go into a podcast and do damage to the commission. That's the bottom line. She has- we- we- everybody is dealing with some sort of traumatizations, one of the reasons why we're dealing with this in [01:23:00] the first place. And I find it unfortunate that to- to look at a situation so ca- casually that you'll go in a podcast and say whatever you want is too much of a loose cannon, period. And then not show up after you do the fact to demand. Like that doesn't make any sense to me at all professionally as a Marine or anything else along those lines, I just can't even sit next to that. To me, that's [01:23:30] more of a cowards way of dealing with something. You cause a problem, then you don't want to deal with it, everybody needs space. Well, every time we need space then somebody wants to shut us down. And that's another ball kicked down the room and we don't get anything done. That's upsetting because that is exactly what I mean about professionalism. If we are professional, we don't come across these problems. If we do the right thing and realize how important the situation that we're in is, you don't get [01:24:00] on podcasts and randomly say things like it won't come out. It's a podcast. To me that was completely unacceptable. And no, I have not heard the whole thing. I have heard tidbits of it, but I know it's enough that here we are right here, right now. There was an emergency meeting made earlier over it. So therefore, it's disruptive enough. And once again, we're all adults here. We got to toughen up a little bit because we got a lot of tough things that are far [01:24:30] more important ahead of us. And we cannot show our community that we are always juggling and dropping the ball. If you wanna stand up for yourself, right now we have a phone line that's open. Right now those doors are not locked at any point in time, you can defend yourself the same way anybody else has defended themselves at times right now too. And said even apologize genuinely, [01:25:00] it sounds. So, you know, you can come in and do that, the opportunity is there. I do not- I- I- I do not think a position of leadership is a casual thing to throw around. Everybody is counting on us. There's a lot of people out there who are counting on us. The Catholic Worker House is counting on us. All the hard work [01:25:30] and effort that has been done by a male is appreciated. And honestly, if the heart center right place, it can still continue. You don't have to be in the leadership position in order to still help. There's nothing wrong with saying, all right, let me step off to the side, but here's my connections, here's what I've done, here's what I'm willing to do. And especially if your heart is in the right place. And that might sound a little bit harsh, but I don't really think so. [01:26:00] Because I think it's harsh to not think about all the rest of us and everybody else, and now we gotta focus on you. I think that's unrigh- that's not right. It's not fair, it's not decent. And to throw other commissioners under the bus and then other commissioners who have been on never got the same treatment, it's just- that looks like a mess. And that is exactly what I'm against here. I want us to do better, we can do better. And if we just hold ourselves to a little bit [01:26:30] of a higher standard, there's no way progress can't be made. We had a great meeting I feel like with this setting, we have opportunities to, uh, mend wounds and move on past. However, we have to understand where the problem came from and accept responsibility, or whoever is that problem or has created said problem. It's your responsibility to deal with it. It might be scary, but welcome to the adulthood. We all [01:27:00] are going through scared things, period. It is irresponsible for us to let the city see us in any other life other than see there's a problem, we need to take care of it, we need to move on and get the job done. We're here for a reason. We all volunteered. Volunteered so to hear about stress and overstressed levels and everything, you know. I [01:27:30] have not brought up my stress levels at all, wanna know why? Because I know how important this position is. However, do I have my truths that I wanna get out that has hurt me deeply in the processes? I haven't- I haven't even exs- express things that have happened with you guys, I have not. Because I know right now, do I make this about me or do I look at the bigger picture and then when there's a time and appropriate time to give my part and that's what I'm doing. That's [01:28:00] how I look at it. Because I feel like that's a little bit more of a professional way of thinking. There's a bigger picture, there's a bigger story. There's a lot of people who are really suffering. We have a lot of responsibilities. I personally, I do not think she should be in a leadership role, I'm sorry. It just- i- it'll be great to have her still, uh, contribute, but that was given up the moment that she got so comfortable that she did whatever podcast. No, I have not heard the whole thing. [01:28:30] But I know it's enough to create this much of a disturbance after time and time again. I watch meetings, we come in, hurry up- let's hurry up and get it done with and then walk out. I take off work to make sure that I'm here on time. And by the way, my record of being here, track record, I've been here at every meeting, maybe I missed one. And that's because I knew what I volunteered for, I knew what the responsibility was and I knew what I was gonna do. I have people that I work with all the time that [01:29:00] I decided to stop, say guys, I gotta go, I got stuff to do and I come here to make sure that I get that done. Period. I'm not about- and this is not the Cliff Johnson show. I don't want that by far. That's not what I joined up for it and I don't want it to be anybody else's show. I think it is inappropriate for it to be that. If you have things you want to deal with, you can deal with that in other ways. But this is our job to do right now, and we need to be [01:29:30] adults about this, who are responsible, who care about the position. Caring about the position means showing up for the position and doing the best you can. And then after that, don't worry about it. And then shake hands, give hugs, move on with life. We should not be at each other's throats over anything, period. And I hope that we can do better. We have a great position right now to try. Other groups might have stepped away and gone [01:30:00] off to New York back or anything along those lines. We're here. We have a, an opportunity right now, let's take it. With that I yield. Before we continue. Stephanie, what is the protocol of someone in the, um, audience we know? That's up to you. I mean, you can open it back up or you can keep moving forward. She did speak before, so I just didn't understand who we. Okay. Then I can go next if you want me to. I personally manage if she speaks. [01:30:30] We will just, uh, continue with Commissioner Scott. Go ahead. Okay. So this is going to be difficult for me. But we talked about earlier that we'd have to be able to tell each other the truth. But we've heard a lot of negative things. So I'm gonna start with the medium gain factors about Amel. I felt like that the city council, they tried to rush their hearing through and I kinda feel [01:31:00] like they wanted to interfere in our internal affairs when they should have let us deal with it first and that there wasn't satisfied how we dealt with it, then they can deal with. [NOISE] Amel, she does wonderful things in the community. Um, even before she was the chair, she was the leader on a bunch of different issues. She has been here since day 1, like me. So she has been down there winding, difficult path. And she was one of the [01:31:30] hardest workers on the TRC. But like we said, we have to tell the truth. And I'm sad that I have to do this right now, but I have to tell the truth. While we were talking and the issue was brought up about how she couldn't be at the meeting and she should have been at the meeting. Well, when the public was commenting, Amel was sending me messages on my phone, like don't listen to her, don't let them brainwash you, that is cowardness. I'm sorry to say that, if she wanted to be here to defend herself. [01:32:00] Defending yourself is not sending me text messages while people are publicly commenting. That's what just happened. Literally, five or ten minutes ago, I could show people if they want to see it. So, but this incident, is an incident- so those might mitigation thing about put the part about had said to me, so I'm going to the aggravating factors and there's a few of them. And this is an incident that people- they would- it would never be forgotten. [01:32:30] Ever. The TRC as a whole has been dragged around and embarrassed. Whether it's KCRG, whether it's Press-Citizen, whether it's my children coming in saying that I was on my break at work and it had a TV. And this was on the TV at work. And have come and asked me about it. I didn't want to pick up my phone and look at anything. Every time I would see TRC, Royceann Porter I'm literally I would just take off my phone. [01:33:00] So far as me seeing the podcast assault the two snippets. I saw some part of the whole video, but it got sucking down. Even the snippets, were just