HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-2023 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda
Thursday, May 4, 2023, 7 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Hall
410 E. Washington Street
In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to
participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meeting is in -person, and those wishing to ensure
their ability to participate should attend the meeting in person. If you instead wish to participate
remotely, you may attempt to do so by joining the below link. Please note that the meeting link and ID
for the first Thursday of each month is different than the link and ID for the third Thursday of each
month.
First Thursday Meetings httl)s://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN cMlaaV6cTxGw0IWu2-hFHg
I D: 867 2424 8095
Third Thursday Meetings https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN ICII811PSRo1UOXPIL-1Ew
ID: 895 3695 0485
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone
by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting Agenda:
1. CALLTOORDER
2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM APRIL 6, 2023
4. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS)
5. RESIGNATIONS— MOHAMED TRAORE & I(EVO RIVERA
6. DEBRIEF AND NEXT STEPS
7. FOLLOW UPON COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ICCSD
8. CORRESPONDENCE
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS/STAFF (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN
DISCUSSION WITH ONE ANOTHER CONCERNING SAID ANNOUNCEMENTS)
10. ADJOURNMENT
If you will need a disability -related accommodation to participate in this meeting please
contact the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-
city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your
accessibility needs.
Native American land Acknowledgement
Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human
Rights Commission
PURPOSE
Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land
and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments
in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward
reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land
Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration,
and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also
address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth
and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of
Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To be read at all public meetings and events:
"We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of
Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of
Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because
history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the
ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken
treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands
was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the
Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we
work toward equity, restoration, and reparations."
LEARN MORE
Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide
Meskwaki Nation - History
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as
members of the public, for their input.
April 6, 2023
Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes
Emma J. Harvat Hall, City Hall
Commissioners present: Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Marie Krebs, Lauren Merritt, Kevo
Rivera, Clif Johnson.
Commissioners absent: Eric Harris, Sikowis Nobiss, Mohamed Traore.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Eric Goers, Redmond Jones.
Meeting called to order: 7:08 pm.
Reading of Native American Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgement
Approval of Minutes from March 2, 2023: Rivera moved, and Merritt seconded.
Motion passed 6-0.
Presentation of ARPA Funds for Inclusive Economic Development: Mayor Bruce Teague
introduced Deputy City Manager Redmond Jones's presentation, ARPA Funds for Inclusive
Economic Development. Jones outlined City Council's plan to award $4 million of ARPA funds to
local businesses and entrepreneurs. Jones estimated, of the $4 million in ARPA funds, $3 million
would be spent on physical space and $1 million on support needs.
Statements of interests will be due May 1st. Jones encouraged proposals that would produce
community connections as well as systematic change within Iowa City. Merritt asked about the
possibility of involving the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Jones answered that the
appropriate staff would respond to zoning concerns as submissions come in. Merritt inquired
about the deadline, questioning if there would be enough time for applicants to submit
proposals. Jones answered by clarifying that the proposals are expected to be brief and built upon
after submissions. Merritt suggested using an online database for proposal matchmaking. Rivera
sought clarification on who would be eligible as well as the number of expected awards. Jones
clarified that small businesses would be targeted but could not provide an estimate of projected
award amounts.
Gathua asked about how small businesses would be defined and asked that the council provide
Swahili translations of promotional materials. Jones answered that he would contact Gathua,
after the meeting for Swahili translation resources. Jones, in response to Merritt's query about
who would be on the review committee, answered that he, Redmond Jones, Mayor Bruce
Teague, and Economic Development Coordinator Wendy Ford would compose the review
committee. Rivera asked how the program's success would be measured. Jones answered
sustainability, systematic chance to the economic ecosystem, and investment recovery would be
used to indicate and measure success.
Facilitator Services Proposal: City Attorney Eric Goers introduced the consultant agreements and
asked the commission for opinions and/or questions. Dillard invited the public to speak. Selena
Martin of the Help, Hope, and Love Foundations inquired about the possibility of shrinking the
budget by employing locally. Merritt asked about liability in the contracts and whether the City's
or the Commission's interests would be prioritized. Goers answered that facilitators had not yet
discussed this. Merritt inquired about the possibility of a facilitator leaving and how this might
play out. Goers answered that addressing the contracts to specific individuals could prevent this.