horrible to me. So I got a few points I wanted to touch on is the betrayal piece. I don't do betrayal and not anybody in this room should want to deal with that. She made those podcasts [01:33:30] in early June and in the second week or almost a third week of June and talked about fellow TRC members, and then came and sat in the room with us like it was never going to come out. That is betrayal. You came in his room and me and Amel have had our back-and-forths, and she calls me and tells me, "Hey, I got a problem which you. I don't like this, I don't like that." We've had public spat, so if she had a problem with me or anybody else on this commission, she could easily talk to us, because that's [01:34:00] the type of relationship that we have. Another thing is we've already had difficulty, you know, with people trying to slow down our commission. This is just fuel for the city officials to slow us down more. And the difference between a mistake- there's a big difference between a mistake and something that is premeditated. When you do a podcast, the person that's going to make the podcast, cause I've done plenty of interviews. [01:34:30] They usually call and say what the subject is gonna to be about. We're going to make this name slugging. We're going to make this man to- tumultuous TRC and all these other organizations. You knew that before you went into that. You knew that, that's premeditated. I understand people make mistakes, that's premeditated. Now, I'm not going to dig into because I've heard the sexual things from not just one person, maybe 10 or 15 people. [01:35:00] And I've heard him from respected community members that don't even put their self in gossip like that. And that was the first call that I got, was from a very respected community member. And she has seen she sent me the whole video, but I tried to watch it. I watch snippets and I couldn't get through because it was so much controversy that it was just gone. But if any of those alleged because we have to call it alleged things until we see the video. If any of those things about the sexual things, are true [01:35:30] or any of that. Some people who need to tell truth has been victims of sexual trafficking. How can you go and you're supposed to be a chairperson and go and say disgusting sexual things and expect the person to want to appear before us, and maybe tell their truths about some of the sexual abuse that they might have suffered through. The Emmett Till part is very, very hurtful to me. [01:36:00] Number 1, the allegation that she made the person in his room said he never even did that. That never even happened. So that is a flat-out lie that she made up? And it's still is part of African American history. It was a very sad and hurtful time in African American history. How dare you think you have the right to ridicule that. [01:36:30] That's all. I'm getting to the part. Um my trust is gone for Amel. I- as hard as I, that doesn't mean that I don't like it as a person because I mentioned in my mitigating factors that all the stuff and a hard work that I saw do that doesn't mean that I doesn't- I don't like this as a person, but it's hard to be on the same page with her. We didn't cause this, and it's hard for me to take responsibility as a whole [01:37:00] for something that she did independently. Now, I do things on my own. I have made videos about voting rights, about em reps. If it ever comes down to, where there's a problem about that, I would take my own responsibility. And in this case, she's going to have to take responsibility for this. Um, we are at a real critical moment, but it's CRC, when we're almost where we want to be. And doing those hands which made those podcasts to stain was [01:37:30] building up so where we want it to be. Why would you make that podcast? And then, you know, using the word cons? I can't deal with that. I dealt with racism my whole life. I- I can deal with that. And if you post- if you're a person of color as well, and you're calling people cons, do you know the history of that? It's terrible. It's so terrible that I don't even want to discuss it because people [01:38:00] know, people know what it means. The hard work that we're doing, now me listening to what I heard, it seems like it's been taken for a joke. And I don't appreciate that. And when other people come and they tell me, when I almost want to just take my phone and I had a day with my phone just non- stop, non-stop. And I just want to take my phone and just put it on airplane mode before I threw it [01:38:30] because it was just ridiculous. And I agree with what other people said about how fast the trigger was pulled on them when they was asked to resign. We have to keep that same precedent. I would- I would appreciate if she would have come and say, hey, for the better of the commission, maybe I should step down [01:39:00] from my position so the commission can move forward and move past this controversy. Do you think that the city officials are going to let this go if we just say, hey, let's just- let it stay in place how it is. It's going to be another special hearing before you know it. So I regret that I have to call for Amel to resign from a leadership position. But I have no objections to her stand on the CRC if [01:39:30] she can find a way to fix what she has done. It is irreparable damage that she has done to this community. And with that I yield. I'd- I'd like to make a comment. Um, this evening we've heard from two former, ah, chairs of the TRC. And it is very clear that while they don't hold a grudge, they do feel like they were wronged when they were removed [01:40:00] from the TRC. And so, um, I really think as we discuss this, let's remember that, like we don't- we don't need to call anyone a coward. We don't need to throw anyone's business out there because we don't condone what happened. We don't condone talking about people's kids, we don't condone talking about body shaming. But let's not sow the seeds of hurt that is going to come back to bite us [01:40:30] in a few months or a few years. Let's just be respectful. Um, and with that, I yield. We'll keep her in that role, that podcast will come out and we will all be stunned later. Um, for me, ah, I think I have- I have everyone on the commission, I've probably known Amel the longest. Uh, so I've known Amel since we were five years old, kindergarten at Roosevelt Elementary. Ah, [01:41:00] until elementary school together as well later on, I moved to the Eastside, I Also went to Grant Wood together, South East Junior High, City High school. I say all that just to say of I'm not saying that we act like, you know, Amel can never redeem herself, never be a part of the community again, that's not what the point of this agenda item is to me. To me, the point is [01:41:30] that whether it's reconciliation, restorative justice, that's the next path, never once have I ever heard that reconciliation and restorative justice cannot include a person being removed from a position of power. Because if we're being completely honest, this is hyperbole, of course, but for being completely honest let's say a police officer does something really heinous to somebody, and you're going through reconciliation restorative justice process. Can someone give me [01:42:00] the percentage of the amount of times they think that officer would be allowed to remain in that position if it was a reconciliation restorative justice process, if they were to have killed that person or multiple people in what was shown to be cold blood. So that's just to say that it's never off the table that someone can be removed from a position of power. But that too is I think, it puts an undue burden on all of us. If [01:42:30] we just sit here and say that, okay, we're just going to wait now for city council to decide on the 16th. I personally had to be an absolute fool of myself to think that there is no way the absolute minimum that they don't do to strip her of a leadership position. And I think that we make a grave mistake if we sit here and not choose to make a decision on whether she keeps leadership position or not ourselves before that happens. Because [01:43:00] to me it's about integrity. It's about showing the community that we all actually have integrity and we're willing to stand behind it, rather than telling City Council yeah, you deal with it, you do it for us. Because for us to have met tonight and not to make a decision has me sitting here by why did we show up anyways. I wasn't even supposed to be in Iowa City today. I was supposed to be in the morning. I came back last night to make sure I could be ready for everything. It is absolutely crippled me [01:43:30] in terms of the amount of time I've been able to put in for work. So I know it's gonna be a very long rest of tomorrow to make sure I'm done with everything by the time I need to be. I also feel like I'm disrespecting what happened last year and not only that, but to Shaylan Arrington. I know that you'd say that, uh, never got the apologize. I texted you once and I think I tried to call you, but you were very upset at the time [01:44:00] and I do not blame you for not answering. But I want to apologize to you now for not taking more of an initiative and coming into you personally face-to-face and making that apology. Because that has been on my mind every single month since that day happened. And it came back full circle again today, when it comes to people in leadership. Because the last time we had that vote, [01:44:30] the principles I used to give that vote of removal or to even bring it up in the first place, I'd be a complete hypocrite if I wasn't willing to do the same thing today, no matter how well I know the person. I can't sit here and be a person that talks trash about people in Washington DC to my friends all the time, about, I don't like how this person does this, this person does that or all everything would be a lot better if this changed or that changed, or I don't like this decision. [01:45:00] But when it comes to another public official that I closely work with, to act like it doesn't matter then, then I have no principles, and I wouldn't expect anyone else outside of this room in this community to follow anything that we do? Because that's what I'm thinking about right now. That average person, not that person that you hear from regularly about this thing, that average person, because it's about bringing the whole of the community- the community together or as much of it as possible. [01:45:30] How many people in this community here are just going to sit by and let that go when they start reading more about the actual commission, regardless of if they think okay the rest of the tape was worse or just what was out was the worse. The principal in itself of being able to disparage somebody like that, and then also keep needing to have the time, the time is one thing. But I was also just on the phone with her two and a half hours ago. [01:46:00] And like last week, I was gone from the meeting as well and I could have not have come, but I attended online via Zoom. Maybe she doesn't want to say anything, that's fine. But please hear it out. Because it's hard to protect, and protect, and protect and to act like I'm okay with things or that I can sit here and having not weigh on my mind when that'd be a lie. I can't sit on this commission if I'm not honest with you in that [01:46:30] way. It also hurts me, the last thing is I gave up a lot, a lot to try to keep this stuff going. Like I've said it wants to somebody before. One of my oldest friends, since we were six years old, I watched him just deteriorate over the last year and a half ago, homeless. And there's times I'd walk [01:47:00] to these meetings, the only thing I could do was buy him some food and talk to him for a few minutes and hope I'd see him again later that week, and then he'd finally listen to me and get help. And it killed me inside that I'm going to walk to this meeting to try to make things better for people in the city so people don't end up in his position only to then hear about this podcast. [01:47:30] And not just that. Last summer, a cousin of mine, who I'm really close with passed away of a heart attack. I've got a few other people this year really close to me, who either die or commit suicide. There's a lot- a lot that you got to work through and try to bury to stay even anything close to levelheaded [01:48:00] being on something like this. So I don't know if it was something much, much heavier she had or something, but if that was the case, again, I started this with- I've known her since I was five years old. I wish that was something I could have been told. But it's hard knowing everything I buried and gone through and everything all of you might have to and sit here and be okay with sacrificing, but not [01:48:30] ask someone else that's now in that position to do the same. I don t think that this community can truly move forward and accept the recommendations from this commission unless we ourselves are willing to go on the record and take a vote on removing Amel from a leadership position, the current- the one she currently has. It'd be a different story for me maybe if she was here for this meeting now. But [01:49:00] it's hard when having that conversation two and half hours ago and not seeing that name even on the Zoom screen. So I know I'll be making the motion after we're done talking. You're all welcome to vote however you'd like. But that's all I have that I yield. I'll take the floor. Wangui, for the record. Commissioner Wangui. I- I'll start with [01:49:30] a question to my fellow commissioners. Oh, I said again, I didn't attend the work session and I can't help thinking about the work session on the podcast for some-that's how it's in my head. But I'm hearing- I've had some comments that- [01:50:00] oh, I haven't seen the podcasts. So for me, it's a hearsay. So my question, as we move forward, how are we dealing with that? But at the same time, I am trying to see a way forward [01:50:30] if Amel is till our chair, how is that going to look like? Because I'm thinking as if the way I understand the media, I think we're still in this cycle for how many days now, in our city? And also especially with the class of City high that graduated with Amel. They [01:51:00] are- I mean, it's lit, whatever is just going on. So I'm trying to see- and how do we get to that point if we are retaining her as a chair if we make that decision? Okay. I guess it's through a vote. So before we get to that point, if we are putting that motion on the table to vote on it, [01:51:30] uh, I guess what I'm calling for is to discuss with- I haven't seen the podcast, but at the same time, I'm not calling people who have seen it, liars, or even what is out there in the media. Sometimes, it's not always reported as it is, but at the same time, we- they are professionals. They do their due diligence. So [01:52:00] yeah, how do we go on with that before we even vote on not having seen it? But I acknowledge, uh, in my work and a lot of other people, if somebody is employer, they will state and tell you even before you take on the job, we are together and we will work with you even if there are problems or if you get us into [01:52:30] problems for as long as our interests go together. So I'm thinking about that as a commissioner. We have worked Amel Ali and we've acknowledged and appreciated. If we were to tabulate the hours we have all put in, she's put in the most. That's my opinion and I'm thinking I'm almost right. And we have worked together. I'm not saying we don't have disagreements. We do. [01:53:00] I'm not even saying some of us have not made a mistake or done something. And we've always come back here and apologized publicly and dealt with it so that we can move on. Like Commissioner Harris and Commissioner Traore, you have said you wished Amel was here. But [01:53:30] in a way, if she was here through you texting you and she also did tell our Vice Chair why she is not here, what I'm seeing in very many words and convoluting, we'd been working together with Amel and despite our agreements, we have been moving forward. But at this moment, I'm asking [01:54:00] myself, is it a time to separate because we don't seem to have the same interests. Commissioner Amel and the rest- and the- and the work of the TRC. And of course,- yeah, I'll stop there because I could start rambling.. Thank you. I'm going to-. I would like to speak out before we go forward. [01:54:30] Yes. So I was giving it to you now. Thank you. Yeah. I- I don't- I- how are we supposed to make a decision without hearing these tapes? That's all I have to say. I feel like there's a lot of hearsay right now. Like we don't actually know what was said. And I don't think it's fair to make any commissioner make a decision without fully hearing what has happened. I'm not here to defend nor to go against Amel right now because I can't [01:55:00] make a proper decision. So I feel like, um, this is really, um- and also I- you know, I- I- I see what- I- I would see some people,um, I've noticed some people really- we've to be careful when it comes to speaking about like Amel's personal actions as you know that's, um- you know, calling her a prostitute or whatever, I- like- that's just mind- blowing right now. So like I know there's allegations against her for saying some, [01:55:30] um, you know, negative things, but also we have to look on the other side of this too, um, and also understand, uh, you know how this came to be, uh, with so much contention, um, from this other organization in the community for so long. And, uh, so much divisiveness being brought upon us because of, uh, uh, people's personal feelings about us, um, throughout this whole process. Um, you know, I just- I- I think that there's like a much larger picture to look [01:56:00] at as well. Um, and so I think that like, I- I'm not going to make a decision until I can at least like hear these tapes. I mean, I- it's just- it's kind of ridiculous to be sitting here and talking about things that have only been heard like through gossip basically. I think that's- I think it's ridiculous. I think that, uh, the, uh, Board of Supervisors should have taken it upon themselves to given us- to give these- these tapes to us so we could make an informed decision. Like, I feel silly right now. [01:56:30] Like I- I really do, like this is embarrassing. And, um, that's- that's where I'm at. Thank you. [inaudible 01:56:36] this morning in the meeting. Hold on. I'm a [inaudible 01:56:41]. I'll just say real quick just so you get informed, um. Some people who haven't heard it say, but I would say at this point, at least the snippet, three-fourths of the city heard it, including myself. I heard it myself personally. Um, and it was played at a public hearing this morning. So- [01:57:00] You mean the one where- the Emmett Till snippet? Yeah. Even when I heard of the snippet, that was enough for me. Oh, okay. Well, that's not enough for me. So, um-. Well, that's enough. Because that's what the cones and all the other stuff come in at. I never heard that word in that snippet. I don't know. Maybe I haven't heard what you- Old farts or making fun of somebody's name, comparing it to a popcorn brand. I don't that's what- I don't think that's what Amel was doing. See, like that's the [01:57:30] thing, is I didn't hear it like that. Like I don't think she was making fun of the name. She was just basically saying, oh, that's how you- I remember the name. So anyways, the point is, is I need to hear tapes before I make a decision. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying like, uh, I'm not here defending Amel, I'm not here going against them out. I'm just saying I can't make an informed decision and I feel silly right now and I find this kind of embarrassing that we're having to sit here and just go on like, uh, you know, like I said, what I consider to be gossip at the moment. We want to be out of the [01:58:00] news cycle. To be completely honest, I made that- I thought about that a lot too. But then what really hit me was the- the more I reached out and asked for the full copy and to be able to listen to it so I can speak in a more informed fashion, the more it hit me of, yeah, I'm probably never going to get to here the actual full tapes. And why is that? Maybe that's not true, but right now-. No. But why- why- where aren't we getting them? Balance sheet has to be the one to [01:58:30] have [inaudible 01:58:30]. That's- I don't know. That's- I just want to clarify. Amel does not own the podcast. Despite- excuse- excuse me. Ma'am- ma'am, can I- can I- Thank you so much. If Okay. Thank you very much. Uh, go ahead. So well, it doesn't have to be posted, even- like whether it behind a paywall or on App- Apple podcast or whatever, the people who own it would have to send [01:59:00] it to us. And the people who own it are not- is not Amel. So- And they refused. Wait, but doesn't Royceann Porter have these tapes? So then doesn't that mean the supervisors have it? I mean that's all I'm asking. [OVERLAPPING]. Well actually. Where are these tapes? I'm sorry, Sikowis. So as far as I know, in Royceann Porter is in the audience, uh, she has handed over to the sheriff- the sheriff or it is not in her possession anymore. That's just the clip. [01:59:30] The clip? Just a snippet. I think. Just the snippet. Okay. She just has a snippet. No one has access at this moment to the full podcast as far I. Okay. So all I'm saying is like, how are we supposed to make an informed decision without hearing it? Yes, commissioner Johnson, [NOISE] she-she's had every opportunity, once again, to show up here and defend herself in any way, shape, or form. Uh, by not showing up at all, [02:00:00] I don't see how that's productive. And kicking a ball down a line again is how we will end up getting shut down. And I think that's a problem. I want to just say because uh, thank you, somebody saying I just want a clarification. So that snippet, is it part of the public records now? If it was played today, is it part of the- was it at the civic? Yes. It was, yes -it [02:00:30] was played this morning. So it's part of the public record? Yes. Okay. So uh, so early on I didn't even think when I was asking my question, whether there was something that is there that is available. So for me, that is good, there is a snippet to- that I can use- That should be on the public records. - to make my- and it is on public record. So it is on me to go- go get it and on public record to [02:01:00] support what earlier on, I was using the word hearsay. There's a piece of that. Yeah. Yeah. Um, and so Sikowis, did you have anything else you wanted to add? We definitely cut you off there. Yeah. Yeah. It's fine. Um, I just think this is uh, like- I don't think we should be having this discussion without the tapes. And um, I find that quite embarrassing. Thank you. Well. Yeah. And um, [02:01:30] I would [OVERLAPPING] actually- Someone has got to get them to me. So [LAUGHTER] we can uh, rem- remember the- the professionalism and the respect that we talked about earlier. I'd appreciate if we can all reset and respect each other because it's okay that we have differing opinions, but it's not okay to talk over each other. Got you. Thank you for that. [OVERLAPPING] Okay. [LAUGHTER] And I have not had a chance to talk. So if- [FOREIGN] Go ahead, go ahead. I would I would love to just say what I'm thinking. I- so [02:02:00] as the- the newest vice chair, um, when I first heard this was six days into this position, uh, this was I'm just going to say personally, a lot for me, is not what I expected. But if I step back and think about why I'm here as we all are, it's for- to move this forward because this community deserves this. Uh, as our commissioner uh, Rivera said, restorative justice is something new for me, it's something hard to step into because it's something [02:02:30] I frankly, I'm just learning about now. It's not something that is going to come natural. And uh, there are lots of aspects that I would love to dive into. I'm going to also agree with our Commissioner Sikowis, how can I make a decision about anything without being able to hear the full podcast? That's not fair. We will never hear it? Uh, I'm not done. Thank you very much. Uh, I'm not saying anything. Uh, I understand that we don't have access to it. It was one of the- [02:03:00] the members of the audience who said that we should go try to hear it. Another member of the audience said that we do- we don't have to make the decision now, but we should come to a decision. We don't have to move in haste. We should make sure that this decision is made in the best way. I understand that in the past when I was not part of the commission there was a lot of uh, movement and decisions made in haste that hurt people. Why would we do it again? So I say all this [02:03:30] to say that I operate under, let's seek to understand, let's- let's see, let's- let's hear both sides, let's- let's actually sit down and practice what this- what the mission of this organization is. Practice what we preached and in moving away of what could be restorative justice, what could be reconciliation, as Commissioner Traore said, uh, we do not- restorative [02:04:00] justice or transformational justice does not mean that we would never remove someone from position, but it does mean that we are seeking to understand the whole situation. We live in a country where people say innocent until proven guilty. I do not think I can make a full decision without having all the information that is necessary to move forward. So with that, I yield. All- all I'm going to say before, Kevin, you continue is one way or another, whether it's [02:04:30] temporary suspension or of- uh, of having the title or removal of the title, I'm going to make a motion for one or the other. Right now I'm leaning towards the suspension of holding the title because I can already tell, not going to get the votes for stripping of the title. But that's just me of- from what I'm thinking now, that's the direction I'm going. But you can all continue. Go ahead, Kevin. Uh, God. [02:05:00] Really set myself up here. Uh, let's not do restorative justice. Well, um, I'm going to try to kind of process. I mean, restorative justice isn't a road map, it's a compass, and we also have to interact with it to interpret how, um, we move forward. I did want to mention I think there's a couple [02:05:30] of. Video. That's it right there too. Okay. Thank you. You want it? [inaudible 02:05:39] Not, not, not yet [OVERLAPPING] Understand and if they said they wanted to hear the video, you don't want to hear it? Is there, is there a similar way this could be a closed session because I'm a little concerned, this sounds explicit? I don't- I know they're pro- probably young people listening to this. I don't want them hearing some of the stuff that allegedly was said. And in the same breath, we're also saying [02:06:00] that we're not going to [OVERLAPPING] Okay. No we need to hear them. The TRC needs to hear them, not the- not the public. Okay. To make a motion. So could we allow uh, Commissioner Rivera to continue what he was saying, please? Yeah, you should go ahead This isn't the explicit. Okay. I- I promise we'll come back in just a moment. Thank you. Uh, I think there's a couple of sticking points that were all rallying around that, uh, are [02:06:30] drawing more divisiveness between us, right? One thing that I think that I know about restorative justice is that, uh, whereas maybe criminal justice has the band- has the standard of- in the burden of proof and evidence, that doesn't necessarily need to be a component of restorative justice. What the focus of restorative justice is, is the hurt, period. We have people in our community who have been seriously hurt. [02:07:00] And I haven't heard the tapes just like the rest of everyone. But I have heard Royceann Supervisor Porter, discuss the impact that the words that