Annie Tucker raised the possibility of subcontracting mediators who might better represent
varying demographics on a case -by -case basis. This prompted discussion of funding
subcontractors through reallocating funds and approval of subcontracting. Goers clarified that
reallocation would require written approval from City Council if the budget was exceeded or if
Phase 3 were to be implemented. Goers also clarified in response to Gathua's prompting that
subcontracting would be covered by the current contracts if they were referenced individually.
Gathua and Krebs asked Tucker to clarify how subcontracted mediators would be paid within
budget. Tuckers clarified that mediators would be paid from the mediation fund if the costs
exceed the budget. Selena Martin requested clarity on phases. V. Fixmer-Oraiz outlined the first
two phases. The Commission approved the contracts. Goers projected the contracts would be
seen by the council in the coming month of May.
ICCSD Elementary School Performance Incident: Krebs mentioned meeting with Laura Gray,
Executive Director of Diversity & Cultural Responsiveness, and Carmen Gwenigale, Director of
Curriculum, and noted their enthusiasm in proposing solutions.
Commission Announcements: Rivera condemned recent anti -trans legislation is Des Moines and
urged the commission to embrace intersectionality. Johnson thanked everyone involved in the
first Iowa City Golden Gloves Tournament and promised to be more available to meet with
community members after nationals. Gathua sent support to Kenya in response to increasing
violence at anti -government demonstrations and encouraged community members who want to
get involved to contact her. Gathua also encouraged inquiries about her upcoming trip to Zambia
on which she will be joined by other Grand Canyon University faculty. Gathua acknowledged
Good Friday, Passover, and Ramadan. Dillard thanked those who attended a fundraising event at
Shakespeare's Pub and Grill as a part of a campaign to fund summer camp for local children.
Adjourned: 8:34 PM.
City Board and Commission meetings are recorded and can be viewed in their entirety by
visiting this link.
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KEVO RIVERA, MD
4691 Herbert Hoover Hwy SE, Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 576 8414 kevorivera.trc@gmail.com
May 3, 2023
Chastity Dillard
Chair, Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
c/o Office of Equity and Human Rights
410 E Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Chair Dillard,
I am writing this letter to notify you of my resignation as Commissioner of the Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth
and Reconciliation Commission, effective May 17, 2023. In July, I will be relocating for a job
opportunity serving the mental health needs of children and families in Brooklyn, NY. While I am excited
for this next venture, the difficulty of leaving my home here in Iowa City is underscored by the regret I
feel with having to depart from the TRC, especially on the eve of a new, promising season wherein the
TRC can move forward in fulfilling its mandate. I am proud to have been a part of the process that got us
here, and I am proud to have been involved in the work —including amplifying voices of excluded
workers, bearing witness to the historical and ongoing injustice of Indigenous Peoples, and promoting
models of restorative processes —that the TRC has carried out since my appointment at its inception.
I am grateful to you, to Vice Chair Merritt, and to all other past and present Chairs, Vice Chairs, and
Commissioners I have had the pleasure of working alongside. I am grateful to Director Bowers, who has
held this Commission together through her leadership and service. I am grateful for the expertise and
promise of our newly official facilitator team, which has already given so much of themselves to the
Commission. I am grateful to Councilor Bergus and former Councilor Weiner for drafting the resolution
which created the TRC and to Councilors Alter, Thomas, and Dunn for believing in our vision and our
potential.
I look forward to being in attendance for our next meeting on May 4, 2023 and to participating in any
Commission responsibilities that are needed in the two weeks following. Past that, know that I will
continue to proudly support the TRC, albeit from a distance.
Sincerely,
Kevo Ri
CC:
Lauren Merritt, Vice Chair, Iowa City Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director, City of Iowa City
Bruce Teague, Mayor, City of Iowa City