she heard had on her. And I'm going to- I'm going to choose to believe that hurt. I wanted to follow up that. Can I? Okay. I thought you're done, sorry. [NOISE] The other thing is that uh, I was [02:07:30] a part of the commission, uh, the last time we faced a similar decision of removing a chair. The thing that I want to point out is that, gosh, is that screwing us over now? It doesn't make any sense to me to hold myself to a flawed precedent. Um, [02:08:00] if I'm- if we want to break silence- break the cycles of harm and swift action that isn't well- considered, that doesn't include the pieces of reconciliation, then we're- we're- then we are an embarrassment to the community, and this is a farce of a commission. [inaudible 02:08:19] Sorry. Sorry, I'm talking slow. Go ahead. Um, [02:08:30] I don't think that swift decisions are in the spirit of restorative justice. I also don't think that um, separation is off the table in the context of restorative justice. Uh, the thing that like I would have loved for this conversation to- to look- to have looked like is, you know, for all the parties to be involved [02:09:00] and for us to be asking the questions not of whether Amel should remain chair, but what do we do for Royceann? And what do we do for a Amel? And what is the process after tonight of making sure that [NOISE] they can- they can head into- back into the community with a baseline of respect from everyone? [02:09:30] We haven't explored those topics and I think that's a real um, stain on us I think. I do- I do want to add that there's also the hurt of Mr. Orville. Yeah. They're hurt to- Thank you. Supervisor Porter's daughter. So there is a lot of hurt too. Thank you. Yeah. Um- [02:10:00] I- I would not be in- I would support a- a suspension, um, because I do think that keeping a male in this position at this moment, at this time is, um, going to produce- it's not going to allow for healing for those who, um, - who have been hurt. [02:10:30] But I- I desperately want there to be a pathway for re-installation somehow, um, and I think that we need to have more conversations with you all if you're willing to, um, to just understand a little bit better, um, so that we can work in collaboration with one another. Thanks. If I can speak, uh, I would appreciate [02:11:00] it, um, or is there a que? Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah, this is why I said I'm- I'm feeling embarrassed because I exactly what Kevin said, um, I believe that there's a much larger context here. There's a history of hurt, um, which led up to, um, Amel's words for sure, and, um, we need to like talk about like all of this like, um, and we do need to carry out some restorative justice, uh, [02:11:30] like, practices. Um, we do need to focus on the hurt inflicted upon like individuals and, um, fix that problem. And like, I just- I can't do that without hearing what happened. Like that's just like it's- it's weird for me that we would actually be having this conversation without first all being like informed and prepared to have the conversation. And I think that's what I'm most upset about, is we're having a conversation about things that may or may not have [02:12:00] been said and there's no, uh, we haven't been given any proof for it. And sure if that proof exists, great. Like I- that's great, um, but please let me see it and, uh, hear it so that I can make an informed decision. So, you know, I- I don't even know about like at the moment suspending or making any votes period, uh, because I can't I- I- I would be remiss with my own ethics to do so without having, um, something to go on besides, [02:12:30] you know, one snippet which frankly like, and this is just my own opinion, uh, which can be, um, looked at from many different perspectives. Um, considering what the lowa Freedom Riders have been through. So like there's a lot of people in this community that, you know, feel strongly about what, um, the youth have experienced here from- due to lateral oppression. So I'm just saying like this- this is a much larger conversation to be had, though if those things were [02:13:00] said like certain- there are certain things that I heard were said and if they were said, yeah, that's like grounds for- for sure for suspension or for like removing her from chair or whatever, um, but I would just like the information. So thank you very much. [inaudible 02:13:15] I understand that, um, but we are- we're- we're. [OVERLAPPING] Uh, no I would really like to ask that people. [OVERLAPPING] I want to ask the people to be up as well. Well, I'm going to do it. [02:13:30] Thank you very much. All right. Thank you. Go ahead. Um, I appreciate that- that there are strong feelings in- in the public, and I understand that a lot of you know how this should work. If you would let us continue the discussion, I- we are a- a lot of us already know what's- what's been going on, and- and I understand how it can be frustrating that you can't just talk at us, but if you would please just keep comments to a minimum, I'd really appreciate it. Okay. Okay, and I will ask- I'll just ask right now. Uh, commissioners would we like to [02:14:00] hear the- the tapes? Yes. Okay. Not- not here. Not. Yeah. Not here. But not- It sounds like we're making excuses not to hear- Yeah. - the- the tape. If you all want to- But we can't hear them. It's not- it's not okay to put those in the public if they're ex- explicit, no, we can't hear them here. It's already [inaudible 02:14:19]. It's already [inaudible 02:14:20]. All right well. It seems like the majority is saying we would like not to- [OVERLAPPING] She had no- [OVERLAPPING] she had no care with that. - not to hear it during this moment, and so I will see if we can get it disseminated to everyone outside [02:14:30] of this because we've already heard, it was played during the meeting earlier today so- [OVERLAPPING]. [inaudible 02:14:38] I think I'm just going to go ahead and make that motion so we can just move on. I just wanted to say one more thing before we make the motion. I agree with the suspension. Kevin changed my mind because I think that- that this suspension would give people time to go ahead and evidence for themselves, and then maybe the next meeting maybe might have to call a special meeting. [02:15:00] But I think that we need at least a week or two of a suspension so people can hear the evidence. But at this point we have to get the negativity out of the new cycle. It was a point made earlier about somebody in here that said, what if it was just a random person who's not involved in this all the time, and they go look at that. And they see this thing, you can see this whole thing, and- and one last thing, she's never said that she never- that she didn't say this, what I do appreciate what she did [02:15:30] is every corner- every turn she tried to apologize for it. So that's basically saying that she said, we don't have to go into the nitty-gritty details of what she said. If people want to hear it and they can hear it in private if they don't want to hear it in public, but you have to hear it. So I think a suspension would be in order to gather facts. This is Commissioner Johnson, and, uh, when you're a leader, it's your responsibility [02:16:00] to whatever actions you take, it's your responsibility to take care of those actions. To not show up is irresponsible as a leader, bottom line. It is your job to back up anything that you might have done anything, and the opportunity I keep repeating has been here. If anybody wants to argue against it, you'd have the opportunity here, and now. Once again, if we keep [02:16:30] kicking a ball down a line, we will wonder why the game is lost. And that is my top priority, is why I don't want to waste my time stepping away from jobs, dealing with other issues, I'll just say while we figure out the show of whomever show it is. It's your responsibility as a leader, and as a leader, you should be able to stand up and say, you know what, I made a mistake, and I apologize for that. I'm going to sit here right here and own that due to the fact [02:17:00] that it is my mistake- my mistake, not anybody else's on here's mistake as much as we care about our- our fellow commissioner, nobody is saying that that's damper, but we have a responsibility. We have a job to do, and if we don't do it and we keep playing, let's figure out who did what. Regardless, going on to a podcast and discussing things along that nature. Let's just say that bare [02:17:30] mental is inappropriate if you're in a leadership role. And this is something that will be used against us later, and then we'll wonder, but how, why? And that is unacceptable. [NOISE] That is irresponsible and that is her responsibility, not ours. Now, it's nothing personal- it is nothing personal at all, but it is what it is. It is a hard decision and we have to kinda deal with a lot of hard decisions [02:18:00] in this commission and in the future if we continue on with things. So we cannot fold already before we even get to the real gritty stuff, because it'll get worse before it gets better. Unfortunately. she's not here, that is not our call, but for us to check it down a line later- on down the line, we're making a choice to take a risk and not take responsibility, and [02:18:30] that hurts. I would like to say, um, I- I really hear and receive your words of responsibility. Our views just differ in what that means. And I'm going to say that I think it's our responsibility as someone else in the- in the, um, in the audience said, this is not a safe place. It doesn't feel like a safe space to- to share certain things, and I think it is up to us protect all people, and at the very least, I- I- I [02:19:00] definitely agree that we don't need to have this audio played right now. We can, uh, move forward and, um, someone can make a motion. We can't- [inaudible 02:19:13] We, we can move. So I just, I just want to make sure. [inaudible 02:19:22] disrespectful. No I'm, I'm not saying, I'm not saying you're not, [OVERLAPPING] you're saying that I'm about to go with the motion? Okay. I just want make sure we're not having. Okay. [02:19:30] Um, so before I say this we just want to preface it with again, this is not out of animosity. This is again, out of me thinking about the future of the commission. And I feel most comfortable in the future direction this commission and existence of it. If right now, I can put a- put forward a motion that we as a commission tonight vote to suspend the title of chair from Amel Ali. Is there any [02:20:00] discussion on this anymore? Um, the only thing I will say one thing before we take this vote is one of my main things, and it's not about the allegations, you know, we can go through that all day. But what I don't- I want us to make our own decisions because if we don't make the decision on this, just like this morning, the city is going to swoop in and make a decision for us. And we're going to even look more, more bad than we already look. I don't want that to happen. I don't want the city [02:20:30] to be swooping in and making a decision for us because that almost happened this morning without us showing up and speaking against it. That's why I say that the suspension is the right thing to do so we can investigate because the moment this meeting is over, and those people, the city officials see that we did nothing, they're going to plot on how to swoop in again. Because they made that special session, in what, 35 hours? And they will make another on, even though they couldn't fix [02:21:00] other important issues like a screw to work in 36 hours. That shows the willingness that they have the swoop in. That's why it's our responsibility to take action on our own before they come swooping in again. And that was my main thing. When I woke up this morning, that was my main mission to stop them from- from getting into our internal affairs unless it's necessary. [inaudible 02:21:22] Um, so if, uh, I just want to clarify, if we are, [02:21:30] um, moving forward this motion for suspension, that means that we are saying we would like to maybe hold a special meeting to review this before the fo- the next meeting? Absolutely. [OVERLAPPING] We'd love to have private meetings because like considering the explicitness, apparently of some of us don't like are we allowed to [OVERLAPPING]. This wouldn't fall under chapter 21 for a closed session. Okay. My- my reasoning again, for wanting a suspension is not because I need to hear these tapes. It's because I- I'm- [02:22:00] I'm committed to process. All right. Um, and I don't think that process is going to happen quickly. But we- we have not had a sit down conversation with the major parties involved, um, and have not delineated a path forward. Um, and I- I'd like for solutions to come from those conversations. I agree. I- I think that, um, the suspension [02:22:30] shouldn't be considered, uh, necessarily like, um, you know, like a- how would you say it? A punishment? Uh, but like it's to allow breathing room for, um, us to, um, do what we need to do. And yes, I agree with Eric very much that I really- I really don't want the city to be taking control of what we should be taking control of. I have a quick question. What is such the importance of the title? Why [02:23:00] not just the work? Why are we so wha- if- if she wants to still work in the same capacity, why is the title so important that we can't say, okay, no longer because of whatever reason are you going to be called this, but you're still on and you can still work with us or if you're not, if somehow the city decides to remove her, if the heart center right place, why are we- [02:23:30] why would that information go away or help go away? We can still do the same thing we're working with the citizens every day. I don't understand it. This- this title, throwing around thing sounds like a power trip, and it sounds like ego. And ego is, I mean, it's not helpful. It- because it's always about me. And now we've got to wait a little longer so it can continue to be about me. I would like to counter that just to remind everyone that Amel has been the chair [02:24:00] for not even 14 days or 14 days today, but she has been doing the work of the chair for eight months. So she has been doing that without the title for a long time. So I don't- I- I don't think it's fair to suggest that she would be doing it for the title. Well, then what's the difference is my question. What's the difference if she's been doing it the whole time? Why does it matter? Why are we taking that as something we're gonna risk, possibly stern up a situation that's worse if that's been the case? [02:24:30] It doesn't even make sense. It really doesn't. Yeah, I just wanna, just like I said before, I want to avoid just having to city comeback in, because if they come back in, we're gonna be in more trouble now we're in right now. If they had to come and involve themself, again, it's gonna look way worse than it is. Because I'd- I hadn't believed that they didn't want to take the vote that they took this morning. They- they were close to just saying no, she's off. I agree. They were very close [02:25:00] until we say things like, hey, let us handle it on their own, let us do so now we have this meeting and we stay at the status quo. They don't- [OVERLAPPING] they're gonna spread their wings again and swoop in. Agreed. They expected us to be responsible. I- I just wanna- Can we make the vote now? [OVERLAPPING] - based upon the conversation here, the last five-minutes. So the- the TRC does not have the authority to remove or appoint a member. Okay. I- I think [02:25:30] that because you choose who your chair and vice chair are, you could possibly, um, maybe suspend the, the title of chair. But I don't think that can be associated with a person because that's not really in your purview to suspend a person. That would be the city council. So I just want to clarify that because in the last five minutes, it's kind of been intermingled and [02:26:00] I'm not sure quite what you're saying, so I thought I would just make it clear. Uh, for me if I need to rephrase it. But it was that, um- that I wanted to make a motion to suspend the title of chair from Amel Ali. Okay. Thank you, sir. Any other, um, comments or thoughts on this? I think we should move forward with the vote. Okay. Um, Dillard you got a second for this one? I didn't get one. I'll second it. Okay. [02:26:30] Any further discussion? Commissioner Daniel? Yes. Commissioner Dillard? [02:27:00] I feel like I have to abstain from this vote. I'm trying to pull up your bylaws, I think in the bylaws it says that if you abstain you have to give the reason why like for a conflict or what? [OVERLAPPING] Let me see. [02:27:30] Okay. It says a majority vote is required for adoption of any motion, building will be by roll- call. Every member of the Commission including the chair is required to cast a vote upon each motion. A member who abstains shall state the reasons for the abstention. So you're saying I have to say why I'm abstaining. That's paired data for your bylaws, and those are the bylaws you adopted as a committee. I am abstaining [02:28:00] because I just feel like- I am abstaining because I feel like I do not have enough information, is that sufficient? Okay. Commissioner Gathua? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. [02:28:30] Commissioner Harris? Yes. Commissioner Nobiss? Yes. But I just want to say I'm - I'm saying yes because I think it's in the best interests for people's mental health, and um to allow the TRC to make a proper decision um, and so I-I it's not coming from - this is coming from a place of caring about what's going on. [02:29:00] Commissioner Rivera. I'll remind my fellow commissioners that we have the opportunity to be in communication with City Council, you know I had productive conversations with individual counselors throughout this week, and I think was able to get them to think along the lines of restorative justice, and also allow us to have these opportunities to talk. Um so it's not a given that they will decide for us at their next vote, but we [02:29:30] all have the power to attend to those conversations, and - and have them see why we think that it's important for a suspension, and not a removal. I vote yes. Okay. And Commissioner Traore. Yes. Okay the motion passes 7,0. [inaudible 02:29:46]. Yeah, but it's still passed 7,0. Oh, you just want me to say it on the record one that's okay, I can do that [02:30:00] with one person abstaining. Um, so do we do we want to continue talking on this topic? Anyone else have anything else? I think we should move [OVERLAPPING] Okay, all right, we're going to move on to ah number nine, the American Rescue Plan. Um Johnson County directs Assistance Program, and excluded workers, will first move to public comments. That is going to be online, Zoom. [02:30:30] [inaudible 02:30:30] And we can go ahead with Tara McGovern. I'm not sure if it's for the same thing or not. [BACKGROUND] Okay. I was actually commenting on what you just voted on, so I think that my comment is no longer valid. Okay. Thank you very much. I think that if you have the opportunity, I know that Dr. [02:31:00] Ragweed has been waiting to speak as well, and I think that he deserves to be heard. Thank you for that. We are on number 9, so if Dr. Ragweed would like to speak on that, so you can certainly go ahead. Click the raise hand button. I just hadn't seen one. I hadn't seen it either. I don't think [inaudible 02:31:20] [BACKGROUND]. Ops, no I don't wanna do that. Wrong one. Just click the X [OVERLAPPING], the button Cancel. [02:31:30] We all know the nerve to cancel. Are we done with public? Public comments, one last time anyone want to comment on this number 9, excluded workers. If not, we'll move to ah everyone in the audience, anyone want to make public comment? Excluded workers. Number 9, excluded workers. So it's [02:32:00] the American Rescue Plan Act Funds. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. I'd just like to say that um, Johnson County allocated two million dollars to the American rescue plan along with Iowa City city of Iowa City Council. We collaborated they gave 1.5 million where we had enough funding for 2,500 people. Um, Johnson County when they did the lottery, Johnson County [02:32:30] $199,000 was used. There was $800 left, and then Iowa City money kicked in. And uh there was only a certain amount of Iowa City peoples, Iowa City residence. And so Iowa City only covered those people, so people did get left out. But I do want to let you know that ah the excluded workers already know that we did our part, we allocated two million dollars, and it was all but $800 was used [02:33:00] for that funding. Thank you. Anyone else wants to make public comment about this topic? My name is Oliver long time Iowa City resident. Um, I would like to add that people are left out specifically because the board of supervisors chose not to specifically allocate funds to people who are left out instead made it a general lottery, and the excluded workers came up, and tried [02:33:30] many many many times to make it a more streamlined process. And they spoke in front of them many times. Um I just wanted that to be clear, and on the record that is actually what happened. Thank you. Anyone else with public comments? Okay. We'll move to commissioners [OVERLAPPING] because there's someone, I'm sorry go ahead, Noah. You can hear me right. Yes. All right. Alright. I also just [02:34:00] wanted to repeat that- Roy is saying that this county could've put in a lot more than two million dollars and then Silver just repeatedly asked for you to put in a lot more two million dollars and also didn't have to be a lottery. So Johnson County is on it is their fault. It's I don't- I'm not saying it's obviously false as well because they also could have not done the lottery and put in a lot more money than they did and they should have. But it is honestly equally both your fault [02:34:30] and the city's fault. Don't try to say it's not our fault because it is your fault. You chose not put in more than 2 million and you chose to do the lottery. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else want to give public comment? Okay. We'll move to- commissioner Oh, sorry. I'll just remind. Oh sorry. No, go ahead. Okay. No more from any commissioners? [LAUGHTER] So, you know, we had our last meeting on July 21st, we did make a recommendation to City Council. Um, [02:35:00] last week I followed up with an email to all of you, um, with a form letter and a list of emails of those elected officials throughout our county. Um so there is more conversation to be had, um, if you are able to- to pick up those conversations moving forward. Thank you Kevin is there any other comments from commissioners? Yeah. Um, when we pass that resolution, um, I went to the cat the worker house, and, um, [02:35:30] I went and talked about the resolution that we pass. And usually every weekend, I go and do some violence at work at the Catholic Worker House or go over and help with something or give a speech about something to help the undocumented people understand the process. And one thing I would say officially, um, is a lot of blame game going on about who didn't find, who didn't find where the technicality came from. I would say is at, to be honest with you. They said that people lived outside of different areas and things like [02:36:00] that. Unfortunately, this past weekend, um, I haven't been able to go check on the excluded workers because of, you know, the events of the last days. So I'm going to make it my mission to go and check. And the next meeting that we have, I will have more definitive report. Thank you. Anyone else? I want to say thank you to commissioners Rivera [02:36:30] and also Commissioner Harris for coming to the event last weekend, the Excluded Worker House, um, and also for helping to put that together. Um, so we got to sit with some of City Council and also hear the stories of some that won the lottery, but also for more that did not. And we're still hurting and looking for answers. Uh it definitely is some heartbreaking things to listen to. And to all of you, if any of you do end up hearing this recording or hear anything [02:37:00] about the actual meeting tonight i just want to say ah, hope you don't feel that we tried to diminish talking about you in any way. Do still whole heatedly believed that all the remaining 319 should be funded and I do wish that there had been more funding for everyone that was truly in need and applied. But unfortunately, I just don't have- I just don't have more today. But just want to thank you again for going to the city council meetings, all the other public [02:37:30] officials meetings and our meetings too, and pushing us to make sure that we abide by the actual promise we made to you to help you fight. [inaudible 02:37:37]. Thank you. Any other comments from commissioners? I move that we go on to the next one. All right. Um, agenda item number 10 follow up on a proclamation led by Commissioner Nobiss. Would you like to go and talk about this to Canvas. [02:38:00] Yes. Um, so as you can see, that that's the proclamation that the Sioux City, um, city council [NOISE] went off of. And, um, I was hoping we could adopt that- something like that, um, and move forward, uh, for this year. Thank you so much for putting this together and connecting us with this. Um, thank [02:38:30] you so much. Thank you. On this one. Commissioner, Nobiss, I want to thank you, uh, for inviting me to the event last week to hear more about the history of homicides, but also indigenous people whose going missing. Uh, very eye-opening. I knew that it was a problem, but really [02:39:00] airing more of the true extent and the history behind it and the lack of definitive statistics because of how little groups and power have tried to care about it. It's really hard to hear, and I'm sure it was harder for you to listen to. But want to thank you for still holding the event and holding the panel and for taking the questions that myself and other attendees had asked and bringing them forward. So with that I just wanted you to know when it comes to the proclamation after [02:39:30] hearing more last week, especially I'm definitely in favor of the recommendation. Well, thank you. Yeah. That's- that's really nice to hear, um, it's why I'm on this commission because, uh, of the eraser and misrepresentation that indigenous peoples face. So, um, it's literally my job. So thank you so much and I'm glad that we can hopefully adopt this. Do we need to do a vote to adopt this or. [02:40:00] I was wondering if we, um, I- I love I mean, I think this is so well-written. I wonder if, I mean, um, we could still spend a little bit of time personalizing it or localizing it to our context right. We have a written land acknowledgment that specifically calls out specific native and it's peoples here. And so I wonder if, um, we think that it's appropriate to add you know another line saying they're incorporating some of the language from Orlando Acknowledgment, um, because there is context, right. [02:40:30] There's a reason that we're talking about indigenous people here. Um, and we- we read that land acknowledgment from the very beginning. So that- I mean, that has to also be in our reasoning for this. Um I wanted [OVERLAPPING] Oh, sorry um. I wanted to defer to you in terms of length and year as well. Yeah. No. I'd be happy to personalize it. I kind of assumed we would, um, so like I just- that would be like I guess, [02:41:00] um, the template, you know, so that's our template. And, um, I would be happy to- to work on personalizing it for us. So I can- I can do that, um, and then, um, update people, um, on it. And then maybe we can vote on it or I don't even know if we have to vote on it. I think Stephanie said that. Um, I don't remember. There's some rules about this, right- right Stephanie? I don't think there's really any rules. It's just- it just has to be presented [02:41:30] to the city clerk within X amount of days before a city council meeting. But one- once you have the draft the way you want it, um, just let me know and I can send you the template that the city council uses for proclamations. Okay. Okay. So we'll just, um, vote as a TRC to then present it to the City Council. I guess that would be the process. Ye- ye- yeah. I mean, you can vote on it when it gets closer in time if you want, but if there appears to be general consensus, I mean, I guess the vote is just kinda up to you guys. What [02:42:00] you feel comfortable with. Oh, okay. One question that I have to Carlos is, are we presenting this from May 2nd next year? Um, yes. Okay. Great. We have a lot of time. [LAUGHTER] Do- do you need any help with this? Sure. Yeah I would love- [OVERLAPPING] Okay. Yeah. So I can put together a Google Doc and share it with- with the- with the whole group. I think it'd be better if you send it to Steph. And then she sent it to us? Yes. Okay. [02:42:30] Yeah. Awesome I'll send it to Steph. Awesome. Did we have anything else for this? If not, then we'll just move on to Commissioner announcements. First of all we'll start with Steph. I- I just wanted to say one thing. So I'm gonna check with communications, but, um, just the, um, community member who asked about the transcripts. I- I kinda think on Zoom [02:43:00] that there's transcripts that are created as part of Zoom. And so if you don't mind if you, um, before you leave, if you could just give me your address and oh, not address your email address. And I can follow up with communications to see if they can work with you on getting you those transcripts from Zoom. I request [inaudible 02:43:18] kind of everyone if the transcripts can be- be made easily accessible on a website because I'm just envisioning, you know, some [02:43:30] total bad ass from another community and moving to Iowa City because they're such great things about Iowa City and how it is a joy to be here. And then they want to get involved. But the TRC commission has been doing such great work for so long, so many hours. [inaudible 02:43:46] when that person's need. [02:44:00] Like a million questions. Yeah. Yes. I said why- why did this happen? But I don't wanna take it to the pipe, so we can make it available to the public [inaudible 02:44:16] Yeah, I can- I can do that, but I haven't seen some of them in the past, just so you know. I mean, they- they can run 2, 300 pages. So it- it's not a condensed transcript, so I just wanna [02:44:30] make sure. But we can- I'll talk to communications and if they can do that, then we'll get them link to the website. You have anything else, Stephanie? I'm sorry. No. Okay. Commissioner announcements. Um, I just wanna say something. Um, even some people on this commission and some people in this room, I went rounds and rounds and back-and-forth, we [02:45:00] just need to find some peace, and we need to stop the infighting. And with that I yield. Me, I just wanna take a second. So, um, is anyone here tonight or, again, on Zoom that is ever felt wronged by anything I've done in my capacity as a commissioner or outside of that? Please, let me know so we can have a conversation about it. I would rather that than it fester or get worse. [02:45:30] And, um, the next thing I'd like to say is, I don't know if you do hear this or anyone does report it, you got what happened tonight, I just wanna make sure you do understand that I don't have any hate in my heart for you; none whatsoever. The reason, again, I kept repeating how long we've known each other is to make sure that people know that I'm not just gonna toss you to the side in some way like you can't still be a part of the community; [02:46:00] I don't believe that. So I just hope that we're able to find a better consensus sometime these next like no- 7-10n days, whatever it is, but I just wanna be sure that we can all move forward as a community. With that, I yield. Um, if anyone who would like to kind of dip their toe into understanding more about restorative justice, a lot of my initial learning came from this book, The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr. Um, it's a quick read [02:46:30] and I think pretty easily digestible, and I think is a great access point. Um, thanks. Um, I would- firstly, I wanna thank everyone in this room, um, commissioners and everyone listening in, um, just for, um, helping us, uh, create this space today on tough discussions. And, um I really respect everyone now for really trying to listen to everyone, um, as we have had these conversations today. Um, I definitely look forward [02:47:00] to continuing this work and working with everyone. And I just, uh- I just feel very grateful to be a part of this commission and part of this movement in this community. Um, so I'd like to take this opportunity to, um, say I've been very honored to be on this commission, um, the events of the past week. Oh, actually, let me start- let me start this off the right way; the way I would wanna start it. Um, [02:47:30] Royceann, I accept your apology and I apologize for calling you, a bully this morning. I think what happened on Tuesday really impacted me in a way that you couldn't possibly understand, so I apologize and I accept your apo- apology. And that goes for everyone that was with you. I- like it's water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned. Um this week has been very trying for me. [02:48:00] Um, and it- and the- [sigh] on top of everything, uh, my health it's just- I'm stepping down after this meeting. Um, I'm stepping down from the commission. I need to focus on my health and, uh, try to figure out where some of that hurt came from this morning because, you know, I grew up a little fat Black girl and bullies [02:48:30] were just a part of life. And I feel I pa- I believe we'll do. Um, but it wasn't you, it was just like, some of that I've never worked through. Um, and, uh, you know, I have an illness that eventually one day I may not be able to walk and I may not be able to talk, and I may not be able to see, and I'm gonna spend time, um, [02:49:00] working on restorative justice and, uh, healing. But I think the role that I'm, uh- this position on the TRC would be better served going to someone in the community who was possibly healthier. But also, this- today, um, earlier this week we've heard a lot of people say they wanna see, um, some [02:49:30] older people on this commission. And, you know, I- I think there- there's someone to that. Um, are we erasing, um, seniors for- like-and so I'm stepping down and I really hoped someone, um- a community elder takes my place. And I really- I'm gonna be supporting, uh, the work of the commission, but I -I- [02:50:00] this will be my last meeting. And I just wanna thank everyone for, uh, putting up with me and, um- and just hanging in there and really supporting each other. [NOISE] This is Commissioner Johnson, and I hope for nothing but the best with you. I hope everything is well, and thank you for your time and thank all of you [inaudible 02:50:28] [02:50:30] At the end of the day, nothing- none of this should be personal, so I hope that we can hopefully grow from this and continue to keep moving forward and doing what we should be doing for our community, and that's making it better. But definitely, uh, special sense of care that I hope for nothing but the best with you and I hope everything is well. Daphne, [02:51:00] it has been a joy working with you as a fellow commissioner and knowing you and the connection we have made. I know we shall continue working together in the community to make our- our city a better place. Thank you. And I know I can always pick up the phone or email or whichever form of communication. [02:51:30] Or just come downstairs. Yes. Oh, thank you for remember- reminding me of that, you're just downstairs. Thank you. Uh, I wish to thank everybody. It has been, I don't wanna use the word tumultuous, but it has been challenging. Thank you everybody for all the difficult conversations [02:52:00] that we have had. I wish I could assure everybody it will be okay, but I really can't make such a promise. We will continue struggling, uh, as we move along fighting racial oppression. So some of it is fighting among the TRC or let me not use the word fighting, [02:52:30] let me use disagreement. [LAUGHTER] Let me use that, let me rephrase that. And even among the communities and I know, um, I'd say that again, but I'm repeating. So thank you, that's what I mean to say for everybody, even the public for, uh, going there. It's tough. My other point, I believe, and I'm going [02:53:00] to use the word- the two words; I believe the victims, and this is intended, the victims and the survivors of the hurt, those who have been hurt, I believe you. By- especially the words on the clip that is in the public domain. I [02:53:30] am referring to that because that is what is out there. I am sorry and I believe you. And also thank you even as it hurts, you have still being part of this process of dealing with it and moving to get to the other side where we are working on creating a light. [02:54:00] Thank you. I yield. Anyone else? Motion to adjourn? I second. [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER] Thank you, everyone.